Maleficent & Diaval (Maleval) - I'm Alive

by RavenDiablo

A Drama Romance, the story parallels the movie and it's events. Taken mostly from Diaval's point of view, it shows how Maleficent and Diaval's initial master/servant relationship evolves into a friendship and finally a steamy romantic relationship. Cover image provided by the lovely and talented Akadio from DeviantART. Enjoy and please review!

17. Chapter 17: Wings For Life

Maleficent - Diaval Fanfic – I'm Alive by Raven Diablo

Chapter 17 – Wings For Life

A cool breeze blew into the bedroom and Maleficent woke up in bed with her arm draped around Diaval's waist and her head was on his chest. He was still sound asleep. It was very early in the morning and the sky was a purplish blue, it was going to be sunrise soon. The night before Maleficent felt uncomfortable with the castle bedroom being so closed in and quiet. Not like the open and airy feel of her home in the Rowan Tree. The room they were in was a stately corner bedroom with two balconies that had French doors and a single window on the far side. Before turning in for the the night Maleficent opened them all the way. Even though it was cold out, it was much better to be able to hear the sounds of the night. But even so, it wasn't her Moors. The castle was a strange place to sleep even though the bed did prove to be very warm and comfortable. The new environment behind closed doors did feel very secure. Maleficent and Diaval spent a rather nice evening of intimacy before finally falling asleep from sheer exhaustion. She sat up in bed to found her undergarment dangling in front of her face, it was hooked around one of her horns.

"Oh, Good Grief, how did that get up there?" She whispered.

But there was something odd about the castle that morning. Maleficent put on her satin robe and tip toed to the door to the bedroom. Diaval turned in the bed and grabbed a hold of one of the pillows and began to hug it. He began to mumble in his sleep.

"Oh, Maleficent, my love, you are so beautiful." He grabbed a hold of the pillow tighter and gave it a kiss.

Maleficent had to stifle a laugh, and then she exited the room. The castle was very quiet as everyone was still sleeping. Maleficent started down the first flight of stairs and came an intersection that was closed off from the coronation ball the night before. The barrier was low and Maleficent easily swung her long legs over it. From the intersection the hallway continued south, and also turned west.

Maleficent decided to take the longer hallway into the west wing of the castle. The west wing was very drab in comparison to the rest of the castle. It very much needed to be restored. There was evidence of the iron plates on the wall as they were ripped off and left large holes behind in the stonework. There was as small flight of stairs up at the end of the hall. Maleficent went up the stairs and was greeted by a large stained glass window that faced west at the end. There were only two rooms at the top of the stairs. One was open with the door slighly ajar and Maleficent wanted to go in and check it out, but then there was that pulling feeling again that drew her to the other room. Something was in that room. The door was closed and locked. There was a small guard's chair sitting outside the door. It was very well worn and appeared to have been used for a long time.

The door to the room looked very heavy and it appeared to be very thick when Maleficent lightly knocked on it. She had to be careful as the door was made of wood and iron and there were iron straps across the wood. She tried her magic on the lock of the door, but it didn't work as the lock mechanism was also made from iron.

"Damn!" She said. "I am going to ask Sir Joseph about this room, perhaps he might have a key for it."

As she started to walk away, she felt it again. Whatever it was, it didn't want her to leave the area and it still pulled her back to the room.

"There is something in there that I need to see for some reason," she thought.

She came to the door and again knocked on it, but much louder this time and she said in a soft voice, "Hello? Is anyone in there?"

The urge became very strong that she had to enter that room, but she couldn't. She wanted to pull on the handle, but that too was made of iron.

For some reason she said, "I will come back." The feeling suddenly subsided and went away. "Hmmm, that's odd," she said. Maleficent started back to her room all the while looking back at the strange area in the west wing. She would most certainly ask Sir Joseph about it when he awakened. She kept looking back towards the room even after she hopped back over the barrier. She wasn't looking when walking around the corner and she felt someone slam into her side knocking her off balance. That some grabbed a hold of her to prevent her from falling. Maleficent turned around to find it was the 'Little Man' from the following night.

He instantly let go and rapidly said, "Oh my! Oh my! I am so sorry your excellency, I didn't think anyone was already up this morning and I am late to meet up with Sir Joseph. I am sorry for touching you. Please. Please don't hurt me."

Maleficent put up her hands, "Stop! Slow down, my mind can barely keep up with your mouth."

"Yes, your excellency," Sir Kenneth slowed his voice down.

She looked impatiently but then said, "What is your name?"

"Sir Kenneth, Madame," he sounded worried. "I am sorry about last night, I was just drunk and wasn't thinking."

"Understood, I apologize as well. I went a little too far," Malficent said in a cool voice. "Sometimes I am a bit of a show off."

Sir Kenneth had a puzzled look as Maleficent apologized to him. He then said, "No, I shouldn't have said that and then spawed the rest of the fellows on. It was very ungentleman like of me."

"Yes, it was rather rude," She said with narrow eyes. "Well, I am curious as to why you questioned the Queen's and my authority in the first place."

"Well, your excellency, the guys were worried that with the town heading in the new direction of textiles that there would be very little to no work for us and that you would shut down the forge. He had a few drinks and that was when things got out of hand. I honestly only wanted them to laugh and really didn't mean any harm."

"Shut the forge down? That is nonsense. Where did you hear that?"

"It was just talk among those that work in the forging house."

"Well, Sir Kenneth, to put your mind at ease, I am not going to close the forge."

"Really?"

"Yes, as it is King John expressed an interest in opening a weapons and armor trade route overseas. I am working on a business arrangement with him in which we will supply him with quality weapons and armor while he supplies us with cloth and material. So no, I never had any intention of closing the forge. In fact the queen and myself will be coming up with newer, nicer looking armor designs."

"Oh, thank you, your excellency. You don't know how much this will mean to the fellows."

"Sir Kenneth?" Maleficent said in an stern voice, "Before you make the mistake of 'sounding off' ever again, if there is anything you hear that makes 'the fellows' uneasy, I am to hear of it first. This way I can separate the rumors from the facts. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your excellency," he said bowing.

"Unlike your prior rulers, the queen and myself want to see everyone here living together well and in harmony. I can asure you the changes here will be pleasant ones."

"Thank you again, your excellency. You are very kind. And again I am very sorry for questioning you and the rather rude remark I made about you being a...I can't say it."

Maleficent narrowed her eyes and nodded her head, "Very well, apology accepted, you are dismissed."

As Sir Kenneth turned away he said, "Oh, by the way. I love your beautiful legs."

Maleficent stifled a giggle putting her hand over her mouth and he smiled back.

'Hmmmm,' Maleficent thought, 'not such a bad guy after all."

Maleficent returned to the bedroom and sat down on the bed. She took her robe off and tossed it aside on the bed. She then started to turn back into the sheets.

"Hmmmmm," Diaval sighed in his sleep. His hand started to grope around as if trying to find something. Maleficent put her hand on his chest and his hand went right for hers. His fingers meshed with hers and he put a huge smile on his face.

Maleficent smiled at the sweet gesture and she snuggled up close to him and went back to sleep.

Later on that morning Diaval woke up holding on to Maleficent's arm. He looked towards her face to discover her sleeping soundly. He found himself looking at her arm on his chest. For some reason the veins on her arm were very pronounced. He began to run his fingers up and down every single vein on her hand and forearm. He concentrated on one very large vein that extended from the back of her hand all the way down her forearm.

"Hmmmmm, that tickles," Maleficent stirred awake.

She kept her eyes closed as Diaval then ran his finger softly on her cheekbone. She didn't say anything at first, but slowly smiled.

"That feels good. You have such a nice soft touch," she then said softly.

Diaval said, "I have no idea how late it is. I think we might have slept in."

Maleficent lifted her head up and had noticed the change in the sunlight were it fell on the floor in the room. Indeed it did look quite a bit later in the morning than when she got up earlier.

"Hard to tell in here", she said as she got up and put on her robe and walked to the doors that opened up to the balcony. She opened them up and walked out. A few seconds later she came back in.

"I just looked out to the Moors, it has to be late morning by now," she said.

"I hope we didn't miss breakfast."

"Me either, I am famished."

Maleficent and Diaval proceeded to get dressed opting for their regular Moors attire. No sooner than they opened the door to their room a servant came down the hall and greeted them.

"Your excellency, the queen is waiting to have breakfast with you in the dining room."

She escorted them downstairs to the dining room which was another room off the great hall and ballroom. Upon entering they were seated at a very long table that could seat 32 people. Only the far end was made up with three place settings. Two were right next to one another to the right of Queen Aurora, of whom sat at the very end of the table. She stood up as the servant sat them down by the table. Queen Aurora sat down bidding them a good morning and they did likewise. While the servants retreated to the back to prepare their breakfast, Aurora started up the morning's conversation.

"Sleep in today, did we?" Aurora said coyishly.

Maleficent said, "Yes, we did Aurora, I'm sorry."

Diaval chimed in too, "Yes, I too am very sorry."

"Uh, huh." Aurora said in a romantic way licking her lips and then she giggled.

Maleficent saw the look on Aurora's face and her eyes narrowed as she said, "You seem awfully interested in what Diaval and I do between sheets."

"I know, I shouldn't pry, but I am just interested in your happiness."

"Yes, we are very happy together if you need to know. You should be more interested in that Prince Philip than us."

Aurora had an ear to ear grin on her face and she started to play with her fork. Her face was glowing.

"My you seem to be all aglow this morning," Maleficent said, "What is on your mind?"

"Well, speaking of Prince Philip," Aurora led on.

Suddenly it hit Maleficent, "You two finally kissed?" Maleficent inquired.

"Yes! Yes!" Aurora exlaimed as she brought her arms to her chest and shook them in excitement.

"Well, Well, then. I will say...as you put it, details, my dear."

"Maleficent!" Diaval said in a shocked voice.

"What? Diaval, she only keeps asking us every time we get close, so it is only fair, this time I want to know," Maleficent said grinning and raising her eyebrows before taking a sip from her tea.

"Well, shortly after you two left that closet...well, I went back there to check it out. I saw the blankets and the bowl of grapes. Apparently Prince Philip followed me and wondered what I was doing in there. So we ended up sitting next to each other on the blanket and we fed each other some of the grapes. Our faces just came closer and closer and it...it just happened."

"Splendid, the boy finally came around. Congradulations, Beastie," Maleficent said happily, but then her face became more stern as she continued, "However, I am curious as to why you were poking around in that room."

"Uhhhhh," Aurora said as she began to wring her hands and she shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know really."

"Humm," Maleficent said as she smirked. She was ready to continue when the servants came out with breakfast.

After they were done with breakfast Maleficent called to one of the servants, "Can you please send for Sir Joseph, I would like a word with him."

The servant bowed and said, "Of course, your excellency."

Sir Joseph appeared a few minutes later, "You sent for me Madame Maleficent?"

"Yes, I have. This morning I went for a little stroll down the hall and became rather intrigued with the corridor that runs to the west."

"Oh, we have closed the west wing off since that part of the castle is still under renovations. You shouldn't be going down there as it is dangerous, your excellency," Sir Joseph informed.

"You keep forgetting, Sir Joseph, that I can handle myself."

