Mångata

Summary: Cedric invites Sofia to a mysterious and magical land known as Mångata, a location that has never been mentioned in any texts or transcripts and has only been acknowledged via word of mouth. It's here that the Magical Protectors (Sofia's nickname for their 'team') try to unravel the mystery of two friends who went missing some time ago; however, the more they uncover, the more danger they find themselves in. [Takes place when Sofia is 16.]

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First, and I don't own the name of Mångata (an untranslatable Swedish word used to express "the road-like reflection of the moon in the water" or literally "moon street"). I only own the original characters portrayed in the story, including Prince Corban. :D

A/N: Lol! I love how people were surprised how quickly I got the first chapter of this story up. Y'all, I've been so excited to release it, and I just couldn't wait. :p By the way, my secret story's name will be revealed on the 22nd (because it's my favorite number, so there's that, lol). I've got a countdown on my Mångata Wix Site, right at the top. When the story name is revealed, you'll also be able to click on that title to go to that story's website. 😊 Just something to look forward to, if you're interested. Oh, and that story will be 12 chapters…with at least two more big surprises by the end. :D But no spoilers! You'll just have to see what happens. 😉 Meanwhile, here's chapter 2! Yes, it's a bit short, but it's going to pick up with some longer parts later. We've just got to get these two on the road again (pun intended). :D


Chapter 2: Here We Go Again


"So let me get this straight…"

Cedric gulped uncertainly as the king sat on his throne, eyeing his daughter and his royal sorcerer curiously, yet looking far less menacing with a seven-month-old prince on his lap. In fact, the baby was tugging on Roland's ear, distracting him a bit. If he weren't so nervous about the journey request, Cedric would have laughed.

"You two want to venture off on yet another journey…four days before Wassailia?"

"We'd leave tomorrow, actually, Dad," Sofia corrected, smiling sheepishly as the king sighed and removed Corban's tight grip from his ear.

"Three days then. Will you even be back in time for Wassailia?" Roland frowned. The thought of his family not being together for the holidays really bothered him, even though he was slowly realizing that their time together was definitely dwindling. Amber and Desmond were already talking of marriage in a few years, which would probably indicate sharing Wassailia together in the prince's kingdom every now and then. And James would probably be off on a knight adventure during some of these holidays; even Tilly had done so when they were around the same age, off on one of her adventures. Now it looked like Sofia might be following in her footsteps, but at least she had a partner along for the ride. Her partner just happened to be Cedric, which didn't irk him nearly as much as it would have a few years ago. They'd come a long way.

"Of course we would, Your Majesty," Cedric assured his friend. "I promise you, I'll have Sofia home safe and sound the day of Wassailia: just in time to light the candle and to do the usual gift exchange, and all of your other traditions as well."

"You are participating with us again this year, aren't you, Cedric?" Roland implored, shifting the mischievous baby to his other side and gently bouncing him on his knee.

"Oh, um…" The sorcerer nodded somewhat shyly. His own family was otherwise occupied that holiday, what with Cordelia and Calista visiting a friend in another kingdom and his parents spending the day with their own friends in Mystic Meadows. The initial news had saddened him a bit, but the moment Roland invited him to the family's Wassailia event, he'd cheered up instantly. "Certainly, King Roland… That is, if you'll still have me."

"You're always invited to be a part of our Wassailia, Mr. Cedric," Sofia answered for him, offering him a gentle smile as he glanced toward her. "You are family."

Cedric smiled gratefully as Roland chuckled, getting his attention.

"You don't need my approval, Cedric," the king remarked with a smile. "You already have Sofia's. Ugh, Corban." He made a face as he noticed the child now trying to bite his hand.

"What is he doing, Dad?" Sofia asked, laughing.

"He's teething, unfortunately… He's munched on everything from his food to my fingers today, and I'm hoping to find him a replacement before my poor hand dissolves to nothing."

Cedric grinned. "Allow me, Your Majesty." He muttered a spell and pointed his wand toward the baby, nodding in satisfaction as a little plush bird toy appeared in the boy's hands.

"Ahh!" Corban squealed, excited, before putting the toy in his mouth and happily gumming away on it.

Roland sighed in relief before tossing Cedric a grateful smile. "You saved my hand, Cedric. Thank you."

The sorcerer laughed. "My pleasure, King Roland."

"Now, then, you say you two are going to…some other land?" The king frowned as they nodded. "What's it called? Have I heard of it?"

Sofia began to respond before she felt her friend's hand land on her shoulder, discouraging her from answering. She then realized that Mångata was a secret to just about everybody, and he probably didn't want her divulging too much information.

"It's, um… It's called Man…land. Er, Mainlandia. It, uh… It's rather fascinating for magic wielders."

Roland raised his eyebrows at the choppy response. "Sounds boring, if you ask me. 'Mainlandia.' Why not just call it 'Dullsville?' Or even better: 'Nothingland.'" He shrugged. "Regardless, if you're absolutely sure that it's something that pertains to your interests, and as long as you're both back by Wassailia, you have my blessing to travel. Be careful though."

