Tales from the Castle - a Sofia the First fanfic
Chapter 22: Brotherly Love
Note: this chapter of "Tales from the Castle", based on an idea submitted by Jolly Roger Brat, is set shortly before chapter 36 of my story "Dorrie".
Early December
At Enchancia Castle, Sofia and Amber were getting over a cold they had suffered from for the past few days. As the two sat in Amber's room keeping each other company, they struck up a conversation.
"It's too bad we couldn't have gone into the village today" Amber lamented. "I hear there were a few events planned for today".
"Yes" Sofia agreed. "Dorrie is doing a magic show for the children at the orphanage, and she's invited Candice to come along".
"That's nice" Amber acknowledged, managing to smile in spite of feeling under the weather. "I've heard there will also be a winter party in the village today, hosted by Mayor Napier".
"That's always a fun event" Sofia smiled. "It's an annual event in the village. I remember I would go when I lived in the village".
"James is going to it" Amber announced. "By the way, did you hear that James won a word game challenge yesterday at Royal Prep? I heard he trounced the competition".
"That's something I would have liked to have seen" Sofia happily said.
"So, since we're stuck here in the castle getting over this cold, what would you like to do?" Amber asked.
"How about we play a board game?" Sofia suggested.
"Sounds good" Amber agreed.
In the village
Inside the gym of the local elementary school, the winter party was just about to start, with a lot of the children from the village already present. James had just arrived, and noticed the orphans from the orphanage arriving, led by Mrs. Tweedle, Dorrie, and Candice.
"Come along, children" Mrs. Tweedle smiled. "Let's get in out of the cold".
James smiled at the happy sight, and walked over.
"Hello, Mrs. Tweedle" James smiled.
"Hello, Prince James" Mrs. Tweedle smiled back. "It's nice to see you".
"Hi, James" Dorrie happily said.
"Hello, James" Candice added with a smile.
"So, Dorrie?" James started. "How did the magic show go?".
"Oh, it was wonderful" Mrs. Tweedle gleefully responded. "The children always enjoy having Dorrie perform for them. And we got a special treat this time around when Candice joined in. I'm telling you, Prince James, Dorrie and Candice make a wonderful magical team".
Dorrie and Candice smiled with pride.
"Everybody" Mayor Napier started, "I'd like to welcome you to this year's winter party. You'll find plenty of food and soft drinks to enjoy. So let's say we get started".
All the children of the village cheered as the food and soft drinks were brought out. In a little while, a huge tree was brought into the gym. Hanging from the tree was a variety of toys which were meant for the children. At one point, James looked at the tree, and noticed a very cool looking toy sword with a tiger head on the hilt.
One by one, the children of the village were invited to walk over to the tree, and pick out a toy to keep as their own. Soon, it was James' turn. James looked at the sword when a pair of dolls caught his attention.
"As much as I'd like that brilliant looking sword with the tiger head, I'll take those two dolls" James requested.
As the pair of dolls were handed to James, there was a bit of a stir among the children. Many wondered why James, a boy, would choose the pair of dolls. Meanwhile, some of the girls whispered to each other "Those were the dolls I wanted!".
As James thanked the person who handed him the dolls, and then started walking away, the children looked at James dumbfounded. Dorrie and Candice saw the confused looks on the faces of the children, and the two of them walked over to Mayor Napier.
"Mayor Napier" Dorrie started, "there's something you should know".
"We know why Prince James chose the pair of dolls" Candice added.
Dorrie and Candice then whispered in Mayor Napier's ear. In a few moments, Mayor Napier called all the children over to him.
"Children" Mayor Napier announced, "there's something you should know".
A little while later at the castle
As James returned to the castle, King Roland and Queen Miranda saw him come through the front entrance, and walked up to him.
"How was the party, James?" Roland asked, interested.
"It was fine, Dad" James smiled.
"Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" Miranda asked.
"I'll be going to my room" James answered. "I've got a hot date with a crossword puzzle".
As James walked to his room, he passed by Amber's room. James then walked up to Amber's door, and knocked on it.
"Come in" Amber said in a tired voice.
James walked in, and saw Amber and Sofia resting on Amber's bed.
"I'm sorry if I woke you up" James apologized. "I can come back later".
"The truth be told, we could use the company" Sofia admitted.
"It's kind of boring being cooped up" Amber admitted. "By the way, James, what do you have there?".
"I brought these home for both of you" James smiled as he handed the dolls to Amber and Sofia. "I thought each of you could use a gift to help you feel better".
"Oh, James" Amber said, touched, as she held the doll she had been given. "This is so nice of you. Thank you".
"Thank you, James" Sofia smiled as she held the doll she had been given.
As Amber and Sofia started happily playing with the dolls they had been given, James looked at the sight and smiled, happy he had brightened Amber and Sofia's day.
A surprise for James
A short while later, as James was in his room working on a crossword puzzle, a knock came at his door.
"Come in" James invited.
The door opened, and in walked Baileywick.
"I've been instructed to bring you to the throne room" Baileywick announced to James.
"Did I do something wrong?" James asked, worried.
"Not at all" Baileywick smiled. "There is a surprise waiting for you".
Baileywick led James down to the throne room. As they walked into the throne room, James saw Roland, Miranda, Dorrie and Candice standing there with Mayor Napier and the village children.
"Ah, Prince James" Mayor Napier smiled. "I'm honored to be standing before such a fine young man".
"Come again?" James asked, puzzled.
"Dorrie and Candice told us why you chose the pair of dolls - so you could give them to your sisters who are getting over a cold" Mayor Napier explained. "We're all very touched that you wanted to brighten their day. And, we think you deserve something in return".
A boy James' age walked up to James, carrying a long wrapped package.
"We all wanted you to have this" the boy smiled at James.
James unwrapped the long package, and discovered ... the toy sword with the tiger head on its hilt.
"Brilliant!" James smiled, touched. "Thank you".
"You're welcome, Prince James" everybody happily said in unison.
"We're so proud of you, James" Roland smiled.
"You've made your sisters so happy" Miranda said, pleased, as she hugged James.
It was a wonderful moment, with everybody looking at James with pride. It was a moment that would be remembered forever.
Author's notes
Dorrie and Candice are from my story "Dorrie".
I want to thank Jolly Roger Brat for suggesting this story, as well as supplying some of the dialog used in this story. Jolly had read a story like this a long time ago, but couldn't remember where.
In regard to the toy sword featured in this story, according to Jolly Roger Brat, "think Saba from Power Rangers, but it doesn't talk".
Mayor Napier is from my story "Lucinda Saves the Day".
Mrs. Tweedle, who is in charge of the local orphanage, is from the early part of my story "Dorrie".
"We're so proud of you, James" Roland smiled. "You've made your sisters so happy" Miranda said, pleased, as she hugged James - this was inspired by the last part of the "Sofia the First" episode "The Amulet and the Anthem".