Thank you Silvermane1 and leafygreen16 for the kind reviews! I appreciate it. :)

Chapter 5: Cruelty

A short time after Phillip and Aurora finished their tea the prince escorted the princess personally to her room to which she had expressed her wish to return. After parting goodbyes Phillip turned on his heel and made is way down the hall. His mind began to process all he had learned from the beautiful blonde and her Godmother's plight. Could it all be true? Since his arrival he had heard nothing but stories about the wicked faery who cursed the Princess at her own christening, throwing the kingdom into a bitter war to protect the king's only child and placing the kingdom in a perpetual state of morning for her highness. At the celebration the King had to celebrate Maleficent's defeat he had heard dozens of stories ranging from servant to guard from the king himself speaking of the terrors they had all witnessed. How the wall of thorns would come alive and crush soldiers to death or injury when they had lit it aflame or when Maleficent had appeared out of a whirlwind in the throne room to place her curse, mocking the King in his own castle. Tales of dark monsters chasing men in the dead of night and men waking in places they had no place being miles away from the kingdom.

This thought triggered another. How did Phillip get in the castle that night? The prince stopped in his foot steps for a moment, thinking it over. Last he remembered he was just a short ways off from Aurora's cottage when he had been surprised by a frighteningly beautiful horned woman in black robes. He had told her he was looking for Aurora but the woman replied she already knew. The next moment he had awoken in front of Aurora's bedchamber…the horned woman was the reason he had gotten there. Now that he put two and two together, she matched the description of the wicked faery. She was Maleficent. She was the one who brought him to the castle. The pieces were fitting in together now but he still had more questions. Whose story should he believe? Those of the servents and guards who spoke of an evil faery terrorizing the country? Or that of a benevolent Godmother taking care of her child? Could both be true? He had to know and there was one person who could confirm it.

Picking up his feet he set his pace in a direct path to the dungeons. It was time he met Maleficent and decide for himself whether or not she truly was evil or good. His insides tore at him, every ounce wanted to believe the latter and validate Aurora's tale. How could the girl, who had a heart of gold, be lying? The voice of his father tugged at his mind's ear: 'Some women lie to get what they want. Some are selfish and conniving as any tax collector. Guard yourself, son. Just make sure that if you give in that it is something you are willing to part with or better yet, something you can use to your own advantage in return. All things are a game when it comes to the throne." Phillip remembered his father's words. They were wise, but not only did they speak of women it spoke of the entire court. Lies were as common to nobles as farming was common for peasants. But Aurora was no noble, a princess by birth but a spirit of the woods she grew up in, she was innocent and carefree, but not without intelligence. If Aurora's story was true then she was smart to not trust anyone in the court, for they all shared the King's contempt for the fair folk and most likely would not believe her. Phillip, however, was not of this kingdom and had no part in the bitter struggle between the wilds and the settled. He was an outsider; a new perspective not prone to take sides. But now he had taken a side, Aurora's. Or at least he really wanted to. But before that he had to speak to her Godmother. Even though Aurora claimed that Maleficent and the raven Diaval had taken care of her like parents and it was her love as a mother that broke the spell, the faery did originally place the curse and therefore was dangerous. Phillip wanted to make sure that this threat, if he broke her free, was only a danger to those who intended to hurt Aurora and not a danger to Aurora herself.

And he would get his answer. After climbing down several flights of stairs, winding further and further into darkness and damp at last he had come to a hallway lit with orange torches licking the air skittishly. Toward the end of the hall hung a massive door with two heavily armed guards on either side. Even from this distance Phillip could see them quivering in their armor, making it clank, and their spears shook with fear. It was impressive how a captured enemy who was most likely bound to the teeth in chain and lie behind a door as thick as the walls could inspire so much fear in seasoned soldiers. It was the fear of her escape that froze them and the memories of her past evil acts against them. Phillip swallowed, maybe he should turn around. If these four large men feared her then so should he. Then he remembered Aurora. If a pleasant, trusting young girl held no fear for Maleficent then what was he? A coward? No.

