Disclaimer: All Gargoyles characters are the exclusive property of Buena Vista Television and the Walt Disney Company, and I am merely borrowing them for a short while for the enjoyment of Gargoyles fans everywhere. No injury is intended, so please don't sue me, no matter how bad the story is. The character of Nancy/Ninane, however, is my own creation and any resemblance to any other character or person is completely coincidental. Having said that; enjoy the show! By the way, this story occurs after the third season, and the gargoyles have been accepted in society.

"The Gathering is almost complete. There is only one who has not arrived and not been punished for her neglect" Lord Oberon, King of the Fay, proclaimed.

His wife, the fair Queen Titania, came up beside him and took his arm. "Have you forgotten, my husband, the boon that you granted her long ago?" she softly asked.

Oberon looked at her angrily. "And what boon is this?!" he roared.

Titania smiled a sad smile. "Do you not remember, my lord?" A glowing ball of fire appeared in her pale, long-fingered hand. The globe grew in size until two figures were clearly visible. A tall man with sandy hair and shining armor covering his body stood near a delicate woman with violet-blue eyes and hair the color of moonlight. The picture showed the woman's face in detail, accenting her slightly tapered chin and pointed ears. "She loved that mortal man and you could not bear to see her suffer. Do you remember?"

Oberon stared long and hard at the image. "Yes, that young upstart wormed her way into my heart, what little heart I have as far as my children are concerned."

"Being mortal for a time does bring some astonishing revelations..."

"I do not wish to discuss that now!" Oberon sighed impatiently. "You are right, my Queen. I released her from her obligation to attend the Gatherings, but she could at least show her face here once and a while so that I know how she is!"

"Fatherly concern, my lord?" the queen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Merely to see if she is in any trouble, or more likely, causing any." Oberon stared at the image of his youngest daughter by Titania for a moment longer before dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Go on, my queen, I have some business to attend to." Titania nodded and left him.

Alone at last, Oberon returned to his throne and sat down, concentrating.

"Ninane!"

Nancy Ambrose, one of the richest women in the world, reached for her cell phone. She would be leaving London that night to sail for New York City and she wanted to let some old friends know of her arrival. She punched in a number and waited. Suddenly, she slammed the receiver down as a burst of pain exploded through her skull.

"Ninane!"

She recovered quickly and picked up a newspaper, pretending to read the stock exchange. "Dad, please, not so loud" she said, speaking only with her mind. "You almost knocked me through the WALL!"

She felt Oberon recoil slightly as she projected the last word. She could sense him sigh one of his usual sighs. "I was just checking on you. You didn't come to the Gathering" he accused.

"I just didn't feel like it. I know the fights that go on there when the family gets together. I don't want any part of that."

"There were some.. disturbances, but they are all settled now. Will you return to Avalon soon?"

"Maybe, it depends on how my schedule looks."

"I shall await your return, Ninane."

"Daaaad!"

"Farewell." Instantly, the connection broke and she was staring blankly at the newspaper figures before her.

"I hate it when he does that" she muttered under her breath. She put down the paper and quickly reached for the phone.

The sun was just going down in Manhattan, the last rays of light slowly melting from the castle ramparts atop the Eyrie Building. David Xanatos stood and waited for the first sound of stone cracking. He didn't have long to wait. Fine lines appeared in the surface of the seven gargoyle figures before him. The twilight was filled with the roar of the gargoyles' awakening. The largest, Goliath, spotted him first. The gargoyle turned and approached the businessman. "What is it, Xanatos?" he rumbled.

"Just thought you'd like to know, some of the remaining members of the Quarrymen came to visit you today. My men took care of them, but I just thought I'd let you know."

"I'm getting awfully tired of this" a voice behind Goliath groaned. The speaker appeared, a brick red gargoyle with a beak-like nose and mouth. It was Goliath's second in command, Brooklyn. "Don't those guys ever give up? It's over!"

"Nay, lad. The fight is never over. As long as there is hatred in the world, we will never be done with our troubles." A friendly hand was placed on Brooklyn's shoulder, an olive-tan hand belonging to Hudson, the oldest of the group.

"Hudson's right" Goliath said. "We must keep on fighting to protect the city. It is the gargoyle way."

Just then, Xanatos's personal assistant, Owen Burnett, came up behind his employer. "There is a telephone call for you, sir" he said in an uninterested monotone.

