Sophia's Story

A Disney crossover by talking2myself

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognizable Disney characters. All original characters are my own creations.

CHAPTER 5. Runaway Bride

It took Sophia a few moments to remember how to form words. She just stared at the queen with her mouth gaping. A few seconds later she tried to stammer a response. "Y… your… your majesty!" she cried, her knees buckled beneath her and she struggled to transform the gesture into a curtsey at the last moment. "It's… it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

It seemed to be a one-sided pleasure. Narissa narrowed her eyes and circled Sophia like a shark. Sophia had heard about her ruler naturally, but she rarely heard much about about the Queen. The Queen had married Prince Edward's father when the boy was still a child. Sophia actually remembered the event. It had been one of the few moments when Granny had taken Sophia and Giselle into the city. Sophia remembered standing in the throne room, watching the wedding and coronation. At the time, Narissa did not match Sophia's childlike vision of a fairy tale queen. She wasn't particularly beautiful or gentle and she didn't seem thrilled about marrying Edward's father at all. In fact, the one moment when Narissa seemed genuinely and truly happy was when the priest lowered a sparkling crown on her head.

Now, Narissa looked older, but no less intimidating. "My stepson informs me that he intends to wed your sister," she said.

"Y-yes your majesty," Sophia agreed.

Narissa stopped in front of her. "And how do you feel about this?"

Sophia swallowed. This felt like a trap. "I-It would be an honor for my sister to marry your stepson," she said carefully. "But…"

Narissa raised an eyebrow, "But…?" Sophia's mouth went dry.

"But…" Sophia said, licking her lips. "It does seem a bit sudden…"

"You don't want them to marry?" Narissa asked quietly. Her voice was completely neutral, but something about the way she spoke made her anxious. Definitely a trap.

Sophia curtsied again and she wasn't quite sure why. "Forgive me your majesty, but my sister is very young and very naive. I'm not sure she is qualified to serve as a queen. We've lived in a hollow tree for our entire lives and I'm not sure if she's ready to marry."

Narissa stared at her and Sophia could feel sweat running down the back of her neck. Finally, she spoke. "You are absolutely right," Narissa said resuming her pacing. "The wedding cannot be allowed to continue."

Sophia felt a surge of relief as if she had passed some major test. "It's curious though," Narissa observed. "Most people would jump at the opportunity to see their sister wed a crown prince."

Sophia anxiously wrung her skirt in her hands. "It.. it would be a great honor," she repeated. "But perhaps… not what's best for Andalasia."

Narissa crossed her arms and looked Sophia up and down. "You resemble her somewhat," she observed.

"But not as pretty," Sophia commented.

Narissa laughed, "So disparaging?"

"I don't think I'm ugly," Sophia retorted before quickly adding "Your highness. But I'm not the beauty my sister is."

A small smirk stretched across her face. "It's a shame things didn't turn out differently," she remarked. "If we had met earlier, I think we could have been friends."

Sophia quirked her head to the side. "So… does this mean that you will be speak to your stepson?"

"The wedding is not going to happen, my dear," Narissa said calmly. "I will see to that."

Sophia let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, your majesty."

"Of course, my dear," Narissa said with a small smile. "Now, I believe we must head to the church."

"Yes, yes of course, your majesty," Sophia said with a nod. Narissa swept out of the room. "Nathaniel," she called out.

Nathaniel appeared out of thin air. He skidded to a halt, removed his hat and bowed low before her. "Yes, your highness," he said with a bold grin.

"Kindly escort Miss Sophia to the church," she said. "I'll be arriving shortly."

Nathaniel's grin fell instantly. "HER?!" he cried. Sophia glared at him. "I mean, yes of course, your majesty. At once." He offered Sophia a smile, one that seemed much more strained than the one that he given Narissa. "Right this way, Madame."

Sophia gave him a terse nod. "Thank you, Nathaniel." She swept past Nathaniel, arms crossed and her sparkling skirts swept around her legs. She didn't like the way Nathaniel spoke to her. She wasn't sure what she was going to do once she found Sophia, but she was glad that she was never going to see Nathaniel again.