No he was not. Phillip puffed up to his full height and walked with burdened purpose. He must complete his mission and these quivering fools would not be enough to stop him. "I'm here to interrogate the faery. Open the door." He commanded in a proud voice. The guards looked at one another, waiting for whoever was in charge to speak up in return.

The guard on the leftmost replied. "We are under orders that no one is to see the prisoner."

"And I am her on behalf of her highness, Aurora. Would you deny the wishes of your own princess?" Phillip shot back, annoyed. Maybe this wouldn't be easy. But he had an idea. "What kind of guard are you?"

The guard looked at him confused, the air dead silent. "I… I beg your pardon your highness?"

"Look at you. Quivering in fear of chained up, toothless beast who no longer has claws. Is this the kind of protection Aurora deserves?" Phillip looked at him in disgust, then continued. "That of a coward?" Phillip accused, sneering at the six foot tall man in front of him.

"Well see here I- " The guard began.

"Silence!" Phillip ordered. "Your sniveling is repulsive! Do your duty and obey orders." Phillip then looked to all four men before him. "Be the brave men I know you to be. Brave soldiers who risked their lives to protect the princess and won! I have questions for Maleficent and I can not ask them with my path barred. Open that door!" Phillip stuck out his forefinger in finality. This time it was the guard to puffed up, but he did not move toward the prince, but to the door with a set of heavy keys. Phillip smiled inwardly, his speech worked! He had never swung about his authority before in such a manner but it felt good to know that he could do it right. And he did it without threats but by catering to the guard's honor. Phillip made a private note to himself to tell his favorite bard his success in a battle of words. He may be royalty, but this wasn't his kingdom after all! Technically he had no true authority here but the guardsmen obeyed him anyway.

With a loud creak the men pulled the heavy wooden doors open. Indeed they were massive, at least five inches thick with lines of iron support crisscrossed on the front and back. Phillip's eyebrows jumped up on his face, surprised by yet another set of doors five feet in. Did every castle have a prison like this? Phillip's certainly didn't! And he had spent many days sneaking around in the dungeons of his father's castle with friends and playing tricks on the guards. But not once had he seen a prison cell of this size. It was almost as if it was made to keep a massive beast contained rather than a faery.

The second pair of doors screamed open. Grabbing a torch from the wall Phillip went in without hesitation, not wanting to show any before a bunch of guards he had called cowards moments before. "Shut the doors behind me. I'll call when I am finished here." The prince instructed. The doors shut. He and Maleficent were alone.

The prison cell was cold and dank, with strange smells and the sound of dripping water. Standing before him was a massive wooden cross. Unlike the door to the cell this was made of fresh oak wood made into the shape of an "X." Splayed with her limbs out on each branch was a tall woman with long black hair and an impressive set of horns to match. Her arms and legs had chains about them glowing a faint orange, looking closer he saw that they didn't touch her skin, but if she were to move the threat of hot iron was ever present. Thick leather straps held her in place, each with a lock securing it. There was no getting out for this faery, not without the King's consent. Her head hung low to the side, her breathing weak and shallow. Was she sleeping? Phillip thought carefully. When the idea to come down here first came to him he didn't expect that he would actually succeed and hadn't thought of what to say to her. He had to let her know he was a friend, what words would convince her?

"Fairy Godmother?" Phillip spoke, using the term Aurora called her by. Maleficent stirred, lifting her head up every so slowly Phillip met the faery's green eyes and gasped. She was sick. Very sick. But how bad her heath had deteriorated he didn't know. Sweat dripped off of her brow and mingled with her hair that draped her face. Her mouth was gagged and the longer she held her head up the more it shook from the effort. Indeed this was the same woman who he met in the forest shortly before waking up before Aurora's chambers. But her eyes were no longer as striking and her skin even more pale. The prince moved to remove her gag but Maleficent's eyes flashed in alarm. Phillip paused. "I'm here on Aurora's request. She is worried about you. Please, may I remove your gag?" Maleficent considered it for a brief moment, then nodded weakly. As he removed it Phillip continued. "Aurora is safe, so is Diaval. She's been keeping him in her room away from the servants. So far no one knows he is here."

