Descendants: To Kill A Dragon

Interlude V

A/N: This interlude was heavily based on the song "The Wanting Comes In Waves" by the Decemberists. If you know that song, you'll probably recognize elements of it here. Read on for a dialogue between mother and daughter, the fate of Ben Beast, and who Mal's father is!

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"Here are the instructions for the ancestor meditation, Mal." Jane said, handing her queen a set of pages she'd written, based on the information from the Fae records

After her meeting with Elsa, the woman had offered her some parting advice: "I lost my parents at a very young age, but they left me some very detailed journals behind, that helped me learn more about them as I grew up."

She'd smiled then, and patted her shoulder. "Don't forget that your mother might have left behind secrets for you to unlock."

What Elsa had said about consulting diaries and records had really stuck with her. Her mother might not have left a journal, but every faerie was connected to her ancestors by the sacred string of her family magic. She could access her bloodline through a special meditation, and finally get some answers from the only one who could give them.

Maleficent.

After reading the instructions, Mal sat down in a comfortable chair and closed her eyes. She started to slow her
breathing, and visualized her magic. Then, she saw it weaving away from her, and felt herself leaving her own body to follow it. Once Mal felt she'd reached her destination, she opened her eyes, and found herself in a quiet cave. There before her, looking much better than Mal had ever seen her alive, was her mother.

"Mother." Mal nodded brusquely, and the so-called mistress of all evil smiled gently.

"Hello, little dragon. Given that you just performed the bloodline mediation, I'd say Diaval is back, isn't he?" The former queen mused to herself.

"Actually, I got the spell from my secret keeper." Mal replied, hoping she could finally make her mother proud, even though she thought she'd rooted out those desires years ago.

"Oh, good. I bet your court is coming together, isn't it, my daughter?" Maleficent replied, smiling in a way that held no malice, no manipulation. She'd called Mal her daughter.

"M-mother?" Mal stuttered, losing all of her composure as she teared up.

"You make me proud, Maleficent." The woman smiled, finally, finally bestowing Mal with her full name as tears streaked down the girl's cheeks. She'd expected to be taunted or yelled at. She hadn't expected this.

"Did your secret keeper tell you that the dead have knowledge which the living cannot know?" Maleficent asked, and when Mal nodded, she continued. "I'm sure you have questions, Mal. Ask them."

"Why did you lie to me, mother? You've been lying, and treating me like crap for my entire life!" Mal exclaimed, her pride and guilt morphing into anger.

"They forced my hand. You grew up in a slum, the likes of which had never been seen by anyone who lived there. It was violent, and I had to teach you to survive and be independent." Maleficent explained. "I wasn't completely sure of my path at the time, but after my death, it was confirmed for me. If I had not raised you as I did, you would not be the person you are today, Maleficent Morgana."