Maleficent - Diaval Fanfic – I'm Alive by Raven Diablo
Chapter 6 – The 'MANE' event
"So, she turned you into a dog, huh?" Robin asked.
"Yes," replied Diaval.
The two were talking at the watering hole shortly after Maleficent and Diaval had breakfast together. They were sitting waterside and both had long sticks poking at the rocks by the edge of the water.
"Question", Robin said. "What did you do to deserve being punished like that?"
"She took a long bath and I thought she was done. I came here and saw her, over there there by that rock" He took a long hard breath. "I saw her nude".
"Whoo, hoo hoo!" Robin shouted. "Oh, yeah, that would most certainly put you in the dog house for sure." Robin couldn't help the pun.
"Robin, she was angry beyond all reason. I thought she was going to kill me. She was ready to slam her fist right in my face. She had me pinned with one arm! Here take a look and see", Diaval showed Robin the slight indentations on his neck where Maleficent dug her fingernails in."
Robin whistled upon examining Diaval's neck. "Yes, Diaval, that one certainly does have a temperature with low boiling point. She doesn't have horns for nothing, you know.", he chuckled a bit. "So what stopped her?"
"I don't know. She let out a grunt, dropped her fist, pinned me to the rock and slapped me", Diaval described the chain of events the other night. "Then she turned me into a dog."
"Yes, I know all too well", he sighed. "You never want to make Maleficent angry...especially with her power. Maleficent and her power are a serious force to be reckoned with."
Robin continued, "The last time she got really angry was when..." He stopped dead in his train of thought and then changed the subject.
"You saw her nude, you said."
"Yes."
"Did you happen to see something you shouldn't have, or out of the ordinary."
"Yes", Diaval paused for a moment but then continued. "Yes, I saw her back. The stumps on her back, specifically."
"Oh, so now you know", Robin's heart sank. He started jabbing at the rocks harder.
"What do I know?" Diaval asked "I know that she had wings, but I still don't know why she doesn't her wings now." Diaval looked at Robin and asked, "You know why...don't you?"
Robin flew up to Diaval's face and gave him a blank stare, "What of it? What if I do? Nope! I am not going to answer that! You can skewer me, boil me and put me in a stew, but I am not going to break my promise with Maleficent", Robin said angrily. "That is something you will have to wait until she tells you herself."
"Whoa Whoa, little fellow. Cool down! I just asked", Diaval was a bit put off at seeing Robin get angry.
Robin cooled down and flew down to a rock and took a seat.
"I will continue with what I was about to say before, since you now know", Robin said in his normal voice. "I was going to say the last time she got as angry as you described was when she lost her wings.
That was a dark day on the Moors, I can say. She made that hideous thorn wall that surrounds us. Not that I am really complaining as that wall does keep us safe. It's just ugly. She made the sky a few shades more gray. The moors became more drab looking as she started only make dark flowers grow.
But the worst thing was when she decided to declare herself Queen of the Moors and she made that aweful throne on the Faerie Mound. Now everyone bows to her. It used to me much nicer here when we didn't have to do that", he paused.
"Please continue Robin", Diaval said.
"It was so green and lush and and much more beautiful and colorful than it looks now".
"That is funny as I always thought it looked beautiful here as it is"
"Oh, no, it was MUCH prettier around here. Lots of colors and the sun was very bright. There wasn't this dang haze that we have now."
"Maleficent was more fun. She laughed, she played with us", Robin lamented. "She loved to play hide and seek and play jokes on the other fae folk." he sighed. Diaval found it hard to picture Maleficent having fun in the manner that Robin described. "Oh, how I miss those times" he shook his head. Then his sadness switched to anger.
"It was that Ki..." He abruptly stopped mid sentence as he was about to say something in that Diaval could put two and two together and make the connection between King Stefan and the loss of Maleficent's wings.
"King Stefan?", Diaval completed Robin's thought.
"No! No! That wasn't what I was going to say", Robin lied.
"Then what were you going to say?" Diaval asked.
