AN: In the original script, or as far as I know it's the original one, Diaval was meant to meet Maleficent way before Stefan's betrayal, not as a man but as a raven. I like the idea of them meeting first or at the same time as Maleficent met Stefan, it kind of fits in the realm of our choices and how these define us.

This is an AU story in which Maleficent is the Queen of the human and the faerie Realm, and Diaval is the King of the enemy Kingdom trying to reach peace after his grandfather and King Stefan almost destroyed their homes.

Once Upon a Dream

Chapter 1

The Beginning of our Story

The days were warm and filled with sun and fresh breeze in summer.

The green of the trees, the color of the flowers and the clear sky were just one of the many attractive of The Moors. The sound of free creatures followed them until they had left the road crossing the faery realm and given into the open plains leading to the human castle, the castle of Queen Regent Maleficent.

The committee stopped right behind their King.

The young man lifted his face watching for the very first time the Kingdom of the Moors and Human Realm. It was one, if not the only place in which magical creatures along with men survive under peace.

"Your Majesty." An old council man approached the young monarch. "Is something the matter?"

"Isn't it beautiful, Aroh?" The young man said glancing at the sky were three small pixies were flying away. News about his arrival must have reached the castle already.

"Yes, my lord, it is a beautiful place." Said Aroh looking around not without certain mistrust. "It seems as if the stories are true."

"Aye, come, Aroh. Let's not keep the Queen and the Princess waiting for us."

The young King took off running down the plains with his guard and the rest of the committee following him close behind. The young man had heard the stories, he had grown with a father crazy enough to try and take over the magical realm all because of his ambition and hatred and with a Grandfather who wanted to steal the magic from the Realm to validate himself as a monarch. Now, he was here trying to make amends for what King Stephan and King Henry had started all those years ago.

Aurora greeted the guards with a smile, the men bowed respectfully at her allowing her passage to her mother's private chambers. The girl walked faster until she was finally running entering Maleficent's room with an excited gleam in her eyes.

"They're here!" She exclaimed her excitement was soon erased when she saw Maleficent.

The faery was looking at herself in the mirror, her eyes were slightly unfocused with her hand tightly wrapped around her staff. Her wings were shivering restlessly, her features were tense and showing the deep sadness Maleficent felt from time to time. Aurora sighed approaching her, she moved to stand beside Maleficent locking her clear, blue eyes with those of the woman she called mother.

"Are you okay?" The girl asked tilting her head while resting her body against Maleficent's, the faery smiled wrapping her arm around the shoulders of the girl.

"You are tall." Maleficent commented seeing Aurora's head just an inch over her shoulder.

"I'm turning sixteen, mother. Of course I'm growing taller." Aurora then dropped her smile poking Maleficent on her side. "Are you okay?"

Maleficent played with the idea of lying to her, perhaps shrugging it off and go meet the committee from the North. But she knew it would be useless, if there was someone who knew her very well, that was Aurora. Besides, she didn't like lying to her.

"No." She answered glancing down at Aurora. "But you need not to worry, Beastie."

"You know I worry, mother." Aurora said. "You…You deserve to be happy and I hate that instead of getting better you seem to be getting worse."

It was true.

Aurora had been but a child when the war had stirred to its final and disastrous end. She didn't remember most of it but, what she didn't remember her aunties and other humans and magical creatures filled in with their stories. And, as soon as she turned fifteen years old Maleficent had filled in the blank spaces. Her father, King Stefan, had been an ambitious and cruel man; he had played with the affections of the future Queen of the Kingdom, Queen Leah, and with the faery protector of The Moors, Maleficent. Stefan and Maleficent had been friends from an early age, but Stefan was consumed by greed and soon, her forgot his friendship and whatever affection he felt for the faery. His ambitions had taken him to marry Queen Leah and then to betray Maleficent. He drugged Maleficent to take her wings, the symbol of her power, and to take from her the symbol of what Maleficent thought was True Love. Her child.

Stefan had tried to take over the Moors and its beauty asking for help from King Henry, declaring that his daughter was the rightful protector of the Moors and, as such, their rightful queen. No one knew the real parentage of the child but Queen Leah, Maleficent and Stefan himself. To say Queen Leah didn't try to stop the madness would be false, for the woman knew the pain of losing a child. She had tried to do something but, as soon as she showed signs of rebellion the King planned her dismissed.

