Tales from the Castle - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 11: Father's Day
Note: this chapter takes place during the time when James, Amber, and Sofia are children, and is set the Father's Day right after "Mom's the Word".
Father's Day morning
It was a sunny June morning. At Enchancia Castle, James, Amber, and Sofia were getting ready to surprise King Roland for Father's Day. The three walked to King Roland's study, each of them with a card and a gift in hand. When they got to King Roland's study, they knocked on the door.
"Come in" Roland invited.
James, Amber, and Sofia walked through the door, and said "Happy Father's Day!".
"Well, well" Roland smiled. "Thank you, children".
The three then presented Roland with their cards and gifts. James gave Roland a card and a new fishing pole, Amber gave Roland a card and a new pen set, and Sofia gave Roland a card and a new royal notebook.
"These cards and gifts are wonderful" Roland smiled as he hugged his three children. "I'm so lucky to have three wonderful children".
James, Amber, and Sofia smiled at the complement.
"We're having a special Father's Day breakfast in the dining room" James smiled.
"I'm afraid breakfast will have to wait a little bit" Roland said. "I have to meet with Baileywick to plan what to serve at next week's Knights Lunch".
"That's already been taken care of, Daddy" Amber beamed.
"James, Amber, Baileywick, and I worked on it this morning" Sofia smiled as she handed Roland the completed menu.
"We wanted to give you the day off, Dad" James announced with a smile.
"Why, thank you" Roland smiled. "Then lets say we get to breakfast".
Roland, James, Amber, and Sofia walked to the royal dining room, having a pleasant conversation as they walked along. Soon, they reached the dining room where Queen Miranda was waiting. Miranda smiled as she saw them enter.
Everybody sat down at the royal dining table, and had a wonderful breakfast which included foods that Roland enjoyed.
"So, Baileywick?" Roland inquired. "What's next on the schedule?".
"A Father's Day picnic at the Royal River" Baileywick smiled.
"But what if something comes up at the castle?" Roland inquired.
"I'll be here in case anything comes up, Rollie" Miranda smiled. "You go and enjoy your day. It's not often you get an entire day off".
"Thank you, Miranda" Roland smiled back.
A surprise
Later that morning, Roland, James, Amber, Sofia, and Baileywick arrived by carriage at the Royal River. They stopped at a grassy area which sat next to the river. The carriage was then unloaded.
"You may pick us up in three hours" Baileywick instructed the carriage driver.
"Very good, sir" the carriage driver acknowledged as he drove away.
A few moments later, another carriage appeared in the distance.
"I wonder who that could be?" Roland wondered.
"Dad" Sofia started with a smile, "Baileywick and I have a special surprise for you".
In a few minutes, the carriage reached the spot where everybody was standing. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Baileywick announced the passenger in the carriage.
"Everybody" Baileywick smiled, "I give you ... King Roland the First".
A man in his early sixties stepped off of the carriage.
"Grandfather!" James and Amber exclaimed in glee.
"Father" Roland smiled at King Roland the First.
"It's good to see the three of you again" King Roland the First smiled.
At that moment, Sofia walked up.
"You must be Sofia" King Roland the First smiled at Sofia. "Thank you for your kind invitation".
"Your welcome, your majesty" Sofia smiled back as she curtsied.
"None of that now" King Roland the First gently said with a smile. "We're family. Call me Grandfather".
"Thank you, Grandfather" Sofia acknowledged.
"So, how did this get together come about?" Roland asked.
"Sofia came to me a few weeks ago and suggested it" Baileywick answered. "She extended the invitation, and I made sure it got delivered".
At that point, James and Amber hugged Sofia.
"That was a nice thing you did, Sofia" James smiled.
"This is a wonderful surprise. Thank you, Sofia" Amber smiled in gratitude.
Sofia smiled, pleased she had made her brother and sister happy.
An enjoyable Father's Day
A picnic blanket was laid out on the ground, and soon everybody enjoyed a fine picnic meal. After the picnic meal, James, Roland, and Roland's father did some fishing as Amber and Sofia watched.
"This reminds me of the times we went fishing" Roland smiled at his father.
"It sure does" Roland's father smiled back. "Those were good times".
After a while, James, Roland, and Roland's father had managed to catch a number of fish.
"How about we go back to the castle and enjoy this fine fish?" Roland asked everybody.
Everybody nodded yes with a smile.
In a little bit, the royal carriage had returned. As everybody walked toward the carriage, Roland's father took Roland aside.
"I was wondering if Sofia could ride in my carriage with me?" Roland's father asked. "I'd like to get to know my newest granddaughter better".
"I'd be honored, Grandfather" Sofia beamed.
As Roland, James, Amber, and Baileywick climbed aboard the royal carriage, Sofia and Roland's father climbed aboard the carriage that had brought Roland's father to the picnic. Both carriages then made their way toward Enchancia Castle.
In the carriage carrying Sofia and Roland's father, Roland's father turned to Sofia.
"I wanted to talk to you in private, Sofia" Roland's father said.
"What do you want to talk about, Grandfather?" Sofia asked.
"I'm very happy my wife's amulet has been given to you" Roland's father smiled. "Your a very special young lady, deserving of it's powers".
"What are you talking about, Grandfather?" Sofia asked, worried that somebody knew about the powers her amulet had.
"It's alright, Sofia" Roland's father gently said as he put his hand on her hand. "I know that your amulet has special powers, and I imagine you've already discovered that. Whatever you tell me will stay between us, I promise".
