Sofia the First: Father

Chapter 23: "Let's go home"

Just then the King and his children walked over, "Excuse me sir?" He Asked in confusion "But... are you... the REAL father of Ethan and Sofia?". "That is me, yes" Johnathon Replied "The names..." Johnathon still remembered the day he changed his identity to hide from the Royal Guard all those years ago, and he knew deep down that there was no going back "Johnathon". Some villagers from with the crowd Gasped in shock "My goodness..." an elderly man Gasped "It's... it's... The one from the outside! he's alive!".

"Oh, so you all reconize me?" and you still remember the night you saw a greatly despised man sailing out to sea!? only to unexpectedly get blown up!? "Johnathon Growled in anger "well... i tricked you all into thinking i was on board! that was just a pile of wooden junk i put together as a decoy, so i could fake an attempted escape! I NEVER DIED AT SEA!" He then proceded to pick up his freshly carved dagger and go into a battle stance "Ready for round 2!? let's go!". Thankfully the King interviened by stepping inbetween Johnathon and the villagers "Everyone just calm down!" He demannded, "Sir" He Said boldly as he stared Johnathon down "Think about what you're doing! What's the meaning of this sudden violence?!". "Oh..." Johnathon snarled in reponse, "You wouldn't understand, considering most people within that very crowd assisted the Royal Army in pursuing me away from my family! and now... i shall exact my revenge". But amazingly, the villagers didn't charge towards Johnathon. The sight of him being comforted by his family brought many of them to tears, and those who remembered the night they helped the Royal Guard chase him through Dunwiddie began to feel an endless amount of regret for their past actions. "He... lost his family..." one of them Said softly "All because... of us...", "What have we done..." another Said tearfuly, then a third stepped forward "I remember that exact same night..." He Gasped "Over 10 years ago... when I was much younger, me any many other neighbours came rushing outside after hearing loud marching though the village. We all turned to see many guards marching towards us, and they told us that there was a wanted man that lived at the local shoe store. They also said that the man was apparently despiced by the King, because he hails from a kingdom called United Kingdom! a place forever forbidden to all who live in the Ever Realm. Wanting to help our kingdom's army be rid of the imposter, we all volunteered to go with them. After they accepted, we followed them all the way to the shoe store located in the centre of the village. At last we all made it to the home of the shoe maker, and the Captain of the Royal Guard loudly knocked on the door. It took some time, but someone finally answered, 'Birk Balthazar?' the Captain Said 'Or should i say, Johnathon of United Kingdom'. Myself and many others overheard the man at the door trying to reason with the Captain, but he was having none of it. He told him that he was a wanted by King Roland the First, and to come with the Captain and the rest of the Royal Guard back to the palace dungeons. Eventually thier heated conversation hit it's limit, it was one the moment all soldiers in the squad had expected to happen, very few at the back saw it... and i was one of them. The man at the door headbutt the Captain! causing the identity of the man to be revealed as the one the King had been looking for! The man immediately dashed back inside and locked the door behind him, and the Capatin, guards and a few strong villagers began taking turns in breaking it down. After a brief few seconds they broke through and everyone raced from room to room searching for Johnathon, but after a few short minutes, we all gave up and went back outside to continue the search. Untill we all eventually heard what sounded like a man shouting his lungs out, we turned to see someone fitting the wanted man's description turn around a jolt around a street corner. The Captain Roared out in rage 'GET HIM!' and that's exactly what we did, eventually we arrived at the docks and all saw a small boat sailing away, and there was a man on board! but just then the Captain pulled out a blunderbuss and opened fire! a few seconds later there was a huge explosion! After milliseconds of observing the sea, we all came to the realization that the imposter... was dead. The Captain informed us that his job was done,  and so, everyone else made our own sepearate ways back to our homes and families, though not many of us slept that night, and the tragic memory of that late night remained with many of us for many years to come."

"And that" the villager finished "Is exactly what happened, as i am one of the few people who remember it in it's entirety". Everyone was speechless "So that is what happened after i left..." Johnathon Gasped "Thank you sharing that good sir", "Your welcome" the middle aged man Replied "I just hope it will help settle the minds of some, i am a therapist after all". "My goodness..." Roland Gasped and he turned to face Miranda "Miranda... i never knew...", "Me niether Rollie..." Miranda sadly Replied "Me niether...". But then she realized something "Oh... Johnny? there is... something i need to tell you", "Of course my dear" Johnathon Replied "Anything". "Well... it's... um..." She Said slowly with worry, "Is everything alright?" Johnathon Asked. Ethan and Sofia saw everything going down, and decide to bring thier mother aside "Mum?" Ethan Said "Come over here a moment" he gently put his hand on his mother's shoulder and brought her aside along with his sister. "Mom, you shouldn't tell him" Sofia quietly told her, "She's right mother, he's been through alot... he dosen't need more stress" Ethan Added in a soft tone "Have you seen his skin? He's like a ghost, but worse! What he needs is a warm, comfy bed, a doctor, AND us by his side the whole way through." Miranda began to realize what she's almost said to her former boyfriend, "You're both right!" she gasped, "We HAVE to prevent your father from finding out about the marrige between me and father... I'm talking about Roland", "I think we should just tell dad and... 'dad', that we should all head home" Sofia Smiled. But then her face turned serious "But he WILL find out eventually, so it's best we tell him when he's finally settled in and feeling better". "Good idea, honey" her mother Smiled "And yes, you father IS a very understanding man. But knowing that i married someone else after he and his son left? i can't even imagine how he could react...". She then felt her son's arm being placed on her shoulder and she looked up at him "Don't worry, we'll worry about it when the time comes" Ethan Said giving her a reasuring smiled, "You're right honey" She Smiled back. The trio then walked back over to the group "What was that all about darling?" Johnathon Asked Miranda, "The kids were just telling me that it's best... that we head home" She Replied. "I'm sorry, Kids?", everyone turned to see the Ultimate Prince with a large smirk on his face and his eyebrow raised, Miranda giggled in reaction upon knowing what he ment "Oh, sorry honey". Johnathon Chuckled "It's going to take SOME time to get back into the swing of things", "Well" Roland Chuckled "I think it's about time we all head home, INCLUDING Johnathon". Everyone agreed "What time is it?" James Asked letting out a big yawn, "Thankfully i conveniently carry a pocket watch for these occasions" Roland Replied and he took out a golden chained watch. Hie eyes widened in reaction to the current time "5 o'clock in the morning!?" He Gasped "We've been gone that long?", Ethan could only chucked and he walked behind Roland and his father, he then put both his arms on their shoulders "Let's go home" He Smiled looking at the pair of fathers. And so everyone stayed together and slowly made thier way out of the dark unforgiving forest, thankful to have finally found thier eldest Prince after such a long journey.