Maleficent - Diaval Fanfic – I'm Alive by Raven Diablo
Chapter 12 The Fulfillment
The heatwave finally broke and it was a good thing too. The last thing Diaval and Maleficent had to do was worry about the heat. Maleficent was wearing one of her lighter robes and today she had her hair up. It was two days before Aurora's 16th birthday and the past 4 days, Maleficent and Diaval were keeping an extra close eye on the cottage. They spent these days in their other home in the barrier. Diaval would make two trips out to the castle to bring back any information in regards to what Stefan was doing as the day of Aurora's birthday was approaching. For the most part it was business as usual at the castle and Diaval rarely caught site of King Stefan at all. His time in the west wing room increased dramatically this last week. He would only sit at his throne in the morning to hear of the days business in the town, and then he would go straight to that room.
On the night of this second day before Aurora's birthday, Maleficent went to see Aurora alone. She had a plan, a thought came to her mind about what her and Aurora spoke about the night she was overcome with feelings. It was Aurora's request to come live with her on the Moors. Maleficent thought that if Aurora lived with her on the moors, she was protected from coming in contact with a spinning wheel and if the sun set on the end of her 16th birthday and she didn't prick her finger on a spinning wheel, the curse would be no longer be satisfied and with the conditions not being met the curse would automatically be broken.
The two were walking through a glen within the moors watching faeries dart too and fro. It was a nice cool evening for once.
"Beastie...There is something I need to tell you." Maleficent said.
"Sure thing Faerie Godmother, I always enjoy having a chat with you."
"There is evil in the world and I cannot keep you safe from it"
"I am almost 16 years old now and I can take care of myself."
"Oh, can you? Well, I have been giving your request some thought and I said, 'why wait.' If you want to come live with me on the Moors you can come now if you like."
"Now?" Aurora had a surprised, but happy look on her face. But then she thought for a bit and then said, "I would love to, but my aunties probably would not let me."
"I thought you said you can take care of yourself."
"I can, but my aunts and I have become so close. I know you don't allow humans into the Moors, but if you allow them to visit me in the Moors then, yes, I will leave and live with you now."
"Yes, they can visit" Maleficent knew all to well that her aunties were already familiar fae folk. While she cringed at the idea of those faeries that abandoned their homes on the Moors to live with that horrid Stefan, to come back. She knew she had to give in just so that Aurora could be safe within the thorn barrier of the Moors.
"Great! Then I will tell them tomorrow morning."
The following morning, the day before Aurora's 16th birthday, Maleficent filled Diaval in what went on the night before and that they were going to prepare to have a new permanent house guest. Then they both went out to the cottage together to check up on Aurora.
Diaval was in his raven form and he tried to keep out of site as he followed Aurora into the woods. Maleficent followed close behind, hiding in the shadows as she went along.
Maleficent caught Aurora rehearsing what she was going to say to her aunts in terms of leaving them to live on her own. Just as she was rehearsing she heard the voice of a young man ring out. "Hello, is someone there."
The voice also took Maleficent by surprise and she was fortunate enough to be near a large boulder and ducked behind it. She creeped over to the dark shadow on the side of the boulder so she could stay in hiding and look on.
When the man came into view, Maleficent and Diaval could see that it was a young man that appeared to be of royalty as his clothing suggested and he had his horse in tow. The gentleman appeared to be very handsome and caught Aurora's eye. At first she was going to dart off to hide behind a tree, but then she got a good look at the fellow and she stopped before darting off.
"Hello there fair maiden. I am looking to find myself to King Stefan's castle, but instead I got turned around and ended up here...hopelessly lost."
From high up in the tree, Diaval could see Aurora's cheeks flush and she was all smiles.
"It's that way", Aurora pointed north.
The young man just looked at Aurora with his eyes a glow. He then shook his head. And said, "Wa..Wa"
"The castle? The one you are looking for, it's just up ahead."
"Oh! heavens, where are my manner's. I am Philip." he bowed down to her. "And what may I ask is your name."
"Aurora", she replied swaying side to side still smiling.
"As in Aurora Borealis?"
"Uh, huh", she nodded.
"That's rather pretty."
Aurora's smile grew wider and she giggled a bit.
"Well, I thank you for helping me. Have a good day madam"
"Will you be back this way?"
"Most certainly, my dear Aurora".
With that he hopped on his horse and waved goodbye as he rode off. Aurora waved back too.
Maleficent looked on and her face cringed. This isn't a good thing. She certainly wants to see him again. I for one, will not allow him on the Moors. Aurora probably will figure this out as well. Will she change her mind and stay with her aunts?
What about Diaval? I know he likes Aurora, I wonder what he will think about this.
Aurora started to walk back to the rocks and was thinking aloud. "It was a nice moment meeting you Philip, but I am sad to say it will be the last."
She continued practicing her speech she was preparing for her aunts. Maleficent heard all she needed to hear. She breathed a sigh of relief to learn that Aurora was still going with her plan.
Maleficent and Diaval listened on as Aurora continued to pick her berries.
Just then Diaval plopped down out of the sky in front of her.
"Oh! Good morning Diaval...my pretty bird."
He cawed
"I am just finishing picking some berries. Aunties are going to make a pie for my birthday tomorrow."
