Hurricane

Chapter 11: Self-Abnegation

One thing Diaval has noticed through the years is that Maleficent has a tendency to forget herself for the sake of the people she cares about. It has been most evident when she willingly walked into a death trap because of Aurora. They knew, when they entered the castle that fateful day, that there is a possibility they would not make it out alive. Despite the precariousness of their situation, Maleficent willingly went, clinging to the slight chance of breaking Aurora's curse. Everything turned out to their favor that night, but in retrospect, so many things could have gone wrong. However, Diaval knew Maleficent would never regret anything she's done for Aurora, even if it was to her own detriment.

The entire situation with Stephan, Diaval muses, was also an act of self-forgetfulness in Maleficent's part. She forgot herself, her morals and her own disposition entirely just to make sure she sees Stephan suffer. It was an act that stemmed from hatred, but that hatred had evolved from love. If anything, this shows that Maleficent has a tendency to neglect herself in the face of strong emotions.

This behavior has also been displayed towards him. He remembers the aftermath of saving Aurora. Maleficent tended to his wounds first even in her weakened state. He also recalls that time when she offered him release from his servitude. No façade could hide from him the fact that she didn't want to; if it weren't for her sense of honor speaking of repaying Diaval's service and giving him some semblance of a life lived for his own, she wouldn't have considered freeing him. If she acted based on her own wants, she would have kept him by her side, even if it was under the pretext of servitude. He often wonders what she would have done if he left. Not that he would because really, what was he supposed to do on his own? Spend his life as a mere raven again? However, it doesn't stop him from marveling the extent to which his mistress would be willing to forget her own needs for his and Aurora's sake.

Now, she is hovering over Aurora's sick form. They were currently at the castle, visiting because Aurora has caught some virulent disease. Maleficent's magic was more than sufficient to heal her, but her body was still weakened and she hasn't woken up from her long slumber. Maleficent keeps on checking whether Aurora's temperature remains stable, and she hasn't left their hatchling's side since they got here.

Diaval made a trip to the kitchens to obtain some food for himself and Maleficent. He enters Aurora's chambers, glancing at Maleficent who was seated on a chair by the beastie's bedside. It doesn't look comfortable at all.

"Maleficent, I've brought food. You should eat." He puts the basket of pastries in a nearby table, takes a loaf of bread and hands it to Maleficent. Maleficent takes it but doesn't eat. He glances at her unruly hair and haunted face.

"It's been three days since we got here. Have you slept at all since then?" Diaval questions, tucking a few strands of hair behind Maleficent's ear.

"How can I sleep when the beastie still hasn't woken up? I've done what I can, but I cannot force her to wake up if her body is still mending. I do not understand what's taking so long for the last vestiges of the illness to leave her body." There are lines of worry on her face as she looks up at him.

Diaval's brows furrow. "And when was the last time you've eaten?"

"Last night, I think. I'm not sure." Her gaze returns to Aurora. Diaval sighs heavily.

"If you don't take care of yourself, you'll be sick before she even wakes up, Maleficent. Fae or not, your body has its limits too. At least eat that piece of bread you're holding!"

Maleficent obliges, taking small bites from the bread. "I do not mean to let myself go, Diaval. I just can't stomach any food right now."

"I know it's difficult because you're sick with worry. Still, try to take in small amounts of food, just enough to sustain you." He takes another piece of bread from the basket. "Here, eat another one and then take a nap."

"But Diaval, I need to monitor Aurora's condition."

"I can do that. I'll stay here. You should go sleep for a while in the rooms they've prepared for us. I'll drag you there if I have to." Diaval states firmly. They stare at each other for a few seconds, until Maleficent breaks the contact in an act of concession. She rises from her chair and extends her wings to shake off the soreness from being confined to the chair for too long.

"Fine. But wake me up when something changes in her condition, or when she wakes up. That's a command." She then walks out of the room, Diaval watching her retreating back.

Maleficent wakes up some time later. She sees Diaval in a chair akin to the one in Aurora's chambers, this time by her bedside.

"Rest well?" Diaval asks.

"Why are you here? You should be with Aurora right now." Maleficent tries for a glare, but with her eyes still bleary from sleep, it didn't have its desired effect.

"She's woken up. Phillip is currently taking her on a stroll round the gardens. She wanted some fresh air after being cooped up in her room for so long." Diaval moves from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I told you to rouse me when she wakes up! That was a command." She sits up, still glaring at her companion.

"And your commands would actually have weight if I was still your servant. But you freed me, remember?" Diaval quips, with an all-too-smug grin on his face.

"This is not the time to play cute with me, Diaval. I do not appreciate you subverting my wishes like this. I only want to make sure Aurora's fine, anyway."

"She's fine; she's completely recovered. She's all smiles and cheeriness immediately after waking. Since there was no pressing matter at hand, I thought it best to let you have your respite. The little hatchling agreed with me. I assure you, if her condition had worsened, I would have woken you. As it was, however, there was no need to disturb you, so I let you sleep. You seem to have exhausted yourself keeping vigil at Aurora's side. You should know by now I wouldn't allow you to be so careless with yourself." He shifts them both so that her legs are on his lap, and he starts caressing her calves in a relaxing gesture. Despite herself, Maleficent closes her eyes and leans back against the headboard.

"You still seem tired." Without opening her eyes, Maleficent knows Diaval's brows are furrowed in concern.

"Not sleeping for two nights does that to you, Diaval." She hears him sigh.

"You're not doing this again unless absolutely necessary, alright? You need to take care of yourself more, I'm telling you. If not for yourself, then do it for the people who care about you. It's not nice to make us worry." Upon hearing his words, Maleficent opens her eyes to meet Diaval's anxious ones.

"I'm sorry. It's an instinct I can't help. I did not mean to trouble you."

"You're forgiven. But at least eat when I tell you to eat and rest when I ask you to rest."

Maleficent smiles lightly then. "As long as you don't stop reminding me", she replies to him.

Diaval rolls his eyes, a smile on his face as well. "I'm going to have to do all the work, aren't I? No matter. That's what I'm here for anyway."

Maleficent tries to stifle a yawn but is unsuccessful. Diaval, of course, notices. "You should go back to sleep. We'll eat later and we can set out for the Moors tomorrow", the raven proposes.

"That would be favorable."

Diaval gently takes off her legs from his lap and gets up.

"You should rest too, Diaval."

Diaval's eyes light up. "Here?"

Maleficent lies back down but adjusts so there is space for Diaval. "Might as well."

His grin is the last thing she sees, and his arms the last thing she feels, before unconsciousness takes over her again.

END

A/N: This goes out to The Silver Trumpet, who left me with the prompt "forgetfulness". Less fluffy than what you probably expect, but yeah. Thanks a lot for reviewing :)

I wrote two additional chapters, so instead of 13, this collection will be finalized at 15. They're all written now, and I will be posting a chapter a day. So 4 more days!

I almost didn't post this chapter because I got so discouraged. I looked at my reader count and noticed the views drop as the collection proceeds along, so it made me wonder what it is about my earlier chapters that disallows readers' attentions to be sustained. But I guess since I've already written all of this, there's no point in not posting what I've put my effort on. Sorry for the despondency (it's been an awful week).

Anyway, as usual please leave a review and tell me what you think! If you're still with me, I love you. Really. Cheers!