Tales from the Castle - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 8: Feeling Tired
Notes: This chapter takes place during the time Sofia, Amber, James, and Lucinda are children. Blossom2014 sent me a story idea on behalf of her sister, Buttercup. The original story idea was to have Sofia being too sleepy, and not wanting to go to school as a result. I decided to expand the story idea so it would actually be another of Cedric's schemes to steal Sofia's amulet. We hope you enjoy reading it.
Being so tired
It was morning at Enchancia Castle. In Sofia's bedroom, as Sofia awoke, Clover hopped up on Sofia's bed. "Hey princess, time to wake up! You'll be late for school!".
"Ughhh, I'm not going. I'm too tired" Sofia groaned as she closed her eyes to go back to sleep.
"Princess Sofia, you are already five minutes behind schedule" Baileywick said from the door.
Opening her eyes for the second time, Sofia mumbled "Okay, Baileywick". Baileywick then left the room.
"What's wrong, princess?" Clover asked. "You don't seem like yourself".
"I'll be okay ... I guess" Sofia said in a tired voice as she dragged herself out of bed, and got dressed for the day.
After getting dressed, Sofia walked out of her bedroom and went downstairs to the royal dining room. She was still tired from yesterday's Tri-Kingdom Picnic as she entered the dining room.
"Good morning" Sofia greeted everybody in a tired voice.
"Is something wrong?" King Roland asked Sofia.
"No, Dad" Sofia answered. "Why do you ask?".
"You look tired" Roland answered.
"Well, actually ... I am" Sofia started. "I guess I overdid it with the picnic games yesterday. I don't suppose I could go back to sleep, could I?".
Queen Miranda walked over to Sofia, and placed her hand on Sofia's forehead. "You do feel warm" Miranda observed. "Does anything hurt?".
"No, Mom" Sofia answered. "I'm just tired from the picnic games yesterday".
Miranda looked at Sofia with concern.
"I'll be okay" Sofia said. "I just need to get going. This is the last week of the school year, and I do have an important test this morning".
"Okay, Sofia" Roland said with concern. "But if later on you feel ill, let the school nurse know immediately".
"I will, Dad" Sofia acknowledged.
Sofia quickly finished her breakfast, then she, Amber, and James went out to their flying carriage. After they climbed aboard, the carriage took flight and headed toward Royal Prep. In a little while, the carriage landed at Royal Prep, and the three got off of the carriage.
"You going to be alright, Sof?" James asked in concern.
"I'm starting to wake up" Sofia answered. "I think I'll be okay".
"Just don't push yourself" Amber said in concern. "If you don't feel well, go to the school nurse".
"I will ... if it comes to that" Sofia said.
Sofia managed to arrive just in time for her history test. Sofia sat down, and in a few minutes, the test began. Sofia was still tired, but managed to finish the test.
As Sofia stood up, she suddenly felt dizzy.
"Are you alright, Sofia?" Miss Merryweather asked, concerned.
"I think so" Sofia answered. "I'm just tired".
"You look exhausted" Miss Merryweather observed. "Come with me, dear".
Miss Merryweather took Sofia to a room with a couch.
"Lay down for a while, Sofia" Miss Merryweather gently said.
Sofia laid down on the couch, and before she knew it, fell asleep.
"Princess Sofia" Miss Flora gently said.
Sofia awoke with a start.
"You've been asleep for an hour" Miss Flora said to Sofia. "Your carriage is here. Your going home for the day".
Miss Flora helped Sofia to the carriage where Amber and James were waiting. Sofia climbed aboard the carriage, while Amber held her.
"It's alright, Sofia" Amber gently said. "We'll be home soon".
"I'm ... so tired" Sofia said in a sleepy voice.
"Just lean against me, and get some sleep" Amber said as she held Sofia.
The coach took flight and headed home to Enchancia Castle.
Back at Enchancia Castle
Sofia, Amber, and James arrived back at Enchancia Castle. Sofia was immediately taken to her bedroom and was laid down on her bed. Queen Miranda pulled up a chair and sat down next to Sofia's bedside.
