Maleficent eyed the little boy, Joseph, as he made his way over again. She wasn't in the mood for sharing a sandwich again, the things tasted strange. Very strange. Joseph plopped himself right on her lap, snuggling right in. "Auntie?" Who said he could call her that?!
"Yes Joseph?"
"Could you tell me how you saved Auntie Aurora again?"
"Yes child." And she did, from the very start. How she had known Stefan when they were young, how Stefan had betrayed her for power, how Diaval served her because of his life debt to her, how she had cursed Aurora, how she came to love Aurora, then lightly covering Stefan's defeat. Too much for a child to understand. Besides, Maleficent doubted the child had payed any attention, truly.
That's when Joseph proved her wrong with a brilliantly destructive question. "But Auntie, why is Diaval still your servant, he saved you from Stefan."
Diaval made a surprised noise, much like a cross of a squawk and a caw. The boy was right. Maleficent stiffened. Turning slowly to look at Diaval. "That is true." Her voice tight. "Diaval, do you want to leave?" A slight tremor in her voice betrayed her impassive face and hard eyes.
Diaval didn't know quite how to answer, it was one of those questions you never thought about because you didn't know you had the option, you didn't even know the option even exsisted because you never thought about it, and then someone asks you, out of the blue, and you honestly don't know what to say. But it's important, the question is, and not having an answer is not recommendable. Diaval isn't sure, he can barely remember a time before Maleficent, thank god Joseph speaks again. "But he can't leave! Uncle Diaval can't leave! You two still have to get married and I have to be the ring bearer!" He turns to Diaval and says in a very serious, little boy voice. "Noah was ring bearer last time, its my turn." Joseph jumps out of Maleficent's lap. Making the two hold hands. "Plus Uncle's always looking at Aunty and Aunty only dances with Uncle and she's always watching him. Clearly its True Love!"
Diaval clears his throat, a little pink in the face. "I do not look at her!"
Joseph grins evilly. "Yes you do, your eyes go all soft and you get this big, silly grin, especially when Auntie's flying."
"Oh really, now." Muses Maleficent, trying to picture this image of Diaval.
"She always watches me?" Diaval says softly.
"Yep, and she sorta smiles too!" Joseph giggles. Maleficent frowns, she disagreed about the smile part.
"So, what are you going to do with your new found freedom?" She asks.
Diaval grins cheekily, "Well, I think I'm going to look for a mate." He pulles her closer. "I have an idea of who as well."
"The oriole across the stream? She thinks you're quite handsome."
"I am, but she's ghastly." Diaval makes a face. "The one I'm thinking of, she is quite the flyer, gorgeous wings. Very strong."
"Hmm." Maleficent hums, she might, just alittle, like where this is going.
"Yes, and she is quite unreasonable and ornery." He says quickly, "And it would be an honor to court her, do you think she'd be alright with that?"
"Yes, I do believe the idea is quite pleasing to her." Maleficent smiles, a little. Diaval brushes his lips across hers quickly.
"Eww!" Joseph whispers, watching them kiss.
"I say the wedding will be by the end of the month, 5 gold pieces." The queen whispers.
"They've been together for years." Whispers back the King, "And you should have seen them when they were drunk, I say before the end of the month."
The Queen grins. "Do we have a deal."
"We do."

thanks to everyone who has read this! it was lots of fun! Interesting fact. I wrote, posted, etc. the last three chapters with a monarch chrysalis in my hand, its going to hatch very soon and i am determined to see it. Any ideas for a name?