Once Upon A Dream

Chapter 2

We had all gotten ready. Trying to look our best for the King and Queen. I had just finished helping Aurora with her hair.

"Perfect"

"I hope tonight goes well"

"It will. Diaval and I have agreed to keep an eye on Maleficent for you. Though she could easily use her magic to push us away"

"Speaking of Diaval. When will you both be married?" I began to cough uncontrolably, chocking on my saliva.

"Married?" I finally managed to get out through coughs. "We- I- He-"

"Don't be so nervous. I know you both love each other as Philip and I love each other"

"It's not that simple Aurora. I do love him, yes but his loyalties lie with Maleficent. He could never leave her side" she looked at me, a sad expression crossing her face. "None of that. We have a celebration to get to. Come on" I gently pushed her along. We soon found Maleficent and Diaval speaking. Both turning to us, Maleficent looked stunned at how amazing Aurora looked but soon her stunned expression turned to being scared for Aurora. I tried not to look at Diaval. 

It's not his fault. Don't be upset with him. We slowly came face to face with Maleficent and Diaval.

"Doesn't she look lovely?" I heard Diaval say about Aurora. She really did look beautiful.

"I have something for you"

"Hmm?" Aurora had a dark fabric in her hand. She put her hands out, with the black chiffon making a contrast to her pink dress.

"For your horns. I just thought it might make Philip's family feel more comfortable. And you, as well" Maleficent's expression clearly showed that Aurora had made a terrible judgement. She quickly regreted saying anything at all and dropped the fabric back to her side. "Maybe it's a bad idea"

"No, it's... It's all right" even though she said it was all right, I could see that it had severely hurt her feelings that she had to hide her horns because of Philip's parents. Maleficent held out her hand for the chiffon and Aurora passed it to her smiling again.

Aurora... I thought sadly. I would have to remind myself later to scold her for thinking that Maleficent was actually all right with this.

"I'm so excited" she chuckled. I could feel Diaval's eyes on me but I did not want to turn to face his gaze.

"Mmm... It's more than I can bear" Maleficent pretended to be happy, I heard Diaval scoff at her fake happiness and I just shook my head at what she was doing for Aurora was upsetting her and Aurora looked blind to it all.

"Shall we?" I spoke finally gesturing for us all to begin walking to Ulstead. Once we reached the river, Maleficent built a bridge from the roots from nearby trees so that we could reach the other side. As we crossed she extended her wings to protect us from falling in. People stared at us, whispering to themselves, making it incresing obvious that Maleficent was not welcome. It angered me. She had yet to even set foot on their ground and here they were, judgeging her for her past and what she looked like. There had even been some people who had screamed, one woman had screamed "it's Maleficent", to which the whole town began to panic, running around. A few even had torches lit as if to make her back away in fear, some had pitchforks. 

"Pitchforks?" she questioned. "Humans are hilarious" she spoke, amused. Diaval sounded scared as he just "mmm-hmm" her. Maleficent turned to a small group of children and smiled. They began to scream running away. 

"It's getting better" Diaval reasured her. 

"Hmm" we approached the guards who were at the gate. They showed us into the castle, leading us up some flights of stairs and through a corridor.

"Have you ever considered turning me into a bear?" Diaval asked curiously. I turned to see that he had been staring at a shild with a bear on it. "I think I'd make quite an impressive one. Look at their claws. They're so strong"

"Why are we talking about bears?" Maleficent asked irritated, which made Diaval say nothing. We continued our walk silently. We were introduced to the King and Queen as we walked through the door.

"Presenting Queen Aurora of the Moors and her sister Princess Celestia" The doors shut behind us both. Aurora and Philip were quick to embrace making me smile. 

"You look wonderful" I heard him compliment her. 

"Aurora, this is truly an honor. And an honor to meet you as well, Princess Celestia" I bowed my head out of respect. Aurora was a lot more forward, she kissed the King on each cheek. "Welcome to Ulstead" the Queen stood to the side, somewhat observing till her husband finished talking. She approached Aurora and smiled at her.

"Such a beautiful girl" She placed her hand gently on Aurora's cheek and then grabbed her chin gently. "I can see how you stole Philip's heart" Aurora smiled gently.

"Your Majesty" she bowed, and when the Queen sniffed in she was quick to cover her nose. Aurora and I bathed regularly so it couldn't be that. The Queen let out a distasteful grunt.

"The flowers in your hair" she said "I'm allergic"

"I'm so sorry" Aurora apologised, looking upset with herself.

"Oh, no. No, no. It's all right. They're beautiful"

Something told me she wasn't being completely honest but my thoughts were interupted when a girl with red hair announced Maleficent's entrance.

"Presenting Malficent" two guards opened the double doors and Maleficent and Diaval walked in. She stopped in front of Philip's parents, she was not smiling. Of course she had no need to smile. She was here for Aurora, not the King and Queen.

"Maleficent, it's wonderful to see you again" Philip spoke, being kind to Maleficent. Which was odd as it never happened unless it was Aurora and I. "This is my father, King John of Ulstead.  And my mother, Queen Ingrith"

"Welcome to our home" the King greeted kindly. 

"It's so very kind of you to invite me this evening" Diaval whispered something that I didn't quite understand from where I was standing but whatever was said made Maleficent put on a fake smile that made me worried.

"And, um, I would like to introduce you to Diaval"

"I trust you had no trouble finding the castle"

"Why would I have trouble?" I tried clearing my throat to difuse the tension but it was too thick to be able to cut. Someone tried to take off her cloak only for Diaval to shoo them away and for him to do it instead. He continued to whisper things to Maleficent that I could not hear. 

"No trouble at all" Diaval said with a smile. Trying his hardest to be helpful.

"Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served" the same girl that had announced us when we entered, announced dinner and I could not have been happier for this to be over with. I sat between Maleficent and Diaval.