Aurora: Daughter of the Moors

A Queen's Duties

Aurora fell back against her foresty throne with a huff. Who knew that holding court would be so taxing? She'd assumed that just hearing out the plights of the Moorfolk would be the easiest part of her job as Queen.

"Don't worry, Aurora..." she told herself. "...you have the whole hour to rest. Maybe you could take a nap..."

But although her eyes felt heavy and strained, she couldn't bare the thought of sleep. The feel kept her wired, awake, and exhausted.

Aurora looked to the sun. It barely had moved in since she'd begun holding court this early morning. She couldn't have been listening to her subjects for more than an hour—yet it felt like it lasted the whole afternoon.

Before she could fall into that slumber, a shadow darkened her face. Queen Aurora's eyes flickered awake. The shape before her blacked out all sunlight, shading the throne room in shadows. Then, as it landed gracefully, its wings bent back and tucked themselves behind her.

Maleficent.

Aurora wanted to get up and run to her godmother—to wrap her in a tight, excited hug. Exhaustion won out. Instead, she merely held out her arms and smiled wearily.

"Godmother! Oh, thank goodness you came."

The dark fairy cocked an eyebrow. She approached but did not embrace her. She took her hand and smiled.

"Good evening, Beastie. I must say, I am surprised to see you already having finished holding court. I'd hoped to arrive merely fashionably late to see you."

Aurora sighed, squeezing her hand. "I had to finish early. Things got so out of hand—I was afraid the wallerbogs were about to revolt! I suppose next time I'll have to be more careful."

A shimmering black raven swooped down and perched on Maleficent's shoulder. Aurora conjured another smile of relief and regarded Diaval with a nod. The bird twitched its head with regard.

Maleficent stroked the raven. "A revolt?"

The Queen of the Moors slumped back into her throne. "The water fairies claim that the wallerbogs have been 'de-beautifying' their special pools, but the wallerbogs believe the water fairies are being petty and hogging all of the nicest spots. Then Corbin, who was the one to bring this matter to me, made an offhanded threat about moving his family to the Pool of Jewels. Then he and Lief got into a rather nasty argument, and then—"

"Oh dear..." Maleficent tittered, looking at the bird. "Well, Beastie—I did tell you that the fairies can get up to mischief."

Aurora smiled tiredly. "Yes, I know that. I love the mischief, truly. I wouldn't have it any other way. But sometimes I'm not sure when it's only play, and when I should intervene."

Maleficent nodded. It was true—there was a time long ago when Aurora dug herself in the mud and tossed fistfuls of muck across the pools along with the wallerbogs. She sat on riverbeds while water faries performed ballets for her. Back then, it was a game. It was an enchanting entertainment.

Since Maleficent crowned her queen, it seemed like things had changed. Aurora played less. Time she used to dedicate to brightening the fairies days in small ways now needed to be used in helping their livelihood in bigger, more taxing ways. Gone were the simple moments of running barefoot through the grass and helping mushroom fairies burrow nests. Now she had to divide resources and settle family feuds, and locate children who'd gone missing overnight.

Maleficent's face dropped. She could see that Aurora's face was more tired than she was used to. Absentmidedly, the winged fairy reached out a clawed hand and stroked her cheek.

"There, there..." she cooed. "I understand perfectly. I have placed great responsibility on your shoulders. I...did not consider how much that would change things."

Aurora shook her head. "Please, do not feel sorry. That's not what I want. I love the Moors—truly. The day you made me their queen is the proudest moment of my life. It's an honor, and an honor I wouldn't give up for anything. I don't regret it—so don't you regret it either."

Maleficent smiled, and finally pulled her goddaughter into a warm hug. "I could never regret it, Beastie. I could never regret having you here."

A boisterous caw from Diaval broke up the embrace. Maleficent rolled her eyes.

"You be quiet, or I'll turn you into a centipede."

Aurora balked, puzzled. "What is Diaval saying, Godmother?"

"Oh, nothing of concern."

The raven cawed again. Aurora leaned in. Was it possible for a bird to sound exasperated?

"Godmother..."

"Yes...?" Maleficent's voice cooed like an innocent dove. Now Aurora knew she was up to something. Even now Diaval was leaning in, cawing madly against the fairy's cheek.

"What is going on?"

"Oh, all right. Beastie, do you remember those marvelous flower traps I set along the borders?—to keep out uninvited visitors to the Moors?"

"You mean, the ones I specifically asked you to uproot?"

"Yes, the very ones. It appears I must have missed one, Beastie. We have a little human detained, but it's of no consequence."

Aurora's eyes widened. Annoyed, she shook her head at the Godmother.

"No consequence!? How long have they been out there? We must go and free them—and as Queen of the Moorlands, it will be my responsibility to apologize."

"Apologize!?" Maleficent laughed. Beside her, Diaval's birdly protestations still went on.

"Yes. We must work to forge peace between the humans and the fairfolk, Maleficent."

Maleficent swatted the bird's beak away. "Why do you only call me Maleficent when I am being scolded?"

"Because—because—oh, for heaven's sakes, please turn Diaval into a human!"

"Well—"

"Now, please!"

Maleficent rolled her eyes. With a wiggle of her fingers, the raven sprung up and morphed in a sudden swirl of magical smoke. There stood Diaval, dressed in his black robes and tripping slightly as he adjusted to the change of form.

"Aurora," he huffed. "how lovely it is to see you."

"You as well," Aurora remarked. "Is there something of note that you needed to tell me?"

The Queen noticed Maleficent giving Diaval a harsh look. He hesitated a moment, looking back and forth between the two women. Finally, he said in a mumblesome tone:

"My lady has not been entirely truthful to you, Aurora..."

"Am I?" Maleficent asked.

Diaval gulped, but kept on: "The human boy trapped at the border isn't quite 'of no consequence'—not to your Highness, at least."

Aurora blinked. "What do you mean? Wait, a boy?"

Maleficent threw her head back. "Oh yes, I seem to remember this particular human said something rather funny as we were leaving him. He said he was some...prince. How odd. I hardly saw how it mattered—"

Aurora's eyes widened with realization.

"Phillip!"

And with that, she took off in the direction of the border. Maleficent scowled at Diaval. He didn't have time to speak. With one gesture, she turned him back into a raven and nonchalantly followed after Aurora.

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Just FYI, this currently takes place BEFORE the events of "Heart of the Moors", a Maleficent novel by Holly Black that I TOTALLY recommend!