Sisters - a Sofia the First fanfic
Sisters (Chapter 5)
Notes: this chapter takes place the Halloween after Chapter 4 of "Sisters". I want to thank Luiz4200 for letting me use his short story, "The Ghostly Gala Legend", as a jumping on point for this chapter. In this chapter, we will also see one of Gwen's ideas come to life, as well as a sneak peek of a new character (Dorrie) that I plan to use in a future story.
A flashback to Sofia's childhood
Sofia, as a child, is enjoying the Halloween party that she and Sir Dax set up (in the episode "Ghostly Gala"). Sofia then walks up to her family, and tells them about Sir Dax.
"Once every hundred years, a ghost known as Sir Dax hosts a Ghostly Gala at this castle. His guests don't like how people usually react upon seeing ghosts so he'll scare everybody away beforehand" Sofia explains to the other living people at the party. "The Ghostly Gala is the only occasion he can meet his family and friends so don't expect to see any of them after this party unless you're alive by the time the next Ghostly Gala takes place or you become ghosts as well".
"Amazing story, Sofia!" her stepfather said as he clapped. "The way you narrated it was spectacular as well. You even sounded as if you believed that".
"I'd have believed as well had I not known Cedric helped you with his magic" Sofia's mother commented.
"What?" Cedric the Sorcerer asked in shock. "Your Majesty, I assure you I had nothing to do with anything Princess Sofia did for her party!".
"Are you calling my daughter a liar?" Queen Miranda asked with a frown that was unusual in comparison with her usual calm demeanor.
Sofia was shocked and regretful as she forgot she had used Cedric as a cover-up for one of Sir Dax's attempts to scare everybody away. "Uh, Mom, I was really lying about Mr. Cedric. It was Sir Dax".
"I am terribly sorry for any inconveniences I caused" Sir Dax humbly said.
"Wait a minute?" King Roland the Second asked. "Are you Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth?".
"Did you hear about me?" Sir Dax asked out of joy that someone committed his full name to memory.
"I've read about you when I was studying my predecessors" the King explained.
"Does Your Majesty mind passing this meeting's history to the next generations so I won't need to scare anyone for the next Ghostly Gala?" Sir Dax asked.
"I'll see what I can do" the King replied.
The next day, King Roland made a royal proclamation that would go into the official record for future generations:
"Enchancia Castle has a ghost for a resident - Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth. He is a friendly ghost, and this is his home. Every one hundred years, he hosts a Ghostly Gala at this castle for his ghostly guests. From this point forward, I give official permission to Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth to hold his Ghostly Gala in Enchancia Castle every one hundred years. Future residents of the castle will find him and his guests to be very charming, and an enjoyable experience will be had by all".
A few years later
A fifteen-year-old Sofia, and a fifteen-year-old Lucinda, were walking up to the attic area of Enchancia Castle.
"The castle has a ghost?" Lucinda asked Sofia.
"Actually, two" Sofia answered with a grin. "Sir Dax, and his bat, Boo".
In a few moments, Sofia and Lucinda arrived in the attic area of the castle.
"Sir Dax" Sofia called out. "Are you here?".
"Right behind you, darling" a man's voice cheerfully called out. Sofia and Lucinda turned around to see Sir Dax standing there.
"There you are" Sofia smiled. "Lucinda, this is Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth. Sir Dax, this is my adopted sister, Lucinda".
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth" Lucinda greeted as she curtsied.
"And it's a pleasure to meet you, darling" Sir Dax smiled. "And please, just call me Sir Dax".
"And please, just call me Lucinda" Lucinda smiled back.
"So, your the new princess I've heard about" Sir Dax observed while looking at Lucinda. "It's nice to meet you face to face. I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, but I didn't know how to approach you. I didn't know how you would react to a ghost".
"Actually, Sir Dax" Lucinda started, "I met a ghost once before. It was a very pleasurable experience that I'll treasure always. And I look forward to getting to know you better".
"I'd like that" Sir Dax smiled.
