Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First
A/N: This little story takes place after the original one shot
Baileywick knocked upon the wooden door at the top of Cedric's tower. Then, as was his custom, promptly opened it to allow himself in.
He froze, blinking in bewilderment when he saw a large white bird seated on top of the sorcerer's table.
"Cedric?... What is that on your work table?"
The man in question looked at him, then back at the feathered creature. "A Swan," he said obviously.
The steward gaped for a moment longer, before shaking his head in an attempt to clear away his befuddlement. "Well, yes. But what is it doing here?"
"She's my familiar."
"I thought Wormwood was your familiar," casting a glance at the raven. Who seemed to be glaring daggers at the pristine white avian from his perch.
"There's no rule that says a sorcerer is only allowed one familiar," Cedric remarked casually. Gently scratching under her chin. The swan leaning into his touch in delight.
The steward sighed, still confused but opted to let the matter go for the time being. Deciding rather to get to the matter at hand.
"King Roland has requested that you prepare a few items for the upcoming ball," he announced. Handing him a paper, and promptly leaving afterwards to attend to the remainder of his duties.
Cedric examined the list, grimacing at it's contents. Seemed the steward and king's definition of a few items, were far different from his own.
"Well, let's get started shall we," he announced out loud.
A silvery glister engulfed Sofia as she transformed into her human form. Still seated a top his desk.
She hopped off, hurrying beside him to look over the requests as well. "What are we making first?"
"This," pointing at a request to give the fountain a shimmery glow. "The potion to achieve this result is simple enough to make. But it takes a couple days to stew. So best to get it started a soon as possible, if we want it ready in time for the ball."
"Okay, what do we need?" Already heading to the cabinets to retrieve the necessary ingredients.
"Let's see," humming slightly as he consulted one of his books. "Diamond dust, a mermaid scale, spring water..."
She rummaged through the containers, quickly finding each item and setting them carefully back at his desk beside him.
"Oh, and we'll need some unicorn horn shavings too."
The swan nymphs eyes turned upward, "Oh..." It was a bit high. But if she transformed again...
Another silvery light covered her, and she was a swan once more. Gracefully she flew up, after the bottle. But just before she could grab it, a plume of black feathers zoomed in front of her. Snatching it away.
"Oh! Thank you Wormwood," Cedric said, as the raven delivered it directly to him. Having been too absorbed in the spell book, to have seen the previous exchange between his two feathered companions.
The bird cawed triumphantly, smirking in Sofia's direction. "You'll have to be quicker than that if you want to beat me."
She frowned. Wormwood had not exactly been...friendly... to her. Treating her as a rival for Cedric's attentions. But given that she was the only one who understood him, and knowing how he close he was with her beloved. She had decided just to bear it. Not wanting to disrupt their relationship.
"Finally some dried night jasmine," Cedric finished.
Sofia was able to grab it this time. Taking it in her beak and gliding back down. Transforming back into human shape in another light.
"Here you are," handing it him.
"Thank you my love," his expression soft as he gently took it from her.
She smiled back up at him for a blissful moment. Then softly groaned, suddenly feeling woozy. Her legs wobbling dangerously.
"Sofia!" he gasped, catching her when she fell forward. "Are you alright?!"
"Yeah..." holding a hand to her head, "It just takes a lot out of me switching forms so quickly." Since becoming an adult she had mastered the ability to change her shape at will. But it was still a taxing feat without the moonlight to aid her.
"Hmm, well then maybe you ought to pick one, and stick with it," he suggested.
"Okay, I'll use this one," throwing her winged arms around him. "It's easier to hug you like this, and kiss you." Planting one on his cheek.
He sputtered, turning red as he hugged her back. "Well yes, of course."
Wormwood ruffled his feathers. Rolling his eyes at their affectionate display.
Cedric cleared his throat, gently prying her off. "But right now, we need to focus on this potion."
She nodded, and the two of them set to work.
They got the potion to it's first stage, before setting it aside to work on the remainder of their assignments. Crafting more potions, as well as looking up and practicing the best spells to achieve the requested results.
The time passed pleasantly, as it always did when he was with Sofia. She brought an air of joy to the room, and her ability to bring good fortune brought much success in his work. True, there were still occasional mishaps, but he was never made to feel disheartened about them when they did. Instead, she would gently help him find the humor in the situation and help him try again. There was never any harshness or judgement on her part, and practicing magic with her felt like being a child again. In the days either before the incident, or during those precious few weeks they'd first spent together.