Malficent stayed behind the rock as the two were talking. One thing that Diaval can do that she can't was to mingle within the human world. He would blend right in. This made Maleficent jealous as all she could do is sit in the shadows and eavesdrop.
"I am preparing my speech to my Aunties and tomorrow I am going to tell them the news and I am coming to live with Faerie Godmother and you."
Diaval nodded.
As Aurora started back to the cottage, Diaval flew behind her. While she wasn't looking he circled high up and gave Maleficent a nod that the coast was clear and she could get out from behind the rock. He saw her get up and start back towards the thorn wall and then he swooped down in front of Aurora.
When they got to the cottage Diaval perched himself on the fence. Aurora said, "I'm sorry Diaval, but I cannot play today...there is much to be done for tomorrow."
He nodded, bowed to her and took off.
"Good day to you, Diaval."
"Oh, Diaval?"
He circled around and came back to the fence.
"Tell Godmother that I am coming to see her tonight. I have something for her".
Again he nodded in acknowledgement and he flew off.
Diaval came back early that night as once again he had no news of the goings on at the castle. Things were very quiet there indeed and that kind of made him feel uneasy.
He arrived back at the Rowan tree first, but he didn't have to wait long before Maleficent arrived with Aurora in tow. Tonight she had one of her robes on, but her hair was wrapped up.
"Good Evening Diaval!" Aurora happily rang out and she rushed Diaval with open arms almost knocking him over.
"My, my, Aurora, and a good evening to you to." It was obvious to Diaval her excitement was due to Maleficent allowing her to live on the Moors with them.
Maleficent thought to herself, "Hmmmm, apparently she must have put her meeting with Philiip behind her. Her reaction to Diaval hasn't changed. She certainly looks like she still likes him."
Aurora was holding on to a small cloth bag and she turned and held it up to her chest.
"Oh, Faerie Godmother."
"Yes, Beastie?"
"I have another gift for you"
"Wa...What?"
"Diaval, wait out here we are going up to the bedroom." Aurora said.
Aurora shot up to the bedroom. Diaval looked at Maleficent. She just shrugged her shoulders and raised her arms and eyebrows. Clearly she didn't know what was going on. Then she followed Aurora up to the bedroom.
"Go ahead, open up the bag."
"Aurora, you don't have to give me anything."
"Its for allowing me to stay here. Actually I was working on it already and was going to give it to you on another occasion, but now is as good as an occasion as any.
Maleficent pulled a rather small garment out of the bag.
"It is a new riding outfit." Aurora informed Maleficent. "Diaval was explaining to me how your other riding outfit is very long and you have to unbutton the dress to just to swing your leg over his back when he is a dr...er a horse. This outfit is called a 'romper'. It has the the top half of a dress and the legs are long like pants so you can easily swing your leg over without having to unbutton anything. The legs are are nice and flowy so when your legs are close together it looks like a dress. It is also black, your favorite color."
Maleficent held the garment up and it looked like it had even less material than the summer dress she made her a couple weeks ago...especially around the mid section.
"Oh, Aurora, I...I...don't know. There is just so much skin exposed on this one."
"Oh, come on! It's the same amount of exposure as the other one. Try it on. It is very comfortable and you could also use it as another summer outfit.
"Very well, no need to push, Beastie. It certainly is very interesting looking and different."
Aurora sat down by the entrance of the bedroom and her back was turned to Maleficent while she changed into the new outfit. The outfit was much simpler than the other dress, but it was very easy for Maleficent to slip into. As Aurora explained the entire lower section was akin to a pair of capri style pants with the legs stopping at midway down her lower legs. There was no skirt to get in the way of riding, yet with her legs close together the outfit did maintain the appearance of a medium length dress due to the wide cut around each pant leg.
Maleficent never wore anything outside of a dress or robe, and this was very different feeling, but she did appreciate the free movement she had in her entire lower body. If she could run, this would be the outfit to do it in.
"Hmmmm, clever beastie. I would have never thought of this." Maleficent thought to herself.
The upper section of the outfit was very much like an elegant evening gown. The top had a similar plunging neckline as the other dress Aurora made, but this one was more rounded rather than v shaped. The neckline was adored with varous colored stones set in a pattern to showcase the neckline. The outfit had short sleeves that ran down to the elbow, but they were split from the shoulders down. The outside of her arms were exposed from the shoulders down. The outfit did have a belt built into it and the front of the belt had more stones set into a pattern on the front. The back was completely closed up to the neck. The outfit's main striking feature was that it had side cutouts just above the belt that exposed the skin on the sides of her mid section from the back to the front.
Maleficent looked over the outfit. "Impressive. Her skills are improving, she's really good. She certainly likes exposed skin, but as she said, it would make a nice summer outfit as well. She is right, like the other dress, this one feels great," she thought to herself.
She straightened herself out and rested her hands on top of each other in front of her. With a deep exhale, she called for Aurora.
"Ok, Aurora."
Aurora turned around her face lit up. "Oh! My! Faerie Godmother, you sure do look sexy in that. You are going to look so good fl...riding...
"Sexy?" Maleficent interrupted. "Beastie, that isn't my intention to look that way. I hope you don't make me these outfits with that in mind."
