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 8. The Court of the Fair Folk

The gown that her sister had made Sophia was beautiful, but not cut out for hiking through the forest. Her skirts were constantly snagging on thorns and branches until she finally bunched them up and held them in one fist with Doli in his jar under the other. Sophia struggled to move as fast as possible, but it still felt too slow. Fortunately, no one seemed to be following her. Maybe Narissa didn't think she was worth the effort of chasing down.

Finally, Sophia could hear the soft trickling sound of water. She grinned and sprinted the last couple of yards to a babbling river. "We're here," she announced triumphantly, holding up Doli's jar so he could see.

"Fantastic," Doli said. "Now jump in."

Sophia nearly dropped the jar in amazement. "What?"

"Jump in," Doli repeated. He crossed his arms. "What did you think we came all this way just to look at it?"

"I'll drown!" Sophia insisted.

"Psh," Doli scoffed. "I designed the whirlpool. It will sweep you up and spirit you away to the fair folk in no time flat."

Sophia looked at the fast moving water and swallowed hard. "You can't be serious."

"If you want to get to the fair folk, that's the only way for someone like you to get there," Doli sniffed. Sophia hesitated and continued to stare at the river anxiously. "Of course," Doli said. "You could just set me free now…"

"Nice try, pixie," Sophia snapped. "Okay. So is there some technique or do I just jump in?"

"Hold on tight to the jar and jump in," Doli said. "I would suggest taking a deep breath before you do."

That did not make Sophia feel any better about the situation. She gulped and slowly made her way to the edge of the river bank. Clutching the jar for dear life, she drew a deep breath and jumped into the river. She let out a cry of surprise as the cold water swept over her. Her legs kicked wildly as she tread water, looking around frantically and waiting for something to happen. "Well?" she demanded of Doli.

"You have to go under the water," Doli said with an eyeroll.

"Swell," she groaned. She took another deep breath and dove beneath the surface. The water stung her eyes as she opened her eyes and stared at her surroundings. Suddenly, she felt the water surge forwards. The jar nearly slid from her grip as Sophia was swept forwards. She clung to the jar and closed her eyes tight as the water seemed to spin around her like a top. She was whipped around violently and her lungs were beginning to ache for air. She let out a yelp and bubbles emerged from her mouth. Then, just as suddenly, she felt herself drop onto the a hard rocky surface. She opened her mouth and gasped desperately once she realized that she wasn't under water anymore. For a few moments, she lay there struggling to catch her breath. She could hear Doli muttering besides her.

"Hmm, the entry seems a bit rough. I might have to take a look at that."

Sophia finally opened her eyes and felt a shock of panic when she only saw darkness. "I'm blind!" she cried.

"No, it's just dark." Doli said dismissively.

Sophia blinked a few more times before her eyes slowly adjusted to the light and she was able to make out Doli's glowing shape in the jar. He was peering up at a strange structure that looked like it was made out of twigs and twine. "What is this?" she asked, reaching towards the structure.

"DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Doli cried, banging his fists against the jar. "That's what operates the whole works." Sophia withdrew her hand and looked at the structure again skeptically. It looked like it was ready to collapse.

"Impressive ain't it?" Doli grinned. "Built it myself."

"No kidding," Sophia said. She slowly rose to her feet and rung out her soaking wet skirts. "Where are we?"

"The court of the fair folk," Doli said. "As promised."

"Huh," Sophia said looking around at the blackness. There was a rocky stone floor and she could hear the rush of water overhead, but that was it. "And where are the fair folk?"

"Oh yeah, probably hiding after your entrance," Doli said. He cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered. "KING EIDILEG! COME OUT HERE! IT'S SAFE! THE GIRL IS WITH ME AND SHE WON'T LET ME OUT OF THIS BLASTED JAR UNTIL SHE SEES YOU!"

Sophia winced at his yelling. She shook her head at the pixie and was about to scold him when a chubby little pixie with a great beard and courtly robes and crown. Like Doli, he had wings and antennae sprouting from his head.