Human ambition knew not boundaries and so, King Henry had tried to help. Maleficent, in her rage, had tried to take revenge and in the end, the war only brought pain with King Stephan killing King Henry and Maleficent ending with Stephan's life.

Aurora had been three years old when she was reunited with her biological mother and her adoptive mother was dying. The human queen had cried for her husband's sins, for her naivety but most of all for those three years of life she had taken from mother and daughter. Maleficent forgave and tried to forget; she stayed with her daughter in the human castle and took over the Kingdom when the former queen died. With Stefan gone and his wife dead, it was up to Aurora to take over the Kingdom but, until she was of age it was Maleficent who took over the title of Queen Regent uniting under her wings and crown The Moors and the Human Kingdom.

Aurora knew her mother had loved her father. She knew of the nights in which Maleficent would cry for what she lost, or for those days in which she would feel lonely. Aurora had watched her mother govern with justice but always denying herself the chance to let anyone but Aurora near her. The young girl hugged her mother and Maleficent couldn't help but smile at her little girl.

"You shouldn't worry, Beastie. I'm fine, just a little tired." Said Maleficent. "Perhaps, after this tedious meeting with Henry's grandson I'll go flying for a little while."

Aurora's eyes lit up, "Oh, Mother, I love watching you fly! And I know it makes you feel better. Perhaps, you can go to The Moors? And, since the King is nothing like his father or grandfather, we could take him to The Moors and show him the beauty of the faery realm."

"I believe it is possible, Beastie. Now, come, let's meet the new monarch."

The main hall was magnificent.

It held marble pillars with decorations of silver and blue. The torches were positioned to surround the room and it was obvious there was some kind of magic working to make the palace well illuminated.

The young King stood in the middle of the hall with his men behind him. He looked around pleasantly surprise waiting for the Queen to come to him; he felt nervous, this would be the first time he would met Queen Maleficent in her halls. He hadn't forgotten the beauty of the woman; he couldn't forget her smile or her beautiful wings.

They heard footsteps.

The royal guard was made of two men and two strange, tree-like creatures. There were some murmurs coming from the committee, the young King himself opened his eyes eying the creatures amazed at their height and form. The two soldiers look like trees and yet, their expression was a ferocious one. He heard some of his men unsheathed their swords; he lifted a hand glaring at them.

"At ease, put your swords back in." The men tensed but did as told.

"Wise advice, your Majesty."

Maleficent appeared from behind one of the pillars. Her eyes gleamed dangerously as her lips curled up in a smile. She stepped forward, her staff touching the floor with a tap as she advanced towards the monarch. Her wings brushed against the floor, with a young girl of golden hair and fair features; the girl had deep blue eyes who were glancing around in curiosity. Diaval swallowed discretely, he advanced with his arms behind his back his eyes completely focused on the faery coming his way.

"Queen Maleficent," Aroh stepped forward bowing respectfully at Maleficent, the woman nodded in acknowledgement her eyes fixated in the King. "Princess Aurora, let me present to you King Diaval, son of Lucciano, son of King Henry, King of the Northern lands and the Realm of Blackwings."

Maleficent stopped in front of King Diaval; the both of them eyed each other never once breaking the eye contact that had been established the moment Maleficent appeared. Diaval gifted Maleficent with a half-smile, his hand lifting to take Maleficent's one; the Queen raised an eyebrow offering her hand for Diaval to kiss.

"My Lady, as always, the stories about your beauty do not give you justice." Diaval said placing his lips on top of Maleficent's hand. "It is a light in my life whenever I get to see you."

Maleficent felt a shiver travel down her back, her face warming slightly at the intense stare coming from the King; Aura observed the interaction with growing interest hiding her smile behind her hand. This wasn't the first time they saw the man, it certainly wasn't the first time he said the same thing to her, Maleficent hated the fact his words, his smile, his touch always have the same effect on her.

"As always, King Diaval, you are too kind with me. I hope you have a nice trip?" Maleficent replied taking her hand away.

"I did, your Majesty, thank you for asking." Diaval grinned at her.

"Well, then, allowed my people to guide your court to your rooms." Maleficent said. "Today we will celebrate your arrival."