"Is Sofia going to be alright, Mom?" Amber asked, worried.
"I don't know, Amber" Miranda answered. "This is so unlike Sofia".
Amber yawned.
"You look tired, sweetheart" Miranda observed. "Go and lay down for a while".
"I think I will" Amber replied. "If you need any help, please come and get me".
"Thank you, Amber" Miranda smiled.
Amber then left Sofia's bedroom. As Miranda looked at Sofia sleeping, Miranda felt tired as well. Soon, everybody in the castle felt tired. Then, one by one, everybody in the castle fell asleep.
Shortly afterward, Cedric walked the halls of the castle. Everywhere he looked, people were asleep.
"Everything is going according to plan" Cedric grinned. "Soon, Sofia's amulet will be mine".
As Cedric approached Sofia's bedroom, Sofia's amulet started to glow. At that same moment, in Dunwitty, Lucinda's parents, Godric and Rowena, were in their apothecary shop. Suddenly, Godric's ring started to glow, while making a whining sound.
"Godric! Your ring!" Rowana exclaimed.
"Sofia's in trouble!" Godric exclaimed. "Lock up the shop, Rowena".
Rowena locked up the apothecary shop. Then, Godric and Rowena pulled out their wands, waved them over their heads, and the two disappeared.
In Sofia's bedroom at Enchancia Castle, Cedric approached the sleeping Sofia.
"This is going to be easier than taking candy from a baby" Cedric laughed.
"Not so fast!" a man's voice boomed from behind Cedric.
Cedric turned around to see Godric and Rowena. Both were pointing their wands at Cedric.
"What are you doing here?!" Cedric demanded.
"Actually, we were summoned" Godric answered. "And just in time by the look of it".
"I don't know what your talking about" Cedric said, trying to feign innocence.
"Don't play us for fools!" Rowena snapped at Cedric. "Scarlet has told us all about you!".
"Scarlet?" Cedric asked, again trying to feign innocence.
"As in the Scarlet Warrior" Godric answered as he held up his ring which contained a blue gem stone. "This is the Ring of Avalor. Scarlet gave it to me in order to watch over Princess Sofia. If Sofia is ever in danger, the ring will alert me immediately".
At that point, Cedric started fuming.
"Rowena" Godric started, "check the rest of the castle".
"At once, Godric" Rowena said as she left Sofia's bedroom.
"I don't know what your trying to prove by coming here" Cedric said to Godric. "I'm the royal sorcerer. I have a right to be here. That's more than I can say for you".
"I have a right to be here as well" Godric countered. "Scarlet gave me that right when she entrusted me with the Ring of Avalor. I also have the right to be here because Sofia is a beloved friend of our family".
"Oh, save me the sentimental dribble" Cedric responded.
At that point, Rowena came back into Sofia's bedroom. "Everybody in the castle is ... asleep".
"Alright you hack!" Godric snapped at Cedric. "What have you done?!"
"Oh, don't you wish you knew" Cedric answered with a self satisfied look.
Godric pointed his wand at Cedric and said "Rictusempra".
Cedric suddenly had the sensation of being tickled. Soon, Cedric was rolling around on the floor, laughing uncontrollably.
"Please ... stop" Cedric said, laughing.
"You'll tell me what you did?" Godric asked.
"Yes ... anything" Cedric said, laughing. "Just stop".
Godric again pointed his wand at Cedric, then said "Finite Incantatem".
The sensation of being tickled left Cedric, and he soon got to his feet.
"Now, tell me what you did?!" Godric demanded.
Cedric hesitated.
"Tell me what you did ... or I'll set your bathrobe on fire!" Godric snapped at Cedric.
"Alright! Alright! No need to get violent" Cedric said, worried.
"Out with it!" Rowena demanded.
"I ... put a sleeping spell on Sofia and everybody in the castle" Cedric answered.
"Let me guess" Godric started. "You hatched another plan to steal Sofia's amulet, RIGHT?!".
"Well ..." Cedric answered in failure.
"Reverse the spell!" Godric demanded. "Or else, I'll turn you into a flaming sorcerer!".
"As you wish ..." Cedric said, grudgingly.
