Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First
A/N: Here's today's story for you guys. Hope you enjoy. It's been a wonderful cedfiaweek so far :)
(Sofia is an adult of course)
His dreams were always filled with her. The two of them, spending all hours together. Her sweet voice sounding in his ear, and a kind smile that she possessed solely for him. His fingerd tangled up in her wavy locks... and soft lips pressed against his own...the beauty of her passionate embrace...Each vision allowing him to indulge for just a moment in a sweet delusion. Before the bitter pangs of reality pulled him back in.
Cedric certainly never intended to fall in love with Sofia. But then again, he hadn't meant to develop any tender feelings towards her at all. She was supposed to be nothing more than an obstacle in his quest for her amulet.
Yet somehow, her pure love had penetrated his heart. Giving him a friendship worth far more than a thousand amulets.
It may have continued just like that, perhaps it should have. But as if the world enjoyed tormenting him, he found that as she grew into adulthood, so did his feelings for her also begin to shift into something totally new.
But that was where the problem lied. For unlike her friendship, which she gave to him freely and in abundance. This kind of love could never be reciprocated. After all, she was a princess; and he, the family royal sorcerer. A servant, and over twenty years her senior to boot. Plus there was also his sordid past. Though he supposed, he ought to be considered a villain even now for daring to think of her in such a light.
So he kept his feelings bottled up. Admiring her from afar, and cherishing the moments they did spend together. Giving her the space he knew he should grant her. Enjoying their friendship during the day, and permitting himself to only indulge in his fantasies of being with her during sleep. Trying to forget the anguish that that was all he could ever hope for...
He was in his workshop, tinkering around with a potion recipe; while she had gone off on one of her protector excursions, as was so often the case these days. Yet despite her physical absence, as usual, his thoughts couldn't stop dwelling on her.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
He looked up, brow furrowing in confusion. Had someone been tapping on his window?
Tap! Tap! Tap!
There it was again! More urgent this time. Looking over he could see the vague shapes of a person, and flying creature.
Sofia? he wondered, rushing over. Opening it revealed not his beloved princess, but rather her former trainer. As well as the unicorn that accompanied her on her missions in the Mystic Isles.
"Cedric! Sofia needs your help!" Chryta exclaimed, not bothering with any formalities. But those words were all he need.
"What?!" he gasped, a chill running through him. He knew her job as protector could be dangerous at times. But this was the first time he'd been directly alerted of an emergency like this.
"Where is she?!" he demanded. Wand at the ready to protect her, just as he ever had.
"On the Isle of Magical Flowers," the fairy informed. Hovering to the side so Skye could approach the window. "Come on!"
Cedric quickly packed a satchel with some healing potions, and a few books that might come in handy, before hurrying back over to them. He hesitated for a just moment, the sheer drop between his tower and the flying steed fraying at his nerves. Swallowing thickly, he gathered his courage and swung his body over to mount the unicorn.
He fumbled a bit, struggling to grasp on. Though he had no qualms about flying in general, Sofia was the derby rider, not him.
"Hold on my good sir," Skye encouraged as his fellow flying companion helped Cedric get a better grip.
"Alright," Chrysta announced, "Let's go!" The three of them soaring up to the magical realm above the clouds.
"What's happened to Sofia?" Cedric asked, when they finally reached sea of pinkish clouds and golden gates that marked the entrance to the Mystic Isles. A bit afraid to know the answer.
"She fell into a field of Dreamy Lavender," Chrysta explained. Continuing to fly on ahead as she led the way.
"Dreamy Lavender?..." cocking his head slightly. Despite his knowledge of magic, there were still things about this place that eluded him.
Reaching into his pack he consulted one of his books, a tome about magical plants, in the hopes of finding something useful. Flipping through the pages, until at last he came upon a picture of the aforementioned herb.
"Ah! Here it is!" he announced to himself. "Dreamy Lavender!" Before getting a better look at the text.
Dreamy Lavender: Commonly used as a sleep aid. The Dreamy Lavender lulls one into a peaceful sleep of sweet dreams.
Caution: Over exposure to the Dreamy Lavender can trap it's victim in a blissful slumber from which they will never want to awaken.
They arrived at the isle, filled with every kind of enchanted flora imaginable. From the wintery Ice Lily to the musical Firecracker Flower. Singing sunflowers, bouncing bluebells... Even blooms that had originally been cultivated in the Ever Realm itself, such as the now plethora of famous flowers crafted by Miss Nettle, had managed to make their way here.
"She's over here!" Chrysta shouted, as they at last came upon a large sea of lavender. The lone figure of the princess resting peacefully in it's midst.
"Sofia!" Cedric called descending closer. The scent from the flowers filling his nostrils, and feeling him with a lightheaded sense of euphoria.
"Careful, not to get to close!" Chrysta warned. Hovering above as Skye followed suit.
