This is my very first attempt at fanfic. Although it turned out much longer than I thought it would, I am quite pleased with the outcome. I hope you like it as well. And of course: Gargoyles characters and scenes from the actual show are property of disney/ buena vista and are used here without consent, please don't sue...I'm a poor student with no income. Jessondra is my creation. Since part of this story takes place back in Scotland, I used Mentor/Leader for Hudson, Angel for Demona, and Young Brooklyn, Broadway and Lexington for the characters.
A NEW BEGINNING
Chapter One
Scotland 979 AD
Castle Wyvern
"The Vikings have been seen five kilometers to the north, milord."
"Alright, captain, take yer men and do what ye need to do," Malcom replied.
As he departed Katherine suggested, "Magus, mayhap ye should go with them."
"But princess..."
"Yer magic would be of great help," she continued.
"My daughter speaks the truth," Malcom stated
"Very well, your highness," the Magus replied
* * *
A baby's cry split the night.
"Hush my little one! Or the Vikings will hear ye." A young gypsy cooed at the newborn in her arms.
She held the baby to her breast to quiet her down. As she did so, horse hooves were heard upon the path. The young gypsy looked down the road, seeing the royal guard. A slow tear trickled down her cheek as she set the swaddled infant on the ground.
"Good-bye, love," she said, kissing the baby's cheek. "Be well." And with that, she slipped into the bushes, leaving the baby alone, crying.
* * *
"Stop the horses!" The captain called out.
As the men halted he chanced a glance up into the sky, where his 'secret task force' was. The two gargoyles landed on the ground nearby but didn't come close since the humans, especially the magus didn't care too much for them.
"What is the meaning of this?" The Magus asked. "Why have we stopped?"
"I beg pardon sir. But I heard something in yonder bushes."
"Well don't just stand there. Go and see what it is!"
"Aye sir." He walked cautiously over to the bushes and carefully parted the branches. He stood there shocked.
"Well?!" The Magus called impatiently.
"Tis a wee babe sir," The captain called back. "Alone. The mother seems nowhere about. Mayhap 'tis a gypsy's child."
"Leave it. We've no need for one of them around."
"But sir 'twill die if left alone."
"That is not our concern," The Magus said. Then looking at the men, "Shall we move on?" And began forward.
The captain sadly set the baby back down and climbed back upon his horse.
* * *
Seeing this, Goliath began to climb a nearby tree and take off, but was stopped.
"Wait, my love."
"What?" he asked puzzled.
"They left something over there in the bushes."
"My Angel, That is nothing of our concern."
"But shouldn't we go and see what it is?" she asked, curiously.
"If it would please you, my love. Let us go and see this secret."
They crept over to the bushes and knelt down. A small whimper came forth and Angel parted the branches.
"It's a human baby!" she said carefully picking up the bundle. The baby began fussing louder. "Hush little one. It's alright. You're safe now."
She gently stroked the baby's face who turned her head and began sucking on the talon that was touching her face.
"She is starving!" Angel's eyes lit up, blood red. "It's bad enough they treat our kind like beasts. But one of there own?! I should--"
"My Angel. Violence will solve nothing. Let us go and catch up."
"I can't leave her. She'll die. I can take care of her. She'll be raised as a gargoyle and have a family that will care for her."
"You already know the humans disapprove of her. How do you think the clan will react?"
"But Goliath..."
"No buts. I've made up my mind. I may be only second--don't you look at me like that! There is no way in the entire world that we could take her with us..."
* * *
Angel held the baby close to her chest as they glided to catch up.
"I cannot believe you talked me into this," Goliath said. "How do you supposed to fight with her in your arms?"
"I don't plan on fighting. Because you're going to talk them into turning back."
"What!? How am I supposed to do that?"
"I don't care what you do," she said cradling the baby in her arms. "Tell them that the night is lost, and the sun will soon rise."
"You know I cannot argue with you." He said smiling.
* * *
Goliath sped up so that he was a few meters in front of the horses. Swooping down, he landed in front of the captain.
"What is the meaning of this, captain?" The Magus asked.
Goliath bowed apologetically. "There is not enough time to do battle, sir. The sun is eager to rise."
The captain looked at the eastern horizon which was indeed starting to lighten. "Ye're right, Goliath. Mayhap would be better if we turned back."
"What?! We've been out here all night, and now we turn back without even a sign of a Viking camp?"
"Aye." The captain looked at the horizon. "Darn those rumors, eh?" He said with a chuckle. "Let's be off then, shall we?"
The Magus fumed. He cast an accusing glare at Goliath before turning his own horse around, and following the army back to the castle.
* * *
"Lass, what've ye gone and done now?"
