Hostage
Summary: Miss Nettle returns and takes Cedric hostage, using a mind control spell to get him to do her bidding. Sofia teams up with Vivian and Wormwood to rescue the sorcerer but runs into trouble along the way. *As suggested by TheOliviaOcti*
Disclaimer: I don't own "Sofia the First!"
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update! It's been busy around here, naturally. Figures, right? I'm busier in the summer than I am during the school year! Amazing. :p Anyway, in this chapter, Cedric will encounter Sofia again, but will he get her amulet? Let's find out!
Chapter 4: In the Balance
"La-la-dee-doo," Miss Nettle sang with a spritely tone as she twirled happily in a circle. "I'm going to get Princess Sofia's amulet!" She grinned toward Cedric, who blinked at her from his position in his chair. (Whatever random energy burst he'd originally had, he appeared to be somewhat calmed down now.) "So, Cedric darling, what do you suggest for swiping the amulet away from the precious princess?"
"It's not going to be easy," he admitted, sighing. "She's smart—very smart. Certainly smarter than her parents in a lot of ways. If you want the amulet, you have to be as cunning as possible without making it look like you actually want something."
"Mm, close." She hovered a few inches from the ground before flying over to him, pointing her wand at his nose. "You have to be cunning and believable."
"Right, right." He moved back a bit as the fairy backed away. "Problem is… Even if it's someone she trusts, she still has issues with letting go of the amulet." He rolled his eyes. "Can't imagine why."
"Hmm." Miss Nettle tapped her wand to her chin. "How could we possibly convince her to hand it over? Maybe we should hold her hostage or something."
"I don't know," Cedric admitted with a frown. "But…you're not going to hurt her, right?"
"Now, Cedric, what happened to your can-do attitude a little while ago? You said you'd handle the princess for me!"
"But I won't hurt her," he chided seriously. "So if you have any plans of violence, forget it."
She smirked. "I wouldn't dream of hurting the little princess. I simply want to retrieve—"
"Steal," Rosey cut in with a grin, making Miss Nettle glare at her.
"…Her amulet." The shorter woman shrugged. "It's quite simple, really. If the pesky princess weren't so pathetically suspicious, things would be easier."
The rose rolled her eyes. "I hate to break it to you, but we've both seen how her mind works. She didn't trust you from the moment she saw you dressed as Sascha." She chuckled. "You must have some aura she senses or something."
"Maybe she needs 'Anti-Nettle' spray," Cedric suggested, laughing nervously when the wicked fairy cast her pointed glare at him this time. "Just kidding!"
"Keep joking like that, and I'll find a new use for you." Seeing that she'd made Cedric uncomfortable with her comment, Miss Nettle's smirk returned. She blinked when Rosey tightened her grip on her wrist before gesturing toward a vacant room. "Be a moment, Cedric dear."
Cedric sighed in relief, realizing he was off the hook for now. Spell or no spell, he couldn't seem to stop the snippy or sarcastic comments from leaving his mouth—perhaps it was just part of his character. He gazed off in a slight daze.
"What is it, Rosey?" Miss Nettle asked in annoyance. "I'm in the middle of something, you realize."
"Yeah, and did you remember that the spell you had him chant said that you only have until midnight for him to be useful?" The rose gestured widely with one of her leaves. "And in case you haven't noticed, it's getting kind of dark outside! What are we supposed to do if we run out of time?"
"I'll just put him under another spell!"
"That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard! It would be a complete waste of time. He seems to be all talk anyway. Before we know it, Sofia's probably going to come bursting in here to save the day and rescue her precious sorcerer."
The fairy snorted with a grin. "Right. A child is going to beat me."
"…Twice already," Rosey reminded her, a bemused look on her face. "And I realize 'third time's the charm' and all that, but you're kind of all over the place as it is! If you really want her amulet, why didn't you just put a spell on her?"
Miss Nettle paused and considered this. "You know…you may have a point there." A sly grin arose on her face. "And to make things more interesting, I know just what to do…" She stepped out of the vacant room and back toward Cedric. "Cedric, darling, do you happen to have your wand?"
He nodded in confusion. "Why do you ask?"
Her grin grew. "I'm going to need you to do me a favor…"
"Are you sure we're at the right place, Goody?" Winifred wondered as the quartet and Wormwood approached the small cottage. She frowned. "Seems like an awfully obvious place to keep a hostage, hmm? It's reminiscent of a few other fairies I recall."
"That's the reading I'm getting, Winifred," he responded with a shrug. He glanced down at his ruby gem. "It's not been this strong the entire voyage. This must be it."
"Just be careful, Sofia," Vivian reminded her friend as she watched the auburn-haired princess step impulsively up to the door. "Remember that Mr. Cedric didn't seem to be very much like himself, and he even seemed like he was out to get you while under that spell."
Sofia sighed and looked toward the dark-haired girl. "I know, Vivian. But he's my friend. I've got to save him." She turned the handle, realizing it was unlocked, and stepped inside. She gasped when she saw her friend standing with his Family Wand in one hand. A quick glance around the room proved that Miss Nettle wasn't in sight. "Mr. Cedric!" She didn't want to move forward just yet…just in case. "Are you… Are you all right?"
Cedric smiled pleasantly and nodded. "Perfectly fine, Princess Sofia."
"Where is Miss Nettle?" she asked suspiciously.
"She let me go," he lied with a shrug. "I guess I prove no match for her, eh?" He watched as the princess took one step toward him. "Princess Sofia, why so hesitant? It's just me…"
Meanwhile, Vivian, Goodwin, Winifred, and Wormwood had eased inside, though the sorcerer didn't seem to pay them any mind.
'Why is he calling me by my title?' she wondered silently, considering they were usually informal with each other most of the time. "Mr. Cedric…"
Before she could say another word or make any further movements, Cedric pointed his wand at her and chanted, "Obedire mea ordinibus. (Obey my orders.)" A stream of magic stemmed from his wand and wrapped around the girl, holding her still and making her eyes lose their focus.
"Cedric!" Goodwin snapped, getting his son's attention. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, hello, Father," Cedric chuckled as he still held his wand on Sofia. "Don't worry—I won't hurt her. That was an agreement Miss Nettle and I had. However, I'm afraid there is something I need form her. Sofia, my dear, please hand over your amulet."
Without a word, the princess reached up and unclasped the chain to her amulet before walking forward and holding it out to him. "Yes, Mr. Cedric…"
"Sofia! Snap out of it!" Vivian called, worried.
"Goodwin, do something," Winifred hissed as her husband wielded his own wand.
Meanwhile, Miss Nettle watched from the side, a smirk growing on her face. "This is it, Rosey!"
Cedric reached out and touched the jewel of the amulet…and vanished, along with Sofia.
"WHAT?!" Miss Nettle shrieked and rushed into the room, her eyes ablaze with anger and disbelief. "Where did they go?!"
Goodwin looked back at his wife, who appeared to be just as clueless as he was, before glaring at the evil fairy. He held his wand at her before she could even try to escape. "Don't even think about it."
To be continued…
A/N: Oh, no! What happened to Sofia and Cedric? Will Sofia hold a grudge against Cedric after this? Will they even remember anything? Hmm! ;) Chapter 5 is coming soon! (I had to make some revisions; otherwise, I'd have posted it simultaneously, like I'd originally planned.) I have some interesting plans for the next chapter. Oh, and keep an eye out for a new story by the end of the week: "Mood Swings." It's going to be pretty hilarious. :D Till next time! ~AquaTurquoise
