Always There to Catch Me

"Mother?" Aurora was surprised to find the dark fairy standing at her balcony. It was the middle of the night and Maleficent had given no warning that she was going to pay a visit, especially at such a late hour.

"Beastie!" Maleficent sounded embarrassed at being caught, but she turned around with the same old empty expression as always.

"Is something the matter?" Aurora asked, taking another step towards the Dark Fairy.

"No, no, nothing's the matter," Maleficent replied airily. "I was just out doing night rounds and thought I might stop here for a spell. I'm sorry to have woken you. Have you had any good dreams since the last time we talked?"

"Mother," Aurora crossed her arms and raised a chiding eyebrow. She knew as well as anyone that Maleficent was just trying to change the subject. Something was obviously wrong but, classic Maleficent, she was trying to deny, deflect and distract.

"It's nothing, Beastie," came the sharp remark and Maleficent turned away from Aurora once again, going back to gazing at the moon. Aurora's chiding expression changed to one of resigned acceptance. While she still wished that Maleficent would be a bit more open about her feelings, the younger queen still wanted the respect the older one's privacy. If she did not wish to disclose, then that she didn't have to disclose.

But even if she didn't want talk, Aurora could still just spend time with her in peace and quiet. So she stepped out onto the balcony after Maleficent and stood beside her, leaning comfortably up against her arm.

"Mmmm, what a lovely night," she mused, and it was. The air was warm and dry and the sky was clear and bright with the moon and stars...

For a moment, the two stood side by side in silence, just staring up at the moon together. Then Aurora felt one of Maleficent's wings slowing wrapping itself around her tiny body. Aurora couldn't stop a smile at that. There was just something so unspeakably pleasant and protective about being in Maleficent's wings that she adored. It was her favorite place in the entire world. It just felt so warm, safe and cozy, and she fit so well into Maleficent's wings like it had been meant to be even before she had been born.

"Mmmm," she sighed again as she leaned deeper into Maleficent's wing. At the same time, Maleficent slowly began to draw backward, carefully guiding Aurora away from the balcony and back to her bed chambers.

Aurora caught onto what Maleficent was doing after Maleficent pulled Aurora backward just a bit too much for a bit too long.

"I see what you're trying to do," she teased as she wiggled her way out from Maleficent's wings.

"I don't know what you're talking about," came the airy reply.

"You're trying to get me to go to bed!" Aurora replied. "Well, I won't have it! I'm not tired!" and then, in a very teasing manner, she strutted boldly back to the balcony. In doing so, she missed the look of genuine fear that flashed across Maleficent's face, but it was gone faster than it had come.

"Fine. If you won't go to bed, then you may as well entertain me. Come back inside and let us chat," Maleficent decided calmly.

"Inside? Why? It's just so lovely out here," Aurora replied innocently. She was facing Maleficent again, back pressed to the edge of the balcony. Maleficent felt her eye twitch as she took a cautious but commanding step towards Aurora.

"We can talk inside," she insisted cryptically.

"Well now you're just being stubborn and silly," Aurora continued to tease, leaning against the balcony railing.

"Aurora," there was a warning note in Maleficent's voice now but because Auroura genuinely did not understand what could possibly be upsetting Maleficent, she kept right along with the jokes.