-888-

Sophia once again clambered into the carriage and they rambled down the road to a large cathedral. As she stepped inside, Sophia had to admit, it was beautiful. Large stain glass windows lined the walls and the pews were swathed in gauzy white streamers. Half of the pews were filled with elegantly dressed members of court, the other half was filled with woodland critters. Once they caught sight of her, many of flocked to her side happily chirping.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Sophia insisted. "Where's Pip?" She didn't see the little rodent anywhere.

"Sophia!"

Sophia glanced up in time to see Edward running towards her. He was still smiling, dressed in all white, but to Sophia he looked somewhat nervous. "You're here," he cried. "How wonderful… is… is Giselle with you?"

"What?" Sophia asked. "No… why?"

"Ah… well," Edward laughed nervously. "Things… things seem to running a bit late. She was supposed to be here by now."

Sophia felt a twinge of anxiety. "Have… have you spoken to your stepmother?"

"No, she hasn't arrived yet," Edward said. "I… I'm sure Giselle is just taking her time."

At that moment, the door swung open and Narissa entered. Everyone in the church rose to their feet and bowed as she passed. Narissa swept past them without a thought. "Edward," she said firmly. "I need to speak with you immediately."

"Stepmother," he smiled. "Have… have you heard from Giselle?"

"Giselle?" she asked. "She's missing then?"

Sophia's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat at the word "missing".

"No," Edward insisted catching Sophia's concerned face. "No, she's just late."

"Well, I will need to speak with her as well," Narissa said. "Nathaniel!" she called out.

Once again, Nathaniel scrambled to her side like an eager puppy. "Yes, your highness," he grinned and bowed low. "Kindly fetch Miss Giselle," she ordered.

Nathaniel stared at her in blank confusion. "But… I… don't…"

"Nathaniel!" Narissa snapped. She whirled on her servant and spoke very slowly as though she was a teacher and he was an exceptionally slow pupil. "Please… go and fetch Miss Giselle," she said. "Understand?"

Something seemed to click for Nathaniel. "Oh!" he cried. "Oh yes of course!" he bumbled off quickly. Sophia frowned. She had a sick feeling in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and began to pace back and forth.

"I'm sure there's no reason to worry, Sophia," Edward insisted. "Giselle is just running a bit late."

Sophia gnawed her bottom lip. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. In the church, wedding guests and animals alike were beginning to get restless. She could hear murmurs and shuffling as the minutes passed slowly and painfully.

Finally, Nathaniel flung open the doors to the church and hurried, panting down the aisle. He looked quite nervous. There was no sign of Giselle. "Your highness," Nathaniel said with a hurried bow. "Can I speak to you privately?"

Sophia wasn't going to have it. "Where is Giselle?!" she demanded.

Edward and Narissa also looked at Nathaniel expectantly. Nathaniel shrugged helplessly. "I can't find her, your highness."

"WHAT?!" Edward cried.

Many things happened at once. It felt as though Sophia's world had gone silent. Edward let out a cry of alarm and raced out of the church, frantically looking around for Giselle as though she was going to jump out from behind a pillar and yell "Surprise! Here I am!" Narissa was berating Nathaniel, but Sophia didn't hear the words. Nathaniel was babbling some sort of excuse, insisting that he had no clue where Giselle could be. The guests were beginning to speak openly now, the murmur of concern had erupted into a roar. The woodland critters were surrounding Sophia, nuzzling her arms and gathering around her feet. The priest had taken a few steps forward and gripped her shoulder.

The church erupted into chaos. Narissa stormed out, calling after Edward with Nathaniel trailing behind her. The priest also scrurried after them, asking questions that went more or less ignored. Gradually the guests began to trickle out of the church. Sophia stood at the base of the altar, temporarily forgotten. Her heart pounded wildly in her heart. Her worst fears had come true. Giselle was gone and no one seemed to have a clue where she was. Sophia let out a keening cry and dropped to her knees, sobbing alone in the church with only the animals to comfort her.