Witch Tales - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 10: In Charge
Note: this is a story that is set when Lucinda is nineteen-years-old.
At Enchancia Castle
It was morning at Enchancia Castle. Each of the royal family had gone off to take care of various business, all except one - nineteen-year-old Lucinda, who had a free day. As she finished eating breakfast, Baileywick walked up to her.
"Princess Lucinda" Baileywick started, "since the rest of the royal family are away today, and since you are here, you are technically in charge during their absence".
"I'm a witch, not a ruler" Lucinda said, taken off guard.
"Not to worry, Lucinda" Baileywick smiled. "You'll find it to be light duty - signing the occasional document, approving castle projects, and maybe hearing a legal case if one arises. Myself and Constable Miles will be available to assist, just as we are with King Roland".
"Well, I should be able to handle that" Lucinda smiled.
"Meanwhile, shall we discuss arrangements for lunch?" Baileywick asked.
"Yes" Lucinda answered. "Adair will be joining me for lunch today. We'll keep it simple - sandwiches, a few desserts, and drinks. Do we have any pot roast left?".
"Yes, we do" Baileywick replied.
"Then have some pot roast sandwiches prepared for lunch, along with a selection of other sandwiches" Lucinda said.
"Very good" Baileywick acknowledged. "And what kind of desserts would you like?".
"I was thinking a vanilla cake, a chocolate cake, and some pastries" Lucinda answered.
"And drinks?" Baileywick asked.
"I was thinking a selection of teas, soft drinks, and fruit drinks" Lucinda replied.
"I'll see that everything is taken care of" Baileywick smiled.
Lunch
About a half hour before lunch, Lucinda and Baileywick were waiting in the courtyard of Enchancia Castle. In a few moments, a royal carriage pulled up.
"Miss Adair Starwell of the Village of Dunwitty" Baileywick announced.
A nineteen-year-old Adair Starwell, Lucinda's best witch friend, stepped off of the carriage. Lucinda walked over, and the two friends hugged.
"It's so nice you could come over for lunch, Adair" Lucinda smiled.
"Thank you for having me" Adair smiled back. "By the way, I stopped by Greythorn's this morning. Your order just came in, and since I was coming here anyway, I offered to deliver it". Adair then produced a small package.
"Ah!" Lucinda smiled. "My new tarot deck. My old one was getting a bit worn. Thank you, Adair".
"Anytime" Adair smiled. "I love going into Greythorn's. It's nice that Dunwitty has it's own shop for witches, warlocks, sorcerers, and sorceresses".
Lucinda and Adair then walked up to where Baileywick was standing.
"Nice to see you again, Miss Adair" Baileywick smiled.
"Nice to see you as well, Mr. Baileywick" Adair smiled back.
Baileywick took Lucinda and Adair to the royal dining room. As Lucinda and Adair sat down, Baileywick put some papers down on the dining table.
"Before lunch, Princess, there are some papers that need to be signed" Baileywick announced.
"Of course" Lucinda smiled.
"This one is for approving replacement playground equipment for the park in Summerset Village, this one is for approving an addition to the elementary school in Dunwitty, and this one is for approving an unpainted carriage for the upcoming Flylight Pageant" Baileywick said.
Lucinda signed the papers. Baileywick then handed her another paper.
"Here is this morning's security report" Baileywick said. "Please read it, then sign it".
Lucinda read the report, which was only about two pages long. When she was getting near the end, Lucinda noticed something of interest.
"Salsquatch is back?!" Lucinda asked, taken off guard.
"I'm afraid so, Princess" Baileywick signed.
"Salsquatch?" Adair inquired.
"He's an Enchancian version of Bigfoot" Lucinda answered. "He's mostly harmless, but he's got this annoying habit of peeking in people's windows late at night".
Lucinda signed the morning security report, and handed it to Baileywick. As Baileywick left the royal dining room with the papers, a few of the castle servants started serving lunch.
"Well, look at you" Adair said to Lucinda, impressed. "You've become quite the royal".
"I try my best" Lucinda smiled. "The education at Royal Prep helped. You'd be surprised at the level of royal education the place offers - etiquette, how to be a proper host or hostess, how to give a speech while being perfectly composed, dance instruction, legal classes, just to name a few things".
