"Come to the secret garden. I'll be waiting for you there." *This was what a note that was attached to a single rose left on the bed stated. Aurthur had been thinking for a long time on how to celebrate his mate's hatching day. He knew here almost as well as he knew himself (which he should, considering how long they had been mates) so it had been easy to decide what to do.

His mate liked simple things. She didn't care overly much for expensive jewelry or gifts. He had made her such things before, and she had stated that, while lovely, it wasn't the gift itself that meant anything to her. It was the thought and love that went into the gift that mattered, not how expensive it was. So Aurthur had started to work on Project Hatching Day a full month in advance.

With the coming of winter, his garden had been changing drastically. The falling leaves covered the area, and the roses were starting to die. No, that simply wouldn't do. He and a few others therefore cleaned the area completely of dead leaves and used magic to bring the garden back to full bloom, as though it were still full summer.

The next labor of love was the cooking. Aurthur couldn't do this all himself and get away with cooking a noticeably larger amount of food and not tip off his beloved, but he knew someone who could. Since his mate very rarely entered the kitchen (that was HIS domain) he relocated Chef Shimmerscale to the garden where he could make all of the food at his leisure.

The last task was the hardest, and the reason he started a month early. He took trips every day, flying to various parts of Rhydin on 'errands for the orphanage', careful not to let his mate know he was searching out their kin.

Now the day had arrived. The lair would seem eerily quiet and deserted. Aurthur worked furiously these last few hours, making sure that all their friends and family (Feel free to post to this thread for Icer's Hatching Day!) were situated comfortably in the vast garden. These guests even included some of their oldest children, from their very first clutch, and their great, great grandchildren!

Once Icer appeared in the garden, she would be greeted by her smiling mate with a nuzzle and a kiss.* "Surprise, my love! Happy Hatching Day!"

*He smiled at his mate upon her arrival. Knowing his mate would wake, he had everyone hiding in the garden. How can so many dragons hide in one place without being seen? Aurthur would never tell.*

Happy hatching day, my beloved. Come, it's time to start. *He never did say what was going to start. He lead her around the last bend in the garden before the fountain, and that's when the family popped out and yelled "Surprise!".

*One long table held the gifts that had been brought for the dragoness, and another longer table held all the food and beverages that had been prepared. Aurthur smiled and gave his mate another kiss, then a nudge.* Grab some food, my love. Our friends and kin have all been waiting for you.

*Icewing was one of those closest by. His mother always held back, and he grinned as he made his way forward to give her a nudge.*

"Oh no, Mother, not today. It's your Hatching Day. You always think of yourself last, so today you shall be first, and none of us will have a bite until you eat first!"

*Everyone around laughed and agreed with him. It was her turn to go first for a change.*

::Having been moved out into the garden, Chef was there to respond, and with a sound like the clearing of a throat, though he had none, he did so.::

Mistress Icer, I can garuntee there will be enough to leave each and every one of you with stuffed bellies.