A/N: This is my very first story in this section. I've always loved the cartoon of Gargoyles since it came out actually. I've seen every single episode and miss it dearly. But I've never considered writing a fic about it. Normally I stick to X-Men (of any kind) but this caught my eye today and I just had to put a story up. So please if you see anything wrong let me know. It's the only way I can readapt my writing style for this genre you could say. So please let me know.
Prologue:
I can hear the wind whip through my gown as I race across the plains between my home and the line of darkening trees. Night is falling fast upon us and I have little time left before it completely consumes our kingdom. A law was passed years ago, during the dawn of reckoning, a law that prohibits any man, woman or child from setting foot out side the castle gates. Why?
It's to protect us, the civilians of this world, from the creatures of the night. For tails told from warriors past that these creatures are hard not to notice. They lie in wait during the day, waiting for night to fall upon the country in order to scoop up innocent victims. They are monstrous creatures that prey on women and children. They're eight feet tall with wings as large and wide as the devils, with eyes that glow an eerie white. They are part dragon and part man. Demons released from the underworld sent here by Satan him self to bring the sinners of this world down into the depths of hell.
I pick up speed; my feet stumbling on lose ground as I transverse the distance to my home. I can hear the screech of owls in the distance and the flutter of wings as birds settle in too roost for the night. My eyes begin to dilate with irrational fear. I lift my skirts higher in hopes to get to the gates before night completely takes over our land.
Rumors have spread that our enemy kingdom has recently made a pack with the devil and he has sent his demons to protect them from any and all combatants. My Father, King of Dalriada, has become worried about the situation. It has become known that no man or beast can defeat these mystical creatures of marvel. They are too smart and too strong to be bested by simple man. My Father's council men have been whispering to him to send a bargaining chip. They've been saying that maybe it would be better to end this war we've been fighting and just make piece with our brethren. But of course my Father won't have any of that.
I jump over a jutting piece of Earth as I continue my trek across the plains, closing in on my destination. I can see the out cropping of the castle, men guarding the entrances with proud stances. My heart skips a beat as I grow closer, knowing that I was once again cutting my curfew close. As I run around the side of Castle Dalriada, I am shaking from the exertion of running. Ladies of my stature do not run, skip or walk fast in anyway. At the castle gates I stop to catch my breath, the guard's wave at me with kind familiar smiles. Too many nights have I cut it too close to curfew.
"Good evening Princess Alexandra," one of the oldest guards in our service calls out to me with a wave. I return it as such, my cheeks still flushed from the run.
"Good evening Greer," I reply as I make my way into my castle stronghold. The city lights are dimming as people scurry to hurry in doors before curfew finally sets in.
"Alexandra," a voice so cool and despondent speaks to me from behind. I know immediately who it belongs to.
"Murdag," I say as I turn to face the man who spoke to me. He's my Father's right hand man. He's also the only man in the entire kingdom that insists on marrying me. I flip back my long chestnut hair as I dip into the appropriate curtsey.
"Your Father wishes to speak to you," he says slowly as if this will somehow extend the time we share together.
"Thank you," I reply quickly before turning abruptly on my left foot putting as much distance between me and Murdag as possible. I enter the main portion of the castle and begin my quest up the never ending flight of stairs to my Father's throne room. He's been away at neighboring castles discussing treaties and such.
"Father," I say gleefully as I all but run towards him. He smiles appreciatively at me but does not return my sentiments. I stop a good three feet before reaching him, noticing the sadness around his chocolate eyes. I can already tell his discussions did not go as planed. I wait patiently for him to begin whatever it might be that had him summon me to him. I hold my breath at what all of this quietness might mean.
"I've just gotten back from Castle Wyvern," my Father states as he moves to take a seat in one of his high-backed chairs. The fires glow illuminates him as he does so, aging him in the process. "The discussion did not go as planned."
I move to stand near the fire, waiting for my Father to tell me what's so important about the Wyvern meeting that has him on edge. He stays silent for a bit, collecting his thoughts in a manner I have come to expect of him. It never takes him long to tell me what's bothering him.
"They've requested a diplomatic lesion between our two territories. Apparently they need more help feeding their beasts," my father spat. Then with an old sigh he continued, "But in exchange they promise to make sure that we have full use of their Gargoyles. Apparently they are quite civil creatures and not at all what we thought they were.Nevertheless, we will need their assistance in defending our home. Word has spread from neighboring lands that the Irish and English are beginning their approach on us soon. We will need all of the assistance we can get."
I look at him thinking of how terrible it must be for my Father to resort to using demons to help us protect ourselves from our enemies. I thought how noble he must be to place his pride aside in the hopes of saving our country men. I can't believe I was that naïve.
"Who have they requested? Murdag?" I ask praying it is really Murdag. My Father says nothing as he looks at me with sad pain filled eyes. It was why he looked upon me that I felt a dread come upon myself.
"I am so sorry my daughter," my Father belts out in a rush as a wet glistening shines against his eyes. "I had no choice the Queen requested you."
And in that moment my reality shifted and my world fell apart as my father sold me out for the good of my country men.
A/N: I think I did alright for my opener what do you think? Press the pretty green button and let me know alright?
