Kry: hello my lovelies, I know I know I'm half way through my catalyst arch but I just couldn't stop these plot bunnies! This is goig to be a bit different from my previous story no where near as depressing. Though still quite sad. As a warning there is mentioning a of some serious cradle robbing. But ther wise this should be a fluffy inspirational bit.
Cedric's POV
" Wormy?" I questioned worriedly to the unusually quiet workshop as I hung up my robe on the coat rack behind the door. No sound answered me and I glared at the empty room as I made my way towards my work table. Plopping myself down I to a chair I reached out blindly for my spell book prepared to use this moment of unwanted silence to continue my readings.
After what seemed like hours of rereading the same passage over and over again but was actually only about a half hour, I shoved the thick leather book away into the dusty table and sneered at the offensive dirt.
" I suppose I should clean this place up." I observed while scrunching my nose at the thought. Of course I had been neglecting to keep my workshop cleaned up. It's not that I dislike cleaning per say, but I hadn't had the heart. Sofia had always been the one to keep things picked up, even though she didn't have to and I never asked. It was like she liked to stay busy while she was here.
I hadn't cleaned once since she left, some horribly long four years ago and it was clearly noticeable as I glanced over the small circular room. Books piled around the edges of my table where I had neglected to replace them on the shelf. Dust coated ever surface that I didn't touch on a daily basis and my family wand laid unused inside it's beautifully hand crafted box.
Actually the box was the only thing not coated in dust, even if I didn't open it I touched it everyday. At least once a day I would run one hand longingly across the wooden surface of the childishly designed box, but I couldn't bring myself to open it. I didn't deserve the family wand after what I've done.
Grunting with displeasure I pushed myself away from the cramped table an began to pace, sure the king hadn't requested much magic lately since the children had grown out of any interest in magic and Sofia was still on her diplomatic quest in Freezenburg and even when he did require me to pick up a wand I used my old one.
Of course I couldn't bare to part with the only heirloom I had from my late father. We may not have ever had the best relationship but I loved him just as I knew he loved me. That's why I vowed on the death bed of Goodwyn The Great that I would finally make him proud and be the sorcerer he always wanted me to be... A vow I obviously broke when I finally stole the amulet.
I ran a shaky hand through my oily grey bangs and took a deep breath. Knowing that I needed to calm down I turned to a small wine cabinet and opened it searching for the lightning ale I kept there. The ale was of strong magical qualities and brewed with only the finest ingredients so it didn't take much.
Forcing thoughts of princess Sofia out of my mind I made a double and leaned back against the stone wall as I took a deep and satisfying drink. I felt the slight electrical tingle of the lightning as the warmth of the alcohol made it's way through my chest and sighed happily.
Just then a knock on the door echoed through my sanctuary almost making me drop my glass. I tightened my slender fingers around the cup and begrudgingly made my way to the door.
" what do you want Baileywick?" I snapped as I swung the door open a little too quickly only to be left with my mouth hanging open ungracefully as I took in the sight of the woman before me in all her regal glory even in her night robe.
"Queen Miranda! My apologies your magisty." I bowed respectfully as I stumbled over my own words in nervousness. So late at night I hadn't expected a visit from any of the royals themselves, it would even have been strange for the butler at such an hour.
The queen laughed and waived me up and I took note of the twinkling happiness in her eyes as she made her way over to my desk and sat against the surface in much the same way that her daughter used to.
"What may I do for you at such an hour Queen Miranda?" I asked nervously as I sat my drink down on a smaller table conpletely forgotten. She smiled and her brown eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands around a parchment I hadn't noticed before.
" I just received a letter from Sofia announcing her return from Freezenburg. She is due back in four days and I was hoping that you would be able to preform a magic show at the ball to celebrate her welcome home." She said barely containing her excitment. I know my mouth must be open as I stared at the queen but tha was little concern as I felt the smile spread out across my face betraying the excitment I too felt. Sofia is returning home?
" Yes! I know it's late but I knew that you would need time to prepare for the show and I also knew that news of her return would make you happy Cedric." She answered and I realized I must have asked the question out loud. I looked at the queen apprehensively and she meetly clicked her tongue at me.
"Your magisty?" I stuttered and she shot me a knowing look but didn't comment. I was forced to remember a conversation I was had no choice in having with said queen.
-flashback-
She had cornered me about a year ago, I suppose that a night of loneliness had been harder than most because I woke up on a stone bench deep in the royal gardens.
" Cedric!" Gasped Sofia's mother from behind me and I jumped up quickly. Too quickly, as I swooned forward and had to struggle to to regain my balance. Her eyes widened but she remained her regal stance and let me keep my dignity.