"Of course, your excellency, I know you can. I am just saying as a precaution...please continue."

"What was that corridor used for?"

"Well, prior to King Stefan's reign that corrodor was used for the quarters of the first line of servants that served the King and Queen. Those rooms were a bit nicer than the other servants quarters and larger too. When King Stefan reigned, he didn't want any of the servants on the same floor as the main royal rooms. So that wing was unoffically closed off and became disused."

"There is a room at the top of the stairs at the end that has intrigued me, the one with the locked door."

"King Stefan converted that room to his study. It was far away from the rest of the castle where he wouldn't be disturbed." Sir Joseph informed.

"Oh? I would like to take a look inside. Can you get the key and open it for me?" Maleficent asked.

Sir Joseph's face contorted a bit as he replied, "Well, this is going to sound embarrassing, but I am lead to believe that we might have buried that key with King Stefan. I don't know if there is another key. I had asked Sir Mark as he made the lock for that room, but so far he hasn't found another key."

"I see. Perhaps the guard for that room might know something?"

"Perhaps, but he perished the night of the fight."

"Oh."

"Couldn't you open the lock using your magic?"

"No, I tried that already, the lock is made of iron."

"Well, I am also curious to what is in that room, can you break the door down using your magic?"

"If the door was purely wood, then yes, but the iron straps on it would block my magic as well," Maleficent said.

Diaval interjected, "May I see this room?"

Aurora added, "Yes, I would like to see it as well."

"Ok, your majesties. But all please be careful and follow directly behind me. The hall can be dangerous with the debris from the iron removal."

All got up and followed Sir Joseph to the west wing. Maleficent fetched her staff by the door and trailed a bit behind. Sir Joseph moved the barrier to the side and they all went down the west wing corridor and up the stairs to the door.

Maleficent turned to Diaval and said, "Is this the room you told me about?"

"Yes. It is the room that King Stefan would go to and hole himself up in. I watched from up there," Diaval said as he pointed to a small group of holes in the wall that lined the upper part of the window.

Maleficent examined the door running her hands inches from the iron bars. She could feel the searing heat coming from them. "Damn Iron!"

"Maleficent, my dear." Diaval said.

"Yes, Diaval?"

"The door is made of iron and wood, but the wall next to it is just stone."

Maleficent looked to Diaval with a grin, "Such a smart, bird, right you are."

"Everyone stand behind me, I believe Diaval has found a key."

"Uhhhh, your excellency, I don't think causing an explosion in here is a good idea," Sir Joseph sounded worried.

"Don't worry, I will try not to make too much of a mess."

Maleficent raised her staff and aimed about a good foot away from the door's edges. A green beam of light eminated from her staff and slammed into the section of wall next to the door causing the stone to shatter on impact. Diaval sheiled Aurora from the debris that flew from the wall. She aimed lower and repeated sending another green beam to the lower part of the wall. Again the stones shattered. When she was finished she pulled her staff back up to her side. "Open Sesame," she said comically.

Sir Joseph looked around and there were bits and pieces of stone all over the hall.

"Not much of a mess, huh?" he said.

"Ooops! Sorry," Maleficent replied sarcastically. She then waved her hand and a wind blew through the hall and swept up all stones in a neat pile by the door.

"Better?" she asked Sir Joseph.

"Much", he replied. "Thank you."

Everyone proceeded to look into the room through the new doorway Maleficent made. It was dark inside so Sir Joseph grabbed a torch off the wall, lit it and then entered the room first to light a chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Once lit he gave the go ahead for everyone else to enter.

The room was sparcely furnished with a desk on the same side of the wall as the door was. There was a drafting table to the left and a fireplace to the right. In the middle of the room was a large chair that faced a tall cabinet that was at the far end of the room. The tall cabinet was covered with a black blanket. The room had no windows, hence to why it was initially so dark.

Maleficent was the last to enter the room and as soon as she looked up to the tall object, she got that feeling as she did earlier and she kept staring at the cabinet.

Diaval, noticed his lover's eyes were trained on the cabinet. He walked over to it and yanked the black cover off and tossed it on the drafting table.

"Oh My Goodness! OH! My wings!" Maleficent cried out as she ran to the cabinet and placed her hands on the cabinet, without paying attention to where she placed her hands. As soon as she touched the cabinet, she felt a familiar searing pain in her hands. She jumped back and yelled out, "Ouch!"

The cabinet was made from iron and glass. The iron formed a criss crossing pattern over the glass and she inadvertently placed her hands right on the iron.

"Be careful!" Sir Joseph said.

"Are you alright?" Diaval asked.

"Yes, I will be fine," Maleficent said as she rubbed her hands.

Diaval kept looking at the cabinet's contents in awe. The majestic pair of wings were very large and nearly identical in appearance to his own wings when he's a dragon, just as Maleficent described them to him. The wings were all black and came up to a curved horn at the top. The feathers were very large on the bottom.

Maleficent found she could put her hands on the glass portion of the cabinet without being hurt. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she turned to Diaval, "Honey, they been here all this time."

Aurora didn't say a word but stood in shock as she watched the drama unfold before her.

Maleficent started to become weak in the knees and she slumped down to the floor. Diaval ran over and helped her back up.

"Thank you, my love," she said. "That bastard kept them here as some kind of war trophy, as some kind of conquest against me."

Aurora's chin wrinkled and bottom lip began to quaver as she ran over to Maleficent and the two embraced. Maleficent buried her face into Aurora's hair. She then held her hand out for Diaval to take. He took her hand and she pulled him in closer to her.

"Oh Godmother," Aurora looked up to her eyes and they were closed.

"Perhaps I should leave you three alone?" Sir Joseph asked.

Diaval turned to Sir Joseph and nodded, 'yes.'

As Sir Joseph left the room. Maleficent looked up with tears in her eyes.

"I felt something funny this morning when I woke up and I followed that feeling here. It was as if they were calling me." Maleficent looked up at her wings and then said, "Hold on."

Maleficent broke the embrace and then raised her hands towards the cabinet. A red glow eminated from them and she moved the red glow from the top of the cabinet down. But before she could get to the bottom, her breathing became very heavy and eratic and once again she became week in her knees, but both Diaval and Aurora kept her from falling this time.

Aurora said in a worried tone, "What is it Godmother, are you ok?"

"There is magic still in my wings. Somehow after all these years magic is still in them."

"Does that mean they are still alive."

"I don't know, maybe. I only can tell there are traces of magic in them."

Diaval brought the chair over and he and Aurora helped her into the chair.

"Diaval, please go to the Moors and fetch Robin, he would know for sure."

With a wave of her hand, Maleficent turned Diaval back into a raven and he flew out of the room and out the familiar opening he would watch the room from. He went back to the Moors to seek out Robin.

"Aurora, my dear, I am going to stay here and wait for Robin, you don't have be here with me," Maleficent said her voice racked with emotion.

"Nonsense Godmother, I am going to sit and wait with you," Aurora said as she went outside to get the guards chair. She planted it right next to Maleficent and sat down on the chair and leaned her head into Maleficent's chest.

Maleficent didn't say anything, but she stroked Aurora's golden hair with her left hand. The feeling of hair running through her fingers was very soothing. Aurora must have been still very tired from the activities of the prior evening and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

"Poor little Beastie, too much excitement."

Maleficent looked around and everything was quiet, no one was around. She looked at her wings and could feel her eyes welling up. But this time she didn't hold back as she let the tears ran down her face.

She whispered through her tears, "My lovelies, my wings, I thought for sure I would never see you two again. I can't believe that you are still here after all these years."

Aurora looked so content sleeping with her head on her chest, Maleficent turned her head to the side and layed it down on Aurora's head and soon she too fell asleep. It seemed like she was only out for a few minutes when she heard voices coming up the hall. Aurora was still sleeping and she nudged her awake.

"I believe they are here, Beastie," she whispered in her ear.

As Aurora stretched and yawned, Diaval flew into the room. Maleficent waved her hand and he turned back into a man.

"Maleficent, my love, I did manage to find Robin and I brought him back here. They are coming up the hall now."

"Splendid, Splendid."

Robin flew into the room first and was trailed by Sir Joseph.

"Good afternoon your majesties," Robin bowed and then flew towards the cabinet.

"Good afternoon Robin," both ladies said together.

Robin hovered in front of the cabinet with his arms on his waist and he said, "I don't believe it. I can't believe it. Diaval brought me here to the castle and Sir Joseph told me why and I just couldn't believe it. Yet there they are."

"Good afternoon your excellencies," Sir Joseph said as he entered the room. Then he turned to Robin and said, "Robin, let me continue,"

"Oh, yes please do."

Sir Joseph said continuing the story he was telling Robin as they made their way through the castle, "He would come into this room and stay here for hours on end. Sometimes he wouldn't even bathe and he would sit in there and have is food brought up to him here. He would never let anyone past the first corner of the entry either. Albeit, now Madame Maleficent blew that part away. Once I did enter the room fully as I was puzzled that he didn't want to see his wife, Queen Leila as she lay dying. She insisted on seeing him and I thought it was odd that he wouldn't honor his wifes request. I heard him shuffle around in the room and shortly after I just entered. I didn't see anything as he just finished covering the cabinet. He was furious with me though. The Queen died while he stayed holed up in this room.

"That is so awful," Aurora said as she turned to Maleficent. "He let mom die alone."

"No, not alone, my Queen," Sir Joseph let out a sigh. "There was something I didn't tell you that first night you were here."

"I was so furious with King Stefan, that I retreated to the queen's chamber and stayed with her myself. There was a point she became so dilerious that she couldn't tell if I was King Stefan or not. The King's and my voice do happen to be very similar as we are both from Scotland. In her dying moments, I commited a sin and posed as the King and offered her my blessing.

"You see, my Queen, your mom was different, she was loving and caring. But your father broke her heart and mistreated her."

Maleficent sneared as she interrupted, "Sounds all too familiar."

Sir Joseph then continued, "I tried to console your mom whenever your father was mean to her, but soon I developed feelings for her, but I stayed strong and kept them to myself as I am head of the guards and never wanted to loose your father's trust. I cared about her. Her last words were 'I love you.' I said 'I love you to her.' but the thing was, I really meant it." Sir Joseph said as his eyes started to become glazed over. He tried his best to keep his emotions in check.

Aurora ran over to Sir Joseph and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh...Oh! My Queen! Thank you. I...I was preparing to be punished."

"Punished!" Aurora exlaimed, "You should be rewarded. At least someone who cared for my mom was with her when she died. She died knowing someone that cared for her was by her side."

Robin perked up and yelled over to Maleficent, "It's sealed! Don't ask me how they did it, but this cabinet is vacuum sealed. I see the sealing tap right here and the mark where the spigot was. They pumped the air out of the glass chamber and sealed it off.

"And the relevance of this is?" Maleficent inquired.

"With the air sucked out of the cabinet, the wings are preserved. They wouldn't deteriorate or age in time But after all these years, I wonder if the seal still held," Robin pondered.

"I scanned the cabinet earlier and I detected traces of magic still in the wings. I didn't know what to make of it and that is why I sent for you," Maleficent said.