The people around them started moving out, Diaval held up for a moment moving closer to Maleficent. He grabbed her hand again kissing it softly.

"I really am happy to be here, my Lady. It was about time our Kingdoms come together."

"Let us hope we can get to some kind of arrangement for a lasting peace." Maleficent commented concealing her blush, Aurora was grinning happily at the interaction between the both monarchs. Ever since she had met the man, Aurora couldn't help but like him. There was just something about him that made her mother more alive, his presence, his flirty nature irked maleficent and still…Aurora could always spot the blush tingeing her cheeks or the shy gleam in her mother's eyes.

Aurora followed them eyeing their interaction with interested, a small theory taking form inside her mind.

Aurora was highly amused by her mother's reactions.

Maleficent was passing left and right in her room, it was already late into the night everyone had gone to bed but for Maleficent and the young princess. Maleficent because she was annoyed by King's Diaval behavior and Aurora because she was worried about her mother; the meeting had started rather tense, the old rivalries between the Kingdoms had not been forgotten and most of the men Diaval had brought with him were old generals that remembered King Stefan with animosity. King Diaval, however, seemed rather focused in other matters but the ones which brought him before Maleficent in the first place.

King Diaval had taken it upon himself to try and annoy Maleficent accomplishing his task by the end of the night.

"The nerve of that puny human! To try and command me! Me!" Exclaimed Maleficent gesturing with her arms, her wings spreading out violently.

Aurora winced biting her lower lip before interrupting her mother's tirade.

"Mother, I don't think it was his intention." The girl said. "I even think he regretted what he said as soon as he said it."

"Are you protecting him?" Maleficent replied with a hint of betrayal in her voice, Aurora smiled sympathetically at her mother. She stood up placing a soothing hand on top of her mother's one.

"Come on mother; let me brush your hair before I go to bed."

Maleficent allowed her daughter to sit her down, Aurora loved these moments she had with Maleficent. As she grew up their time together had been cut short by their duties as rulers of two realms. The girl smiled softly when she sensed her mother calming a little, tilting her head Aurora thought of what had happened during the meeting and dinner. It seemed to her as if King Diaval was sorely concentrated on her mother, he enjoyed making the Queen blush or she snapped at him with more force than perhaps was necessary for a diplomatic visit. It was some kind of game, to get a reaction out of her mother. But Aurora had also seen the hurt in the King's eyes when her Mother had been unnecessary cold with him, turning her back without even seeing the man was really trying to get closer to her.

"He is just as bad as his grandfather." Maleficent said suddenly, Aurora kept on her task waiting for another comment. "He didn't need to remind us of the war, or how the borders with The Moors were getting rough. Nor did he had to comment on my wings."

"He said they were beautiful." Aurora commented frowning.

"He was mocking them."

"Mother, how was he mocking them?" Aurora asked curiosity tingeing her voice.

Maleficent pursed her lips watching her reflection in the mirror, Aurora locked her eyes with her and the young girl was surprise to see a faint red on her mother's cheeks. The faery turned her head hating the weakness in her.

"He just mocked them. He mocked me."

Aurora softened her features; she turned around lifting her mother's chin smiling gently at her. Maleficent felt her heart warm at the sight of Aurora; she was the only thing that kept Maleficent believing in love. Her little girl had grown beautiful, kind and generous; everyone who met her loved her instantly just as she tended to love everyone she met. Maleficent accepted her hug, and smile softly when Aurora placed a kiss on her forehead before going to bed.

"Mother," Maleficent turned to Aurora, the girl was watching her with a strange look in her eyes.

"Yes?"

"When you're flying I want you to think that, perhaps, King Diaval wasn't mocking you." Said Aurora. "Perhaps, King Diaval sees the same I see in you."

Maleficent furrowed her brows, "And, what is it?"

"That you are beautiful. The man seems really taken by you, and he was upset when you left him so abruptly after dinner." Said Aurora finishing her brushing, the girl smiled softly at her mother admiring her work and just how beautiful Maleficent really looked. Maleficent returned her daughter's smile, shaking her head a little as she stood up shaking her wings.

"And, perhaps, he also sees that you are sad and all you need is the chance to be happy again." Aurora finished just before her mother took off flying into the sky.

