(All characters and places from Sofia the First do not belong to me. They're property of Disney. Songs mentioned belong to their respective writers. OC's are only mine!)
Chapter Three
The Visitor
"Just a day, just an ordinary day. Just trying to get by. Just a boy, just an ordinary boy, but he was looking to the sky."
-"Ordinary Day" by Vanessa Carlton.
"Another successful collection Wormy!" Cedric dropped the herb gathering on his desk.
"I'm just glad to be away from your parents," muttered Wormwood as he fluttered to his perch.
It felt good to be home after the long week away. The scent was all too familiar of powders, chemicals and stone. The half-lit room always gave the blue-green tinge to the walls. Cedric seated himself down and opened one drawer. He smiled. He seemed to open it more often since The Conjurers Conference.
Inside was a plaque with the famous Merlin, including his signature and the rolled up scroll with red lettering; the invitation to visit the famous wizard. The paper with a golden star and wand from Sofia nearly splayed out. Neatly arranged, the rubies shaped in a heart that she made for him. Also among were little scribbled drawings that Calista made ever since she was a toddler.
"Favorite drawer?" remarked Wormwood.
"Oh hush," said Cedric good-naturedly. He shoved the drawer back and reached for the other. So far he was in a good mood. Sofia would be home from Royal Prep and no doubt, she'd be hurrying up the twisted staircase to see him.
"You're going to start the new potion?" inquired Wormwood.
"Eventually. Just have to complete the process."
Cedric took a small notebook from the second drawer. Standing from the stool, he thumbed through with one hand while the other collected the cauldron. The new goal was a sleeping potion. He needed his sleep habits to improve. Last time Sofia saw him, she commented on how he always looked tired, even if he was full of energy. (That was due to coffee.) Admittedly, he didn't always sleep well due to his years of stress and it still had a toll on him.
Suddenly there was a steady rap to the door. He knew that knock and he was happy to put aside his sleeping potion for now. "Come in Princess," he called cheerfully.
"Mr. Cedric!" Sofia, dressed in her riding outfit, rushed in and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Glad you're back!"
"So I am," agreed Cedric. He quickly wrapped his arm around her. "So what's the assignment your mother mentioned?"
"Glad you asked," said Sofia. "It's a growing spell. So instead of shrinking a watermelon to the size of a grape, now it's growing a grape to the size of a watermelon." She pulled a tiny scroll from her pocket.
"Seems like the same ingredients," murmured Cedric as he looked over it. "Just need to add watermelon seeds and two golden eagle feathers instead."
He scooted the small work table from the corner. Sofia found the jar of watermelon seeds and that's when a spark came to her.
"Did you meet our new gardener?" she asked.
"Gardener?" questioned Cedric. "Did she have red hair?"
"That's her," confirmed Sofia.
"Yes then." Cedric dug through the drawer for the eagle feathers.
"She's really friendly once you get to know her," Sofia went on. "Maybe if you need any herbs she can help you find them." She had this itch that Lilah and Cedric should become friends.
"Now Sofia," Cedric replied gently. "I'm quite capable of getting my own herbs. I just did today."
"I know, but I've told her all about your magic and I think it'd be fun if she learned a little."
"I'm sure she's busy enough as am I."
"Maybe she can help you with certain spells."
"And replace you as my apprentice?" Cedric said looking a little sad. He smiled reassuringly at Sofia who thought she offended him. "Nobody can replace you Sofia," he added. "Now where are those watermelon seeds? Oh right! You have them."
Sofia grinned back. She knew Lilah didn't know anything magic flowers, but she seemed smart. Who knew? She and Cedric could be a good team if he needed any regular plants. Maybe they would meet up again at Cedric's next herb gathering. It turned out Sofia didn't have to wait…
Two days. Two days of experiments and nothing was working! It was around the afternoon and Wormwood was getting tired of Cedric's attempts for the sleeping potion. The whole day there had been nothing, but small explosions and spills from the cauldron! Cedric was getting annoyed every time he brushed smoke out of his face.
"Why don't you just use a sleeping spell?" Wormwood finally said. He shook himself free from the soot from the last explosion.
"Then how would I wake up?" asked Cedric as he dug through his potion cabinet for some more powders.
"True," admitted Wormwood. "I'd probably just let you sleep."
"It's best I find a more effective way Wormy," explained Cedric. He shook a small bottle finding out it was low of contents. "I'd like a cure for these sleepless nights, not a temporary fix."
