Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First.
A/N: A little cedfia something to get the holiday season started.
The Wassailia candle was lit, and the occupants of the castle exchanged the traditional holiday greeting; as they proceeded forth with giving gifts to one another.
Sofia smiled to herself, clutching the small present hidden in her pocket.
Some time ago the young woman had took note of Cedric's complaints of a lack of notorious nettle. A magical herb that was difficult to obtain. Not so much for it rarity, the it wasn't exactly common, but because of it's refinement. The plant had to be harvested by hand, and ground into a paste to allow it's use in potions. Simple enough, save that it gave off a powerful irritant that burned and stung severely. Magic could not be used to make the process easier, as it would neutralize the plants own mystical properties. Because of this, the herb sold for an exorbitant price at stores. If it could be found there at all.
Of course, the other option was to prepare it yourself. Which sorcerer was not too keen on accomplishing. Though he had done so in the past. So his apprentice had decided to take the task upon herself. Determining it to be his Wassailia present for that year.
The plant was easy enough for her to find on the Mystic Isles with some help from her friends. Though despite their offer she insisted she could harvest and refine it herself.
She first got a taste of the innocuous looking herb's infamy the moment she plucked one from the ground. Even with gloves on the irritants managed to seep through, making her wince in pain. In fact, despite her initial thoughts, the gloves actually seemed to make it worse. The poisons lingering in the fabric. Causing her to forego them completely in favor of refining it bare handed as the magic books often suggested.
Sofia bit her lip through her tears as she ground it with mortar and pestle. The hard and painful work only yielding a minuscule amount of paste. Until Chrysta finally insisted, and brought her to the Isle of healing. Where she could dip her swollen and sore hands into it's soothing springs. A relief the princess very much welcomed.
It took several days of repeated trips just to procure enough for a small bottle of the stuff. Though she knew it was a fortunes worth.
A perfect gift for her friend, the royal sorcerer.
She found Cedric out on the balcony that night. Tapping his shoulder to get his attention, and declaring with a grin "Happy Wassailia, Mr. Cedric!"
He smiled back, "And a Happy Wassailia to you as well, Princess. Come to give me my present, I presume?"
She giggled, "Uh huh." Reaching into her pocket to pull out the vial, which she had wrapped in a simple purple ribbon. Placing it in his open hand as she repeated, "Happy Wassailia!"
Cedric held it up to examine it. His eyes widening in recognition. "Is this?... It is!... But how could you?..." a look of horror shifting in his eyes "Did you really harvest this?... Sofia, your hands!" Panickedly reaching for her.
"I'm alright," she assured. Taking off the silk gloves she was wearing to show they were free of any harm. "I was able to treat them at the Mystic isles."
"Oh," he sighed, "Well, that's a relief... Still, I know that couldn't have been a pleasant for you..." Grimacing as he recalled the experience himself.
"Well..." he continued almost awkwardly, "A gift like this almost makes mine seem superficial in comparison." Reaching into his robes to present her with a wrapped box.
Sofia seemed delighted all the same. Untying the ribbon and opening the lid. "Oh wow!" she gasped. Lifting out a beautiful, light blue shawl. The sheer fabric shimmering like sunlight upon the snow.
"It's enchanted," he stated proudly, "Go on, try it out."
She obliged, taking off her cloak. Wincing a moment at the cold, before throwing her gift over her shoulders. "Oh!" she gasped, as warmth spread across her body, from head to toe.
"It will also keep you cool in the summer," he added. "Stronger than diamond, and I've placed a protective charm. See!" Slipping it off her shoulders, and guiding her to hold it in front of herself. She did so, her sorcerer demonstrating the fabrics deceptive toughness by casting a spell towards it. Which it absorbed and dispelled, with no harm to her or it. "and...and it comes in two other colors! Colouro chango!" he declared. Turning it over as the transparent fabric turned lavender. Before repeating the spell and gesture twice more to change it pink, then back to blue.
She laughed taking it from him, and putting it back on "Oh, Mr. Cedric, it's perfect! Thank you!"
The sorcerer gave a crooked grin at her praise. "You're welcome Sofia, and thank you... for this," holding his bottle reverently, as he considered the sacrifice she'd made to get it for him. "It...it really means a lot... more than you know... you.. you've always done so much for me...," he admitted softly, and of course he wasn't just talking about Wassailia presents. "And I feel in comparison... I... well, the things I do for you don't really compare at all do they?..." he chuckled bitterly.
"That's not true!" she said. "You've done so much for me too, and besides," taking his free hand in hers. "I like to do stuff for you because you're my friend, not because I expect anything in exchange."
His features softened, squeezing her hand back affectionately. It was the very kind of sentiment Sofia would possess. Even so, he still wanted to return the kindnesses she'd shown him; and he was determined to do so for however long she allowed him in her life.
"...Although," she considered, before adding half jokingly "I certainly wouldn't mind getting more gifts like this."
He chuckled, "That I kind definitely do, my dear."
She smiled, her eyes lighting up further when she caught sight of something. "Oh, look!"
He did, now seeing that a gentle snow had started to follow around. Their mutual favorite holiday weather.
They exchanged warm glances, watching as the beautiful sight closed off yet another perfect Wassailia together.
A/N: What? No romance? Lol, yeah. The friendship vibe just seemed to work better for this story. Hope you still enjoyed it though.