Fortunately

Summary: Cedric, Sofia, and Amber are returning from a trip to the village when they are stopped by a fortune teller, who seems to have some very intriguing yet foreboding predictions for them all.

Disclaimer: I only own Madame Mirielle.

A/N: Okay, so this is literally a story of "premonitions," which will vaguely indicate or hint toward things that will happen in the near future with my stories. Pay attention to the way things are worded, because when you see them come into play later, it will all make sense.

NOTE 1: I'm aware some of you are hesitant about the direction my stories are heading, especially pertaining to some of the characters. I get it. My style or my direction may not be for everyone, and that's fine. I'll respect your decision if you choose not to follow my stories anymore in the future because of the difference in preferences; however, please respect my decision to write for the characters and situations in the manner I prefer, just as I've respected others for pursuing their own paths in their own story lines. Things will not be the same as they always have been after the end of this "season," and they're even in transition right now, so it's up to you if you would like to continue with my story lines or if you decide that they're not for you. Either way, I'll understand. 😊 ~Aqua

NOTE 2: With all the mess going on with the virus, clearly a lot of people have been affected. If you have a senior (in high school, in college, or in life—as in elderly) in your life, be understanding to them especially. All this uncertainty and shutdown/lockdown/quarantine stuff is negatively impacting our society and friends/family, so be kind to them. I predominantly teach high school seniors, and they're scared and angry, which is absolutely understandable. Here's hoping that things get resolved soon.

*Story*

"Oh, it feels good to be out, just walking around for a change," Amber told Cedric and Sofia as she grinned and sighed happily. "I know we just went to Dunwiddie for a while, but it was pretty fun. I really like the new sweets they've come up with at the bakery."

"We noticed," Cedric joked, smirking as the future queen eyed him pointedly. "After your fourth intake of said sweets."

Sofia laughed.

Amber rolled her eyes. "Sometimes, I think since we've become closer, you've taken on James's role of picking on me when he's on one of his knight missions." She smiled in amusement. "Thanks, Cedric."

He hadn't been expecting that response, but he smiled anyway. "Certainly."

"I wonder how Desmond is doing taking care of Alamea," Sofia remarked with a small laugh. "When we left this morning, he looked scared. He was like, 'You're leaving me with this tiny human?'"

Amber grinned. "He's fine. Besides, there are plenty of people who can help him if he needs it, including Mom and Dad. But he's perfectly capable of taking care of our daughter." She folded her arms as they walked. "Meanwhile, poor Cordelia needs to be on the payroll as often as she watches Nana and Tanya these days."

"Oh, I've done more than that," Cedric responded. "I've given her access to all of the items in my workshop while we're out or busy. That way, she gets to make potions to her heart's content. And of course, she even takes it upon herself to teach Nana and Tanya how to make them too." He smirked. "Though they could probably teach her a thing or two, really."

They continued walking until a woman standing near the edge of the village beckoned them forward, toward a table and chairs near her. She wore a rather unusual outfit for someone her age (which was not easily identifiable, though she clearly appeared to be a bit older, given the wrinkles on her skin and her withered hands). She wore a low-swooping teal dress that was split just below the black corset at her waist, fanning out around her and down to her ankles. She also wore black opaque tights along with knee-high black boots, the gold ornate embroidery on the instep and the upper cuffs glimmering a bit in the midday sun. A thin black laced undergarment could be seen near the top of her dress, and around her neck were several gold necklaces that appeared to have doubloons dangling from them. From her ears swayed a pair of matching earrings. Her eyes were a dark brown, and her hair was a wavy mess of light brown and gray locks that stopped somewhere halfway down her arms. Her ashen skin was wrinkled in some places yet smooth in others, and her fingers were adorned with numerous rings.

She held in her hands a set of cards, the backs lined with turquoise patterns, on top of which were images of a bat, its wings outspread, resting on a turtle. The woman herself had a mysterious aura about her, one both calm and intimidating at the same time. When she finally spoke, there was a warm crackle to her voice that confirmed her aging appearance. "Come, my darlings," she urged them, causing the other three to stare at her in intrigue. "Sit down, and I will show you all your fortunes. ...And misfortunes as well..."

"I think we'll pass," Cedric mumbled, grabbing Sofia's hand and trying to tug her along. "Let's get out of here."

The woman just smiled knowingly. "Don't you want to know what your future holds, Cedric the Sensational?"

"Not really. I—" He paused, turning back to her. "H-How do you know my name? And…even my old title…" He exchanged glances with Sofia, who shrugged. They'd never seen this woman a day in their lives, and she definitely wasn't from Enchancia.

"I know all of you… Princess Sofia, Protector of the Ever Realm." She nodded toward the auburn-haired princess, who blinked. "Princess Amber, heir to the throne." She next nodded at the blonde, who gasped in awe.

