Chapter 12
It didn't take long for Sofia and Tilly to catch sight of the King and Queen. As soon as they caught sight of her, her parents hurried toward her, but they weren't fast enough. James and Amber beat them.
"Sofia, we are so, so sorry!" said Amber through her tears, as she hugged her sister.
"Are you okay?" asked James, as he also hugged his sister.
"I'm...I'm okay!" replied Sofia. She then noticed that Amber was wearing her necklace and James his badge.
"I thought you didn't like the gifts," Sofia said softly, casting her eyes downward.
But Amber gave her a big hug. "Me? Not like a special necklace like this? I'll be wearing it every day!"
"And I'll be doing the same with my badge," added James through a big hug.
Then Roland and Miranda got to the threesome. James and Amber let their sister go, and Sofia was immediately engulfed by the hugs and kisses of her parents.
"I'm so, so very sorry!" exclaimed Sofia to her parents. As she started to cry.
"It's all right, Sofia! Everything will be all right!" soothed her Mom.
"We're just glad your safe!" exclaimed Roland.
Aunt Tilly happily watched as the family reunion continued, as did Ballywick.
After a few minutes, Ballywick suggested, "I think it would be quite appropriate for us to continue this happy occasion back at the castle."
"We can combine the birthday party with the reunion!" suggested Aunt Tilly. The King and Queen smiled and agreed. So did the children.
As the happy family returned to the castle, Sofia caught sight of the just returning Clover, Mia and Robin, holding her note.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said as she walked quickly to them.
Clover with a sad face showed her the note. "You aren't going to leave, are you Sof?" he asked softly.
"No, Clover! We can throw that note out. Everything is going to be fine now!" said Sofia as she gave him a big hug.
"That's a relief!" exclaimed Robin.
"Sure is! You had us worried! You'll have to tell us what happened to make you write this note," added Mia.
"I will, guys...before I go to sleep tonight!" assured Sofia.
The rest of the evening was spent at the double party. Everyone had a fine time, especially James, Amber and Sofia. Aunt Tilly quietly noted that the children were never closer, to Roland and Miranda. They both happily agreed, and Ballywick smiled, nodding his head.
When it was time for the party to break up, everyone wished each other good night. Sofia made a special effort to give her Mom, Dad, Aunt, James, Amber and a surprised Ballywick a big hug, which was returned. She then went happily to her room, and explained everything to Clover, Mia, and Robin. All were happy that everything was straightened out, and then, after wishing each other a good night, fell happily asleep.
That evening, Tilly explained to Roland and Miranda what Miss Nettle had done to Sofia, and how she had tricked James and Amber.
"We will need to talk to the head mistresses at Royal Prep early Monday before school starts, so we can straighten that out as well!" stated Miranda. Roland agreed.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to join you," stated Tilly. "I'll want to show the fairies a spell that can detect crazy crystals. They may not have run across one yet!"
"You are welcome to join us, Tilly. After all, you are family too!" said Miranda warmly.
"Whizbang!" responded Tilly.
On Monday, the entire royal family arrived early at Royal Prep and explained what had happened. The fairies were understandably shaken that Miss Nettle had invaded the school, and worked her treachery there.
"Thank you, Tilly for that crazy crystal detect spell!" stated Mistress Merryweather. "I'm going to sweep the entire campus today and make sure all of those crystals have been neutralized!"
"While Merryweather is doing that, Fauna and I will cast a detection spell over the entire grounds of Royal Prep. It will alert us to any of those foul crystals appearing on the campus!" affirmed Mistress Flora.
"Couldn't you just cast a protection spell over the campus?" asked James.
"No, James. That would consume more power than we possess together! If any of the crystals are detected, we can neutralize them, but a protection spell requires just too much power!" exclaimed Mistress Fauna.
With Mistress Merryweather clearing all crazy crystals off the campus, Sofia and the rest of the school returned to normal.
At lunch, Hildegard remarked to Amber, "Ohhhhhh! I LOVE your new necklace!"
"Thanks, Hildy," replied Amber.
Then Clio remarked, "Oh look! It spells out 'With Love' when the sun catches it!"
"That's right, Clio! It was a gift from the best sister ever for my birthday this weekend! She made it herself!"
Hildegard and Clio smiled in Sofia's direction.
"You do beautiful work, Sofia!" remarked Clio. Sofia smiled back.
A bit later, Zandar noticed James' badge. "Whoa, James! That's a nice badge! And it spells 'With Love' when the sun catches it!"
"It is special from a very special sister. Sofia made it for me for my birthday! And look!" as James cupped his hand over it to put it in the dark. "It spells the same thing in moonstars!"
And Sofia was back to normal as well. Her homework was coming back correctly done, as usual, and her spell casting was flawless! Her artistic talent again showed through, and she was in perfect step with Amber and Kari in ballet. Minimus was relieved that Sofia was herself again, as he was mentally beating himself up for her fall from the saddle. Knowing it really wasn't his fault made him very happy.
"I'm glad you're okay, Sofia, and doubly glad it wasn't me who dropped you from the saddle!" Minimus stated.
"That's okay, Minimus!" said Sofia happily. "You always take good care of me when I ride you! I knew it wasn't your fault!"
At weeks end, Sofia commented to Amber and James as they rode home from school, "It sure is nice for everything to be back to normal!"
James and Amber agreed.
"It's even better having you both as brother and sister!" Sofia exclaimed as she gave each a big hug.
"Agreed!" said Amber as she returned the hug.
"Ditto!" added James as he returned his hug also.