Angel gently held the baby, rocking back and forth in a chair, as the infant hungrily sucked from the makeshift bottle.
"I haven't done a thing. This poor creature needed someone to care for her."
"Child, this be a gargoyle clan. We've no place for a human babe."
"Mentor, you're always telling us that gargoyles protect..."
"Aye, like we breathe, Lass."
"...but now you're telling me that this child, who has been abandoned by her own kind, shouldn't have our protection?"
"She does have a point, you know." Goliath said.
"And are ye ready to take on the responsibility of child raising?" Mentor asked Goliath. "She is your mate, lad."
Goliath hadn't counted on this. "Well...I..." Angel looked at him, giving him a small pout. "Yes. I guess I am."
"Very well then. But you should take it up with the prince. I doubt their people would take kindly to a gypsy babe."
* * *
"No. Uh-huh. Absolutely not!" Katherine shouted. "She's a gypsy child, father!"
"Mind your manners, Katherine!" Malcom scolded. He turned back to the gargoyles. "Don't mind her. So you need my permission to keep the child here."
"We thought 'twould be best." Leader replied.
"Do you know where she came from?"
"No yer highness. Goliath's mate found her in the woods."
"From the look of her clothing I'd say that she is a gypsy's child. Her mother was probably raped by one of the Vikings. But I see no reason why you cannot keep her."
Angel lost control of her emotions. "Oh thank-you, your highness! Thank-you thank-you thank-you!" She gave him a hug and ran from the room.
"I cannae believe you, father." Katherine scowled as the gargoyles left.
"Believe me Katherine. And if ye give them any problems, ye'll have to answer to me."
* * *
"So, ye've gotten yer way, now what'er ye gonna do?" Mentor asked.
"Give her a name." Angel said.
"Oh, really? And what would that be?"
"Jessondra."
"It sounds like ye've made that up."
"I did. It will mean, 'little lost one'."
Mentor shook his head at the new mother, rolling his eyes. "Very well, lass. Jessondra it is."
* * *
Scotland 992 AD
Spring
The meadows outside Castle Wyvern
"Jessondra! Slow down."
"HA! Ye canna catch me Morgan!" She called back.
Jessondra ran down the hills and around the surrounding bogs. Morgan, on the other hand, had collapsed.
Jessondra laughed and turned back to him.
"Told ye. I'm the fastest."
"You've also been raised by those bat-winged monsters." He retorted, breathlessly.
She pounced on him drawing a knife playfully. "Take that back! I'll slit ye're throat, I will!"
"Ah, ye know I'm only foolin'." He pushed her off.
Jessondra glanced at the sky. "Tis almost sunset. We should get back."
"Aye. Ye be right."
"Race ye." She took off for the castle.
Morgan groaned and started after her.
* * *
The stone skin encasing the gargoyles, cracked and splintered as the sun dipped below the horizon. Young Brooklyn glanced at the approaching form of Jessondra and Morgan.
"Brother! We're going to get breakfast before the ceremony starts. Want to come?"
Young Brooklyn glanced at his rookery brothers, then back down at Jessondra. "Nay. You go ahead."
He swooped down to where Jessondra had stopped to get a drink.
Covering her eyes with his talons he yelled "Guess who?!"
She wriggled from his grasp. "My love!" They embraced each other and she kissed him lovingly on the cheek. "I thought ye would ne'er awaken."
"He smiled, then took her hand. "Come, we must talk."
* * *
"The females have declared a breeding season." Young Brooklyn stated.
"My love, that is wonderful!" Jessondra said taking his hands. "Soon there will be hatchlings to care for, and--"
"I will not be participating."
"What? Why ever not?"
"I have declared my love to you, Jessondra. I would not break that vow with you. Even of it means I do not have children."
"But love, 'tis the fate of the clan."
"Maybe, but I love you, and only you. I will not take a gargoyle mate. Come, it is nearly midnight."
* * *
"My young warrior, where are ye taking me?" Jessondra asked.
"You'll see." Young Brooklyn said grinning. "You can open your eyes now."
She did, and gasped with pleasure at what she saw.
It was the most beautiful seclusion she had ever seen. The grassy clearing was lit by the pale Breeder's Moon. Beside it ran a quiet bubbly brook. And the best part, it was away from everyone, everywhere, and everything.
"Oh my love! Tis beautiful!"
"Not as beautiful as you." He said smiling.
He took her hands in his and led her over to a small, soft patch of grass, and sat her down.
"Jessondra...the reason I brought you here, was to-to..."
"Ye wish ta lay with me." She asked, being blunt purposely.
He blushed and nodded. "I could with no other." He said gently laying her down.