"My apologies Queen Miranda, I was awake late into the night meditating and I must have fallen asleep." I supplied as an excuse and her eyes narrowed to the object in my hand. I forced myself to stay neutral as I lifted the Amulet of Avalor and cradled it delicatly in my hand.
"Did she give the amulet to you? She told me she gave it away..." She trailed off and I nodded at a loss for words and still a little too hung over to keep the sadness off my face. Just the motion of my had bobbing up and down sent stars across my vision but I ground my teeth tighter down.
I held the precious jewel out to her an lowered my gaze. After all I was unworthy of such a gift. I took a part of Sofia away when I took this from her, though she would never admit it I know it's why she really left on her diplomatic mission to Freezenburg. Perhaps if I had handled things differently she wouldn't have left at all...
The woman shook her head and waived her arm out in a similar manner as Sofia would if she were here. I shook my head, clearing my min of thoughts about Sofia. Though I knew it was futile, I was litteraly cursed to never be able to forget her because I stole the amulet from her breaking her heart in the process.
"No, she wants you to keep it. She told me that she gave it away. I just didn't know to whom she had given it to." She said and she stared at me almost in some kind of shock. I fidgeted under her gaze as she watched me like she was trying to solve some mystery.
" I want to give it back." I pleaded almost desperately and shook the necklace only for her to lower her hands and begin to turn to leave. Before she did she stopped and gave me one more look.
"Do you miss sofia? Often times I find myself here when I have her on my mind. This is her secret garden after all." She trailed off and I stared in shock at her bluntness.
"Yes." I admitted against my will as I gazed In to her brown eyes. She smiled and quickly turned making an escape out of the garden. I stared after her for a long time perplexed at what just happened.
-end flashback-
"Ah well, of course I will. That is thank you, I mean... Ugh." I mumbled running a hand through my hair awkwardly at her casual mentioning of my thoughts towards her daughter. Even if she didn't quite grasp exactly how deep that said feelings ran.
" Roland will of course summon you at breakfast to officially announce the party. I thought you would want the extra time to practice so you can dazzle him tomorrow." She said in that tone that made it clear that she knew damn well I needed every second practice seeing as how I barley touched my wand while I wallowed in my own self pity.
I frowned as I thought of what I could do not only to convince the king I was up to the task but to surprise the princess upon her return. Would she even want to see me? Could I possibly do anything amazing enough for her to forgive me and be my friend again. I was too afraid to hope for anything more than that.
I didn't even notice the queen as she left and barely took note as the door clicked closed with a thud. My drink sat forgotten on the small table where I had abandoned it and I ripped open my spell book spending hours researching followed by several attempts with my plain old wand that I had been using.
I heard Wormy caw sounding raspy and tired somewhere behind me as he flew into the window and landed on his perch swiftly. I turned towards him with a genuine smile and saw as his little bird eyes popped open slightly as he took in the sight.
"Wormy, you'll never guess I have excellent news!" I exclaimed as I lowered my wand and ruffled his feathers as I patted his soft feathered head.
"Princess Sofia is coming home." I sighed and watched as he shook his little head in a gesture that told me he didn't care. I chuckled at him and then went back to my work table and began mixing a potion. I had several things that needed preparation and so little time.
Taking one more look behind me at my familiar as he perched himself inside his cage and closed his beady little eyes to rest for the night. I watched his labored breathing and frowned. My poor Wormy was getting old, perhaps I should look up a spell to preserve his youth. After the ball, then I would have plenty of time to worry about it.
Looking at the sky and seeing how far across the sky the moon had shifted I decided that I needed at least a few hours of sleep myself before I had to face the King. Though I hated to sleep I had to be sharp and meditating wasn't goin to give me enough rest so I quickly muttered the words of a sleeping spell and made my way down the spiral stairs and into my private bed chamber that was below my workshop. I quickly disrobed the rest of the way and climbed I to the soft bed.
-dream-
"Cedric." Sang the sweetest voice and I cast my eyes across the darkness to find the force of the angelic noise.
"Princess!" I called but no one answered and I found myself conpletely alone in the never ending nothingness that was my heart. The dreams always started the same way. I wanted to fill this emptiness. To fill this void that had me trapped. I thought of Sofia, I let her bouncing chestnut hair invade my vision and saw the brilliant blue of her large innocent eyes. The porcelain ivory of her soft skin. It was wrong of me to think this way. To feel this way about her when she was only thirteen when I last saw her. When she was only seventeen now. I was twelve years older than her for crying out loud.
But that didn't stop me from loving her. Far too late by the time I realized it. The scenery changed and the darkness ebbed away. I found myself in my workshop just in time for the door to be thrust open and Sofia to launch herself at me.
