Chapter 9

Happy Birthday

Sarah awoke to the aroma of bacon on the griddle. It was still dark out and Lily slept soundly on the other bed. The floor was ice cold against her bare feet, she wrapped a think woolen shawl around her that Midge had offered to her the night before. Silently she left her room and made her way to the kitchens. As expected Midge was up and dressed, preparing the morning meal. "Good morning." Sarah said sleepily, trying to stiffle a yawn.

"Well Hullo hun." Midge smiled and stirred some porridge. "Did you sleep well?" she asked.

"Suprisingly so." Sarah smiled. "I did not think I would adjust to my new surroundings so quickly, but I feel very much at home here."

"That's not suprising." Midge laughed. "Most who taste this world never leave and those who do yearn to come back." she paused as she bent over to pull some fresh bread out of the stone oven. "It was only a matter of time before you found a way back, my dear. I've never heard of one who mastered the Labyrinth who did not return." Midge continued.

Sarah frowned. "You mean other's have beaten the Labyrinth?"

Midge laughed heartilly. "Surely you did not think youself to be the only one? The Labyrinth and it's purpose has existed longer than the kings own reckoning."

"Oh." Sarah's face was red with embarrassment, and she felt so foolish and naive.

"If it make's you feel better. You're the first and so far the only to beat the Labyrinth while it's current King has ruled." Midge smiled, she really liked this girl. Sarah smiled back, the redness fading from her cheeks. Sarah was setting the table for Midge when the rest of the family began to stirr from their beds. The sun was just peeking over the horizon as they sat and enjoyed there breakfast in silence. Sarah and Lily cleared the table for Midge once they were all finished.

"I must say." Robert was the first to break the silence. "Your cooking is mighty delicious and filling." he looked to Midge, patting his full stomach.

Midge laughed. "I'm glad you're satisfied. Don't fill your belly too full, it doesnt agree with farm work." she winked. "Gavin, take Robert along with you and show him the ropes around here." she told her son. "And Sarah, you can follow Lily today. Take little Tobias with you as well, let him help where he can."

The Williams spent the following weeks adjusting to farm life and establishing a routine. Sarah was suprised, relieved and maybe the tiniest bit disapointed when the weeks passed smoothly without incident. Her companions nor anyone else had visited Midge's small farm, there had been no magic tricks or sightings of mythical creatures. Sarah could almost imagine that they had only gone back in time Aboveground to work on a farm. "I suppose that is for the best." Sarah thought to herself. "It's made this transition easier for father atleast." It was true, Robert had been reclusive at first but the farm labor had proved to be good for him. His relationship with Toby had grown stronger, and he was getting along well with their new little family. He was also losing the beer belly quickly and seemed much healthier, they all did. His mind was clear again and Sarah had not seen him smile nor heard him laugh so much in ages. Everyday she felt more and more strongly that she had made a good decision by bringing her family here. Lily and Toby constantly begged her to tell the tale of her adventures in the Labyrinth everynight, even though the two could recite the story by memory. Sarah was quickly building a great friendship with Midge, who had become like the mother that Sarah never truely had. She was shy at first around Gavin, who was her own age and a very handsome young man. He had a quick wit and great sence of humor and they were quickly building a great friendship as well. Sarah's heart swelled with happiness so great at times she felt she would burst. Life was, for the first time, good for the Williams.

6 months later...

It was spring in the underground and Sarah had been out collecting wild flowers in the meadow near Midge's farm, when she noticed that the sun was setting and night was quickly approaching. One thing Sarah and Hoggle had never dicussed were the seasons in the underground. The Underground really only had two seasons, which were akin to spring and autumn. Autumn always had mild temperatures, it was never below 50 degrees celsius but often was windy and had storms. Spring was often warm, with soft rain showers at dawn, and occasionally had a hot summer like day. Today had been especially warm. Don't ever be out alone at night. Sarah recalled Midge's warning and started jogging back to the cottage, she was slightly out of breath when she heaved the cottage door open and slipped inside. Sarah froze, the cottage was pitch black and full of silence. Fear crept into Sarah's mind, had she taken their safety for granted? Had the Goblin King found them out and was now about to extract his revenge upon her? Sarah jumped and droped her basket as she heard some scuffle across the kitchen. Suddenly there was a burst of light and Sarah sheilded her face, expecting the worst to happen.

