A Moment of Certainty

After kissing her forehead, my Mistress looked away from the sleeping princess, pain etched on her face, and met my wide eyed gaze. The pain and deep regret in her expression was a mirror to the emotions roiling inside me.

She was lost, our sweet Aurora, asleep for all time. We had failed, Maleficent's curse had been fulfilled. I had not run fast enough, we couldn't save her, and, what was worse, Prince Phillip's kiss didn't work either, it wasn't True Love. There was no hope. There was nothing else. Aurora was truly lost.

The pain was incredible. It made me clutch at my stomach as though ran through with a spear, real pain slicing through my body. It was so much more than I expected, even though I had known this was coming. I'd known since my Mistress had placed the curse on the infant princess, I had been there. I never could've imagined that we would be here like this now, or how much it hurt. I couldn't breathe. It was like the sun had gone from the world, like I would never laugh again, all the brightness and joy was lost from the world. What would I do with my life now? Everything revolved around Aurora, what Mistress and I did, what we taught her about the Moors that day, what games we would play, what would make us laugh. All of that was gone forever.

"One man's greed and selfishness did this." Maleficent murmured, tears in her eyes. "I gave my heart to Stephan, and he tore it out. I did this because of him, and now..." She looked back down at the princess as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Still unable to find words, I managed to nod and lurch from my spot, walking towards the bed. I understood. The curse was Maleficent's doing, but Stephen was the one who brought this all on through his lies and evil deeds. But why did Aurora have to suffer? Why she? I could not think of a nicer, more innocent or loving person in the whole world. She was the person in this world who least deserved it.

Maleficent looked at me once I stood beside her. "You did your best, Diaval. You tried saving her long before I did. The pixies will probably drag every male in the kingdom in here to kiss her. We must protect her, those pixies were inept when she was a babe and haven't gotten any smarter."

"Yes, Mistress." I breathed, nodding once again, in full agreement.

Maleficent couldn't find anymore words, instead she covered her mouth with her hand and walked to the door. I knew I was meant to follow her, but I wasn't ready.

"Please, let me stay for a moment. I need to say...I need..." I didn't want to say goodbye, because we would be to see Aurora everyday, but I did need to say something.

Maleficent nodded once, "We must make sure Stephan doesn't do anything foolish." She glided out into the hallway, also needing a moment to herself.

I slid my hand over Aurora's as I knelt beside her bed. I breathed out a smile for her, though there were tears in my eyes. "Sweet, sweet Aurora." I whispered, rubbing my thumb over her hand. I didn't know what I expected, but I was almost surprised that her hand was still warm. It wasn't like she was dead, she was just asleep, for forever. The severity and finality of the situation made it seem like she shouldn't be warm, she shouldn't be so close to life. It felt more like an injustice.

"I'm so sorry," I continued, voice thick. "I didn't run fast enough, I could have saved you. I am so sorry, you don't deserve this. I've known you since you were just a baby....and you..." Tears spilled over and fell down my cheeks, though I blinked furiously to keep them back.

She had been such a bright, happy child. It'd gone against everything I was at the time, but I had needed to take care of her. I'd never felt anything like that before. Since Mistress started changing me, my emotions had grown and strengthened. I loved this girl.

  "Like Mistress said, we will protect you. I will not let anyone harm you. I won't give up, either. I will see to it every man kisses you until you wake up to live your beautiful life again. I promise I'll do everything I can for you, Aurora, I promise..." My words were slurred with grief and tears. I cried softly, openly, unashamed.  My chest felt like fire was ripping it in half. My heart was broken. I would cry for Aurora, for the life she wouldn't have.

I bowed my head, pressing my lips to her hand like I did the day she first met me as a man, shoulders shaking. Mistress and I would go on, but I couldn't imagine this life without Aurora. It felt like I had died.

"Why are you crying?"

Although unashamed, I didn't relish the thought of my Mistress seeing me fall apart like this when she was staying as strong as she was. I looked up quickly, wiping my eyes, sniffing. "I'm not, I'm just...."

"What has upset you, Diaval?"

I suddenly realized that the voice speaking wasn't my Mistress's, it was softer and sweeter. Black eyes wide, I looked up and saw Aurora's blue eyes looking at me with concern. Her eyes were open. She was looking at me. She was awake!

At first, I didn't comprehend it. "Abwha--?"

A sweet smile broke over her face as she sat up. She looked around the room for a moment before smiling back down at me. "What happened? Did you wake me up?"

"M-me?" I stammered, lurching back to my feet. I threw my arms around her and hugged her tightly. I thought she was lost! That she was dead to me! I thought she would sleep forever, and here she was, awake!

Aurora hugged me back. Part of me still didn't believe she was awake, that this was wishful thinking, but the other part of me was racing with joy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I breathed, petting Aurora's golden hair and tipping her face up to mine. My vision was blurry with tears, but I smiled down at her, the happiest I'd been in all my life.

"Did you wake me?" Aurora asked again quietly. "My aunt's said only True Love's Kiss could wake me from the curse. Did you kiss me?"

"I...no...I just..." I shook my head slightly, still befuddled. I didn't know how she had woken up. I was just here, kneeling, crying and saying my goodbye and I....I suddenly realized I had kissed her hand, just as I realized how much I loved her. "I suppose....I did..." I murmured, eyes wide.

Aurora giggled, putting her soft hands on my cheeks. "Diaval,"

Just then, Maleficent strode back into the room. She gasped and her delicate hand flew to her heart when she saw Aroura. Aurora looked away from me and an even bigger smile  shone across her face.

"Godmother!" She cried. I was practically thrown aside as I made room for my Mistress and her little cursed princess to embrace. I got to my feet and wiped my eyes with the heels of my hands, emotions still going crazy.

"How?" Maleficent murmured after a few minutes, also petting Aurora's hair. The princess beamed up at her.

"Diaval woke me." She said happily.

"Diaval...woke..." Mistress turned towards me slowly, bright eyes searching. "You kissed her."

"I....just her hand," I said, suddenly shy about it. "I wasn't trying to...I just....I love her." I whispered the last part, almost grimacing. Part of me was worried about how Maleficent would react.

Her lips quivered for a moment as she glanced down at Aurora's shining face. "Thank you." She whispered after a moment.

A sudden clang and sound of footsteps came from out of the room and down the hall. Maleficent stood up quickly. "We must go. I came to get you, Diaval. Stephan's troops are gathering. Come, Aurora, we will get you to safety."

I nodded seriously, walking around the bed to help Aurora off the large thing. I took her hand and pulled her off as Maleficent went to the doorway to see if it was clear.

Aurora gathered her skirts in her hand and smiled at me, squeezing the hand she held. "I love you too, pretty bird." She said quietly, beaming.

My heart fluttered in my chest like my wings did when I had them. In a moment of certainty, I dipped my head and Aurora and I shared our first kiss, just a brush of mine over hers. Both of our cheeks were flushed as we grinned at each other. In unison, we ran out of the room after Maleficent, and into the rest of our lives.