THE PATRIARCH 
By Terry S. Bowers
June 2, 2000

He stood beside the cradle, staring down at the newborn. Carefully, tenderly, reverently he reached out and touched the infant's head, feeling the heat and texture of its skin against his fingers. Slowly he smiled, the thrill of this unplanned responsibility rushing through him in a way he had not expected, had not anticipated. The surprise of it did not diminish his feelings, nor his fright at the scope of how his life had so suddenly changed. His life was no longer about himself or what he wanted, but was now about this child; how best to ensure this young life reached maturity, and what would benefit the child as he grew. Barnabas Collins shook his head in awe as he again touched the infant's head and prayed he was up to the task.

Holding his hands at waist height, Barnabas stared down into the cradle, watching as the child slept. This small, tiny being, when he reached maturity, when he was an adult, was destined to change the face of the world. Barnabas smiled, chuckling softly so as not to disturb the boy's sleep. He expected that all fathers had such hopes and dreams for their children, but in this case, Barnabas knew it to be true. It had been prophesied countless ages ago, when beings other than humans ruled the world. He was there to make certain the prophesy came to pass; to remove all obstacles from the path so when the child in the cradle became an adult, he, along with his mate, would bring forth a new race upon the face of the Earth. This child, now an infant but soon to be an adult, along with Barnabas Collins' cousin, Carolyn Stoddard, were to create the new order with their offspring. Together they would make possible the return of the ancient Leviathan race who would bring the world into Darkness, making the world their own again.

Closing his eyes, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task he faced, Barnabas took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He opened his eyes and gazed down at the child whose life and well being he was sworn to protect. Although he was not, in truth, their new leader's biological father, he was the one to whom the Leviathan child would turn for advise. He was to fill the role of father even though, technically, the child was to be father to the new order. But the role Barnabas had been chosen to fulfill was also that of a father; he was to protect, advise, counsel and cherish this Levithan child until he reached maturity. At that time his own involvement wold be scaled down, just as any father's role was decreased was when his child reached adulthood and began his life's journey, meeting his own destiny. Perhaps 'father' was the wrong term to apply to himself in this instance. Patriarch described his role more accurately. Barnabas nodded, satisfied his role was now more clear in his own mind.

Hearing Megan Todd, the woman on whom he had bestowed the honor of caring for and daily guiding the Leader until he reached maturity fussing nearby, Barnabas turned and met her expectant, worried gaze. He gave her an approving nod and she immediately calmed, relieved to know Barnabas found her care of the infant satisfactory. Collins moved away from the cradle, allowing Megan to tend the child. He walked from the nursery, customized for the special needs of the Leader, knowing Oberon's advise had guided him well.

Barnabas paused a moment, reviewing his actions. Briefly - very briefly - he had hoped Julia Hoffman would be the Chosen One, would be selected to care for the child. Her maternal instincts, while dormant, could easily have been awakened. These instincts, coupled with her medical knowledge and intuitive senses in regards to... less than completely human beings would have been a very valuable combination, but Julia Hoffman was not the right woman for the honor. His dreams had shown him the truth of this. Julia asked too many questions, she resisted following orders until she completely understood the reasons behind them; she was not easily controlled and therefore would not have faithfully and obediently conformed to the needs of the child; of the Levithians. As much as he would liked to have honored Julia in such a way, to make her The Chosen One, and to bring her into the cause, he knew it was better that he had not done so.



Taking a deep breath, Barnabas shook his head. His one regret about his new calling was that he could no longer confide in Julia Hoffman. She was not one of them, therefore could not know any of what was happening; could not be part of his support group. In this Barnabas Collins was without the one person he trusted above all others. No longer. He had once trusted Julia Hoffman implicitly, but could not do so any more. She was an outsider, someone of whom to be cautious and wary, to watch carefully and, if need be, eliminate should she get too close to the truth. Barnabas would regret her death, but would allow nothing to jeopardize the future success of the Levithan purpose. Julia Hoffman was expendable. He hoped it would not come to that, but was prepared to do as instructed in regard to anyone, even Julia Hoffman.

Passing through the front of the antique shop, Barnabas nodded to Philip Todd, Megan's husband, then left via the front door. As he looked around, Barnabas tried to envision how the street would appear once Darkness ruled and the Levithians dominated. He smiled, satisfied with his role as patriarch. His reward for successfully completing his task would not be monetary or material, and that was his motivation; knowing when success was achieved, the one thing he wanted most, the one driving force in his life would finally be his.

Barnabas headed toward his car, and his thoughts once more settled on Julia Hoffman. Distantly, in the small, recessed portion of his will that he still controlled, that was not dominated by the Leviathan purpose, Barnabas wished he could tell Julia the truth, wished he would be allowed to turn to her for help and support when he needed it, but that was now forbidden. Perhaps, as patriarch, he could request special treatment for his friend; perhaps Julia could still somehow be a part of his life when it was all over. Even though they were no longer confidants, he would want her by his side, as a friend, when the Leader's Father's Day arrived; when the first of the new order came into the Darkness. If Julia were at his side then, he could be certain of her safety; he could be certain of her actions, her loyalty to him and therefore to the new order. Yes, he did want Julia Hoffman with him when all Hell broke lose.

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