"You could just stare at the walls like you always do," suggested Wormwood.
"I prefer something different," retorted Cedric. "A little more relaxing if you will."
Wormwood started preening his feathers. Cedric scribbled out another formula, but it didn't seem right. That old potion book he used was missing pages and had smudged ink. He kept thinking there was something obvious missing, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Suddenly there was a soft knocking, interrupting this thoughts. It didn't sound like Sofia's signature knock. Was it Baileywick? Amber? James? Miranda? Yet when Cedric swung the heavy door open he was surprised to see, not Sofia, but her.
"Cedric?" Lilah was trying to keep a straight face, but a smile was creeping on her pale pink lips.
"Yes?" he responded incredulously.
"I asked Baileywick how to get up here," explained Lilah. She waved her hand about, revealing her dirty grey glove.
"Did you need ummm…need something?" asked Cedric. Honestly he was surprised to have a lady he hardly knew at his doorstep.
"I found some of these." Lilah held up a cloth bag which was caked with soil. "Thought you'd like them for any potions."
"Oh, thank you?" He cautiously took the bag. He didn't like how untidy it was.
"If you need any I could always bring you some from the gardens." Lilah swiped her fist to her chin.
"Oh! Uh! No thank you," chuckled Cedric. "You don't need to do that! Thank you very much. I'll find use for them."
He shouldered the door closed before Lilah could speak. He shuddered in disgust and unceremoniously tossed the bag towards the window. Sticks; very short and curved sticks tumbled out. Honestly he didn't know what plant they were from.
"I'd use those for a compost heap if I was her," Wormwood said dryly. "Maybe you should do the same."
With a sigh, Cedric went back to the potion book. He didn't know what he could do with the roots and he wasn't in the mood for visitors, but he didn't want to offend Lilah. It must've taken up her time to find them. Besides, he wasn't as easily annoyed as he used to be with unexpected visitors and Sofia had help soften his manners. That was the first and last of Lilah coming around…or so he thought.
It was actually two days later, right around dusk when that certain someone showed up. Long shadows were already stretching across the stony floor in the workshop and Cedric was filling a small cup of birdseed for Wormwood. He wasn't hungry for dinner himself. Then just like before came that knock.
"Cedric?" called Lilah through the wooden door.
"Her?" Cedric and Wormwood replied together.
"Are you too rammed for the moment?" Lilah called again.
Before Cedric could even comprehend what he was doing, he marched to the door and cracked it open. "Yes?" he asked seeing her face again.
"This may sound odd," she said. "But I need some advice."
"From him?" thought Wormwood in disbelief.
"See I was trying to brew something last night," continued Lilah. "Since you're the extra-special-Sofia-approved sorcerer, I was wondering about your take."
"You- you want to ask me?" Cedric was touched even if Lilah showing up was still surprising. Besides, "Sofia approved" revealed she was on good terms with the princess. (No shock there.)
"I found some extra ragweed," explained Lilah leaning her elbow against one of the gargoyles outside the door. "Decided to try some. Now if I wanted to brew it what would you suggest to go with it?"
"Miss Lilah," chuckled Cedric uncomfortably. "Are you trying to use the ragweed for seasoning or make a potion?"
"Well," she smirked playfully. "That did make me sound like chef. No; it's for a potion."
"I suppose it'd depend on what you wanted the potion to do. Oh do forgive me. Would like to come inside?" Cedric widened the door with a polite smile.
"Oh no," replied Lilah with a casual hand wave. "Just a quick question and I'll be on my way. So what do you think?"
"Well if you put ragweed with unicorn hair it would cause a temporary shimmer powder. My sister used to make it all the time when she attended Hexley Hall."
"Shimmer powder? So basically it's for glamour. Hmmm….maybe I ought to consider that." Lilah stood upright and bobbed her head in thanks. "Thank you Cedric. I'll keep it in mind."
"Is that it?"
"I think so," laughed Lilah. She saluted him before turning down the stairs. "Have a nice evening."
"A potion for makeup," grumbled Wormwood. "He's been around girls too much! Silly woman showing up unannounced!"
Cedric didn't know what to think of Lilah's spontaneity. If he had more sense he would've found it strange that a gardener was coming to him for advice on a weed. Cedric though was flattered. If she had stayed longer he would've gone over more ideas.
"Brace yourself," Wormwood said aloud. "She'll be back asking for unicorn hair."
"If she does it'll be here," Cedric replied. "Besides, maybe it's all just curiosity. She's probably never met a sorcerer in her life."
