Chapter Text
He was dead. Maleficent knew as soon as she felt his murderous grasp slip from her that the king would not survive the fall. She felt remorse only for who Stefan used to be, but that person had been gone for a long time. This allowed her to quickly clear her head and focus on her main priority; Aurora.
Realizing her beloved may be in danger of accidental harm or hidden away from her by Stefan's army she burst from the hard ground where she stood and back up to the grand window from which she had just escaped.
Inside the chaos had lessened but the battle was not yet over. Diaval had been chained yet again and now lay defeated, occasionally moving his large scaled limbs in a feeble attempt to break free. Below her, a hoard of knights suddenly flowed from the castle doors and discovered their king.
They began shouting and checking him for signs of life. One knight began speaking loudly as a young squire paid close attention looking like a lost rabbit in a town square. They had no doubt begun coordinating a vengeful counter-attack.
As she quietly floated back in through the window, careful to not slice herself on any glass shards that pointed towards her, she saw a figure with vanilla hair moving closer to the indoor balcony directly across from her.
Aurora opened her mouth to call out to Maleficent as she saw her but snapped it shut as Maleficent quickly brought a finger to her maroon lips and shifted her gaze to Diaval.
She and the would-be crow made eye contact and Maleficent closed her eyes and let her head fall limp to one side before reopening her eyes and nodding her chin to Diaval, gesturing for him to play dead.
He took the hint and in a manner all too like himself stretched his limbs and roared dramatically before letting his entire enormous body droop and lay still while he closed his eyes with false death. During this display the knights holding him down with chains yelled out in fear and gripped tighter.
A short pause after his collapse most of the knights had dropped their chains and cheered for his death, shaking hands and exchanging pats on armored backs. Several older and wiser knights still held on and voiced their displeasure. Sir Richmond, one of Stefan's highest ranking knights began scolding, "Fools! The beast may be only unconscious for the moment, return to your positions immediately!"
But before his command could be followed through Diaval seized his opportunity and lifted up with ease, pulling the remaining knights with him. They quickly let go and all scrambled to a defensive position or gave into cowardess and ran for the door. Not a one spotted Maleficent or if they had acted as if she wasn't there.
Due to their surprise, the knights who remained to fight weren't as cautious as they had been previously and therefore accidentally stood within range of Diaval's fire breath. He inhaled deeply before scorching several. During this mayhem Maleficent glided up to Aurora who stood practically bouncing with anticipation.
When she reached her she landed beside her, furious yells and Diaval's flames could be heard behind them.
"Have they touched you?"
Maleficent cupped Aurora's face and swept her eyes all over, searching for a single scratch that would give her reason to slay the entire room of humans. Aurora lifted her hands to rest on Maleficent's forearms and breathed a sign of relief as she did so.
Not finding anything she mumbled a "very well then" and wrapped her left arm around the girl protectively and turned her attention back to Diaval who now stood at a stand off with the still living knights, who kept their distance, but also their eyes upon him.
Just then the same knight from the scene of Stefan's death bounded through the door and proclaimed "The king has been vanquished!"
Maleficent tightened her hold on Aurora and looked to Diaval "Into a bird," she snapped quickly and he flew up to land on the thick stone carved railing of the balcony.
The knights fell silent and more from outside joined the first on the other side of the damaged, yet ornately decorated room.
Maleficent knew they would attack soon and moved in front of Aurora who was looking at the men, surprised at the news.
Sir Richmond spoke first "What is the nature of the king's demise?"
"It seems he was dropped from a great height and died upon impact."
Aurora gasped softly as Maleficent winced inwardly.
"It was her," The news bringing knight pointed straight at Maleficent.
She held her stance and Diaval hopped side to side uncomfortably, scared of what was to come.
The other knights turned and looked at her. She expected some kind of outburst but she was completely unprepared for the kind she received.
All at once the men began cheering and showing victorious affections in a similar manner to when they believed dragon Diaval to be dead.
Maleficent's eyes narrowed and her eyebrows skewed in confusion. Aurora peeked out from one of her wings to view the unexplained eruption of joy.
As promptly as it began the celebration settled as the king's council members walked in accompanied by another large portion of the army. They spoke in hushed tones until an older man with long white bristly hair and matching beard began to speak.
"Winged creature of the Moorlands, we wish to speak formally. Rest assured no harm shall come to you."
Maleficent was understandably wary of this request.
To show that they were serious the elders dismissed all the knights and only 4 other unarmed men remained.
She did not wish to disrespect them if this they were being genuine. She turned around to Aurora who seemed dazed.
"I will speak with them and see what their true intentions are."
She looked to Diaval and snapped her fingers yet again, "Into a man."
She spoke to him now, "If this is some kind of trickery and another attack follows you two are to leave here by all means possible."
Diaval looked concerned but knew there was no use telling his master that they would never leave without her.
Aurora did not intend to hold her tongue as he did and began to protest until Maleficent locked her stare into her own as she looked up at her ready to argue. Maleficent put a hand on the base of the girl's head, the other around her torso, and pulled her close to cradle her gently.
Aurora lay her head on her chest and curled her arms upwards to rest against the taller woman's body. She looked towards Diaval for assistance in her small rebellion but he only looked at her sadly before looking down to the humans who he sensed were getting impatient.
"She'll be with you in just a moment," He called down and received a few nods in response.
Maleficent spoke to Aurora quietly, "I will not risk your safety. This entire horrendous event is my doing and you will suffer from my irresponsiblity no longer."
They both stood silently and Aurora's eyes started to shine with tears as she tucked her bottom lip into her mouth to stifle her cries. Maleficent inhaled deepy through her nose before placing her hands on Aurora's shoulders and lightly removed her.
She looked down at her face which was twisted in sadness and could only think of one way to comfort the one she loved so dearly.
She bent foward and softly kissed the princess on the lips. The girl was surprised but instantly recognised how natural it felt and let her eyes flutter shut. They stay melted together in their kiss for a few seconds before Maleficent reluctantly pulled back, their lips clung to eachother's as the kiss ended and Aurora's eyes opened only halfway.
Too soon the tender moment was over after Maleficent had swept away some stray tears and gave her a final look. Her eyes showed the vast amount of love she held for the girl as well as fear of what lie ahead.
Her wings arose and she descended to stand confidently in front of the council and they began speaking to her.
Aurora watched on carefully and silently begged whomever may hear that it was not a trap.