"I love you Mr Cedric." I heard her say and I remembered the sound of her voice as she said it days before she left on her diplomatic mission.
"What?" I asked with a chuckle as I lightly pushed her away only to see the tension clear in her bright eyes. She fidgeted and her whole face turned red as she studied the stone floors.
"I just wanted you to know." She mumbled and twiddled some of her gown between her slim fingers.
"Well I ah... I love you too." I said in a fatherly tone as I ruffled her hair. We had become quite close over the years and of course I loved her. More than I should seeing my position as the royal sorcerer and the vast gap between our ages but that was itrelevant. To her I was nothing more than a protector, and I was determined to be that person and nothing more. She swatted my hand away and glared up at me, with age had come a bit of an attitude for the youngest princess.
"I don't mean like that Cedric." She sighed and crossed her arms as she faced me and I paled a little. What was she saying?
"Sofia." I half scolded as I dusted my robes off. This caused her to change tactics and her face morphed into a pout as she grabbed fistfuls of my robe in a desperate attempt to gain my attention again.
"No, I know you feel the same!" She yelled as I purposefully avoided her eyes. I had to escape this situation before it escalated too far and I said things I knew that I would regret.
"No princess, I don't. I care for you but your a princess and I work for your father the king. Besides you are just a girl." I said and backed into a wall nervously. She followed my every step until she was pressed against me in a hug.
"Will you wait for me?" She wailed and I looked down shocked to find her crying. Wait for her? What was that suppose to mean?
"Sofia, I don't know where this has come from but you have to realize that it's foolish. There are a hundred reasons why you should never love me and even more reasons why I will never love you." I spat the words out even though it broke some internal part of me I wasn't willing to admit existed. She froze before she backed away.
I couldn't help but stare at her betrayed expression. I hated that I was the one hurting her like this. Even if her confession had come as quite a surprise to me there had always been signs to suggest that the young princess cared more for me than she did for the others.
"This is what you want right, what you've always wanted?" She asked and her eyes narrowed into slits as she stared at me as she lifted the amulet from under her dress. Funny how even at thirteen she was more intimidating than me.
Seeing my eyes trained on the heel she yanked it off her neck snapping the silver chain and thrust it out towards me. My eyes widened and even though I detested every second that passed I felt my hands reach out and grasp the amulet.
"Princess?" I questioned as I held the violet gem in my hand and looked between her impassive face as her tears dried and the glistening surface of the amulet.
" I'm leaving tomorrow Mr Cedric. Now you won't have anything to miss." She said as she gestured towards the amulet and if it was possible her eyes narrowed even further as her brow knit up and she balled her small fists against the fabric of her amethyst colored dress.
My eyes widened as she turned and ran away. I reached out a shaky hand but it was too late the princes was gone, and she wasn't coming back. The last thing I did was hurt poor Sofia, my last memory of her was her whipping her head around one last time to see me standing shocked in the empty workshop. All the anger had washed away from her features leaving only heartbreak.
I looked down at the Amulet of Avalor an it began to glow violet in my hands. The purple mist covered me completely and I felt as if I was lighter for just a moment before the weight of the world slammed on my unprepared shoulders. I looked back up and Sofia was gone. My best friend, the only person who ever really saw me clearly.
I looked back down at the amulet and quietly clasped it around my neck. She was right after all, this is what I wanted long ago. Perhaps if she was leaving it was best for me to let her go.
-end dream-
I shot up and shoved my thick black blanket off of myself. Every night the same dreams plagued me and every moment I spent awake I was forced to remember her. Looking back on it it didn't take me long to realized that the amulet had cursed me for taking something that wasn't mine. For breaking Sofia's heart, now my heart would break every moment until I did the right thing and gave her the amulet back.
I gasped and felt for the gem against my chest and sighed when it was still there warm against my bare skin. I looked at the sky peeking through my window and realized I hadn't slept for more than two hours. But the sun was beginning to rise and knowing I wouldn't get any more sleep anyway I climbed out of bed.
After quickly dressing and running my fingers through my shaggy hair to try and get it as neat as possible, I climbed up the stairs and back into my workshop. Wormy was still asleep in his cage and probably would be for a while yet so I decided to study my spell book so as not to wake him.
I must have lost track of time because the next thing I was aware of was a loud knocking on the door and wormwood's high pitched squawk as he scrambled around in his cage.
"It's open." I yelled and stood up reaching for my familiar inside his cage and whispering for him to calm down. He glared at Baileywick as the man walked inside. I replaced Wormy back in his cage and turned.
"King Roland has asked for you to join the royal family at breakfast." He said looking down at me through his glasses an I nodded and grabbed my wand and followed him down the hall and into the brighter parts of the castle.
