Maleficent - Diaval Fanfic – I'm Alive by Raven Diablo
Chapter 2: A Grand Celebration.
More than a year had passed since Diaval was Maleficent's servant. For the most part she had treated him very well. He was given free reign of the Moors in his free time when he was dismissed for the day by his mistress. She generally had given him one day off a week, but sometimes he was lucky and was given two days off, but not always. Just about everyday he went to the castle and every night he reported back without fail. Mostly she asked him what the king and queen look like, what they were wearing, and if they were doing anything which seemed out of the ordinary, such as preparing for war. In between Maleficent would have him fetch berries, greens or other fruits for them to eat. She had him do other tasks as well to earn his keep. Sometimes these extra tasks were welcome treat to break up the monotony of going to the castle.
On his days off, Maleficent would show him around the Moors. It was those times where she would speak to him the most. Normally she was always quiet and had a stern look on her face and only spoke to him when she needed something. She never really smiled or laughed. However, it was clear she had a passion for her land and keeping it safe from outsiders and she didn't mind talking about that.
There were a myriad of unusual creatures and faeries on the Moors. Maleficent did a good job explaining each creature as many creatures served a purpose on the Moors. The faeries mostly encouraged things to grow and heal. Maleficent also mentioned that this is her job as well. There were creatures called mudgeons, stone faeries, and wallerbogs. The latter appeared rather disgusting to Diaval as their job was to make mud using their slobber. Their action reminded him of the slobbering of dogs which he detested. He always hated dogs, they always reminded him of the time when he was staring them in the face under that net just before his mistress saved him. Down from the bogs and in the nearby river there were unusual purplish fish that appeared iridescent when they broke the surface of the water. Maleficent said their job was to filter the water and keep it clean. Most of the creatures had some task that kept the land clean and beautiful.
The list of creatures was endless. But Maleficent was true to her word and in time she DID tell him everything. He let her speak as she didn't like to be interrupted while discussing anything.
He met some of her closest friends such as Balthazar, a Tree Sentry, which was a form of being that looked like a sentient tree that could move around and talk just like any other creature of the Moors. Their job was to guard the perimeter of the Moors and alert Maleficent if there is any trouble. The also were the main frontline soldiers in the event of war. There was also a spunky old tree faerie by the name of Robin that befriended Diaval. Robin is a long time friend of Maleficent and even helped to raise her when she was a child. Robin often spoke of 'something that happened' and is the reason why Maleficent is the way she is now. He said she used to be much happier and then that was it. He was not aloud to speak of it and was forced to promise never to speak of it by Maleficent herself. Robin always insisted that a good faerie ALWAYS keeps his or her promise. Robin never betrayed Maleficent's trust. However, all of this piqued Diaval's interest and he thought that something bad happened in her. He would try to talk to Maleficent to see if she would open up.
However, when it came talk of herself or or past, she completely bottled up and she made it clear that his was to be avoided. But sometimes Diaval persisted and he often found himself being punished.
Maleficent's punishments were not severe, painful, or would anyway cause him harm, but sometimes she would change him into something he disliked for a whole day. Or if it was really bad, he was transformed to his original raven form and then placed inside a small black box where he couldn't see or hear anything but yet he was able to breath fine. There was only enough room for him to turn around inside the box. He would loose track of time and never know how long he was in there. On one particular occasion, she had him in the box for nearly a week. She would only open the box to allow him to have food and drink. He hated the box punishment the most and she knew it too.
"I only want to know why you don't have wings like the other faeries"
"I just don't! OK?! Enough! You always have trouble with rule number 2. Into the box you go".
"No, my mistress, I just..." and with a wave of her hand he was transformed into a raven.
She calmly and gently picked him up saying, "I don't want to have to do this to you, but I have told you not to question me and yet you continue to do so. You are certainly feisty." She said letting out a sigh. She placed him in the box and was hesitant to close the lid, but she did so. She could hear a weak caw come from the box as she put on the latch. That was the one of the longest times he was in the box.
Finally when she opened the box and nodded her head for him to fly out. She waved her hand, "Into a Man". He stood in front of her with his head down and in a usual ritual he exclaimed, "I broke the rules, it was my and my doing alone to why I was punished, I am sorry, my mistress".