"No, nothing. I wish not to discuss this anymore. It is hard enough to see the changes in Maleficent and not liking what she has become. But I swore an oath I wouldn't discuss the loss of her wings with anyone and I already told you too much", Robin said. "I only did so as much so as you are my friend as well, Diaval."
Robin hung his head low and there was a saddened look in his eyes. He threw his stick into the water. "I would like to be alone now", his voice sounded sad. "Have a good day, Diaval, perhaps we will talk later".
"Understood, and good day", Diaval replied.
Robin took to wing and flew towards his home near the east side of the Moors.
Diaval got up and walked to a tree, he put his hand on the bark and looked around. It was soon going to be fall and already some of the leaves were changing. Fall was a beautiful time on the Moors when it WAS colorful. He decided to take the scenery in and he climbed up the tree as Maleficent always had done. He situated himself comfortably between a couple of branches and looked on out to the watering hole.
The watering hole certainly was a beautiful spot. He would watch faeries zoom back and forth and ever so often take a dip or bath in the water. Soon he grew tired and nestled into the branches and drifted off to sleep.
"Diaval!", he heard a voice slowly coming out of his sleep.
"Diaval, wake up now!", the voice sternly shouted up to him. He looked up trying to focus his eyes. His mistress was looking up from the base of the tree.
"Oh! Forgive me, my mistrees, I must have dozed off", he said as he started back down the tree.
"I have a special treat for you today. Come, follow me", her voice sounded a bit lighter now.
Maleficent lead him close to where the the barrier house was. Just south of this area was a large expanse of open field with short grass growths that seemed to have gone towards the south for miles.
When they arrived she said, "I am going to change you into a horse today and you will need to get used to that form."
"A horse, my mistress?" he questioned.
"Yes, a horse."
Diaval was used to having animal changing sessions with Maleficent. She would mostly do this to see what his abilities were and what tasks he could accomplish for her in different forms. He didn't ask why anymore as that did constitute a rule #2 violation. So over the years, he learned to just roll with it, like if he had much choice.
Most of the time an animal form didn't work out and Maleficent wouldn't turn him into that form again. There were times he disliked being a certain animal and she was kind to him and avoided that particular animal.
Some of these animal transformations were welcome, but many were not.
As a horse, he was magnificent. All black shiny hair and feathers for a mane and a tail. The form impressed Diaval. But he took one step and immediately collapsed on his side. Malficent was always nearby to help him back on his feet. Another learning curve...
For a few days, he was the horse and Maleficent taught him to walk and turn properly. By the 5th day he was running and trotting like a seasoned animal.
The 6th day they went out to the field. Maleficent was dressed in a slightly different green gown and her hair was down. The gown was like her other green gown he saw her in many times, but it had an unusual series of buttons that ran down one side of the skirt part of the dress. So why the change? He didn't know and didn't ask. But Diaval was excited.
"I really like being the horse. I feel so regal and majestic", he said happily.
"Yes, it is a form that suits you", she said matter of factly.
"Would you like to give me a ride?" she asked.
Diaval was stunned at first. But the thought of his mistress riding on his back seemed to be a dream come true. He blurted out an immediate "YES!"
She smiled and then waved her hand, "Into a Horse"
With that he whinnied and then bowed his head in front of his mistress and proceeded to crouch his front legs down, keepin his right leg a bit turned out, welcoming her to climb on.
"Diaval! Even as a horse, you are a gentleman." she said in a sweet tone. "Good birdy!"
He shook his head as she climbed on. Her dress was somewhat hindering her but then she unbuttoned the one side and then she swung her bare leg over his back. Whoa! That was unexected! She grabbed a hold of a ruff that was at the base of his neck. It seemed like a natural place for her to hold on to.
He slowly got up. He wasn't used to having extra weight on his back. He looked back and forth with his head to get a good look at Maleficent on his back. On her right side her dress went all the way down her leg, but on the left side, her leg was bare up to mid thigh. He tried not to stare with that one eye fixed on her bare leg on his back, but then he turned his head further up and the sight of his mistress on his back just gave him a good feeling all over. He knew this would be a moment to remember for a very long time. And she seemed happy too.