Aurora neared the balcony observing how majestic Maleficent looked breaking the solitary night with her form flying away into the sky. The girl embrace herself sighing, she really wished her mother didn't feel so alone or so sad. Aurora wasn't a fool, she knew what day was. The day Stefan had stolen Maleficent's heart. The day he also betrayed her.

Aurora was about to go to her room when a peculiar sight called her attention, she narrowed her eyes and was slightly puzzle when she saw a raven flying from one of the lower windows following the same path Maleficent had taken.

The wind on her face was fresh and rejuvenating.

Maleficent closed her eyes, a tiny smile gracing her lips as she flew faster through the sky. The sound of the wind in her ears accompanied the soft caress on her skin, leaning to her right side she turned around with a brush of her wings against the sky. It was then, with her back to the ground, that she opened her eyes. Those multicolored eyes of hers fixated themselves in the stars twinkling merrily in the night sky.

Up in the summer night, Maleficent let go of all her thoughts. She gave herself to flying fluttering her wings from time to time to propel herself forward travelling in the air while forgetting her worries, the sadness in her heart, and the loneliness of her soul. While flying, she forgot the heaviness in her heart, her wings carried her to the headwinds bringing her a freedom she sometimes forgot she had.

Maleficent's fly was suddenly interrupted by a caw to her side. The faery tilted her head to the source of the sound, her eyes falling upon the form of a dark bird approaching her from her right side. Maleficent frowned quite surprised for being interrupted in such a manner. Not even once, not since she was but a child had she shared her flying time with any creature, magical or not, in the air. Not even Aurora. Yet, here it was this raven, cawing melodically and following her really close.

The raven cawed again and again, his wings moved swiftly but surely until he was just a head away from Maleficent. He moved his body, shivering ahead of Maleficent while balancing his wings and tail, his head tilted as he opened his mouth to caw again. Maleficent could observe those black feathers, smooth and clean, shone into the night. His magnificent form was bigger than average and he flew the same way Maleficent did. As if he belonged in the skies.

The raven slowed his flapping turning his head slightly so one of his eyes could locked with Malefcient's ones. The faery saw intelligence there, she noticed the emotions shining brightly from the black eye but she couldn't classify those emotions. The raven inclined his head singing with a different tone, spurring his wings as he started flying in circles around Maleficent. Several times he flew forward and then back to where Maleficent was and, for a few minutes Maleficent frowned puzzle until she could tell there was mischief in those black eyes.

"Are you daring me?" She asked her lips curling upwards, her eyebrow arching when the raven seemed to nod at her.

The raven cawed again twirling around, Maleficent couldn't help it. She laughed. She laughed as she followed the raven, smirking while twirling around and propelling herself with her wings. The raven seemed pleased by this he approached her brushing his wings against hers before moving forward. Maleficent shook her head, feeling playful all of a sudden.

"You don't know who you are messing with, Raven." Maleficent said and suddenly she flapped her wings flying away.

Maleficent smirked her mind wrapping itself in the excitement of the race. Her eyes drifted to the side from time to time, only to see her feathery companion flying alongside with her matching her speed without any difficulty. This almost made her falter, the surprised and puzzlement towards the raven only growing as he matched her pace.

Maleficent had always prided herself of being the fastest faery in The Moors. No other bird or creature had ever dared to fly near her, or to challenge her to a race. No one had even been capable of keeping up with her…yet, this raven…

The night advanced and with it their little race, by now Maleficent had realized her smile had only grew and the thoughts regarding her worries had been forgotten. She allowed herself a rest of her heartache, she forgot the betrayal and the anger. She forgot her loneliness.

For the first time ever since she was a child, Maleficent enjoyed flying in a childish manner. She and her dark companion flew through the sky making pirouettes into the sky. They competed to see who would get the upper hand and Maleficent heard herself laughing while prodding her wings to move faster. Maleficent didn't know how long had it been since she found the raven, but when she turned her eyes to the dark firmament the moon was already up in the highest point, bright and cold overseeing her fly.

Maleficent leaned down, inclining her head she threw herself to the earth until she landed majestically on a high hill. She stepped on the ground with the raven landing on a down branch; she turned around eying him for a long moment before smiling at him.

