The people of Ulstead cried out and fled in terror as the branch bridge twisted and slithered across the river like an army of sentient snakes, obedient to Maleficent's every beck and command. She was completely expressionless as she took her first steps into Ulstead. Diaval stood on her left, casting worried looks between her and the rest of the kingdom. Aurora stood on her right, barely containing a grin.
Oh, mother, isn't this so exciting? She was not unaware of the frightened reactions of the people of Ulstead, but she just couldn't help herself! She felt so proud getting to strut into the kingdom alongside the ones who raised her. She was showing them off!
"Hello!" She greeted one cowering peasant who dared not flee his stand, even though he sorely wished to flee from the Mistress of All Evil.
"H-h-hello, your highness," he squeaked, eyes glued to his stand. "I mean your majesty!" he yelped a second later, looking up in terror, first fearing Aurora's reaction, and then Maleficent's. Because Aurora was engaged to Prince Phillip, it was easy to forget she was already a queen, technically.
Aurora raised her chin, beaming, completely unbothered by his little faux pas. "Pleased to meet you!" she curtseyed, then she made a sweeping gesture with her arm. "And these are Maleficent and Diaval!"
"I figured…" The man looked as pale as Maleficent. She was still completely and utterly expressionless.
Had any of them been able to read her mind, however—I should curse him into oblivion right now, GIVE him something to tremble and cry about! In the past, she revealed in the fear of mortal men, the terror she struck in their hearts, but now it was just insulting. I had no other means of transport to Ulstead except the bridge! Why do they look at me now as if I have come with a declaration of war?
Was not she dressed down, even going so far as to cover her horns for the sake of the humans? Fat lot of good that did. It was as she'd told Aurora; it would not work. A silly scrap of cloth would not obscure decades of bad blood between fae and humans. But Aurora was not part of that generation.
She grew up aware of the tension between the two races, but as a child of both worlds, who had come from and loved people on both sides of the conflict, the disagreements just never made sense to her. There are lovely people in both the Moors and the human kingdoms!
Phillip, of course, was the loveliest human. And the loveliest Moor folk? Again, Aurora turned her dazzling, sunshine-sweet smile on Maleficent, her mother. When Maleficent caught sight of that cheerful, bright smile, despite herself, she felt a tiny smirk spread across her own face as well.
Oh, well. If nothing else, at least Aurora still loves me. The thought made her snicker to herself proudly. It was a secret only they shared.
And that was just Aurora's first day at Ulstead. From then on, it was part of her reputation that Maleficent was never too far behind. In a secret only they shared, as eager as Aurora was to please her human family, she always had a touch of Moorish pride. Whether she was sitting in on a council meeting, or attending to her people, or perusing through the city, people would through barbs—sometimes subtle, sometimes not—about her relationship with Maleficent. She would answer it all with a smile, but inside, a fierce fire burned.
"I consider Aurora my own." They could still hear Ingrid's smug, insufferable tone in their memories. Once upon a time, Aurora had been too frightened to challenge the other woman. Now—
"Pfft! Were she still human, I would finish what I started, and perhaps knock her off the top of the tallest tower!" Aurora said idly, eyes flashing.
"Beastie!" Maleficent's eyes flashed in surprise as well.
"Ugh. I'm sorry, mother, I know." Aurora's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I should not—" She still burned with shame that she hadn't stood up more for Maleficent that night. That was the true cause of her anger. She was angry at Ingrid, yes, but also herself.
"No, I think it's a wonderful thing!" Maleficent interrupted, beaming. "I couldn't be prouder!"
It was a secret only they shared. Countless humans from all over the world would come to visit Ulstead, and seldom did they understand Aurora and Maleficent's relationship. It just didn't make sense to them. How could a fairy love a human so deeply? Did not Aurora never feel the call of her human side conflicting with her "Moorish" side? No. As far as Aurora was concerned, she was Moorish, not entirely human. Maybe most people couldn't wrap their brains around such a concept, being a child of both worlds, but that was their loss. Aurora would continue to enjoy her beautiful relationship with her mother, regardless of what anyone else thought, in a secret only they shared.
Now Aurora sat upon her throne, Maleficent faithfully at her side, intimidating and imposing. All the other court royals kept glancing at her worriedly, but Aurora laughed and chatted without a care in the world. Sometimes, she reached out to stroke Maleficent's hand, or to hold it in her own, a constant display of love and loyalty. See? Everyone! She is MY mother!
Maleficent flashed a sharp, bragging smile as well. MY daughter. MINE. No matter where she goes, no matter how you humans may try to sway her from me, she refuses to leave my side, every bit as stubborn and devoted to me as I am to her. It is I whom she truly loves.
What a satisfying thing it was to think, especially for a dark fairy who thought she would never love again. Truly, the humans hadn't a clue how far Maleficent had come, or how much her relationship with Aurora meant to and for both of them. It was a secret only they shared. Every stolen glance, every squeeze of a hand under the table, every shared, secret smile… Through it all, Aurora always had somebody in her corner.
I like being your daughter. It makes me happy. It makes me proud. Sometimes I wish more people understood, but other times, I'm glad that they don't, because then that means this love is a secret only we share. That makes me even more selfishly satisfied. Like mother, like daughter, Aurora smirked proudly as Maleficent rested a hand on her shoulder. Aurora rested her hand atop Maleficent's and sighed happily.
"Madam. Your trade agreements are most generous, however, I do not believe my kingdom would be comfortable doing business with—"
The dignitary didn't even get to finish before Aurora interrupted him brightly. "My mother helped solidify the trade routes between our kingdoms with her magic. The Moors are also abundant in resources! If this agreement makes you uncomfortable, I will gladly henceforth withdraw—"
"N-no! No! That shan't be necessary, your highness!" The dignitary bowed up and down frantically while Aurora continue to smile sweetly at him.
Maleficent chuckled under her breath. Well done, Beastie.
Of course, mother, anything for you! We are a team, after all. I will not allow anyone to disparage you again. I am proud of you, and proud that I am your daughter. I know you would defend me just as fervently if any of the fae-folk tried to say I was unworthy of being your heir. Maleficent's hand still rested on Aurora's shoulder, and she gave it another squeeze, smiling when she felt Maleficent squeeze her shoulder affectionately in return.
AN: Inspired by Maleficent 2 when they're making their way to Ulstead and Aurora looks so proud standing beside her mother.
Also inspired by me, because when I was growing up, it felt like everyone considered it uncool to be seen with their parents, but I was always proud whenever people caught me in public with mine. I'm sorry not everyone had a relationship like that, where they felt as though their parents were things to be ashamed of, rather than proud of.
Also inspired by a few people my mom knew who used to ask her if she worried that she wouldn't love me enough since I'm not her bio child. Of course it's nonsense, but some people just don't get it. But that's ok. So long as she and I get it. Then, as with Aurora and Maleficent, it's a secret—and a love—only WE share. That's all that really matters.
In fact, when Ingrid was goading (ha ha goating) Maleficent during the dinner scene, my mom even got a little "indignant" on Maleficent's behalf when Ingrid was trying to steal Aurora away from her saying that she was going to Aurora's "real" mother now. Ha! As if. Like, we were talking about how it would be the equivalent of my birth parents finding me and trying to "take me back" after all these years.
HAHAHA! No. My mom (my adoptive mom, my real mom) and I are fighting them off for sure. LOL!