Search for Inspiration

Amber gazed at the blank canvas as she tapped her chin with a paintbrush. The blonde princess had found herself in an art mood, and so she had gathered everything she might need to paint a glorious picture of… something. She sighed and let her hand fall to her lap as she turned her gaze to the colorful array of paints on the table beside her. While she was in the mood to paint, she wasn't sure what to paint. She had done quite a few paintings of the castle and its surrounding areas, including Dunwiddie. She really wanted to try painting something new, like the Hanging Gardens or the Mystic Isles, but she couldn't decide on any particular location.

"I just need some inspiration," she muttered, setting her paintbrush aside. A wide grin spread across her face. "And I know just how to get it."

…

Sofia giggled merrily as Cedric twirled her around before pulling her in for a hug. "Cedric, you should be working." She nodded toward his worktable, where his cauldron and several jars of ingredients had been all but forgotten. "The villagers will need that fertile potion…"

"Then why are you here?" he teased, grinning when a light pink tint appeared on her cheeks. "Dancing with you is much more fun than working."

The princess sighed as he leaned down, capturing her lips with his. She moaned softly and parted her lips, wrapping one arm around his neck and tangling her fingers in his soft hair.

"Is this what you two do all day?"

Sorcerer and princess jumped apart and looked toward the workshop's doorway, where Amber was standing, her arms folded and a smirk on her face.

"Hi, Amber," Sofia greeted her sister, trying to will away a blush.

"What do you want, Princess Amber?" Cedric asked grumpily, folding his arms. "And why didn't you knock?"

Amber raised a golden brow. "First of all, the door was already open." She gestured at said door, which was indeed wide open. "Second, I was looking for Sofia."

Sofia blinked. "You were?"

"I need some inspiration for a painting." She shrugged when her sister offered her a confused look. "I just really want to paint something, but I don't know what. I was hoping we could take a flying coach around the kingdom and look at different places."

"Why don't you just ask a coachman to take you?" Cedric asked. Despite the fact that he was supposed to be working, he wanted his princess to stay with him.

"Sofia knows more places than the coachmen do," Amber responded simply.

The auburn haired princess giggled. "I don't know about that, but I guess I could take you around the kingdom since I don't have anything else to do." She didn't notice the frown that crossed Cedric's features.

"Wonderful!" Amber exclaimed, smiling brightly. "I'll go ask Baileywick to have a coach ready for us, and I'll also ask him to have a picnic lunch made. Let's leave in half an hour." With that, she left the workshop.

"Why did you agree to go with her?" Cedric asked with a childish pout.

Sofia grinned. "Because, unlike you, I don't have work to do." She reached up and tapped him playfully on the nose, giggling when he grimaced. "Lighten up. I'll be back before you know it." She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly before stepping back and moving toward the door. "I should probably change my dress. See you later." With a wave, she headed out of the room and down the winding steps.

The sorcerer sighed heavily and turned toward his worktable. "Merlin's Mushrooms! It's so tedious when she's not here," he groaned as he picked up his wand and started a fire under the cauldron with a spell.

…

Half an hour later, Sofia sat on a bench in the castle's entrance hall waiting for her sister. She had changed into a simple lilac dress. Her auburn hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. She was actually looking forward to spending time with Amber, even if she had to leave her sorcerer to his work. Hopefully, Cedric would get his potion done without her there to distract him. It was sweet that he liked dancing with her more than working, but the kingdom's farmers needed that fertile potion soon to be able to produce good crops that year.

The sound of voices made Sofia look up to see her sister and Baileywick coming toward her from one of the hallways. Amber, who looked elegant as always in a yellow dress with her hair held back with a barrette, seemed to be in a talkative mood as she chattered with the steward, who followed her with a large picnic basket. The blonde princess carried a green bag, which Sofia guessed contained her sketch book and a few art supplies she might need.

"There you are, Sofia," Amber smiled when she saw the other girl. "Ready to go?"

Sofia smiled back, standing up and moving to stand beside her sister. "I'm always ready for an adventure."

