by Melissa Farrell
It was the middle of the night, a time when most people slept. But Nancy Ambrose had no intention of sleeping. She shook her head gently to clear the last echoes of pain from her skull. "May I see them now?" she asked.
David Xanatos, owner of Xanatos Enterprises, smiled. "I thought you would like to see them right away. The clan is waiting for you."
Nancy began to rise, but a hand on her arm detained her. "Are you sure you are recovered enough, Ms. Ambrose?" Owen Burnett, Mr. Xanatos's personal assistant, inquired.
"I'm fine.. Owen." She caught herself. She had almost called her brother by his real name. You could never tell who might be listening.
"Allow me to escort you to the tower, Nancy" Xanatos offered, holding out his hand.
"Oooh, the gallant knight. It *is* too bad you are already married" Nancy replied, taking his hand. Xanatos pulled her to her feet, then put her arm through his. "Your wife doesn't mind this, I hope."
"I don't think so. Chances are she's watching me through the security cameras as we speak."
"It seems you've met your match, David. I'm happy for you."
Thank you, Nancy. Now, you must do something about finding a man of your own."
"Ugh," Nancy groaned, "please, I've had my fill of men, thank you. If you know my secret, then you probably have guessed that I've been around for a long time."
"Really? And have you added as much to the human race as Oberon has?"
"You've heard about that? My, my, you're a persistant scholar. The truth is, no. I haven't married for centuries, and my last child was born over a milennium ago." Nancy stared straight ahead of her, forcing the sadness out of her voice. Then she saw Owen staring at her with one eyebrow raised. She turned slightly to look at him. The assistant drew up alongside her.
"I had no idea that you were a mother, Ms. Ambrose" Owen said, his voice completely level.
The look Nancy gave him was full of sadness and anger. "Of course you didn't, Mr. Burnett. You were too busy playing pranks elsewhere to take any notice of me, or to keep the oath that you swore when I was just a tiny babe!"
Owen bit his lip in an effort to control himself. He wanted to reply and defend himself, but he couldn't let Xanatos or anyone else learn anything more about the world of the fay. "I tried to keep that promise..."
"Well you obviously did not try hard enough!" The trio were almost halfway up the stairs to the tower that was the gargoyles' home, but Nancy did not care. She tore away from Xanatos to face Owen. "If you weren't my brother, I would blast you into next Tuesday..!"
"Calm down, lass. Yelling at 'im won't repair yesterday." The portly figure of Hudson appeared on the steps above them; his wings folded over his shoulders.
Nancy's head had snapped around at the first sound of his voice. She squinted in the darkness, then her mouth dropped open. "Elder?" she ques- tioned in disbelief.
"Aye, it's me, lass" Hudson replied, opening his wings to extend his arms toward her. Nancy ran into his embrace, holding him tightly. They lingered together for a long moment before separating. "It's good te see ye again."
Nancy Ambrose hastily wiped her moist eyes with the back of her hand. "I can't believe you're alive! With all the rubble, I couldn't tell if anyone had survived. I was so grief-stricken, I didn't even think of looking for any survivors."
"It's all right, lass. There are just some gargoyles who are luckier than others."
"Do I know the other survivors?"
Hudson shook his head. "Only one, lass, that is here right now. The others were hatched after you left the Castle."
Nancy's violet-blue eyes regained their impish sparkle. "Who is it, Elder? Tell me!"
Hudson chuckled. "They call me Hudson now."
Nancy nodded. "Like the river, right? I'm not sure which of the two of you is older..."
"Ach, lass, ye wound me. I see the years have done nothing te soften that tongue 'o yers."
"You're avoiding the subject. Who survived and is here?"
"If ye must know," Hudson said, looking at her out of the corner of his good eye, "Goliath is still alive and well."
"Goliath?" Nancy asked. "He's here? He survived?" She fiercely forced back another bout of joyful tears. "Thank God" she whispered. "How is he?"
Hudson smiled. "Young, strong, and leadin' the clan wisely, as ye always thought 'e would. I think ye'll be pleasantly surprised when ye see 'im."
"You know Hudson, Nancy? And Goliath?" Xanatos asked in complete surprise.
Nancy nodded. "Yes, I knew them long ago. In fact, we were very good friends..."