"Suprise!" a chorus rang out and Sarah almost Screeched. "Happy Birthday to you..." the song continued as she looked at her little family with relief. "Is it really my birthday?" she thought with relief letting herself laugh. The song ended and Toby ran up to her, tugging on her skirt.

"Look Sarah! I helped Midge make your cake?" Toby said, proudly lifting his chin. He was definitely related to Sarah.

"Did you? Well you two did a beautiful job!" she smiled.

"I helped too!" Lily cried, unhappy that she was being left out.

"Well no wonder it looks so good." Sarah gave Lily a hug and the girl instantly brightened. "I didn't know birthdays were celebrated in the Underground." Sarah said, looking to Midge and Gavin.

"Well, not in this fashion." Gavin offered. "Normally you're just given good wishes by anyone who cares about you, sometimes a present is given for special birthdays. Usually mum makes us our favorite meal."

"But your father told us how important all birthdays are Aboveground." Midge interupted her son. "He even made these tiny little candles for the cake." Midge stoped to laugh. "At first I thought he'd really lost it, what use would we have for such wee candles?"

"Yes, but now we told mum that she has to make us a birthday cake for our birthdays too!" Lily exclaimed excited. "Candles and all!"

Sarah laughed. "Oh dear, well as long as you remember to make your mother a cake for her birthday too."

"Well go on Sarah, make a wish and blow out the candles before they melt all over the cake." her father teased.

Sarah bit her lip, she'd never taken a wish lightly since her first trip underground and now she was extra carefully of her wishes now that she dwelled here. Sarah's wish suddenly hit her and without thinking she wished it and blew out her candles, and the room was dark again. Someone lit the lantern and Gavin started a fire in the hearth.

"What did you wish for?" Toby asked his sister, pulling on her skirt again.

"You know I can't tell you Toby. If I tell you it wont come true." Sarah teasingly scolded her brother.

"Says who?" argued Gavin.

"Says me!" Sarah stuck out her tongue.

"Okay children. Supper first before cake." Midge called. "Robert why don't you pull those benches over here, we are expecting a few more guests before the night is over." Before Robert could move, there was a knock on the door. "Hullo friends!" Midge called as she opened the door. Letting in Hoggle, Didymus and Ludo. Sarah ran over and embraced her friends, who she had not seen since they had arrived here six months ago.

"Friends, I am so happy to see you today." Sarah smiled. "You really should visit more often."

"Sorry Sarah." Hoggle patted Sarah's shoulder. "Seems like you've been doing well here."

"We apologize for being late, we cannot take the shortcut with our large brother Ludo." Didymus said.

"Nonsence! You're just in time for supper." Midge argued.

"Ludo Hungry." Ludo said with a big grin on his face.

"Good thing I made extra!" Midge said and everyone laughed, while Robert grabbed the sturdiest bench for Ludo to sit on. They all enjoyed the supper that Midge had prepared, the cake was delicious and reminded Sarah of a spice cake. After supper they all sat around the hearth while Didymus entertained everyone with tales of his many adventures. Most of which were greatly embellished and stretched. Sarah and Hoggle sat together in a corner of the room drinking hot spiced cider, and would occasionally look at eachother knowingly when Didymus really started stretching his tales.

"Sarah?" Hoggle put his hand on Sarah's knee.

"What is it Hoggle?" Sarah asked her old friend.

"I umm...have something for you." he said nervously.

Sarah looked at her friend narrowly. "Well I hope it's not a peach." she teased, poking his side.

Hoggle blushed, he didnt like it when Sarah joked about that. "Hmrph" he grunted, and handed Sarah a small package.

Sarah smiled curiously and opened the small package. Inside she found a small mirror that fit in her palm. "I'm almost afraid to look at myself." Sarah thought, she had not seen a mirror since she left Aboveground. The mirror was laden in a dark wood, turning it over she passed her fingers over the labyrinth that was carved into the back of the mirror. "It's beautiful Hoggle." she whispered. "Thank you." she smiled.

Hoggle seemed to beam, he had not been sure if Sarah would like it. "That mirror use to belong to me mum, rest her soul." Hoggle responded. "There was rumors that it has some magical properties. I thought a Lady such as yourself would appreciate it, I knows I gots no use for it." he said, patting her knee again.

"Thank you." she said again and gave the dwarf a big hug.