A Wolf and A Raven

~12~ True Loves Kiss

We race across the field as the sun sinks low into the sky.

"Come on Diaval!" Maleficent says.

I race alongside them, the wind blowing through my fur. I don't think I've ever run this fast for anything.

I keep praying that we'll make it.

I leap over a fallen log and continue on. The castle seems to get farther away the faster we go.

"Faster Diaval, faster!" Maleficent urges.

Philip's horse follows close behind. I'm surprised the sleeping boy hasn't fallen off yet.

We keep going at an impossible speed but my legs don't falter or slow. Adrenaline pumps through my blood. We're closer now to the castle but the sun is getting real low.

We're not going to make it!

Maleficent suddenly pulls back causing Diaval to skid to a stop and rear up. I stop too and watch sadly as the sun sinks below the horizon.

"It's done." Maleficent says sadly.

I let out an anguished howl. We were too late.

We stand there for a few seconds before Maleficent looks back at the castle.

"We can still fix this. Come on Diaval."

Together we run towards the castle again as the world grows dark.

~Time skip~

It's dark when we arrive at the gate of the castle. Maleficent gets off Diaval and turns us both human. I notice something off about the castle.

Diaval moves to get Philip off his horse.

"He's pulled all the guards. He's waiting for you in there." I say.

"If we go inside those walls we'll never come out alive" Diaval adds.

"Then don't come. This isn't your fight." Maleficent says as she enters the castle, Philip floating behind her.

I scoff and share a look with Diaval. "She needs our help."

"Definitely." he responds.

"I can hear you." Maleficent calls.

We enter the castle and are greeted by a hall full of iron spikes.

"Mistress?" We look at Maleficent but she doesn't return our gaze.

Maleficent steps forward and begins making her way carefully though the spikes.

Me and Diaval follow slowly, each passing the sleeping boy between us.

Maleficent hisses in pain as she touches one of the spikes.

Slowly but surely we make our way to the end of the iron spikes. We stop and hug the wall as two maids walk by. When they're out of sight we sneak into the hall and hide from the guard behind a large red curtain.

Maleficent nods to Diaval and adjusts her grip on her walking stick. Diaval lets go of Philip and he goes floating out in the open.

I hear the guard slowly approach the floating boy. When he's close enough Maleficent hits him with her stick, knocking him out cold.

We walk by the guard as Diaval grabs Philip again. We make our way to the side of the door. On the inside I can hear the fairies talking.

Maleficent moves her fingers causing Philip to wake up and fall to the ground with a thump.

Slowly the doors open to reveal the three fairies.

Philip slowly gets to his feet and looks around. "I'm embarrassed to say I don't know where I am."

"In King Stephan's castle." one of the fairies respond.

"This is where I was meant to be. Though I can't recall how I got here." Philip says.

"Why have you come?" Another fairy asks.

"My father sent me to see the king."

"Who's your father?" the fairy asks.

"King John of Alstead."

"A prince!" The three fairies exclaim. They rush out and pull Philip into the room.

Maleficent inches towards the open door. Me and Diaval following behind.

I hear the fairies and Philip talking as we sneak into the room and hide behind a changing screen.

I watch as Philip leans over Aurora.

"Haven't you ever heard of love at first sight? Kiss her!" A fairy exclaims.

"Go on!" says another.

Philip leans down but before he kisses her he pulls back. "An enchantment you say?"

The fairies share an exasperated sigh, "Kiss her!" They say.

I watch intently as Philip bends down and kisses Aurora softly on the lips. I hold my breath as he pulls away.

After a breath nothing happens and Aurora stays asleep. Maleficent looks away.

"You didn't do it properly!" one fairy complains.

"It's supposed to be true loves kiss!" says another.

"I was certain he was the one!"

They grab Philip and haul him out of the room.

"What are you doing?" Philip asks but gets no response.

"We have to keep looking!" one fairy says as they throw Philip out and shut the door behind them leaving us and Aurora.

I look down sadly.

"I told you." Maleficent says softly. She moves out from behind the screen and goes to Aurora's bedside.

Me and Diaval share a look before we follow her and stop a few feet away. A few tears fall down my face and I sniff. Diaval wraps an arm around me and pulls me close to his side. I lay my head on his shoulder as I watch Maleficent approach Aurora.

"I will not ask for your forgiveness." Maleficent starts. "Because what I have done to you is unforgivable. I was so lost in hatred and revenge. Sweet Aurora, you stole what was left of my heart and now I've lost you forever."

More tears roll down my cheeks.

"I swear no harm will come to you as long as I live and not a day should pass that I don't miss your smile." Maleficent bends down and kisses Aurora softly on the forehead. She turns away with tears in her eyes.

I sob and bury my face in Diaval's shirt.

"Hello godmother." A soft voice whispers.

My eyes open wide and I turn to see Aurora awake on the bed.

Maleficent cries tears of joy. "Hello beastie."

Aurora smiles and Maleficent grabs her hand.

I smile myself.

"No truer love." Diaval says.

I spin around and pull him in for a tight hug. He hugs back right away and even lifts me a little with a spin. I laugh as he sets me back down.

"We did it." I say. I put my forehead against his and close my eyes. "It's over. We did it."

~*~
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