* * *
4 months later
Town below Castle Wyvern
Jessondra readjusted her halter top over her shoulder.
"Ye're what?!" Morgan asked astonished.
"Carrying a gargoyle's child." she stated flatly. "Dinnae look at me like that Morgan. 'Twas my choice, and since yer my best, and only, human friend, I wanted ye ta know."
"I just have one thing to say, does Goliath know about this?"
"Nay. I dinnae know how ta tell him. Or my young warrior. And please dinnae tell anybody" She said casting down her eyes. "I'm almost frightened about it. What would the clan do? How would the other humans react?"
"I cannae tell ye what to do. Only that ye must do it yerself."
"Well, there's still an hour before sunset. . ."
* * *
"Ye're what?" Young Brooklyn asked.
"Carrying yer child."
"When? How?"
"Well actually, I dinnae know fer sure. Tis more of a guess. And you know perfectly well 'how.'" She almost scowled at him.
"Did you tell Goliath yet?"
"Nay. I'm afraid to."
"You? Afraid?" Brooklyn asked sarcastically.
"Love, 'tis not any laughing matter." she said, tears coming to her eyes.
"I'll come with you."
* * *
"The only thing that must be done is that the child must be born in secret." Goliath said, still not believing what he had just heard. "No other humans, nor gargoyles, shall learn of this. Or both will surely be outcast."
Tears formed in Jessondra's eyes.
"How did this happen?" Angel asked, her own middle large with egg, cradling Jessondra's head.
Young Brooklyn blushed .
"Never mind about that." Goliath said saving him. "We must worry about Jessondra and her child now. And protect her from any judgment."
Jessondra began softly crying onto Angel's shoulder.
"Do not worry, my child." Angel said, stroking Jessondra's hair . "All will be well. I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you or your child."
* * *
"So," Morgan asked as they strolled down the street, "do ye think 'twill be an egg, or a live child?"
"Shh! Morgan, not so loud!" Jessondra scolded him.
"Well?"
"I dinnae know." she sighed. "I'm hoping for and egg. Then maybe I can hide it with the others, and nobody would know the difference."
"Why would ye want that?"
"How would ye feel if you were carrying a creature's child that was not of your race?" she asked.
"Hopefully that wouldn't happen..."
"It was a theoretical statement." she said becoming irritated.
"Oh, right." he said faking stupidity.
"Ye're such a goose." Jessondra said punching his arm.
"Those mood swings of yers are becoming more apparent everyday."
"I'm sorry Morgan. I'm just so...scared."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. Ye have loving parents, a protective mate, and if worse come to worse, me."
"Thanks for the encouragement, Morgan." She said kissing him on the cheek.
"Ah. Ye better be careful, or yer young warrior will be after my throat."
Jessondra laughed and followed him up to the castle battlements.
* * *
4 months later...
Castle Wyvern
a secret room
"You're doing fine Jessondra. Just relax." Angel coached her.
Jessondra hissed with pain. It turned out that it was an egg, and was also extremely large.
"One more."
She made Jessondra stand up, over a pile of straw.
"Alright, Jessondra, push!"
Jessondra bore down with all her might.
"Good girl! Again."
Jessondra felt a tremendous pressure, then something wet and slippery fell between her legs.
"Good job!" Angel said. She picked up the fatigued girl and set her on a near by bed. She then took the egg and wrapped it in a blanket to keep it warm until it got to the rookery.
Jessondra lay breathless on the bed with her eyes closed.
~Damn that hurt.~ she thought.
She was aware of someone's presence in the room and slowly opened her eyes.
"Are you alright now my love?" Young Brooklyn asked carefully.
"Aye. I am, now that yer here."
"Jessondra I--I..."
"Shh. Just hold me now."
* * *
Scotland 994 AD
Castle Wyvern
The Castle Massacre
"This is unnecessary!" The captain yelled.
"Are you mad?!" Hakon retorted. "In a moment they'll be flesh again and my men will be their prey!"
"Once your band is out of sight, they won't follow. It's not their nature."
"Ah, well, in that case..." He grasped the captain by his tunic and held his mace up to his nose. "Care to discuss the matter further?"
"N-N-No."
"I haven't lived this long by taking foolish chances."
The captain watched helplessly as Hakon smashed the gargoyle statues to dust.
* * *
Jessondra watched from where she, and the other townspeople, were being marched out of the village.
"No." She whispered as tears rolled down her cheek.
A young boy tugged on her loincloth.
"It'll be alright."
"Nay, Tom. I doubt it will." she said and started crying harder.
Tom's mother put her arm around the crying girl as they were marched from the town.
