Chapter Two: Backstory
Maleficent had placed her curse on the baby Aurora, and she warned that nothing could break it. She angrily disappeared in a puff of smoke when the fairies placed their counter spell, so that when Aurora was pricked by the spindle on the eve of her sixteenth year, she would not fall dead, but she and all the kingdom would fall into a deep and eternal slumber until such time as the spell was broken by true love's kiss.
Determined to protect his daughter, King Stefan ordered the destruction of all the spinning wheels in the kingdom and sent the princess to live with the fairies in the forest until one day after her sixteenth birthday. This is where our story takes a new and unexpected twist.
Aurora, now in her fifteenth year, knew of her royal lineage and the curse that awaited her, as the fairies thought it cruel to keep it from her. But she loved living in the quaint little cottage in the forest with all her heart. And, growing up isolated from the kingdom and societal norms, she developed a very unconventional approach to love, as the fairies discovered when they accidentally spied her private drawings of women that were considered "risqué" at the time. But, being of a land where love in all its forms was widely accepted, they didn't try to talk her out of it, but instead, encouraged her to explore her sexual preferences.
One day, when Aurora was on her daily horse ride in the forest, she ran into a man and woman on horseback as well and dressed in seemingly regal attire, looking around as if lost. She rode up to them, smiling. The man let out a sigh of relief. "Thank Heaven. I'm afraid we are hopelessly lost. Do you know the way back to the kingdom, Miss?" Aurora nodded, inquiring, "Nice to meet you, Mister…" The man introduced himself, bowing respectfully, "Prince Phillip. This is my trusted handmaiden, Emily." Emily bowed her head at Aurora. Aurora bowed her head back, introducing herself as Princess Aurora. "Pleased to meet you, Your Highness.", said Phillip and Emily in unison.
The threesome trotted through the forest, Emily and Phillip on either side of the princess. As they rode, Aurora noticed a sword sheathed at Emily's side. Surprised, she inquired as to why Emily had a sword and Phillip didn't. Emily smiled and replied aloud, deliberately so that Phillip could hear, "I was required to be trained in combat in order to protect 'Sir Incompetent-with-a-blade' here." The two women laughed. Phillip couldn't help but crack a smile, as he knew that it was all in good fun.
As Aurora led the others out of the forest, she stole a few glances at Emily when the maiden wasn't looking. She marveled at Emily's eyes, like shining emeralds. The way her hair, straight and colored a rich mahogany, swayed as she rode. Aurora thought she looked beautiful. Emily, as well, couldn't help but steal glances at Aurora. Her eyes were like the ocean. Her golden hair cascaded in waves, and bounced with her as she rode. They were in love with each other, but neither one had the courage to speak their mind… at least, not yet.
They found their way back to the kingdom quickly, and Phillip and Emily thanked Aurora for her kindness. Aurora couldn't help but ask, "Will we see each other again?" Emily smiled and replied, "We may get lost again.", winking at the princess. With that, they rode off toward the kingdom.
The fairies, being the forgetful sort, brought Aurora home on the day of her sixteenth year. As Aurora lay in her bed, she suddenly felt a surge of magic overpower her. All of a sudden, a glowing spinning wheel appeared out of nowhere. Aurora uncontrollably reached out to prick her finger. She tried to stop herself, but it was no use. She could only hope as she began to fall asleep that Emily felt the same way she did, and that she would eventually break the curse.
Back at Phillip's castle, he and Emily received word that the curse had been fulfilled. That was perfect, thought the arrogant prince, for if he broke the curse, he could unite the two kingdoms to be stronger. Emily, on the other hand, was devastated at the news. Her unspoken love, cursed to sleep for all eternity. And what's worse, she didn't think Aurora felt the same feelings for her, so she couldn't possibly be the one to break the curse. And even if she did, they would never accept it. But she had a sworn duty to protect Phillip at all costs, and so, she had to accompany him on his quest.
As they rode, they were stopped by the fairies, who conjured the Sword of Truth in Phillip's hand. The prince stared at the sword for a moment, then handed the sword to Emily, who happily grabbed the hilt.
The battle of good and evil commenced. Maleficent was in her dragon form and focused only on the prince. Maleficent thought it odd that Phillip was only blocking her fire attacks with his shield. "What's the matter, boy? Too afraid to attack?", Maleficent taunted.
"No! Just keeping you distracted!", Phillip shouted. It was then that Maleficent noticed that the prince carried no sword. "Wait! Where's your...?", she started, before suddenly roaring in pain as Emily stabbed her in the back. Maleficent fell to the ground, dead.
It was time to awaken the Sleeping Beauty.
