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 36 A Magical Reunion
Sophia had to smile as she watched her former godchild throw aside all royal decorum and race up the gangplank of the rattiest ship in the harbor. "Sophia!" Jackie cried as she flung her arms around Sophia.
"Hello Jackie," Sophia said warmly. "You're looking well." It was true. A long period of time away from her mother had done Jackie good. She stood a little straighter and had a bright smile. Jackie wore an elegant white and gold gown with a simple golden tiara perched on the top of her head. The gown was embroidered around the edges with red hearts to honor her matching heritage. Her hair was tied into its usual two pigtails with matching ribbons and she wore her distinctive diamond shaped glasses.
"I've b-b-been wonderful," Jackie smiled. "W-w-we're very happy here in England. W-w-we're so happy to see you." The other half of the "we" was a tow-headed boy wearing an elaborate red robe that was far too big for him. A red crown was perched on his head. As he waved at her, the crown tipped forwards onto his forehead.
Sophia smiled and made her way down the gangplank. She stopped and curtsied properly. "Your majesty," she smiled.
"Hi Sophia," Arthur smiled. "We're really happy to see you again."
"Are you g-g-going to stay with us?" Jackie asked hopefully.
"To be totally honest, I'm not sure," Sophia admitted. "At least for a while, if it's alright."
"Of course it's alright!" Jackie cried excitedly before turning towards Arthur, sheepishly looking for permission. Arthur also smiled.
"Absolutely," Arthur agreed. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like. All of you!"
Arthur looked up and nodded to Will, Elizabeth, and Jack who had followed Sophia down the gangplank. Will and Elizabeth both bowed respectfully as they approached. Jack strolled along looking at the tall turrets of Arthur's castle. Will sharply elbowed Jack in the ribs and gestured for him to do the same. Jack rolled his eyes, but swept off his hat and made an elaborate curtsey by lifting the edges of his coat. Will pressed a hand to his forehead.
"You're very kind, your highness," Sophia said. "Is Merlin around here?"
"Oh of course," Arthur said. "He's in the tower." Sophia looked nervous and Will and Elizabeth exchanged anxious glances. "Don't worry," Arthur insisted. "It's a lot nicer than the tower that Sir Ector gave him."
-888-
Sophia panted as she made her way up the winding staircase. "We offered M-M-Merlin a floor on one of the lower levels," Jackie explained as she led her way up the steps. "I think he liked the d-d-dramatic design."
"He must not come down very often," Sophia said.
"Usually he teleports," Arthur admitted wearily. He was practically breaking a sweat beneath his heavy robes.
"Of course he does," Sophia sighed. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the room at the top of the tower. Arthur pushed open a door and revealed what appeared to be a cross between a comfortable library and a laboratory. At the center of the room was a table with settings for seven people.
"Why hello everyone," Merlin emerged from behind a stack of books carrying a tea pot. "You were all very punctual, just like I predicted. I even got the correct number of guests for this afternoon."
"Lucky guess," Archimedes a grumpy old grumbled in the corner.
"It's nice to see you again, Merlin," Sophia said with a smile.
"Lovely to see you too, my dear," Merlin grinned. "Now, sit. Sit down everyone. Cream? Sugar?"
Sophia watched as a sugar pot magically made its way across the tabletop, holding a spoon over its shoulder. "Make yourself comfortable," Merlin said as he settled into his armchair. They all sat around the table. "So what brings you to our happy abode?"
"You man you don't know?" Archimedes smirked.
"I'm merely testing a hypothesis," Merlin snapped.
"I want to reform the circle," Sophia said without preamble. Merlin's eyes shot upwards and even Archimedes seemed surprised by her answer. He fluttered down from his birdhouse perch and settled on the edge of Merlin's hat.
"The Circle?" Merlin asked. "Truly?"
Sophia nodded. "I think it's needed. Would you consider joining?"
"Well, that… that is something to consider," Merlin said. "What exactly is your plan?"
"Ask every magician that I know to join?" Sophia shrugged. "Starting with the original members."
"Now, I admire your tenacity my dear," Merlin said. "But I do feel as though I must point out, the original circle broke. Members became too ambitious. How do you propose to prevent that from happening again?"
Sophia stirred her tea with her spoon awkwardly. Truth be told she didn't have much of an idea yet. "They've seen what happened with Chernabog and the Thirteen. Hopefully, that will deter them from trying to do anything foolish again."
"Hmm," Merlin said thoughtfully. "It didn't deter Maleficent. She witnessed what happened to the original Circle and she still thought that she could be more powerful. That she could control the outcome and things would be different if she tried it."
"Yes," Sophia admitted. "Perhaps we would be more careful about who we let in? Light magic only?"
"How does that work with recruiting Mim?" Jack asked as he practically shoveled sugar into his cup.
Merlin sputtered and nearly spat out his tea. "MIM? Mimorka? Mad Madam Mim? You WANT her to join?"
"She fought against Maleficent and The Thirteen," Sophia argued.
"Only after they refused to let her join their little organization," Merlin grumbled.
"If she had been welcomed somewhere else perhaps she wouldn't have gone to them in the first place," Sophia offered. "That's just one of the reasons why we need the Circle again. Plus, godparents need training and regulation in a few cases." Sophia struggled to tamp down her temper as she thought about Rosamund. "Besides," Sophia said. "Kelsey trusted Mim in the end. She even appointed her as guardian of the altar."
"I suppose so," Merlin admitted grudgingly.
"Has she caused any further trouble?" Will asked.
"Well… no… not that I know of," Merlin said.
"I would expect that we would have some sort of structure," Sophia said. "We would vote. There's this thing called parliamentary procedure. It's common in some parts of the Kingdom. Kelsey was a big fan of it."
"If Kelsey jumped off a cliff would you do it too?" Archimedes demanded.
"Kelsey could fly," Sophia snapped. Archimedes fluffed his feathers indignantly and flew back to his perch.
"Have you spoken to any others about this yet?" Merlin asked.
"Not yet," Sophia admitted. "I would like to see Mim while I am here." Merlin grumbled irritably. "And I would like you to come with me," Sophia added.
"Hmmph, I don't know if my presence would help your case," Merlin said.
"We need to work together," Sophia said. "All magicians, all sorcerers, all godparents."
Merlin sighed, "Of course. Who else were you planning on inviting."
"Mim, my mentor Madam Leota, Mama Odie, the good fairies, you," Sophia said rattling the names off while counting on her fingers. Merlin nodded. "And I would also like Yen Sid and Mickey as well. I was hoping to find them and speak with them. They're not far from here."
"Hmm," Merlin said. "Yen Sid might be a tough sell. He was something of a loner to begin with. I think he blames the Circle for failing to prevent the original sorcerers for going rogue."
"That's why I'm consulting you first," Sophia said sweetly. "So what do you say? Shall we pay Mim a visit?"
Merlin let out a heavy sigh. He took a long sip of his tea before setting it down roughly on the table. "If we must…"
"Perfect," Sophia rose to her feet. "Let's head out immediately."
"Right now?" Merlin asked. Jack looked around and stuffed a crumpet in his mouth before gulping down the last of his tea.
"No time like the present," Sophia said cheerily. "Besides, it will take us plenty of time just to get down the time again."
"I really must install an elevator," Merlin said as he rose from his chair.
"Elevator?" Arthur asked.
"I'll explain it to you later, my lad," Merlin said with a sigh.