While James and Roland were working on the trap for Slickwell, Sofia, Lucinda, Greylock, Dorrie, and Candice were in Sofia and Lucinda's workshop getting the potion ingredients together. "Add plenty of powdered Jobberknoll feathers; those are essential for memory potions," Greylock instructed.
"I knew we had them for some reason, but I never knew why," Sofia commented, holding up a jar.
"My birth mother used those in her memory potions all the time," Lucinda explained.
"We use those in Hexley Hall's potion classes too," Candice agreed, Dorrie nodding at her side.
"Don't forget the Cauldronized Magic Crystals," Greylock added, picking up a small pouch.
"Who could forget those?" Sofia murmured, recalling how Amber used those to make her infamous butterfly costume.
"What's so funny?" Dorrie asked, seeing her smile for the first time since their adventure started.
Sofia smiled. "Funny story about that, Dorrie; I'll tell you later."
"Now for a mixture of Hocus Crocus and Rose Petal Dust," Candice agreed. She smiled as she smelled the blended flowers.
"Candice, if you inhale too much of that, we won't have enough for Amber's potion!" Lucinda smiled.
"I can't help it! I love flowers!" Candice grinned as she poured the mixture into the cauldron, and sneaking in a few last sniffs of the flowers.
"You and Violet both! The castle always smells so nice with the potpourri you two make with all the dried flowers," Sofia smiled. "You and Dorrie also do Royal Prep's after school gardening club proud!"
"Very good, ladies! Now if someone could add the Diamond Dust, Powdered Unicorn Horn, and Salt Water Extract, we'll have all our ingredients," Greylock smiled.
Meanwhile, as Dorrie, Sofia, Candice, Greylock, and Lucinda were working on the potion, James and Roland were working on a trap for Slickwell. Roland scanned a new folder in his hands. He watched as Miranda, Penny, and Miss Elodie looked through other folders to find an idea if this one didn't work.
"Your story said that a castle was in need of a new staff member," Roland looked up a few moments later. "How about we create an advertisement for a new steward?"
"That sounds good. We'll leave it where Slickwell can find it, and leave instructions to have him meet you in your study," James agreed. "I looked at another story of mine, which I rejected, but it had a trap that Andrew fell into: he sat down on a chair and got stuck. I actually tried traps in more than one story, but I didn't like how they turned out in those either."
"That's okay, but how did he get out?" Roland asked.
"I had trouble coming up with an idea, so I asked the knights about that. Sir Finnegan suggested Andrew grab a vine which was hanging over his head and pull himself out, like someone would if they were in quicksand or a bog," James recalled, "This happened when I started as his squire, and he was telling me a story about one of his adventures."
"Now that I hear you say that, Sofia and Amber helped the Buttercups that way when Amber joined the troop," Miranda agreed, recalling how Sofia and Amber regaled her with the tale of how they and the Buttercups met Mossy the Swamp Monster and how Amber joined the troop.
A few hours later, they heard someone approaching Roland's study. Roland, James, and Magnus were inside; Roland was at his desk, and Magnus and James were hiding close by. Baileywick had also been told of the situation, and James had helped him write a fake letter of resignation, as well as an advertisement for a new castle steward. Roland had given James and Magnus a signal for when they should come out.
When everyone was in position, they heard footsteps approach. There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Roland invited.
The door opened, and a man with a short haircut, and dressed in servants' clothing, entered, with Baileywick behind him. He spoke with a very familiar fake accent. "Your Majesty," he smiled and bowed. "I've come to answer your advertisement. 'Castle steward needed, as the current one is retiring. Must be prepared to make sure everything goes smoothly, willing to help royal family with problems that come up, and be there for everyone when needed.'"
Roland smiled. "Thank you for coming…" he paused, waiting for him to give his name. That would be James' cue to start figuring out if it was indeed Slickwell.
"Wicks, your Majesty," the man smiled. "Aldis Fullerton Wicks."
Working quickly, James started comparing the letters in the name. "I'm getting a 'Slickwell' out of this, King Magnus," he whispered after a moment.
Magnus was impressed at how quickly James solved the puzzle. "You're very good at that, Prince James. But MY daughter has quite a talent for word games herself!" he whispered back.
"I know; Miss Merriweather's seen us both in action in classes at Royal Prep," James grinned as they quietly slipped out. "But we need to stay focused."
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Roland was saying, and he was pretending to sound sad. "I still can't believe that this is going to be our castle steward's last week with us. He's been here since I was a boy, and he served my father as well."