Robin let out a breath and then scanned his hand over the cabinet. A red glow eminated from his hand in a similar manner as Maleficent did earlier. After a couple passes across the cabinet, Robin, all of a sudden shot straight up into the air nearly hitting the ceiling, yelling, "YES! YES!" When Robin came back down he sat on the top edge of the cabinet and crossed his arms and legs and had a huge grin on his face.

"You are right my lady. Thar be magic still left in them thar wings," Robin jokingly remarked with a pirate's accent.

"And?" both Maleficent and Diaval said together.

"And? And! AND?!" Robin repeated excitedly, "That means there is still life in those wings and there exists a good possibility that I might be able to reattach them and you can fly again."

"WHAT!" Maleficent, Diaval, and Aurora shouted at once.

Maleficent held the back of one hand to her forehead and she had to sit back down as she was growing a bit faint. Her hands began to shake.

"Oh, to fly again." Maleficent said as she reached her shaking hands to her cheeks.

"My dear?" Diaval asked.

At first Maleficent didn't say anything, but when Diaval walked by her side she wrapped one arm around his waist. She lifted her head up and their eyes met. "I'm ok, Diaval," she finally said. "Just a bit shocked." Diaval could see her eyes welling up, but she fought hard to hold back her tears. She didn't want them to see her cry she leaned her head into Diavals stomach.

Her eyes looked to Robin and he flew down closer to her. Almost in a whisper asked the faerie, "Robin, a...are you sure you can do this?"

"I believe so," Robin reassured, "Granted, I never did something like this before, but I should be able to."

The hope on Maleficent's face began to fade.

"I mean I have reattached wings on faeries before, but not on a faerie as big as you and your wings...they are really big! Also, the wings I reattached were fresh broken. These wings have been stored like this for 17 years. In the very least, it will take quite a bit of magic to get the wings acclimated with your body again. Hopefully you will heal properly and not get an infection. But I think it can be done with minimal risks to yourself, myself as well as well as any other faeries assisting in the procedure."

"Other faeries?" Aurora inquired.

"Yes, of course," Robin answered. "I can't do this on my own. It's too big of a job."

Diaval spoke and said, "I don't think you should go through with it, Maleficent, especially if there is anything to risk. I don't want to end up loosing you or Robin or anyone else. I mean I can carry you as a dragon if you want fly, really I don't mind, I enjoy it."

"I know you do, Diaval, I know you mean well, but if there is just a slight chance that I can fly on my own again...I...I just want my wings back. They mean so much to me. Those wings are my freedom and my strength. With my wings, you will see me whole, you will see me complete. I will be able to properly display for you."

"I love you as you are, Maleficent," Diaval said in a heartfelt manner, "I can't risk losing you, now that we finally confessed our love for one another. You display well without your wings. Your beautiful as you are."

"Awwww," Aurora said, "That is so sweet of you to say Diaval."

Maleficent turned more into Diaval's stomach as she could feel herself becoming warm in the face. She knew she was blushing and didn't want the others to see. But she smiled up at Diaval and whispered, "Thank you, Diaval"

Aurora moved over to Maleficent's other side and said, "Godmother, I don't want risk it either. I still need you and your guidance."

Maleficent turned to Robin again, "What do you need to know to make the risks as minimal as possible."

"Ok, I am painting a worse drawing on the risks, but I do like to ebb on the side of safety. But I would say that the more high healers we have, the better the chances for success. But as far as I know the only high healers are myself, Knotgrass, Flittle, and Thistletwit. That is four, which I believe will be more than enough.

"Five including myself and certainly I am sure I count for more than one," Maleficent added.

"No!" Robin blurted out, "Even though you are a high healer and have more power than the four of us combined, your body will be taxed with healing and more then likely using your magic any time during the procedure will hamper the healing process. You cannot use your magic in anyway. You would risk great pain upon yourself. But I must say you will have great pain to begin with during the attachment process.

"Oh," Maleficent hung her head low again.

"Given the time the wings have been in this cabinet, your body might try to reject them. So much magic will be needed to match the bond from your stumps to the wings. Once that procedure is done, your body will accept the wings and then can heal them on it's own. But it will require a lot of magic," Robin said shaking his head.

"And the concern to using a lot of magic is?" Diaval asked.

"Well, what you may not know, Diaval my friend, is that if a faerie depletes his or her magic completely, they will die."

Aurora's, Maleficent's and Diaval's eyes widened.

"You see, a faerie's life is not measured by age as it is with other life forms, such as humans." Robin continued. Faeries age as their magic depletes over their life. A faerie that doesn't abuse his or her magic can live to be hundreds of years old. But a foolish faerie that squanders his or her magic or over uses it, will have a much shorter life span. A faerie such as Maleficent, here, could live well past 600 years. Given that figure Maleficent is currently 35 years old, she's still a toddler by these figures.

Both Diaval and Aurora stifled a giggle. Even Sir Joseph turned around to stifle a giggle.

Maleficent didn't find it amusing and shot up from her chair and narrowed her eyes. "I beg your pardon!" she snapped. "I am full grown adult faerie."

"Yes, yes. I know that," Robin said, "but you are an extremely young faerie and I couldn't resist the joke."

"So if I am young and have so much power and magic in me, why can't I assist? I still don't understand why I can't use my power to help."

"All faerie's can regenerate their magic to to a certain degree. It is like healing," Robin described. "Have you noticed that when you use a good deal of your magic, that you become fatigued and tired afterwards?"

"Yes."

"Well, that is when your body is regenerating magic. Now if your body is doing that AND healing itself at the same time, the healing part usually takes a back row seat."

Robin shook his head and waved his hand back and forth, "We can't have that. Your body has to be focused on healing otherwise you will bring great pain on yourself. Or worse you can get an infection."

"I believe I would like to give it a shot," Maleficent added. "The pain can't be more than when that bastard ripped them off my body to begin with."

"Oh?" Robin dipped his head, "That's the way you think it works? Oh no, my lady, the pain will be far worse to reattach them."

Maleficent looked at her wings in the cabinet and swallowed hard a couple of times. She reached for Diaval's hand and held it tight.

"I still want to go through with it." Maleficent said, "Will you do it?"

"Me? Yes, of course I will do it, but this decision is not mine alone. I have to disuss this with the three ladies first. If any one of them doesn't want to do this, then it is off, we need four high healer faeries to pull this off safely."

Robin began to fly off.

"Where are you going, Robin?" Aurora asked.

"Well, as I said, my queen, I have to speak to Knotgrass, Flittle and Thistletwit to see if they will do this for Maleficent."

Once again Maleficent hung her head low as she knew she wasn't on the greatest terms with the three faeries. She called them traitors and backstabbers when they sought asylum with King Stefan. It made her very angry. She thought it was very doubtful that any of them would assist.

As Robin started to fly off, Maleficent called to him, "Wait, Robin."

Robin turned back around, "Yes, my lady?"

"Where will you do this?"

"Most likely here at the castle, the wings are already here. I also need to speak to whomever created this cabinet as the proper way to depressurize it. Simply breaking the glass could damage the wings as the glass will implode inward."

"Oh, that cabinet is probably Sir Mark's creation," Sir Joseph intervened. "He's the ironsmith, slash, glass expert here. I can get him for you if you wish. He can explain how that cabinet was put together."

"Hold that thought," Robin said, "I need to get back to see the three pixies. Without their concent this project is off anyway."

"Robin, lets all go back together," Maleficent said. "I have a funny feeling I am going to do something I hate."

"And what is that?" Robin said with his hands on his hips.

Maleficent waved her index finger and middle finger for Robin to come closer. Robin flew close to her mouth. Maleficent whispered in his ear, "For what I have done, I think I am going to have to do some serious butt kissing to those three."

Robin flew to Maleficent's ear and whispered back, "Yes, I think you will."

Robin then flew over to Sir Joseph, "Should I get the approval of the three faeries I will be going over the particulars with you as to what it is that I need. A special bed or harness will need to be built to both hold the wings in place and Maleficent down in a specific position. A fairly large room will be needed."

"Yes, as you wish Sir Robin," Sir Joseph replied.

"Sir Robin, huh?" Robin said with an impressed look on his face as he turned to Maleficent and Diaval. "I kind of like the sound of that. Ok, lets go."

Late that afternoon just as the sun was starting to set, Robin, Aurora, Maleficent, Diaval and the three faeries gathered at the Faerie Mound by Maleficent's throne. Maleficent just finished building a small fire on the side so they could see clearer as it became dark. Aurora, Diaval and Maleficent sat on the ground just in front of the throne and the four faeries sat across from them on a few stones Diaval brought over for them to sit on. Robin was the leader of the meeting and explained what needed to be done. After Robin spoke, it was Maleficent's turn to make her peace with the three pixies.

Knotgrass flew forward with a sad look on her face, "My dear Maleficent. You were correct in calling us traitors, but I alone take that blame. Flittle and Thistletwit were just following my lead. It was really my desire to live at the castle and I really didn't know what I was getting myself or my friends into. King Stefan was awful to us and did not treat us well. We...well, I regret running out on you. I was just...frightened of what you became and I feared for my life as well as my friends. That was why I suggested to them that we leave and we did. But all the while I questioned if I did the right thing and I know we...or rather I didn't."

Maleficent swallowed hard, "Knotgrass I would have never caused or cause harm to you or your friends. Granted I wasn't very nice to you. I have made many mistakes in the past that I terribly regret and a good many of them were with you. I have lost your trust, I have called you names, played jokes on you and I have belittled your abilities in front of the other fae folk. I put my selfishness and my revenge above all and ignored my true friends. I forced you away from your home. Even though you are now back, I formally invite you back home here on the Moors and I very sorry for what I have done and I am no longer that woman I was and I will never be that woman again."

"So then," Knotgrass said as she held out her hand, "Water under the bridge?"

Maleficent took her hand and shook, "Water under the bridge."

Knotgrass looked back to Flittle and Thistletwit and they nodded. "Well then, my dear Maleficent, we are in. Let's put your wings back where they belong."

Everyone cheered and smiled.

Robin took center stage and said, "Ok, so for the most part this should go without a hitch, but there are dangers, but as long as everyone follows my instructions this should go smooth.

"So with that out of the way, lets have something to eat and call it a night. I will go to the castle tomorrow and discuss the particulars with Sir Joseph."

Maleficent put both her hands over her nose and mouth. Her eyes started to well up. "I...I don't don't know what to say to all of you except thank you so much!"

Robin flew over to Maleficent and said, "Now now, don't thank us yet, you still have to get through the procedure. Your big rule will be to stay relaxed and don't use your magic. We have to get your body tuned to healing and focused on that."

Maleficent smiled and then placed both her hands around Robin's small waist and drew him close to her face. She then gave him a kiss on the forehead and placed him on her shoulder.

"Oh! Whoa! Gee!" He looked to Diaval, "The beautiful Maleficent kissed...me!"

Robin was all giddy and light headed and passed out on her shoulder. Everyone just giggled and laughed.

Knotgrass looked to Maleficent with narrow eyes and her arms crossed on her chest, "It was you that caused that rainstorm in the cottage, didn't you?"

Maleficent raised her eyebrows and had a guilty look on her face and said, "I hope you are not still upset about that are you?"

Knotgrass smirked a bit and shook her head, "I had a funny feeling..." she then laughed.

