Chapter Text
While the villagers and most of the visiting magical aids had returned to their own kingdoms or realms, a few had stayed behind another day just to help make the transition back to "normal" easier. Dexter and Brexley in particular had remained, especially after Brexley and Nana had taken a liking to each other. In fact, Brexley had taught Nana some sign language to help her communicate with her guardians (mostly simple things, of course), and the pink-haired girl had definitely picked it up rather easily.
Sir Finlay and his family had also stayed behind, as had Greylock and his family. They were able to have a nice visit and a healthy conversation, rather than worry about the impending doom they'd been faced with the past several days. And it had been nice.
But now, the Enchancian castle was back to normal. Things had been repaired. People had been treated and healed. Routines had been reestablished… It was like nothing had ever happened, and in a way, that's how many liked it. Now they could focus on the most important thing: Amber's and Desmond's upcoming wedding, which would take place in only a matter of days. It was no longer 'such a long way away.' It was practically within grasping distance.
Today was a day to relax. As the tower was drafty due to the weather, and since fresh snow had fallen, Cedric had suggested they relocate to an empty common room. It was fairly large and decorated for Wassailia already. There was a roaring fire in the hearth, above which hung a thick strand of garland.
Nana was sitting on the plush dark blue rug in front of the fireplace and was playing a game of cards with Wormwood, who was attempting to explain the game as they went. Surprisingly, he'd been rather successful, because the little girl seemed to be picking up on the moves more easily.
Wormwood's beak dropped as he saw Nana grinning at him, her cards displayed before her. "You had a warlock and two witches? Are you certain you're not cheating, young lady?"
She giggled and shook her head.
While they were playing, Sofia was reclining against the edge of a long brown sofa, a book in her left hand while she used her right hand to play with Cedric's hair. He was currently lying on the sofa, his head in his partner's lap (at her behest, no less, after he'd pulled an all-nighter the previous evening and was not functioning well: "You're clearly exhausted. Lie down already, or I'll have to knock you out. Don't think I won't."). Who was he to argue? He was tired.
Wormwood rolled his eyes after having glanced at the partners. "They're so boring," he complained, causing the little strawberry girl to grin. "Not to mention disgustingly mushy. The most exciting thing I've heard is Sofia threatening to hit him, and I'm sure even that would be with a stuffed animal or something."
"If it makes you feel better, Wormwood," Sofia began with a slightly miffed tone as she reached up and turned a page before returning her hand to Cedric's hair, "if I were to hit you, it would be with a flightless spell."
He gaped at her. "What are you saying? You'd turn me into a penguin?"
Sofia grinned as she lowered the book. "Or an ostrich."
"Ostriches are the most awkward-looking birds in existence!"
She snickered before looking back at her book. "Then that's my kind of revenge. Seeing an 'awkward' Wormwood would be interesting."
The raven scoffed as he gathered the cards, shuffling them with his talons as he hovered midair. "Speaking of awkward ostriches, you might want to wake Cedric up already. He's been sleeping for three hours."
"Good," the princess sighed. "It's about time."
After a while, during another game between Nana and Wormwood, Cedric yawned and opened his eyes, slowly sitting up on the sofa next to Sofia. "How long was I asleep?"
"Two years," Wormwood remarked as he tossed a card to Nana, who picked it up. "Here's an update: Prince Desmond and Princess Amber are now married with two sets of triplets: Johan, Horace, Sara, Helena, Marvin, and Brunilda. The kingdom changed its name to Crownicus. And you now have more gray hair than Baileywick, who quit to pursue his dream of interpretive dance."
Cedric narrowed his eyes at the smirking bird before sighing. "A simple 'few hours' would have sufficed, you wretched raven."
"More like four hours," Sofia corrected with an amused smile as she placed a bookmark in her book and set it aside. "But you needed it."
"Hmm." He nodded. "I had a dream that a mysterious woman flipped our entire world upside down and showed us a place called 'Backwards Land.' Or something…" He shook his head as the princess gave him a skeptical look. "Sounds silly, but maybe it's just because I was so tired."
Sofia smiled. "Yeah, I know that's when I usually have my strangest dreams. But now that you're awake, what would you like to do?"
"Hmm." He smiled in return before standing up and offering a hand to her, chuckling as she blinked and accepted it. He pulled her to her feet.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, need I remind you that there is a wedding we must attend in a few days? And I'm quite certain that we need to practice dancing once again, since I'm sure you and I will end up in one."
She grinned as he pulled her closer, preparing their positions. "Or two, or three, or ten…"
"Now you're pushing it, my dear." He glanced down toward Wormwood, who was making gagging noises. "Wormy, be useful and sing a song so that we can have music to dance by."
Wormwood offered the sorcerer a sarcastic look before singing sarcastically, "Tale as old as time, I hate stinking rhymes, princess and the awkward ostrich."
Sofia couldn't help breaking into laughter, burying her head into Cedric's robe and snickering. He clearly didn't get the joke, but she did, and she found it strangely funny.
Cedric deadpanned at the raven. "Wormy, you're fired."
"Oh, no. However will I go on?" Wormwood smirked as he and Nana started up a new game.
Sofia smiled as she shook her head, pulling out her wand. "I'll handle this." With a flick of her wrist, some magical music filled the room. She returned the wand to her dress pocket before resuming her position. "Where were we?"
Cedric just smiled before commencing a dance with her.
It was wonderful to have a lighthearted feeling for the first time in a long time. Between the snowfall, the peacefulness, and the music, they finally had just what they needed.
And the countdown to the wedding began…
The end (and to be continued in "Heartsong")