* * *
Castle Wyvern
30 minutes after sunset.
Goliath and the leader returned to the castle to see it in flames.
"No." Goliath said, stopping at a pile of mangle arms and wings, where his Angel would have stood. "My...Angel of the night. RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH"
He looked down to the mentor.
"These bowstrings have been cut." He replied thoughtfully. "There was betrayal here."
"Huh!" Lex said as the Trio appeared from the rookery.
"How could it be?" Brooklyn asked.
"Were any more down in the rookery?" Goliath asked, a hopeful look on his face.
"None. Only us." Broadway replied.
"All the humans are gone. Taken prisoner, most likely." Hudson stated.
"Then we will find them." Goliath clenched his fist. "We will save the humans, and we will have our revenge!!"
"Where's Jessondra at?!" Brooklyn asked worriedly.
"She has probably been taken with the others." Mentor commented
Goliath's eyes shone bright white, as did young Brooklyn's, as their protective instincts kicked in.
* * *
"Hmmm," Hakon said thoughtfully. "The Magus is worth more alive than dead. Barely."
"True..." The captain replied. He turned to the princess. "But I'm sure your uncle, the King, will pay handsomely to see his niece returned alive."
"You blackguard." The Magus sneered. "If I had my book of spells I'd--"
Hakon laughed. "Might you be referring to this book, Magus? Magic spells. Ha! Makes me glad I can't read." He tore out a page and tossed it into the fire.
"No! My spells!"
Hakon continued laughing.
Princess Katharine sneered at the captain. "Oh, traitor. I'll see ya both hanged for this."
"Do not vex me, Princess, or it's your neck." Hakon threatened.
* * *
Mary began weeping. "Oh, God."
"My friends, the Gargoyles, will come, Mother." Tom stated confidently.
"Nay. The Gargoyles were destroyed. All of'm."
This cruel fact brought tears to Jessondra's eyes once more. She hugged her knees, and buried her face in her arms, sobbing for her lost love.
Tom stroked her hair comfortingly.
A battle cry split the night.
Jessondra looked up to see six winged figures shadowed in the sky, then jumped to her feet smiling hopefully.
"They're coming!"
"Look out!"
"Run for your lives!"
* * *
Hakon grasped the captain by his tunic. "You said they wouldn't follow us!"
"If you hadn't destroyed the others!"
"Your precious Gargoyles have come, Princess." Hakon sneered.
"The Gargoyles. You're a dead man, Hakon." Katherine retorted.
"Maybe. But not before you!" He grabbed her and dragged her out the back of the cave to the edge of a cliff with the captain following.
* * *
"I told you they'd save us." Tom said proudly.
The Magus ran out of the cave. "You fools! She'd be alive now if you hadn't come!"
"What's he talking about?" Lexington asked.
"They would have ransomed us both! But you invaded their camp, and now--"
"What's all this?" Mentor interrupted. "Where's the Princess?"
"Dead." The Magus sneered. "And could I but wield a sword, I would send you all to join her. But this will have to do instead. Dormiatis dum castellum super nubes ascendat!"
Jessondra, who could understand Latin screamed "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
A strange purple smoke surrounded the trio, leader, and their watchdog.
Turning them to stone.
"No!" Jessondra screamed again and tackled the Magus drawing a knife. "You bastard! Turn them back!"
The Magus was startled. "I--I can't."
* * *
Goliath landed behind them. "You are the betrayer?!"
"It was not supposed to be this way."
"All of my kind are dead. And now, you two will join them!" Goliath roared.
"I told you to take the other Gargoyles with you. If you'd only listened!" The captain pleaded.
"Traitor!!"
"He's the one you want! He shattered them!" Hakon shouted.
The captain sneered. "You lying scum!!"
After a short grapple, the two fell over the cliff, knocking the princess over as well. Goliath dove and caught Katherine as the two others plunged into the deep darkness of the abyss below.
"I've been denied everything! Even my revenge!!!!!!!!" Goliath roared loudly.
Princess Katharine looked at Goliath. "Goliath, I-I-I--"
Tom ran out of the cave. "Goliath! You've got to help your friends!"
* * *
Goliath, Tom, and princess Katherine emerged from the cave to find Jessondra at the feet of her love, bawling her eyes out.
Goliath looked over his clan. "Stone. At night? What sorcery is this?!"
"Sorcery indeed." The Magus sneered. "And now you shall join them." His jaw dropped in shock as Katherine stepped out from behind Goliath. "Princess."
"Oh, Magus. What have ye done?"
"I-I-I thought you were dead, your highness. I was mad with grief."
"Reverse the spell!" Goliath roared. "Bring them back!!"