"But you have such a wonderful physique. Your so tall and shapely. Don't you want to attract a partner?"
"No. Besides there isn't anyone here in the Moors that is like me. I'm the only one of my kind here."
"What about Diaval? I think he likes you."
"Diaval is my servant, or rather my confidant. The time is soon coming that I release him from his duties. He is a bird, not a man, and I am sure he will want to find a mate for himself. He has been my confidant for close to 17 years." she paused and then continued. "Aurora, I can see it in his eyes, lately he turns away from me when I speak to him. He doesn't look into my eyes anymore . I believe he wants leave and I cannot deny him that any longer. Soon I will free him."
"No. I want him to stay."
Maleficent was thinking hard to herself. Yes Beastie, I want him to stay too. After the other night, I don't know what will happen if I get close to him again. It was so hard to keep myself in control the last time. It was hard sending him away. This body of mine is yearing for something. It is missing something.
"Beastie?", Maleficent decided to change the subject. "I heard you correct yourself twice. Do you know something outside of my changing Diaval into a horse."
Aurora began to wring her hands together and let out a soft and meek, "Yyyyeesss."
Maleficent's eye's narrowed and she put her arms on her hips. "Come on, out with it young lady."
"Diaval slipped about the dragon one evening when we were swimming in the watering hole during the heat wave. I pushed him into telling me about the dragon how you were flying again and ..."
"Oh, did he, huh?" Maleficent interrupted her eyes narrowed and her fingers splayed on her hips.
"Don't be angry, Godmother, I think it is so wonderful that you are flying again especially after what you went through. I am really so happy for you. I do want to see you fly myself. That is why I made that outfit for you. It fits closer to your body so there wouldn't be so much flapping around in the breeze. I think it was so thoughtful of Diaval to come up with the idea for the harness so you can fly. Don't you see, if he didn't like...
"Beastie," she interrupted. "The circumstances on flying are critical. Unfortuantely we cannot fly too high or too far for we don't want anyone to know I have a dragon. This is why I have chosen not to discuss this outside of Diaval, Robin, myself and a few of the other fae folk that know. I told him to leave you out of it, but what is done is done. Now, Aurora, this is to be a topic that isn't to be disussed with anyone that doesn't know already. Am I clear on this?"
"Yes, I understand Faerie Godmother." Aurora gave a little bow to her in respect.
"Good"
Maleficent looked down at herself again and then said, "Aurora, you have an astounding gift. I mean, this is a very different look, but it certainly feels great and it looks very functional. It will be a wonderful riding outfit.
"So I take it that you like it then?"
"Of course, and thank you." Maleficent's face softened as she was touched by the gift Aurora had given her.
"You're welcome, Godmother", Aurora said as she looked at how she was standing. "that is a nice look for you if I do say so myself. You are stunning. You are a great model to work with."
"Why, Thank You, Beastie." Maleficent got that warm flushed feeling in her face again.
"Your cheeks are turning red, Faerie Godmother."
"Is that so?" Maleficent said coyishly as she felt a bit embarrassed.
Aurora nodded.
"You know, when you live here I think I am going to have you make all my clothes from now on."
"YES!" Aurora jumped up and down with happiness.
Diaval was waiting for the two ladies to finish up their discussion upstairs when a red glow flashed by the window and Robin flew into the front door.
"Good evening, Sir Diaval."
"Ahhhh, Robin, what a pleasant surprise."
"Where's Maleficent?"
Diaval put his finger over his mouth and reduced his voice to a whisper. "She's up in the bedroom with Aurora."
Just then Robin slapped his hand over his mouth and said in a an equally low voice. "Uh Oh! I didn't know Aurora was here", he started to whisper. "I just slipped out the 'M' word."
"I think our secret is still safe. Those two have been up there for a while now, talking. I am sure she didn't hear you."
"It's a bit stuffy in here, lets go outside and chat." Robin said pulling at his shirt collar. "But it is nice and cool outside."
"I'm good for that." Diaval replied.
The two went outside and sat at the top of the hill just as it started to roll down. The view of the Moors was great. The air was fresh and the sky was clear.
"I have had my own slippages in front of Aurora." Diaval said.
"Oh?"
"She knows about the dragon."
"You opened your big mouth, huh" he shook his head.
"It was a mistake, Robin. I slipped and then she 'forced' me to tell. But I don't think any harm would come from it. As it is, now I know what to do when I am the dragon. My mistress doesn't fly that often, especially now since it is so close to Aurora's 16th birthday. She doesn't want to take any chances that Stefan or one of his goons sees me flying around. The dragon is supposed to be very hush, hush."
"You say Aurora forced you?"
"Yeah, she threatened to tickle me to death if I didn't tell her."
Robin laughed. Moments later Diaval joined in laughing.
"Hi Guys!" Aurora came bounding out of Maleficent's home and greeted both Diaval and Robin.
Robin turned around and replied, " 'evenin' to you lass, and how are you doing on this glorious evening."
"Fine, and yourself."
"Gooohooohoood", Robin's voice sang out as he looked up and his eyes looked right past Aurora and Diaval. "Holy hubba bubba!"
Robin then slapped his hand to his forehead and fell out of the air and to the ground.
"Robin!" Diaval shouted stooping down to his aid.
