Aurora


 * This article focuses on the character Princess Aurora. For the fairytale, see Sleeping Beauty (Fairytale).

"Choose carefully. It's dangerous to confused justice to vengeance."

- Mulan to Aurora

Princess Aurora, also known as Sleeping Beauty, is a recurring character on Once Upon a Time. She makes her début in the first episode of the second season. She is portrayed by guest Sarah Bolger, and does not have a Storybrooke counterpart.

Princess Aurora is based on the titular character from the fairytale, Sleeping Beauty.

History
At some point, Aurora was afflicted with the Sleeping Curse by Maleficent. Aurora mentions that before Maleficent tried to curse Aurora, she "went after" Aurora's mother. Back when Regina came to Maleficent to get back the dark curse, she reminisces over how Sleeping Beauty had bested Maleficent in the past. The Sleeping Beauty Regina refers to was Princess Aurora's mother.

It is unknown how she was cursed, but she began her slumber less than a year before the casting of the Dark Curse. The palace in which she slumbered was untouched by the curse. While she slumbered, Prince Phillip and Mulan journeyed to find her. They were frozen for 28 years while the Curse was in effect, but were able to resume their search after Emma Swan weakened the Curse in Storybrooke. ("Broken")

Aurora is awakened by Prince Phillip with True Love's Kiss, accompanied by Mulan. Soon after he is marked by a Wraith, but keeps it a secret from Mulan and Aurora. He sneaks away from them to sacrifice himself for them and succeeds, having his soul sucked out right before Aurora and Mulan's eyes. Aurora is devastated, and comes to the conclusion that Mulan has feelings for Phillip. They bring Phillip back to Aurora's resting place, and Mulan explains the curse to Aurora. Then they hear a noise, and find Emma Swan and Mary Margaret Blanchard unconscious under a pile of rubble. ("Broken")

Aurora and Mulan ride away from the palace, and force Emma and Mary Margaret to walk behind them with their hands tied together. They reach a safe haven where many survivors are gathered. Mary Margaret tries to make a run for it by kicking down Aurora, but Mulan uses a weapon to bring her down. Then both of them are thrown into a pit. ("We Are Both")

Mary Margaret and Emma are later brought out of the pit because the survivor group's leader wants to speak to them. The leader turns out to be Lancelot. Aurora remarks to Mulan that she doesn't trust Lancelot. She also holds the two newcomers to blame for Phillip's death. Mulan warns her against seeking vengeance, but when her back is turned, Aurora grasps a knife tightly in her hands.

Only Mulan is asked by Lancelot to accompany Mary Margaret and Emma on their journey to find their way home, but Aurora secretly tags along. When Mary Margaret is alone, she seizes the opportunity to hold the knife at her neck. Aurora makes it clear she's responsible for Phillip being gone, but Mary Margaret easily overcomes her, and pins Aurora to the ground. Mary Margaret says she knows what it's like to lose someone, too, but that she is not to blame. Mulan and Emma return to see what is going on. Emma is furious that Aurora tried to kill Mary Margaret, but Mulan says she will deal with Aurora on her own terms. Later, Mulan is seen telling Aurora to keep up and that it is her own fault for being cold as she should have stayed on the island. Emma takes pity on Aurora and gives her her jacket to keep her warm. At the castle, Aurora and Mulan keep guard at the gate. Later, Aurora agrees to help Mary Margaret and Emma with trying to find another way home as it will give her a chance to channel her anger. ("Lady of the Lake")

Trivia

 * During casting, Aurora was code-named "Anastasia."
 * The casting call described her as a princess who "could be mistaken for a spoiled rich girl."
 * She is the fourth Disney Princess to appear in the show.
 * Unlike her Disney counterpart, Aurora in the show is a brunette and wears purple, rather than the Disney version who has blonde hair and wears either bright blue or bright pink.
 * There is a spinning wheel at the foot of her bier. This is an homage to how she pricked her finger on the spindle and fell into a cursed slumber in the fairytale.
 * Aurora is the Latin word for "dawn".