956 A.D.
"I'm always happy to help a friend. What is it?" It had been almost two years since she met Elder and in those years, a close bond had formed between them. They were both seasoned warriors; sages of truth and wisdom, each in their respective field. Now the old gargoyle's eyes reflected.. could it be helplessness?
Elder came and stood next to her, staring out over the sea. "I'm not used te askin' fer help, but I know when I need it. How much d'ye know about gargoyles?"
"Not this question again! It was one of the first phrases out of Prince Malcolm's mouth when I first arrived here!" Ninane turned to see her friend, his eyes clearly troubled. She answered him again, seriously. "Only what you've told me, and the little bit of knowledge gleaned from my father."
Elder still did not face her. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I'm worried, lass. Ye know about the hatching?"
"Two days ago? Yes. Prince Malcom's son, young Malcom, was born on the same day. It is a good omen."
"I'll be direct with ye, Ninane. Fer some reason, there is one baby in the clan that no one'll go near. 'Tis almost as if the wee thing has been abandoned because none 'o the females'll claim it. I don' know why. It's a weak little thing and won't last long without some care. I need te ask of ye.. will ye care for it?"
"Why don't you, Elder?"
"Ach, I'm no mother, lass. The wee one needs a woman's touch."
Ninane thought hard. "But I'm not a gargoyle. How could I raise it so that it will be part of the clan?"
"Yer a part of the clan yerself, lass. 'E'd live quite happily. Besides, 'e can't be much worse off than 'e is now."
The fay woman melted. She couldn't see a baby die, and she had borne and raised two half-human sons several centuries ago. She sighed. "All right, Elder. I will care for the child."
"Thank ye, lass" Elder said sincerely, grasping her upper arms with his large, olive-tan hands. "Ye don't know how much this means te me."
Ninane simply nodded. "Let's go to the rookery before it's too late." The two figures, fay and gargoyle, turned and walked down the tower steps to the rookery.
The rookery was a simple cave dug into the rock below the castle. The stone warmed the moist air inside, making it a perfect hatchery for gargoyle eggs. Ninane and Elder paused for a moment, then together pushed open the door.
Within, the female gargoyles were holding their newborn babies. Every mother had a child. "'Tis very strange, lass. 'Tis as if he appeared out of nowhere."
"The child is male?"
"Yes" Elder replied, carefully leading her across the stone floor littered with pieces of egg shell. "Ach, there 'e is, lass."
Elder pointed to a far-off corner. Ninane went closer to see an intact half of an eggshell pushed against the walls. She came up to the shell and knelt down to see inside.
Within the fragile eggshell lay a lavender mass curled up on its side, shivering. Ninane felt tears sting the backs of her eyes. "Poor little one" she cooed. She looked over her shoulder at Elder. "I'm going to use some magic, so don't be alarmed." She turned back to the baby and closed her eyes, concentrating. Suddenly, a warm blanket appeared in her hands.
She unfolded the blanket and carefully picked up the baby gargoyle, wrapping him up tightly. She brought the bundle to her chest and stood, holding the baby securely while lending the warmth of her own body to the effort.
Some minutes later, the baby began to stir. He moved his head, rooting for his mother's breast.
"Oh, no, I'm not your mother" Ninane gently scolded her charge. "But I can feed you." She held out one hand, mumbled a few words, and a soft leather waterskin appeared. It was warm and heavy. There was only a tiny hole at the end of the skin. She squeezed a drop of liquid out onto her tongue. She tasted it, nodded, then put the end near the baby's mouth.
The baby put his mouth around the end and began to suck. Soon, he was feeding hungrily. Elder stepped closer to Ninane and the child.
"I've found goat's or cow's milk works if there is no wet nurse for a child" Ninane explained. "The leather here is strong enough to last even when his teeth come in."
"That's amazin', lass. 'E seems quite taken wi' ye."
"Well, I'm quite taken with him, too." She playfully kissed the top of the baby's head, which was covered with dark brown hair.
"At first we thought 'e was a female due te all that hair" Elder remarked, chuckling.
"Really?" Ninane asked. She grinned at the baby. "Well, he definitely has the appetite of a male. This skin is halfway empty already!"