"Sir Dax?" Sofia asked. "I was wondering if you would like to attend this year's Halloween party here at the castle. I know you didn't want to attend last year because you missed your family and friends. But I think it would be good for you to mingle with others".
"It's just that people are usually afraid of ghosts" Sir Dax pointed out. "I wouldn't want to scare anybody".
"You wouldn't" Sofia reassured Sir Dax. "I'd let everybody know in advance. I'm sure people would want to meet you".
"Then it's settled, darling" Sir Dax smiled. "I'd be delighted to attend the party".
Halloween afternoon
Sofia, Lucinda, a sixteen-year-old Amber, and a sixteen-year-old James were putting the finishing touches on the castle ballroom when Queen Miranda walked in.
"This looks wonderful" Miranda smiled as she looked at the ballroom decked out for the Halloween party.
"Mom?" Sofia asked Miranda. "Would you do something?".
"What, Sofia?" Miranda asked, curious.
"There is something behind the tapestry" Sofia answered. "Would you pull it back?".
"Okay" Miranda said, puzzled. Miranda walked over to the tapestry, and pulled it back. Standing there was ... a 26-year-old Lydia, with Eezeyal sitting on her shoulder.
"Surprise, Mom!" Lydia cheered.
"Lydia!" Miranda beamed in surprise as she and Lydia hugged. "This is such a wonderful surprise. But how?".
"Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James planned it" Lydia answered with a smile.
Miranda turned and smiled at Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James.
"Graham and Eva will be arriving in a little while" Lydia announced. "We're looking forward to meeting Sir Dax. It's not often people get a chance to meet a real live ghost under pleasant circumstances".
"Then I will be happy to appear, Queen Lydia" a male voice said from behind Lydia. Everybody turned around to see Sir Dax standing there.
"It's an honor to meet you, Sir Dax" Lydia smiled as she curtsied.
"And it's an honor to meet you, my Queen" Sir Dax said as how bowed. "Your not ... afraid of me?".
"Not at all" Lydia reassured him with a smile. "Your as charming as Sofia said you were. I look forward to getting to know you better".
"I would like that very much" Sir Dax smiled.
"No time like the present" Lydia smiled back. "Would you like to take a walk around the castle? I'm sure there are pleanty of stories you have about the castle's past".
"I would be delighted, dear lady" Sir Dax beamed.
As Lydia and Sir Dax walked around Enchancia Castle having a pleasant conversation, Boo appeared out of thin air next to Eezeyal who was sitting on Lydia's shoulder.
"Hi" Boo greeted. "I'm Boo. What's your name?".
"I'm Eezeyal, Queen Lydia's owl" Eezeyal introduced himself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Eezeyal" Boo smiled. "While my master and your mistress talk, how about you and I find us some grub?".
"What kind of grub?" Eezeyal asked, interested in the thought of having a snack.
"I know where we can find some nice juicy berries" Boo answered.
"Lead the way, my friend" Eezeyal happily said.
Boo and Eezeyal then flew off toward the castle kitchen as Lydia and Sir Dax continued their walk around the castle.
Early that evening
Early that evening, the staff at Enchancia Castle were getting ready for the guests to arrive. On one of the castle walls, the royal inventor, Gwen, was standing looking at the stars.
"I always enjoy the view from here" Gwen heard a young woman say from behind her. Gwen turned around to see ... Sofia.
"Princess Sofia" Gwen smiled.
"Gwen" Sofia smiled back.
At that moment, both looked up to see a flying boat coming in to land in the water next to Enchancia Castle. The flying boat was the size of a large yacht, and was attached to a zeppelin-type balloon.
"These flying boats are your best idea to date" Sofia smiled at Gwen.
"Thank you, Princess Sofia, but I could not have done it without the teamwork of King Roland's engineers" Gwen remarked.
"But it was your idea that got the ball rolling" Sofia pointed out. "And, from what I understand, you designed many of the mechanical systems that make flying boats work".
"Well, since you put it like that" Gwen smiled. "I'm happy that my idea has spawned a new mode of transportation".
"I hear orders for flying boats are coming in from many kingdoms" Sofia observed.
