Chapter 10: The rest of the summer, and into September
A day later
Madeline was ready to be discharged from the hospital. After Doctor Carol had given Roland and Miranda written instructions on how to care for Madeline during her recovery at home, Madeline was wheeled out to the front of the hospital in a wheelchair.
In a few minutes, a flying carriage arrived. Madeline was helped out of her wheelchair, and was then helped onto the carriage. The flying carriage with Madeline, Roland, Miranda, Sofia, and Lucinda aboard then took flight and headed home to Enchancia Castle.
In a little while, the carriage arrived at Enchancia Castle. Roland stepped down from the carriage carrying Madeline, then everybody else stepped off of the carriage. Genevieve ran around in circles, happy that Madeline was home.
"I missed you" Genevieve smiled at Madeline.
"I missed you, too" Madeline smiled back.
Roland then carried Madeline up to her bedroom where Baileywick was waiting.
"Welcome home, Princess Madeline" Baileywick smiled. "We've placed a bell cord next to your bed so that if you need anything, you just have to ring the bell cord next to your bed".
Roland gently laid down Madeline on her bed.
"Try out your bell cord" Baileywick suggested to Madeline.
Madeline tried out the bell cord, and Violet came into the room.
"Yes, Princess Madeline" Violet smiled. "What may I do for you?".
"Would you see that Genevieve is brought up?" Madeline requested. "I'm sure she would like to lay next to my bed, like old times".
"I'll get right on it" Violet said as she left the room.
"I can do things by myself" Madeline said to Roland as soon as Violet left the room. "I don't need to call for every little thing".
"It's just until you get better" Roland responded.
"Okay" Madeline said, reluctantly.
"Meanwhile, I have to contact Ruby's mother, and tell her you won't be attending Buttercup activities for a little while" Roland said as he left the room.
A few minutes later, Violet brought Genevieve into the room.
"Here you go, Princess Madeline" Violet smiled. "Is there anything else I can do for you?".
"I just wish Dad wouldn't treat me like some fragile china doll" Madeline commented.
"Well, thats what fathers do" Violet answered with a smile. "He loves you very much, you know. He just wants to make sure your safe and sound".
"Your right, of course, Violet" Madeline smiled. "Although, I'll be happy when I'm back to normal".
The rest of the summer
During the next few weeks, Madeline started recovering nicely. During that time, Janice, Hugo, and Roderick visited Madeline on a regular basis. Also during that time, Sofia and Lucinda helped Hugo with his magic, and before long he was practicing magic like a pro.
By August, Madeline was recovered enough to start making weekend trips to Arendelle to resume training with her Aunt Elsa. By the end of August, Madeline had learned everything she could from Elsa, and Madeline was now able to fully control her ice power.
On the last Sunday of August, Elsa and Madeline stood in the courtyard of the palace in Arendelle. A crowd of people were gathered in the courtyard.
"Time for ice skating?" Madeline asked Elsa with a smile.
"Yes" Elsa smiled. "Show them what you can do, Madeline".
"Is everybody ready?" Madeline smiled.
Everybody in the courtyard cheered Madeline on. Madeline stomped her foot on the ground, and ice quickly covered the courtyard. Madeline then raised her arms, and it started snowing as the fountains froze. Everybody then started ice skating, and had a wonderful time.
"That was excellent, Madeline" Elsa smiled.
"It's always wonderful to have people here" Anna remarked with a smile as she walked up.
At the end of the day, everybody had left, and it was time to put the courtyard back to normal.
"Madeline, time for your last test" Elsa smiled. "Restore the courtyard back to normal".
Madeline raised her arms, and concentrated. The ice and snow joined together into a snowflake pattern in the sky which Madeline then dispersed. Madeline then pointed her hands at the fountains, and returned them to normal.
"Very good, Madeline" Elsa smiled. "Your lessons are now over, and you've passed with flying colors".
September
Early September had arrived, and it was now time for the new school year to begin. Madeline was now completely recovered, and her, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, James, and Hugo once again attended Royal Prep.
On the first day of the school year, a flying carriage with Sofia, Lucinda, Madeline, Amber, and James landed in front of Royal Prep. As the five stepped off of their carriage, Hugo walked over.
"Hello, everyone" Hugo smiled. "Ready for the new school year?".
"Looking forward to it" Madeline answered with a smile.
"I'll see you in class" Hugo smiled at Madeline, Sofia, and Lucinda.
As Madeline, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James walked into Royal Prep, a few of Hugo's stuck up friends walked up to Hugo.
"What gives, Hugo?" one of his friends asked. "Why are you being nice to little miss ice princess?".
"The ice princess has a name - Madeline" Hugo said. "And, she's my sister".
"Oh, how awful for you" another of Hugo's friends mocked. "I wouldn't want to admit I had a freak for a sister".
"Well, that's the difference between you and me" Hugo stated. "I accept Madeline who who she is. She's my sister, and I love her".
"Oh, isn't that rich!" one of Hugo's friends sarcastically said. "You've gone soft!".
"I've woke up!" Hugo snapped back. "I suggest you do the same!".
"Well, if that's the way you are now, Hugo, you can forget about having us as friends" another of Hugo's friends pointed out.
"You would make me choose between family and you?!" Hugo asked, angered. "Then, I choose family!".
"So be it!" another of Hugo's now former friends exclaimed. "You can forget about ever being invited to another get together of ours".
"Can I get that in writing?" Hugo started mocking, "because, quite frankly, your get togethers always bored me to death. The only reason I ever attended was because it was something that was required at the time".
