A/n: Hiiiiiii...been a minute huh? I'm really sorry about that guys ^^; but, you'll be happy to know that I'm finally over my depression and finally managed to get this chapter written. I had wanted this to be my gift to you guys on my birthday this week (4/7, whoop whoop!) but it didn't turn out that way, but hey it's still my gift to you guys, even if today is almost over!

I also want to thank those of you who have been faving, following, and reviewing this story. You have no idea how much it means to me when I get email alerts letting me know that one of the mentioned three has happened with this story. I will NOT abandon it, no matter what, I promise.

A/n2: See end of chapter.

Chapter 8

The air around them practically crackled with electricity as the two groups stood adjacent from one another. Maleficent's snarling was so strong and that Aurora imagined that's what a crumbling mountain sounded like; the sound echoing throughout the air, rolling about like thunder.

The blue eyed woman standing there completely frozen in shock. She couldn't move, she couldn't speak. The young woman could only focus on Phillip's unconscious form hanging limply across the chestnut colored horse.

Why...why had they brought him here, her mind demanded to know. The man who was responsible for overrunning her castle, torturing her, and having an army encroaching upon her lands. Aurora found her breathing coming in short gasps as her heart began pounding in her chest.

Fear gripped her soundly as her body began to tremble, and the young queen found herself subconsciously taking a step back. She was hit with an overwhelming desire to flee back into the safety of the Moors, to put as much distance between herself and Phillip as possible; yet, despite her desire, she found herself unable to do what every cell in her body practically screamed for her to do.

Diaval noticed her reaction, shifting on her shoulder to nuzzle and offer her comfort-reminding her she was safe and not alone.

The raven was not the only one to notice Aurora's reaction to the arrival of Phillip's presence. Maleficent had seen the move as well and it caused her fury to grow even hotter-how dare another's presence make Aurora fearful in her own home. She growled once more in her throat, moving to block Aurora's eyesight of the unconscious boy.

Her movement caught Alec's eye causing his gaze to follow. He was not tall enough to see over the faerie and her wingspan prevented him from looking past her. What had the guardian moved to shield from view?

"I am sure Prince Phillip is the last person you wish to see right now Lady Protector," the soldier began slowly, hand resting on the hilt of his sword as a precaution. "I assure you that we can explain but right now the prince really needs help.

The horned woman frowned. "And you think the Moors will take him after what he's done?!" she demanded to know between clenched teeth as her wings ruffled in agitation. "Have you no idea what that boy has done?!" Her voice filled with rage, surprising her two companions.

Not because of her anger, simply because neither had ever seen the woman so forward with her emotions.

He hurt Aurora. Dared to not only lay his hands on the blonde but also hurt her with his words. Overran her castle, attempting to steal her birthright, and now marches an army to do more damage.

Maleficent made a noise of disgust. Humans were too easily swayed for her taste. Obviously the two before her were not present for the attack, or, at the least, unaware what the pathetic prince was responsible for.

Alec swallowed thickly as his hand tightened around his sword hilt. While it was not made out of iron, so he would be unable to cause any true harm to the faerie, he could still use it to defend them. He took a breath before responding, knowing these words may set the woman off even more.

"I...have been made aware of what the Prince has done," he voiced loudly. "Despite that, I am prepared to protect him with my life." His resolve firm as he stood between his charge and the Guardian of the Moors, not allowing his will to falter under the weight of the brunette's glare.

As expected the faerie's wings fluttered from his statement and a sharp inhale of breath came from behind the multicolored eyed woman. The sharp inhalation gave the soldier pause; he quickly sidestepped to see around the Moorlander (a highly risky move giving the tense atmosphere).

He only caught a brief glimpse of golden hair before his view was obstructed once more but it was all he needed.

"Queen Aurora..." the dark skinned man breathed the name in relief. He was glad she had made it to the safety of the Moors (glad that there was something to be grateful for amidst all the chaos). With her present he would not have to trade blows with the faerie. "Queen Aurora, please...I ask that you have the Lady Protector calm down.

I do not wish to fight an ally."

The young woman said nothing. She knew not what to say. Alec, her soldier, was prepared to lay down his life for Phillip? He was willing to go up against her godmother even after confessing he knew of Phillip's crimes? ...Why?

Why would Alec do such a thing?

