Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First

Music and dancing filled the streets. All in excitement for the wedding of the kingdom's brave hero, and the damsel princess he had rescued from the evil sorcerer.

Inside her room was the beautiful bride. Adorned in lavish ornaments that weighed heavy upon her. Though she'd made no effort of protest as the maids dressed her in them. Her bitter, distant gaze staring unseeing out the windows of her gilded cage.

Of course she knew of the tales that were published... How, the dear princess had been bewitched by her royal sorcerer, now twice traitor to their nation, and stolen away under the cover of night... And how the brave hero had vanquished the sorcerer, rescuing her from her terrible fate...

And of course, she knew that they were all lies...

Her heart pricked, tears trickling down despite her defiance as she recalled the moment that had led to all this...

"Cedric..."

He turned away from his work. His expression wrinkling in concern when he saw the young woman standing listless in his doorway.

"Princess Sofia," standing up to usher her fully in. Her movements stiff. "Is everything alright?"

She stood in silence a moment, as if processing everything. "I'm to marry Prince Humbert tomorrow..."

Cedric swallowed. Having known this before himself, though not liking it any more. "Yes..."

She inhaled a shuttering breath, "I don't want to marry him..."

He couldn't blame her. Prince Humbert was an insufferable, pompous brat. But what was even worse, were the conditions that led to this betrothal.

Tensions were high between Enchancia and Humbert's Kingdom, and threat of war was pending. To offset this the King had demanded the hand of one of Roland's daughters for his son to wed.

Of course, Amber was out of the question. As future queen their people needed her guidance. True James may have stepped up in her place. But as brave of a knight as he was, he was no political leader. And with things already testy, Amber was the better choice for Enchancia's future.

This left Sofia. Sweet and persuasive, with her natural diplomatic skills. Surely if she married the prince, not only would it quell the impending threat. But perhaps she could help to continue to facilitate peace between the two nations.

He remembered standing in those meetings. Baring witness to the young princess agreeing to the nuptials. Putting on a brave and cheerful face. Willing to put her own happiness aside for the good of the kingdom.

Now however, as judgement day loomed just over the horizon. It appeared the ramifications of what she'd agreed to were finally starting to sink in.

She was shuddering, gasping as her future spread before her. Trapped as a political pawn in a loveless marriage.

"I... I don't want to ..." she managed to choke out again. Tears streaming down her face as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Unable to bear her pitiful sight, he wrapped his arms around her. Sofia burying her head into his chest, clinging to his shirt as she sobbed.

He stroked her head. Wanting to soothe her with words, but finding things like 'It'll be alright' to be cheap and meaningless.

"Please..." he heard her mumur.

"Hmm?"

"Please..." she looked up at him with pitiful blue eyes, and tear streaked face. "Take me away."

It took him a moment to process what she was saying. Upon which his own eyes widened in shock. "What?!"

"I don't want to do this! I want to stay with you! That's all I ever wanted! Cedric, please! Take me away from this!"

He knew he shouldn't. But his tenderness for the girl, as well as his own desire for her, compelled him to heed her pleas, over what was perhaps his own better judgement.

After all, she'd always given her all to everyone else. Was it so wrong to allow her this one selfish indulgence?

As for himself. Well... he'd always been selfish. What was one more.

He gently reached over, wiping away a tear with his thumb and silencing her hiccuping sobs. "Alright..."

They stole away into the night. Eloping in a simple ceremony common for sorcerers. A perfect fairy tale ending.

However, unlike in fairy tales, reality has a habit of marching on. Along with all it's consequences.

They took little account of what was happening to the world they left behind. Gleaning their knowledge of things only from the rumour mill. A kingdom thrown in disarray... war declared...

The kings guards were relentless in their pursuit. But they paid them no mind, save to evade them. Eventually finding shelter in a fortified tower, hidden away with his magic. Where they spent a time together in happiness, until the "Hero" arrived.

She sneered when they spoke of her intended's bravery in defeating the evil sorcerer through wit and cunning. In reality the cowardly man had threatened her life, forcing Cedric to cast aside his wand in exchange for her safety. Upon which the "hero" took opportunity to slay her beloved before her eyes.

Of course, she'd tried to tell everyone the truth. But her words were met with patronizing remarks of. "She must still be under the wizards spell..." "Grew attached to him..." "Poor, silly thing...". Until eventually she decided no longer to bother.

And here she was, clad in guady wedding garments. Domed to the same fate she'd evaded before. Though at different hands this time.

But she still had one more ace up her sleeve. Fingers gently brushing across her amulet.

The crowds had gathered for an outiside ceremony. One of the few requests from her they'd actually honored. The thought actually allowed her a small smile.

She paid little attention to the words spoken at the altar. Nor the lustful look the groom was giving her, instead remaining ever vigilant for her chance at freedom.

Gazing up in the sky, she finally spotted what she'd been waiting for.

"I wish to be a bird," she whispered.

There was a collective gasp from the crowd. As in a puff a pink smoke the beautiful bride disappeared. A purple bird now floating in the air where she once stood.

Sofia wasted no time. Taking off into the sky to join the others. On the run again, the exhilaration of freedom fueling her to keep going. Even if this time she'd have to face this new journey completely alone.

A tear fell from her eye...