"Step out into the hall!" Godric ordered Cedric.
"I'll be with you in a minute, Godric" Rowena said as Godric and Cedric stepped out of Sofia's bedroom. Rowena then walked over to Sofia's bedside, and looked upon the sleeping Sofia. Rowena then bent over, and kissed Sofia gently on the forehead. "Don't you worry, Sofia, you precious little angel" Rowena smiled. "Everything is going to be alright". Rowena then walked out of Sofia's bedroom.
As Rowena walked out into the hallway, Godric had his wand pointed at Cedric.
"Reverse the spell ... NOW!" Godric barked at Cedric.
Cedric raised his wand, and said "Populi Cella Excitate". In Sofia's bedroom, Sofia and Queen Miranda slowly awoke. Then, everybody in the castle slowly awoke.
"There! I've reversed the spell! Happy now?!" Cedric snapped.
"Don't get lippy with me, Cedric!" Godric snapped back. "The three of us know you were up to no good!".
"It goes without saying, Cedric, that as soon as Scarlet gets back, we'll be giving her a full report" Rowena added.
Cedric gulped in worry.
"Your being watched!" Godric warned Cedric. "Keep that in mind the next time you get an idea to steal Sofia's amulet!".
"May I go now?" Cedric asked, annoyed.
"Just one more thing" Godric started. "Lucinda is coming over this evening to have supper with the royal family. If I were you, I'd do myself a favor and make myself scarce this evening. In fact, why don't you just start early and make yourself scarce ... NOW!".
Godric then raised his wand, and pointed it at Cedric. As a small flame emerged from Godric's wand, Cedric got the message and ran down the hall. Godric then flicked his wand, and the small flame went out.
"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" Rowena smiled at Godric.
"Oh, yes - I did, Rowena, my love" Godric smiled back at Rowena.
"You know that sooner or later, Cedric will get his guts back" Rowena observed.
"Yes, I know" Godric started. "But, he knows he's being watched now. That should keep him at bay for a while".
Godric and Rowena then heard somebody coming up a staircase.
"We should be leaving now" Godric said to Rowena.
Godric and Rowena waved their wands over their heads, and disappeared.
Back at the apothecary shop
Back at Godric and Rowena's apothecary shop, Godric and Rowena appeared in the middle of the shop.
"Mom, Dad - there you are" a girl's voice called out. It was Lucinda. "When I saw nobody was here, I let myself in".
"Sorry about that, sweetheart" Rowena smiled as she hugged Lucinda. "Your father and I had an errand to take care of".
"How was school today, Lucinda?" Godric asked.
"It was fun" Lucinda smiled. "We took a field trip to the local mill".
"Lucinda" Rowena smiled. "You've better go home and get cleaned up. Your having supper with Sofia and the royal family this evening".
"Going now" Lucinda smiled back as she walked out the door of the apothecary shop.
"Have fun" Godric smiled at Lucinda as she left.
Godric and Rowena watched Lucinda walk down the street.
"I'm so happy that Lucinda and Sofia are friends" Rowena smiled. "They have such a close bond. In fact, if this were another life, it's quite possible the two of them would be sisters".
"Funny you should say that, Rowena" Godric said. "I've found myself thinking the same thing".
Lucinda at the castle
Lucinda flew up to Enchancia Castle on her broom, landed in front of the front gate, and walked up to the guard on duty.
"Hello" Lucinda smiled. "I'm Lucinda Magwin. I've been invited to have supper with Princess Sofia and the royal family".
"Hello, Miss Lucinda" the guard smiled. "Your expected - go on in".
"Thank you" Lucinda smiled as she walked onto the castle grounds.
As Lucinda approached the front door of the castle, she found Queen Miranda waiting for her.
"Good afternoon, Queen Miranda" Lucinda smiled.
"Good afternoon, Lucinda" Miranda smiled back as she hugged Lucinda. "Did you have a good day?".
"Yes, ma'am" Lucinda answered.
"You should know we had a bit of a scare today" Miranda informed Lucinda.
"What happened?" Lucinda asked.