"Why you filthy turncoat!" one of Hugo's former friends exclaimed, pulling out a wand. Hugo then pulled out his wand.
"Oh, come on, Hugo!" another of Hugo's former friends exclaimed. "We all know you suck at magic!". The group then started walking toward Hugo in a threatening manner.
Hugo raised his wand and shouted "Repulsia!". A powerful blast of magical energy shot from Hugo's wand, sending his former friends flying backward a few feet. Hugo's former friends sat on the ground, totally shocked at the force of Hugo's magic.
"Suck at magic, do I?" Hugo mocked. Inside, Hugo smiled, grateful that Lucinda had taught him such a powerful piece of magic. As for Hugo's former friends, they had gotten the message fast - Hugo was now a magical force to be feared. They would never be stupid enough to challenge him again.
"How dare you turn on your friends like that?!" a girl Hugo's age exclaimed. The girl was Princess Deidre of Hythoria.
"They turned on me first!" Hugo pointed out.
"Well, what did you expect?" Deidre started. "You stood up for that freaky little ice princess!".
"Madeline is my sister" Hugo said. "She's family".
"I wouldn't be bragging about that, Hugo" Deidre said. "Remember that hanging out with the wrong sort can ruin your reputation".
"I think I can figure out the wrong sort for myself" Hugo responded.
As Hugo walked away from Deidre and his former friends, he spotted Prince Desmond. Madeline had introduced Desmond to Hugo, Sofia, and Lucinda over the summer.
"Des" Hugo smiled as he walked up to Desmond.
"Hugo" Desmond smiled back.
"I got your invitation to the party your having on Saturday" Hugo started. "I wanted to tell you in person that I'll be happy to attend. I'll even arrive early and help you set up, if you'd like?".
"That would be great, Hugo" Desmond smiled.
Hugo and Desmond then walked into Royal Prep together, happily talking to each other. As for Hugo, he had never been happier. He no longer had to be stuffy - he could now be real, with real friends. And, as the school year progressed, another spot opened up on the Royal Prep Flying Derby Team. He tried out for the spot, and after a race with other princes, Hugo won the spot, and joined the team which now included himself, Madeline, Sofia, Lucinda, and James.
Hugo became a fine person - a person that many were proud to call a friend.
Notes
Information about Appendicitis
Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) requires immediate medical attention, so it's important to learn its symptoms - and how they differ from a run-of-the-mill stomachache - so you can seek medical care right away.
The first symptoms of appendicitis usually are a mild fever and pain around the bellybutton. The pain usually worsens and moves to the lower right side of the belly. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and loss of appetite are other common symptoms.
Call your doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has appendicitis. The earlier it's caught, the easier it will be to treat.
About Appendicitis
The appendix is a small finger-like organ that's attached to the large intestine in the lower right side of the abdomen. The inside of the appendix forms a cul-de-sac that usually opens into the large intestine.
Blockage can be due to hard rock-like stool (called a fecolith), inflammation of lymph nodes in the intestines, or even parasites. Once the appendix is blocked, it becomes inflamed and bacteria can overgrow in it.
If the infected appendix isn't removed, it can burst and spread bacteria. The infection from a ruptured appendix is very serious - it can form an abscess (an infection of pus) or spread throughout the abdomen (this type of infection is called peritonitis).
Appendicitis mostly affects kids and teens between 11 and 20 years old, and is rare in infants. It's one of the most common reasons for emergency abdominal surgery in kids. Appendicitis is not contagious.
Symptoms
Call the doctor immediately if your child shows symptoms of appendicitis, including:
Not wanting to eat; Feeling sick to their stomach; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Low-grade fever; Swollen or bloated belly.
There is no way to prevent appendicitis, but with sophisticated diagnostic tests and antibiotics, most cases are identified and treated without complications.
If appendicitis goes untreated, the inflamed appendix can burst 24 to 72 hours after the symptoms begin. If the appendix has burst, the pain may spread across the whole abdomen, and the child's fever may be very high, reaching 104°F (40°C).
The symptoms of appendicitis can vary according to a child's age. In kids 2 years old or younger, the most common symptoms are vomiting and a bloated or swollen abdomen, accompanied by pain.
If you suspect that your child has appendicitis, call your doctor immediately and don't give your child any pain medication or anything to eat or drink unless instructed to by the doctor
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of appendicitis can be so similar to those of other medical conditions (like kidney stones, pneumonia, or even a urinary tract infection), it's often a challenge for doctors to diagnose it.
To confirm or rule out appendicitis, a doctor will examine the abdomen for signs of pain and tenderness, and order blood and urine tests. The doctor also might order other tests, like an X-ray of the abdomen and chest, ultrasound, or a CAT scan. If the doctor suspects appendicitis, you may be told to stop giving your child any food or liquids in order to prepare for surgery.
Treatment
Appendicitis is treated by removing the inflamed appendix through an appendectomy. Surgeons usually either make a traditional incision in the abdomen or use a small surgical device (a laparoscope) that creates a smaller opening. An appendectomy usually requires a 2- to 3-day hospital stay.
Before and after surgery, intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics will help prevent complications and decrease the risk for wound infections after surgery. If needed, your child will receive pain medication.
An infected appendix that bursts also will be removed surgically but might necessitate a longer hospital stay to allow antibiotics to kill any bacteria that have spread into the body.
Author's notes
In case the magical spell of Repulsia! sounds familiar, the Lucinda in our universe used the same spell to defend herself against Deidre in Niagara14301's story "The Fight".
Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle are from the Disney animated movie "Frozen".