Both friends burst out laughing. Then, suddenly, the door slammed open and a gust of cold wind swirled about them, making Ninane's arms instinctively tighten around the child. In the doorway stood the tall, powerful figure of the Archmage who had just recently come into the Prince's service. The last breath of air blew his robes, making it seem that he filled the room. His fire-red, chest-length beard did not move, held in place by some sort of sorcery. His hand was clenched around some sort of old book with an intricately engraved cover. His small, black eyes surveyed the room with disdain until they came to light on Ninane.
"Lady Ninane. I thought I would find you down here."
"My lord Archmage. What a pleasant surprise" Ninane greeted him sourly.
"Oh, come, come, my dear! Is that any way to talk to your future husband?"
"What?!" Ninane cried, handing the baby gargoyle to Elder. The older gargoyle fumbled around for a moment before imitating the position that the girl had been holding.
"You heard me, my dear" the Archmage replied. "I just asked Prince Malcolm for permission to marry you. Since you have been granted asylum here for over two years, without any apparent family, it is his privilege to give your hand in marriage. It will be a very.. profitable.. arrangement."
"Never!" Ninane protested. "I will NEVER marry you!"
"I'm afraid you have no choice." The Archmage pulled a scroll out from beneath his robe and showed it to her. "A bargain is a bargain. The Prince will have my loyalty as long as *I* have *you*."
"That's monstrous!" Ninane spat.
"Oh, ho, my dear, you are so lovely when you're angry. With my power, your power, and your beauty, I will be the most powerful man in the world!" The Archmage came closer to her, leering at her lustfully.
Elder stepped between Ninane and the Archmage. "Save it fer the wedding.. Cornelius. *If* there is one."
The Archmage backed off. He secretly feared the gargoyles, although he would never admit it. He turned to Ninane. "You win for now, but mark my words. In one month, you will be mine!" He turned and walked up the few stairs and back out the door, leaving a dreadful silence behind him.
"Vile man" Ninane muttered. "Who does he think he is?"
"But 'e's right, lass. If Prince Malcolm signed an agreement with the Archmage, there's nothin' we can do."
Ninane sighed, her shoulders drooping. "I know. I wish I could just go and hide on Avalon, but now I have to take care of this child." She took the baby from Elder. Magically, the waterskin was replaced with a thick piece of cloth folded many times over. She gently laid it on her shoulder and propped the baby gargoyle up against it, his head hanging over her shoulder.
"I wish I could 'elp ye, lass" Elder told her.
"It's all right. With any luck, I may be saved. Daddy Oberon made one of my kin swear to watch over me and protect me from all harm. Besides, my father is the only one with complete power to pledge me to anyone, so I don't think he will let this happen."
"I hope this kin of yers is trustworthy."
"So do I, Elder. So do I." As she spoke, her hand patted the baby gargoyle's back. His eyes closed appreciatively.
"On a more cheerful note, I suppose you'll be wantin' to name the wee thing. Ye humans seem te need te 'ave a name fer ev'rything."
Ninane laughed. "Yes, humans *and* fays have that tendency."
A nice, loud, contented belch echoed off the walls of the rookery. Ninane held the baby up so he was level with her eyes. "Was that you?" she asked, smiling.
In response, the baby burped again, quieter this time. He smiled, a lazy expression on his face.
Carefully, Ninane looked deep into the baby's eyes and concentrated. He was weak and tiny now, but there was strength and courage in his soul. She caught a glimpse of his adult frame, tall, broad, and powerful. A natural defender and protector, he fairly radiated intelligence and reason. She remembered that there was a champion of some sort mentioned in the book called the Bible. She smiled and returned to the real world.
The young woman settled the gargoyle baby in her arms and rocked him back and forth. She turned to Elder. "I shall call him.. Goliath."
"Very good friends, indeed, lass. But come now, the lads are eager te meet ye." and Hudson took Nancy's arm, jolting her out of her memories of long ago. Side by side, they climbed up the stairs to the tower.
Owen began to follow, but Xanatos caught his arm. "What was that little argument about, Owen?"
