Midnight Picnic

Cedric's steps were slow as he made his way through the many castle corridors to his princess's chambers. He felt horrible. Earlier that day, he'd promised Sofia that they would have a picnic as soon as he returned from a meeting with other royal sorcerers. However, the meeting had lasted much longer than he had anticipated, and it was now close to midnight, much too late for a picnic. Cedric was exhausted after the long day he had had, but he wanted to see Sofia and apologize for unintentionally breaking a promise. Knowing how seriously she took promises, he hoped she wouldn't be too upset with him. Just thinking of her angry glare directed toward him was enough to make his chest clench with guilt.

At last, he reached his destination. Crossing the princess's antechamber, he stood there for a moment before raising his hand and hesitantly knocking on the bedroom door.

Not even a minute later, the door opened, and Sofia's sweet face peered out at him. "Cedric!" she exclaimed quietly, smiling. "I'm so glad you're back safely. I was beginning to worry." Her smile faltered when she saw how downtrodden the sorcerer looked. "What's wrong?"

"Sofia," he began, hanging his head and fiddling with the sash of his robe. "I promised you we would have a picnic today, but... I broke that promise." He sighed sadly. "I'm so sorry, my love. Please don't be angry with me."

"What?" She blinked in confusion before realization dawned on her. "Oh, Cedric…" She stepped forward and took his hands, smiling gently when he looked up. "It's not too late. We can still have a picnic."

Baffled, Cedric could only stare at her. She was clearly dressed for bed in a simple light purple nightgown, her auburn hair falling in loose waves down her back. "But, Sofia, it's–"

"It's only eleven forty–five," she said, glancing behind her toward a clock in her room. "The day isn't over yet."

"That may be, but it's dark outside. Not to mention, the kitchen staff has retired for the night. And–"

"And we have magic," Sofia interrupted. She released his hands and dashed back into her room, returning a few seconds later holding her wand. She smirked when she saw the bewildered look on his face. "Any more protests?"

"Yes. You're not even–" He yelped when she grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the antechamber, seemingly not bothered by the fact that she was only wearing her nightgown.

Sofia dragged the sorcerer through several corridors until they came to a door that led out to the castle grounds. Once outside, Cedric followed the young woman, hoping she didn't intend to go to her secret garden. As much as he enjoyed being alone in the peaceful hidden garden with her, it was a bit of a long walk, especially for someone who hadn't even put her slippers on. Thankfully, Sofia guided him to a grassy spot not too terribly far from the door they'd come out of.

"Here we are," the princess announced sweetly, waving her wand and conjuring a blanket, which laid itself neatly on the grass. With another wave of her wand, she produced a large picnic basket that erupted with plates, cups, a platter of sandwiches, and a pot of tea. A plate of fly cakes completed the simple spread. Sofia smiled happily. "Oh, perfect!"

"It certainly is. I'm very–" He blushed in embarrassment when a loud rumbling noise interrupted him, and he placed a hand on his stomach. "Er, I guess I'm rather famished."

She giggled. "Then sit down and let's eat." She sat down on the blanket, pulling him down beside her. She handed him a sandwich and watched in amusement as he practically devoured it in just a few bites. "You act like you haven't eaten in days," she said, reaching for a sandwich for herself.

"I haven't eaten since breakfast," he admitted sheepishly. "Well… I did have some sort of pie at the meeting, but it tasted worse than the soup Baileywick tried to force me to eat the last time I was sick." He made a face at the horrendous memory, still not quite sure how the steward managed to botch up a bowl of chicken soup when everything else he did was known to be perfect. "Honestly, I'm glad Baileywick isn't the one who prepares meals for your family. Otherwise, I'd be worried."

"Don't let him hear you say that," she teased lightly, biting into her sandwich.

The moon and stars shone brightly over the castle grounds, providing enough light for the sorcerer and princess to enjoy their unusual picnic. Even after the last fly caked had vanished, the couple just sat there, enjoying each other's company as they talked in hushed tones.

"…So I told Amber…" Sofia's voice trailed off when she heard a yawn. Blinking, she turned her gaze from the starry night sky to the sorcerer sitting beside her. Seeing him swaying and rubbing his eyes, she laughed softly. "I guess it is kind of late. Do you want me to help you to your tower?"

"I don't think I can even stand up," he murmured tiredly.

She hummed thoughtfully. "I have an idea." Straightening her legs in front of her, she smoothed down her nightgown and patted her lap invitingly. "You can lay your head in my lap."

Cedric was too tired to think straight as he lowered his head onto her lap, sighing in contentment when he felt her gentle fingers caressing his hair. "Sofia," he murmured, his eyes slowly drifting closed. "I love you… so much…"

"I love you too, Cedric," she whispered, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. A soft smile crossed her face when he snuggled closer to her.

Still stroking her sorcerer's hair with one hand, Sofia picked up her wand with the other. With a flick of her wrist, a second blanket appeared and draped itself over them. Next, she conjured a mountain of pillows behind her. Setting her wand aside, she sighed happily and leaned back against the pillows and gazed up at the stars. Soon, she dosed off, cradling Cedric's head in her lap.

A/N: You didn't think I'd participate in a ship week without using my OTP, did you? LOL! I will admit it was fun writing for other ships. So… AquaTurquoise shared a picture with some of us (the cover) and said we could use it if it inspired a story. I adopted that picture, and this Picnic story is the result. I hope you liked it, especially you, Aqua.