[ WP ] Two people promise their first born child to two different witches in return for a favour . These two people end up getting married and have a child together .

`` This,'' Maleficent said, `` is very problematic.'' 
 
 Faye nodded. `` I do n't suppose you can wait until the second child?'' 
 
 `` No, the spell's very specific. Same for you?'' 
 
 The short, round-faced witch nodded. `` Afraid so.'' 
 
 They both turned to the couple cowering against the wall. `` How exactly do you intend to pay us?'' Maleficent said. 
 
 The woman, who had mousy hair but a preternaturally perfect body, squeaked nervously. Her husband, also rather plain except for his stunningly athletic physique, stammered, `` We-we-we did n't think that *both* of us would --'' 
 
 `` Would be so idiotic as to promise your firstborn to a witch?'' Faye said acidly. 
 
 Maleficent tsked. `` Poor unfortunate souls.'' 
 
 `` They chose their own fates. It's the child I feel sorry for.'' 
 
 `` Any chance it'll be twins?'' Maleficent mused. 
 
 Faye paused for a moment, head cocked intently, and then shook her head. `` No. There's only two life forces.'' 
 
 `` Two?'' the woman said. `` Does n't that mean twi --'' 
 
 `` Here's a hint,'' Maleficient snapped. `` If I kill you, there'll be one life force left. And it's looking tempting, brat, if I do n't get the firstborn I was promised. *Gods*, what a waste of magic.'' 
 
 `` I have a lawyer who owes me a favor,'' Faye said. 
 
 `` You want to bring *lawyers* into this? Faye, I thought we were friends!'' 
 
 `` Not to sue you. Your claim was established first, I think, it'd go badly for me. Just to see if he can clear some of this up.'' 
 
 `` Your word he wo n't try to weasel me out of my due.'' 
 
 `` I swear,'' Faye said. 
 
 `` Fine, call him.'' 
 
 ________________________________________ 
 
 `` Elle, Mother Maleficent is picking you up in five minutes; do you have everything?'' 
 
 `` *Yes*, Mama,'' the twelve-year-old said impatiently. `` I told you twice already.'' 
 
 `` When I picked you up, you forgot all of your dresses,'' Faye said, arching an eyebrow. 
 
 `` That's because Mother was making a raven talk and I was distracted. I remembered right away when we were on the broom.'' 
 
 `` *After* I took off.'' 
 
 Rapunzel -- Elle -- rolled her eyes. Faye was worried that this would become a habit, as she had heard from mothers of teenagers. Elle was vivacious and generally obedient, but she had seen her friends' children degenerate into sullen and insatiable slouches practically overnight. 
 
 Not that Elle was her daughter, Faye reminded herself. 
 
 `` Mother Maleficent already knows you're grounded, so do n't even think about trying it, young lady.'' 
 
 Elle glared. `` I was n't in danger.'' 
 
 `` You could have been. Cognitive bias called outcome bias; do n't use it. The fact that it turned out okay does n't mean that hanging upside down from your broom was n't a stupid and dangerous decision.'' Faye finished stirring the bubbling pale-blue cauldron. `` Arm, please.'' 
 
 The girl huffed but extended her arm, and Faye carefully cut her palm until a few drops of blood fell out and into the potion. She mixed it in as Elle applied a dab of cream to her hand, the cut healing almost instantly into nonexistence. 
 
 Just then, Maleficent appeared in a billow of green smoke. `` Ready to go, love?'' 
 
 `` Mal,'' Faye said, `` you remember that thing we talked about earlier? I looked into them, and it's not a good idea.'' 
 
 Maleficient's nose wrinkled disdainfully. `` I presumed as much. What kind of incompetent idiots were they, anyway.'' 
 
 `` It's worse. There's another, a boy, maybe ten. He's -- not doing well. None of them are.'' 
 
 `` I have a brother?'' Elle shrieked, and both witches jumped. 
 
 `` Um,'' Faye said. 
 
 `` Smooth, Faye.'' Maleficent turned to the shocked twelve-year-old. `` Elle-girl, your mama and I need to discuss this some more, and we need to, um, *talk* with your biological parents before we go any further with this.'' 
 
 `` Can we rescue him, Mama, can we, please, please?'' Elle begged, ignoring Maleficent. `` I can teach him how to make potions and fly on a broomstick and talk to cats! And they were mean, those people you made me see once, we ca n't just leave him there! He's already been there fore ten years!'' 
 
 Faye sighed. `` We'll talk about it, darling. Your mother and I are very aware of his situation, and we do n't want to leave him there any more than you do.'' 
 
 `` I'll be good forever, I promise,'' Elle said. 
 
 `` No,'' Maleficent said sharply. When Elle's head snapped around, shocked, she added quickly, `` You should always be good, but we're not going to leave your brother there just because you decided to trample the deadly nightshade in my garden. We're not going to put life-and-death decisions on your shoulders, Elle-girl. That's far too much weight for you right now.'' 
 
 `` Yes, Mother,'' Elle said obediently, although it was obvious that she was just being agreeable in an attempt to win over the witches. 
 
 Faye, to her horror, found herself tempted to roll her eyes.