"How do you remember all of that?" Adair asked.
"Upon graduating from Royal Prep, each prince and princess is given a book which contains everything they would ever need to know over a course of a lifetime" Lucinda answered. "The book is at least three inches thick".
"Well, know that we in the witch and warlock community are very proud of you, Lucinda" Adair commented. "You've come a long way since being adopted by King Roland and Queen Miranda. You make us proud every day".
"Thank you, Adair" Lucinda said, touched.
Lucinda and Adair then enjoyed their lunch while having a pleasant conversation with each other. Near the end of lunch, Constable Miles walked into the royal dining room.
"Princess Lucinda" Constable Miles started, "we have a legal situation that needs your attention".
"What's going on, Constable Miles?" Lucinda asked.
"It involves a matter of disputed property" Miles answered. "There is a pet rabbit that is claimed by two parties - a young girl, and a magician. An arbitrator is needed to figure out who the rightful owner is".
"Where are they now?" Lucinda inquired.
"They are waiting in the throne room" Miles responded.
"I'll be there shortly" Lucinda said.
As Constable Miles left the royal dining room, Adair turned to Lucinda. "Mind if I tag along?" Adair asked.
"I'd like that" Lucinda smiled. "Let's see what's going on".
Making a decision
Lucinda and Adair walked into the throne room. As Adair went over to the side of the room, Lucinda walked over to a row of thrones, and stopped in front of the throne that belonged to her.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Lucinda of Enchancia" Baileywick announced as everybody stood up.
"Be seated" Lucinda directed as she and the parties involved sat down.
Constable Miles stepped forward.
"Dorothy Frazier versus The Amazing Boswell" Miles announced. "Miss Frazier claims that the rabbit currently in the possession of The Amazing Boswell is her property. The Amazing Boswell is disputing that".
"Miss Frazier, please come forward" Lucinda directed.
As the girl came forward, she curtsied.
"Please tell me your side of the story" Lucinda gently directed the girl.
"My pet rabbit, Finn, went missing yesterday" the girl started. "I searched for him yesterday, with no luck. This morning, I was looking around the Dunwitty fairgrounds when I saw Finn being used as part of The Amazing Boswell's magic act. I told The Amazing Boswell that Finn was my rabbit, but he wouldn't listen to me. He told me to get lost".
"I'll have you know that is my rabbit!" The Amazing Boswell spoke up. "And his name is Mr. Cuddles!".
"Can either of you describe any special markings the rabbit has?" Lucinda inquired.
"He's a rabbit!" Boswell exclaimed. "What kind of special markings would he have?!".
"Actually, Finn has darker fur behind his right back leg" the girl pointed out.
"Please bring the rabbit forward" Lucinda requested.
Constable Miles brought the rabbit up to Lucinda. As Lucinda held the rabbit, she carefully looked behind the rabbit's right back leg. The rabbit did indeed have some darker fur there.
"That proves nothing!" Boswell protested.
"Well, since the rabbit is here, lets ask him" Lucinda suggested.
"What kind of trickery is this?!" Boswell demanded to know.
"I wear the Amulet of Tlara" Lucinda started. "Because it's enchanted, it gives me some special gifts, including the ability to talk to animals".
"Well, that's all well and good for you" Boswell pointed out. "The rest of us, however, can't talk to animals. How do we know you won't just make something up on the spot?".
"I propose a test" Lucinda answered. "You whisper something in the rabbit's ear, then you whisper the same thing in Constable Miles ear, and Constable Miles will repeat it to the rabbit. I'll ask the rabbit what was whispered, and then I'll have Constable Miles confirm or deny it".
Boswell came up and whispered something in the rabbit's ear, then whispered something in Constable Miles ear. Constable Miles then whispered into the rabbit's ear.
"What was whispered to you?" Lucinda asked the rabbit.
"They both whispered one nine seven" the rabbit answered.
"The rabbit says that what was whispered was one nine seven" Lucinda announced. "Constable Miles, is that what was whispered to you, and what you then whispered to the rabbit?".
"Yes it is, Princess Lucinda" Miles answered.
"Is that what you whispered to the rabbit, and then to Constable Miles?" Lucinda asked Boswell.