Maleficent giggled and said, "I am sorry, I know, I been a bad girl."

"I owe you a thunderstorm in your house." She said giggling through her words before bursting out laughing.

Soon everyone else joined into the laugher. The evening ended on a nice high with everyone having a good time.

The following day Diaval and Robin met with Sir Joseph and Sir Mark and they were going over the particulars on how to take the wings out of the cabinet. Robin also needed a platform built that would hold the wings into position on Maleficent's back. The platform would have to be strong enough to hold Maleficent in place and also prevent her hands from moving so she couldn't use her magic if she wanted to.

"Why are we going crazy with tying Maleficent down, this thing sounds like some torture device and I don't want to see her getting hurt?" Diaval sounded worried.

"Diaval, my friend, I am doing this for a reason. I know Maleficent well by now and I am going to try my best to make sure she doesn't try to use her magic during this procedure. If she does it will undermine our work. Her wings may not heal properly and/or she will bring great pain during the healing process. I am doing as you and she asked and that is to minimize the risks. If she isn't able to use her magic for the whole process, then that is minimizing the risks and will ensure the wings will heal properly without infection."

"Ok, Robin, you are the 'doctor' here. So I am trusting you. If that is best for her then I will not question it any further."

"Yes, it is. I know you are not going to like the sight of her in that contraption, but it is for a reason."

"Robin," Sir Mark chimed in. You are specifying leather straps that would hold down the weight of 3 large men? She is just a single women. Is this figure correct?"

"Sir Mark, may I stress the fact that during this procedure she has to remain completely immobile. May I also point out that this woman isn't like your human female counterparts. She is a warrior faerie and when her adreneline goes up, her strength multiplies, particularly in her arms. You saw what happened to King Stefan, right?

"No, I wasn't present but Sir Joseph told me she shattered his skull with just her hand, no magic." Sir Mark said. "I didn't really believe it.

"Well, believe it. That woman is a force to be reckoned with when she gets mad."

"Alright, if you say so."

"When can you have this built?" Robin asked.

"Probably a couple of weeks. Less if I had help"

"No, that isn't good," Robin shook his head. "I will see if I can get some faeries up here to help you out in constructing this. With their magic they could have this assembled in a couple of days, if that.

A couple days later the contraption was completed to Robin's specifications. Sir Mark, Robin, the three pixies, Maleficent, Diaval, and Queen Aurora were all gathered in the largest holding room of the dungeon where the massive contraption stood. Sir Mark was in the middle of explaining how the contraption worked to Robin towards the side of the room.

Maleficent, Aurora and Diaval trained their eyes on the large contraption in the middle of the room. It consisted of a large flat wooden slab of a platform set vertically at approximately a 75 degree angle. The slab had a large 'v' shaped notch in the top center. Just below the 'v' notch there was small frame that contained a pillow. Running down the platform there were a series of thick leather straps, with the greatest number going around the arms of the occupant. There was a rather unusual box on each side at the bottom of the series of arm straps. It appeared the hands would fit in these boxes. The vertical center of the platform had a thick animal hide blanket that ran from the v cutout down to the bottom. Slightly below where the pillow was located there was a trapezoid shaped cutout. The platform appeared to be cut in half horizontally from this trapezoid cutout with the top half held to the bottom half with a series of large bolts. Running through the center underside of the platform was a large shaft with a wheel mounted on the left side. The shaft was mounted to the lower section of the platform and was just under large iron plates that held the two halves together. Under the platform there was a large iron pipe that ran vertically on each side in which all the straps from above ran through slits in the platform and were tied to the pipes with heavy bolts. The pipe itself was supported by three large wooden supports. There was a step at the bottom to make it easier for one to climb up and into the foot rests of the platform.

Dominating the room were Maleficent's wings which were suspended from the ceiling by several ropes suspended from a track like mechanism from above. The wings were angled towards the middle center of the bottom of the platform The ends that were severed appeared to have some kind of viscous gel over them.

Everyone stood in awe at the massive wings that were suspended over head.

There was a short table placed in the rear of the room about three feet away from the back of the platform. On the table Flittle and Thistletwit were already present and magical green whisps ran from their fingers to the base of the wings.

Diaval shuddered and grimaced as he said,"I don't like this thing one bit. It looks like a torture device."

"Hush now, Diaval, you are not the one that has to lay in the thing," Maleficent said in a snippy voice. "I know it is for my own good and afterwards I will have my wings again. So if I must be strapped in that thing, then so be it."

Robin, and Knotgrass flew in and landed on the table in the back.

"Ok, listen up everyone, this is very important," Robin called out and everyone followed him to the small table in the back. "I am only going to go over this once and I am expecting my instructions to be followed to the letter. With the wings out of the cabinet, we have less than an hour to get these attached. Flittle and Thistletwit have already been conditioning the wings for the reattachment and building up the existing magic power within them." Robin paused as he flew to the front of the platform. Everyone except Flittle and Thistletwit followed.

"My lady, you will be step onto the platform and rest your head on the pillow. Your horns will pass through the 'v' notch on top and your wing stumps will be lined up with the opening below the head rest. The table will then be tilted 45 degrees back and the top rig will move the suspended wings towards your back. From there, the four of us will take over with the attachment process," Robin paused again when he continued with more of a stern voice and appeared to address everyone., "It has to be made clear that this process is not to be interrupted in any way. My lady, you are not to attempt to use your power in anyway. Your body must concentrate on healing. I believe this should go without a hitch if everyone listens and does their part. As a precaution, I am going to magically lock the door to this room."

"Why are you locking the door?" Maleficent asked.

Robin then lowered his voice and approached closer to Maleficent. "The reason why I am locking the door, is that this procedure will be painful. I don't want Diaval or anyone else to come barging in here and interrupting the process."

"Don't worry, I will not yell out then."

"Always strong, my lass, but I am not going to sugar coat it, you will be in pain, but if everything goes well, the pain should subside within a short time afterwards."

"Robin I am very self conscious about my back, let alone my stumps being exposed."

Robin held his hand over his face and then said in an annoyed voice, "Maleficent! It is only going to be for a short time. Once your wings are attached your conscience will be be restored and you can feel free to run around this place naked should you please to do so."

Maleficent crossed her arms on her chest and narrowed her eyes, she was clearly annoyed with Robin's remark.

"Excuse me?" she hissed.

"Ok, Ok, I'm sorry, my lady. If it makes you feel better only us four and yourself will be in this room, no one else. But please let us continue, the longer we talk here, the longer Flittle and Thistletwit have to maintain the magic levels on the wings when they need that power with the reattachment process. So please!"

"Alright, Robin," Maleficent said placing her hands on her waist.

"Now climb onto the platform and we will get you strapped in," he said and then turned to Sir Mark and Queen Aurora. "I would like to ask if you both would leave the room at this time."

Sir Mark and Queen Aurora nodded and Sir Mark esorted the queen out of the room.

Maleficent was wearing one of her older moor's gowns which already had openings in the back from when she had wings. Aurora assisted Maleficent in modifying the skirt portion of the gown to have flowing pant legs much like her riding outfit given her legs would also be strapped in. The sleeves were also made shorter to just barely covering her shoulders. She was wearing a feathered shrug that curved down to a 'v' point on her back which covered up her stumps. She looked down at herself and had a sad look on her face. Diaval noticed and then whispered in her ear.

"Don't worry, my love, you look great to me," Diaval said.

"Thank You, Diaval, you always have nice words to say to me and I am going to need them now," she said with a sigh. Her breathing became more deep as she approached the platform.

Diaval looked to Robin, "I would like to stay with her in the room to comfort her."

Robin shook his head and said, "No, I don't want any possibility that the process should be interrupted. The slightest interruption could mean great pain for Maleficent as she heals. I am trying to avoid that at all costs, " he paused and continued, "But do stay nearby outside. I might need you."

Maleficent leaned back into the contraption and placed her head on the pillow. Diaval stepped up on to the platform and assisted Maleficent in removing her shall. Due to the angle of the platform he was leaning into her body has reached around to remove the shall. Maleficent followed Diaval's face feeling his body move on top of hers. When he had the shall removed he proped his body up and looked straight into Maleficent's eyes with a very soft touching look and with an equally soft voice said, "Good luck my love."

Maleficent looked back with sad eyes and said, "Oh, Diaval." She threw her arms around him pulling him down to her mouth and they locked lips. She right away pushed her tongue into his mouth curling her tongue around his.

"Hmmmm." Diaval let out a sigh.

Robin's and Knotgrass's eyes opened wide. Robin mouthed the word "Wow!" to Knotgrass.

After they kissed Maleficent just kept holding Diaval's head and kept looking deep into his eyes.

Diaval whispered very very softly to Maleficent so only she could hear, "I'm scared."

Maleficent pulled his ear down to her mouth, "Don't be my love, I will make it through this, don't worry."

"Diaval!" Robin shouted, "Time's Ticking!"

"Oh, I am sorry Robin."

"Yes, my friend, now let me get her strapped in," Robin said. With a twist of his hands a red whisp came forth and split up to all the straps on the platform. The boxes by the wrist straps opened up, and inside were 5 separate compartments in each, one for each finger."

"My lady, place your hands into the boxes a finger in each compartment."

Maleficent did so and once they were in, the boxes slammed shut and a pair of wrist straps came around her wrists and pulled themselves taut and buckled themselves up. Straps then came around each of her shoulders and pulled them down, followed by a strap came around each of her upper arms. They pulled down hard. Maleficent could see the indentations the straps were making on her upper arms.

"Ouch! Robin, that's a bit tight."

"I am sorry, my lady, but I can't have any appreciable movement from your body, particularly your arms and back."

A large strap came across her waist and pulled down hard as well.

"Uhhh! Robin! Please leave me some room to breathe!"

Robin let up a bit on the waist strap, then two very wide straps came over each of her thighs and a final set came around her ankles. Diaval noticed the indentations the straps were making on her upper arms.

"Robin, do the straps have to be that tight?" Diaval asked.

"Yes, unfortunately."

Robin gave one more wave of his hand and a small leather strap with a small round disk on it ran across Maleficent's chin. She shot a puzzled look to Robin.

"It is if you have too much pain. Lower your chin and take the leather disk into your mouth to bite down on."

Maleficent nodded that she understood. Her chest began to rise and fall more rapidly.

"Diaval, use the wheel and tilt the table back. I will let you know when to stop."

Diaval started to crank the large wheel to the left and slowly the angle changed on the platform. When he got to about a 45 degree angle Robin told him to stop. With a wave of his hand, a latch sound could be heard under the platform as it locked into place. Robin waved his hand towards the rigging that was holding the wings up. He slowly brought the wings closer and closer to the stumps on Maleficent's back.

Maleficent could feel the ends of the cold wings lining up perfectly with her stumps. She couldn't help but look side to side and could see the wings extend out from under the platform and she could envision them as if they were already attached to her back. The feeling became overwhelming that she was about to be finally reunited with her wings after more than 17 years.

"Ok, Diaval, thank you for your help. I am going ask you to leave now so the ladies and I can do our work."

Diaval nodded his head and looked up to Maleficent one more time and blew her a kiss. Maleficent puckered up and blew a very seductive kiss to Diaval.