"I-I cannot! The page with the counterspell was burned!"
Goliath hung his head in grief. "Now I am truly alone."
"You turned them to stone forever?" Katherine asked.
"The terms of the spell were that they would sleep 'until the castle rises above the clouds.'"
A NEW BEGINNING
Chapter One
Scotland 979 AD
Castle Wyvern
"The Vikings have been seen five kilometers to the north, milord."
"Alright, captain, take yer men and do what ye need to do," Malcom replied.
As he departed Katherine suggested, "Magus, mayhap ye should go with them."
"But princess..."
"Yer magic would be of great help," she continued.
"My daughter speaks the truth," Malcom stated
"Very well, your highness," the Magus replied
* * *
A baby's cry split the night.
"Hush my little one! Or the Vikings will hear ye." A young gypsy cooed at the newborn in her arms.
She held the baby to her breast to quiet her down. As she did so, horse hooves were heard upon the path. The young gypsy looked down the road, seeing the royal guard. A slow tear trickled down her cheek as she set the swaddled infant on the ground.
"Good-bye, love," she said, kissing the baby's cheek. "Be well." And with that, she slipped into the bushes, leaving the baby alone, crying.
* * *
"Stop the horses!" The captain called out.
As the men halted he chanced a glance up into the sky, where his 'secret task force' was. The two gargoyles landed on the ground nearby but didn't come close since the humans, especially the magus didn't care too much for them.
"What is the meaning of this?" The Magus asked. "Why have we stopped?"
"I beg pardon sir. But I heard something in yonder bushes."
"Well don't just stand there. Go and see what it is!"
"Aye sir." He walked cautiously over to the bushes and carefully parted the branches. He stood there shocked.
"Well?!" The Magus called impatiently.
"Tis a wee babe sir," The captain called back. "Alone. The mother seems nowhere about. Mayhap 'tis a gypsy's child."
"Leave it. We've no need for one of them around."
"But sir 'twill die if left alone."
"That is not our concern," The Magus said. Then looking at the men, "Shall we move on?" And began forward.
The captain sadly set the baby back down and climbed back upon his horse.
* * *
Seeing this, Goliath began to climb a nearby tree and take off, but was stopped.
"Wait, my love."
"What?" he asked puzzled.
"They left something over there in the bushes."
"My Angel, That is nothing of our concern."
"But shouldn't we go and see what it is?" she asked, curiously.
"If it would please you, my love. Let us go and see this secret."
They crept over to the bushes and knelt down. A small whimper came forth and Angel parted the branches.
"It's a human baby!" she said carefully picking up the bundle. The baby began fussing louder. "Hush little one. It's alright. You're safe now."
She gently stroked the baby's face who turned her head and began sucking on the talon that was touching her face.
"She is starving!" Angel's eyes lit up, blood red. "It's bad enough they treat our kind like beasts. But one of there own?! I should--"
"My Angel. Violence will solve nothing. Let us go and catch up."
"I can't leave her. She'll die. I can take care of her. She'll be raised as a gargoyle and have a family that will care for her."
"You already know the humans disapprove of her. How do you think the clan will react?"
"But Goliath..."
"No buts. I've made up my mind. I may be only second--don't you look at me like that! There is no way in the entire world that we could take her with us..."
* * *
Angel held the baby close to her chest as they glided to catch up.
"I cannot believe you talked me into this," Goliath said. "How do you supposed to fight with her in your arms?"
"I don't plan on fighting. Because you're going to talk them into turning back."
"What!? How am I supposed to do that?"
"I don't care what you do," she said cradling the baby in her arms. "Tell them that the night is lost, and the sun will soon rise."
"You know I cannot argue with you." He said smiling.
* * *
Goliath sped up so that he was a few meters in front of the horses. Swooping down, he landed in front of the captain.
"What is the meaning of this, captain?" The Magus asked.
Goliath bowed apologetically. "There is not enough time to do battle, sir. The sun is eager to rise."
The captain looked at the eastern horizon which was indeed starting to lighten. "Ye're right, Goliath. Mayhap would be better if we turned back."
"What?! We've been out here all night, and now we turn back without even a sign of a Viking camp?"
"Aye." The captain looked at the horizon. "Darn those rumors, eh?" He said with a chuckle. "Let's be off then, shall we?"
The Magus fumed. He cast an accusing glare at Goliath before turning his own horse around, and following the army back to the castle.
* * *
"Lass, what've ye gone and done now?"
Angel gently held the baby, rocking back and forth in a chair, as the infant hungrily sucked from the makeshift bottle.
"I haven't done a thing. This poor creature needed someone to care for her."
"Child, this be a gargoyle clan. We've no place for a human babe."