"Ok, now, my pet, go forward slowly."
He did so, very carefully. The last thing Diaval wanted was to do something wrong and his mistress falls off of him. He did feel her weight shift back and forth, but she wasn't heavy at all. Soon he was walking at a brisk pace.
"Excellent Diaval", she exlaimed. Every now and then he did try to get a glance back looking up at his mistress. She was sitting so straight, her shoulders were pinned back and her chin was up. She had the littlest smile on her face. She started to rub her hand up and down his mane.
Ooooo, that felt nice! He thought. He hung his head low as he went forward. She started to rub the sides of his neck. That also felt really nice.
"Ok, now, trot!" She ordered.
Trot?! Oh, I am not so sure about this. I do hope she holds on tight. Once he felt her put both her hands on the ruff of his neck, he started to go a bit faster and slowly ease into a trot. As they neared the end of the clearing, he turned around to go back and then trotted again. He glanced a look up and his mistress had her eyes closed. He thought, could she be enjoying this as much as we was.
"Run now!" She ordered.
RUN! No, no way! I can't do that, she will fall off and get hurt. He immediately stopped.
"Diaval, I said run, not stop!", she said in a cross manner.
Diaval shook his head back and forth as to say, "No". He knew his mistress wouldn't be happy with that.
She leaned towards his ear. "Diaval, you as a horse are no good to me if you can't run. You MUST run with me on you. I will be fine, now go!"
There was no getting out of this. He knew that if he didn't run for her that punshment would surely be waiting when whey got back. Or worse, what if she get so upset that she turns him into a dog again. No, he HAD to do what she said, as he was her servant. No was not an option.
He slowly walked into a trott and then into a slow run.
"Diaval", her voice was stern.
He looked back at her and she made a pushing forward motion with her hands.
"Move it!", she gave him a slight slap on the rear.
Ouch! She didn't have to do that! He sprang forward, but almost lost his balance. He swayed a bit from side to side and he could feel his mistress' grip tightening. He took a quick glance back and she had a bit of a frightened look on her face. He slowed back down and got his stride again.
"Ok, I'm sorry, I will not do that again, but run now, my pet".
He let out a long snort and looked ahead. The clearing was straight and long. Here goes nothing! He started to go fast. He could feel Maleficent's weight curling up as she leaned forward her head was nearly above his neck. Her mouth was close to his ears.
"Faster" she spoke down to his ears."
Oh sheesh! This woman loves to live dangerously. I hope I don't live to regret this! Faster he went.
"Faster" she spoke again.
Oh, please! He still went faster, but worried the whole time. They were now clearing the field in record time and the turn arounds became more often. At this pace, he clearly was outgrowing the vast field.
He could feel her bounce on his back and was scared she might fall, but then she held on with her legs squeezing into his side.
He quickly glanced up and her eyes were closed and her head tilted a bit to the sky. The wind from his running was causing her hair to trail all the way in back of her. She was an awesome site.
Maleficent was sitting with her eyes closed on Diavals back letting the wind blow past her face. He WAS going fast. She held on to his ruff and leaned forward. Her legs tightening around his body. For a moment she felt she had her wings again and was gliding on an updraft. When she opened her eyes it was as if she was flying low.
"This is beautiful! Not quite the same as flying, but sure a darn close second." She thought to herself.
"Diaval, I grow weary of this field...lets ride through the Moors, but please don't slow down." she asked.
Don't slow down?! I just hope I don't have to make a tight turn. A tight turn at this speed would be crazy.
"Take us to the watering hole, my pet, I am sure you are thirsty by now"
She certainly was right about that! He was thirsty. Having been running for what seemed like an age. Coming to a stop would be much welcome.
They ran off to the large watering hole with the waterfall and what normally would take about a half hour to walk to, they were there in less than 1/3rd the time.
When they arrived. Diaval stopped directly at the water and shoved his snout in for a drink.
"My, you are thirsty!" his mistress said as she dismounted him.
Diaval caught a flash of red go by. It was Robin. He went straight to Maleficent, but kept looking at Diaval.
"Is that Diaval?", he asked. "And were you riding him?"