"You are an amazing flyer, Raven." She commented turning around and working on a leaf, she filled it with fresh water sensing the raven's eyes on her. It was a peculiar feeling, if she was honest, for the raven didn't seem to have anything else to observe but her.

The raven cawed shaking his body; he spread his wings as soon as Maleficent approached him placing the leaf with water right beside him. The raven bowed earning himself a half-smile from the woman who sat beside him under her willow, a wooden cup on her hand.

"You are full of surprises, aren't you?" Maleficent commented chuckling lowly.

Maleficent rest her back against the willow, she dropped her head on the trunk closing her eyes slightly. The night was warm, the air was fresh against her skin and the water felt refreshing on her thirsty throat. She tilted her head and observed as her black companion drank eagerly enjoying his drink as well as the night. Or, was it her company? She eyed the raven with her curiosity about him still intact.

Her mind soon brought thoughts of Aurora, how much she would enjoy meeting the raven. Her sweet little girl certainly had a soft spot for all the creatures in the Moors. It didn't take long for Maleficent to remember Aurora's words; sometimes she wondered who was the adult of the two of them for Aurora seemed to always worry about her and had the right words for her mother. She remembered what Aurora had said about King Diaval and she pursed her lips.

"As if." She mumbled hating just how empty her heart felt; hating that piercing pain she got on her chest every time she thought about hope.

Maleficent had met some people ever since she became the Queen Regent. Some of them had tried to court her, but their intentions had always been the same. They wanted something from her: power, magic, her body, Aurora. There was never something real, something purer in their intentions. And Maleficent had learnt that people would always ask something of her, not caring if perhaps, the faery may want to feel cared for. To feel Loved.

After Stefan, after everything she lived with him and she felt for him, Maleficent had made peace with the fact she was destined to be alone. She knew her broken heart would never be whole again, she understood the wound inflicted by Stefan, by his words and his betrayal, would never be healed. She had given everything she was, everything she had and had lost it all.

No, that was a lie. She hadn't lost it everything. Aurora was the light of her life; she was the only one who warm her cold heart and the one who accompanied her lonely soul. Maleficent had made the impossible to assure her daughter would be happy. She had made sure Aurora grew to become a just and kind queen. Her sixteenth named day was approaching and, as such, the young woman was ready to take over the Kingdom. Maleficent didn't need anyone as long as she has Aurora.

Her mind pulsated with memories of another kind, another warm she felt when black eyes locked with hers. Maleficent pursed her lips glaring at the sky when her mind refused to dissipate the image of King Diaval smiling at her, King Diaval praising her, King Diaval watching her as if she was a dream come true for him. Maleficent knew the warm this man brought to her heart was a dangerous one, it didn't matter how pleasant and comforting it felt.

The sound of a beak closing and opening several times called her attention. She opened a single eye to see the raven closer to her tilting his head while opening and closing his beak. He broke the silence fallen between them when Maleficent started thinking too hard. His head tilted to one side making sure his eye sought hers. The raven lifted his face and caw a couple of times making Maleficent smile softly at him. She stretched her hand caressing the soft plumage from the raven, the raven shivered and cawed softly nodding at her.

Maleficent blinked noticing something warm rolling down her cheeks; she gasped lifting her free hand to wipe away her tears.

"Oh, this…this is nothing. Don't need to worry about it." She mumbled giving the raven a half-smile; she started petting him again while humming a soft melody she heard once upon a dream.

Aroh stood away, moving himself from the shadows. His old eyes followed the figure entering the balcony of the guest's room offered to King Diaval. It was a male figure, partially naked approaching the Royal bed. The old man moved making his presence known by a clearing of his throat; the shadow tensed stopping his movements. There was a moment of silence, the shadow kept on giving his back to the old man whereas the old man kept his sharp eyes on him.

"It is very late, my Lord, where were you?"

Diaval winced hearing the fatherly concern and reproach behind Aroh's voice. He must have known he wouldn't get away with his night escapes, not when Aroh knew of his real intentions for coming to the Dawnlands Realm. The monarch turned around hanging his head to the side; he snorted approaching a chair close to the window and finally sitting there. Aroh imitated his King, sitting right in front of him with his eyes still gauging every reaction from the man in front of him.