"My amulet has given me three powers so far" Sofia answered, sensing she could trust her grandfather. "The power to talk to animals, the power to summon a Princess when needed, and ... the power to change into a mermaid".
"I'm glad to hear the amulet has gifted you with such powers" Roland's father smiled in approval. "As time goes on, you'll discover the amulet will give you other powers as well".
"What kind of powers?" Sofia asked.
"It will depend on what you need" Roland's father answered. "Just know right now that the amulet will always be there for you".
Sofia smiled, knowing that she could expect further powers in the future.
As Sofia and Roland's father rode toward Enchancia Castle, Roland's father thought back to the past. The truth was that he had met Sofia before - when she and Lucinda, as teenagers, had traveled back in time to visit Enchancia Castle when he was King. Sofia and Lucinda had saved his wife, Queen Maria, from two highwaymen.
Flashback for Roland's father:
"I am forever in your debt, Princesses" King Roland the First said to Sofia and Lucinda.
"My King" a teenage Sofia answered.
"My King" a teenage Lucinda answered.
"This calls for a celebration" King Roland the First said. "Could you stay for a while?" he asked Sofia and Lucinda. Since Sofia and Lucinda had not been transported back home, it was obvious that their job was not over yet.
"We would be honored" Sofia said.
"Then it's settled" King Roland the First smiled.
It was now evening, and a celebration dinner had been quickly arranged by King Roland the First.
"To our two heroines - Princesses Lucinda and Sofia" King Roland the First said.
"To our heroines" everybody at the table said as they raised their glasses.
The celebration dinner then began.
"I understand your from the future" King Roland the First said to Sofia and Lucinda. "So what is a future Enchancia like?"
"Understand that we cannot give you specifics" Sofia started. "It could alter future events that need to take place if we told you too much. I can say, however, that Enchancia in mine and Lucinda's time is a prosperous place where all kingdoms get along with each other in peace".
King Roland the First smiled. "That's very good to hear".
The celebration dinner then continued.
End of flashback, and back to the present.
"Grandfather?" young Sofia asked, seeing that Roland's father was lost in thought.
"Sorry, Sofia" Roland's father smiled. "I was lost in thought for a moment".
Sofia and Roland's father spent the rest of the carriage ride having a pleasant conversation, with Sofia telling Roland's father about Clover, Mia, Robin, Whatnaught ... Oona ... and the Princesses that had come to Sofia's aid.
Back at the castle
In a little while, both carriages reached Enchancia Castle. As everybody climbed off of the carriages, Miranda walked up to greet them.
"Miranda" Roland smiled. "You remember my father, King Roland the First?".
"It's nice to see you again" Miranda smiled at Roland's father.
"Ah, Miranda" Roland's father smiled as he kissed Miranda's hand. "It's nice to see you as well".
"If everybody will come inside, I have a surprise for you" Miranda announced. "A guest showed up while you were away".
Everybody walked inside the castle. In the great hall, Miranda motioned somebody to come out - Aunt Tilly.
"Tilly" King Roland the First smiled.
"Father" Tilly smiled as the two hugged. "Happy Father's Day".
"Thank you, my precious Tilly" King Roland the First smiled back.
"Hi, baby brother" Tilly smiled at Roland, "I mean King baby brother".
"Nice to see you, Tilly" Roland smiled back.
"For a Father's Day treat, I'm going to make some apple pies" Tilly announced. "All I need is some help".
"I'll volunteer" Sofia spoke up.
"I'd like to volunteer as well" Amber offered.
"And me too" James added.
"Whiz-bang!" Tilly exclaimed with glee. "We already have the apples, so all we need to do is to make the pies".
Tilly, Sofia, Amber, and James went off to the kitchen to work on the pies. After a few hours, the pies were ready, and it was time for supper. Everybody then gathered in the royal dining room.
"Supper is served" Baileywick announced as the servants started serving the meal. Everybody then enjoyed a fine fish dinner, thanks to the fish that Roland, Roland's father, and James had caught earlier in the day. It then came time for Tilly's apple pies to be served.
"The Duchess Matilda's famous apple pie" Baileywick announced as the servants started bringing in the pies. Baileywick then cut two pieces of pie, put them on plates, and handed them to Tilly. Tilly then served the pieces of pie to Roland, and Roland's father.
"Happy Father's Day to my two favorite men" Tilly smiled as she served the pie to Roland and his father.
"This is delicious, Tilly" Roland's father said with a smile. "Thank you".
"This is your best pie yet" Roland smiled. "Thank you, Tilly".
"Your both very welcome" Tilly beamed, pleased that her father and Roland were enjoying the pie.
The servants then dished out pieces of pie, and served everybody else at the table. Everybody enjoyed the pie very much.
After supper, Roland and his father retired to the sitting room.
"You know, Roland" Roland's father started, "you've done quite well for yourself. Your a fine King, a fine husband, and a fine father. I'm very proud of you".
"Thank you, Father" Roland said gratefully. "Who I am today is thanks to you. You were always there for me, and you taught me valuable lessons that have made me the person I am".
"Your very welcome, son" Roland's father smiled. "Your one of the richest men I know. You have a wonderful wife, and three wonderful children. Nobody could ask for more".
Roland smiled with pride at his father's complement.
Roland and his father spent the rest of the evening having fun reliving things from their past. It was the perfect way to end a Father's Day.
Author's note
For more about Sofia and Lucinda traveling back in time, see my story "Being Summoned".