"Yes", she said.
"Hmmmm, he does make for an impressive looking horse", Robin said.
"That he most certainly does." She agreed "And he's fast too."
Robin noticed that Maleficent had a bright smile on her face and she was almost glowing.
She sat down on a rock by the water with her knees up and she placed her arms on her knees. Her one leg was still exposed from when she fixed her dress to be able to ride Diaval.
"That was wonderful!", she shouted. Then with a twist of her wrist, "Into A Man".
Diaval changed into a man, but he was on all fours and his face was buried into the water.
Both Maleficent and Robin laughed at the position he transformed in.
Diaval pulled his face out of the water.
"Oh!" He said and he was a bit disoriented.
While they were laughing, Diaval exlaimed, "That was incredible."
"Yes, it was," she said. She had a wide smile on her face an her eyes glistened.
"Now I really enjoy being the horse." Diaval said. The expression on his face made Maleficent and Robin laugh.
Diaval sat down next to Maleficent on the side where she still had her leg exposed. He couldn't help but take a glance at her bare leg. It was a nice porcelain color in the sun. Her leg looked very smooth. But his eyes lingered too long and she noticed.
"Oh", she said. "I forgot" She stood up and proceeded to cover her leg up, buttoning down the side.
"Wait, my mistress", Diaval said, knowing by buttoning up her dress she wasn't going to be riding him anymore. "Don't you want me to ride you back home?"
"That'll be all for today Diaval." her voice returned to normal. "You may have the rest of the day off. Would you like to stay this way, or go back to your raven form."
"I'll stay as I am sure Robin wants to hear how my day was as a horse."
"Very well. I am going back to the Rowan Tree. Meet me there by nightfall. We will have dinner together and sleep there tonight."
"Sounds great!" Diaval said.
She turned and started back in the direction of the Rowan Tree.
When she was gone, Robin asked, "Maleficent is laughing and smiling...Dinner together? What did you do? You had her lit up like the Aurora Borialis!"
Diaval stifled a laugh, "You saw...she was riding on my back. It was the first time for me and it was the first time for her riding on a horse. I think we both just got carried away."
"I hope she stays this way. I think you are having an effect on her." Robin hinted.
"Naw, I am her servant. That's all I will be. She doesn't like me that way. Look, she changed me into a dog a couple of days ago, remember? In addition, when I was a horse she even said she needed me to run fast as a slow horse wouldn't be good for her. It is obvious she had me be a horse for several days now for a purpose".
"Hmmmm, you're probably right", Robin agreed. "But still, I have not seen her that happy since...well that night at the bonfire when we had the party."
"Yes, she was pretty happy that night too. But don't read into it too deep, Robin." He shook his head. "Maleficent just slips back to her old self and it's business as usual. But I do admit she has her happy moments more often, of late."
"She used to be this way all the time though. She was always happy when she had her wings." Robin paused. Diaval could tell he was in for a long afternoon filled with Robin's stories, they were always a treat.
Robin continued to tell more of the days when Maleficent was young and had her wings. All the parties they used to have, the tricks they played on the other faeries. Thier talk continued on into the evening and the sun started to disappear behind the trees.
"Well, Robin, the sun will be setting soon and I will be going back to meet with Maleficent." he said.
"Do you think you are going to be the horse again tomorrow?", Robin asked.
"It's a good possibility as right now she has me in training as a horse", Diaval replied.
"Do you think she will ride you again?"
"I believe so. It was very enjoyable and I certainly would like that experience again."
"Have a goodnight then Diaval"
"Goodnight to you too!"
Later that evening after dinner, Maleficent lounged back looking at Diaval. "That was good if I do say so myself."
"Yes, it was", Diaval agreed. "Thank you for dinner".
"You're Welcome, my pet", while she seemed happy and very polite now. However, her demeanor quickly changed back to her stark self. "I know you been talking to Robin and I am curious as to what."
"Specifically, my mistress?" he questioned.
"You know what I mean", she said even more sternly.
"We did talk about the other day what happened at the watering hole and yes, I did mention accidentally seeing you nude.", he shakily replied. "That's all."