"Please Your Majesty," Aurora heard Finn pleading with her as well. "We can explain if you give us the chance, but the prince needs help, else he will surely die."

Good. That's what she wanted wasn't it? For Phillip to die for what he'd done? His life for the pain he caused not only to herself, but to her kingdom and it's people as well.

He deserved to die...didn't he?

It was easy to say that Phillip deserved punishment when he wasn't there. Completely justifiable really, but now...seeing his form lying across a horse Aurora wasn't so confident; and that, that fact that she was having doubt terrified her.

Forcing herself to take a cautious step to the side, allowing her to see him better without Maleficent's wing blocking the view. Crystal blue eyes taking in the appearance of her tormentor. Phillip looked worse off than she herself had been when she arrived to the Moors-she could see the bruising even from the current distance, blood dripping down his arm, and painful moans and groans coming from him even while unconscious.

Phillip looked genuinely in need of help. Could she really turn him away? Was she truly that cold hearted? And, if she did allow him to die, then she was no better than him.

After that thought, her next course of action seemed honorable, but it was far from easy. Without thought her feet carried her forward and toward Maleficent's side. No words were spoken, she did not call out to the Moorlander to alert of her presence, the faerie's eyes remaining forward.

It appeared she was unaware of the young human's presence but the second the blonde got close, Maleficent's wing lifted up allowing the shorter woman passage. The limb settling down around Aurora as the former peasant pressed against her godmother's side.

"Godmother," the younger of the two began, hand latching onto the brunette's dress for support. A slight tilt of the horned woman's head-she had Maleficent's attention. Aurora worried her lip for a few moments allowing what she wished to ask to roll about in her head. "We...we should help him."

The reaction she received was not unexpected. "What?!" the winged woman demanded as her head snapped to the side to look at the former princess. Her multicolored eyes alight with emotions. "Aurora?" Her tone a mixture of chastisement and disbelief.

Those eyes shifting to Diaval who still resided on Aurora's shoulder, the raven looking just as surprised and confused as his beak hung agape.

"If...if we don't assist him," the Queen of both kingdoms continued in the face of the looks she was receiving. "He...Phillip...will die."

The Protector of the Moors was quite aware of that fact. In fact, she wanted to speed up the process and kill Phillip herself. She could smell the sickness coming off the boy, it burned her nose with it's foul smell. Then again, even if the boy wasn't fighting for his life (in more ways than one), his natural scent would be enough for the faerie's nose to scrunch up.

Wings lowering to encase them offering privacy.

"Do you know what it is you ask of me Aurora?" the older woman questioned between clenched teeth as she stared down at the flaxen haired youth.

"Y-yes..."

Maleficent's eyebrow arching sharply. "Do you?" she prodded looking highly skeptical. "You are asking that we help the boy responsible for attacking your kingdom. The boy responsible for driving you from your home.

The boy responsible for hurting and tormenting you!" Snarling the last part as she bared her teeth from the very thought of such actions. Honestly, Maleficent could care less about the attack on the castle, though she did because it belonged to Aurora, but because he dared to harm Aurora, her anger raged like fire. "Now you ask me to help him? Will you go as far as to ask that I allow his presence in our lands as well?"

When Aurora looked away, severing their eye contact, she knew that the blue eyed woman had indeed been thinking of asking such a boon from her.

Unacceptable. While the Guardian of the Moors certainly cared for the young blonde, and would essentially do anything for her, this was something Maleficent could not acquiesce to; Phillip did not worthy of ever setting foot in the Moors again for his actions.

"...yes," the young queen repeated looking up at the taller woman tightening her hold on the brunette's dress while bringing her free hand up to rest on Maleficent's clavicle. The contact helping to keep Aurora grounded as she inhaled deeply, taking in the faerie's scent.

It let her know she was safe, right here, touching her godmother, protected by powerful wings-it gave Aurora the strength to do what she was attempting.

"I know I am requesting much of you Godmother and wanting such a thing isn't easy for me either," came the admittance as blue eyes locked with multicolored ones. "But...I want to know...I need to know...why he did what he did.

I need him to look into my eyes as he tells me why," the shorter woman's tone bordering on pleading as her eyes begged Maleficent to understand her reasoning behind such a decision.