"I'll be outside, my dear. Please pull through for me."

"I will, don't worry, my honey. We will be together soon."

Diaval started to walk to the door. As he reached for the handle, Robin said, "Diaval, I really do envy you. I am very much amazed at the strong bond that you formed with Maleficent. I will try my best that she gets though this with as little pain as possible."

"Robin, if there is any risk to her life, I want you to stop. I don't care what she says, you stop. If I must I will even get Queen Aurora to give the order. Both the queen and myself want...no need her alive."

"Diaval, I helped raise that woman from a baby girl and by gosh, she is not going to lose her life by my hand. I reasure you that if it ever came to that, which it will not, I would put my own life on the line and you have my word on that."

"Robin, I don't want it to come down to that."

"It will not, but I am just saying that if it did, you can rest assure that I would not let that happen."

"Understood," Diaval paused as he started to open the door and he turned one more time around, "I have your word now, she will be safe."

"Absolutely," Robin said as he pushed the door closed. A whisp of red came from his hands as the door made a click sound locking itself.

Robin then flew over to Maleficent's face, "Are you ready to do this?"

"Yes, Robin. But what did Diaval say to you?"

"Don't worry, it is just being fussy and overly concerned for your safely. I told him you will be fine."

As Robin finished what he was saying he couldn't help but lay a hand on Maleficent's cheek and smiled.

She smiled back.

"I have always enjoyed spending time with you, watching you grow up. It is something special that I would never forget."

"Robin? Is there something you are keeping from me?"

"No, it was just something I wanted to say."

"Well, thank you for the kind words."

Suddenly Robin just flew over closed his eyes and gave her a solid kiss on her bottom lip.

"Robin! Wha...Why? Why did you to do that?"

"I...I always wanted to. Being that now you are tied up and can't turn me into a toad, I figured it was the perfect opportunity."

"Robin! That is taking advantage of me!"

"C'mon, I am trying to do something special for you. It was just a little stolen kiss."

Malficent looked at Robin with narrow eyes, but then gave him a little smirk.

Knotgrass then flew out from behind the platform and right up to Robin.

"What is going on up here! We are waiting for you!"

"Yes, Yes, quite right," he agreed. He then turned one more time to Maleficent, "Next time I will face you, you will have your wings.

He then flew over the contraption and met up with the three ladies.

"Ok, ladies, everyone take a deep breath, it's showtime!" Robin said rubbing his hands together.

"Flittle, Thistletwit, you keep conditioning the wings. Knotgrass, you and I will work on the junction."

Flittle and Thistletwit started first with their blue and gree whisps conditioning the area by the edge of the wings, burning off the gel. Knotgrass and Robin let out whisps of red which began to knumb Maleficent's stumps a bit. The magic whisps were emitting a low frequency static sound. Robin waved his hand up and inched the wing's slightly forward so they were resting on her stumps.

Maleficent then heard Robin call out to her, "Ok, we numbed the area a bit, but it will still hurt some. Remember to bite on the disc if the pain becomes too much. OK?"

"Yes, Robin, go ahead and...and Thank You all for doing this for me."

"You are very welcome."

"Now ladies! Robin called out." The magic whisps stepped a notch in pitch.

Maleficent began to feel a slow burning sensation starting at the lower part of her stumps. It felt like the night she backed right up into the iron plate on the wall just before she confronted Stefan. She could feel the pain start to creep up higher and start to become more intense. She started to close her eyes really tight and she began to think to herself, "Oh, Oh my! Oh does this hurt! Don't cry out Mal, stay strong it is just a little pain.

About halfway up her stumps, the pain became excruciating to the point where it felt like an iron knife was being dragged up her stumps.

At three quarters of the way up, Robin was surprised that he wasn't hearing anything. At first he was afraid that perhaps Maleficent might have passed out and that wouldn't be good.

"My lady? Are you alright?"

"Yes! Oh!" her answer was racked with emotion. Robin knew she must be in great pain but holding it back.

"Oh, the poor dear, she is trying hard to be such a soldier. A human man would be brought to tears and bawling like a baby by now."

Maleficent's eyes were tightly shut and she began to sway her head from side to side. Her breathing became erratic. As she could feel the burning sensation reach the top of her stumps, her whole back felt like someone put a burning hot metal plate against her back. She thought to herself, 'Oh my Oh my, Robin was right this is hurting so much! I never felt this kind of pain before.'

"Ahhhhhh!" she called out a little bit, but not too loud.

Soon the wings were attached, but a pulling sensation came over her on top of the burning sensation. It felt as if someone was pulling her stump bones out of her back. She could feel herself get warm and start to perspire.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" She exclaimed but still softly between breaths. She was breathing very rapidly now.

Soon the pain didn't intensify anymore and the magic force died down a bit.

Flittle said, "Robin, Thistletwit and I are starting to get very tired. Don't forget we started to use our magic much earlier."

"Well, we are almost there. All we have to do is connect the nerve endings. The poor dear is really going to go through pain then."

He called back tot he others. "It is safe to pause here for a moment. You two rest up a bit, I am going to have a word with Knotgrass privately before we continue."

Robin and Knotgrass went off in a far corner out of sight and earshot of the others.

Maleficent noticed that the magic stopped. She thought to herself, 'Could they be finished? That was fast. But I don't feel anything but pain on my stumps.' She then called out, "Robin? Are we done."

"Give me a moment, I will be right there," Robin replied.

However, it was a VERY long moment that went by, but Maleficent thought that perhaps it was the pain that made time seem like it was going by very slowly. But Robin did come around back to Maleficent's face.

"Oh dear, you are starting to sweat. How do you feel."

"Robin! I feel like someone is cooking the flesh off my back. How much longer?"

"No, we are about halfway through. The critical part comes now when we have to rebuild the nerve endings. This will be the really painful part."

Maleficent threw her head back realizing that she is going to experience even more pain than before.

"Ok, Robin, go ahead, you have come this far already. I am ready."

"Alright, but you might want to put that disc in your mouth now," Robin said softly as we flew over and helped insert the leather disc into her mouth. He then ran his hand up and down her forearm, "Be brave my young lass, be brave. You are almost there."

Robin took a look at how Maleficent's rib cage was expanding and contracting heavily. He could hear the air rush in and out of her nose.

He turned around and flew back with the others.

"Alright everyone, lets take it home!" Robin called out.

All four faeries shot now white whisps into the newly sealed wound, the whisps followed nerve traces in both the wings and Maleficent's stumps the emitions were a much louder static sound.

The pain was incredible, almost twice that of before. One by one she could feel the nerve endings connect. Maleficent closed her eyes very tightly and started to bite hard into the disc. Her arms began to slightly shake and she tried to curl her fingers but couldn't. She did curl her toes. Her breathing intensified. Her mild perspiring, started to turn to sweating. She could feel the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She looked down to her chest and there too beads of sweat were starting to run down her chest. Her arms were starting to glisten.

'Oh, Oh, Oh my! Oh my!' She was thinking to herself. She began to start to let out louder moans and squeals as she continued to bite down on the disc.

Robin kept thinking about the pain she must be in as he could see her horns moving constantly. He also could hear her small yelps and yells.

"Robin," Flittle called out, "I don't think we can go on anymore, we are depleating too much of our magic."

Robin then turned to Knotgrass and whispered to her, "We can't ask them to do anymore, we might have to do what I said, the wings are just too darn big. It is taking MUCH more magic than I anticipated."

Knotgrass hung her head low, but then said, "Ok, then just you and I, lets finish this."

Knotgrass spun around with one arm and a red whisp shot out to both Flittle and Thistletwit. Both of them collapsed down on to the table and fell asleep.

Robin and Knotgrass continued the nerve rebuilding on their own, but without the help of Flittle and Thistletwit they were using twice their power, the static pitch increased.

Robin began coursing down the length of the top of the wings rebuilding the main nerve.

It was all Maleficent could take. She dropped the disc from her mouth and started to scream.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Tears started to roll from her eyes from the intense pain. Sweat was pouring down her neck. Her arms were shaking more intensly now. Slowly throught the pain she could start to feel the length of her wings coming back to her as the nerves were being healed.

"Ohhhhhhh. Ahhhhhhhh!" she cried out loudly.

"Oh, the poor dear," Robin could feel the tears well up in his eyes as he could only imagine the pain that Maleficent was going through. Robin also noticed that Knotgrass's red glow was starting to become dim. At this rate, she would most certainly run out of magic before the procedure was complete.

Maleficent's began to scream louder as she tried to arch her back. She looked down to her body and her clothes were starting to become stained from her sweat. The veins on her arms were bulging, her muscles were tightening up.

Outside, Aurora was comforting Diaval as he was driven to tears from hearing his lover scream in pain. He kept pulling on the door handle.

"Damn it! She's in horrible pain. I want to be with her to comfort her."

Just then Maleficent let out another loud scream that resonated through the hall.

Aurora too closed her eyes when she heard her godmother sceam.

"No, this isn't normal," Diaval said, "There is something wrong, I never heard her scream like that. She's very strong and doesn't scream."

Aurora then looked to Sir Mark, "Open the door...break it down if you have to."

"But Robin said not to interrupt the process," Sir Mark said.

"I am not saying to interrupt the process, I just want to see what is going on in there. That is my godmother and I have a right to know of her well-being," Aurora commanded.

"As you wish, my queen."

Sir Mark tried the key on the door, but as he thought it wouldn't work with the enchantment that Robin placed on the lock.

He then tried to force the door open along with Diaval by slamming into it, but that didn't work.

Then a faint calling out began to build up slowly into a loud scream.

"Uh uh Uh OH OH OH Owwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

"Hold on, I will get help," Sir Mark said.

Robin could feel the strain on his body with his magic running overdrive. He flew closer to the back of Maleficent's head as he continued aiming his magic at her back.

"Maleficent can you hear me," he said in a soft voice.

"Yes, Robin"

"I know you are in pain so you don't have to answer anymore just listen to me."

"Uhhhhh, Ok Ooooohhhh," Maleficent acknowledged through her pain.

"I just want to tell you that it has been a pleasure growing up with you and I enjoyed our moments of fun together. I always enjoyed the practical jokes we played on other fae folk and the fun we had in the mud bogs. There is something I need to tell you."

Maleficent tried to tilt her head further so she could hear Robin's soft voice better.

"Your parents entrusted me with bringing you up, very much like a Godfather. I never accepted the role fully as I always thought of you as my friend. I wanted you to like me and not think of me as a parent. But I will say that I love you as a parent and a friend as well. First and foremost I am your friend until the end."

Maleficent didn't like the tone in his voice.

"Robin? I don't like the sound in your voice, what are you trying to say?"

"That's all, my dear."

"No, that is not all. I feel two beams on my back, what happed to the other two?"

"I have to concentrate on what I am doing now, I am coming close to the end."

"ROBIN? What aren't you telling me!"

Maleficent realized that something may have gone wrong and the tone in Robins voice and what he was saying sounded as if he was leaving.

"Robin! Don't you dare sacrifice yourself!" Maleficent called out.

"Don't worry, dearest Maleficent, Knotgrass is with me and we will heal you all the way."

"Flittle and Thistletwit are tired and we are just taking over for them," Knotgrass said.

