Chapter One: Birth of a Gryphon

Author note: This story is part of the Magical Flashpoint Side Story series. This story comes before "At the Intersection of Magic and Technology".

Although all original characters belong to me, I do not own Flashpoint, Harry Potter, Narnia, or Merlin.

Lastly, while I was planning on posting this over the weekend, I currently have a snow day and so intend to carpe diem and get this posted. Do Enjoy All and Please Keep Praying.

The young wizard paced in the hospital corridor, doing his best to keep from wringing his hands. The Healers had chased him out of the birthing room when 'Toria started screaming at him and trying to get to her wand. He leaned against the wall, as close to where his wife was as possible, listening to her alternating screams and pants. 'Toria's pregnancy had been going so well…until she'd come in for a routine Healer exam and the Healers had Flooed him to come immediately. Now, hours later, their first child was already being difficult.

"Artorius?"

Artorius turned towards the voice and smiled wanly at the sight of his parents. Percival Calvin, the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Calvin, and his lady wife, Alexandria, stood side by side, concern for their daughter-in-law and grandchild clear. Percival was quite similar to his son, tall, with brown hair, and a lanky build, though his eyes were gray; Alexandria was small and petite next to her husband and son, with dark, auburn hair that flowed down her back, very blue eyes, and a dark complexion.

"How is she?" Alexandria asked, moving close to her son and laying a hand on his arm.

'Toria's next bout of screaming answered for him; he just dropped his head into his hands as his wife cried out. "They kicked me out," he mumbled.

He missed his mother's fierce look as she traded looks with his father and declared, "They won't kick me out." With that, Lady Calvin swept past and into the birthing room.

Artorius felt his father's arm settle around his shoulders. "Easy, son; I know it's hard to listen to, but, when it's over and you're holding that little bundle of joy, it's all worth it."

The young man smiled at that…a son or daughter of his own, to raise and guide as his parents had with him, to teach the family magic, to watch with pride as they grew up, found families of their own; the entire scene played out in his mind's eye.

"Thanks, dad," he whispered as a new sound cut the air, a baby's wail. Both men jerked around and Percival had to keep his son from running into the birthing room right then and there.

Fortunately, it only took few minutes for his wife to appear, gesturing their son in to meet their new grandchild. Artorius was oblivious to everything except his wife and child as he hurried past his mother to Victoria's side.

"Arthur," Victoria breathed, looking up from the newborn to her husband for a moment. Artorius' hand came down, stroking the newborn's face, his eyes wide with wonder at the small bundle. The baby, who already sported a small shock of brown hair, snuggled against his father's finger, squeaking contentment and reaching out one pudgy little hand. The baby gave a little sneeze and Victoria huffed a laugh as she soothed her son. "He's beautiful," she whispered.

" 'Toria…as we decided?" Artorius questioned, his voice low. Victoria lifted her eyes to his and nodded once. With a broad smile, Artorius tore his gaze from his wife and son to look at his parents. "Mum, Dad, may I present Lancelot Artorius Calvin, the newest Scion of the House of Calvin?" Though formal, his words were tentative, the new father testing the name on for size.

Alexandria's smile was wide and she exchanged an approving look with her husband. "I think it's a fine name, son."

"Very appropriate," Percival agreed, before moving forward to get a good look at his grandson. "May you carry the name with honor, little one," he declared quietly.

The new parents beamed at the new grandparents, then Artorius looked down as a tiny, almost invisible, thread of gold wrapped around the fingers of the hand closest to his son and tugged. When he leaned over, his son's eyes were open and glittered gold. Even as he watched, the gold faded, revealing brilliant sapphire. The baby yawned, unconcerned by the observers, and snuggled deeper into his blankets.

Artorius' eyes were wide, but he kept quiet as Victoria began to sing their new son to sleep, a soft lullaby that she had brought with her from America. Barely an hour old and already his son's magic had manifested. A tingle danced up his hand and Artorius wondered, briefly, what might be in store for a Wild Mage stronger than his family had seen in generations.