"Wow…" Amber quickly sat down in a spare chair, leaning forward as the woman sat in her own chair, shuffling her cards. "Okay, you've got my attention. What is our future?"

"My predictions are for all or none, I'm afraid…" She cast a wistful glance toward the partners, who still seemed a bit uncertain. "I mean you no harm. I simply wish to offer you a little…glimpse into your future."

Sofia looked up at Cedric, who frowned in mild concern. "What do you think?"

Cedric eyed the woman seriously. "And you won't bother us ever again after this, correct?"

The lazy smile that formed on the woman's face was a little more comforting, considering she laughed softly, and not in a menacing way. "Of course. If that is what you wish." She gestured toward the two empty seats next to Amber. "Please."

Cedric and Sofia sat down beside Amber while the woman continued shuffling through her cards.

"What's your name?" Sofia asked kindly, wanting to make conversation and not just sit there in somewhat awkward silence.

"I have had many names in my life… But most now call me Madame Mirielle." She began laying down the cards before them.

"Ooh, Madame Mirielle!" Amber giggled. "Sounds so fancy."

Madame Mirielle smiled at Amber as she laid another row of cards down. "I see that you are easily impressed and excitable, Princess Amber. Hold onto that trait, because it makes you more relatable to your subjects."

The future queen grinned and playfully brushed her hair over her shoulder. "I try."

Once she'd placed down all her cards, the fortune teller hummed in consideration before nodding. "Among the three of you, and even for those in your midst…" She looked up toward the others, her eyes suddenly glowing a soft white as her hands trailed along the cards.

"Ah!" Cedric yelped, backing up a bit, but stopping as Sofia took his hand and offered him an imploring look. "R-Right… Fortune teller… Heh…" He frowned thoughtfully. He'd never seen a fortune teller do that before, though…

The woman's aged voice seemed to retreat in years, growing younger and softer as she spoke the following fortunes:

"I see the little bit of light of a sea oracle fading entirely to the darkness, lost without any hope…

I see a powerful bond tested and hanging by a thread, tugged apart by opposition that wishes to obliviate this dynamic. The diadem will risk succumbing to fate; it is imperative that the bird of the night retrieve the precious one before it is too late.

I see a reunion of the selves, alike yet distinct, to satisfy a dilemma…or two.

I see the ending of the wicked facets, but not without sacrifice.

I see hope on a new horizon. The moon will embrace the sun completely, and the stars will align.

I see the duality of the tranquil freedom that will alight upon the adoring emissaries.

I see darkness…an empty youthful structure…and the emeralds of deceit. A life cannot exist without a martyr…

I see a great change to a former accolade, offered by the honest spirit.

I see the gem of wonders surpassing the lion, paving a new path for the future. And what is now one will soon be two. And for the ruby, what is now two…will soon double into reality.

I see prosperity, but not without loss…

I see…far more than what is… I see what will be…"

As the older woman had spoken, each of her predictions had magically appeared on a floating piece of parchment (literally from nowhere), to the amazement of the trio.

Madame Mirielle snapped out of her trance, her fingers splayed over the last of the cards, as she looked across the table at the three before her, all mesmerized by her predictions. "I only hope…you are ready for the challenges ahead of you, my darlings. You cannot reach the light until you first conquer the darkness." With that, she began gathering her cards into a pile again.

Cedric blinked, his mind reeling from the information. "What…does that even mean, Madame Mirielle? It's all so…cryptic."

"Fortunes usually are." She smiled gently. "They will begin making sense soon…" She paused, staring at them contemplatively. "And I mean very soon…" She snapped once, causing the parchment to roll into a scroll, tied off with a ruby cord, and watched as it landed in Sofia's hands. "Hmm. Fitting."

Sofia looked up at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean…" She smiled mysteriously. "If anyone has been seen as 'fortunate' in her life, it's you, Princess Sofia…" She then frowned softly. "I just hope that continues…"

Amber, a bit taken aback by the woman's words toward her sister, laughed nervously and stood up, pulling Sofia up with her. "And on that note… We should probably go now…" She wasn't sure what she'd expected with the fortune telling, but…that hadn't been exactly what she'd imagined. "Come on, you two. We'd better go home before they send a search party for us."

The partners followed after Amber, who now seemed a bit uneasy.

"Oh, wait, we should at least thank her for her time," Sofia told the others after they'd walked forward a bit. She turned and said, "Thank you, Ma…dame…" She blinked, seeing no one there. No table, no chairs, no cards…and no Madame Mirielle… "Weird…" She smiled as Cedric took her hand, guiding her back toward the castle as they followed a chatty Amber. She held the scroll in her other hand, her mind swirling with possibilities as to what they could mean.

As the trio left, Madame Mirielle stepped out from behind a tree, a pensive look on her face. "Best of luck to you all… You will certainly need it…" With that, she vanished into thin air.

The end