A Magical Evening (Chapter 16)
Hello. I'm back! I took a little vacation to recharge my batteries as it were.
I want to thank Blossom2019 for an idea she submitted via the reviews for "A Magical Evening" (her idea served as an inspiration for this chapter).
Oh! Just to give you advanced warning, this chapter is leading up to another chapter. I hope you enjoy reading what I've come up with.
Sofia and Lucinda were laying in bed together. Sofia looked over to Lucinda, who was sleeping. Suddenly, Sofia's amulet started glowing. In a few moments, Sofia's eyesight started getting fuzzy. As Sofia rubbed her eyes, her eyesight returned to normal. Sofia then looked for Lucinda, who was gone!
"Lucinda!" Sofia called out. It was then that Sofia realized that she had just spoke with a child's voice. Sofia got up from her bed and walked over to a full length mirror. The reflection in the mirror was of Sofia ... as a child.
"Oh My God!" Sofia exclaimed. "I'm a kid again!".
"Princess Sofia" a soft female voice called out from behind her.
Sofia quickly spun around to see a very beautiful woman standing there.
"Please don't be afraid, Sofia" the woman gently said. "I thought it was time we met face to face".
"Who are you?" Sofia asked.
"I am Princess Lorena of Avalor" the woman answered. "I am the Amulet of Avalor's first owner".
"What may I do for you, Princess Lorena?" Sofia wanted to know.
"It's what I've done for you" Lorena started. "I've brought you back from the future, with your memories intact".
"But, why?" Sofia inquired.
"So you can be warned about what is to come" Lorena answered. "I and the amulet are giving you a chance to rewrite your future. Knowing what you know now, you'll be able to change things for the better".
"Will Lucinda and I still become a couple?" Sofia asked, hopeful.
"Oh, my dear Sofia - if that is what you want, I'm sure it will happen" Lorena smiled. "But that is not why I brought you back to this point in time. I brought you back so you would know about Cedric and his plans for the amulet".
"I thought he was my friend" Sofia sadly remembered. "All he wanted was to steal my amulet so he could use it's power to take over the kingdom. I now know him for what he is - a power hungry man. And that raven of his is no better! When I was changed into a cat when Amber made that wish at the wishing well, Wormwood and Rex chased me all over the place. I was scared out of my wits!".
"The question is, what do you do now that you know Cedric's true motive?" Lorena asked.
"What can I do?" Sofia asked back. "I'm just a kid now!".
"Your memories aren't the only thing that came back with you" Lorena pointed out. "Your magical powers from the future came back with you as well. And, something else also came back with you. Look on your bed, Sofia".
Sofia looked on her bed, and saw her wand from the future. Sofia picked up the wand, and held it lovingly.
"Your ready for what lies ahead" Lorena smiled at Sofia.
"One question?" Sofia asked Lorena.
"What?" Lorena inquired.
"Are Hildegard and Cleo, well, lovers at this time?" Sofia wanted to know.
"As we speak, they are just beginning that relationship" Lorena answered. "They haven't taken it to an adult level yet. However, in private, they do hold hands and exchange the occasional kiss. Even though they are children, they do realize that what they have is romantic".
"Thank you for telling me that" Sofia smiled at Lorena.
"The future is up to you, Sofia" Lorena smiled as she hugged Sofia. "I know you'll do the right thing".
Lorena stepped back, then slowly disappeared.
The next day, Sofia, as a child, arrived for school at Royal Prep. When lunch came, Sofia invited Hildegard and Cleo to share a picnic lunch behind the school. Sofia took them to a spot she loved - across a bridge, and into a wooded area where Sofia's amulet had granted her the power to talk to animals. Sofia knew it was a quiet place where the three of them would not be disturbed. Sofia spread out a blanket on the ground, and the three sat down and enjoyed their lunch.
"This is just like your tea party at Enchancia Castle" Hildegard smiled. "Very charming".
"How did you come across this wonderful place, Sofia?" Cleo asked.
"I found it on my first day at Royal Prep" Sofia answered with a smile. "I've loved this place ever since".
As the three continued with their lunch, Sofia looked at Hildegard and Cleo. She saw two girls just starting out on a loving relationship. Sofia knew she would have to handle this carefully.
"Before I get started, I want the two of you to know that you have my support" Sofia said in a reassuring tone. "I will always be in your corner".
"Whatever are you talking about, Sofia?" Hildegard inquired, starting to become nervous.
"I know that you and Cleo have, shall we say, romantic feelings for each other" Sofia answered.
Hildegard and Cleo became very frightened at that point.
"Oh, please - don't be frightened of me" Sofia reassured the two. "I don't damn the two of you. Your secret is safe with me. I won't betray you".
"How ... did ... you ... find out about us?" Cleo asked Sofia, nervous.
"I have information from the future" Sofia answered. "A future where the two of you are together as a couple".
"What do you want to keep quiet about this?" Hildegard asked Sofia in a pointed way.
"I want nothing" Sofia reassured Hildegard. "All I want is to be a friend to the two of you. If you ever need somebody to talk to about your relationship, I'll be there for you. I realize you have to keep it a secret. Just know that somebody out there loves you, and accepts you for who you are".
Tears of joy started forming in Hildegard and Cleo's eyes - they had a friend who loved them for who they were, and didn't damn them for it. Sofia then held out her arms. The three then hugged each other as they had never hugged each other before. It was the beginning of a close friendship that would last a lifetime.
The school bell then rang. It was time to return to the school building.
"We've better get back" Sofia smiled.
"Thank you ... for your understanding" Hildegard smiled back at Sofia.
"Anytime, Hildegard" Sofia beamed.
"It's Hildi to you, Sofia" Hildegard smiled. It was the highest honor Hildegard could ever bestow onto Sofia.
"And you and Cleo may call me Sof" Sofia smiled back.
After school had ended, Sofia was flying home to Enchancia Castle aboard a flying carriage with Amber and James. During the flight home, Sofia thought about what was to come.
"Now it's time to deal with Cedric and that mangy raven of his" Sofia thought to herself.
As Amber and James talked to each other about a school project they had been assigned, Sofia looked down to see her amulet glowing for a few moments. After that, the amulet's gem stone changed to a slightly darker blue. Sofia knew it could only mean one thing - that her amulet had championed her cause, and would support her in whatever way was necessary.
To be continued in Chapter 17.