"Diaval, is Robin feeling ok?" Maleficent called back.
"I think for some reason he fainted", he looked up to Maleficent and continued, "my missssstr..."
Diaval took a good look at Maleficent, she was now wearing a new beautiful dress. He could tell this was another one of Aurora's creations due to the numerous points of exposed skin. As with the prior dress he looked over his mistress but this time from top down. The dress was black and her light skin constrasted the dress beautifully. The curved neckline seemed wider than on the other dress, but curved down nearly as far. The short split sleeves fell nicely to the side and her arms from shoulder down were bare. Then his eyes focused on the cutouts just above the belt line. The outline of Maleficent's skin contoured nicely with her hourglass shape. The lines on the middle part of her abdomen were just slightly visible.
Then while looking at her legs, he realized that her dress really wasn't a dress at all, but something new altogether. The bottom part of the 'dress' were actually pants that went down three quarters of the way down to her calves.
Robin slowly started to come to.
"So, what do you think my new riding outfit that Aurora made for me?" Maleficent asked Diaval. She then began to play around and started to pose like she did the time when she made her black gown for the christening. She put one hand on her hip and the other hand she turned up. She then turned her back to him and put both hands on her hips and then looked over her bare shoulder.
Diaval couldn't stop looking at her arms. The way they moved and the little contour lines that would appear and disappear on her shoulders, upper arms and forearms when she moved.
"Watch this" Maleficent said, as she spread her legs apart and crouched down, she looked to the right and outstretched her right hand pointing outward and with the other hand she pulled it towards her right eye with three fingers outstretched. It almost looked like if she was mocking drawing a bow and arrow. But clearly Maleficent was showing off the fact that the outfit wasn't a dress, but had separated legs which would obviously come in handy for riding, or flying for that matter.
Aurora laughed, "Nice pose Godmother!"
Robin sat up with his arms around his knees and his eyes too were trained on Maleficent's and her new outfit.
Robin and Diaval just looked on in awe. Robin flew up to Diaval's ear and whispered to him, "She's displaying for you."
Diaval couldn't answer. He just swallowed hard and just kept looking.
Robin whispered again, "I'm starting to foam at the mouth!"
Diaval glanced at Robin and gave him a weird look. There wasn't any foam on his mouth.
Robin whispered to Diaval, "I wonder if she knows she's having fun. It's been a while since I seen her this playful."
Maleficent stood back up and said, "It has no skirt so going riding will be much easier." She then put her hands on her hips and started to walk over to them. There was a slight swagger to her walk.
Diaval's eyes focused on the side cut outs and the way his mistress' fingers splayed on her svelt mid section. He suddenly got the urge to put his hands around that area and then it started to happen again, that tingling sensation between his legs.
"Work it Godmother!" Aurora shouted.
Maleficent lost composure at Aurora's comment and she dropped both arms to the side and started to laugh. She laughed the way Diaval liked, arching her shoulders forward...her exposed shoulders.
He put his hands over his face as he knew what would happen if he continued to look.
"What? Diaval, don't you like it?" Aurora called out.
Diaval didn't answer and looked to Robin.
"Ahhhh, you are a vision of lovliness, my lady." Robin called out. "Sorry about my passing out, you rather 'stunned' me."
"Oh, why thank you Robin, glad to see you are OK." Maleficent answered with a little smirk on her face.
"Diaval?" both Robin and Aurora called out.
"Huh?" Diaval came back to his senses.
"Well, what do you think? Aurora anxiously asked.
Maleficent too was curious to his response and her eyes narrowed a bit when he hesitated.
For a second, Diaval managed to shake what he was feeling off and then he looked to Aurora.
"Aurora, may I have a word with you privately?"
"Sure, Diaval."
As Diaval walked by his mistress he shot out a quick answer, "It looks fine, my mistress."
Maleficent put a hand under her chin and said to Robin as he flew over to her, "Strange...He almost acted the same way when Aurora made me the other summer dress. I don't think he likes it. You see the way he put his hands over his face? Almost as if he was disgusted. "
"Oh, don't worry. I believe he's very attracted to you my lady. He probably couldn't handle what he was seeing. I mean after all, look what happened to me. I became faint!"
"Naw. Look who he ran off with. He likes Aurora." Maleficent said.
"As a friend, yes, nothing more." Robin said.
"You sure about that?"
"Yes. Why don't you ask him?" Robin asked.
"He doesn't care for the outfit, or me for that matter. I know what he is thinking of. In a few days the curse will be fulfilled and he is expecting me to free him. I noticed that he has been avoiding me more and more. He always asks for me to change him in his true form and I know he goes off to see Aurora."
"With all due respect my lady, I believe you are wrong." Robin pointed to the Rowan Tree and continued, "That birdy in there cares about you more than you know."
Maleficent looked back towards the entrance of her home, which was aglow with candlelight and she could see the shadows of Aurora and Diaval moving within. "I held him against his will as a servant for nearly 17 years. The point in time has come that I honor the time he served with me and I release him. I think he wants nothing more than to leave and finally find a mate."
"What if he already chosen to love you."
"Pfft" Maleficent smirked and crossed her arms across her chest. "There is no such thing as true love. Besides, he never came out and said or did anything that would suggest otherwise."