"Mentor, you're always telling us that gargoyles protect..."
"Aye, like we breathe, Lass."
"...but now you're telling me that this child, who has been abandoned by her own kind, shouldn't have our protection?"
"She does have a point, you know." Goliath said.
"And are ye ready to take on the responsibility of child raising?" Mentor asked Goliath. "She is your mate, lad."
Goliath hadn't counted on this. "Well...I..." Angel looked at him, giving him a small pout. "Yes. I guess I am."
"Very well then. But you should take it up with the prince. I doubt their people would take kindly to a gypsy babe."
* * *
"No. Uh-huh. Absolutely not!" Katherine shouted. "She's a gypsy child, father!"
"Mind your manners, Katherine!" Malcom scolded. He turned back to the gargoyles. "Don't mind her. So you need my permission to keep the child here."
"We thought 'twould be best." Leader replied.
"Do you know where she came from?"
"No yer highness. Goliath's mate found her in the woods."
"From the look of her clothing I'd say that she is a gypsy's child. Her mother was probably raped by one of the Vikings. But I see no reason why you cannot keep her."
Angel lost control of her emotions. "Oh thank-you, your highness! Thank-you thank-you thank-you!" She gave him a hug and ran from the room.
"I cannae believe you, father." Katherine scowled as the gargoyles left.
"Believe me Katherine. And if ye give them any problems, ye'll have to answer to me."
* * *
"So, ye've gotten yer way, now what'er ye gonna do?" Mentor asked.
"Give her a name." Angel said.
"Oh, really? And what would that be?"
"Jessondra."
"It sounds like ye've made that up."
"I did. It will mean, 'little lost one'."
Mentor shook his head at the new mother, rolling his eyes. "Very well, lass. Jessondra it is."
* * *
Scotland 992 AD
Spring
The meadows outside Castle Wyvern
"Jessondra! Slow down."
"HA! Ye canna catch me Morgan!" She called back.
Jessondra ran down the hills and around the surrounding bogs. Morgan, on the other hand, had collapsed.
Jessondra laughed and turned back to him.
"Told ye. I'm the fastest."
"You've also been raised by those bat-winged monsters." He retorted, breathlessly.
She pounced on him drawing a knife playfully. "Take that back! I'll slit ye're throat, I will!"
"Ah, ye know I'm only foolin'." He pushed her off.
Jessondra glanced at the sky. "Tis almost sunset. We should get back."
"Aye. Ye be right."
"Race ye." She took off for the castle.
Morgan groaned and started after her.
* * *
The stone skin encasing the gargoyles, cracked and splintered as the sun dipped below the horizon. Young Brooklyn glanced at the approaching form of Jessondra and Morgan.
"Brother! We're going to get breakfast before the ceremony starts. Want to come?"
Young Brooklyn glanced at his rookery brothers, then back down at Jessondra. "Nay. You go ahead."
He swooped down to where Jessondra had stopped to get a drink.
Covering her eyes with his talons he yelled "Guess who?!"
She wriggled from his grasp. "My love!" They embraced each other and she kissed him lovingly on the cheek. "I thought ye would ne'er awaken."
"He smiled, then took her hand. "Come, we must talk."
* * *
"The females have declared a breeding season." Young Brooklyn stated.
"My love, that is wonderful!" Jessondra said taking his hands. "Soon there will be hatchlings to care for, and--"
"I will not be participating."
"What? Why ever not?"
"I have declared my love to you, Jessondra. I would not break that vow with you. Even of it means I do not have children."
"But love, 'tis the fate of the clan."
"Maybe, but I love you, and only you. I will not take a gargoyle mate. Come, it is nearly midnight."
* * *
"My young warrior, where are ye taking me?" Jessondra asked.
"You'll see." Young Brooklyn said grinning. "You can open your eyes now."
She did, and gasped with pleasure at what she saw.
It was the most beautiful seclusion she had ever seen. The grassy clearing was lit by the pale Breeder's Moon. Beside it ran a quiet bubbly brook. And the best part, it was away from everyone, everywhere, and everything.
"Oh my love! Tis beautiful!"
"Not as beautiful as you." He said smiling.
He took her hands in his and led her over to a small, soft patch of grass, and sat her down.
"Jessondra...the reason I brought you here, was to-to..."
"Ye wish ta lay with me." She asked, being blunt purposely.
He blushed and nodded. "I could with no other." He said gently laying her down.
* * *
4 months later
Town below Castle Wyvern
Jessondra readjusted her halter top over her shoulder.
"Ye're what?!" Morgan asked astonished.
