Hey guys, I know this is short, but I had to write just for all of you. You guyz are soooo amazing! So many had followed and favourited ! * wipe out happy tears*it was so amazing. And especially you guys those who review, thank you so much for wishing me luck. I wish the guest reviewers had accounts, so I'd PM and thank you privately. Enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think.
The day he first transformed was the joy he had experienced in many years. He was 25 years old then, 17 years had passed from the day of his enslavement. First, he felt his bones were feeling so light weighted and a pain in his back. Then layer of soft downy, black feathers appeared on his skin. Arms turned into wings, toes turned to claws, and he turned so small. It was freedom that tasted so well, like the taste of sweetest fruit, like the feeling he had when he thought of Maleficent.
Chains fell off from his tiny legs, he spreaded his wings, to taste the freedom he always wanted to gain back. Slowly he lifted his wings and flapped. He was airborne within a second, the feeling of chain – bound soreness forgotten. He circled Rufus's head, cawing happily. Rufus smiled. He knew the happiness of flight and the rush of energy whenever you shift. With a wave, he bid goodbye to Diaval, his companion for past seventeen years.
Diaval P.O.V
I flew until the slave market was out of my sight, dusty cities and muddy rivers passed under me, sun shining over my feathers. I stopped to have a bath in a small stream and to eat some corn form a field. I flew until my wings felt as lead and they refused to carry me no more. I chose a window ledge of a castle in a city named Ulstead to spend the night. However, sleep did not reach me there, for inside the chamber a baby was being born. Maids rushed in and out, holding towels and warm water buckets.
In wee hours of the morning, cry of a small babe was heard. I could not stop but think the day my sister was born. I was small boy then, but I remember the day well. I saw the king, holding his newborn son, who he named as Phillip, with much pride and joy, while babe's mother, the queen watched the precious scenario with pride etched in her exhausted features. I wonder about that ever a day will come, that I would hold my own children like that. I shook my head dismissing the thought. Who would want to settle down with a homeless, stray shape shifter? With a final look at the happy family, I flew northwards, where I could feel that moors was calling me, to my only hope and destination, Maleficent.
Two days, I flew; first, I passed a kingdom much gloomier than Ulsted. Dark grey clouds surrounded the thick stone walls and towers, while I flew as I could hear townsfolk whispering that how King Henry had been injured in the last battle with moor folk. And about the rumors, that princess Leila would marry the successor to the throne.
The name ignite a fire in my heart, he was the one who destroyed my people, who made me suffer and left me as an orphan in this world. I felt proud about Maleficent, she was able to defeat him, and no doubt, that she is the best protector that moors ever had.
From the castle, I flew with new vigor, knowing that Moors were closer to me now. I was happy, exited as well as anticipated about the meeting with Maleficent. It was dark when I entered Moors, just as my first visit, though it occurred under very different circumstances.
Moors were changed. I felt it in the swift breeze, in the water and even in wet soil. Something had gone wrong. I searched for her, until the moon rose to its highest peak, yet I had not seen a sign of my friend. No sound of her wings fluttering or her joyous laughter. I saw a ruined castle in distance and flew just to take some rest. I cawed loudly as I landed, and it was when I saw someone in dark. The gleam of Emerald-golden eyes, no mistake it was her. I heard my own heart beating wildly in my ears when I spoke, "Maleficent, is it you?"
Alas, I forgot I was in my raven form! My words came out as a caw, but only reply I got was a stinging hex from the fairy hiding in ruins. I flew away in pain, not from the hex but my aching heart. Why did she do it? She will not harm anyone even if she will not recognize me. I was sure it was her, I saw the horns and she was the only fairy who had horns, here in moors. Why is she hiding? With all those unanswered questions, I fell asleep in a rowan tree near a great cliff, with the intention of approaching her tomorrow.