"Oh yeah? What about the horse, the dragon?"
Maleficent's eyes widened as she looked for a few seconds to Robin. The she turned to look out to the Moors again and began to think about what Robin just said.
Robin continued. "I know I have told you I never liked Stefan when you started to go with him. I had a funny feeling that boy was going to turn out to be bad and I was right. But I don't get that feeling with Diaval, he is not like Stefan because he isn't Stefan, he isn't one of those barbaric humans. Diaval is by far more of a gentleman and more respectful of you. He would never take a hand to you or hurt you. He respects women. He gives and doesn't ask for anything in return. All Stefan did was take from you. Take! Take! Take!
"I'll be off, my lady. Let me say goodnight to Aurora and Diaval and I will return to say goodnight to you."
Maleficent didn't say anything. She stood with her right arm across her chest and she was picking at her front teeth with her left thumb nail. She just stood there looking out to the Moors. A strong breeze blew straight in and Maleficent closed her eyes and tilted her head up. She held her arms out a bit. She felt the breeze blow across all the exposed areas of her body. "Oh that feels so nice. I could only imagine how this outfit will feel riding or flying." she thought to herself. But then it dawned on her, there probably will not be any more riding or flying. When the day after Aurora's 16th's birthday arrives, she plans to free Diaval.
A painful feeling came over her as she realized that without Diaval, she would no longer be able to ride or fly. Why am I feeling a growing need to have him in my life. I don't want him to go. But I have to free him.
But perhaps he would be gracious enough to give me one more long flight.
Back inside the Rowan Tree...
"Aurora, you are killing me!" Diaval gritted his teeth.
"Diaval, what is the matter?"
"It's those dresses you keep making for her."
"What? Why? You don't like them?"
"No...I mean yes, they are beautiful, but you make them too 'showy'. "
"Showy?"
"Yes, they expose too much of her body. Makes me uncomfortable. Could you make something less revealing for her next time?"
"Well, it is the summer and the idea is to wear less on your skin to remain co..." Aurora interrupted herself and just then it clicked. "Oooohhhhhh! You do find Godmother sexy in that outfit, huh? Aurora just thought back to her conversation with Maleficent in the bedroom earlier.
Diaval sat down by the table put his head in his hands.
"Well?" Aurora asked again. She could see that his cheeks were becoming flushed. He clearly was embarrassed.
Just then Robin flew in the window and called out to Aurora, "SWITCH." thus saving Diaval from having to answer Aurora.
"What do you mean, 'switch' ?" Aurora asked.
"Go out and talk to my lady, I would like to have a word with Diaval before I leave."
"Oh, OK." Aurora got up and went outside.
Robin flew close to Diaval's face and stared him in the eyes. He looked up to his hair mussed up and he had a scared look on his face. Robin said, "She's hot, isn't she."
"Aurora? Yes, she is beautiful. But she is rather young and I really see her as just a friend or I would go as far and say a fledgling or daughter.
"Oh, No, No, No, you know who I mean."
Diaval ran his hand up his forehead pushing his hair back messing it up further.
"I can see it and Aurora can see it too. You are in love with her."
"Robin, that can't possibly be. What good is it to be in love with someone when that someone doesn't believe in true love!" Diaval realized that he raised his voice and that it might have carried off. Lowering his tone, he continued "There is nothing between us."
Robin thought to himself, 'Yeah right."
Back outside...
Maleficent asked Aurora, "Have you been taking an interest in Diaval?"
"No, Godmother, we are just good friends."
"He has been acting strange lately and since the two of you have been seeing a lot of each other, I figured he might have developed some feelings for you. Feelings beyond a friendship."
"Oh, no, Godmother, he even said he looks to me more as a daughter or fledgling."
"Hmmmmm, if that's the case, then I don't know why he is acting so strangely." Maleficent started to think a bit about what Robin was saying.
"Godmother?"
"Yes?"
"I think he has feelings for you. I think the reason he is acting strange is because he is falling in love with you."
"Preposterous! There is no such thing as true love."
"Ok, but you believe in caring, right."
"Yes"
"Ok then, how do you feel about him? I mean is there something you like about the way he looks."
Maleficent looked at Aurora with narrowed eyes and said, "You are not going to leave me alone about this, are you?"
"Nope!"
Maleficent paused for a while and then said, "I like his eyes...my favorite color, black."
"What about his body?"
Maleficent was growing uncomfortable with Aurora's questions, but answered her anyway, "I like his scars."
"Really? Why?"
Maleficent was growing more uncomfortable. "One time I ran my finger down one of his scars while he was sleeping. I just liked the way it felt under my finger."
Aurora giggled. "Oh! Is there anything else".
"Aurora, are you interrogating me for something?"
"No, I just want to know what you think about Diaval."
"Ok, Ok. Last answer...his arms. He has nice arms."
"Do you like to be held in his arms?"
Maleficent darted a shocked look and said, "Aurora!?...Stop!"
Just then their conversation was interrupted by Diaval storming out the door.
Fed up with the conversation, Diaval got up from the table and marched outside and headed straight for Maleficent. He looked at Maleficent's face, and she had somewhat of a soft, but stunned look, but at this point he just wanted to get out of there. He turned to Aurora and she was looking at Maleficent with an anxious look on her face.
