I recommend listening to the song above. Once Upon A Dream by Lana Del Rey. It's hauntingly beautiful.

~

It seems like a year goes by too fast and too slow at the same time. Aurora's sixteenth birthday is only two days away, and you have embraced the fact.

You sigh, something you seem to be doing a lot lately, and sit on a grassy clearing beside a cliff.

"Y/n, how are you faring?" Maleficent asks, coming to sit beside you. Your silence is enough of an answer, and she continues the conversation.

"Have you still not talked with Diaval?"

Even though its been many months since your little squabble with him, you still haven't gotten over his rejection. You thought it'd be best if you had some distance with him, and now its too late.

"No, I have not."

She sighs, "You should, Y/n."

You look away from her as the wind teases your hair, "I cannot. There's only two days left, Maleficent. I've already accepted my fate."

"There is a chance you won't prick you finger, after all, there aren't any spinning-wheels in the forest." She points out.

You smirk, "I suppose you're right. What are the chances?"

She smiles, "Don't give up hope."

She then leaves you to thinking. A loud caw wakes you from your thoughts, and you look to the side and see Diaval.

You give a faint smile, "Hello."

He caws again, and ruffles his feathers. He then hops over to you.

"Nice to see we're talking again," You quip, smirking.

He ducks his head in what could be shame and squawks.

"It's okay, I suppose we were both foolish." You smile at him, and hold out your hand.

He hops closer and pushes his face into your palm. You gently skim your fingers through his soft feathers, and lie down looking at the clouds.

"I missed you," you whisper. Another breeze pulls your hair and tousles Diaval's feathers. You turn your head to glance at Diaval. He looks at you with his kind gentle eyes, and you grin. You know that everything is forgiven and in the past.

"Let's not think about anything sad right now. I need to think lovely thoughts." You tell him, and he nods.

Cawing, he motions to the fluffy clouds. You look up and marvel at the beauty.

"Oh, that one looks like an egg!" You point to it, and Diaval squawks his agreement.

"And. . . that one looks like a heart." You point to a heart-shaped cloud floating just above you.

He nods, and you suddenly leap to your feet. He looks at you questioningly.

"We can't have a proper conversation with you in bird form," You explain, heading off to find Maleficent.

Upon finding her, you ask her to please turn him into a man. She does so with a grin on her face. Diaval smiles at you with a sad longing in his eyes, as he takes your hand in his. You grasp his strong hand as you walk through the forest.

"Diaval, I've missed this."

"So have I."

Walking with him reminds you of how happy you were.

"Look, Y/n. I'm sorry. I was a fool, and selfish."

You stare at him, puzzled, "How were you selfish?"

He ducks his head, averting his gaze, "I was afraid you'd found your true love and that you were going to leave..."

Not knowing how to respond, you shyly look away, slipping your hand out of his grasp. He looks slightly scared, but you smile at him in reassurance.

"Diaval. . . you don't have to be afraid of my leaving. I'll stay here forever. With you and Maleficent and Aurora. You're my family, and this is where I belong."

He looks awkward for a second, "Yes, um, family."

Now you fidget awkwardly, "That's, uh, not what I meant..."

His eyes find yours in an instant, "What did you mean?"

You lick your lips nervously, and cough lightly. "I, uh, never mind. . ."

He nods, and you both continue to walk aimlessly. Eventually, conversation sparks between you again. You talk about all sorts of things, but avoid any mention of the curse. Your fingers entwine with his cold fingers, as you sit underneath a weeping willow tree.

"This life has been good." You break the silence after awhile.

He looks at you, waiting for you to continue.

"Most people aren't lucky enough to find peace in their whole lives. I have not only found peace, but also happiness. . . And I am grateful."

He sighs with you and leans back against the tree. He wraps his arm around your waist, and you lay your head against his shoulder.

"You've always been here for me Diaval, and I will never forget that."

"I'll never forget you, Y/n," He whispers back, his head resting upon yours.

And you stay that way for the whole night, encompassed in the arms of Diaval.

~

Two days later, and you are dreading Aurora's sixteenth birthday. You apply a happy facade, and pray that the day will go well.

"Happy birthday Aurora!" You greet as she walks into the cottage as you walk out.

You decided to pick her favourite berries for her birthday, and so you go out to pick them. After an hour of scavenging, you return to the cottage to find everyone gone.

"Aurora?" You call out, only to be answer by a breathless Maleficent.

"She went to the castle!"

Immediately, you comprehend the severity of the situation.

"Into a horse," she whispers, and Diaval turns into a feather horse. Maleficent jumps onto his back first, and you do right after.

