So, um, wow was this one hard. The topic itself was a breeze and I had so much fun I just couldn't stop and that's why I'm updating even though I said I probably wouldn't because I HAVE NO CONTROL. What was hard is stupid Roland and Roland. Why did his dad have to have the same name as him!? GRRR. Anyway, I hope I handled that well enough. Charlette and Tilly are ten. Roland is nine. Cedric is seven. Enjoy!

"Come on, come on." Goodwin urges his children. He scoops his wand up and readies the spell. "We can't be late. That is no way for the royal sorcerer and the future royal sorcerer to behave."

"Sorceress." Charlette chimes in. She swings around the corner and jumps to the space in front of Goodwin. She stands erect with her arms pinned to her sides. "And ready daddy!" She grins.

Goodwin nods. "Good, good." He looks over her head. His eyes narrow. "Now where's your brother?" He crosses his arms and taps his fingers against them.

Charlette shrugs. "It'll prolly just be a second."

There is a crash in the kitchen and in the next instant Cedric appears in the doorway. His breathing his heavy and he has to grip the frame of the door in order to keep himself on his feet. "S…Sorr…Sorry." He staggers over to his father and sister, holding his sides. "I was…was…"

Goodwin waves his words away. "Just come on." He holds his wand up. "It's time for me to show you all your future occupation." He waves his wand and says, "Lanuae magicae ad castra." In a flash their surroundings vanish and their bodies jolt forward.

Cedric's heart skips a beat and his stomach drops. He feels suddenly sick. He just wants it to end.

In the blink of an eye they come to a sharp halt. The setting comes into focus and the world rights itself. Cedric nearly falls over with the shock, only staying on his feet as he catches himself on a nearby tree. He throws his free hand over his mouth as bile rises in his throat. He wills it to go back down, praying to not look like a fool.

Charlette lays her fingers against her temple as her head spins. She groans.

Goodwin chuckles. "A little dizzy, are you darling? That can happen the first few times."

Cedric pitches forward and spews chunks.

"And that too." Goodwin nods toward Cedric. "But you'll get used to it. After five or so times."

"Five?" Cedric moans. He wipes his sleeve across his mouth. "Ugh. That's so many." He sticks his tongue out and scrapes his hands over it to try and get rid of the nasty taste.

Goodwin smirks. "I said the same thing when my father took me for the first time."

Charlette straightens and smoothes her dress out. "So where is he – the king?" She stretches out on her tiptoes and looks all about them.

"Goodwin!" King Roland's voice booms.

All three turn to see King Roland approaching. Goodwin's eyes light up and he grins. "Your Majesty," He bows. "It's good to see you."

King Roland lets out a boisterous laugh. "And you." He looks past Goodwin. "Ah, and I see you have brought your children."

"Yes, Your Majesty. These are Cedric and Charlette." He motions to each as he says their name.

Charlette curtsies. "Nice to meet you, Your Majesty."

Cedric jolts upright. He smiles sheepishly. "H-Hello."

Goodwin shoots a sharp look at Cedric.

Cedric ducks his head and jerks his head as far from his father as possible.

King Roland chuckles. "These are my children." He steps back and spreads his arms out wide, revealing his children on either side of him. "Roland Jr. and Matilda."

"Tilly." Matilda chimes. She giggles. "Come on dad, I tell you not to call me that in front of other kids. It just sounds so weird."

King Roland shakes his head. "These aren't just some kids, Matilda. They are of a bloodline that has served as this kingdom's royal sorcerer since the beginning of time. In fact, they might as well be a part of the royal family." He smiles at Goodwin.

Young Roland steps forward, his hands placed behind his back. He narrows his eyes as he looks each of them over, Cedric in particular. "So this is my royal sorcerer huh?" He looks thoroughly unimpressed. "Show me a trick then sorcerer."

Cedric's eyes widen and his throat constricts. If not for his gloves he is sure his palms would be sweating. He opens and closes his mouth around empty words.

"Come on," Roland snaps his fingers. "I gave you an order – now follow it."

"Now Roland," His father warns, but amusement twinkles in his eyes despite himself. "A king does not lord over his subjects. You know that."

Charlette takes a large step forward. "Besides, you don't want him to cast a spell." She draws her wand from her sleeve. "You want me to show you. Because I am the one who will be your royal sorceress." She holds her head high and smirks.

Roland makes a face. "You?" He sneers. "You can't be a royal sorcerer. You're a girl."

Charlette gapes. She narrows her eyes and her lips curl into a snarl. "That doesn't matter. I'm just as good as any boy."

Roland snorts. "Yeah, right."

Charlette's face reddens and she clenches her hands into tight fists. "You little-" She snaps her wand up. "Lentum!" A glob of goo shoots from the tip and toward Roland.

Roland's eyes snap open and he gasps, but he doesn't have time to move. It splatters across his mouth, sticking fast. He screams, but it is muffled. He yanks at the substance, but it doesn't budge.

Charlette cackles.

"Charlette!" Goodwin snaps. He glares at her.

