Irene M. V. Williams

Chapter 6

3rd person POV

Sarah had noticed from the night after she had her visit from the labyrinth, Irene had seemed happier. She started to constantly smile and didn't hesitate to call either of the parent's mom and dad. An odd little tilt of her head became her trademark whenever speaking with Sarah. Her eyes seemed to always appraise Sarah, with a secretive smile upon her lips.

It wasn't till several months after Sarah's exploration when she had all her friends in her room did it finally come together.

Hoggle, Sir Didymus, and Ludo would visit her whenever she began to feel like to begin to get her down. She felt that she could always count on them no matter what. With Ludo being a sweet, loving disposition, he also gave great hugs. He never failed to make her feel extremely safe. Hoggle's dry humor never failed to make her laugh. Even when she was almost in tears. And Sir Didymus's elegant flair never ceased to make her special. Their friendship had taught her so many lessons. Coming back from the labyrinth, she felt as if a whole lifetime had passed instead of one spectacular night.

The challenges she had to face in the labyrinth made the troubles she had with day-to-day life seem insignificant. She knew her parents had started to see the change as well. Her step-mother merely put it to her finally coming out of some teenage phase and her father merely seemed to be relieved whenever he looked at her.

That day Ludo sat in the corner of her room and Sarah sat in her vanity chair across from him, while Didymus and Hoggle sat on her bed giving her updates regarding the labyrinth.

It seemed the king had a change of heart, he still was cruel, yes but no more was he needlessly so.

"There's even been reports of him laughing," Hoggle spoke comparatively in an undertone, leaning forward so much that he was almost falling off the bed.

Sarah went to reply but was cut off by her sister walking into the room.

"Hey, guys. Hey, Sarah I just got back from my tutor," Irene either didn't see the looks of shock on their faces or just completely ignored them. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Sarah's mouth opened and closed. Her eyes glued to her little sister's open expression, nowhere across her features was there shock or disbelief.

"Why thank you, my lady! Ambrosius could actually use some refreshment."

Irene turned towards the small fox knight, "I will get some water right away for him."

"Why what a lovely little lady! She must be Lady Irene!" Sir Didymus exclaimed, with a wide furry grin on his lips.

"Friend?" Ludo questioned from behind Sarah. But yet again before she could answer she was cut off by Irene walking into the room.

Before Sarah could answer, Irene was already back in the room, one of Merlin's spare dishes in her hands filled with fresh water.

"Here you are, Ambrosius." The young girl placed the dish in front of the little knight's noble steed. "All right then, I will head off to my room to study."

But Sarah cut her sister off before she could leave the room who grabbed onto her arm. "Do you need anything else, Sarah?"

"Why are you not freaking out? How long have you known?"

Irene just smiled slightly tilting her head, "I've known since they arrived. I'm quite proud of you, you know." Irene patted Sarah's hand that was on her arm. "Even though others didn't believe that you would get through in time, if at all, even when I told them that once you set your mind on something you got it done."

"What others?" Sarah questioned as the pieces all started to finally fit.

"Well, the king primarily." Irene just continued to smile. Her large emerald eyes peering up at her sister innocently as if she hadn't just mentioned the king of a realm that shouldn't exist