Disclaimer: Not mine, don't own, don't sue

Summary: See Previous Chapters

JANE

The previous night had gone so well, with the fighting lesson, and the VK's finally opening up a bit, that something was almost assured to go wrong the next day.

Sure enough, it did.

Audrey and Ben were having some kind of discreet argument or fight, and the princess was in a foul mood. Somehow, she had pinned Mal as the cause of her problems, and was out to make the half-fae miserable. In fairness, Audrey's fears weren't baseless; it was obvious that Ben admired Mal, and equally obvious (to everyone except Audrey) that the princess's hostile attitude was doing her no favours, in Ben's eyes or anyone else's.

That didn't help Mal, when Audrey was armed with countless snide remarks about how the Moors were so much better off being ruled by her parents, and could finally advance out of the Dark Ages they had been kept in. Mal, understandably, was edging closer and closer to snapping at the Princess, and probably doing something ill-advised. Jay and Evie had already held her back from throwing a punch several times.

Finally, Jane did something unprecedented: she skipped her last class of the day to take Mal walking in the woods that bordered the school, the last hint of wilderness in Auradon City. Mal calmed a little, but her eyes still flashed green fire as she ranted, then abruptly slumped down, looking almost ready to cry.

Jane couldn't help leaning forward to wrap her arms around Mal, determined to do something to help. She was a Wish fae, and wishes didn't always need to be spoken to be granted.

Jane didn't have much experience in doing nice things for friends, but she wanted to try. The children of the Isle were incredibly self-sufficient, and it had taken a while to think of something Jane could do that they couldn't manage themselves. Now, Jane had finally thought of something that would not only be good for her new friends, but help other people, too.

It required permission from a few other people, first, though. "Mom? Can Mal and I have permission to leave campus for a day over the weekend?"

Jane would have wanted to take all four, but that was less likely to be approved, and what Jane had in mind… well, it was more of a Fae thing. "I thought it might be good for them to see something outside of the school. Maybe have a girls day out, like the Princesses do."

Fairy Godmother looked understandably surprised at the idea, and Jane tried not to be offended, on Mal's behalf or her own. "I suppose that couldn't hurt. You'll have to clear it with Ben as their guardian. Do you know where you'll be going?"

Jane shrugged, trying to hide her relief. "Not yet. I thought I should get permission, first."

Ben was unlikely to object, especially if he saw it as proof that the Isle children were fitting in, and finally being accepted. That was another thing that Jane wanted to work on, but one thing at a time.

"Where are you taking me? Not that I don't appreciate getting out of there, but I don't deal well with surprises."

Jane smiled, trying to restrain her excitement. This was probably the most dangerous and disobedient thing she had ever done. Borrowing a pair of seven-league boots enchanted by Merriweather, (who had dealt with the magic ban about as well as Jane had, though still better than Flora's children, Flittle, Knotgrass, and Thistlewit. Then again, those three had never been very bright.) a quick bit of math had them in Auroria in less than an hour.

Jane let go of Mal and took off the boots. "We'll have to walk from here. It shouldn't take long."

Mal continued to pester her the entire way, her voice abruptly cutting off when a forest and a wall of thorns appeared over a ridge. "We're…"

Jane nodded, trying not to beam. "The Moors, yes."

Wandering through the woods - after passing the thorn trees that were the last remnants of Maleficent's legendary barrier - the two half-fae started at the sound of a loud 'caw', and a raven flew down, a flash of green light as it transformed into a tall man with bird-like features. Mal's lips trembled slightly. "Are you…?"

The man nodded. "Diaval. You're Maleficent's daughter, aren't you."

Mal inclined her head, taking a tiny step forward. "I wondered if you'd still be alive. Ravens don't live all that long."

Diaval smiled, the same faint quirk of the lips that Mal did. "Maleficent poured so much magic into me over the years, it turned me into a shapeshifter. Her last act before she was sealed away was to make me a kind of lesser fae. Immortal, or as close to it as the Fae come."

Mal relaxed slightly. "Mother told me about you. Having to leave you behind was one of her biggest regrets."

Diaval looked pleased, but did not comment. "I suppose that you'd like to free her from her bond?"

Mal tensed again, looking more hopeful than Jane had ever seen her. "Can I? How?"

Diaval reached out and took her hand. "Repeat this promise: 'I, Malady of the Wild Fae, promise to guard the Moors as its Protector to the best of my ability, until my last breath, until Maleficent returns, or until I pass the title to another.' That should cover the bases."

Mal did so, her voice halting at first, but quickly gaining in confidence. Jane felt the magic swell, building up to something… and then settle. Mal ran a hand through her hair, letting out a deep breath, and frowned slightly when her hand came away with a purple feather the same shade as her hair. She tucked it into a pocket. "I'll be ok back at Auradon Prep, right? The oath won't… affect me like it did Mother?"

Diaval pulled her into a gentle embrace, letting go when she stiffened slightly. "Not as long as you return as often as you can, and keep an ear out for threats to the Moors. I'll visit with news as often as I can."

Mal nodded. "Can you spread the word? We have to return before someone gets suspicious, but I would like to meet the other inhabitants and hear what they need from me when I visit next."

Diaval nodded, a wicked smile on his sharp face. "Maleficent would be proud. Her line has protected the Moors for centuries, and you're a credit to their legacy."

He transformed into a raven again, gently pecking her ear, and flew away.

Mal slipped her feet into the magic boots, lifting Jane with embarassing ease and striding back to where Merriweather waited for them. Setting Jane back on the ground, Mal hugged her. "Thank you, Jane. I owe you one."

Jane almost fell over at the acknowledgement of a debt between them. She shook her head, "It's the least I could do, for all you've done. Bring me with you sometimes, and we'll call it even."

There would be times when Mal would be discussing important matters that were not for Jane's ears, and Mal could leave her behind on those occasions.

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A/N: Let Jane do magic, damnit!
OK, it's only indirectly granting a wish without any actual shellwork, but it's still granting a wish.