"Carrying a gargoyle's child." she stated flatly. "Dinnae look at me like that Morgan. 'Twas my choice, and since yer my best, and only, human friend, I wanted ye ta know."
"I just have one thing to say, does Goliath know about this?"
"Nay. I dinnae know how ta tell him. Or my young warrior. And please dinnae tell anybody" She said casting down her eyes. "I'm almost frightened about it. What would the clan do? How would the other humans react?"
"I cannae tell ye what to do. Only that ye must do it yerself."
"Well, there's still an hour before sunset. . ."
* * *
"Ye're what?" Young Brooklyn asked.
"Carrying yer child."
"When? How?"
"Well actually, I dinnae know fer sure. Tis more of a guess. And you know perfectly well 'how.'" She almost scowled at him.
"Did you tell Goliath yet?"
"Nay. I'm afraid to."
"You? Afraid?" Brooklyn asked sarcastically.
"Love, 'tis not any laughing matter." she said, tears coming to her eyes.
"I'll come with you."
* * *
"The only thing that must be done is that the child must be born in secret." Goliath said, still not believing what he had just heard. "No other humans, nor gargoyles, shall learn of this. Or both will surely be outcast."
Tears formed in Jessondra's eyes.
"How did this happen?" Angel asked, her own middle large with egg, cradling Jessondra's head.
Young Brooklyn blushed .
"Never mind about that." Goliath said saving him. "We must worry about Jessondra and her child now. And protect her from any judgment."
Jessondra began softly crying onto Angel's shoulder.
"Do not worry, my child." Angel said, stroking Jessondra's hair . "All will be well. I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you or your child."
* * *
"So," Morgan asked as they strolled down the street, "do ye think 'twill be an egg, or a live child?"
"Shh! Morgan, not so loud!" Jessondra scolded him.
"Well?"
"I dinnae know." she sighed. "I'm hoping for and egg. Then maybe I can hide it with the others, and nobody would know the difference."
"Why would ye want that?"
"How would ye feel if you were carrying a creature's child that was not of your race?" she asked.
"Hopefully that wouldn't happen..."
"It was a theoretical statement." she said becoming irritated.
"Oh, right." he said faking stupidity.
"Ye're such a goose." Jessondra said punching his arm.
"Those mood swings of yers are becoming more apparent everyday."
"I'm sorry Morgan. I'm just so...scared."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. Ye have loving parents, a protective mate, and if worse come to worse, me."
"Thanks for the encouragement, Morgan." She said kissing him on the cheek.
"Ah. Ye better be careful, or yer young warrior will be after my throat."
Jessondra laughed and followed him up to the castle battlements.
* * *
4 months later...
Castle Wyvern
a secret room
"You're doing fine Jessondra. Just relax." Angel coached her.
Jessondra hissed with pain. It turned out that it was an egg, and was also extremely large.
"One more."
She made Jessondra stand up, over a pile of straw.
"Alright, Jessondra, push!"
Jessondra bore down with all her might.
"Good girl! Again."
Jessondra felt a tremendous pressure, then something wet and slippery fell between her legs.
"Good job!" Angel said. She picked up the fatigued girl and set her on a near by bed. She then took the egg and wrapped it in a blanket to keep it warm until it got to the rookery.
Jessondra lay breathless on the bed with her eyes closed.
~Damn that hurt.~ she thought.
She was aware of someone's presence in the room and slowly opened her eyes.
"Are you alright now my love?" Young Brooklyn asked carefully.
"Aye. I am, now that yer here."
"Jessondra I--I..."
"Shh. Just hold me now."
* * *
Scotland 994 AD
Castle Wyvern
The Castle Massacre
"This is unnecessary!" The captain yelled.
"Are you mad?!" Hakon retorted. "In a moment they'll be flesh again and my men will be their prey!"
"Once your band is out of sight, they won't follow. It's not their nature."
"Ah, well, in that case..." He grasped the captain by his tunic and held his mace up to his nose. "Care to discuss the matter further?"
"N-N-No."
"I haven't lived this long by taking foolish chances."
The captain watched helplessly as Hakon smashed the gargoyle statues to dust.
* * *
Jessondra watched from where she, and the other townspeople, were being marched out of the village.
"No." She whispered as tears rolled down her cheek.
A young boy tugged on her loincloth.
"It'll be alright."
"Nay, Tom. I doubt it will." she said and started crying harder.
Tom's mother put her arm around the crying girl as they were marched from the town.
* * *
Castle Wyvern
30 minutes after sunset.
Goliath and the leader returned to the castle to see it in flames.
"No." Goliath said, stopping at a pile of mangle arms and wings, where his Angel would have stood. "My...Angel of the night. RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH"
He looked down to the mentor.
