Far Away - Nickelback

Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First nor the characters.

I decided to post the next chapter a little early because everyone seemed to really like the first chapter so much and really be interested in knowing what happened next. It's a little short, sorry about that but I wanted to get this out there. Now I need to finish up my other story. So I won't be posting anymore on here until the next story is finished!

Light slowly permeated her eyelids and she could smell the faint aroma of tea and fly cakes. Where was she? It was quiet, with only a slight rustling sound going on in another room. Sofia didn't want to open her eyes though. She was afraid of what she would find. Her memories were beginning to return of her parents and siblings being murdered before her. Then the tears began to form and slowly fall down her cheeks. She remembered Cedric transporting her away. But where had he sent her? He never did say. Sitting up suddenly she became worried about Cedric. Had he come back for her yet? She opened her eyes and instantly knew where she was.

"Oh Princess Sofia, you're up. Thank merlin. We've been so worried about you." Winifred said as she rushed over with a cup of warm tea for Sofia. "You suddenly appeared crying and then collapsed on the floor and have been asleep ever since."

Ignoring the tea, Sofia looked around the room for Cedric nervously. "Has Cedric come back for me yet? Have you heard from him? Is he alright?" She asked anxiously with frightened, wide eyes.

"Dear child, do calm down. We haven't heard anything. We don't know what has happened." At that moment Goodwin walked in from the other room and saw Sofia had finally woken up.

"So glad to see you've woken up Princess Sofia." He said as he sat down near his wife and the Princess.

"Princess Sofia, could you please tell us what happened that caused Cedric to have to send you here and why you have blood on you? Are you hurt? Did something bad happen?" Winifred asked tenderly, taking Sofia's hands in her own, scooting closer to the young girl trying to comfort her yet find out what the situation was.

When the Princess had arrived unexpectedly in their cottage and proceeded to lose consciousness, their first reaction was to summon King Roland but then they stopped, realizing something terrible must have happened. First of all, she had blood on her clothing and shoes; secondly, they could smell Cedric's magic so he must have sent her here for a reason. Therefore, they decided to keep her here safe until they heard further. Winifred had done a quick magical assessment of the sleeping girl and it appeared Sofia didn't have any injuries to explain the blood so they set her up on their couch until she woke up.

Sofia fell into the woman's motherly arms and began to weep freely. Between choked sobs she answered Winifred as best she could, explaining a little of what happened and how Cedric had ended up sending her here to stay safe. She began to cry without any more words spoken. Every once in a while she'd cry out for Cedric, wondering if he had returned for her yet.

His parents were beginning to worry as well. It had been many hours since Sofia had shown up in their living room. While holding Sofia, Winifred reached out grabbing Goodwin's hand and together they stayed on the couch waiting for Cedric to return, each needing strength and comfort from one another to get through this waiting period.

A few hours passed and Sofia was now pacing, looking out the windows for his return. As Sofia was standing in their living room biting her nails, Cedric appeared behind her and she turned around to face him. He fell to his knees and immediately embraced her. She wrapped her arms around him as tight as she could and began to cry in relief. "Cedric!" She practically shouted. His parents heard her and came running from the kitchen to see their son had finally arrived. Winifred put her arm out to stop Goodwin from entering the living room, "Wait, give them a moment first. They need it." She told him gently, gesturing towards Cedric and Sofia's emotional reunion. Goodwin nodded and waited.

"Sofia…" Cedric said her name softly as he tenderly stroked her hair clinging to her, not wanting to let her go yet. He felt like he'd been drowning and she was the breath of fresh air he'd desperately needed. Cedric finally let a few tears escape down his cheeks as he realized how close he came to losing his only friend in the world; the only person who had ever shown him love and compassion besides his parents.

All at once Sofia changed demeanor and began to yell at Cedric, "How dare you scare me like that, Cedric! You're all I have left in this world. What took you so long to come back for me? I have been worried sick for you, not knowing if you were injured or even alive." And then she began to cry again.

"Oh Sofia, I'm so sorry. I had to take care of things at the castle and make sure everything was safe there. I told you that I wouldn't be able to come here for you until things were safe. There are no more bad men." Cedric kissed her forehead and picked her up, carrying her to the sofa where he held her in his lap.

"I know. I was just so worried about you. You're all I have Cedric. Don't ever leave me. Please." Sofia pleaded, sorrowfully.

"I'll never leave you, Sofia." He told her gently as Winifred approached.

Winifred kneeled down in front of them and spoke softly to Sofia, "Sweetheart, how about I start a bath and get you some clean clothes? We'll just be right outside the door if you need anything." Sofia just nodded her head as she climbed out of Cedric's lap and followed Winifred to the bathroom.

While Sofia took a bath it gave Cedric's parents a chance to speak with him. They noticed he was quiet and withdrawn and wasn't ready to talk about much yet. He gave them the same story Sofia had with only a few more details, though he promised to talk more once he'd rested and recovered. Before Sofia returned he faced his parents and told each of them, "Thank you both for keeping an eye on Sofia after I sent her here so unexpectedly. I knew you two would keep her safe."

"Of course we would Cedykins. She's always welcome here, anytime." His mother told him, giving him a hug and kissing his cheek.

"If there is anything you two need, don't hesitate to ask for help either." His father added, embracing his son in a rare show of affection. "I'm really proud of you, son."

Once she was scrubbed clean and in clothing that no longer had blood on it Sofia returned to Cedric climbing into his lap once again, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to him, resting his cheek on her head, relaxing near the fire letting it's warmth spread over them. Though he was an adult he took comfort in her presence as well after the trauma of today. It was nice knowing someone needed his comfort and love. He was about to transport them home when she argued with him, her eyes wide with fright and grief; Sofia didn't want to return to the castle yet. She begged him to stay at his parent's house for a while longer. He relented figuring Baileywick could handle things for one night without them.

As her eyelids began to droop down Cedric picked Sofia up and carried her to his parent's spare bedroom and laid her down in the bed, "I will just be on the couch in the living room if you need me. You'll be safe here. I promise." He reassured her as he leaned in to kiss her forehead good night. She latched on to his neck and held on tightly.

Beginning to whimper, as tears fell down her cheeks she pleaded with him, "You promised never to leave me though. Don't leave me in here alone. Please Cedric. I'm still so scared. Every time I close my eyes I see it happening over and over."

"Okay honey, okay. I won't leave you. I promise. Scoot over and I will sleep here with you." Cedric climbed into the bed beside Sofia and wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you… for everything. Good night, Cedric. I love you." She told him as she settled into his arms and breathed in his scent she had always found so comforting.

Feeling a warmth spread through his heart Cedric responded back, "I love you, too Sofia. Good night."

Soon Sofia fell asleep, safely enveloped in his arms knowing they were both together, far away from the castle and all its ordeals. He used a spell to help her sleep soundly without nightmares. He didn't want to use magic on her but he knew the coming days would be the roughest for her. She needed the rest now to get through the aftermath that was sure to come.

Pulling her closer to him, Cedric whispered into the dark, "Oh Sofia. We'll get through this. We'll get through it together." Exhaustion finally took over and he drifted off sleep.