"Thank you, Owen" Xanatos replied. He took the cell phome out of his assistant's hand and put it to his ear. "David Xanatos here."

"Hi David! Greetings from across the Atlantic!" a female voice sang.

Xanatos nearly dropped the phone in shock. "Nancy?" he asked. She replied affirmatively. "Nancy! It's been years! How are you?"

"Fine," Nancy answered, "I'm just calling to tell you that I'm coming to New York. My ship leaves tomorrow."

"Ship?"

"Primitive, I know, but what can I do? I don't like airplanes. They have too much of a tendency to crash for my tastes."

"I don't suppose you've ever heard of the Titanic?"

"Oh, be quiet!" Nancy shot back. "Anyway, I thought I would warn you."

"Tell me what time your ship comes in and I will meet you there."

"You think I can't arrange my own escort? What an insult!" she laughed. Then she grew serious. "I'd be honored if you would."

David Xanatos smiled. "You deserve a warm welcome. When should I have your escort ready?"

Nancy told him. "Oh, and if you do a good enough job, I'll forgive the $50,000 in Monopoly money you owe me!"

"You still remember that?!" She hung up before Xanatos finished his incredulous inquiry.

"Who was that?" a small olive green gargoyle asked, suspicion showing on his face.

"Lexington, lad, stop questioning him. We probably don't want to know" Hudson reprimanded him.

Xanatos handed the phone back to Owen, then turned to face the gargoyles. "Actually, it was an old friend of mine from some years ago. When I first made my fortune, I used a bit of the money to get a "proper" education. My search for knowledge took me to Oxford, and it was there that I met her. Her name is Nancy Ambrose, and right now she is considered one of the richest women in the world. She runs corporations across the globe, and runs them well, from what I understand. She also owns half of New York City, her ancestors having bought the land centuries ago when it was cheap. She's shrewd, businesslike..."

"Sounds like someone else we all know" Hudson commented wryly.

"It might also interest you to know that it was she who drew my attention to the Grimorum Acanorum and Castle Wyvern, so behave yourselves when she comes to visit."

"How much does she know?" Goliath questioned Xanatos.

"As far as I know, she doesn't know anything about you" Xanatos replied. "I leave it up to you to reveal yourselves to her or not; it's a matter for your own conscience."

"When is she coming?" the clan leader asked.

"In three days. Now, it you will excuse me, I have some other business to attend to" and Xanatos left them.

"Well, Goliath, what are we going to do?" Lex quieried.

"We wait." The large lavender gargoyle turned to face the city. "I do not know what her reaction will be. If possible, we will hide until we know which way she will turn. But come now, it is time to patrol the city." With that, Goliath spread his wings and glided off into the night.

Meanwhile, Owen Burnett walked down the halls of Castle Wyvern, the cell phone still in his hand. There had been something familiar about the voice that had asked for Xanatos. He had heard that voice before! He was so deep in thought, he jumped when the phone in his hand rang. He pressed a button and held the instrument to his ear. "Good evening, Xanatos Enterprises."

"Mr. Burnett?" It was the same voice.

"Yes, madam?" he replied, a touch of wariness in his voice.

"You sneak! Why didn't you tell me you were working for Xanatos Enterprises?"

"Do I know you, madam?"

"Puck! Forgetting your own little sister? I'm ashamed of you! Whatever would Daddy Oberon say?"

Owen's eyes widened. "Ninane?" he inquired, unable to maintain his monotone.

"The one and only. So how's my favorite brother? Oh, by the way, Owen is very boring. Couldn't you hide in a corner or something and talk to me normally?"

"I regret that is not possible. I neglected to attend the Gathering..."

"Uh-oh."

"And as punishment, I can't change forms or use magic unless it is under certain conditions."

"I would ask what those conditions are, but I don't like to pry. Will you be part of the escort David is arranging?"

Owen felt his eyebrow raise slightly at Ninane's familiarity. "I wasn't planning to, but since you *are* my sister..."

"Oh, don't use that tone of disapproval on me, big brother. I went back to school for a bit some years ago and ran into David Xanatos there. We were very good friends, no more, no less"

"Yes, madam."

Ninane sighed. "Okay, so you're going to be difficult. I was just trying to be friendly. See you in a few days!" and the phone went dead.

