Aurora: Daughter of the Moors

The Missing Fairy

Aurora couldn't believe her eyes. Phillip was trussed up, appendages pulled out by a tangle of pulsing, living flower vines. Despite his predicament, he threw her a peppy grin.

"Aurora!" the prince laughed nervously. "Hello! It's good to see you..."

Aurora was too stunned for words. After a moment, they both looked over to Maleficent, who landed with a sonorous thrust of air and magic.

"Well, well..."

Prince Phillip's eyes widened, yet his nervous smile remained fully displayed.

"—And Maleficent! It is...good to see you again!"

"You as well!" said the fairy, grinning madly. Behind her, her wild wings twitched with delight. Diaval pouted on her shoulder.

Aurora frowned and stomped her foot.

"Godmother, release him. Now."

The fairy rolled her eyes. With a flurry of her fingertips, the fauna unraveled from Phillip's arms and legs. Aurora rushed to his side. His white sleeves were dirtied, ripped in places by the harsh thorns of the briar. Pollen dusted his red tunic, and a few flowers still stuck to the ornate design on his riding cape.

The Queen of the Moors caught sight of him and blushed. She looked away, feeling ridiculous. Calm down, Aurora! Don't be a fool.

She recalled her first meeting with the handsome prince—he'd happened upon her while she was rehearsing a conversation with her aunties. Those times seemed forever ago, though it had been only two weeks. Back then, she was just a peasant girl. Meeting a real prince made her feel flustered, shy, and unsure. That was their last meeting. But now she was a Queen! That ought to give her a greater confidence when she spoke to him.

"It is good to see you again, Phillip—but what are you doing here?"

"I..." he stumbled, combing a few flowers from his hair. "...I told you I'd be back this way when we last spoke, didn't I?"

He mustered an awkward laugh. Behind her, Aurora heard Maleficent groan.

Aurora answered, "Oh yes, I remember."

"I'm not looking forward to going home though," he admitted. "my father sent me to speak with King Stefan, and now..."

The party winced at the mention of Aurora's mad biological father, recently departed from the throne, and this mortal plane.

"That's hardly your fault," Aurora said.

"My father might understand, but I'm afraid my mother will think I failed Ulstead. Sometimes I think she doesn't think I'm very good at keeping up my responsibilities."

Aurora nodded sympathetically.

"Well, if you'd like, you're more than welcome to stall your return here in the Moors."

Maleficent balked, striding forward. "Aurora, I don't think—"

"As Queen of the Moors, I am able to allow human visitors. After all, it's my dream that one day the borders will be entirely open, and we can have peace."

Maleficent grumbled.

Giddily, Aurora took one of Phillip's hands.

"Why don't you come watch me hold court? I've been hearing out the fairies' problems all morning, and my break-hour is nearly up."

"Y-you really want me to?" Phillip asked.

Aurora smiled. "Of course! Besides, you've been a prince far longer than I've been a queen. Maybe you can give me some advice?"

Though she didn't notice it, Maleficent's expression was growing more and more sour by the second.

"If my queen wishes it!" Phillip said, and then both laughed. The two walked back in the direction of Aurora's magnificent throne, not entirely aware of their interlocked hands.

Aurora returned to the throne and had Balthazaar pull up a stone for Phillip to sit on behind her. Together they listened to more of the issues facing the common Moorfolk. Some mushroom fairies lost their home in a rainstorm, so Aurora organized a group to help them rebuild. The enchanted tree people needed her blessing before they could be married. At that, Phillip perked and blushed.

Finally, a tiny pixie approached the queen.

"And what can I do for you?" Aurora asked.

"Oh, my queen! I was playing hide-and-seek with my nephew this morning near the Tall Rocks, but I can't find him! It's been hours. Maybe I'm simply bad at the game...but I think he could be in trouble!"

"Oh no!" Aurora exclaimed. "Have you been the only one looking?"

The pixie shook his tired head. "No ma'am, we've organized a search...but still nothing!"

Aurora sat back and puzzled. It wasn't rare for fairies to go missing during hiding games—but it was rare for one to go missing for so long. She feared this pixie was right—maybe something had happened to his nephew.

Behind her, Phillip stood up.

"With the queen's permission," he announced. "I'd like to aid the search!"

Aurora looked at him with surprised, and he winked back at her.

With a smile, she went, "Very well. And I shall go too!" She turned back to the fairy. "And what is your name?"

"Lickspittle, your majesty."

"Then never fret, Lickspittle. Prince Phillip will lead our search. And I command that the rest of you keep an eye out as well!" With that, she dismissed the fairies. Phillip came to her side.

"We should start at the Tall Rocks, right?"

"Yes...we should find my godmother—she could help, but I don't know where she disappears to."

Phillip shrugged. "Maybe we'll run into her while we search."

"Perhaps your right..." and with that, The Queen and the Prince strode off in the direction of the Tall Rocks. Aurora glanced back at the flowery throne, glad to be relieved of its dull responsibilities once again.