"Just don't get us lost," Amber joked lightly.

"That's half the fun," she giggled, holding up her right arm to display her Enchantlet. "Besides, even if we do get lost, I can use my Which Way Bow to get us back."

"The coach is waiting for you outside," Baileywick told them pleasantly. "But are you sure you don't want a coachman to accompany you?"

Amber shook her head, smiling gently. "Thanks, Baileywick, but I think this trip would be better with just me and Sofia. I want to paint something amazing, and she knows all the best places."

The auburn haired girl just laughed and shrugged before stepping toward the steward and giving him a kind smile. "Let me take the basket," she offered, gesturing to the picnic basket he was holding.

He smiled appreciatively and handed it over. "I should get back to your father before he starts doodling on the documents I gave him to sign. I hope you have a good trip, Princess Amber, Princess Sofia." He bowed before strolling off in the direction of the king's office.

"Come on, Sofia," Amber said, heading for the front doors and nodding at the guards who opened them. "We have places to see."

The girls walked outside and down the front steps where a flying coach was waiting for them. Sofia opened the door and set the picnic basket inside. Leaving the door open for Amber, she climbed up to the driver's seat, picking up the reins. She was surprised when Amber merely set her bag next to the basket, closed the door, and climbed up to sit next to her. "Amber, what are you doing?"

"Sitting up here where I can see everything," she replied seriously.

Sofia shrugged. "Okay, but hang on." She flicked the reins.

The flying horses shot forward, and Sofia reached down to pull the lever to release the coach's wings. She laughed in delight as they rose higher, wind blowing her hair back. She glanced at her sister and saw that Amber was gazing at the castle and its grounds. Remembering that Amber was looking for inspiration, Sofia guided the horses in a few circles around the castle, being sure the blonde saw everything. At one point, she spotted Cedric standing at one of the windows of his tower. She blew him a kiss, smiling when he returned the gesture.

After flying around the castle a few times, Sofia had the horses fly out over the water for a short distance, thinking Amber might enjoy a view of the sparkling sea. When they turned back toward the land, Sofia had to admire the beauty of their kingdom. With its lush green forests and majestic mountains, Enchancia looked every bit like a magical kingdom right out of a book of fairytales, which suited her just fine, because her whole life often felt like a fairytale.

Amber sighed contentedly as she too admired the kingdom she would one day rule. "Enchancia is so beautiful from out here."

"It sure is," Sofia beamed. "And it'll have a beautiful queen one day."

"Oh, I know," she smirked playfully. "I've always been stunning, haven't I?"

"Oh, Amber," the younger girl rolled her eyes good naturedly as they both laughed. When they calmed down, she asked, "So, was there anything special you wanted to see?"

Amber thought for a moment and shook her head, waving vaguely toward Enchancia. "I want to see everything, Sofia. Inspiration is out there, I just need to find it."

…

For the next few hours, they flew from one place to another, sometimes leaving the coach to walk around. In Dunwiddie, they visited with Ruby and Jade for a few minutes before moving on. They rode through the forests where Sofia, and sometimes Amber, used to hike with the Buttercups. Sofia made sure to take her sister to the Whispering Woods to see the magical tree that served as the entrance to Elvenmoor. Of course, Amber wanted to explore the world of elves, so the two girls spent some time there. Afterwards, they flew to the mountains to see Mist Bowl Mountain with its crystallized forest and colorful geysers. They both laughed about the first time they'd been there with James and their friends to get Hocus Crocus for their enchanted science projects. That was one day neither of them would ever forget.

In the early afternoon, the girls decided to stop and have their picnic in the Golden Glades. After finding a small clearing, Sofia unhitched the horses to allow them to graze and drink from a nearby stream while Amber spread the blanket that came in the basket and set out the food. Sitting down next to her sister, Sofia sighed happily. Along with sandwiches and fruit, the kitchen staff had packed two generous pieces of chocolate and raspberry cake and a pitcher of punch. She picked up a sandwich and began to eat. They ate in silence for a while, neither feeling the need to talk. Amber took her sketch book from her bag and started to draw as she ate some fruit. Sofia watched a few chipmunks playing in a tree not far away. It was wonderfully peaceful in this part of the kingdom. Perhaps she should bring Cedric here sometime. At the thought of her sorcerer, the younger princess smiled softly.