"Yes" Gwen smiled back. "And, each flying boat built brings in a nice profit for Enchancia".
At that moment, the flying boat that had passed overhead gently landed in the water next to Enchancia Castle.
"Let's say we go down and greet our guests?" Sofia suggested.
"I'd like that" Gwen smiled.
In a few minutes, Sofia and Gwen had walked down to the water's edge where the flying boat was docked. As Sofia and Gwen approached, they noticed that King Roland, Queen Miranda, Lydia, Eezeyal, and Baileywick were already there. A man and a woman then walked off of the flying boat.
"King Graham, and Princess Eva, of the Kingdom of Lacorinth" Baileywick announced.
"Welcome" Roland greeted Graham and Eva. "Did the two of you have a good flight?".
"We had a wonderful flight" Princess Eva smiled. "It's a pleasure flying aboard such a marvelous vessel".
"Indeed" King Graham added with a smile. "The person who came up with the idea for a flying boat has given the world something quite wonderful".
"Actually, she's right here" Roland said with pride as he motioned Gwen to come forward. "This is Gwen, our royal inventor. Her idea for a flying boat got the ball rolling".
"I'm very proud to meet such a gifted person" Graham smiled at Gwen as he kissed her hand. "You are truly ahead of your time".
Gwen smiled at the complement.
The Halloween Party
Violet and her fifteen-year-old adopted daughter, Dorrie, were in the castle ballroom going over last minute preparations for the party.
"Have the extra plates arrived?" Violet inquired.
"They arrived five minutes ago" Dorrie smiled.
"Good" Violet smiled back. "And the sandwiches?".
"Arriving now" Dorrie reported.
"And Queen Lydia's surprise for Princess Lucinda?" Violet asked.
"Expected within a half hour" Dorrie answered.
"You are so efficient" Violet praised Dorrie. "You make me so proud".
"Thank you, Mom" Dorrie smiled. "I've had a good teacher ... you".
Violet and Dorrie then hugged. Queen Miranda walked in, observed the touching scene, and smiled.
Within a half hour, guests started arriving, and the Halloween party got underway. As Lucinda was walking around the ballroom, Lydia came up to her.
"Lucinda" Lydia started, "I have a surprise for you".
Lydia walked Lucinda over to an area of the ballroom where a blond haired woman in her sixties was talking with a group of people. Lydia then got the woman's attention.
"Lucinda, this is ..." Lydia started.
"... The Witch Queen, Annora" Lucinda finished in awe. "It is a great honor to meet you, my Queen". Lucinda then curtsied.
"It is my great honor to meet you, Princess Lucinda" Annora smiled. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now. When Queen Lydia extended an invitation for me to attend this party, I jumped at the chance".
"Thank you, Lydia" Lucinda beamed in gratitude.
"Your very welcome" Lydia smiled as she hugged Lucinda. "I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted".
"Queen Lydia has told me good things about you" Annora smiled at Lucinda. "She really thinks the world of you".
Lucinda smiled in gratitude at the praise.
"You've made all of us in the Sisterhood very proud" Annora continued. "Your a fine witch, and a fine princess".
"Most kind, my Queen" Lucinda said in gratitude.
"I don't stand on formality where my witch sisters are concerned" Annora smiled. "Please, just call me Annora. And may I call you Lucinda?".
"I'd like that, Queen ... I mean, Annora" Lucinda answered.
"Good" Annora smiled. "May we talk for a while? I'd like to get to know you better".
"I'd enjoy that" Lucinda smiled. "Our castle sitting room is just down the hall. We can be comfortable there while we get to know each other".
"Thank you" Annora said, pleased. "After you, Lucinda".
Lucinda and Annora then left the ballroom.
About an hour later, the Halloween party was in full swing. At one point, Sofia walked up to Baileywick.
"Have you seen Lucinda?" Sofia asked Baileywick. "It's almost time for Sir Dax to appear at the party".
"She's in the sitting room with Queen Annora" Baileywick answered.
"Queen Annora is here?" Sofia asked, pleased that Lucinda had such an important visitor.