"Is that true Thistletwit...Flittle?"

Maleficent listened for an answer, but there was none. She then yelled out in a pain ridden voice, "What did you do to them?"

"Just like Knotgrass said, they were tired and so they are sleeping."

"Robin, Knotgrass, don't do this. Stop now! I order you!"

"We can't, we have to finish, otherwise you will be in great pain."

"I am dealing with it now, don't!"

"If the wings infect, you may never fly."

"Ok, if you will not stop then I will call for Diaval."

"Even if they broke down the door, I would just put him under a sleep spell."

"Damn you Robin! I still need you in my life! Pease!" Maleficent cried out. Tears started to roll down her cheek.

Maleficent started to find herself breathing even heavier and her heart began to pound harder. Suddenly the pain wasn't as intense and subsided a bit.

"If you will not stop, then I will stop you!" she said in an angered tone.

"No Maleficent! You will undermine what we have done it will make it even more difficult to heal you if you don't relax."

Maleficent could feel the anger welling up within her. She started to pull her arms up against the straps, but they held fast and strong. But she kept trying harder and harder. "C'mon Mal!" she said to herself. She looked down at her arms and noticed her veins starting to bulge. 'Yes, be strong!'

"Hmmmmmmmm!" She cried out as she kept pulling up on her arms. The straps started to become very taut and Maleficent could feel the straps start to dig into her shoulders.

"Stop it, Maleficent! I can feel you fighting me," Robin shouted.

"Nnnnooooooooo!" she screamed out pulling up with all her might.

Suddenly there was a deep groan from the wooden platform.

She pulled forward even harder. The straps broke the skin on her shoulders and she was starting to bleed. She could see the blood slowly trickle down over the shoulder strap and on to her biceps. She started to arch her fingers and scratch at the box containing her fingers. Maleficent figured if she could get her fingers free, then she could use her magic to stop Robin and Knotgrass.

The platform gave out another deep moan and then there was a loud pop. One of the bolts sheered off and the head flew between Robin and Knotgrass.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Robin softly said to Knotgrass. "She can't be that strong, no way!"

From outside of the room Diaval must have heard the commotion and was yelling to Robin to let him in. He kept pounding and ramming himself into the door.

Maleficent started to pull up on her legs. Even though she knew her arms were stronger than her legs, she had built up her legs from all the walking she did. Perhaps the adreneline would work on her legs too.

The platform was beginning to make even more groaning sounds.

Robin looked to Knotgrass and her red glow was growing dim. She collapsed to one knee.

"Robin, I guess this is going to be goodbye. I hope you can finish the job, I can feel her fighting. I can't fight her."

"GOODBYE? Knotgrass! Nooooo! Nooo! Noooo!"

Maleficent looked up and closed her eyes tight and pulled up on all of her limbs as hard as she could. She looked down at her arms and the veins started to protrude on her biceps and ran to her shoulder which was bleeding even more. Her forearms were riddled with veins of all sizes. She never saw herself that vascular before. She gave another heave and then there was a loud crack of wood splitting, this was followed a few moments later by another crack. Robin looked to the bottom iron rods and noticed the center supports gave way.

"Stop it, Maleficent! Stop it now!"

Maleficent knew she was fighting a losing battle with her hands, she kept digging and clawing away, but they were not budging. She tried to pull on her hands but the wrist and upper arm straps were too tight. She couldn't get enough leverage to pop the boxes containing her hands open.

From outside the room, Diaval was still pounding on the door. Maleficent couldn't make out his muffled screams from the outher side.

Knotgrass then fell to her other knee and began to shake her head.

Robin shook his head and couldn't stand to watch Knotgrass deplete her magic and die. He said, "I am sorry Knotgrass. I cannot go through with this, I can't watch you die, I am going back on my word."

"What?" Knotgrass shot a bewildered look to Robin.

"It's my show to the end now," he said as he shot a red whisp to Knotgrass knocking her unconscious."

Robin then poured his white whips on using both of his hands. The sound of the energy stepped up in both pitch and volume.

"Almost there!" He shouted barely getting over the sound.

Maleficent knew that even if she did break loose from the platform with her hands still captive, she still couldn't use her magic. So she concentrated more on working her fingers loose from the box.

She could feel that now there was only one magic source on her back and since she just heard Robin's voice that meant only one thing. Knotgrass must have exhausted their magic supply and was either dead or close to death. With every ounce of love in her heart and soul, she reached deep within herself.

She screamed out loud "Robin! NOOOOOOOOO!"

Suddenly a backwash of white light eminated from Maleficent that expanded into the room.

"OH SHIT!" Robin exlaimed before the white light hit him square on and blew him right off the table.

Then everything went dark, everything went silent.

"Something's gone terribly wrong!" Queen Aurora said to Sir Joseph and Sir Mark as they arrived with two other guards with them and a large battering ram.

Diaval was sitting on the ground with his knees up and his elbows on his knees. His hands were bleeding from pounding so hard on the door. He ran his fingers through his hair. Sweat was running down his forehead. His battle with the door was lost and he was hanging his head low trying to hide his face as he didn't want the other men to see he was sobbing. He wondered what was going on in that room. Something indeed did go wrong. He couldn't make out the words they were saying, but he knew that Maleficent and Robin were yelling at one another. Then there were those aweful creaking and groaning sounds. Where were they coming from?

All of a sudden after a loud boom, everything went silent in the room.

Diaval looked up with tears in his eyes. "What happened?" he said.

"I don't know," Queen Aurora said.

This motivated Sir Joseph and his men and all four grabbed a hold of the battering ram. As they were ready to swing, the door made a 'click' sound.

Diaval was intrigued by the sound and said to the men, "Hold on there, I heard something." He got up and put his hands on the door and pushed. It opened right up.

Diaval rushed into the room and stopped dead in his tracks. He got a good look at his Maleficent and dropped to his knees and yelled out, "Noooooooooo!"

Aurora was ready to go into the room next when Sir Joseph stopped her, "I am sorry my queen, but let me look first. It is for your safety."

At first Aurora was ready to speak up, but then changed her mind and went with what Sir Joseph suggested.

Diaval wept perfusely as he started to stand up and walked towards the platform. Maleficent laid there with her head down and blood ran from her eyes, nose and shoulders.

"No! No! No! My Maleficent! What have they done to you!"

He took a few more steps and fell short of the platform not bearing to come nearer, he collapsed at the base of the platform, he was fearing the worst.

Sir Joseph looked at Maleficent's condition and then slowly walked over to Diaval and tried to lend a hand to pull him up, but Diaval pushed him away. Understanding Diaval's state of anguish, he then walked over to Maleficent. He reached out and touched her arm, which still felt warm. He then noticed that her chest was rising and falling, he was ready tell Diaval when he heard something.

"Mine sweet," a soft voice, barly a whisper was spoken. "I want Diaval, mine sweet."

Diaval jumped up from his curled up position on the floor and nearly pushed Sir Joseph out of the way.

Diavals hands were shaking as he lifted his lover's chin. She barely opened her eyes and she cracked a small smile.

"I...I will leave you two alone, but if you need me I will be outside," Sir Joseph said his voice quavering.

"Thank you Sir Joseph, and I am sorry for being rude just now, it is just..."

Sir Joseph interruped, "You don't need to say anymore. I understand."

Diaval nodded and then Sir Joseph turned and left the room.

"Mine sweet, my love. Are we now alone?"

"Yes! Yes! Oh! Thank goodness you are alive! I thought something badly went wrong. I saw all the blood and I...I thought I lost you." Diaval jumped up on the platform, buried his face into her chest and wept uncontrollably.

"No, Diaval, I wouldn't do that to you. I am worse for wear right now, but I will live and will live long for you."

Diaval lifted his head up tears still rolling down his cheeks. "You have no idea how happy you have just made me."

"You are touching my heart, Diaval. You always know how to make me feel wanted and that is why I wouldn't leave you alone. I know you need me, and I need you..." she paused and looked at each of her arms at how they were bleeding, then she said, "...especially now. I am bleeding."

Diaval his hands on each side of her face and pressed his lips against hers. She let out a sigh. But her kiss felt very weak. Diaval didn't linger and withdrew.

Maleficent with her eyes still closed said, "No No, don't stop. It might sound strange, but your kissing me actually helps with the pain."

"Are you in very much pain?" Diaval asked as he continued to hold her head in his hands. He found he was rubbing her cheekbones with his thumbs.

"Yes, it is a bit difficult to bear, but it is better than moments ago, before I passed out," She opened her eyes and noticed that Diaval had a rim of red around his mouth and a blood stain on his cheek from when he kissed her.

"Yes, I could hear you screaming from outside the doorm," he said.

"You have my blood around your mouth."

"Oh," Diaval said as his eyes looked around for a cloth.

"I have a hankerchief in my left pocket, Diaval."

Diaval reached into her pocket and took it out. He first wiped the blood that was running from her nose down her neck. She tilted her head back so he could get better access. Her nose appeared to have stopped bleeding. He wiped her red tears away next. Finally he wiped his own mouth clean.

Maleficent just closed her eyes and answered, "Just kiss me again."

Diaval complied and the two locked lips making the kiss a little deeper this time.

Sir Joseph said to Queen Aurora, "I don't think you should go in there."

"Rat's butt I am so going in there! I heard Diaval crying his heart out and I want to know what has happened to my Godmother!"

"As you wish my queen," Sir Joseph was stunned by Queen Aurora's lude remark as he stepped aside and opened his hand towards the door.

Aurora ran into the room to find Maleficent and Diaval locked in a kiss. The two broke the kiss immediately when they heard Queen Aurora speak.

"Oh, Oh, Godmother, I guess you are fine," Queen Aurora smiled a bit seeing her godmother in a deep kiss with Diaval, but she then turned serious when she got a good look at her shoulders. "Oh my!, your shoulders! What happened?"

Diaval broke the kiss and both he and Maleficent looked to Aurora.

Aurora didn't wait for an answer and she jumped up on to the platform, grabbed her own hankerchief and started to wipe the blood from her Godmother's arms, Diaval continued with her other arm, but the small hankerchiefs were soon loaded with blood and unlike Maleficent's face, they were still slowly bleeding.

"Yes, I am ok, Beastie." Maleficent said, "Robin...Knotgrass. Please check them."

Sir Joseph came back into the room but stayed by the door and shouted in, "Your excellencies, pardon me, but I have sent for some medical supplies and a wash basin."

Maleficent looked up to him, "Sir Joseph?"

"Yes, your excellency?" he answered as he stepped into the room and then continued. "I am happy you made it through, we will get you cleaned up as soon as possible."

"Thank you, but help Queen Aurora check Robin and the others."

"Absolutely."

Sir Joseph joined Queen Aurora from behind the platform.

Diaval keep looking at the straps on the platform trying to find a way to undo them. Suddenly he shouted out, "Would someone help me get my lady out of this confounded contraption!"

Diaval saw the crank and cranked the platfrom back up to about 75 degrees as Sir Mark came into the room. Sir Mark showed Diaval what to do with the straps and the two of them started to free Maleficent's hands and arms first.

"Just stay back, my dear. They are coming with some bandages and I will clean you up and dress your wounds." Diaval said assertively.