"Mistress, please change me back to my true self", Diaval asked.
"Diaval, is there something you want to say to me?" Maleficent asked sternly.
Diaval seemed a bit stunned by that remark, but then he started to think about his coversation with Aurora. What did she say to her? But he decided to stay on track.
"Yes, I would like you to change me back to my self."
"Sure, if that is what you want."
Diaval eyes were drawn to her shoulders and he had an incredible urge to just reach out and hold her by the shoulders and plant a solid hard kiss on those ruby lips. He knew he had to get out of there and now.
With a wave of her hand and a yellow whisp, he was a raven again. He immediately flew off and headed towards the watering hole.
"What the heck's got into him?" Maleficent asked.
Aurora and Robin both shrugged their shoulders
"Darn it! I wanted to go riding with him tonight and now he's gone."
Robin and Aurora grinned at each other and started back to the house.
Robin whispered in Aurora's ear. "When you get a chance, I want to know what you found out."
Aurora whispered, "Same here."
Robin and Aurora glanced back and Maleficent stood with her arms crossed looking at them with narrow eyes.
"I think she knows something is up." Aurora whispered as they entered the house.
"Yeah, I think we better lay low for a while." Robin replied.
"Aurora!", Maleficent called out.
"Yes?"
"Not too much longer, its getting late and I have to take you back to the cottage."
Aurora's 16th birthday had finally arrived. This morning she was going to tell the 3 faeries that she was going to live with Maleficent and Diaval. Maleficent was trying to clean things up in the Rowan Tree to make some room for Aurora's things.
"Diaval, it looks like in the near future we are going to have to add another bedroom to my home. But for now I am just going to get things straightened up for Aurora's arrival.
"I could stay in my own nest and you two could sleep in your bedroom." Diaval suggested.
"Now you know Aurora will not go for that. We will use the large nest in the canopy."
"I guess I should be off and check on the cottage and wait for Aurora."
"Yes, go and do that. I have no idea when she is going to tell them and will need to be ready here."
Maleficent changed Diaval back into his raven form and he flew out of the Moors and headed towards the cottage, but then he stopped in mid flight when he caught Aurora yelling out to the wall. She seemed very upset and angry.
He flew down and perched in a tree next to her and cawed.
"Diaval, thank goodness you are here. I must speak to Godmother at once."
Uh Oh...Diaval thought to himself. The tone in her voice didn't sound good. Perhaps the three faeries were not going to allow her to live in the Moors after all. Maleficent would be disappointed. At any rate, sitting here and cawing wouldn't get him anywhere. He flew back to the Rowan Tree as fast as his wings could carry him...
"Somethings wrong my mistress", Diaval said a bit out of breath from flying so fast. "Aurora is requesting to meet you by the wall."
"Oh?
"I think it might have something to do with her living here with us. She wouldn't give me details, but only said for me to get you."
"Ok, then, let's go." She changed him back into a raven and grabbed her staff.
A short while later Diaval returned to Aurora and lifted his left wing as if to be pointing towards the wall.
The wall then parted and Maleficent emerged.
"I am here, Beastie, Diaval said you wanted to see me", she sounded concerned.
"When were you going to tell me I am cursed?"
Maleficent looked down, sighed, and placing her left hand on her forehead. Something did go wrong, those imbecilic 3 faeries must have told her, probably when she told them she was leaving. But what else they they told her who only knows.
Aurora had a stern look on her face she had come to her faerie godmother seeking the truth from the only person she knew she could trust, especially after all this time, her 3 aunties were actually faeries...faeries originally from the Moors. Everything they told her she didn't believe. They were telling her lies.
"Well, is it true?"
"It is", Maleficent said softly as she looked back up.
Aurora's heart sank, but she was now curious since her Godmother knew of the curse.
"Who would do such a terrible thing as to curse a baby?", she paused for a moment and then continued.
"They told me it was an evil faerie by the name of Maleficent."
Maleficent's heart sank and her eyes started to mist over, but she tried her best to hold her composure.
"Do you happen to know this Maleficent?"
"Yes, I do."
"Can you get her to lift the curse from me?"
"No...the curse cannot be broken."
"I want to see her and talk to her"
Maleficent's face grew from soft to sad, full of emotion.
"I can't"
"But WHY?"
Aurora began to shout, and this made Maleficent wince she started to turn her head away shamefully.
Aurora's eyes narrowed when a dreadful thought came to her mind. But the expression of anguish and regret on her Godmother's face gave her away. "Godmother...you never told me your given name, what is it?", Aurora asked.
Maleficent took a couple steps towards Aurora, "Beastie, I...
Given her godmother's hesitant response and a bad feeling came over her. She the said angrily, "Don't come near me. It is you isn't it? Maleficent is your name."
A pain flooded thorough Maleficent's heart as she spoke the words, "Yes, it is."
Aurora backed away in horror. Maleficent saw the look on her face, it was the face of the realization that she was betrayed. The same look Maleficent had on her face the moment she realized her wings were gone.
Maleficent took a few steps forward, "Wait, Aurora, there is something you need to know about your fath..."