"Good heavens Doli!" he cried. "Where on earth have you been?"

"It's a long story," Doli said waving a hand. He glared up at Sophia. "Any time now, darling."

"Oh right," Sophia said. She picked up the jar and unscrewed the lid. Doli shot out of the jar immediately. "About time," Doli scoffed.

"Are you alright, Doli?" King Eidileg asked zipping to Doli's side. At that moment, Sophia was aware of other glowing winged figures in a variety of colors peering out from the crevices of the rocks.

"Me? Peh. I'm fine," Doli said. "That bloody witch couldn't keep me locked up forever."

"Eh ahem," Sophia cleared her throat loudly.

"Oh and we probably have you to thank for that," King Eidileg said cheerly, flying up to her side.

"What? Oh her," Doli said. "Yeah, she helped."

"We are most grateful to you for Doli's safe return, Miss….?"

"Sophia," She said, bobbing a courtesy as best as she could with her wet skirts.

"If there's anything we can do to repay you, please do not hesitate to ask," King Eidileg said.

"Actually there is," Sophia said. "I… I have found myself in a sport of trouble lately and I was hoping that you could help me find someone."

"Indeed?" King Eidileg asked. "And who would that be?"

Sophia was vaguely aware of some of the smaller, younger pixies venturing closer and closer to her and tugging at her skirts and red curls. "Well, I'm trying to find a fairy godmother."

"A fairy godmother?" King Eidileg repeated in confusion. "Have you lost your fairy godmother?"

"No," Sophia admitted. "I don't have one. I'm in the market for one actually." King Eidileg gave her a confused look.

"I don't think that's quite how it works, my dear," he said, not unkindly. "I don't think you can simply choose a godmother."

Sophia's heart sank. "I need to try at least. I'm in a terrible situation, my sister has disappeared, and Narissa possibly wants to kill me. Do you know where I can find a godmother? Maybe I can reason with her?"

"Well…" King Eidileg said. "There is Rosamund…"

"Rosamund!" Doli barked with laughter. "Good luck reasoning with that harpy."

"Really Doli," King Eidileg scolded. "That's not fair." Doli shrugged not committedly and flew towards his mysterious structure and began examining it.

"Rosamund is a fairy godmother?" Sophia asked hopefully.

"Yes," King Eidileg nodded. "But she spends a lot of time in the dark woods. It's not the safest place for a young lady like yourself."

"I don't think I have much of a choice," Sophia admitted sadly. "Where can I find her?"

"Doli, will be able to escort you to her," King Eidileg said.

"WHAT?!" Doli exploded. "Why would I do that?

"Because," King Eidileg said irritably. "She just rescued you from the clutches of an evil queen."

"Yeah and took her sweet time about it," Doli grumbled.

"Doli really!' he grumbled irritably.

Doli groaned. "Fine."

"Very good," he said. He looked up at the structure. "And when you return, I think we should discuss a few things about the whirlpool. It appears to be leaking."

"Hmmph," Doli grumbled.

"Good," King Eidileg. "That's settled then. Now my dear, you shall be on your way shortly."

"Eh… how?" she asked anxiously glancing up at the whirlpool where she had just dropped.

"We shall take you up through the caverns and Doli can escort your from there," he said. "It has been a real pleasure to meet you, Miss Sophia."

"Oh yes, thank you your highness," Sophia said. "But how do I…"

At that moment, the pixies surrounded her. The vanished apart from a glittering trail that followed them. Sophia let out a tiny cry of alarm as she felt them lift her upwards. She was slowly being lifted up off the ground. "Thank you King Eidlieg," she called out into the darkness.

King Eidileg reappeared a short distance away and waved at her. "Safe travels, my dear," he cried. "Doli will take good care of you." From somewhere within the glittery cloud, she could hear a muttered "harrumph" that could only be Doli. Sophia struggled to hide her frown, not at all confident in King Eidileg's words. Without another word, she was lifted up out of the caverns and back into the light.