And the faerie did...all too well. Maleficent had initially felt the exact same way when she'd awoken without wings; the thirst swirling within her to know why the man she'd loved had done such a cruel and painful thing to her. She also remembered feeling crushed when Diaval had reported back informing her that Stefan had done so out of greed-wanting to become king of the human kingdom, and he had succeeded, presenting her wings to the previous human king and saying that he had slain her (and he had in a way, slaying her innocence with his betrayal).

Though she could under where the little beast was coming from Maleficent found it difficult to calm her emotions. Her body was too on edge as her claws ached to tear into the boy's flesh. As if sensing her godmother's struggle Aurora moved to stand before the faerie, wrapping her arms around the brunette's neck, pushing herself up on her toes in order to complete the action.

"Please Go-Maleficent," she pleaded softly against the horned woman's chest. The use of the faerie's true name feeling completely foreign on her tongue. Had her head not been resting against the guardian's chest she would have seen Maleficent's eyes widen from the unexpected use of her name. "Please?"

"Alright..." Maleficent breathed her agreement after what felt like ages, the muscles in her jaw flexing. "If that is what my Queen wishes of me..."

"No!" Aurora cried so suddenly that the blonde startled herself with the strength of her voice. Even Diaval's wings had come out in surprise. She found herself averting her gaze, unable to hold the Moorlander's inquiring stare. "No..." she repeated more softly this time. "Not as your queen.

I ask this of you not even as your little beastie, but as Aurora." Noticing a slight twitch in the corner of the faerie's mouth.

A low hum as Maleficent leaned her head down and rested it against Aurora's. "Even as Aurora, you are still such a demanding thing," came the quip. "Very well, I shall yield to Aurora's request.

There are conditions if we are going to allow these humans beyond our borders," the brunette brought up catching the former princess' eyes.

"Of course," the shorter agreed as she turned in the direction her men and Phillip resided. The tawny colored wing lifting like a curtain to reveal her to them. "It has been decided and we shall offer aid to Phillip," she informed the two humans (funny how Aurora didn't consider herself one).

Both Alec and Finn visibly heaving sighs of relief from the decision that had been reached. Alec removing his hand from his sword in response. "Thank you your Majesty," he praised placing a fist on his chest and bowing deeply to show his gratitude.

"Don't thank me so quickly," the blonde chastised causing Alec to right himself. "There are conditions for allowing you all past our borders.

Maleficent?" she called to the faerie who stepped forward, easily towering over the men at a distance.

"Condition number one..."

"And you can heal him?" Maleficent inquired of a fellow Moorlander. The shriveled creature, having the appearance of a tree turned humanoid as moss and seaweed covered it's form responded with a nod before speaking to the guardian in their native tongue. "Yes, this is the one responsible for harming our Queen, and it is only because of our Queen's orders that he is here, let alone still lives.

If it is too much of a strain..." the winged woman began, only to earn a shake of the head from her kin. Again they spoke before turning their attention to the ailing young man. "Very well, I shall leave you so that you may work unhindered."

The taller of the two giving a slight bow of her head before turning and exiting the room. She stopped outside the door, allowing magic to surround her hands as she placed an enchantment upon the room in it's entirety. If Phillip awoke at some point and had the urge to explore his surroundings, he would not be allowed to leave his chambers (she would have much rather had him placed in the dungeons, though she knew Aurora would not agree with such accommodations for their "guest"). Though she had gotten help for the boy, didn't mean she trusted him, or those who brought him, in the slightest, and she would take no risks when it came to Aurora.

Satisfied once her magic had been cast, the guardian turned and headed down the hallway toward the great hall, where Diaval awaited with Aurora and their "guests".

It had been decided, to both accommodate as well as to keep the outsiders in one place, to have them reside where Maleficent once made her home during her quest for revenge in the Forbidden Fortress. A decision that had been made for strategic purposes really; placing their guests deep within her territory so that they would not pose a threat to other fae-folk, and in case they attempted some type of coupe it would not be achieved easily, as Aurora would certainly not be residing her with these people.

Maleficent flat out refused to allow the men anywhere near her nesting grounds.

The fortress was certainly in need of repair, but it provided shelter from the elements that these humans were unaccustomed to dealing with. She felt no need to use her magic to make them comfortable as they had done nothing to earn her full hospitality. They would only receive the bare minimum and just enough to keep them alive, no more.

