A Wolf and A Raven

~10~ Philip

We watch as Aurora paces nervously in front of a pond trying to think up a way to best tell her aunties that she'll be moving to the Moors.

I sit by Maleficent's feet and Diaval is perched on a branch nearby.

My ears perk up at the sound of an approaching horse. I watch as a boy moves through the forest towards Aurora, she hasn't noticed him yet.

Aurora turns around and jumps when she sees the boy standing there.

"Hello." The boy says.

Aurora doesn't respond and she backs up slowly.

"Sorry to bother you, but I'm on my way to King Stephan's castle and I've become hopelessly lost." He continues. He steps forward as Aurora steps back again. "Can you help me?"

Aurora trips as she steps back and falls on her butt.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" The boy bends down and grabs Aurora's hands to help her up. "That was my fault I rushed into things."

They both are silent as they look at each other before Aurora quickly takes her hands away.

"Forgive me." the boy says.

Aurora looks at him again before turning and pointing in the direction of the castle. "It's that way."

The boy doesn't respond as she turns back to face him.

"The castle." Aurora continues.

The boy looks in the direction that she pointed then looks back at her.

"What's your name?" Aurora asks.

"Philip." The boy responds quickly.

"Hello Philip." Aurora smiles.

"What's your's?" He asks.

"Aurora."

"Hello Aurora." Philip smiles.

Again they fall silent as they stare at each other smiling.

"Well it was nice meeting you and again my apologies for being such a clumsy fool." Philip speaks up.

"You're forgiven." Aurora nods.

Philip smiles, "That's good. Well I best be off then. Goodbye." Philip turns and starts returning to his horse.

Aurora runs after him. "Will you be back this way?"

"Nothing could stop me." Philip says as he grabs the reins of his horse.

"Then I'll see you soon."

Philip jumps on his horse, "Very soon."

"Goodbye Philip." Aurora raises her hand quickly then drops it.

"Goodbye, for now." Philip says and begins riding his horse in the direction of Stephan's castle.

Aurora smiles to herself and watches Philip go.

Diaval starts making a fuss to Maleficent. He flies close to her.

I watch the exchange with great interest.

"Stop doing that." Maleficent waves him away but he comes back. Finally she caves in and turns him human.

"Well," Diaval smiles and nods towards the retreating Philip. "That boy is the answer."

Maleficent laughs and looks at the boy on the horse. "No Diaval."

"Yes! True loves kiss remember it can break the spell." Diaval insists.

"True loves kiss?" Maleficent looks at him and he nods. "Have you not worked it out? I cursed her that way because there is no such thing." Maleficent looks back at Aurora.

I lower my head in sadness.

When Diaval speaks again I look up at him. "Well that might be how you feel, but what about Aurora. That boy could be her only chance. It's her fate anyway."

Maleficent raises her fingers but before she can do anything Diaval speaks.

"Go ahead, turn me into whatever you want. A bird, a worm, I don't care anymore." With that Diaval turns and leaves.

I look between his disappearing form and Maleficent but she doesn't meet my gaze so I follow after Diaval. My ears are back and my tail hangs low as I think about what Maleficent said and true love.

~*~
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