"So I suppose we should get going then." Aurora said to the group. She turned to Maleficent with a 'that-didn't-go-so-badly' look on her face. Maleficent and Diaval simply smiled at her, both impressed with how she had handled her first audience as queen.
The group of humans and the Moor guards turned to leave. Samuel waited for Aurora to join the group, while Maleficent, Diaval, and the pixies brought up the rear. They walked toward the border in silence for a long time before Aurora spoke to Samuel. "If you don't mind me asking, what condition is the castle in?"
Samuel shot a glance at Maleficent before responding "To be honest Your Majesty, it's not good. There was no structural damage but there are a lot of repairs to make and rubble to remove. The castle staff got a start on it though before we left. I imagine they had to stop temporarily for the king's funeral, but I expect things should be much improved by the time we arrive."
"You left before the king's funeral?" Aurora asked, curious.
"Yes. Though I was working my way up through the ranks of his guards, I held no love for King Stephan. I thought retrieving our new queen would be a better use of my time."
"My father was not a very good king. I hope I can do better." Aurora responded sadly.
"I don't like to speak ill of the dead," Samuel continued, "but my brother was an iron-worker. He and his fellow workers were pushed to exhaustion by the King and his quest for revenge. Many men died as a result of accidents; accidents that would never have happened if they hadn't been pushed so hard. My brother was one of them. No, I have no love for the king and truthfully, I am looking forward to a fresh start."
Samuel stopped walking, suddenly looking horrified. "I can't believe I just said all those things. Please forgive my forwardness Your Majesty. I don't know what came over me."
Aurora simply laughed, a musical sound that floated over the group and into the trees. "It's this place, it has that effect on people. The Moors are magic." She frowned slightly before going on "I'm sorry about your brother. That must have been terrible. Thanks you for telling me."
Samuel simply nodded and sped up to join his men. Maleficent fell into step next to Aurora who was still frowning. "There is so much to fix. I don't know where to start." she worried.
Maleficent looked up at Samuel, who was now being interrogated by the three pixies with a good-natured smile on his face. "I think you've already started." she responded.
Aurora grinned up at the fairy. "I guess I have." She reached out and intertwined her fingers with Maleficent's. Neither let go of the other until they reached the border.