The Impostor

Return to the Past

As Aurora started climbing the ruined stone bridge, walking carefully, watching her every step, some little seemingly ill-intentioned creatures wearing armours, spikes, and black iron shields moved towards her hesitantly. Maleficent's minions, who didn't manage to find the princess while she was hiding into the woods with her three so-called good fairies, were not many, maybe fifteen or twenty at most, since a great amount of them was killed by Maleficent herself two years ago, transpierced by lightning, as she was mad with anger after she heard of their miserable fail.

But then, Maleficent had succeeded in finding her, and her servants' failure was sure to be forgotten in favour of many other troublesome events.

Aurora stopped in her tracks and greeted the slaves of the Mistress of All Evil with a sincere smile. One of them took a wary step towards her.

"Who goes there?" He croaked in a hoarse voice that was meant to be frightening but was in fact filled with anxiety.

No one should have driven to the fairy's domain for years, everyone thinking she was dead under Phillip's sword, Queen Aurora thought bitterly. At that thought, a strong wave of hatred invaded her mind but it was quickly replaced by the fierce desire to go forward and reach her goal.

The Queen headed in the minion's direction, without any fear, and her smile grew apologetic.

"Hello Hector. Do you remember me?" She asked smoothly, as if she had never faced memory issues before.

"Oh, Princess Aurora! Well, er... I mean... Your Majesty, I... Thought I'd never see you again... Uh... It's a pleasure, but... I don't know if I mus' get you in, 'cause you know, uh... Mistress's a little, uh..." The brave servant sputtered, accompanied by his comrades' nodding who all had absolutely no wish to disappoint Maleficent again for she ordered them not to let anyone enter her home.

A glow of fear was floating in their eyes, and Aurora could not help but understand them perfectly, even though sadly.

"Yes, I am aware. Maleficent doesn't expect me. But... I need to see her. It's... It's important. Please, let me talk to her. And if she gets angry, I will tell her it's not your fault, but mine, for I forced the way. Deal?" The Queen offered, joining her hands against her chest in a pleading gesture.

The little monster growled some unintelligible words before ordering his companions to let Aurora through, she thanked them with a grateful smile. Aurora got into the abandoned castle and walked slowly, alert to every noise or move which could occur around her, until she reached the throne room.

Her heart beating wildly, her eyes fixed on her feet, she first didn't dare to look up to meet the eyes of the one she feared and valued so much. Calling on her all her strength, she forced herself to rise her head.

That was when she saw her.

Seated on her throne in a weary half-lying position, one hand on her scepter, the other delicately posed on the stone armrest. Head to one side, her gaze cast on a undetermined spot on the horizon. Her lips pursed into an eternal grin of annoyance – or was it melancholy? – she was patting her long red nails against the stone in a gesture which could vaguely remind of impatience.

Maleficent.

She was here. After all this time believing she was dead in the hands of her dear husband, there she was. Alive. As tall, as elegant... as beautiful as ever.

"Maleficent." Aurora murmured between trembling lips, when she finally recovered the use of speaking.

The fairy turned her head and looked down at her. For a moment, the Queen believed she caught a gleam of surprise crossing those black pupils, but if surprise there was, it quickly merged into an ironic grin that distorted the thin red lips.