"Be careful there Cedric. Your head's getting big." Wormwood chuckled to himself and nibbled on his supper.
Wormwood was only half right. Lilah didn't come back for unicorn hair, but that didn't end her abrupt visits. Every two days she arrived back usually around the evening asking for something, always keeping small talk. She'd ask for pens, slips of paper and even had a small bag of sticks again.
Every single time, Wormwood rolled his eyes. He'd been suspicious of Lilah showing up and by the time four weeks had passed he had a good idea of what was going on. Why would anyone arrive nearly every day asking for writing utensils, offering useless plants or asking for advice? Advice from Cedric? Such dull and useless things! No doubt, she was dropping by just to see him because she fancied him. The tone was far different from Sofia coming up for magic lessons or if she had questions about her amulet. It wasn't like Baileywick dropping in saying the king wanted Cedric to do something. No. This was the opposite.
The only thing more aggravating was that Cedric couldn't piece it together! Wormwood found it silly to discuss romance with Cedric. It seemed outside the sorcerer's expertise. Besides, let his ignorance be bliss. Lilah appeared too odd. Perhaps being out in the sun affected her thinking as the raven considered. What did she see in Cedric anyway? She didn't know his personality all too well so it had to be one thing as Wormwood thought: it had to be a physical interest. Yet that's where Lilah seemed even odder. He had never known a woman to find Cedric attractive; skinny, two-toned hair and long nose. Why would she find that appealing?
Far off in her little cottage, Lilah stared at her dining table. She couldn't avert her attention to the sunny day which streamed through the windows. Already she had a pile of scrap paper that Cedric gave her and it was taunting; a reminder of her silliness.
"What I am getting into?" she mumbled. As if to answer, her heart picked up the pace. "I don't even know him that well."
Kipling, who sat across from her on a little plate full of snacks for himself, nibbled away on a large lettuce leaf. He wouldn't be there with Lilah's visits. Ever since the kitchen incident, he had stayed at home. He did notice Lilah would come back looking a little disappointed. He couldn't understand why. She was doing something she enjoyed so why would she be feeling down?
"Might as well forget it," Lilah said to herself. She scooped her garden tool bag from the corner and fetched the key for her cottage. "Be good Kipling!" she called before letting herself out.
"No need to tell me," he piped up. "I'm always good!"
Lilah took what was now her usual path to the castle. She was debating on whether she should pop over to Cedric's tower or forget it. Four weeks, almost a month of arriving unannounced and she felt embarrassed. She had better things to do, but she kept feeling that desire to be around him. Besides, she was thirty-two. Having a crush seemed juvenile and she had been determined on being single.
"Not entirely do you?" said that young voice to her. "You've had bad experiences, but that doesn't mean you should be alone."
Lilah locked those thoughts away; far away in a drawer in the corner of her mind. She was going to be pruning the rose bushes and Sofia would be trying to help. Granted, she didn't see the princess every day, but when Sofia arrived it was nice even though Lilah didn't need her assistance.
It turned out Sofia did get to help. Lilah carefully snipped the roses at an angle and laid them in the basket Sofia carried. She preferred that the princess didn't handle any shears or get pricked by thorns, let alone do any heavy work for her small hands.
There was something unusual today. Lilah had been at the palace for a month and April was coming on, but already she had grown accustomed. There was often the bird's singing their songs (half of the time it was Robin and Mia when Sofia was away), sounds of the fountains trickling water and Lilah's garden tools scratching at the earth. This time she could dimly hear the servants running about in the kitchen and Baileywick's calls for the best silverware and more plates.
"Everyone's busy today," said Sofia.
"I figured," chuckled Lilah as she clipped another stem. "What's the occasion? Just another Saturday?"
"Some sort of party tonight," explained Sofia. "It'll be past my bedtime."
"So an adult party," commented Lilah. "Just for ma and pa with their friends right?"
"That's right. It'll be for the whole Tri-Kingdom. Are you staying for it?"
"I don't think I was invited."
"It's for during the party," said Sofia as she carefully lifted one pink rose up for a quick sniff. "The cook always prepares extra meals so the castle staff gets to enjoy themselves too. It's like they have their own celebration. Even Mr. Cedric comes down to see it. There's roast beef, turkey, red potatoes, mince pies, cranberry…"
Lilah wanted to brush it off. She wanted to go home, eat her prepped stew and sleep. Oh, but Sofia listing off the food! It was enough to make her mouth water and her stomach growl. She could see and smell a whole feast before her. It was too tempting! Maybe staying for a few minutes wouldn't hurt.