Owen stared at the phone. Maybe he shouldn't go, but he had said that he would...

"I always knew there was something different about Nancy, but I never could figure it out" Xanatos commented, emerging from the shadows.

"Mr. Xanatos." Owen looked at him suspiciously, wondering how much his employer had heard.

"It's all right Owen" Xanatos told him. "Her secret is safe with me, as yours has been."

A look of relief passed over the assistant's normally stoic features. "Thank you, sir"

Back in London, Nancy sat back with a puzzled frown on her face. What could have happened to make Oberon so mad at Puck that the sprite's powers were forfeit? She had to know. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Dad? I have a question for you..."

A shining white yacht pulled into the harbor, disturbing the dark waters and drenching the boards of the dock. The door in the side of the ship opened and a tall, willowy figure walked out on the deck. The gangplank came down and the sound of designer pumps hitting wood reverberated through the still evening. Xanatos got out of his limosine to welcome her.

"Nancy Ambrose! I swear you look even more beautiful than you did ten years ago."

"David Xanatos! It looks like being a billionaire agrees with you. I like the beard! It makes you look more distinguished."

"Are you saying I'm getting old?"

"You, David? Never!" Nancy laughed.

Xanatos took the advantage of seeing her in the moonlight. Her royal blue suit blended in with the twilight and showed off her pale hair and brilliant eyes. "Very lovely. Too bad I'm already married."

"Yes, I heard about that. How *are* Fox and Alexander?"

Xanatos chuckled. "They're both doing wonderfully" he replied, taking her arm.

"You're very lucky, David."

"I know it."

"She seems okay" Brooklyn commented to the rather rotund gargoyle beside him.

"Really?" Broadway asked. "So, d'ya think we should introduce ourselves. Goliath said it was your call."

Brooklyn nodded. "I have a good feeling about her. I'm glad Xanatos let us put this listening device on him."

"So am I" Broadway answered scornfully. "At least you can hear what's going on!"

"Look, I'm sorry, but I was the one given this job and..."

Suddenly, a flash of blue-white light seared across the sky, making the atmosphere crackle with electricity. "What?" Broadway began.

"The Quarrymen! Let's get outta here!" Brooklyn cried. Another flash lit up the night, this time just missing them. They took to the air and glided away. The airship above turned to follow them.

On the ground, Xanatos had led Nancy to the waiting limosine. The ever-present Owen Burnett stepped out from the driver's side and held open the door for her. Nancy looked at him gratefully.

"He knows" Owen said in his usual monotone.

Nancy looked at Xanatos. "So you know about me..*and* you faithful servant?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, Nancy. I couldn't help listening in on Owen's phone call. I always wondered how you know so much about magic."

"Practice" she replied evenly.

Without warning, a lightning bolt struck the ground.

"Get down!" Xanatos cried and tackled her. She broke away from him and rolled, coming up in a crouch.

She looked up to see Xanatos unharmed except for streaks of dirt and grime on his once-immaculate black suit. Owen ran over to her.

"My God, are you injured?" he asked, worry in every accent of his voice.

"No" Nancy replied as she struggled to her feet. Then she saw them. In the distance, two winged figures flew off towards the rising moon. They were too big to be birds. She squinted in the darkness, and memories returned from centuries ago. Were they.. gargoyles?

A gust of wind above her made her look up to see the hovercraft turning in pursuit of the winged figures. It must have been the craft that fired the lightning bolt. And it was after the gargoyles! A long-forgotten instinct rose up within her.

"NOOOOOO!" she cried. Without thinking, twin firebolts shot out from her palms, sizzling high up in the air. They hit the engine of the craft and it exploded into a fiery ball of metal. Heat came in waves, pushing her against the limosine. She felt her body dragging her down and her mind went blank as she fell unconscious.

"Lady Ninane, I am so honored that you could come to my new home."

"Thank you, Prince Malcolm" the graceful lady beside him replied. "Your conquest appears to be complete."

The newly-made prince stood upright, yet his eyes spoke of his uneasiness. "All of the *human* occupants have sworn allegiance to me" he told her, turning his back to her and looking into the setting sun. "I called you here for a reason, Lady Ninane. They say you are the most powerful sorceress of our time."

"They exaggerate the extent of my powers, your Highness.." Ninane began to object.