"Very well, apology accepted", she said sternly. "I was out this morning and the main road going to the castle was just bustling with activity. So I released you today because I need you to go to the castle for me and find out what is going on.
"May, I get cleaned up first?"
"No, you must go now."
"Yes, my mistress"
With a flick of her hand he was a Raven again and he flew out the door into the direction of the Castle.
Later on when Diaval returned to the Rowan tree, Maleficent wasn't to be found. But Robin was inside her house.
"Good eeeeeevening, Diaval, my friend", Robin said jubilantly.
Diaval cawed as he perched on the table in the room.
"Maleficent has instructed me to tell you to meet her by the large waterfall, she is waiting for you there".
With that he flew off to the waterfall. This area was one of the prettiest areas of the Moors with a large watering hole, creek and all sorts of vegetation. Maleficent often visited this area when she wanted to be alone to think. There were some nice updrafts from the waterfall in this area that Diaval liked to play in and this time was no exception. He caught a nice updraft and was circling and diving. He was particularly happy because this time he had some news from the castle. He caught sight of his mistress from across the lake she was standing there watching him. He circled once around and came down near her and with a yellow magical wisp, he was a man again. He stumbled as he landed.
Maleficent tilted her head back and her eyes glared. As always, she had a stern look on her face.
"Well?" She asked
"Well, I saw nothing, but there's been a..." Diaval paused.
"What!"
"A child. King Stefan and the queen has had a child, a baby girl."
"Oh", she replied casually.
"There will be a christening and it is to be a grand celebration", Diaval said.
"A grand celebration for a baby. How wonderful!" A small smile appeared on her face. She continued to smile at him.
"Come now Diaval, you have done an excellent job and there is much to be done, my pet"
"Pet?!" Diaval thought to himself "That's the first time she referred to me as a pet." He wasn't too keen on the idea, but it was definitely better than being referred to as 'servant' or other demeaning names he was called in the past.
"Is this the information you are looking for, my mistress?", he asked.
"It most certainly is", her smile turned to an evil grin, "My revenge will be complete".
Diaval wanted to ask what she meant by that, but after being nearly a week in the black box for punishment, he didn't dare ask and get another 'rule number two' violation.
The two headed back to the where Maleficent had her throne near one of the large bogs past the forest.
Her throne was situated between two large rocks that had stratifications that curled up from the base. When Maleficent sat in her throne she appeared to have wings behind her. The throne itself was a made from a twisted tree and one branch was adorned in a rib like fashion to form the back of the throne.
While walking to her throne, all the while, Maleficent had a grin on her face. She looked to Diaval often and Diaval was happy to see Maleficent have somewhat of a smile on her face. She seemed happy, for once and pleased him as well.
She ordered a small bonfire to be built in front of the throne out near the bog. She assisted with her magic as well. She instructed a group of stone faeries to build a large fire ring around an area near the front of the throne. Once completed, Maleficent ordered some wood faeries to pile on some twigs and logs into the ring. And finally she tossed a ball of fire into the pile and started the blaze. The bon fire lit the whole area up.
She the walked over to throne and spoke out in a booming voice to all that were present.
"I have been given information that will lead to my vengeance against the king." , she bellowed. There were some cheers amongst the faeries that were there.
"Tonight, let's have our own grand celebration!" she yelled out. The cheers amonst the faeries intensified.
She went back behind her throne and pulled out the black punishment box and walked over to Diaval who was near the bonfire.
"Oh, NO, Diaval exclaimed. What for? I didn't break any rules. I thought you were happy with the news I brought you." His heart started to pound.
The smile on Maleficent's face grew a bit wider, and he could almost see her teeth. This was a smile that he doesn't see often. She walked over to the bonfire not taking her eyes off of him. Her face looked good in the light of the fire, which was reflected in her eyes. She then took the box and threw it on the flames.
Diaval couldn't understand what was going on. His punishment box was burning in the flames. What did this mean.
"Fooled You!", she smirked a bit and continued. "You should have seen the look on your face".
Now she's joking around?
"From this day forth", she proceeded to say. "I am no longer going to put you in the isolation box as a form of punishment. Your reward for the information you have given me".
Diaval didn't know what to say at first, but then he exclaimed, "Oh, thank you, my mistress, thank you thank you, he said several times" He got down on one knee and asked, "May I kiss my mistress' hand".