"I suppose it's good, then, that he's going to retire," Aldis smiled. "He's earned himself a well-deserved vacation."
Roland smiled, and listened as Magnus knocked on the door. "Baileywick, someone's at the door," he motioned for Baileywick to get over to the door.
Baileywick opened the door, looked around for a moment, and said their code phrase, "It looks like the bananas have arrived, sire."
"Bananas?" Aldis looked puzzled.
"Well, I do like monkeys, and I tend to drive everyone bananas!" James grinned as he and King Magnus entered.
"But not in this case!" Roland grinned as he blocked Slickwell's path.
"Hello, Slickwell," Magnus smirked. "Long time no see."
"K-King Magnus!" Slickwell gasped as two guards entered.
"Guards, seize him," Roland directed.
"Call off your guards, Roland; I'll take care of this. There's a prison cell with Slickwell's name on it back in Rudistan," Magnus assured him, "But what about your daughter Princess Amber?"
"I'm glad you brought that up, Magnus, but we'll let Slickwell watch the cure first," Roland said as Sofia, Dorrie, Candice, and Greylock entered.
"Everything's ready, your Majesty; Sir Finnegan and Lucinda are bringing Princess Amber here as we speak," Dorrie smiled.
A short time later, Lucinda, Sir Finnegan and Amber entered, with Miranda, Violet, Miss Elodie, Penny, and Jagger, who was acting as a guide dog for her, close behind.
"Princess Julie, I'm glad you're here," Candice smiled, "I've been working with Elisa and Amanda on a new perfume, and since you like our work so much, I'd be honored if you'd try it and give me an opinion."
"I'd be glad to, Megan," Amber smiled as she took the very pretty perfume bottle from Candice. She sprayed some on, and as it made contact with her skin, she was immediately engulfed in a rose scented cloud. When it cleared, she looked around in confusion. "This smells wonderful, Candice, what kind of perfume is this?"
"Amber?" James asked tentatively.
"James, what's going on?" Amber asked, "The last thing I remember is being part of a magic show, tripping on something, and then falling on the floor. Did I ruin the trick?"
"No, Amber, I think the magician ruined it himself," James said, nodding at Slickwell.
"Don't worry, Amber, we'll tell you everything," Sofia promised.
"Yes we will, and well done, all of you! Now, Magnus, I think you're right; I'll have Slickwell turned over to you, and the Rudistan authorities can do with him what they will," Roland said as he drew Amber to his side.
"Excellent idea, Roland. Come, Greylock," Magnus motioned to Greylock. "Slickwell has much to answer for."
"Yes, your Majesty," Greylock agreed. He turned to the girls. "I thank you for allowing me to help make that potion. And Prince James," he added, turning to James, "I do hope to have a larger role in your next story. I know Princess Sofia said you wouldn't write about what happened to Princess Amber, but perhaps for a future one…?"
"I'll see what I can come up with," James promised. "Thanks for all your help."
As Slickwell was led away, Jagger suddenly broke away from Penny. He ran up to Slickwell, jumped on him from behind, and started tugging on the back of his pants.
"Jagger, stop," Roland said calmly. "Bad dog."
"Jagger, you know better," James said just as coolly.
Jagger tugged and tugged until everyone heard a loud rip. He took the large piece of cloth he'd ripped from the seat of Slickwell's pants and proudly brought his prize over to James.
"Well, I think that's the end of this adventure," James couldn't resist joking, "Good boy, Jag!"
"Thanks, James, now can you get me something to get this bad taste out of my mouth?" Jagger asked.
"No problem, buddy," James promised as Slickwell was finally taken away over everyone's laughter.
As Slickwell, Magnus, and Greylock were on their way back to Rudistan, Slickwell silently vowed, "You haven't seen the last of Slickwell!"
Author's Notes
Thanks to Niagara14301 for helping with some of the details in this chapter.
Jobberknoll feathers are potion ingredients found in Harry Potter.
Cauldronized Magic Crystals and Sofia's memory of the "infamous butterfly costume" are from Princess Butterfly.
Hocus Crocus is from Enchanted Science Fair.
Rose Petal Dust is based on Once Upon a Princess, when Cedric created the rose petals.
Mossy the Swamp Monster is from Buttercup Amber.
"It looks like the bananas have arrived" was inspired by Downton Abbey. (near the end of "Downton Abbey", a mysterious writer was doing a women's advice column for Lady Edith's magazine. It was very popular, and she and another of the magazine's staff wanted to meet the writer for themselves. The two came across a code word to use with each other if they thought the person who was showing up was the real thing - "Bananas".