The assistant took off his glasses and began to clean them with a handkerchief. "When Ninane was born, Mr. Xanatos, I was assigned to be her protector to make sure she was never put in any danger. Over a thousand years ago, she was forced to marry someone she despised and who ended up.. using.. her. I was not there to prevent it. It seems she has never forgiven me for that lapse."
"What were you doing then, Owen?"
Owen put his glasses back on his face and stared at his employer. "That I do not wish to divulge."
"Owen, you old con-artist! I never knew..."
"Mr. Xanatos, I suggest we join Ms. Ambrose.. unless you intend to miss the event?"
"All right, I won't push it. Besides, I want to see the gargoyles' reactions. They could prove to be quite interesting..."
Nancy stepped out into the night, her arm in the arm of her oldest and dearest friend. Cool air carressed her face and blew her long moonlight- colored hair back. Hudson led her toward the balcony parapet. At some hidden signal, four gargoyles swooped down and landed before her.
"Lads.. and lass.. I'd like ye te meet an old friend 'o mine, Ninane Ambrosius."
Nancy stepped forward. "I'm called Nancy Ambrose now."
"I thought you were Xanatos's friend" Brooklyn accused her, coming forward until they were almost face to face.
"I am. Yet I am also.. Hudson's.. friend, though I knew him as Elder."
"Fergive 'im, lass. That's Brooklyn, Goliath's second-in-command."
Nancy looked at the brick red gargoyle critically. Then she raised her eyes to meet his. He was young, but there was a certain acceptance and wisdom there beneath his fiery temper. "You will make a good leader someday, Brooklyn. Just don't allow suspicion to cloud your judgment."
"See, I told ya she was both!" Broadway cut in, shouldering his rookery brother off to one side. "I'm Broadway" and he offered to shake her hand.
Nancy smiled and accepted the offered hand. "The name suits you. You have such dreams of greatness. Don't worry. At least some of them will come true."
Broadway stood gaping at her until Lex jumped between them. "And I'm Lexington" the small gargoyle said.
"Pleased to meet you. You like computers, don't you? I see a callous on your mouse finger."
Lex looked at his right index finger. "Wow! How did you know that?"
"Practice.. and I have one too!" She held up her index finger. "You three are rookery brothers, aren't you? Before you ask, you act like it."
"Yes" the trio all said at once, then glared at each other.
A young female pushed her way through the rookery brothers. The sight of her almost made tears come to Nancy's eyes. The gargoyle was lavender with long, dark brown hair. "Ignore them. My name is Angela."
Nancy smiled. "I'm honored to meet you." The two women shook hands. Then Nancy turned to Hudson. "But where is my little one?"
"Little one?" all four of the young gargoyles asked in confusion.
"'E should be 'ere soon, lass."
Suddenly, the sound of a dog barking echoed in the air and a large dog-like creature ran around the group to sniff Nancy's shoes. The doggoyle looked up, his tongue lolling.
"That there watchdog is Bronx" Hudson told her.
"Good dog, nice dog" Nancy crooned, kneeling down to scratch Bronx's head. The doggoyle whined with pleasure.
"It seems he likes you" a deep, powerful voice cut through the night.
Nancy looked up, galvanized by the voice. "Goliath?" she asked in a whisper. Without thinking, she ran to the large lavender gargoyle, flinging herself into his arms.
Goliath responded by closing his arms and wings around her in an intimate gargoyle embrace. It was some time before the two separated to an arm's distance.
"Look at you! I can't believe it! All these years, I thought you were dead." Nancy's fingers traced his well-muscled arms lightly. "You were so scrawny when I left; now look at you! You used to fit in my arms!"
Goliath chuckles from deep in his throat. "It's so good to see you again, mother."
"Mother?!" a chorus of stunned voices asked.
"Aye, Ninane.. *Nancy*.. raised 'im from a wee babe. When 'e was hatched, no one would claim 'im."
"So I took over the task. Look how well he has turned out! I'm proud of you, my son."
"Is that the son you mentioned, Nancy?" Xanatos came up behind his old friend with Owen close at hand.
Nancy gave Owen a cold stare, then turned her attention to Xanatos. "No. Eight years after Goliath was hatched, I had a child of my own. He is the one I referred to. But that is a tale for another time. Please don't ruin this moment, David. I would rather think of happy things."