"Sofia woke up this morning awfully tired" Miranda started. "She was able to go to Royal Prep and take an important history test, but after the test she still was feeling tired, so she was sent home early".
"If this is a bad time, I can come back another time" Lucinda offered.
"It's okay, Lucinda" Miranda said. "Sofia got a good sleep this afternoon, and she's back to her old self. She's been looking forward to having you over for supper. She's in her bedroom. Go on up".
"Thank you, ma'am" Lucinda smiled as she entered the castle.
As Lucinda entered the castle, Cedric watched from a window in his tower.
"It's bad enough I have the Scarlet Warrior keeping occasional tabs on me" Cedric thought in disgust. "But now I have Lucinda's parents keeping tabs on me as well. Oh, well. I can be patient. One day that amulet will be mine. And then ... I'll take over the kingdom".
Inside the castle, Baileywick met Lucinda in the main hallway.
"Good afternoon, Miss Lucinda" Baileywick greeted Lucinda with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Baileywick" Lucinda smiled back.
"May I take your broom?" Baileywick asked.
"Thank you" Lucinda smiled as she handed her broom to Baileywick.
"Is this a new broom?" Baileywick asked.
"Yes" Lucinda smiled with pride. "It's the newest Nimbus model. My parents surprised me with it last week".
"Impressive" Baileywick observed.
As Lucinda walked to Sofia's bedroom, Lucinda suddenly had an idea. Lucinda brought out her wand, and pointed in the direction of her other hand. A bouquet of lovely flowers in a simple vase then appeared in Lucinda's other hand. "Sofia will like these" Lucinda smiled.
Lucinda soon arrived at the doors leading to Sofia's bedroom. Lucinda then knocked on one of the doors.
"Come in" Sofia cheerfully invited.
Lucinda walked in to discover Sofia talking to Amber and James.
"Ooh! Pretty flowers!" Amber remarked as she saw the flowers in Lucinda's hand.
"I heard Sofia wasn't feeling well earlier" Lucinda said. "I thought some flowers would cheer her up".
"Oh! I love them, Lucinda" Sofia smiled. "Thank you". Sofia then put the flowers on the table next to her bed.
Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James spent the next hour playing a board game while sitting on the floor. Then, Baileywick came into the room.
"Children" Baileywick started. "Supper will be served in ten minutes".
"We'll be right there, Baileywick" Sofia smiled.
As Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James got up, James turned to look at the three girls in the room.
"I found out this afternoon that we'll be having Jiggly Wiggly Pudding for dessert" James announced with a smile.
Sofia, Lucinda, and Amber smiled at the news.
In a few minutes, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James arrived in the royal dining room, and sat down at the table.
"It's nice to see you looking better, Sofia" King Roland remarked.
"I feel much better, Dad" Sofia smiled.
"It's nice to have you here for supper, Lucinda" Roland smiled.
"Thank you for having me, sir" Lucinda smiled back.
Everybody had a wonderful time eating a fine supper, eating a fine dessert, and having a pleasant conversation. It was an evening that would be remembered for a long time.
Author's notes
Finate Incantatem, and Rictusempra, are spells from "Harry Potter".
In regard to Godric and Rowena, these are names that SailorWednesdayMercury came up with as the first names for Lucinda's birth parents for use in her story "A Birthday Surprise For Lucinda". I am using the same first names for Lucinda's birth parents in my stories with the permission of SailorWednesdayMercury.
Nimbus is a reference to the higher quality brand of magical broom seen in "Harry Potter" (behind the scenes note: I'm thinking that Lucinda's original broom probably would have been a Cleensweep, an affordable, widely available magical broom, mentioned in "Harry Potter") .
Populi Cella Excitate is the same counter spell used near the end of "Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess".
The Ring of Avalor is simply a warning device, and has no magical abilities beyond that.
The Scarlet Warrior is a character created by jakevoronkov1, and is used in my stories with permission from jakevoronkov1. The Scarlet Warrior is a powerful warrior sorceress, and is the one who created the Amulet of Avalor that Sofia wears. The Scarlet Warrior also acts as Sofia's protector, defending Sofia from dangerous people such as Cedric.