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Chapter 37 – Day: 28 – Lady Dragon

"Aren't they a lovely couple?"

Maleficent's melodic voice sounded oddly misplaced as it echoed through the cold dark walls of an empty chamber. The only object to be found in this large room was a tall and slender mirror. The mighty sorceress stood before it, staring at the present she received from Queen Regina as a token of appreciation for her success. But Maleficent wasn't watching her reflection. No, for Regina's mirrors offered so much more than that. They displayed images of places and people the looker wished to see. And Maleficent urged to see the one person who could put an end to her sweet victory, the one person that presented herself as a threat to the Lady Dragon´s ambitions. Princess Belle.

Maleficent´s eyes shrunk maliciously while she drew a sardonic smile. While she watched Belle, she realized everything in the girl reminded of her. The perfect features, the lovely deep blue eyes, the porcelain white skin and that smile that melted the coldest of hearts. It was the happy glow irradiating from her eyes that made Maleficent feel sick. Bitterness and anger filled her chest. Belle reminded of her and for that she hated Belle. She hated this little bright light in an ocean of darkness in times of war. She hated the hope the young princess nurtured in the desperate souls of those who saw their kingdom fall. Maleficent hated Belle the same manner she had hated Queen Aurora, very long time ago. Maleficent despised the existence of Lady Aurora, the Wise, the Beautiful.

But it had not been always like this. For, once upon a time, Maleficent wasn't Maleficent. Once upon a time, in an age men has already for long forgotten, Maleficent was Bonifacia.

Bonifacia was born in the Island of apples, Avalon, and was daughter of mighty Merlin and lovely Nimueh. Bonifacia wasn't born yet and magic already flowed in her veins. Later, her tiny but clever fingers already made little sparks of wonders for everyone's awe and parent's pride. She inherited her father's powers, her mother's talents and was raised to become a powerful sorceress. The child with golden curls grew up happy, blessed with her rather unusual family, one that loved her so very dearly. She grew up in her parent's mysterious world of spells, enchantments, potions and magical creatures. But her enchanted and wonderful world came to a cruel and abrupt end. Nimueh died in a battle of powers, killed by the hands of Morgana, who proclaimed herself the new ruler of Avalon.

Merlin, whose destiny was bound to Camelot's fate, feared for the safety of his young daughter. And so, Bonifacia, at the age of ten, was send far away from the dangers to a safe harbor. The child was taken under the care of Viviane, Merlin's sister and Armithil's High Priestess. Bonifacia came sad and scared to a new small reign, a world of strange rules and formalities, where a magical child stroke as odd and frightening. But it were the deep azure eyes and friendly smile from Princess Aurora that brought her spirits high. Unsurprisingly, the two girls quickly became best friends.

Blissful years went by and the girls grew each day in grace, beauty and talent. Princess Aurora studied laws and literature, learned about ladylike manners and formalities. Her determination and humility were striking and highly appreciated by the court and loved by the common people.

Bonifacia, on the other hand, studied the secrets of spells and potions, learned about balance and the prices that came with magic. Her will in protecting others was admirable and highly appreciated by the court and loved by the common people.

The future queen and the magic apprentice's alliance were promising and the reign saw an advent of peace and prosperity.

But soon things would change. Bonifacia's idyllic and sunny world was quickly overshadowed by dark stormy clouds. A young prince came to Armithil in search of a new ally. During his stay he fell in love with Princess Aurora and stole Bonifacia's heart unknowingly. Bonifacia watched behind the colorful stained glass the love of her life court her best friend. Her young and fragile heart was hurt as the prince only had eyes for Aurora. She smiled and applauded like the rest of the court, during Aurora´s 17th birthday party, when the young prince chivalrously asked her in marriage. Bonifacia may have smiled and applauded, hugged and kissed Aurora, filling her friend's heart with joy and love. But inside an unforeseen darkness took hold of her heart. An unfamiliar hate was brewed towards the young princess. After the wedding ceremony, Bonifacia did the forbidden thing and started brewing new spells and potions in secret for her own personal use. She tried, by all means, to seduce Philip through magic. But Bonifacia was young and naïf. She knew not that her enchantments were shielded by the purity of True Love. For Bonifacia knew nothing about the power of True Love.