"As you wish. Actually, the whole thing was quite touching."
"What I don't understand is how you could know Goliath when he was a hatchling *and* have gone to college with Xanatos!" Brooklyn raved.
Nancy shook her head. Her little bit of patience was beginning to wear thin. "I thought you could have guessed that I am fay. See? I even have the pointed ears" and she pushed her hair back to reveal the delicate curve of her slightly pointed ears.
"Then you know about..."
"Owen? Of course. I would recognize Puck anywhere."
"Ms. Ambrose..."
The remonstrating tone in Mr. Burnett's voice set Nancy off. It was the exact tone of a big brother warning his little sister not to make a false move. As always, she was forced to rebel. Centuries of sadness and anger came to the surface. "Puck! Puck, Puck, Puck, Puck, Puck! I don't care who hears!"
"Nancy..."
"No, David, I won't stop!" Nancy approached Owen. "For over twenty years I suffered under the tyranny of a cruel man who used me and my powers. I fought, but Medieval law was not kind to women. Every day I went through hell, finding respite only in being with Goliath or my halfling son. Then, my son was torn away from me. Can you imagine the pain of that? No, you couldn't. You are pure fay, while I was concieved while our parents were masquerading as humans. I have wholly human emotions and passions. You ruined a part of my life, and I am supposed to forgive you? I tried. For centuries I tried. But I can never entirely forgive you. Never!"
A hand came down on her shoulder, reassuring and strong. "Exactly how has he hurt you?" Goliath growled.
"I was supposed to protect her from all harm. Regrettably, I was not there to stop the Archmage from marrying her and carrying out his horrible plans."
"You mean you could have stopped her marriage to the Archmage?!?"
Xanatos laid a hand on Owen's shoulder to silence him. "What happened, Goliath?" the businessman asked.
Goliath stared into the night, his hand cradling Nancy's shoulder. "All the time I was growing up, I saw how cruel he was to her. She would come sown to the rookery to see me and she would be covered in bruises, or so drained of energy, she could barely stand. I always hated the Archmage.. especially because of what he did to my mother" and he put his arms around Nancy, embracing her tenderly from behind.
Tears came to Nancy's eyes. "I tried to hide it..."
"You should know that a child can see his mother's pain, no matter how she tries to hide it."
Nancy turned and buried her face in Goliath's chest. "I'm sorry" she whispered.
"It's all right" Goliath soothed, stroking her hair. The large gargoyle looked at Owen, his eyes glowing white-hot. "You could have stopped it?! Why didn't you?! I swear, if no one else was here right now..!!"
"Goliath, please, this is no time for a fight" Xanatos broke in. "What's done is done. You can't change anything and fighting will only make it worse. I'm sorry, Nancy" and he reached out to touch his old friend's hair.
"It's all right, David. I shouldn't have acted so childish. I just.. I was never able to tell him how I feel."
"He knows now, so don't worry."
Owen stood back a bit, watching the scene before him. He wanted to cry. he wanted to scram and tear his hair out; punish himself for being such an idiot! He had been charged with watching over his little sister, and when she had needed him most, he had been enjoying himself elsewhere. He wanted to seek forgiveness, but all he could do was stand up straight and await Xanatos's orders. He silently ground his teeth, cursing the limitation of his powers.
Silence reigned for several minutes. Then Goliath raised his head, looking toward the horizon. "It is almost dawn."
Nancy turned her head. "Yes." She chuckled, noticing that she couldn't even see over his shoulder. "Look at this. Didn't it used to be the other way around?
Goliath smiled. "I remember. I always thought you were so tall..."
"Now I'm a shrimp compared to you!"
"Yet you are still 'mother' to me. I remember the time I tried to fly and you grew wings to catch me."
"Wings?" Xanatos asked, his curiosity peaked.
"Don't ask" Nancy replied.
The Manhattan skyline began to appear against a backdrop of purple and pink. "It is time. Will you be here tonight?"
"I will be here, Goliath. I promise."
The leader smiled and went to take his place on the balcony parapet. The first rays of morning sun hit the castle and the gargoyles became stone statues, silently guarding over the city.
A breeze, warmer and gentler this time, caressed Nancy's face as she wiped away the last of her tears.