She leaned forward and her bright yellow green eyes met his dark eyes. Her look was piercing and it appeared she was getting angry.
"You saw something else, didn't you?" She asked.
Diaval was afraid to answer, since the good moment from earlier was now gone and it appears she was becoming irrate again. But he didn't want to lie either as she would always have some way of finding out the truth anyway.
In a small voice he said, "Yes, I did. I..I saw your back." She turned her head away and her face had the look on it as if her world came crashing down around her. But then she turned and glared at him again.
"What did Robin tell you?", she asked.
"Nothing. He refused to tell me anything. I didn't push either. He only mentioned that there was a time when you had wings. He even said if I want to know why you don't have wings anymore that I should ask you."
She softened her look and leaned back in her chair. "Good! He kept his promise to me."
"Can you tell me why and how you don't have your wings anymore?"
The look on her face changed and got very soft. Her eyes started to glisten and she held her hand over her mouth.
She then exhaled deeply and said, "I can't. Not now."
"Please, my mistress I..."
She interrupted him, "Diaval, I said, 'no'. Please don't be so pushy! I had a nice day with you today and I thank you for letting me ride you. Please don't ruin this day by making me punish you. Goodnight."
With a flick of her wrist he was a bird standing on the table. He didn't move at all. He was now glaring at her.
She put her face right up to his beak, "Goodnight! Now be off with you."
He hopped to the edge of the table, and looked back. He started to squak and caw.
"Don't you take that tone with me, Diaval!", she angrily said. "Now shoo!"
He took wing and flew out the door chattering and cawing. Maleficent got up and followed. She expected him to fly up to his nest, but instead he darted off to the north east woods.
"Diaval! You are supposed to stay here with me!" she shouted. He ignored her and continued on. She watched him fly off as the last rays of sun slipped beneath the horizon.
"There you go again Mal, chasing him off again He must really hate you now." She began to talk to herself out loud. "But how can I explain to him without all these emotions coming over me. It has now been years since since Stefan hurt me and even though I try to shut it out and harden my heart, it still continues to hurt. I can't show this to Diaval, I can't show him I am weak. But one day I will have to tell him, that is unavoidable. I am just not ready now."
Maleficent climbed up to her bedroom. It was a cool night and the roof was still retracted from earlier. She was ready to wave her hand to close the roof, but then didn't. She thought it was a nice night out and the moon was coming up. But more so, perhaps just by the slightest chance, maybe he would come back. Just maybe he would fly into her bedroom and land beside her in the bed.
She sat down on the bed and for some reason unbuttoned the lower part of her dress as she did when she rode Diaval earlier. She pulled back her dress and started to look at her leg. "He seemed interested in my leg", she said. She raised her lower leg up and down while looking at it. She could see her thigh muscle flex. She pointed out her foot and reached behind her calf. She could feel an indentation form as her calf muscle moved up. She could tell her legs became larger and appeared much stronger than when she first started to walk on them several years back. She also recalled that in recent years she was able to walk fast indeed. She wasn't quite up to a run yet, but she certainly could walk very fast.
"Was he attracted to my leg?" she thought to herself. "Naw, couldn't be." She brought her leg up to her chest and rested her face on her knee as she looked out at the moon rising. "It will be a nice night out", she said.
She then got up and changed into her night gown and then crawled into bed. The cool night hinted that fall was approaching and she pulled the covers up to her face.
"Rest well, my pet, where ever you might be, but please come back to me in the morning...or even sooner if you like."
For the first part of the night, Maleficent tossed and turned. She kept thinking where Diaval might have flown off to and feared that he might be in trouble again like the other night when he was a dog. But then she heard a wing flutter and a caw, break the night silence and Diaval flew right into her bedroom and landed right on her bed.
"Diaval, You came back." She said. She was about to raise her hand to change him back into a human. But he just, bowed his head and cawed, and then immediately flew up to his nest.
"Oh, You don't want to be changed back then", her voice sounded disappointed.
Maleficent rested easier with the thought that Diaval was back home and safe.
She drifted off to sleep.