"Daydreaming about Cedric?"

At her sister's teasing tone, Sofia blushed darkly. "H–How did you know I was thinking about Cedric?"

"Well, now I do," the blonde girl smirked as her sister's blush became even darker. "I asked you if you were ready for cake, but you just sat there with that dreamy smile, so…"

"Am I that predictable"" She sighed when the other princess gave her a sarcastic look. She picked up her plate of cake and a fork, taking a bite before going on, "I was just thinking about bringing Cedric here for a picnic or something. It's so peaceful here."

Amber just smiled thoughtfully and started to eat her own cake. It really was nice in this part of Enchancia. She enjoyed castle life and being around people, but sometimes it was good to get away and just be alone with nature, and special people for that matter. A sigh escaped her lips. "You're lucky, you know?"

Sofia, who had been about to take a bite, lowered her fork and looked toward her, surprised at the change in the other girl's demeanor. Amber looked wistful—and maybe a little sad—as she gazed around. "What do you mean?"

"The man you love lives at the castle with us. You can see him every day for however long you want." She gestured widely with one hand. "Meanwhile, Desmond is in another kingdom. Sometimes I wish he lived in Enchancia."

"Aw, Amber…" Setting her plate aside, Sofia wrapped an arm around her. "I've heard distance makes your love stronger." She smiled gently as the other girl sighed. "Someday, you two will be married, and he'll live in the castle with us; with you."

"You're right, Sofia." After finishing her dessert, Amber gazed up at the sky in silence for a few minutes. As she stared up at the heavens, a picture started to form in her mind; a picture so beautiful it took her breath away just thinking about it. "Mmm…"

…

The rest of the afternoon went by quickly. Sofia showed Amber more of the kingdom's villages, as well as more of her favorite places. The older girl didn't really pay much attention to the locations. She knew what she wanted to paint, but she didn't want to seem like she was in a rush to get home, so she just sat there half listening as Sofia told her about each place.

It was early evening when they finally arrived back at the castle. After greeting Baileywick and informing him that their trip had indeed gone well, the girls went their separate ways. Amber headed to her room to start her painting, while Sofia headed for a certain sorcerer's tower.

She hurried up the spiral stairs, eager to see her sorcerer, and knocked on the workshop door. There was no answer, so she tried again. Still receiving no response, she tried the handle and found the door unlocked, so she pushed it open. What she saw made her smile.

Cedric was sitting on a sofa he had conjured with his head resting on a pillow on one of its arms. He was sound asleep and snoring softly. Sofia giggled quietly so as not to wake him as she stepped into the workshop. She looked toward his worktable and saw a dozen vials filled with a green liquid. He'd finished the fertile potion. She smiled, sitting down beside him. For a moment, she just sat there and watched him sleep. He looked so pure and innocent when he slept that it was hard to believe he'd once schemed to take over the kingdom... A sudden yawn escaped her. She hadn't realized she was tired, but, after flying Amber around Enchancia all day, she supposed she could use a nap. She leaned toward the sorcerer, gently lifting his arm and moving to lay her head on his, sighing happily when he muttered her name in his sleep and held her close against him. Soon, they were both fast asleep, dreaming the same dream of dancing together in a meadow full of purple and pink flowers.

…

A few days later, a new painting hung in the hallway outside the throne room. Amber had truly outdone herself by painting a very detailed image of the kingdom she called home. And above it all, against a blue sky, she had also painted a beautiful picture of herself and Desmond gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.

A/N: I figured I'd write a sister bonding story. I hope you enjoyed it. Oh, and I should probably mention that I have started using AI to make covers. It's nothing against artists. I just don't know anyone willing to draw for me.