"What do you know about gargoyles?"

Ninane was caught off guard. The second race? Here? In the castle? She kept her voice level. "I have some knowledge of them."

The prince sighed in relief. "I had hoped it would be so. To be quite frank, there are gargoyles here in the castle, but I don't know much about them. I must know where their allegiance lies. I need you to befriend them, tell me about them. Only then can I rest easy and be certain they will not harm my people. Will you do that for me?"

Ninane nodded. "I do not think they are a threat to the castle occupants, your Highness, but I will do as you request."

The sun had set and night spread over the castle. Prince Malcolm faced her once more. "Thank you, my lady." He looked over his shoulder through an archway to see the feast that was being held within. "Now, I must rejoin the feast. Will you accompany me, my lady?" and he held out his hand.

Ninane shook her head. "No, but thank you, your Highness. I need a moment to think, and I find the night soothing."

The prince nodded. "As you wish. Good evening, Lady Ninane."

"Good evening, your Highness."

Then she was alone, watching the moon rise above the horizon, over the distant mountains. "Father told me about gargoyles" she said to herself. "I don't think the people should fear them. They live their lives to protect others and their entire clan. I can't believe such honorable creatures would be a threat."

Back in the feasting hall, two burly knights began bragging of their exploits, both of them trying to outdo the other. The friendly competition became more serious. The two men fell upon each other, punching, kicking and biting. They began to move, still locked in combat, until they reached the outside balcony.

Everything happened in an instant. Two male bodies flung themselves out of the hall and onto the balcony. Ninane turned and saw them, but it was too late. The knights crashed into her, sending her flying off the balcony. She made a desperate attempt to grab the parapet, but she missed and continued falling.

For a moment she panicked, kicking, screaming, trying to grab onto the unyielding stone of the castle wall, her fingertips becoming bloody with the effort.

Then she remembered who she was.. what she was. She forced herself to think, to bring a huge haystack into being below her. Then, suddenly, she felt an arm go around her waist and she started slowly going back up. She struggled, trying to see what was going on.

"Stop struggling, lass, or I'll never get ye back up to the castle" a stern voice commanded her. She turned her head and came face to face with.. a gargoyle?

A few minutes later, her feet were once more on solid stone. She brushed her hair out of her eyes impatiently and looked at her rescuer. He was fairly tall, but stout and obviously getting on in years. His beard was turning from gray to white, but the huge sword at his hip marked him as a still-efficient hunter. His skin was an interesting tan color with just a touch of green in it. His wings were caped over his shoulders, plain tipped, rather than with hands. "Thank you, kind sir" she said, almost at a loss for words.

"Yer welcome, lass. Those men have been makin' trouble since they came. It's lucky fer ye I was keepin' an eye on 'em."

The gargoyle spoke with a thick Scottish burr, but she could still decipher what he said. "It certainly was. I am forever in your debt."

"Forever?" her mind asked. Fearfully, she quieted it.

"Nay, lass. I was just doin' what gargoyles are meant to do" and he turned to go.

"Wait!" she called, putting out a hand in supplication. The gargoyle stopped, his back still towards her. "What is your name?"

"My kind have no names."

"Then what should I call you?"

The gargoyle turned and regarded her seriously, judging her as she stood tall and proud before him.

"Call me Elder..."

"Nancy! Nancy, can you hear me?"

Ninane struggled to escape her dream and answer the voice that was calling her back to consciousness. "David?" she groaned across the centuries. She opened her eyes and focused on her college friend. Her eyes searched her surroundings, familiar, yet different somehow. "Where am I?"

"Just lie back" Xanatos ordered, placing a hand against her shoulder to prevent her from sitting upright. "You're in the Eyrie Building or, more specifically, the section that is Castle Wyvern."

"Castle Wyvern" she whispered. She put a hand to her head, which was throbbing painfully. "What happened?"

"You overextended yourself, Miss Ambrose" Owen replied. "I had no idea how powerful you are."

"Well, now you know." Nancy pushed Xanatos's hand away and sat up. "I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"That's good, because while you were out, I spoke to some other inhabitants of this building, and they would like to meet you."

Nancy nodded carefully. "Gargoyles" she responded.

Xanatos looked surprised, but he quickly recovered. "Yes. How did you know?"

"Lucky guess."

Back to Ninane's Side of Avalon