Sofia grinned and hurried up to him, hugging him. "Thanks, Dad." She giggled as she felt little hands tugging on her amulet. She turned and picked up Corban, spinning him around once, eliciting a giggle from him. "You be good, Corban. No biting people anymore, okay?"

Corban smiled sweetly at his sister before reaching up and patting her face, a little coo falling from his lips.

"I'm going to take that as an 'okay.'" She kissed his cheek before placing him back on Roland's lap. "We'll leave in the morning, since it's too late in the day to start now. We haven't even packed yet anyway."

"Excuse me!" Amber's voice cut in as the older princess pushed by Cedric and Sofia, a box in her arms.

"Amber, what are you doing?" Sofia wondered, blinking as the blonde withdrew a sprig of something and draped it over each throne. She snickered. "Is that mistletoe?"

"Tis the season, Sofia," Amber replied cheekily. "It's tradition, after all." She hummed and walked off, her box enclosed in her arms again as she left the room.

Roland rolled his eyes. "As much as I encourage her relationship with Desmond, I think she's going a bit overboard." He pulled one of the sprigs down and sighed. "She is going to scare him off at this rate."

"She hasn't so far," Sofia mumbled with a secretive grin before taking Cedric's arm, beginning to lead him out of the throne room. "We'll see you later, Dad. We have a lot of packing to do."

Roland chuckled. "All right. I'll see you both off in the morning."

Cedric sighed in relief as they exited into the main hall in order to talk. "Thank Merlin that's over. It's not easy coming up with names for a land off the top of my head. I'm glad one came to mind."

Sofia deadpanned at his comment. "Right. I'm sure that whole 'Mainlandia' thing has him totally convinced."

"Excuse me, but you were about to reveal the existence of Mångata, and I had to do something."

"It's that much of a secret that even Dad can't know about it?"

He shook his head as they started walking together. "No one can know about it, save for you and me. It's a sacred land… I'd like to keep it that way."

She smiled. "If that's what you want, Mr. Cedric… I can respect that."

"Thank you, Sofia." He chuckled as she hugged him. "Right then. I'd best be off to get packed." He placed one hand on the back of her head and smiled as she looked up toward him. "I'd suggest you do the same."

The princess nodded. "Okay." She giggled as he hugged her back. "See you in the morning, Mr. Cedric." She finished hugging him and turned, heading off toward the stairs to her room.

Cedric smiled and rolled his eyes before heading to his tower for the evening.


The next morning, after the royal family saw them off (and had the reassurance that they would be back for Wassailia), Cedric and Sofia loaded up the AutoCoach and took off. They were dressed warmly for the trip, as it had grown even colder with more snow pouring to the earth. Cedric favored his thick blue robe over his normal outfit while Sofia had donned a knee-length maroon coat over a purple-and-black Protector outfit, including thicker black tights and matching maroon boots.

Sofia glanced toward Cedric as he pulled out his map. "Where's Wormwood?"

"He said he'd stay with Nina while we're gone. He left early this morning." He traced a few parts of the map, a contemplative look on his face.

"I'm glad they're rebuilding their friendship," the princess remarked with a thoughtful smile. "She's good for him."

Cedric smiled as he looked toward her briefly. "Indeed. In a way, I suppose she's his 'Sofia,' hmm?"

She blushed modestly and laughed before shrugging. "If you say so, Mr. Cedric." She kicked her feet back and forth a few times before asking, "So, how far away is Mångata?"

"According to this, based on my calculations… Perhaps four hours, give or take an hour. But we must account for wind gusts this trip." He used his wand to set their course before pocketing the map.

"Maybe the wind will get us there faster," the teen suggested with a grin.

"Eh, I'd rather not rely on the gusts, my dear. After all, that could be catastrophic, so let's just stick with the magic, shall we?"

She smiled. "Whatever you want to do." She leaned back against the seat and twirled some of her hair around her fingers. "You said Mångata's name means something about a moon?"

Cedric nodded as he copied her movements, leaning back against his chair and alongside the wall. "It's said that the name refers to the moon's reflection upon the ocean, creating something akin to a road."

"It's beautiful, but I wonder what the meaning has to do with the land, you know?" She sat up a bit as he smiled at her inquiry. "You do know, don't you?"

"Well, I know what I was told, anyway. The ancient settlers, according to the legend, had admired the way the moon left a reflective trail, like a road, which eventually led them to their destiny: Mångata."

Sofia nodded at his explanation before glancing out the window. "I wonder what the land will be like…and if we'll actually be able to help find those missing teens." She sighed.

"We'll do our best, Sofia," Cedric encouraged her. He folded his arms. "Of course, there's no guarantee of anything, but that doesn't mean we can't try."

She smiled at his words. "You're right… I guess we'll see what happens."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a little while as the AutoCoach moved on through the falling snow, blanketing the scenery below and around them with a glistening layer of white.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Alternate Route