It seems as if you fly across the landscapes as you travel to the castle. Upon arriving you find Prince Philip and Maleficent knocks him unconscious with her magic, and makes him float in the air.

We search for Aurora, and we find her in a room on a bed. She is asleep.

Your breath hitches in your throat as you look at her, "We're too late."

Your three aunties make Phillip kiss her, but she doesn't awaken. They all leave, and you go to the bed and cry by her side. Maleficent whispers a heart felt apology and goodbye before kissing her on the forehead.

"Hello, Godmother." Aurora's sweet voice floods the silence, shattering it like a delicate plate against a rock.

Tears of joy cascade down your face as you hug her. After hugging everyone, you all head out quietly.

You lag behind the group, cautious of the king's army.

Suddenly, as Maleficent enters wide open space, a huge iron chain net drops from the ceiling. She screams in pain as the iron burns her.

Guards come from everywhere and start to beat Maleficent and try to push Aurora and I out of the way. Diaval tries to attack the soldiers, but they aren't dissuaded from their task.

You can faintly hear Maleficent whispering to Diaval, and turn in shock as you see a huge roaring dragon spew fire at the guards. The dragon has scales and feathers, so you figure out that it's Diaval right away.

The guards try to chain him down while the king fights Maleficent. You try to attack the soldiers that are attacking Diaval to no avail.

You can't see Aurora anywhere, and the battle rages on in a mad frenzy. Suddenly, a blinding light stuns everyone in the room and everyone turns to stare at Maleficent. Her wings finally reunited with her, she stand fierce and ready to defeat the king.

The whole thing happens in a blur, and you find yourself making your way out of the castle with Diaval.

"Are you okay?" You ask him.

"Yes, I'm fine. Are you?"

You grin happily, "I'm great! The curse didn't come into affect and we're all safe. I couldn't ask for more."

He smiles down at you and places his arm around your shoulder, "I'm glad."

~

Back in the forest, Maleficent, Aurora, Diaval, many fairy creatures, and you celebrate the defeat of the king.

You decide to break away from the festivities to dip your feet in the cold stream. Siting down, you rest your feet in the freezing water.

Whispers fill your ears, speaking of the wicked curse, and a haze comes over you. Magical green mist floods the area, and out of the water comes a half-rotten spinning wheel.

Alluring in its haunting glow, the spindle shines with the reflection of the moon.

Attracted to it, you unwittingly reach out to touch the sharp spindle. You don't hear Diaval's cries as he yells at you from across the clearing, and you don't register the pain as your finger is pricked by the pointy metal.

Falling to the ground, you lose all sense of reality and collapse into a dreamless stupor.

~

~

~

~

Y/n lies upon a bed in the midst of a forest. The leaves rustle and bend with the wind, creating a beautiful picture.

Maleficent, the newly wedded Aurora and Phillip stand by her side, paying their respects.

Diaval stays back, uncertain of if he should be by her side. He wants to be close to her, but he is scared.

Maleficent kisses Y/n's forehead, but nothing happens. Aurora tries to wake her as well, but it doesn't work.

They leave, and Diaval is left alone in the clearing with Y/n. A tear makes its way out of his eye and down his sharp nose before falling to the ground.

His face is etched with utter sadness and despair as he looks at Y/n.

"I couldn't protect you," he cries.

"I'm so sorry Y/n. . . I hope you can forgive me for breaking my oath."

After a quiet moment, he leans in closer to her sleeping form.

"I have a secret, and I should have told you before..."

At the sound of silence, he sobs quietly.

"I. . ."

He inhales deeply, smelling the soft scent of flowers that rest on her hair.

"I love you."

Another tear falls from his face as he stares at Y/n, praying that she'd wake up. Praying that they could be together again.

"I love you so much, Y/n," He says again, leaning in closer.

He gently places his lips against Y/n's, and he slowly raises them off as he turns away with sadness.

"I love you too," She whispers, sitting up slowly. "I always have, and I forever shall." She smiles at him and he swivels to face her.

"Y/n!" He joyously runs back to her side and takes her in his arms.

She takes Diaval's head in her hands and kisses him. He returns it, and they share another long-awaited kiss.

"Diaval," She finally breaks away to whisper his name.

"Yes?"

She smiles, "Will you marry me?"

Diaval looks taken aback for a split second, before his brilliant beam comes onto his face.

"Yes, I'd be honoured."

Y/n and Diaval smile. They both bear a bright gleam in their eyes, as they look at each other.

Maleficent watches from a short distance, grinning. With a smile, she meanders away to let the love birds have their privacy.

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for all the support! Thanks for the kind comments and for voting!