Maleficent smiled admiring Diaval's determined voice and watched as her man frantically was undoing the buckles around her wrists and arms. When her hands were free she began to rub them after being for a long while in those boxes. There were deep marks left on her wrists from her struggling earlier.

"I don't believe this!" Sir Mark gasped as he got a good look at the platform, "The iron bars are bent! The center supports are shattered." He scratched his head thinking of the impossibily of such a slim built woman being able to bend a solid iron bar that was as thick as his own arms. "Impossible!" He said as he couldn't believe his eyes.

"There was a tone in Robin's voice that lead me to believe that he tried to sacrifice himself, and possibly Knotgrass too for me. I didn't want him to do that, so I tried to get out." Maleficent said.

"And you ended up hurting yourself too!" Diaval exclaimed as he took a good look at Maleficent's arms after removing the shoulder straps. She had a slit on each arm. It wasn't very deep, but still bleeding nontheless.

Aurora and Sir Joseph soon came around from the back of the platform and she said, "I believe they are all OK. They are all breathing."

Maleficent let out a sigh of relief, but then said, "How bright are their aura's"

"Their what?" Sir Joseph said.

"Their aura, their colors. When faeries of their breed have strong magic within them they have a bright aura around their bodies. When their magic is depleted they will have a dim or no aura."

"Ok, godmother," Aurora continued. "Flittle and Thistletwit have a good solid color. Knotgrass has as a dim red glow, but Robin has almost no glow at at all."

"Damn you Robin." Maleficent said in a soft voice so no one would hear.

"What happened in here?" Queen Aurora said again.

"I will tell you later, Beastie, Right now I just want to lie down and rest."

A couple of servants showed up wheeling a cart of supplies into the room. Diaval greeted them and expressed a desire to take care of Maleficent himself. They told him what to do and when Diaval fully understood their instructions he dismissed them. He then turned to Queen Aurora and then discussed a plan.

"Ok, I will take care of Maleficent and get her fixed up," Diaval said.

"I will have the four faeries put into a royal suite so they can rest up," Queen Aurora said.

"We will need someone to go the Moors and muster up some faeries with healing abilities, perhaps they can give us a better idea of the condition of the four," Diaval said.

"I can go," Sir Joseph said.

"No I would rather go myself as the fae folk know me by now," Aurora said, "I will need a horse as I doubt Godmother is in any condition to turn Diaval into one."

"As you wish, your majesty, I will prep a horse for you at once." Sir Joseph bowed as he put his arm across his chest and he left the room.

There was a large basket with a towel in on the bottom of the cart. Queen Aurora pulled the basket out and went behind the platform. Carefully, one by one lifted each of the four faeries into the basket. She then looked to Diaval and said, "I will bring them to their suite and will meet up with you both later, and godmother, I would like you to finally tell me what happened in here."

"Yes, Aurora, I will in good time, but please let me rest for now."

"Of course, Godmother. I am just glad you are alive."

"I am too. I am just worried about poor Robin."

"Well, I best be off then so I can get these four some help."

Maleficent just dipped her head down. Sir mark was finished with the last of the straps.

"Sir Mark,"

"Yes, Sir Diaval,"

"Well, I am not a sir as of yet, but I would like to be alone with Maleficent right now."

"Of course, as you wish, you can lock the door if you wish to do so. I will be waiting outside. When you are done, give me a hollar and I will help you separate the platform.

"Separate?"

"Well, yes. Her wings are now attached, we have to separate the platform to free her from it."

"Oh, yes, of course."

Diaval walked Sir Mark out of the room and locked the door behind him.

"Alone at last, mine sweet?" Maleficent said seductively.

"Yes, my love. Is 'mine sweet' my new pet name now?"

"Uh huh" she said, but then she scrunched her face up as another wave of pain coursed through her back.

"Are you OK, my love."

"Yes, just a small wave of pain."

Diaval held her hand until the wave passed. The then went over to the cart and began to prepare a couple towels one with just water and another with soap and water from the basin. Even though he and Aurora cleaned up most of the blood on Maleficents body, the small hankerchiefs smeared some of it. In addition while the bleeding was slowing down, it wasn't long before more blood was trickling down Maleficent's arms. He took the towel with plain water and walked over to Maleficent. He took his arm in his hand and gently rubbed the cut on her shoulder cleaning it. There was a disinfectant cream on the cart too which he fetched.

"I am sorry my dear but this is going to sting a little."

Maleficent nodded in acknowledgement.

He then applied it to her shoulder. She closed her eyes tightly as Diaval applied the cream. There was a good stinging sensation. After he was done, he went back to the cart and retrieved a bandage. Diaval gently raised his lover's arm and started to wrap her shoulder. He tied it down as instructed. Maleficent raised her arm and admired Diaval's handiwork.

"My, you are becoming quite the nursemaid."

"Well, they told me what to do. But I know you don't want them touching you, I am going to fix you up."

Maleficent smiled as she watched Diaval work, wrapping her arms up and then wiping the blood from her arms. He then held her chin and wiped her face and cheeks. She didn't have to do a thing but lay still. The look in Diaval's eyes was of pure love. She could tell he thoroughly enjoyed fixing her up. He slowed down and stopped looking deep into her eyes.

Diaval was lost in her eyes. Their beautiful colors shown brightly in the light. He couldn't bear the thought of not looking in those eyes. He ran his fingers down her arms, closed his eyes and place his head on her chest as he held her hands. Their fingers meshed.

Maleficent just closed her eyes as Diaval laid his head on her chest. She rested her head on top of his. After a few moments she said softly, "Come now, my love. Please remove me from this wretched room. I can bear it no more."

Diaval called for Sir Mark and the two of them separated the top panel from the lower section of the platform. After placing the panel off to the side Diaval looked up at Maleficent standing there. With the panel gone, he could finally see what she looked like with her wings. Her wings were outstretched still supported by the rigging, but the sheer impact of the large wingspan was easily seen. Maleficent reached back and ran her fingers along the top edge of the wings.

"They are truly magnificent, my dear." Diaval said in awe. She did look very beautiful. He walked over to her and faced her from the front taking in the sheer size of her wings. She placed her hands on her waist.

"Do you like what you see?"

Diaval nodded. Suddenly he could feel that all to familiar tingle and he could feel himself become firmer. He then said to Sir Mark, "Uuuummmm, Sir Mark, do you think can excuse us?"

"Sure, in fact all you have to do is undo the clips on her wings here, there and there and she will be free."

"Thank You."

Sir Mark left the room closing the door behind him.

Maleficent smiled and outstretched her arms beckoning Diaval to come into her arms. At first Diaval rushed to her and was ready to throw his arms around her but then stopped as he didn't know how to embrace her with her wings and further, he was afraid of hurting her since she was in pain. Diaval looked over her shoulder and figured he could just put one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist. The two pulled each other close. Diaval could feel his growing manhood press up against her leg.

Maleficent took notice of Diaval's condition and said, "Oh, Diaval...Is it seeing me with my wings."

"Yes," he whispered into her ear. "You look really hot with your wings."

"Thank you my love. I can't wait until they are strong enough that I can display for you and then finally fly for you."

"That will be amazing, I just know it will be. I can't wait to fly with you."

"Either can I," she said as she yawned putting her hand over her mouth.

"The pain is coming back, my love, and I would like to rest."

"Oh, Ok. Let me see how I can get you out of this rig."

Diaval walked around to the back of Maleficents wing's and he gasped at how magnificent her wings looked from the back. How the wings curved around and finally made their attachment to her back was breathtaking. The stumps that would cause him pain upon looking at them were replaced with a large set of Majestic wings back where they supposed to be. He couldn't help but gasp and say, "Oh My!"

"I something wrong, Diaval?"

"No. Your wings they are so beautiful even from your back. They curve so beautifully. Absolutely majestic."

"Thank you Diaval. They were always my best feature, I love them very much. Now I am complete, now I can be beautiful for you."

"Oh, Maleficent, my love, you were always beautiful to me without your wings, but I do admit this is the cherry on top of the pie."

Maleficent tried to turn around and smile, but she found even turning her neck too far caused pain in her back.

He couldn't help but reach up and run his finger down from the wing horn on her right side all the way to base. She flinched a bit.

"Oh, sorry my love, does it hurt."

"When you get close to the stumps it does a little, but I did feel your finger running on the edge. So I do have feeling in them."

Diaval then examined the harness and gently, one by one undid the clips holding her wings. First he did the right wing. When the last clip was undone he carefully lowered her wing down.

Maleficent's face grimaced a bit as he lowered her wing to her side. He did the same for the other side.

"Can you move your wings at all?"

Maleficent scrunched her face up and tried to retract her wings on her own. There was a slight upward movement, but it was causing her discomfort. She tried harder scrunching her face even tighter. They came up a bit more but then they just shuddered and she released.

"No, Diaval, It just hurts too much."

"Well, I am going to have to fold them up for you and tie them into position," Diaval said.

"Ok, just go very slow."

"I will," Diaval said as he yanked one of the support lines down. "I will try to tie the line up in such a way so it will not be seen."

"Thank you Diaval for thinking that way. I do want to be seen with my wings folded high. For once I will feel proud again."

"Yes, my love."

Diaval carefully lifted up her wings. He could tell the movement was causing her pain as her breathiing became erratic. When he had her wings folded upright, he gently tied the upper wings together. The lower wings just draped down to her side and laid up against the platform.

He came back to the front and took her hands and said, "Ok, can you step down and walk on your own?"

"Yes, I think I can."

Maleficent slowly stepped down off the platform. Her body shook a bit off balance as she took her first step down. Diaval immediately changed his hand hold from her hands to her waist. She moved her other foot off the platform.

"Ok, can you walk?"

She took a few steps forward, "I think so."

He slowly led her to the door and unlocked it. He assisted her slowly into the hallway while explaining to her how Sir Joseph had their bed modified to allow Maleficent to sleep with her wings outstretched so they could heal properly. As they moved down the hall Diaval noticed that her breathing became heavier and heavier. Soon they reached the first of four flights of steps up.

"Diaval, I am beginning to get faint."

Diaval gulped hard and replied, "Well then, I am going to have to carry you."

"Diaval, are you sure?"

"Well, I am going to have to try, but we probably are going to have to make stops."

Maleficent nodded her head. Diaval looked around her body to find out the exact places he could hold her.

Maleficent said, "Ok, I think you should will pick me up by the underside of my knees with one arm. Then with your other arm hold my back just under my wings..."

"But that is very high up your back, will holding you there be painful?" Diaval interrupted.

"Yes, it might be. When you start to lift me, I will wrap my arms around your shoulder clasping my fingers together."

"Ok, that sounds good."

"Ready?"

"Yes."

Diaval reached down and while holding her lower back, he pulled her legs up off the floor. She swung her arms over his head and locked her hands around his shoulder. As he lifted her up her hands she pushed his sleeve down his shoulder exposing it.

Diaval was a little shaky at first but then he adjusted his arms to a more comfortable position.

He then noticed Maleficent closed her eyes tightly.

"Are you in pain."

"Yes, Diaval." Her head was slightly over his and she looked down at his face and he looked up at her. She could tell in his face that he was straining himself.

"Diaval, I hope I am not too heavy for you."