"Well if you insist," she chuckled. "You just made me hungry." She gave Sofia a quick chuck under her chin.
Sofia giggled. Her hope was coming into fruition. Lilah would go and Cedric would pop in. Maybe they would talk and become friends!
Even though she thought about leaving before, Lilah went through the kitchen that night with her mind and stomach wondering. As much as she hated to admit it, she was glad she was in the castle kitchen. All the sounds and smells from the bustling kitchen were fascinating. She leaned against one of the walls. The smells of savory meats, spiced vegetables and powdery pastries were luring her in. Yet she was staring at the large bottles of wine that were perched by the silver trays.
"Don't worry Miss Lilah," chuckled Violet as she passed by with a large gravy boat. "We'll get our share soon."
"Get the wine ready," ordered Baileywick in his usual firm, but kind tone. "Small glasses that match the golden dishes."
Lilah kept her distance, but her steel-blue eyes kept looking around for him. Even if he showed up just to grab a dinner roll Lilah would get to see him. She adjusted her ponytail, tugging at the long strands of her green bow.
"Hoping he'll notice?" that voice almost teased.
Lilah clicked her tongue and leaned back again. Noticing or not, she always did something with her hair. Whether it was a ponytail, (usually low, but sometimes high), a simple braid, or bun, she never wanted her red locks free. It was more convenient for work anyway.
That's when Cedric came in, but very quietly. He was fed up with his sleeping potion as two attempts had only kept him awake all night. He spotted Lilah in the corner, arms casually folded and one leg crossed.
"Miss Lilah," he said politely and stood next to her.
"Huh?" she remarked in surprise and almost lost her balance. "Oh! It's you! Hello again Cedric!" She had been very deep in thought over the wine bottles. "Sofia said you'd be here."
"Only for a moment," he said. "Still working on a potion." He followed her suit and leaned back.
"Did the licorice root help?" she asked.
"The what?"
"Licorice root. It was in the bags I handed to you. I use it for winter when I'm coughing, but I wondered you could use since you're a sorcerer…who uses plants."
"Well," Cedric paused. He felt embarrassed. So it hadn't just been sticks. She came around twice with roots for his projects. He hadn't even touched them. "Well, Miss Lilah they didn't exactly work for what I was trying to make…but that was very kind of you," he added.
"Oh," said Lilah not offended at all. "At least you tried. That's all you can ask for." She didn't know that Cedric had stuffed the two bags away in a cabinet and almost forgot them.
"Alright you may all have one small taste," announced Baileywick drawing their attention. "Just one though. We have to get back to work."
Lilah grinned smugly. One was never enough. She watched the staff pour their tiny cups and carefully sip. Right on beat, they resumed their task as if they never paused for a drink.
"Quite good," piped up Violet. She put down her tiny cup. "Well off to the dining room!"
Baileywick led the way carrying the heaviest tray that had ham with pineapple rings. "Have a taste Cedric," he said before leaving the kitchen. "You too Miss Lilah."
Off the faithful castle steward and staff went in a steady line, at least four of them were carrying the trays of the small glasses of wine. It became quiet in the kitchen for once. Lilah's eyed widened. Without bothering to refill the minuscule cups, she slammed open the cabinet doors and searched. When it came to wine, Lilah always wanted the best glasses.
"What are you looking for?" asked Cedric. She was already fetching big silver goblets for her and Cedric.
"While the jargs celebrate," she chuckled. "I say we servers enjoy ourselves. Not that the king and queen are jargs mind you. You take wine?"
"I suppose," Cedric replied. "I prefer my coffee." He only took alcohol on special occasions and those were rare for him.
"You can decide if you do or not," said Lilah as she tipped the bottle and the red liquid gushed. She swirled her goblet carefully as the wine perfectly circled around.
"A small portion," Cedric admitted as he picked the other up for her to fill. Usually when events like this happened he would creep in for a moment and quickly retreat to his tower. This evening though, he wanted to have a good night. Besides, he had been a little disappointed that Lilah hadn't shown up at his door and he figured it wouldn't hurt to chat with her. The feeling actually surprised him.
"To the castle staff," toasted Lilah with a raised glass.
"To the castle staff," echoed Cedric. With that, they clanked the goblets together. The night was still young.
Author's Note: I hated this chapter! Just kept putting me in writer's block!
