Old Magic
It’s a particularly beautiful night, Maleficent thought sourly. If only she could enjoy it. But she had given her words, and Tine had come rushing to collect the moment he could. Arse. Maleficent had never wanted to throttle him so badly.
“Does it hurt?”
Maleficent looked at the boy lying on his back.
“Does what hurt?” she asked gently.
“Dying,” he was looking at the stars. There is a certain calmness in the forest that he adores. Charlotte was wandering around freely. Tine doesn’t mind. From now onwards, Charlotte is free for all he care. Maybe she can run around with Maleficent’s unicorns. “Do you know?”
“I don’t.” She sat next to him. “Tine, there is still time…you don’t have to do this.”
“I think I do,” he smiled. “But I have no regrets, Mal. I do have people that care about me greatly. It’s just that…” he hesitated slightly. “In the grand scheme of things, I believe this is the best ending.”
“You are stupid, you know that?” she said angrily. “I am almost convinced I should just fly off and abandon you.”
Tine laughed. “You love me too much.”
“I wish it’s enough for the magic,” she said, her eyes misty. “Tine, I can’t help you from here. I would die for you, but I can’t help you anymore. I can’t answer my own magic.”
“It’s fine, Mal,” he closed his eyes. “It’s just like a deep sleep.”
“So, sleep, Tine,” she laid beside him, her head on his chest. “Sleep, and wake up again, I beg you.”
Sarawat didn’t think there was any issue when he woke up alone that morning. Sure, he missed the comfort of Tine’s warmth, but that’s not a problem to him.
He found the the rest of his friends at the dining hall for breakfast. From the table, he could see Type looking at him, eyebrows furrowed when he didn’t see Tine walking behind Sarawat.
He had started to feel anxious then.
Fong was just looking up from his breakfast, asking where’s Tine when the door opened with a bang. All eyes turned towards the door where a woman with long, blond hair and in an all black long dress walked in.
It was reflex. He could hear the sound of a hundred sword clashing, and men shouting. Even the King had stood up, hand reaching for the sword by his side.
“Maleficent,” he growled. “What do you want?”
The woman looked at him, her face fierce. “I’m not here for you,” she spat. She turned around. A man walked behind her, his red eyes sharp and aware.
And he has Tine in his arms, nestled against his body.
“TINE!” Type ran down. “Tine!”
Sarawat rushed and stood behind Type, but his body froze, and he was unable to move. He looked at Type, realissing that the Pasha was in a similar trance.
“Back off!” the black witch screamed. “Don’t come close!”
“What have you done, you monster?” Type yelled. Sarawat had never seen Type so unraveled.
“Nothing more than what the young prince asked of me,” she walked ahead. People made way for her, as if by magic until she stood in front of Pam. The soldiers tried getting to her, but to no avail.
Maleficent bowed. “Princess, I remember you,” she held out her hand. There was a bright light, and Pam blinked and looked at herself. “I undo my curse on you, herein and forthwith. May the Old Magic bless you hereinafter.”
The King looked at her, bewildered. Maleficent turned and walked towards her manservant. She leaned over close to Tine’s face and looked at him sadly.
“You idiot,” she muttered. “Sorcery of the far and old, hear my plea, I give to you this gentle soul, awaken him when his love calls.”
“No!” Type yelled. “What are you doing? Tine!”
Maleficent kissed the Prince’s forehead and looked at the court sourly.
“Trust me, I prefer the earlier arrangement,” she hissed. “But this dumb idiot right here pushes me to transfer the princess’ curse to him.” She laughed.
“He came to me, and I rejected him. But he was on his knees, begging and begging. And I can’t say no to Tine.” She paced, and looked at the faces in front of him. “I made him a deal. One day with everyone that he loves, and if he still feels the same, if he still feels that he is worth more dead, then I shall entertain his request. I made an oath, and Tine came claiming it yesterday. It’s almost remarkable how a whole bunch of people can convince him that his life here doesn’t matter.”
“Tine…” Sarawat called softly, staring at the sleeping man. “Tine,” he whispered, his heart breaking. Does Tine really think so lowly of himself?
Regret filled him instantaneously. He knew Tine was acting weird yesterday, and yet he didn’t take the time to convince Tine that he is loved, that he is needed.
That Sarawat wants Tine, in his life, forever.
“He doesn’t mind dying. But I do mind losing this idiot,” she looked sharply at them. “So I’m giving this a shot. I love Tine, and I don’t believe his assessment of his self-worth. I will leave him here, and I will come on the dawn of the 7th day. Once the moon set on the 7th night, I shall have my answer and I will take him and bury him in my own kingdom.”
“Madam,” Fong said, his voice wavering. “How? How do we wake him?”
“Is it the same condition?” Type demanded. “True love’s kiss?” He looked at Sarawat, almost pleadingly.
“None of that true love’s kiss bullcrap.” She had her hand on Tine, and she kept glancing back at him. “This is Old Magic. It decides for itself how much you love him. Rhaegar,” she said softly. “Hand over Tine, I believe our work here is done.”
Sarawat could feel the magic letting him go. Type wavered, but lunged forward. Rhaegar flinched, but released Tine’s sleeping form to Type.
Maleficent looked at Tine, and the desperation in her eyes were obvious. “I shall take my leave now.” She bared her fangs and hissed. “Don’t disappoint me.”