"Yes" Baileywick smiled. "Lydia arranged it. Lucinda, and Queen Annora, will be returning to the ballroom in a few minutes".
In a few minutes, Lucinda and Annora walked in. At that point, Sofia walked up.
"Queen Annora" Sofia greeted as she curtsied. "I'm Princess Sofia. We're honored to have you here".
"So, your the famous Sofia" Annora smiled as Lucinda stood next to Sofia. "I've heard good things about you".
Sofia smiled at the complement.
Annora looked at Sofia and Lucinda standing together. "Look at the two of you" Annora smiled. "Two fine sisters, two fine princesses, and two fine royal sorceresses. The two of you do Enchancia proud".
"Thank you" Sofia and Lucinda said in gratitude.
At that moment, Baileywick made an announcement. "Attention, guests" Baileywick announced. "Sir Dax will be arriving in five minutes".
Sir Dax arrives
All the guests gathered together in the ballroom. In a few minutes, a bright light filled the ballroom. Suddenly, the bright light faded and standing in it's place was ... Sir Dax.
"Happy Halloween, everybody!" Sir Dax greeted everybody with a smile.
The guests clapped, very impressed with Sir Dax's entrance.
"I am Sir Reginald Dexter Sircliff the Fourth" Sir Dax introduced himself to the guests. "You may call me Sir Dax. It is my great pleasure to be here tonight".
The guests again clapped.
"And this is my bat, Boo" Sir Dax announced as Boo appeared before the guests. The guests once again clapped.
The party continued, with Sir Dax and Boo making the rounds of the ballroom, talking to various guests as they went along. Sir Dax, Boo, and the guests had a wonderful time getting to know each other.
"Sofia" Lydia smiled as she walked up to Sofia. "You really know how to throw a Halloween party".
"I can't take all the credit" Sofia smiled back. "Lucinda, Amber, and James helped, along with the staff".
"But, you were the one who invited Sir Dax and Boo" Lydia pointed out. "And look at them - they are the life of the party".
"It's wonderful seeing Sir Dax and Boo fitting in so nicely" Sofia smiled. "It's really quite a wonderful thing".
"It is" Lydia smiled as she hugged Sofia.
A witch tradition
In a little while, Lucinda and Annora gathered the guests together.
"If we may have your attention please" Lucinda announced. "I and Queen Annora have put together a last minute event in celebration of Halloween. We ask that all of you step outside".
As the guests walked outdoors, Lucinda walked up to Sofia.
"Thank you, Sofia, for allowing us to add this to the party" Lucinda gratefully said.
"It was my pleasure" Sofia smiled.
As soon as everybody was outside, Annora addressed those gathered.
"Halloween is an important holiday for witches" Annora started. "Halloween allows us to remember our loved ones who have passed on. It is also a time of cleansing and releasing. On Halloween, it is our tradition to leave things behind we no longer need. To this end, Princess Lucinda and I give you ... a Halloween bonfire".
The staff set a pile of wood and brush on fire, and soon the pile was burning brightly.
"Each of you is being given a piece of paper, and a pen" Lucinda announced. "You are invited to write down on the paper an outmoded habit that you wish to end, then cast the paper into the flames. Imagine yourself adopting a new, healthier way of being as you move around the fire clockwise".
Everybody wrote down something, then, one by one, each person cast their paper into the flames as he or she moved around the fire clockwise. Everybody then spent some time watching the bonfire glow. A peace fell over those gathered, as if a weight had been lifted off of their shoulders. It was truly a wonderful feeling.
After a while, everybody went back into the ballroom and enjoyed the party. A wonderful time was had by all.
As the party came to a close, each departing guest was given a bag of Halloween candy, and was wished a good night by Sofia, Sir Dax, and Boo.
After the party
After the guests had left, Sofia and Lucinda were walking down a castle hallway when Lydia, with Eezeyal on her shoulder, raced up behind them.
"Lydia" Sofia smiled. "I thought you and Eezeyal had left".
"Graham and Eva have left for Lacorinth aboard our flying boat" Lydia announced. "I and Eezeyal thought we'd stay the night. And the two of us have set up a little surprise for you".
