DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sofia the First nor do I claim to. I just like the show and wanted to write a little something for it. However, I do own the OC Zwick as well as the concept of the Rune Mage I'll be using for this story.
_[ STORY ]_
The yearly Wassailia ball was mere hours away and Baileywick the Enchancian Steward flew around the castle making final preparations. He is behind schedule the previous night his trusty pocket watch had given up the ghost, but with a little help from Sofia, the last of the decorations went up minutes before the guests flooded into the ballroom.
"Thank you, Princess Sofia. Without your assistance, none of these would have been ready on time," Baileywick said to the girl.
"Well I am your Junior Assistant Steward," Sofia told him, "I better get ready, before Amber gets ahold of me," she joked heading out of the room at a jog past her father.
"Baileywick you've outdone yourself this year," Roland praised coming over to the man.
Other guests gathered around as well, showering the man with compliments, as each came he repeated how Sofia had been instrumental in the finishing of such a display. After a few moments, those gathered departed to the various tables covered in food and games that lined the room, Baileywick used the laps to breathe. He walked the border of the ballroom giving orders to the servants when needed or helping the guest.
Sofia rejoined the group and came over to him, a small box cradled in her arms.
"Welcome back Princess," Baileywick greeted, "I hope you made it to your chambers without incident?" he added with a smile folding his hands behind his back.
Sofia giggled, "yep. I know it's early, but this is for you happy Wassailia Baileywick," she told him handing the box to him.
"Princess Sofia you didn't have to get me anything," he told her.
"Technically it's from Amber, James, and myself," Sofia said, "besides why would we not get you something," she smiled, "your family."
He shook his head smiling, "thank you, Princess," he said reaching for it before he could take it another servant came to him with a letter for the King.
"Could you hold on to that a moment longer," Baileywick asked Sofia well taking the letter.
"Of course," she said tucking the box back under her arm.
"Thank you, I'll be only a moment," Baileywick said walking to the middle of the ballroom where Roland was talking with a half dozen other rulers.
"Pardon the intrusion, Your Majesty's," Baileywick said with a bow, "a letter has arrived for you my King," he added handing the envelope to Roland.
"Thank you, Baileywick," Roland thanked opening the letter.
Roland fiddled with the letter, as Baileywick stood by waiting for orders a small glimmer caught his attention, looking to the upper balcony he saw another glint of dwindling sunlight was captured in the metallic surface of an arrowhead, the bowman partially concealed behind a pillar. His eyes widened, he'd served under two monarchs and knew an assassin when he saw one. This time though there was no sorcerer to save the King.
The figure realizing they had been made jumped out into the light and released their arrow, Baileywick pushed Roland to the ground shouting out a call of warning to those around them. Guards poured into the room, as guests ran out the doors or took cover under tables.
Constable Miles bolted for the King when he arrived, "Your Majesty, are you alright?" Miles asked.
Roland rubbed at his head where it had collided with the tiled floor, "I'm fine, get Miranda and the children to safety," Roland ordered, but they were already gone from the ballroom.
"Sire, it would wise for you to go as well," Baileywick said to the King's right.
Roland turned to his Steward and shock crossed his face, "MY GOD, BAILEYWICK," Roland screamed when he saw the arrow meant for him embedded deep into the flesh of his Steward's shoulder, he scrambled to his feet and helped the older man up.
"Constable Miles, please escort his Majesty to safety," Baileywick said between clenched teeth, grabbing at the wound out of reflex.
Both Miles and Roland were hesitant, "go I will head to the medical ward, but only when I know you are on the way to safety," Baileywick told Roland knowing that would make the King leave and it did.
Miles and a half dozen other guards took the King from the ballroom a few servants that had remained and not chased after the invader or took cover, approached the injured man offering assistance.
"I'm alright, everyone back to your stations and get things cleaned up," Baileywick ordered clutching the wound tighter in an attempt to stem the flow of crimson fluid.
A young man named Eric escorted Baileywick to Dr. Zwick, he had given a towel to the older man to use around the wound it was soaked through when they arrived.
Eric threw the door open startling the physician, who spun around from where he was reorganizing a cabinet and about to reprimand the one who entered, but the words died in his throat.
"Mother of the Almighty," Zwick exclaimed, "why the hell are you walking around? You should have stayed still and called for me, you fool," he added leading Baileywick to an exam table, the Steward was too light headed to argue.
Roland paced the floor well his wife sat on the sofa, their children camped out in front of the fireplace. They had been taken to an inner room with no windows and had spent the last few hours there, the door surrounded by a heavy guard on both sides.
Miranda stood and joined her husband, "Roly what's wrong?" she asked taking his hand.
Roland hadn't told her or the children about Baileywick, he didn't want too until he received news, "It's nothing dear," he lied, watching slightly from a pounding headache he had.
Miranda's eyes narrowed at him, "your hiding something," she said.
"I don't have all the information," Roland told her, turning away.
"Roland," her tone left no question of what she wanted.
Roland knowing he had no choice, lead her to the other side of the room, "it's Baileywick, he...took an arrow meant for me," he whispered to her, she gasped, "he's been around as long as I can remember, I don't know what to do if…
"All we can do is have faith," she said wrapping her arms around his waist.
"First Cedric, now Baileywick…"
"They will both recover, though Baileywick much sooner I'd have to say."
"Thank you, for calming my nerves," Roland cooed drawing his wife in closer, who snuggled into his chest.
_[ TO BE CONTINUED ]_
Note: This story will be three parts one today, one for Christmas eve and the third on Christmas day. Hope you enjoyed!
