Author's note: Nothing like having the blu-ray of the movie released kicking your muses into action again, eh? I hope you enjoy this very fluffy, sweet chapter. There's a lot going on right now so I'm not sure when the next update will be but I am hoping to finish this story before the year is out *crosses fingers*. We shall see!

Part Nine ~ A Romantic Legend

"You know, Mrs. O'Callaghan, this wasn't necessary," Maleficent protested as the older woman served her a large, delicious-smelling portion of stew. "We could have gone into town to get something. Even a local McDonalds would have been fine to us," she gestured at herself and Diaval.

Her boyfriend, however, wasted no time into digging into the meal. "Stop complaining and eat, love."

Mrs. O'Callaghan just chuckled and brought over a loaf of soda bread to accompany the meal. "It's no trouble dear. I had this simmering on the stove since earlier this afternoon, as I knew the two of you would be joining us."

"It's delicious," Diaval mumbled around a mouthful.

Maleficent arched an eyebrow at her lover's lack of table manners, but her stomach grumbling finally prompted her to take a bite.

Her eyes widened in delight as the pleasant taste hit her tongue. "This is amazing!" She reached out to cut a slice of bread, dipping it into the broth before bringing it to her mouth.

The combination was perfect, and she moaned happily before spooning up some more of the beef and potatoes.

Diaval couldn't help grinning as he watched his girlfriend enjoy the food. "Homemade stew is pretty much a staple around here. Although my mother preferred to make hers with lamb if she could afford it."

"Ah, I haven't had lamb stew in a good while," Mrs. O'Callaghan returned to the table with two glasses of Guinness. "Is your mother from further north on the island?" she looked at Diaval curiously.

"She was. She's been dead for several years now," he admitted.

"Oh I'm so sorry, dear." The caretaker's eyes were full of sympathy.

Diaval managed a small smile. "So am I,"

Maleficent reached for his hand under the table; he didn't hesitate in entwining their fingers together, offering her a grateful look at the gesture.

"So…" Mrs. O'Callaghan sat down next to Maleficent and scooped up her own serving of the stew. "How long have the two of you been together?"

The couple choked on their drinks in unison.

"I'm sorry?" Maleficent stammered.

"How did you know?!" Diaval's response was slightly less cryptic, and earned a glare from his beloved.

"It wasn't that difficult to tell, honestly. You tend to act like a married couple," Mrs. O'Callaghan smirked. "Also I figure this one," she gestured at Diaval, "wasn't one to throw around endearments like "love" so casually."

"True enough," Maleficent agreed, dabbing at her mouth daintily with a napkin. "I trust you can keep this a secret from the rest of the staff? Being on the same case is already complicated enough as it is."

"My lips are sealed." Their companion promised, grabbing a slice of bread.

It was silent for a while as all three dined.

Once they were done, Mrs. O'Callaghan gathered up the dishes and set about cleaning them, despite Diaval and Maleficent's protests to help.

"Now dears, I can handle this just fine. You two should get some rest. The staff will only be here in the morning and early afternoon, before they head into town for the festival, so you'll want to be up early to get those interviews done."

"I'm sorry; did you say they'd be going to a festival?" Maleficent inquired.

"It's quite common in small towns," Diaval explained. "I'm guessing there's some legend associated with the celebration."

"Right you are," Mrs. O'Callaghan glanced over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "And it's quite the romantic tale, if you two are interested in hearing it."

Diaval eyed Maleficent. "Well…we are in a fairy tale setting, aren't we?"

A short time later, Mrs. O'Callaghan, carrying a tray with three mugs of tea and a plate of shortbread cookies, ushered Maleficent and Diaval into the castle library.

"There are many legends associated with the towns surrounding this castle," the caretaker began. "But the festival which takes place tomorrow celebrates one of the oldest. You see, this land was once the home to the fair folk."

"Fairies," Diaval supplied when a skeptical look crossed his love's face.

Maleficent couldn't help the scoff that escaped her. "There's no such thing."

Mrs. O'Callaghan didn't appear the least bit surprised by her reaction. "It's because people stopped believing in them that they eventually ceased to exist, some say. But when they did live among us: they loved nothing more than spending time with humans. Which brings me to the legend: many years ago, when this land was still young, a fae prince fell in love with a human woman. She was a commoner, the daughter of a grain merchant, but it was her kind heart, along with her beauty, that won the prince's heart. However: such a union was forbidden by his family, so he went to a sorcerer to find a way for them to be together."

"Never trust sorcerers," Diaval chimed in. "They're tricky bastards."

Maleficent chuckled softly and leaned against his shoulder. "So? Did the sorcerer help them or not?"

"He did. The prince gave up his immortality in return for a human life with his love. They were married the next day, and they had many long, happy years together. The day of their union is honored with the festival I spoke of. It's a grand celebration: the two of you should go after you've completed your work for the day."

"It'll take some twisting of this one's arm," Diaval admitted, laughing when Maleficent playfully swatted at him.

"You make me sound like I don't like to have fun at all!"

He just shook his head and touched his lips to her forehead. "We'll consider it. Thank you for dinner and the tea, Mrs. O'Callaghan. I think it's time that we retired. I can feel the jet-lag catching up with me."

"Yes, of course. Have a good night, you two." Mrs. O'Callaghan smiled sweetly and gathered the tea mugs before heading back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up for the night.

Once the caretaker was completely out of view, Diaval startled Maleficent by suddenly scooping her up in his arms and carrying her, bridal-style, up the stairs.

"Just what do you think you're doing?!" She inquired as he kicked the door to her bedroom open.

"That story brought out the romantic side in me. Besides: how often do you get to proclaim that you've made love to your girlfriend in an actual castle?"

Maleficent bit back a laugh as he deposited her on the bed and wasted no time in crawling up beside her. "So the jet-lag thing was an excuse, was it?"

He paused in the middle of undoing the buttons to her blouse and aimed a sheepish look at her. "Well, not entirely. If I pass out in you in the middle, you won't kill me, right?"

He was rewarded with an eye-roll and a light slap across his arm, but then she was dragging him towards her for a searing kiss and all other thoughts were forgotten for a while.