Charlette scowls back at him. She sticks her lip out in a pout and crosses her arms in a huff. "Serves him right. Making fun of me cause I'm a girl. Maybe next time he'll think twice before messing with a master sorceress."

"Charlette! Undo the spell." Goodwin crosses his arms. "Now."

Charlette shoves her head in the air. Still she lifts her wand and murmurs the counter spell. In a poof of smoke the goo is gone just as soon as it came.

Roland pats frantically over his mouth. Relief sweeps over him and he smiles from ear to ear. He quickly rids himself of the sentiment and sends a nasty scowl at Charlette. "You're fired!" He points.

Charlette scoffs. "You can't fire me, because I'm a girl."

"I'm the prince!" He hits his palm against his chest. "I can do whatever I want peasant."

"Cretin." Charlette shoots back.

"Toad Licker!"

"Numskull!"

King Roland steps forward. "That's enough!" His voice booms.

Both children jump in their skin and stiffen.

"Roland," He looks hard at his son. "You should certainly know better than to act this way. You are the prince. Name calling is beneath you."

Roland bows his head. He runs his foot in circles on the ground. "Yes, father."

Charlette snickers.

Goodwin turns on her. "And you," He points at her. "As a future royal sorcerer you should learn to show respect where respect is due. That is no way to treat the prince."

Charlette snorts and rolls her eyes. "If he's a prince then I'm a queen."

"Charlette." Goodwin's voice is sharp.

Charlette ducks her head. "Yes, daddy." She drops her eyes to the ground.

Young Roland smirks. He looks at her from the corner of his eye with a glint of smug satisfaction.

"Now," King Roland looks to Cedric. "What of your son? What can he do?" He raises a brow. "Surely he is just as impressive."

Goodwin glances at Cedric. He chews on the inside of his cheek. "Well," He fumbles for just the right way to say it. He hates to be so blunt and to hurt Cedric's fragile self-esteem, but there is really no way to say it that isn't harsh.

Young Roland leaps forward. "Yeah! He's gotta be better than her." He glares at Charlette. "So show me." He claps. "Show me your magic."

Cedric swallows hard. He takes out his wand and it trembles in his grip. He aims at the sky. "M-Mohit Flora." A blast shoots from the tip of his wand and a dark cloud bursts to life above their heads. Thunder booms and lightening cracks. Cedric yelps and ducks into a crouch. He throws his hands over his head and cowers.

"Hey!" Young Roland jumps to the side. "What the heck!? Are you trying to kill me?"

Charlette leaps into action. Her face is set in determination as she snaps her wand toward the ever darkening cloud. "Abiit tonitrui!" The cloud swirls and then vanishes into a puff of smoke. Charlette twirls her wand and blows at the tip. She smirks at Roland in particular.

Young Roland snorts and turns his head as far from her as possible. He crosses his arms in a huff. Still he can't help but glance from the corner of his eye at her.

King Roland grimaces. "Ah, I see."

Goodwin bows his head. "Indeed."

Cedric knows it's over – his spell subdued – but he can't bear to rise to his feet. Down here with his hands over his head at least he doesn't have to look at the disappointed faces of his father and now surely the king as well. He whimpers softly to himself.

Matilda looks back and forth between her father and Goodwin. Then she lets her gaze wander to the human heap on the ground. She frowns. Then her face lights up. She prances around the adults and over to Cedric. "Hey," She says a little too loudly. She bends over, her hands on her knees, to peer at him.

Cedric jumps in his skin. He gasps as he jerks his head up. He is startled to find the girl's face inches from his. His shock unbalances him and he falls flat on his back.

Matilda giggles. "You're funny." She bounces to her knees by his side. "Come on," She loops her arm through his. "We can play the funny game." She yanks him to his feet and drags him off without another word. Her laughter echoes in their wake.

"She acts like the younger one, running off like that." Young Roland shakes his head. "She erally needs to learn to act more proper."

Charlette snorts. A devious smile curls her lips. She murmurs a spell, the bow around Roland's neck disappearing and then reappearing in her hand. She waves it at him.

Roland gapes. "Hey!" He sprints at her.

Charlette bolts. "Better catch me." She taunts. "Or else you'll be beaten by a girl."

Roland fumes. He grins despite himself. "No girl beats King Roland the Second!"

King Roland sighs. "Children will be children." He shakes his head. "But," He frowns as he looks at Goodwin. "Goodwin, do you really intend for your daughter to become my son's sorcerer? I mean," He rubs the back of his neck. "It is almost a tradition – a king and his sorcerer, not sorceress."

Goodwin grimaces. "I know what you mean. But," He looks in the direction Cedric disappeared. "You saw what he did." He runs a hand over his face. "He just…he doesn't have the knack. And Charlette," He holds his head a little higher just talking about her. "She has more than the knack. She has talent."

King Roland nods. "I saw." He clicks his tongue. "Well, we'll just have to see. Who knows, your son could surprise us all and outshine even you one day."

Goodwin laughs. "That's about as likely as Matilda becoming queen instead of Roland being the king." He shoots Roland a knowing look.