"NO!" she snapped, tears started to roll down her cheek. "I trusted you, you were the one thing I looked forward to seeing every day. I thought you looked after me and cared for my whole life. You lied to me. You took me away from my parents and my true home."
With every word, Maleficent felt a knife was being driven deeper and deeper in her heart. She found herself leaning more and more with her weight on her staff.
"You are the evil that is in this world. It's You!"
Aurora then turned and ran off.
Maleficent wanted to warn Aurora about her father but a growing pain in her chest had her legs weaken to the point where she found herself sliding down her staff and she collapsed to the ground. Maleficent realized that in that one moment all of her well laid plans, the plotting, the revenge, the curse that couldn't be broken, everything that was so perfectly laid out was all dashed to the wind. In the end it wasn't Stefan that was suffering from her doing, but a poor innocent child. Moreover, she found herself suffering as well.
Diaval dropped down from his high perch and flew towards his mistress. Maleficent looked up at him coming towards her and waved her hand, he changed back into a man.
After hearing the whole conversation "What are we going to do now, my mistress?" Diaval asked.
"Let's go to the cottage."
When they arrived at the cottage, it was empty, furthermore the stable door in the back was open and blowing back and forth in the wind. Aurora must have taken the horse. Maleficent knew already where she was going. She was going to the castle to meet her father. Yet she still didn't know the full truth of what Stefan, her father did to her.
"Diaval, we must find that boy." Maleficent said sternly. "He is our only hope of breaking the curse in the event we fail to get to Aurora in time."
"I thought you said there was no such thing as true love's kiss?"
"I did, but I am finding out that I am mistaken about a great number of things. I know there is no such thing as true love's kiss for me. But what if there is for her...or for him. If there is the slightest possibility that the curse could be broken, then I would like to take that possibility."
"Understood." Diaval said with a slight smile on his face. He knew they were going to do something right, they were going to try to break the curse on Aurora.
"I am going back to the Rowan Tree to gather a few things. You will fly far and wide and once you found Philip, come back here to the cottage. I will wait here in the event Aurora or the faeries return and Diaval...please do find him." Maleficent had a very urgent tone to her voice.
"I will do my very best my mistress" he responded.
Maleficent put her hands on his shoulders and looked deep into his dark eyes.
"I know you will, you were always good at finding things out for me. But I need you now more than ever. We cannot fail."
"Yes, my mistress."
With that she turned him back to a raven and he flew off in the direction of the castle.
"Please find him, my pet, my good friend." Maleficent said softly to herself.
Maleficent walked back to the Rowan Tree and she sat down on her bed and tried to get everything sorted out in her head. She needed a plan and a good one. She realized that she wouldn't have time to explain everything to Philip and she would probably need to put him under a sleep spell. That would mean he would have to be in tow, so going by dragon would be out of the question. That plan was out now since Aurora was in the castle. Furthermore, keeping a lid on the dragon might prove beneficial. Going by horse was the only way.
Maleficent looked up and saw the riding outfit that Aurora had her try on last night was draped over the chair.
"It looks like I am going to need this." She quickly changed into the outfit and also grabbed her shorter black robe. She put some of her spell casting items in the pockets along with a small note book of some spells she might need.
Then she started off to the cottage. As she got to the edge of the hill where the Rowan Tree stood. Maleficent turned around and took a good look at her home.
"Why do I get the feeling this is the last time I am going to see it." she said softly.
Maleficent waited at the cottage. The first couple hours seemed like an eternity. No Aurora, No faeries, No Diaval.
The next couple hours, Maleficent couldn't sit still and she started to rifle through the cottage seeing if there is something she might find that could be of use. She went through Aurora's room thinking her luck would be better there. At the foot of her bed there was a cabinet and in that cabinet were the books that Aurora mentioned.
"Ahhh, perhaps I could pass the time with some reading."
"Modern dresses For Modern Women." Hmmm, that must be the clothing book.
"Open Flame by Gordon Wolfram" Hmmm, a cookbook I presume.
"Packin' Fudge by Phil McCrack." I have a funny feeling I don't want to know what that one is about.
She then noticed some of the romance books that Aurora was talking about.
"One Steamy Night by Alotta Fahgyna" Maleficent flipped through the pages of the book. She read little bits and pieces of the book and her eyes widened with every turn of the page.
"This certainly isn't appropriate reading material for a 16 year old." She said as she fumbled her grip on the book and it fell to the floor.
Upon picking the book up it fell on the last page and her eyes fixed on the last line on the book. "He kissed her long and deep and she knew that this was true love's kiss."
Maleficent slammed the book closed and sat down on Aurora's bed. Humans write about true love's kiss? Oh dear, can I be mistaken about that too? Humans believe in true love's kiss. Maybe, just maybe. Oh Diaval please find Philip.
Maleficent laid down on Aurora's bed and continued to read the romance book until she noticed the sun's position outside. It was already late afternoon and more than half the day had already expired. They only had half a day left. Still no sign of Aurora, the 3 pixies, or Diaval.
Maleficent was growing concerned and she was wringing her hands.
She went back to the main room and began to pace, getting more nervous with each lap.
Then she started to think bad things. What if something went wrong. What if Diaval's in trouble and cannot get back to me. I should have put the Moors on alert, I can't leave now, what if Diaval shows up.