"You look well Cedric." He noted looking back at me and I rolled my eyes at him. It's true that he and I had grown a little closer over the years though I wouldn't call us friends. More like casual coworkers.
"You mean I'm not hung over that is." I sneered but he just smirked and clicked his tongue.
"Yes that is indeed an improvement." He said without looking at me and I clamped my mouth shut. I knew I had developed a drinking problem, the only people who were aware of it besides myself were Baileywick and Queen Miranda. To my displeasure there were several occasions where I lost my head in grief over being cursed with never being able to forget Princess Sofia and everything she had done for me compared to just how little I had done to her. Baileywick had found me several times lost in my grief though he had no idea whom I mourned. While the Queen had only seen that side of me twice, I knew that she was aware that it was Sofia I missed. I never understood what she thought about it, she was never anything but kind to me but I could clearly see that the situation puzzled her.
We entered the dining hall and Baileywick greeted me to the family of Royals. I noticed that James was present and figured he must have returned from his courtship with Princess Jun to welcome his sister home.
King Roland and his wife both smiled in greeting at me and I bowed down and smiled myself when I stood up. I was suddenly very glad that Queen Miranda had given me a heads up. It would be awful to greet the King after a night full of drinking and little to no sleep. Even if I hadn't gotten much sleep I felt oddly refreshed just waking up sober.
"Cedric it is wonderful to see you in good spirits. You are doing well I take it?" King Roland asked and I found myself nodding. I had gotten over my awkward social anxiety years ago before Sofia had left but in the last four years I had returned to my reclusive ways I still retained the skills to be charismatic enough to hold an intelligent conversation with other adults. Its ironic that a child taught me that.
"Cedric it's brilliant to see you!" prince James said around a mouthful of his breakfast earning a snort of disapproval from his sister. She shot me a courtesy smile before she returned to her meal.
I smiled at the prince and then turned my attention back to the king and queen.
"What can I do for you your majesty?" I asked as I took my seat and in Sofia's normal place at the table and folded a napkin out over my lap. I was a little touched I was invited to eat breakfast with the royals even if I already knew the reason why.
"Yes well I have an announcement to make." He said and stood as both his children watched him curiously and Baileywick stopped what he was doing so he could listen as well I wondered if I was told wrote even Baileywick and had to try and keep the grin off of my features.
"We received word from Sofia late last night that she is coming home. Your mother is already planning a grand ball to welcome her and that is where you come in Cedric. We all know how much it would mean to Sofia for you to be a guest of honor and greet her alongside the family." He said and if I had been drinking I would have ungracefully spat it across the table. I stared at him open mouth and then looked at the queen as she snickered mischievously and the twins both stood up in their excitment.
"Me...? King Roland don't you want me to preform a magic show for her return?" I asked confused and forgetting to be surprised at her return. Everyone turned to me then and I felt almost like I was on the outside of some joke as they watched me.
"Sofia has specifically requested you not lift your wand at all." Queen Miranda said and I almost called her out on her late night visit if I didn't think it would get my head cut off. Besides at least I was soberhh right now. Something I wouldn't be if I hadn't had any warning.
" Sofia mentioned me?" I asked in utter shock and conpletely forgot the formalities I was expected to address her by. No one seemed to notice the slip up and the King merely smnces Amber began squeezing about planning the party. I was forced to stare at my hands as I chewed over this new information. I had spent the last four years sure that Sofia hated me. I mean she made no contact and I knew she could have, then again I could just have easily.
"But I still don't understand. Why would she treat me as if I am anything more than the royal sorcerer. Why would any one be bother by treating me as more than I am?" I whispered to myself as I began to slip back I to my familiar self loathing train of thought and must have cause the attention of my company.
"but Cedric you are already like family." James demanded while his sister agreed and King Roland cleared his throat to regain the attention again.
"Many things have come to light in the last few years. For now all you need to know is that we are happy for you to join us while greeting Sofia. In time everything else will become clear." Said the King and with that he sat back down and began eating his breakfast signifying that the conversation was over. But I couldn't help the sinking feeling that there was a lot more to be said on the matter.
Queen Miranda's sly smile as she silently ate her breakfast and King Roland's suspicious looks only made this strange feeling of dread worse. Shouldn't I be excited? I mean Sofia is coming home. With that thought I turned my pancakes with the intentions of forgetting the Royal family's strange behavior.
Kry: there was chapter one. And I apologize for any typos I have lost my computer while it's in the hop but I'll have it back in two weeks tops. So I'll be able to edit the crap I produced on my phone. This is just a side project but I already have three chapters written so we will see how everyone reacts before I go easy writing this one.