Sofia and Cedric ran through the halls to King Rolands room, now closer to the nurses. The clicking of their shoes could be heard echoing as they ran so quickly. Finally they reached Roland's room. Sofia stopped outside and grabbed Cedric's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. Cedric Swallowed hard. What will the King think of him? Apparently 'Dissappearing' for six years, and randomly showing up whe he's sick. He had no choicce but to enter, Sofia had a death grip on his hand.
"Father? I... I have good news... C... Cedric has been found father... I have him here." The now grown up Sofia pulled Cedric to her side so he could be fully in her father's sight. The King turned his head to his youngest daughter and struggled to open his eyes. "C- Cedric? Is... b-... back?" His eyes rested on the once missing sorcerer. Cedric saw a smile appear on his pale face, something that shocked him if he was to be truthful. "I'm... so glad... You're back... Cedric... Sofia... she hasn't... been the... same... without you." It pained Cedric to see the king in such a state. He could tell Roland didnt have much time left. He knew Sofia could tell too. Her bright blue eyes filling up with tears as she looked away. "Sofia... Please give... me a moment... with Cedric?" Roland said.
"Yes father," She ran and gave him a big hug, possibly her last, "I love you father. I'll... be in my room when you're done." She gave her father a kiss on his cheek and left. Leaving a very worried Cedric with the King.
"You're majesty, I never meant to leave for... for six-" Cedric starting rambling on about something the King did not care about. He held up his had to silece him.
"Cedric... We both know... I'm not going... to make it... through... this night..." Cedric stayed quiet, not wanting to confirm or deny the kings statements, "Now, I don't... know where... you've been... Nor do I... Care. But... Sofia... Needs some... one here... for her... When I... die. Please... Watch over her... For me Cedric... She... She loves you... More than... You could... ever know." The king looked at Cedric and waited for his response. Cedric stood there his minnd whirling in circles. He knew he was going to die? he wanted HIM to watch over Sofia? The youngest princess... Loves him? King Roland broke his thoughts. "She'll... Need a... King... To rule with... Her Cedric..." Wait what?
"Sir? Sofia needs a... king to rule with her? but what about James?" Cedric was beyond confused now. The Kings eyes watered and he looked towards his cieling.
"I'll be... seeing... my boy... soon. Please... Tell me... you'll... take care... of her... Please" Cedric had always wanted to hear the king plead to him, but now hearing it just... didn't sound right. It made him very sad.
"Yes, my king, I will take care of her" The look on Cedric's face was one of worry, fear, loss, pain, confusion, saddness, and turmoil.
"You.. May go now..." The King excused Cedric, but as he turned to leave his hand grabbed the sorcerer's arm before he could leave. "Oh... and you... have my... permission... and blessing... If Sofia... and you... Should ever... Need it."
Cedric nodded his thanks and walked out the door. As he closed the giant door, he could've sworn he heard the unmistakeable noise, of King Rolands last breath escaping his lungs.

Walking back to Sofia's room he ket thinking about what Roland said. 'You have my permission and blessing if sofia and you should ever need it.' What did that mean? Why would they need permission? or a blessing? People only ask for blessings when... when they... get... Cedric stopped dead in his tracks. Did King Roland just give Cedric permission to marry his daughter if she wants to? AND his blessing? With wide eyes he ran to Sofia's room, but to his surprise one of the butlers got there first (Merlin's Mushrooms these people are fast!). Cedric walked in just as Sofia got the news, what news? He could not hear, but it made her break down to pieces. He kinda had a feeling what the offending news was. Another step and Sofia heard the click of his shoes hitting the tile.
"Oh Cedric! Father, he's... He's... Dead! Father died!" The princess screamed inbetween sobs. She ran over to him and buried her face in his shoulder. Once again soaking his clothes in salty tears, but this time out of saddness. He wrapped his arms around her encasing her in a protective cocoon almost. He motioned for the butler to leave, and picked up Sofia to put her on her bed. She laid down but didn't let go of Cedric. "Don't leave me Cedric, please, not you too... First James, then father... I cant lose you too... For a second time. Please Cedric." She said pleadingly to the Sorcerer, Her Sorcerer.
"I wouldn't dream of it, My Princess." Cedric leaned over and placed a kiss to her forhead. By now Sofia was crying silently, but still gasping every so often. (Ever cried so hard you got the hiccups?) He knew he didn't have to say anything, just lay there with his arm wrapped protectively around His Princess. He played with her soft hair, which had fallen out of its updo with all the going ons, and before he knew it she was asleep. With her asleep Cedric started thinking. Should he tell her what her father wanted to talk to him about? He knew she was going to ask, but how much should he tell her? That he wants Cedric to take care of her? That he... he actually gave his blessing to them? Were they both part of the same? Is that what King Roland meant when he asked him to take care of Sofia? These amongst more questions were in his head, and unfortunately most of them will never be answered.