Standing there in the sunlight, shelooked like a little child, wiping her eyes on her jacket sleeve. Owen's heart twisted with sorrow over what he had done to her. "Xanatos be damned" he thought, and he walked over to Nancy.
"Ms. Ambrose?"
Nancy gripped the stone parapet. "What is it, Mr. Burnett?"
He started to reach for her, then thought the better of it. "Ninane, I can't begin to express the greif I feel at what I have done to you. If you never forgive me, well, I don't blame you. You suffered because of my neglect, and for that, I can never forgive myself. I broke my promise. I abandoned you, and I'm sorry. If I could change right now.. I'd start torturing myself!"
"Don't you dare!!" Nancy cried, snatching both his hands and holding them in hers.
"I.. I love ya, kid. I always have." Owen's voice slid upwards into Puck's vocal range. "I.. I'm sorry." Suddenly, Owen was surrounded by a halo of light. There was a flash, and Puck stood there, floating a six inches off the ground.
"Hey! How'd you do that?"
"I overrode Daddy's spell."
"You WHAT??"
"I used my own magic to change you to your true form. It won't last long, though."
Puck hooted and burst out laughing. Soon he was clutching at his sides. "This.. this is too much!" he gasped. "You've bested Daddy Oberon? Oh, wouldn't I love to see his face!"
"You could, you know."
"No, no, please. Don't do that!" Puck begged.
Nancy grinned. "Don't worry. I won't be *that* cruel."
Puck looked at her. "I don't think I like this. You're taller than me!"
Enjoy your height when you're Owen. Then it is the other way around."
"How true. So, can you forgive me?"
Nancy thought. "I'm almost there. Just, swear to me, on your own life and honor, that you will be there if I ever need you. I don't need to be betrayed again."
Puck looked deep in her eyes and saw the scars that her years with the Archmage had left. He bit his lip, stifling tears of his own. "I swear to it, sis. I will not go back on my word." The trickster bowed, simply, formally, and seriously.
Nancy extended a hand, and Puck took it, shaking it firmly, sealing the bargain. Then he felt a shift. "Uh-oh. Spell's wearing off!" The bright light reappeared and seconds later, Owen stood where Puck had been.
Xanatos's assistant adjusted his glasses. "Thank you, Ms. Ambrose."
"Anytime, Owen. Anytime" and to his complete surprise, Nancy put her arms around his waist and hugged him.
"Women" he muttered, the put his arms around her in return, holding her close.
"Bravo! Bravo! Too bad Shakespeare isn't here to see this! 'An Early Spring Dawn's Apology'! Bravo!"
"Oh, be quiet, David" Nancy snapped, keeping her arms around Owen. Xanatos merely grinned.
Suddenly, something blocked the sun and a powerful wind swirled around the balcony. It whipped around jacket lapels and tangled Nancy's hair. The three beings looked up to see a giant hovercraft coming in close to the castle. It was a mourning black with the insignia of a large circle, blood red against the darkness of the craft, a pair of silver hammers emblazoned overall. A door in the side of the craft slid open.
"It's the Quarrymen again!" Xanatos yelled. "I'll send for reinforcements!"
"Quarrymen?"
"A fanatic group bent on destroying gargoyles! Nancy! Owen! Try and keep them busy!" and Xanatos ran down the tower steps.
Black, hooded men jumped from the craft and landed on the balcony. They pumped the handles of their electrically-charged hammers. Owern and Nancy stepped back, still holding on to each other.
"There are the gargoyles! Destroy them!!" the hooded leader cried.
"Over my dead body!" Nancy screamed and she tore herself away from Owen. She stood before the !uarrymen, her eyes balzing and her hands clenched at her sides.
"If you insist" the leader said. He pumped the hammer once more. Nancy stood firm. The Quarryman started to raise his ugly weapon, aiming for her skull.
"Ninane!" Owen cried, his voice Puck's voice. He tried to run forward, but Nancy threw a hand behind her, casting a spell that made his feet stick to the ground.
"This is my fight. My clan was destroyed last time because I was not there. Now I am here, and it will NOT happen again!"
While her head was turned, the Quarryman raised the hammer above his head and swung it down with all his strength.
"Ninane!!!!"