Just then there came a knock on the door.
"Aurora is that you?" Maleficent asked as got up to open the door.
"It is I, Philip, and yes, I come for Aurora".
Maleficent opened the door and Prince Philip's eyes flew open as wide as dinner plates. He stepped back in fear with every step Maleficent moved forward, obviously frightened by the horned figure that stood before him.
"I am sorry, my lady, I can see I have disturbed you, I clearly have the wrong house." his voice quavered as his eyes kept being drawn to Maleficent's horns.
He started to turn and run, but Maleficent pulled some gold dust from her pocket and blew it in Prince Philip's direction. As he grabbed for his horse, he slumped over it fast asleep.
"Ok, so Philip came to me. But now I need Diaval. With Philip here by me this is probably the last place Diaval will look. I need a beacon." Maleficent thought to herself. She went back into the house to get her staff.
There were some clouds in the sky she picked one that was over the cottage. She slammed her staff down on the ground and green bolt of lightning shot up to the cloud. From the cloud several other green bolts shot out in every direction.
"Diaval, Please see this."
Maleficent went over to Philip's horse and he was still leaning over it. She pulled on his his arms over the other side so that he was draped over the horses body. She used a little of her magic to tie his hands to his feet with vines and then used some more magic to create more vines to secure his body to the saddle.
No sooner than she completed her work, she began to hear a raven caw repeatedly in the distance.
"He had seen the beacon! He is coming!"
Diaval swooped down over the cottage and saw his mistress with a horse and someone was draped over it. As soon as he was in range, Maleficent turned him into a man.
Diaval was completely out of breath and he put an arm around Maleficent's shoulders for support. She put her arm around his waist.
"I saw the green lightning. I figured you were in trouble and I came back as fast as I could. "
"Well, Well, it appears our Philip came to me" Maleficent said with a smile on her face.
"I sure wish I would have known that, I wouldn't have been flying around 3 kingdoms trying to look for him." Diaval said
Maleficent tied Philip's horse to a tree and they went into the cottage and sat down while Diaval caught his breath.
"I need to change you into a horse. We are going to the castle taking Philip with us. We don't have much time, I can see the sun is starting to go down."
"Ok, my mistress. Just a few more minutes."
Maleficent sat growing impatient, but she knew that Diaval needed to catch his breath for the next long run he had to do for the night. She untied her robe. Diaval saw that she was wearing the outfit Aurora gave her last night. With her robes part way open, Diaval trained his eyes on the cutouts that exposed Maleficent's mid section. For some reason this actualy helped him calm down faster and relax, where as the night before it had the opposite effect. Soon his breathing returned to normal.
Maleficent got up and went outside. Diaval followed.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, my mistress."
"Into a horse," she said while waving her hand.
Maleficent went over to get Philip's horse and she tied the reins to some vines which she wrapped around the lower part of Diaval's body just before his hind legs. She checked it to be secure along with the vines she tied Philip down with earlier.
"Ok, Diaval, I am ready"
He looked back at her and nodded his head up and down.
Diaval crouched down bending his one leg out and Maleficent hopped on to his back. "Thank You, Diaval. And now we must make haste to Stefan's castle."
They started off and made their way out of the north woods. Maleficent stayed close to the border of the forest rather than risk going on the main road and be seen. There was a clearing that went behind a group of trees and Maleficent used this to gain some ground on the castle. The trees were a natural view block so it would be difficult to see anyone approaching. While both Maleficent and Diaval were black and wouldn't be seen, Philip's horse was predominately tan colored so they had to take measures to be discreet.
They were halfway to the castle when Maleficent noticed that the sun's bottom edge was beginning to touch the horizon. They were running out of time. Suddenly, Maleficent could feel a throbbing in her finger. She knew it was her feedback from the curse. She knew that Aurora, wherever she was, would feel the throbbing too and would seek out what the curse wants her to find...a spinning wheel.
Even though Diaval told her that Stefan ordered all spinning wheels destroyed, she feared that there might be one or even two still not accounted for and the curse would match Aurora up with one of them. These thoughts filled Maleficent's mind and her heart began to ache. Diaval looked back every now and then to his mistress and she had a worried look on her face. Her face became more racked with emotion as she her eyes were fixed on the setting sun.
"Faster Diaval! Faster!" her voice rang out to his ears. He was already running at a pretty good clip. He could feel Maleficent's legs get tighter around his body. While he liked the feeling, he tried to put his emotions aside for they had a task to complete...they had to save Aurora. With that he shot forward going even faster then he ever had before. But there was another problem...Philip's horse had difficulty keeping up and the reins leading out to his horse pulled taught every so often. This was the best they can do.
Diaval soon was starting to get out of breath and started to slow down a bit.
"Faster Diaval!", she called out again.
With every ounch of energy he could muster he pushed forward, he hung his mouth open gasping for more air.
The sun was three quarters set and the throbbing in Maleficen'ts finger intensified. They were right on the outer wall of the castle and then it happened. Maleficent felt a push to her finger and then the throbbing was gone.
Diaval reared up as the last top edge of the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. He looked up to his mistress and her eyes misted over and she placed her forehead on the back of his neck.
"It is done, Diaval...The curse...It has been fulfilled."