"These bowstrings have been cut." He replied thoughtfully. "There was betrayal here."
"Huh!" Lex said as the Trio appeared from the rookery.
"How could it be?" Brooklyn asked.
"Were any more down in the rookery?" Goliath asked, a hopeful look on his face.
"None. Only us." Broadway replied.
"All the humans are gone. Taken prisoner, most likely." Hudson stated.
"Then we will find them." Goliath clenched his fist. "We will save the humans, and we will have our revenge!!"
"Where's Jessondra at?!" Brooklyn asked worriedly.
"She has probably been taken with the others." Mentor commented
Goliath's eyes shone bright white, as did young Brooklyn's, as their protective instincts kicked in.
* * *
"Hmmm," Hakon said thoughtfully. "The Magus is worth more alive than dead. Barely."
"True..." The captain replied. He turned to the princess. "But I'm sure your uncle, the King, will pay handsomely to see his niece returned alive."
"You blackguard." The Magus sneered. "If I had my book of spells I'd--"
Hakon laughed. "Might you be referring to this book, Magus? Magic spells. Ha! Makes me glad I can't read." He tore out a page and tossed it into the fire.
"No! My spells!"
Hakon continued laughing.
Princess Katharine sneered at the captain. "Oh, traitor. I'll see ya both hanged for this."
"Do not vex me, Princess, or it's your neck." Hakon threatened.
* * *
Mary began weeping. "Oh, God."
"My friends, the Gargoyles, will come, Mother." Tom stated confidently.
"Nay. The Gargoyles were destroyed. All of'm."
This cruel fact brought tears to Jessondra's eyes once more. She hugged her knees, and buried her face in her arms, sobbing for her lost love.
Tom stroked her hair comfortingly.
A battle cry split the night.
Jessondra looked up to see six winged figures shadowed in the sky, then jumped to her feet smiling hopefully.
"They're coming!"
"Look out!"
"Run for your lives!"
* * *
Hakon grasped the captain by his tunic. "You said they wouldn't follow us!"
"If you hadn't destroyed the others!"
"Your precious Gargoyles have come, Princess." Hakon sneered.
"The Gargoyles. You're a dead man, Hakon." Katherine retorted.
"Maybe. But not before you!" He grabbed her and dragged her out the back of the cave to the edge of a cliff with the captain following.
* * *
"I told you they'd save us." Tom said proudly.
The Magus ran out of the cave. "You fools! She'd be alive now if you hadn't come!"
"What's he talking about?" Lexington asked.
"They would have ransomed us both! But you invaded their camp, and now--"
"What's all this?" Mentor interrupted. "Where's the Princess?"
"Dead." The Magus sneered. "And could I but wield a sword, I would send you all to join her. But this will have to do instead. Dormiatis dum castellum super nubes ascendat!"
Jessondra, who could understand Latin screamed "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
A strange purple smoke surrounded the trio, leader, and their watchdog.
Turning them to stone.
"No!" Jessondra screamed again and tackled the Magus drawing a knife. "You bastard! Turn them back!"
The Magus was startled. "I--I can't."
* * *
Goliath landed behind them. "You are the betrayer?!"
"It was not supposed to be this way."
"All of my kind are dead. And now, you two will join them!" Goliath roared.
"I told you to take the other Gargoyles with you. If you'd only listened!" The captain pleaded.
"Traitor!!"
"He's the one you want! He shattered them!" Hakon shouted.
The captain sneered. "You lying scum!!"
After a short grapple, the two fell over the cliff, knocking the princess over as well. Goliath dove and caught Katherine as the two others plunged into the deep darkness of the abyss below.
"I've been denied everything! Even my revenge!!!!!!!!" Goliath roared loudly.
Princess Katharine looked at Goliath. "Goliath, I-I-I--"
Tom ran out of the cave. "Goliath! You've got to help your friends!"
* * *
Goliath, Tom, and princess Katherine emerged from the cave to find Jessondra at the feet of her love, bawling her eyes out.
Goliath looked over his clan. "Stone. At night? What sorcery is this?!"
"Sorcery indeed." The Magus sneered. "And now you shall join them." His jaw dropped in shock as Katherine stepped out from behind Goliath. "Princess."
"Oh, Magus. What have ye done?"
"I-I-I thought you were dead, your highness. I was mad with grief."
"Reverse the spell!" Goliath roared. "Bring them back!!"
"I-I cannot! The page with the counterspell was burned!"
Goliath hung his head in grief. "Now I am truly alone."
"You turned them to stone forever?" Katherine asked.
"The terms of the spell were that they would sleep 'until the castle rises above the clouds.'"