Even Wormwood had become more helpful since she came back into his life.
After they had poured another finished potion into it's vial, Sofia took a glance at her sorcerer. His eyes concentrating, but showing clear, though subtle signs of fatigue.
"Maybe, we should take a break," she suggested.
He nodded, wiping his brow, "Alright." Sitting down, he conjured up a pot of rose mint tea, two tea cups, and a plate of fresh fruits between them.
Sofia selected a plump raspberry, smiling at the sweet taste. "Mmm, delicious."
He hummed in agreement. Sampling the blackberries, whilst offering some to a cawing Wormwood. Who had perched upon his shoulder.
While they enjoyed themselves, Cedric's thoughts kept turning to the young nymph seated next to him. It had been nearly a year since they'd started courting, and the experience had been nothing short of wonderful! Time with her was both comfortingly familiar and delightfully new. Their days together were spent practicing magic; and the evenings were spent in the pleasure of each other's company. Before she flew off to rejoin her clan, until the next time they met again.
He couldn't remember ever feeling happier; and more and more each day he was beginning to seriously consider her proposal of marriage, as he realized he was falling deeper in love with her.
Unfortunately, he still carried some doubts. Though he'd explained to others that he'd recently started courting someone. He'd been secretive regarding the details as to who that was. Not that Sofia had minded, her traditions as a nymph inclining her to be more secretive around humans. But if they were going to go further in their relationship, then others would find out eventually.
Though he supposed introducing a potential swan nymph wife wouldn't be too peculiar. At least among the magical community. After all, though not exactly a common practice, it wasn't unheard of for sorcerers to marry magical creatures. In fact, Cedric himself had a few witches and at least one fairy in his own lineage. Such unions producing offspring of greater magical potential.
He blushed as he considered that last part, but pushed the matter aside for the moment. Well, in any case his parents would likely be very pleased with Sofia. Mummy perhaps the most. So there was no need fear on that end.
Still, there were greater things that made him question the morality of marrying such a kind and beautiful young woman.
For one thing, though they'd both shared a brief portion of their childhood together. Their adult ages were drastically different; and he still feared it would be an unkindness to her to bind her to a husband she would likely outlive by many years.
But, then again...there were potions and spells that could rectify that issue...
More importantly however, was the fact that he felt almost...undeserving. Sofia loved him in a way that was just, so pure. Being inclined to as such partly by her nymph nature, but also because she herself really was that goodhearted. Yet, he had not lived a life worthy of such affection. True he had chaned his ways in recent years. But the majority of his life had been marred with feelings of bitterness and wicked ambitions. Certainly not the life of a man who was worthy of such a love as hers.
And yet...for all his fears and worries. He couldn't resist the overwhelming feeling that he wanted to be by her side always, and... if she too felt the same...then perhaps there was no sin in that wish...
He had been staring at her for quite some time. Feeling his eyes upon her she met his gaze, blinking. "Cedric?"
He shook his head. "It's nothing..." taking another sip of tea. He cleared his throat. "Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Well..." rubbing the back of his neck, "I was thinking. This upcoming ball, is actually going to be on the anniversary when we met again a year ago, and I was wondering perhaps... if you'd like to go with me?"
Her mouth gaped open slightly, "Really?"
"Um...of..of course, if you'd rather not!..." he stuttered, suddenly apprehensive.
"No! No I'd love to go with you," reaching over to grip his hand tightly. Elated that he was finally comfortable enough to be more open with their relationship.
He calmed, a crooked smile finding it's way onto his lips. "Alright, then it's a date," tenderly kissing her hand to seal the agreement. Her heart fluttering lightly.
"I was also hoping," softly rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "If you'd like to meet my parents afterwards. Officially, I mean."
The offer was met with an enthusiastic nod. Sofia sliding over to take a seat on his lap, "That sounds wonderful." Blue eyes sparkling at him.
He received her into his embrace. The two gazing into each other's eyes adoration, before closing them and allowing their lips to meet in a tender kiss.
A/N: Well there you have it. The three shot is complete. Unless I decide to add more later, lol. Kind of set myself up for it a bit with the mention of that ball, and meeting his parents. But we'll see. I kind of like having this be one of those stories that I really have no big plan for, and that is basically already finished. But if I feel prompted to add more onto it, I can.
Anyway, for now anyway it's complete, and I hope you enjoyed it.