Eventually, the Moorlander made it to her destination. Pushing the massive doors open and walking in with all the grace and demeanor of a ruler as she walked along the length of the decayed table and taking up residence beside Aurora, Diaval on the opposite side of the monarch. The only light, and thus heat, in the room coming from the lit fireplace which Finn and Alec sat exceptionally close to in order to fight off the chill that tried to seep into their bones.

"Will Phillip be alright?" Aurora inquired once the faerie was close, looking up at the standing woman.

To which Maleficent nodded before drawing a chair close with her magic and settling down atop it. "Yes, he is in good hands," she added while bringing a wing out to wrap around the blonde to shield her from the cold. She then turned her gaze to Diaval and arched an eyebrow in inquiry, silently asking if he wished to return to his natural form to be better protected against the chill with his feathers.

The ebony haired man shook his head, wishing to remain human to better help the nestling.

"Until then, all we can do is wait," the multicolored eyed woman commented before focusing her attention on the two outsiders. "And here and explanation about our dear Prince Phillip," she added her tone completely mocking as she said his name and title even while remaining even.

Alec and Finn shared a look, both trying to decide who should start them off in this task. The dark skinned man took a deep breath, it appeared he would be leading things off. "The Phillip that took over the castle...was an imposter," he came out and said it, choosing to be as blunt and direct as possible.

A low growl erupting from the faerie. "You repay our benevolence with lies?" she accused him, attacking with a vicious glare.

The soldier held firm. "I do not lie to you Lady Protector...or you Your Majesty," he added turning to look Aurora in the eyes so she could know his words were true. "I know that after everything that has happened, my words sound very much untrue, but I swear on my honor as a soldier in your army that my words ring true."

Once more Aurora was hit with information that left her reeling and found her head filled with hundreds of questions at once. It seemed the universe wished for her to break under the unexpected today. "You say you speak the truth...yet I know what I saw. Phillip...the face of the man who tortured and tormented me every day while I was locked away in the dungeons of my own castle.

Phillip who ordered men to overrun my castle in the dead of night, killing who knows how many of those who served me," the blonde brought up as she stared right back, the hand near her side subtly playing with the tips of Maleficent's flight feathers to keep herself from breaking. "I find it very hard to believe that my vision is so poor that I would have made a mistake in identifying the man at the helm of all this." Somewhere along the line Aurora's voice becoming strong as those years as queen of her kingdom came surging to the front automatically.

She sat up straighter, squaring her shoulders, holding her head up high, and gave off a similar aura as Maleficent-though her aura was about one hundred years too early to be on par with the faerie's, but Aurora managed all the same.

"I do not question your ability to see Your Majesty," Alec said placing both hands on his knees and he looked toward the ground. He meant no disrespect from his action, he was simply becoming lost in thought. "And I admit, even I had trouble believing what my own eyes saw upon returning to the castle.

A castle filled with unwanted guests and the corpses of your friends isn't exactly something a soldier wants to see upon returning home," came his confession. "I'd have run the Prince through myself had Ser Randal not got to me."

The name of the captain of her personal guard caught Aurora's attention. "Ser Randal still lives?" she asked hope filling her voice. She was desperate to know the status of all those in her employ.

"Aye. At least, he was when I last saw him," Alec amended. "He was fighting off five men while giving Finn and I time to escape with the Prince."

Aurora let out a breath, that was something at least.

"Finn...how did you get involved in all this?" she asked curiously as she turned to look at the cook, who had more or less remained silent since their arrival.

He wrung his hand on his apron, which had blood splatters on it that the blonde just now noticed, as he shifted in his seat. "Lucky for me, being the head cook has it's advantages," he commented before looking up at her. "He kept me and the staff alive to feed his people, though he made clear that if any of us tried to be brave and poison him or his men...well, it wouldn't be a wise move."

The queen nodded, she knew what he meant without him having to elaborate.

"To make a long story short, I was the one who helped Ser Randal free Prince Phillip," the hazel eyed man continued onwards. "T-The real one I mean, we managed to get him out of the dungeons, but then came the obstacle of getting out of the castle.