Sofia awoke the next morning still clinging to Cedric, as if if she were to let go he would dissappear again. The Princess didn't know what to feel. Elated Her Sorcerer was finally back, but the same day, she lost her father. 'I wonder what they spoke of' Sofia thought. 'What were my father's l- last words he ever spoke? I'll have to ask Cedric when he wakes up. Whenever that is, I hope it's soon.' She looked down at her sleeing sorcerer. He looked so at peace and calm when he slept. She wondered if her father had the same look on his face. The thought brought on another bout of tears. Though she cried quietly, one of her tears fell on Cedrics cheek and woke him up.
"Hmmm Wha-? Rain? Wormy did you knock over a potion again?" Cedric said half asleep while rolling over. Sofia couldnt help but let out a small chuckle. That got Cedric to wake up fully. "Oh princess! I forgot where I was- Oh princess, Come here... No need to cry without comfort when I'm here" He sat up to lean against the head board and opened his arms inving Sofia to him. She happily went to him laying her head on his chest.
"I woke up... and saw how... peaceful you looked when you slept, I wondered if... if father... l-looked peaceful like you... That would make it a little easier... To see that, even if its just on his face, that he is peaceful." Cedric played with her hair as she talked, letting her get it all out. When he wouldnt respod she continued, "what did father say to you? What were h-his last words?" Cedric's hand froze. Should he tell her everything he said? Just the begining? He pondered for a minute before answering.
"He wanted me to promise to take care of you Sofia. He knows how much I mean to you" (A blush crept up Sofia's face).She looked shocked.
"He asked you to promise to take care of me? Did you promise?" Cedric nodded his reply a small sympathetic smile on his lips, "that means you can't leave me now! Oh Cedric! Thank you! Thank you for promising father! I love you Cedric-" Sofia clamped a hand over her mouth just after saying it.
"What was that Princess?" Cedric asked curiously.
"I... I said... that... I love you. Even more than I did before actually... I didnt know it was possible." She said blushing looking down, "I know I told you before when you first came back, I dont know why I'm being so shy" Cedric put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up. He could almost feel her heart racing. Her eyes looked up at him, and he couldnt keep anything from her.
"Your father said more..." Sophia's looked changed to worry as Cedric continued, "He said that, should me and you ever need it, we have his permission and blessing." He let Sofia take it in. Confusion settling on her face now. No doubt wondering what that meant just like he did. Then... Her eyes got wide. 'Ah yep, she got it' Cedric thought.
"Father really...? Oh Cedric that makes me so happy!" The girl gushed and leaned up to kiss him full on the lips. Cedric imediately responded. Since his eyes were closed though, he didnt see the white light envolpe everything.

When Cedric opened his eyes, he was no longer in Sofia's new room, he was in his lab. He looked around. It WAS his lab... His potions, his books, his TOUCH. Wormwood let out a loud "KAW!" at him.
"Wormy! You're here!" Cedric said smiling. The bird looked at him strangely and jumped out of reach. "You never did like affection did you?" Once more the bird 'kaw'ed. On his desk he saw his spell book, opened to the exact page with the time acceleration spell.
'Am I back? How did I get here? I was just... Kissing the princess..-' His thoughts were cut off by heels running up his stairs. (interruptions happen alot here Oo)
"Mr Cedric! Mr. Cedric I have to tell you something!" Sofia burst into his lab.
'Posidens Pumpkins! I'm back!' Cedric's face lit up with joy. "Sofia! Oh My Princess!" He wrapped her in a tight hug, much to Sofias surprise, but she wasn't going to complain any. "I'm never going to leave you again! I promise! I'm not going to leave you!" Sofia pushed herself out of Cedric's arms and looked up at him worriedly.
"Leave me... AGAIN? Cedric... you've never left me... One time... Let alone to warrant an 'again'." Cedric held her small hands in his. He looked into her eyes and let all his feelings out in them.
"And nor do I ever plan to in the future. Oh Princess Happy 18th Birthday! It only comes once you know! Come lets go back to your ball and celebrate!" Cedric places his hand at the small of Sofia's back and leads her to the door.
"Mr. Cedric... Are you ok?" Consern etched on her face again.
"Never better my princess. Now what is it you wanted to tell me?" A knowing smirk played on his lips. And unfortunately for him, Sofia saw his smirk.
"I think you already know... My Sorcerer" She gave the tip of his nose a quick kiss and ran down the hall. "Catch me and I'll tell you if you're right!"
Cedric took off after the birthday girl laughing all the way. He doesn't know if the future he was thrown into is the one that will happen. He doesnt even know if that is a possiblity now that he's back; 'but one things for sure' he thought as he caught his princess and she gave him a proper kiss with her soft lips on his, 'I'll always have my memories of the future.'