"You may", she replied and held out her right hand." He took her hand in his and he placed a gentle soft kiss on her hand. Her face seemed to be a bit softer as he did so. But the moment was short and she then withdrew her hand.
"There is much to do, but first we eat! Well, have a nice warm meal tonight on the fire."
Everyone cheered and they played games. Dinner was great and soon the bonfire was attracting other fae creatures across the Moors and they joined in on the little celebration. Many faeries came and lit up the night with their magic lights. Diaval was amazed at the site. The faeries were flying to and fro like fireflies. Even the wallerbogs joined in making impressive mud piles as sort of their way of decorating for the festive night.
All the while Maleficent sat on her throne while everyone partied. She sat with her legs to the side and her lower legs under her. She held her staff in one hand and was popping grapes in her mouth with her other. She seemed very content. Every now and then she cracked a small smile to those that looked upon her.
Diaval was still curious as to what Maleficent was planning. It obviously would have to do with the baby. One thing he was worried about was that she might bring harm to the baby...an innocent child not aware of the evils of the world.
Then he had a terrible thought. Maybe she had plans to KILL the child. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask, but he didn't. He knew that Maleficent appeared to be in a good mood and he didn't want to ruin her evening by breaking rule number 2 again, especially since he was free from being placed in the hideous confines of the isolation box again.
"Ok, Diaval, I see the look on your face and I WILL tell you what we are going to do".
"Really?" Diaval was surprised.
"I keep telling you, I will tell you want to know on my terms." Maleficent again reached behind the throne and brought out one of her spell books.
"We are going to put a curse Stefan's baby!" she exclaimed , "What fun!" She said with an evil smirk on her face. "I'll have him writhing like a worm on a hook!"
Diaval had mixed feelings about her comment, his mistress clearly had evil connotations and was bent on harming King Stefan's child. Why, he still didn't know. He smiled along with Maleficent anyway as he didn't want to spoil the evening.
Soon even more fae folk showed up for the party including, Robin.
Robin shouted as he flew to the area, "We are going to have some fun tonight! Yeeeeeee Haawww!"
"Hey Diaval, nice night!" Robin said as he flew nearly into Diaval's face.
"Oh, Maleficent, my lady?", he bowed to her.
"Yes, Robin?"
"Thank you for the party!
"You're Welcome. Go enjoy yourself" she replied jovially.
Robin flew back to Diaval and said, "Woo Hoo, she is in a good mood tonight. And she is looking great too! I haven't seen a glow on her face like that since..." He stopped mid sentence and the smile went from his face.
"What's wrong Robin?" Diaval asked.
"Awww nothing. Let have fun!" The smile returned to Robins face and he flew off doing loops as he went.
Diaval was still very surprised at how Maleficent was acting. But, like Robin, he just rolled with it and didn't ask any questions.
The party continued on through most of the night. Maleficent leaned back against a branch on her throne and tilted her head back with her eyes closed. She was resting a bit. Diaval sat down next to her. Still not being able to comprehend the human feelings he was having, Maleficent, with her neck arched back and eyes closed started to really look good to him. It seems that as the days tick by, her face becomes more and more pleasant to him. Tonight she seemed especially radiant.
"Come here, my pet" Maleficent said softly as she waved her hand and a yellow wisp turned him into his original form. He flew to her side.
She took her fingers and rubbed behind his head. Oh, that felt good! Diaval pushed his head back into her fingers. She was smiling at him.
"You have been a good birdy today, my pet". She rubbed down his folded wings gently.
Diaval was enjoying this moment intensely as this was the first time that Maleficent was touching him and in a caring manner. He didn't read into it though as he reveled in the moment as her rubbing his neck and back felt good.
It was a lovely evening with the stars out and the fire ablaze and everyone that was there was having a good time. Even Balthazar eventually showed up, but he just stood by the side of Maleficent's throne as he usually does and just looked on.
Faeries were zipping back and forth playing all sorts of faerie flying games. Maleficent caught them having fun and Diaval noticed that her eyes were misting over and he could almost see a tear form in one of her eyes.
Diaval hopped on Maleficent's shoulder and returned the gratitude for the nice back rub by placing his head against her cheek.
"Well Well, aren't you the affectionate one now." she said in a soft voice. "Good birdy".
The mood was then broken by a shout. Robin yelled out, "MUD FIGHT!"