King Roland chuckles. "I suppose you're right."

Matilda runs them far from where they were. She takes them to a garden with flowers of all shades blooming in a circle around the stone platform.

"Stop!" Cedric can barely keep on his feet as this strange girl drags him on and on. "I don't wanna go! I don't wanna!"

Matilda screeches to a halt. She spins him around and seats him on a stone bench. "And how come?" She plants her hands on her hips and stamps a foot. "You think I'm gonna eat ya or something?"

Cedric's eyes widen. "N-No. Or…I…hope not." He ducks his head.

Matilda throws her head back and laughs.

Cedric eyes her warily.

Matilda settles, only a wide grin remaining. "You sure are a funny one." She bends over, inches from his face.

Cedric leans as far away as possible.

Matilda giggles. "A shy little fella."

Cedric swallows hard. "Please…stop."

Matilda pops back into a standing position. She continues to smile. "What's wrong, kid?"

"Cedric." He mumbles.

"Huh? What'd ya say?" She tilts her head.

"Cedric!" He clenches his hands into fist. "My name's not kid, it's Cedric!" His expression is immediately seized with shame. "S-Sorry…" He jerks his gaze down to his lap.

Matilda blinks. Her smile quickly returns. "My name's Matilda!" She points to herself. "But I feel so stuffy going by that. So I make everyone call me Tilly."

Cedric peeks up at her. He frowns and his brows knit together. She acts as if he didn't snap at her at all. Only his mother has ever done such a thing.

"Hey," Matilda claps her hands together. She spins and bounces back onto the stone bench next to him. "How about some magic? Huh? Show me some more of that."

Cedric stiffens. His mouth goes dry and his hands twitch slightly.

Matilda frowns. "What?" She leans forward to better see his face. "I know you know magic. I saw you use it." She puffs her lip out.

Cedric shakes his head. "I'm no good…" He murmurs.

Matilda's brows furrow. "What are you talking about? That thunder was a-mazing!" She throws her hands in the air. "Ka-boom!" She cracks up. She holds onto her sides.

Cedric stares in awe. He has never seen someone with so much energy. Charlette is always so quiet and reserved, just like everyone in his house.

Matilda clears her throat. "Really though," She straightens. "What else ya got?" Her eyes shine with excitement.

Cedric frowns. "How old are you?"

Matilda snorts. "What? You think I'm too old to be acting this way too?" She blows out a breath and crosses her arms. She turns away from him.

Cedric panics. "N-No! That's not-I mean, it's just-I…" His words twist on his tongue. He groans.

Matilda snickers. She spins back around. "You're fine." She ruffles his hair. "And I'm ten. You?"

Cedric stares blankly for a moment. She goes through emotions like napkins. "S-Seven." He manages after a long while.

"Aw, no wonder you're so cute." She giggles.

Cedric's cheeks blaze. He shoves his head down to try and hide it.

"Come on," She tugs at his sleeve. "Magic me something."

Cedric looks away from her. "I don't know…" He pulls at his fingers. "I don't think I can…"

"Sure ya can!" She hits him on the shoulder. "You just have to try."

Cedric manages a meek smile. "A-Alright, um, what do you want me to do?"

"Hm," Matilda taps her finger against her chin. "Ah-ha! Got it! How about an orange? I'm hungry." She rubs her stomach.

Cedric chuckles. The light reaches his eyes. "Ok."

Matilda holds out her hands. "Great!"

Cedric draws in a deep breath and lifts his wand. "Aurantiaco apparere."

Matilda starts. "Oh." In her hands sets a perfectly formed apple. Only it is a deep orange.

Cedric grimaces. His shoulders slump and he hangs his head. "I told you I wouldn't do it right…" He narrows his eyes and in a surge of rage chucks his wand. "I suck." He sniffles.

Matilda frowns. "What are you talking about?" She holds her hands out just beneath his face. "This is a-mazing. It's an orange apple!" She grins from ear to ear. "It's one of a kind. And I love one of a kind things."

Cedric tentatively peers up at her. "Really? You think it's cool?" He smiles.

"Ab-so-lutely." She brings the apple to her lips and takes a bite out of it. "And now I can say I ate an orange apple in my life." She throws a hand in the air. "Score for Tilly."

Cedric laughs. "Hey, I could, um, try and make a plum so you can have a purple apple."

Matilda's face lights up. "Yes!" She takes another bite out of the apple, never taking her eyes off of him. When she grins at him flecks of orange peek through her teeth.

Cedric's smile grows. She is so weird. Looking at her now though he finally sees it – the entirety of this place. The roses kiss the stone benches as they lean ever so slightly, the daffodils reach for the sun, the primroses shine like beacons, and the violets twinkle like purple stars in a sea of otherwise bright colors. It is a garden of rainbows. And she the center, the sun that gives life to all else. She is orange.

YES! No more of that same name nonsense. What did you think of it? Writing this has made me really think about what to do with Roland and Tilly in future chapters. My mind is racing. I don't know what to do with all these thoughts. lol I hope you liked. Please review!