"I was…out, Aroh. Enjoying the fresh air." Diaval commented turning his head to the open window.

"Diaval." The warning in his voice was enough, but the use of his name instead of his title told Diaval just how worried Aroh was.

"I couldn't help it, Aroh." Diaval said shaking his head; he placed his elbow on the armchair, letting his chin rest on his open palm. "She hates me! You see her today at dinner or when we meet! Every word, every compliment…she doesn't remember me! And she really despises the 'me' she met years later and who I represent."

"You're not your grandfather, my Lord." Said Aroh dropping his eyes. "That's why our people love you. Queen Maleficent, well, she has suffered greatly and she is also the head of a great Kingdom, it is normal she feels so protective."

"She is beautiful." Diaval said suddenly, his whole demeanor softening, the smile on his face growing wistfully.

Aroh frowned gravely, fidgeting in his chair, "My Lord is seeing Queen Maleficent through the eyes of the ra…"

"Don't!" Diaval turned to Aroh in anger. "Don't go around blaming my feelings on the raven's nature. Aroh, they mate for life they don't fall in love! Never tried to minimize my feelings with what is partially my nature; I don't need to feel love for the female I chose to build a nest and procreate!"

Aroh inclined his head, "I apologize, my Lord."

Diaval dropped his shoulders, "I know what everyone is thinking. I know everyone is waiting for me to take a wife and continue the Royal Line. Some are expecting that my nature would press me to choose a partner. What is love for a monarch who must abide to his people wishes?"

"Nothing, my Lord." Answered Aroh sadly. "You are correct in assuming most of us thought, perhaps, you would have found by now a suitable partner. Your mating time has already covered many springs."

"It has, yes." Said Diaval turning to watch the night sky, the King let his misery show as his thoughts go back to the cold treatment from Maleficent. As Diaval thought of his duties, of the lack of recognition from the Queen; he sighed shaking his head.

"She didn't see oppose to the idea of a raven flying with her, though." Diaval said in bittersweet contemplation.

"Diaval, you cannot go around transforming at will in this land." Said Aroh. "You cannot chase a dream anymore. We are here to establish a formal, lasting peace with the Dawnlands. I know of your feelings for the Queen, but your Kingdom needs you."

"And I am at the service of my Kingdom, Aroh. I haven't forgotten." Diaval replied gravely.

"I know, Diaval. I know." Said the old man smiling at his protégée. "Just remember this, if the Queen finds out you're a raven and that you have been flying with her, even for a night, she may feel betrayed."

"I know of this as well."

Aroh stood up bowing to his King before walking towards the door; he stopped briefly tilting his head so his words reached Diaval.

"Remember why we are here, my Lord. And ask yourself this, what if Queen Maleficent doesn't return your affections." Aroh shook his head sadly at the prospect. "After all, many have called King Stefan her one True Love and fairies only fall in love once in their lives."

Diaval huffed angrily as the door close behind Aroh. He placed his cheek against his hand with his black eyes gleaming into the night. He had heard the stories, of course; Diaval had seen the love Maleficent professed to Stefan once. Something inside Diaval stirred in pain, his thoughts brought back the images of a carefree Maleficent in her youth. Even then she was beautiful, stunning with grace and kindness, her heart was just as warm as the smile gracing her lips. Her eyes were pools of earthly colors showing the inside of her soul. Her hair was smooth, straight and silky to the eye, falling like a cascade on her back. And her wings…they were magnificent.

Diaval fell in love with her on their first meeting.

Even if she didn't remember him, his heart had already pledged to the faery who had showed him kindness when all he ever got was hatred and fear from those he called father and grandfather. He had stepped away when the rumors of Stefan capturing her heart spread like wildfire in the Moors and the black forest of Blackwings. Diaval remembered watching from afar her happy features, the love coming out of her for the man standing at her side.

A soft breeze sneaked inside the room, he lifted his face to the silver moon in the sky and decided to go to bed. He had come to the Dawnland Realm with one hope in his heart: try to win Maleficent's heart. To try and make her happy.

But Aroh was also right. He was King now and he had a duty with his people. For now, Diaval decided to ignore the parting words from Aroh; he still couldn't wear the thought that perhaps Maleficent was destined to love only once.