Ever since your escape the amount of mercenaries about doubled," was the explanation. "Thank the stars Alec's contingent returned when they did. It was during the fighting that Ser Randal managed to get Alec and pull him away without being noticed.

He wished for someone he could trust to accompany me to the Moors, where he figured you would be after managing to flee the castle. Outside of helping free Prince Phillip, I am also here to explain who the imposter is and his reasoning behind his attack."

The cook's words grabbed the trio's attention, each listening to his every word in their own way.

"The one behind the events happening is your father's successor Noel," Finn explained to them.

Aurora's face scrunched up in confusion. "My father's...successor?" she echoed earning a nod from the cook. "I never knew my father had a successor. There was no mention of him."

"The late King Stefan chose his successor after you had sent away as a babe," the dark haired man remarked. "A precaution in case the Lady Protector's curse could never be lifted, there still would have been someone to take over ruling the kingdom when the time came.

Upon your return however, there was no need for Noel, as against you Noel has no legitimate claims to the throne," the young man explained. "So, he was thrown out from the castle and stripped of everything he had grown accustomed to over the last sixteen years at the time."

"Apparently, he didn't like having his life pulled out from under him," Alec spoke up coming back into the conversation. "One can only assume that he spent those three years that her Majesty was learning to take up the crown, planning and plotting his revenge, and somehow made Prince Phillip the key to making it all happen."

Aurora sat there in shock. She couldn't believe it. Lives had been taken and destroyed all because of some man she had never met wanting to be king? He desired to be king, while Aurora herself had no desire to do so upon learning of her heritage. And then to simply be cast aside as if he'd meant nothing and then never even spoken about?

Could any of this even be believed? She so badly wished to believe it, as she had developed good personal relationships with both men over the last few years; however, the azure eyed woman was also cautious, as she had developed a similar relationship with Phillip and she recalled how well that turned out.

But, it was Phillip who had done those things...but Noel, parading around as Phillip...wasn't it?

"How can Noel be Phillip?" she found herself voice her internal question out loud as she sought something she could grasp and hold on to without any doubt.

Finn shook his head. "I do not know your Majesty. As far as I was aware, Noel never possessed any magical talents or abilities, as such a thing is already rare in humans," he responded-the answer doing nothing to help clear the former peasant's mind.

"Perhaps, your Majesty..." Alec began noticing Aurora's expression. "Prince Phillip would be able to set your mind at ease once he awakens?" He suggested to which the blonde nodded before standing, Maleficent and Diaval following her lead.

"Yes, perhaps you are right and I need to go straight to the source," she agreed in a daze proving that her mind was no longer in the moment. "I'm sure you both must be hungry and are no doubt tired..." Trailing as she looked toward the Maleficent in silent communication.

The horned woman simply waved her hand. "You will find rooms have been prepared for you both, upstairs and to the right," Maleficent informed the two. "Also, downstairs, the pantry has been stocked with food for you to eat for the night, as well as drink.

Enjoy your evening and we shall return to see you tomorrow." Feeling rather neutral as both men offered her their gratitude for her hospitality, which left her feeling rather unimpressed-their praise was certainly not that of a little beast.

With another wave of her hand, the trio found themselves back in their familiar stomping grounds of the Moors.

"You know it could be a trap?" Maleficent voiced as she and Aurora lay huddled together in her tree, a gentle breeze rustling through the tree making the leaves sway. "They may have turned," wanting Aurora to be cautious in her next course of action.

The shorter woman humming in agreement as she gazed up through the leaves at the stars. She felt beyond exhausted from the days events, and she didn't feel that she'd be recovering her energy anytime soon; not until she spoke to Phillip, the real one, and got the truth.

Whatever that was.

"I want to believe them, but after all that's happened, it would be foolish to do so blindly," the queen of two realms responded as she rested her head against the horned woman's shoulder. "I am...cautious...I don't want to be hurt again."

Feeling a shift as she felt powerful, but no less feminine arms, come and encircle her. "And as long as I breath, you never shall again," came the fierce promise as Maleficent spoke against her hair. "Now, sleep beastie." Singing softly in the language of the Moors as Aurora allowed the words to wash over her, removing the stress of the day, as her eyes slide shut and she drove into the land of dreams.

A/n2: Well, I hope the length made up somewhat for such a long lull in updates for this story. If not, the big reveal should have right? Right?