"She told you?" Maleficent asked weakly.

"Not many others in this castle she can trust I suppose." Phillip replied. "She misses you."

Maleficent swallowed. "Wh-" she started. "Why are you here?" The prince realized her mouth must be parched. How long had it been since she was last provided water to drink? Phillip quickly got out his canteen. He loved walking, and loved riding even more for hours at a time. So much activity made him thirsty so he always brought water with him wherever he went. Today however he had not gone riding like he planned, he had a tea party with Aurora instead. So his canteen was still full.

"Because Aurora is worried about you. Here drink." Phillip brought it to her mouth, but her red lips did not part. Phillip sighed. "I like Aurora. I highly doubt she would like me back if she knew I poisoned you." He said, taking a swig then offering it to her once again. Relenting, Maleficent drank slowly. "I also have questions." He said. "Was it you that brought me to the castle?"

After Maleficent finished drinking she replied. "Yes. Diaval was convinced that you were Aurora's best hope."

"Diaval said that?" Phillip asked. "Strange. He didn't seem to like me very much when I set a tea party for Aurora."

Maleficent chuckled. "Probably his fatherly instincts driving him when he saw you together with his hatchling."

"Hatchling?" Phillip repeated. Then smiled. "Of course, the bird raised her. Like you did?" Phillip let the question hang. Now was a moment of truth, did Maleficent care for Aurora as a mother?

"I watched over her for many years." The horned woman replied. "I hated her. Hated that Diaval took care of her. Then as she grew I found I could no longer."

"How did she wake from the curse?" Phillip held his breath for her reply, waiting.

At first Maleficent said nothing, then a smile teased the corners of her lips. "Something I believed did not exist." Tears of genuine happiness formed in her eyes. "True love." She spoke, shedding a tear. Phillip heard a sizzle then Maleficent cried out in pain. Phillip jumped, it wasn't him! What was it? Looking to his left, the chain about Maleficent's arm had gotten loose and was burning her flesh with red hot iron. The prince rushed to the faery's aid, lifting the chain off her arm, gripping the places of the chain not red hot. Even the parts of the chain that didn't glow were nearly burnt his own fingers, making him wince. Phillip worked quickly, he knew that he couldn't hold onto it forever so he placed the straps of his canteen between Maleficent's arm and the chain. The canteen would be noticed if it stayed there so something else would have to create a barrier.

"Madness!" Phillip spat. "Your arm could have burnt off if I was not here! Unbelievable…" Phillip lifted up his tunic and ripped his undershirt into long strips, then used them to tie around her arms and legs in between her flesh and the hot chain. Satisfied, Phillip turned back to Maleficent. "I believe you and Aurora's story. If there is a way to release you I will find it." He promised. "You won't get better if you stay here."

"I almost believe you." Maleficent chuckled. "Stephen's castle is too well guarded."

"Judging by the bumbling fools outside I say otherwise." The prince replied. "Aurora needs you, Maleficent. Stay strong for her." Phillip offered Aurora's Godmother the rest of his water, then tucking what was left of his undershirt beneath his tunic so it was not visible he had shredded it he called for the guards to open the door. Phillip felt awful for leaving the poor woman in such a sorry state, Stephen's prison was above and beyond what was necessary to keep her secure. Plus it was neglectful! How long had it been since she had water? Food? Never mind the chain that nearly severed her hand from her arm! It upset his stomach to think of the 'if' scenarios of him not being there to catch that chain. Something had to be done. Reaching the top of the stairs Phillip had made it out of the prison and began to head towards the princess's chambers to report his findings to the beautiful girl who asked for his help, but rounding the corner his path was barred by the Captain and two other guards.

"Prince Phillip, your presence has been requested by the King." The Captain said.

...

Oh buggar...