Daughter Of Maleficent
Chapter 1
The Bargain
Once upon a time, long ago, King Stefan and Queen Leah lived in a faraway kingdom. They ruled over their kingdom with kindness, fairness, and companionship. They were loved by all in the kingdom and had everything they ever wanted, except for the one thing they wanted most of all—a child to call their own.
They had longed for a child for many years, yet despite their best efforts, their wish was never granted.
One night, under a dark blue hooded cloak, Queen Leah slipped out from the backdoor and walked through the deep forest. Her heart pounded in fear and disgust at what she was about to do. She knew the risks of her decision, but with no other opinion, what choice did she have?
A fox watched her in the safety of its underground house as she turned right. An owl watched her in its tree-top house as she crossed a large gap on a log that connected the two ends. A snake spied on her in its log pile house when she exited the forest and started up the Forbidden Mountain.
Her nerves grew with every step until she reached the entrance. Sweat slipped down her forehead as she tiptoed past the gruesome goons, who snored loudly in their deep slumber. She went to the vast emerald throne room, where the only light source was a single touch.
"ARRRAH!"
A raven screeched at her, causing her to jump.
"Don't be afraid, Your Majesty." Leah slowly turned to see a tall, black iniquity figure sitting on the throne, the raven landing next to his mistress. "He won't bite."
The Queen quietly gulped, and then she took a step forward. "Maleficent, Mistress of Evil." She spoke nervously.
"What do you want from me, Queen Leah?" She demanded, stroking the raven. "You must be desperate for it otherwise you won't have come here."
"I... I have come to ask you to use your magic to let me conceive a child."
Maleficent was about to laugh at the request when an idea popped into her mind.
"I shall grant your wish, but on one condition. You will invite me to the christening. If you fail to do so I shall take the child away from you… permanently."
Leah tried to contain herself. Surly Maleficent wasn't that evil, was she? The Queen thought that it was risky, but, then again Maleficent had never come to any celebration before, not even the one time she had been invited.
"You have my word." She stated.
"And King Stephen?"
"He knows why I'm here. We talked it over and agreed to ask for your help."
"Very well then." Lifting her staff, she cast the spell. Green lights swirled around the Queen before entering her.
"I shall see you in nine months."
"Thank you, Your Excellently." Leah bowed before leaving the room. If she had bothered to look back she would have seen Maleficent smirking, wickedly. "Say goodbye to your child, Your Majesty."
Nine months later, Queen Leah gave birth to a daughter, and they called her Aurora. They named her after the dawn, for she filled their lives with sunshine. Then, a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom so that all of the high or low estates might pay homage to the infant princess.
Everyone gathered at the grand throne to see the new-born princess. Among them were their long time friends, King Hubert and Queen Mary. In her arms, she held their infant son, Phillip. Fondly had these monarchs dreamed that one day their kingdoms would unite. Thus today, they would announce that Phillip, Hubert's son and heir to Stefan's child, would be betrothed.
A quartet of castle trumpeters sound off a fanfare as the three good fairies arrive in a beam of heavenly light as the Duke, having finished a glass of wine, made another announcement of their arrival.
"Their most honoured and exalted excellencies, the Three Good Fairies; Mistress Flora, Mistress Fauna, and Mistress Merryweather!"
The three fairies headed to the throne and bowed to their Majesties before going to the cradle.
"Oh, the little darling!" Flora turned her attention to the king. "Your majesties. Each of us the child may blessed with a single gift. No more, no less." She turned to the tiny child. "Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty." She waved her wand and pinkish-red magic gave the princess her gift.
Fauna approached the cradle. "Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song."
Finally, it was Merryweather's turn. "Sweet princess, my gift shall be the-"
Why, it's Maleficent!" Fauna gasped.
"What does she want here?" Merryweather huffily glared before Flora sheesh her
Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and," Maleficent looked at the fairies then let out a soft chuckle. "how quaint, even the rebel." The pudgy fairy angrily started to fly towards Maleficent but was held back by Flora.
"I really felt quite distressed of not receiving an invitation."
"You weren't wanted!" Merryweather blatantly stated.
"Not wa-? Oh dear, what an awkward situation." She pretended to be surprised. "I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I'd best be on my way." She stroked her pet before she turned to leave.
"And you're not offended, Your Excellency?" Queen Leah asked nervously.
The Mistress of Evil turned to the Queen. "Why no, your majesty. I only hope that the child grows into the perfect heir, to the spitting image of her Mother."
The room was silent. No one dared say a word, fearing what this vile creature was plotting or what she would do next. Maleficent tapped her staff and disappeared in a flame of green, followed by her pet. No one saw her beaming as she left.
Shaken, the kingdom was still for a moment, before slowly returning to the celebrations. Merryweather gave her gift to the young Princess, the gift kindness.
Flora looked back, confused. Why would Maleficent leave and wish for something... good?
The full moon hung high in the night sky as the kingdom slept peacefully. Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
A large dark cloud slowly obscured the moon and a dark shadow fell upon the castle.
Queen Leah tossed and turned in bed as horrifying images of bats and spiders infected her dreams. Then she saw a vision of a spinning wheel turning. She was drawn to it as if it were calling her name. She reached out and touched the spindle. Suddenly, Maleficent's face flashed before her, cackling.
The Queen shot up, gasping as she awoke from her nightmare.
"Leah, was is it? What's wrong?" Stefan asked, concerned.
She calmed down before she spoke. "I... I was having..." She paused, the room was quiet, not a sound, not even from the baby.
The King noticed the eerie silents too. Surely her scream would have caused Aurora to cry.
Getting out of bed they headed to the cradle, hoping that their daughter was alright. They pulled back the blanket and gasped in horror, their daughter was gone.
"No!" Leah fell to her knees, sobbing.
The King shook his head in disbelief. Their child, their daughter, was gone forever.
The morning was met with sorrow, outside the castle, everyone gathered. The bell rang for the loss of the kingdom's princess, joined by the cries of the people. The Queen cried on her husband's shoulder, guilt whelming up inside her, if only she had kept her word to Maleficent, then maybe this would never have happened.
The rings carried out across the land, to the Forbidden Mountain. From a window, Maleficent looked at the kingdom, stroking Diablo.
"How unfortunate! " she said in a mocking symphony, then walked away. They've lost their precious princess. King Stefan and Queen Leah have no heir to continue their legacy."
She reached a small wooden cradle where Aurora was fast asleep. "Fortunately, I do."