In the second year of marriage, Queen Aurora was still childless (a result of Bonifacia´s fertility potions that were, in truth, keeping the young woman from conceiving an heir to the kingdom) Bonifacia finally played her final card and almost succeeded in seducing the young king to her bed. But True Love conquers all, and before he could dishonor his wife, King Philip woke up of his trance and realized what was truly happening. He rejected Bonifacia. Despite her astonishing beauty, her incredible powers, her promises for a magical future together, Philip rejected Bonifacia. He rejected her and returned to his wife, denouncing the sorceress deceitfulness. By rejecting and exposing her in his just but harsh words, King Philip broke Bonifacia's heart. And by doing so, he unleashed a being that had remained dormant many years in the depths of Bonifacia´s darkening heart, waiting for the right moment to come out. Bonifacia was not Bonifacia anymore. The kind and warm-hearted sorceress died and Maleficent emerged, bringing with her a new reign of terror and disaster.

Maleficent attained all Bonifacia´s darkest desires, those the young sorceress was too afraid to admit she had. She unbalanced the magic in her, letting all her sinister thoughts take hold of her soul. She replaced generosity for selfishness, kindness for cruelty, modesty for boldness. In her anger, she spit fire and revealed her full capacities in transforming into a ferocious dragon. Mighty battles followed and Queen Aurora, wishing to put an end to her people's suffering, sacrificed herself, falling into a deep and deadly sleep. But again, True Love would triumph and the sleeping beauty was awoken by a kiss. Maleficent, blinded by rage, attacked Philip, wanting to kill the man who had hurt her so badly. But in the heat of the battle, the bold king thrived in wounding her severely with a magical sword offered by three fairy godmothers. Badly wounded and completely humiliated, Maleficent fled to the Forbidden Fortress, where she hid herself and licked her wounds for many, many years. She lived isolated, only desiring solitude after her great disappointments in life. Years passed by and new generations were born. And one day, out of nowhere, a young and ambitious sorceress dared to come to her castle. Maleficent would have killed her with the bitter fire that consumed her heart and soul for more than a century. But it was the Evil Queen's proposal that kept Maleficent from turning her into ashes. She promised her the fall of Armithil and the end of Lady Aurora's bloodline. She promised revenge.

"Yes, truly adorable." Regina answered her friend's question with a grave and disdainful voice. "They are obviously in love."

Both powerful sorceresses stared at the images the magical mirror displayed. They showed Belle and Gaston riding in the dark shadows of the night. The look in their eyes was easily mistaken by love, but in truth, they were glowing from the happiness of being free again.

Gaston smiled as he rode, still unable to believe he and Belle had made out of King George's incarceration. He saw in their escape and new alliances a second chance to recover his honor as hero and protector of Armithil. He rode to the frontiers, just like Prince James had instructed. He rode to his men, to the soldiers in need of a leader, in need of a symbol of bravery and hope. He would inspire Armithil's troops and regain all the rights to be the head of the kingdom. Gaston smiled. He would achieve his ambitions. He would become king.

Belle on the other side had never felt so alive before. The joy in being free again was overwhelming. She savored the cold wind in her face, enjoyed the ride through the vast world ahead of her and, for the first time in days, waited in anticipation for the birth of a new day. Belle was free. And the feeling was amazing. She felt like she could take on the world on her own and never be thrown down. She was determined to find her loyal soldiers and give back their hopes and drives to win this war. She wanted to fight alongside them and bring them to the heart of her kingdom. She believed she could defeat Maleficent and save her father. Belle smiled. She would fulfill her mission. She would overcome.

Maleficent noticed the glow in Belle's eyes. She almost groaned, knowing to well what that glow was. She knew that look. She knew it was love. Belle had found True Love and her heart was bursting of ecstatic happiness. And Maleficent was right about her suspicions, for now and then, Belle's hand would slip into a little pocked of her coat and touch the petals of a red rose. A small frown of concern appeared. Maleficent wasn't naïf anymore. She knew how True Love was powerful, she had learned it the hard way.

"I'll let them have the benefit of living their blissfulness for now, but soon…" Maleficent spoke darkly letting her evil plan hang in the air.

"What do you plan to do? Another sleeping spell?" Regina asked, clearly testing the other woman's competencies. Maleficent smiled amused.

"No. I have something much more interesting in mind. And this time I'll make sure True Love won't stand in the way." She spoke bitterly. Regina smiled mischievously. "I will need a small favor from you, Regina."

"Tell me, Maleficent. How can I help you?"