"Maleficent my love, don't take this the wrong way, but yes, you are very heavy."

She smirked at him.

Then he started up the steps slowly. He was a bit shaky with each step.

"Diaval, if you get tired, let me know and we will stop, the last thing I need right now is for both of us to fall down the steps."

"Alright, but I am good right now."

As Diaval neared the top of the first flight of steps he started to breath heavy. But everything went fine and he walked at a brisker pace with her down the hall. He kept looking down as he noticed that her wings were dragging on the floor and he tried hard not to step on them. Maleficent could see Diaval's chest expanding and contracting a bit heavier as they moved down the hall. Despite her weight, Diaval tried to move with a very soft and graceful step to aborb as much shock as possible so his lady wouldn't feel it.

The thought of how softly Diaval was carrying her made Maleficent feel better and the moment even helped with her pain. She loved being carried. As they reached the second flight of steps, which was longer than the first, Maleficent could feel the muscles in Diaval's arms straining under her weight. She could feel his shoulder muscles moving under his skin. She couldn't help but look around at his shoulder. His muscles were contracted so heavily, every single ripple was visible. A good sized vein also appeared to run from his shoulder up his neck. Diaval started to breath through his mouth now and his chest was expanding and contracting even more.

When they got to the top of the steps Maleficent said, "Diaval, you are straining. I don't need you getting hurt over me."

Diaval saw a couple of benches at the end of the hall next to another flight of steps. He started to move towards them, but mistepped and ended up stepping on one of Maleficent's wing.

"Owww!"

"Oh, I am so sorry, my love."

"Oh, wow! That went through me!"

"We will rest a bit by these benches"

"Yes."

Diaval ended up sitting on the bench but still holding on to Maleficent as he was carrying her.

"Diaval, you can put me down on the bench."

"I think it would just be easier after I rest to just stand up already holding you."

"Ok, I just was thinking about your comfort, but I certainly don't mind being held by you like this."

Maleficent then placed her head on his his and closed her eyes. Diaval also closed his eyes, his breathing was still heavy. After a few moment Diaval grasped his lady's body tight as he was getting ready to stand up.

"Diaval, that wasn't long enough. Rest some more. You are still breathing hard."

"Well, I want to get you into bed so you can rest."

"I am resting right now on you. Catch your breath, when you are breathing normal then we can go."

"Diaval shook his head in agreement."

"Diaval?"

"Yes"

"Look up at me"

Diaval looked up as he did so, her hand pushed his head towards her lips. Almost immediately she was driving a hard kiss.

"hmmmmmm," Diaval hummed.

As Maleficent drove her tongue down hard into Diaval's mouth, she could actually feel the pain in her back subside. It was as if her show of affection for Diaval's labor was actually a sort of anesthetic that lessened the pain in her back.

The two kissed for a very long time never separating their lips. But Diaval started to breath heavy again and Maleficent reluctantly broke the kiss.

"I see I am making you excited when you should be calming down. Ooops." Maleficent giggled.

"Are you feeling better?" Diaval asked.

"Actually, yes. Kissing you for some reason is helping with the pain."

"Really?"

"Uh huh."

Soon Diaval's breathing returned to normal and they headed up the next flight of steps. Luckily this flight wasn't as long and there was only one more set of steps left to go...the largest flight yet.

Diaval's long rest was unfortunatley short lived as he eyed the final set of steps. The fortunate thing was that this set of steps folded back on itself and had a landing because of the high ceiling on the main floor.

Diavals legs began to shake as he started up the final flight.

"Diaval, are you OK?"

He shook his head, 'Yes'. Beads of sweat were starting to form on his head. Maleficent could feel the heat coming off his overtaxed body. She could feel his hands start to shake.

"You are becoming suddenly heavier, my dear."

"No, Diaval, you are just very tired. Do you think you can make it?"

"I don't know, but we are going to stop at the landing."

Suddendly Diaval mistepped and faltered a bit and started to arch back. Luckily they were close to the banister and Maleficent reached across his back and slammed her hand down on the banister and held fast.

"Whew! That was close! Thank goodness you have fast hands, my dear."

"Well, I didn't want to see us take a tumble," she said as she looked at the flight of steps behind them as they were only several steps from the landing. A fall from that height would have certainly be disastrous.

Diaval, being scared of nearly falling, took the last few steps one at a time placing both feet on each step pulling her up on his stronger leg with each step. At the top of the landing he raced over to a bench that was on the landing and sat down hard.

"Oh!" Maleficent called out.

"I'm sorry," Diaval panted through his breathing. His mouth hung open wide and sweat was rolling down his forehead.

"I don't think I can make the last set up, but who else can carry you? You don't want anyone else to touch you."

"Well, if we have to rest longer here then so be it. Once we get to the top perhaps I can try and walk again to the room."

Diaval shook his head, "No, I don't want you becoming faint on me, if you pass out, I will not be able to carry you. I need you to hold on to me." Diaval paused a bit and then continued, "Sheesh I am ready to pass out myself."

Maleficent had a worried look on her face as she rubbed Diaval's sweating face and kissed him on the forehead. She then rubbed his shoulder which was also starting to glisten from sweat. In the light she could make out easier how his shoulder rippled when his muscles contracted.

She was thinking of his arms and how large they were in comparison to hers. She tried to cup her hand around his shoulder and she noticed how wide his shoulder felt. Now that he was over strained his shoulder felt even wider than ever. Every now and then he would flinch and she would see the muscles twitching. She would run her fingers on every line that moved beneath his skin. She phased out for a moment trying to concentrate on the moment instead of the pain in her back.

Diaval noticed what Maleficent was doing and said, "You seem to take a liking to that shoulder, huh?"

"Yes. You have nice strong arms, "she then looked down to Diavals legs, "And legs too. I am amazed at how far you were able to carry me."

"I didn't think I would be able to either, but there is a force inside me that drives me forward. I just am determined to get you to that room."

"Diaval, you are a gem. I couldn't thank you enough for this. You are always there for me."

"Well, I know you don't like to be touched and honestly, I really don't want anyone touching you either. It does make me feel special that I am the only one you allow to touch you."

"Diaval, you are not human, you are a devoted raven. You have proven your loyalty to me when you were my servant. I have known you for over 17 years. You are someone I can trust."

"How about Aurora?"

"Yes, I do trust her as well and I have been allowing her to touch me more and more, but still it isn't the same fully relaxed feeling as when you touch me. Your hand and your is like a signature, I know it is you and I am comfortable. This is why you need not be jealous about Sir Joseph. The night of the ball he did unintenionally put his hand on my shoulder. It just made me cringe...it wasn't your hand. I did give him a glare and looked down at his hand. He quickly withdrew it."

"Wow, I feel honored."

"Eventually I might be more comfortable with Aurora, but besides her, I will never ever let another human touch me again. Stefan ruined that for them."

Just then at the top of the steps came a voice, "My, my what are you to love birds up to? Taking a break for a kiss?"

Diaval said, "Been there, done that two staircases ago."

Maleficent couldn't help but giggle, but then she winced in pain. "Please Diaval, don't make me laugh, it hurts too much."

"We are just taking a break," Diaval continued. "Maleficent might be a slim woman, but she sure is heavy being so tall and her wings too."

Aurora looked in shock. "Diaval, did you carry her nearly up all four flights?"

"Yes, and I am pooped!"

"Let me help you then get her up these last steps."

"No, it would be easier on my own, but do you know what you can do?"

"What?"

"Stand behind me and hold my back while holding on to the banister. I nearly took a tumble before and if it wasn't for Maleficent's fast hands we would have fallen down together."

"Yes, of course."

Queen Aurora came down the steps as Diaval braced one more time to pick up Maleficent. His legs started to shake as he pulled her up.

Maleficent could feel her eyes welling up as she was so proud of Diaval for soldiering on through is exhaustion. She knew without a doubt this was a man that would always be there for her. She started to think of other thoughts as they slowly step by step ascended the final set of steps. She thought of herself in a beautiful white gown and Diaval standing next to her as they would have a traditional human style wedding. Seeing a wedding as a girl had her dreaming of one day having her own. But Stefan shattered that dream. But now with her love and wings restored to her body, she now thought about it again. She knew she wanted to marry the man that was carrying her up the steps. She closed her eyes and envisioned him carrying her to their bedroom to make love for the first time as husband and wife.

When at the top, Diaval did not put her down but still carried on and proceeded to carry her down the hall to the bedroom.

"Diaval!" both Maleficent and Aurora shouted.

"You can put me down now and I will try to walk," Maleficent said.

"No, we are almost there and it will be faster this way," He was huffing and puffing as he continued down the hall. His legs were noticably shaking and his arms too.

"Diaval, you are starting to fall apart," Aurora said as she noticed his limbs shaking with every step now.

"I am almost there, Aurora. I can do this."

The hallway seemed like it was a mile long as Diaval could feel himself giving out. But he managed to get his woman across the threshold of the doorway when his legs just gave out. Aurora was nearby and she helped to steady Maleficent and she guided her the rest of the way to the bed and sat her down on it.

Diaval crawled the rest of the way into the room on all fours panting like a wolf. After Aurora had Maleficent on the bed. She quickly ran to Diaval and attempted to get him back on his feet. He shook his head, 'no' and pulled himself up into the bed next to Maleficent.

"Oh, my goodness, I am NEVER doing that again." Diaval said, "Sorry, my love."

"Diaval you have done more than enough," Maleficent said as she rubbed his arm. "You're such a strong man. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life."

Diaval smiled at Maleficent's comments and then closed his eyes. He just took in the feeling of his woman rubbing his arm. Soon he drifted off to sleep.

"Oh my, he just went right out," Aurora said.

"Yes, I don't think I ever saw him fall asleep that quickly before either. Poor Diaval, so exhausted." Maleficent said.

"I must say that you look amazing with those wings."

"Thank you Beastie."

Maleficent looked in back of her at the rigging that was placed on her side of the bed. The rigging would help keep her wings outstretched. A small platform supported her back and another platform had a pillow on it higher up on the wall. This allowed her to sleep on an angle while keeping her wings outstretched.

Aurora helped Maleficent get into the the rigging and attached her wings to the clips.

"My goodness, you certainly have some wingspan, Godmother. Oh, I can't wait to see you fly."

Aurora looked back and then tears started to well up in her eyes.

"Aurora, what is wrong?"

"To think my awful father took something so wonderful away from you and now what you have to go through just to fly again."

Aurora threw herself on the bed and wrapped her arms around Maleficents waist and cried into her stomach.

Maleficent could feel the tears welling up in her eyes too as she stroked Aurora's golden hair. With her other hand she stroked Diavals hair. She closed her eyes and let the soothing feeling of hair between her fingers relax her. Eventually she too fell fast asleep.

Diaval awoke much later in the day, it was close to evening now. Aurora was not in the room and Maleficent was sleeping in her rig on the bed. She was nicely covered up. Diaval looked at how peaceful she looked lying down. She seemed to be relaxed and not in pain at the moment. He wanted to caress her cheekbones but feared he would wake her.

Suddenly the doors burst open to the bedroom and Aurora ran in, tears were running down her face. The loud sound startled Maleficent awake.

"What is it Beastie?"

"Godmother! Diaval! Robin is dying!"