Lydia and Eezeyal led Sofia and Lucinda up to the castle observatory. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Sofia and Lucinda saw five beds set up.
"Surprise!" Eezeyal gleefully said.
"What is this?" Sofia and Lucinda asked.
"I thought the three of us, along with Eezeyal, Amber, and James, would have ourselves a slumber party up here" Lydia cheerfully announced. "Amber and James will be arriving shortly".
"Oh!" Sofia exclaimed in glee. "This is wonderful, Lydia".
Soon, Amber and James arrived. As Lydia, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James sat on their beds talking, Sir Dax and Boo appeared before them.
"We just wanted to bid all of you goodnight" Sir Dax smiled. "Boo and I had a wonderful time tonight. We were able to mingle with people without them being afraid of us. And the two of us want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this happen".
"Your quite welcome, Sir Dax" Sofia smiled back.
As Sofia, Amber, and James talked to Sir Dax, Lucinda gently pulled Lydia aside.
"I want to thank you for arranging to have Queen Annora attend the party" Lucinda gratefully said. "I never thought I would have the privilege of meeting her".
"She recently came through Lacorinth to visit a witch and warlock village in the kingdom" Lydia acknowledged. "I arranged a meeting with her, and extended an invitation to the party. I thought you would like to meet her".
"Thank you for that, Lydia" Lucinda smiled as she hugged Lydia.
"Anything for you, my precious sister" Lydia smiled back. "You've become a wonderful addition to our family. I'm so glad your here".
Lucinda smiled at the compliment.
Soon, Sofia, Lucinda, Lydia, Amber, and James had changed into their night clothes, and spent a little time enjoying each other's company. It was then time to go to bed. As Sofia laid in her bed, she looked over and saw Lydia, Lucinda, Amber, and James laying in their beds, with Eezeyal perched on the headboard of Lydia's bed. Sofia smiled. It was nice having her brother and sisters having a slumber party in the same room. It was a moment Sofia would treasure always.
The next morning
After breakfast, it was time for Lydia and Eezeyal to return to Lacorinth. Soon, everybody found themselves in the courtyard of the castle.
"See you at Lacorinth Castle for Wassailia" Sofia smiled at Lydia as the two hugged.
"Graham, Eva, and I are looking forward to having all of you there" Lydia smiled back.
Lydia then walked over to Lucinda. "You take care of yourself, my favorite witch" Lydia smiled as she hugged Lucinda.
"I will" Lucinda smiled. "See you at Wassailia".
Lydia walked over to Amber and James. "Take care, you two" Lydia smiled as she hugged both of them.
"Love you" Amber smiled back.
"It was wonderful having you here" James added with a smile.
Lydia then walked over to Miranda and Roland. "It was good seeing you again, Mom, Dad" Lydia smiled as she hugged her parents.
"It was wonderful having you visit" Miranda smiled.
"We're very proud of the fine woman you've become" Roland added with a fatherly affection.
Lydia smiled in pride at the compliment. Lydia and Eezeyal then climbed aboard their royal flying carriage. In a few moments, the carriage took flight, and headed away from Enchancia Castle. From a window in Enchancia Castle, Sir Dax watched the carriage fly off.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Queen Lydia" Sir Dax smiled as he looked out the window. "Until we meet again, dear lady".
Author's notes
"Actually, Sir Dax" Lucinda started, "I met a ghost once before. It was a very pleasurable experience that I'll treasure always. And I look forward to getting to know you better" - this is a reference to events in my story "An Act of Kindness".
I want to thank Luiz4200 for letting me use his short story, "The Ghostly Gala Legend", as a jumping on point for this chapter.
King Graham of Lacorinth is from Chapters 3 and 4 of "Sisters", while Princess Eva of Lacorinth is from Chapter 4 of "Sisters".
Look for Dorrie to be featured in a story of her own at some point.
The flying boat seen in this chapter was inspired by the Caspertine (Captain Shakespeare's flying boat seen in the movie "Stardust").