"Yes" Boswell answered.
"Then we've established I can talk to animals" Lucinda said. She then looked at the rabbit. "Please tell me your side of the story".
"Yesterday, I was roaming around, minding my business, when that magician came up and grabbed me" the rabbit answered. "The next thing I know, he's using me for magic tricks".
"Are you his property?" Lucinda inquired.
"No" the rabbit answered. "I belong to Dorothy Frazier, the girl standing over there. I'd like to be returned to her".
"Thank you for your testimony" Lucinda said to the rabbit. She then looked at Boswell. "The rabbit says he was minding his business when you grabbed him and used him in your act. The rabbit also says he belongs to Dorothy Frazier, and he would like to be returned to her".
"Outrageous!" Boswell exclaimed.
"Do you have any proof that the rabbit belongs to you?" Lucinda asked Boswell. "Any receipt from when you bought the rabbit?".
"... no" Boswell answered.
"Then, since this young lady has identified a special marking on the rabbit, and since the rabbit has told me he belongs to the young lady, I hereby rule in favor of her" Lucinda announced. "The rabbit will be returned to her immediately".
"And what am I suppose to do for a rabbit?" Boswell asked in a cross way.
"You could always buy one" Lucinda suggested.
"You damned Milledtion's!" Boswell shouted. "First, your sister, Princess Sofia, takes a rabbit from me, and now your doing the same!".
"You knew full well that Clover belonged to Sofia" Lucinda pointed out. "As for this case, it's been proven that this rabbit belongs to Dorothy Frazier. I suggest you live with it".
Boswell stormed out of the throne room as Lucinda walked over to Dorothy and returned the rabbit to her.
"Thank you, Princess Lucinda" Dorothy smiled.
"Your very welcome" Lucinda smiled back. Lucinda then turned to Miles. "Would you see that this young lady and her rabbit are given a ride home?".
"I'll take care of it immediately, Princess Lucinda" Miles smiled.
As Lucinda walked out of the throne room, Adair walked with her.
"That was impressive work" Adair remarked.
"Thank you" Lucinda smiled.
"So, are you still coming to Dunwitty on Saturday?" Adair asked.
"Oh, yes" Lucinda said with a smile. "I always enjoy getting together and playing a good game of Quidditch".
"Well, I've better be getting home" Adair said. "Thank you for a fine lunch".
"My pleasure, Adair" Lucinda smiled. "I'll walk you out to the carriage".
Later that afternoon
King Roland and Queen Miranda were the first of the royal family to return to the castle. As they stepped off of their carriage, Lucinda walked up to them.
"Good afternoon, Lucinda" Roland smiled. "How did everything go today?".
"Everything went smoothly, Dad" Lucinda reported.
"Princess Lucinda did an outstanding job" Baileywick announced as he walked up. "You would be quite proud of her".
"Well then, I look forward to hearing about it" Roland smiled.
Lucinda, Roland, and Miranda then walked into the castle, smiling and having a pleasant conversation as they went along. Baileywick smiled as he watched Lucinda, Roland, and Miranda enter the castle. It had been a perfect day, and everything was right with the world.
Author's notes
Adair Starwell is an original character I created for use in my "Sofia the First" stories, and appears in my stories "Tales from the Castle" and "Witch Tales".
Flylight Pageant is from the "Sofia the First" episode "Four's a Crowd".
In regard to Greythorn's, it is an idea I have had for a little while now. I wanted to give Dunwitty it's own shop catering to witches, warlocks, sorcerers, and sorceresses. Greythorn's sells, among other things, wands, brooms, cauldrons, crystal balls, books, tarot decks, and clothing.
Milledtion was once mentioned in the Disney Wiki "Sofia the First" area as the last name of the Enchancia royal family, and I've gone with that when writing "Sofia the First" stories.
Quidditch is from "Harry Potter". Lucinda was on the Royal Prep Quidditch Team as a Chaser, and she also takes part in friendly Quidditch matches with her witch and warlock friends who live in and around Dunwitty. For more about Lucinda and Quidditch, see my stories "First Day" and "Incident at Royal Prep".
Summerset Village and The Amazing Boswell are from the "Sofia the First" episode "Finding Clover".