"When I'm done with Belle, I'll need to…keep her somewhere safe. Somewhere nobody will suspect."

"That will put Avonlea and the Forbidden Fortress out off the picture." Regina said, already knowing what her friend's request would be.

"Exactly, my dear friend. They are too…obvious. I want to keep her in you castle. Just until I'm finished with her."

"Of course, Maleficent. I'll keep her safe and hidden in my highest tower. Nobody will ever guess she is there. Besides, it's practically impossible to reach it. Before anybody would manage to get passed my castle walls, the princess would already been handled over to you."

"Then we have an agreement."

The two sorceresses laughed, creating a sound that would creep out any living creature. They remained a while watching Gaston and Belle ride tirelessly until they grew bored and exited the room with the mirror.

It had been a long cold night, like all the others that had come before. Daybreak was nearing, bringing another day of uncertainties. Commander Byront paced slowly, mud sticking to his boots. He woke up early, as usual, preparing himself for another battle. Alas the will and energy to fight was quickly draining from his men. He looked around sorrowfully. The guards holding sentinel looked tired, cold and numb. Some soldiers and children sat by the small fires that illuminated and warmed their wearied souls. Too young, he thought. They should have a whole life ahead them. Instead, they had already lost so much. A parent, a sibling, a companion, a limb. His heart cried mostly for the children. Those little and frail beings. He and his men had managed to retrieve many of the teenagers sent to the fronts by the king. But he also saved many children that were kidnapped and taken away from their parents by dukes to defend their small lands. He scorned at the thought. It was ridiculous. Sickening. How could anybody even come to the thought of sending children to a war was something he always failed to understand. It was pure cruelty. Watching children under blood, severely wounded, the haunted look in their eyes. Marked for the rest of their lives. Their childish innocence, happiness and hope had long died. He would never forgive the king and the court for these atrocities.

He sighed wondering what encouraging words he should speak to give hope and strength to his soldiers. It had become increasingly difficult to motivate these young men to defend the frontiers and win back land back from the Ogres. Since Queen Regina's treachery they lost their hope. It was a cruel thing to do. To fill the hearts with hope, giving the needed will to battle, but then take it all back. It had been a hard blow. And then there was Princess Belle, who tried so hard to find help for the kingdom. No further news came from her since she headed to Leostille. Nobody came to aid them. They were alone. And so, the young soldiers took life day by day and lived for the sake of living. For many already preferred to join their loved ones in the afterlife.

"The only winner in war is death." He whispered to himself.

Commander Byront, had fought many battles during his life. But none was to be compared to this one's brutality from. Maleficent was all what the legends spoke off. Evil, bloodthirsty, sadistic. Commander Byront had grown up with the tales of his father, who fought the Lady Dragon side by side King Philip. Now it was his turn to battle against the old dragon. A fight that proved to be more difficult than he ever expected.

"Commander! There's somebody riding ahead!" One of the sentinels' shouted.

Commander Byront quickly climbed the wooden tower and looked into the distance. The first daylight had just broken and a blanket of mist covered the silent world. He could hear the steady strode of a horse. He could see a silhouette behind the white curtain.

"Halt, stranger! Make yourself know! It is Lord Byront who asks. Former commandant of the 8rd legion of Armithil, banished by the king, Lord Maurice, during the First Ogre Wars, but always trustful and loyal to Armithil."

A short silence followed and the horse paced slowly until it stood few meters from the wooden gates. Commandant Byront could discern now two people riding the horse. One of them descended and came closer.

"Please, grant me entrance! It's Lord Gaston who asks. Commandant of the 5th legion, sworn to protect Armithil. And its heiress."

Commandant Byront and his sentinels switched surprised looks. Gaston lead the horse to the gate so they were finally close enough to be recognized. The Commandant's heard skipped a beat when he saw Princess Belle on the horse, looking determinant and powerful. He immediately ordered his men to open the gates.

He smiled.

Hope had arrived.

Bonifacia is an italian name meaning "Benefactor" and I chose it to contrast with Maleficent (harmful).

I was quite upset when Emma killed her, because she was so cool, even if she appeared few times. I hope you enjoyed my background story of Maleficent.

Evil is in the air.

By the way, Commander Byront will also be a non OUaT important character.

Hope you're still enjoying. There will be more Rumbelle, just not yet. Please be patient and enjoy the story. It's much more complex, full of intrigues and hopefully ritcher than a mere love story.

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