"First we need to get her out of there," activating her enchantlet and hooping the magical lasso around her friend's form.
"Right!" Cedric agreed, unsheathing his wand. "Floatzilla Princessa!"
Between the three of them they were able to hover the young protector safely out of the sleep inducing field, and set her gently upon a clear spot of ground.
Landing next to her, the three of them took into account of her physical state. Pulling out some stray lavender that had managed to get tangled in her hair. Miraculously she appeared mostly unharmed. Only sustaining a few cuts and bruises during her fall. Which Cedric quickly treated with some healing ointment.
More importantly however, was this spell she was under. Taking a good look at her face, he noted that her features were completely lax. Save for her lips, which were curled up into a small serene smile. The subtle movement of her eyes beneath her lids confirming that she was likely experiencing a most pleasant dream.
It certainly was a kinder fate than one might otherwise endure; and he'd be the first to agree that Sofia was well deserving of a good rest.
But even so, eternal slumber wouldn't be fit for her...
"Now, how to wake her up..." muttering to himself as he searched for the page again, "a wake up spell? A potion?..."
"None of that will help...," Chrysta sighed.
"What?" a confused and anxious look on his face as he looked up from his text.
"She's right," Skye confirmed. "They say only something better than a dream can waken one from the effects of dreamy lavender."
He gaped at them for a moment, before turning back to the book. No that couldn't be right! Surely there had to be something else! He scoured the pages more vigorously. Until at last he found the reference to the magical plant again.
In case of over exposure the victim can only be awakened by something they deem better than the dream.
"Better than the dream..." his voice croaked out softly. Then what good was he!? If none of his spells and tinctures would pull her out of this? What could he?...
"Mm..Cedric..."
He froze, hearing the soft murmur of his princess voice. Had...Had she just said his name in her sleep?...
No. Surely it was his imagination...
However, Chrysta confirmed his previous suspicions. "I heard her calling your name. So I thought that maybe...," shrugging her shoulders before gesturing between the two of them.
A silence passed through, which the crystal fairy broke when she continued. "You know, Sofia talks about you a lot. At first I thought it was just because you two were just close, or that she really admired you. But now I think..."
Cedric gulped, his heart beating fast as he gazed down upon his princess. Recalling all those fantasies he'd held of the two of them. A small hope rising up within him that perhaps they weren't so one-sided after all. Yet still hardly daring to believe it...
Carefully he took her hand in his own. "Sofia..."
Her eyes fluttered open, and met his. "Hey Cedric..." sighing with a dreamy smile.
He started to choke up. Eyes watering from both the relief that she had woken up, and the happiness that it was because of him. The latter of which was nearly overwhelming him.
Wiping away any tears before they could fall. He helped her sit to sit up, before Chrysta cut her way between them.
"You okay, Sofia?!" Interrupting the moment to frantically check on her.
"I'm alright," she assured, before letting out a yawn and rubbing her eyes.
"I think that's enough protector duties for you today," the fairy advised. "The spell itself may be broken, but the affects can linger for a while. Wouldn't do you good to be so sleepy on the job."
The princess nodded, Cedric helping her back to her feet. "You're right, We'll head back home then." Watching as a second unicorn landed next to them so that both her and Cedric could return safely to the Ever Realm.
After checking once more to be sure she was okay. Her former trainer flew off to tend to the rest of her duties. Leaving the sorcerer, princess, and their unicorn companions alone.
"Cedric,"
"Yes, Sofia!" he answered eagerly.
"Thank you for waking me up." Blue eyes shining up at him.
He blushed, "It..it was no trouble at all."
She hummed, gently caressing his hands. "Although, I am a bit disappointed you didn't do it with a kiss."
His face went even redder at that teasing, "S...Sofia!"
Giggling fondly at him, she turned aside. Her hand still in his. "Come on, Lets go home."
She was just about to mount Skye, when Cedric stopped her. Turning her around to face him. She blinked back at him, a bit of surprised at the intensity of his gaze.
"Perhaps, I could make up for that kiss now...If you'd like..." voice trembling slightly as he gave the offer.
He hesitated a moment, giving her a chance to decline. Before letting his lips meet hers in a gentle but firm kiss. Trying to convey all the feelings he'd kept repressed for so long.
She whimpered beneath him for just a moment, then reciprocated. Moaning in delight as he pulled her in closer.
Cedric hummed his approval as well, when suddenly. "Ow!"
She gasped as their kiss broke. Staring at him in concern, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he assured, rubbing the now sore spot on his arm. "I just wanted to be sure I wasn't dreaming."
It took a moment for her to register what he meant. "Oh Cedric," she laughed, hugging him tight. "I love you!"
His heart melted at those words. Never thinking he'd hear them like this out of his dreams.
"I love you too." Returning her embrace. This moment far sweeter than anything he could ever imagine.