This was a very difficult chapter for me to write. I'm a huge Goliath fan and it was painful for me to write like this. I actually began crying! Review and tell me what you think. All comments welcome.


Birthday, Death Day

Diane had several rooms instead of one. Each was decorated with photographs of her family and souvenirs from Africa. Behind a beautiful red and black blanket was Diane's bedroom. Liz pushed it aside and entered and saw Diane sitting up on her bed.

Diane was thin, her hair almost stark white. Her blue eyes seemed weak and she was very pale.

"Come here, child," she told Liz.

Liz sat on the side of the bed.

"I heard about what happened this evening."

Liz groaned. "Does anyone not know about this?" She put her head in her hands.

"Liz, we were worried," said Diane, putting a hand on her granddaughter's shoulder. "You are the last of my children. I do not want to lose you."

"Some days I wonder if it was a good idea to become one of Goliath's Clan," Liz said.

Diane shook her head. "You were born one of Goliath's Clan."

Diane sighed heavily and leaned back on her pillow. "I must tell you something. I want you to hear this story from me and not from one of the others."

"What story?" asked Liz.

"The story of your birthday."

"Oh." Liz hung her head. No one had ever told Liz, but through looking at photos and journal entries that Beth kept, she had learned that she had been born on the same day that Goliath died.

"I need you to listen carefully," said Diane. "It will explain a few things."


Summer 2003

Goliath stood on the tower, looking at the city scape, but saw none of it. For the past two years he had been mourning the loss of Elisa, his friend and so much more. He blamed himself for it. If he had been there that night, she may not have died.

The rest of the clan was in the infirmary, awaiting the arrival of Beth's firstborn. The males waited outside, Angela being the only gargoyle allowed inside. Maggie stood beside her. At Beth's side were her mother and her brother.

After many hours of hard labor, Beth gave birth to the child conceived by horrible events. Beth had been strong through her recovery of the violent rape and her pregnancy, deciding that she would carry the baby to term and keep it.

Diane was very proud of her youngest daughter. Though no one in the Maza family had ever said it out loud, they were glad that they had a normal, human baby in their family.

"It's a girl," announced the midwife.

Beth held the little baby in her arms. "Hello, sunshine," she cooed.

"Did you decide on a name?" asked Talon.

Beth shook her head. "No."

Beth needed to rest, so Diane took over showing off her new grandchild.

"She's so tiny," said Broadway.

After showing off to everyone in the castle, Diane had a thought. She took the baby to the tower where Goliath was standing vigil.

"Goliath?" Diane called uncertainly.

Goliath didn't respond. Then the baby began to cry. This got Goliath's attention and he turned around, his dark eyes resting on the baby in Diane's arms. He walked over to Diane and stared for a long time at the newborn.

"Do you want to hold her?" asked Diane.

"Her?" asked Goliath.

Diane nodded, carefully giving him the baby, coaching him on how to hold her. As soon as Goliath got the baby cradled in his massive arms, she stopped crying.

"She's beautiful," said Goliath, continuing to stare at the baby.

Diane looked at Goliath's face. In two years, he had aged faster than she had. Grief could be crippling. Brooklyn had taken over many of Goliath's responsibilities, including assigning patrols, something that Goliath preferred to do.

"What is her name?" asked Goliath.

"We haven't named her yet," said Diane. "Beth never picked out a name. We are open to suggestions."

Goliath thought for a moment. He looked up at Diane. "What about Elisabeth?"

The baby fussed.

Diane giggled. "Elisabeth? Do you like that, little one?"

The baby fussed again.

"I'll take that as a yes," said Diane with a big smile.

Goliath was smiling as well.

"I should take her inside," said Diane. "It's a little chilly for her."

"Could you send Brooklyn up here, Diane? Please?" Goliath asked, folding his wings around his shoulders, draping them over his arms to keep little Elisabeth warm.

Diane nodded and went inside.

Goliath peered at Elisabeth. He moved to the parapets and jumped from the roof, spreading his wings and gliding around the castle. Elisabeth did not make a sound. She seemed content in the air.

"It is a vast world out there, Elisabeth," said Goliath. "Do not fear. You will have your loved ones to see you through it. You will have your clan, too."

Brooklyn came out to see Goliath come in for his landing. He landed in the courtyard and sat on a stone bench. Goliath wrapped his wings around Elisabeth to warm her.

"You wanted to see me?" Brooklyn asked.

Goliath looked up. "Come here, Brooklyn."

Brooklyn stood in front of Goliath. "She's beautiful," he said.

"One of nature's gifts," said Goliath with a faint smile. He looked up at Brooklyn, his face becoming solemn. "I want you to promise me something, Brooklyn."

"Anything, Goliath," said Brooklyn.

"I want you to swear on the stones of our ancestral home and Elisa's grave that you will not let any harm come to this child," said Goliath.

"I swear," promised Brooklyn.

Goliath nodded. "Good."

They turned back to Elisabeth.

"Diane told me that you named her," said Brooklyn.

"I hope I was not offending Beth by naming her child," said Goliath.

"No, no," said Brooklyn. "She is happy that you chose the name. Elisabeth won't know her real father. You'll make a good surrogate, Goliath."

"No." Goliath's voice was very soft and Brooklyn wasn't sure that he heard him correctly. "No, that honor will be left to you. Lead the clan well, Brooklyn. It is time you stepped up to lead permanently. Hudson will guide you."

"What about you?" asked Brooklyn, startled.

"I must go tell Elisa the good news," Goliath said.

"What?" cried Brooklyn, horrified by his statement.

"Farewell, my clan." Goliath gently kissed Elisabeth's brow. "Good-bye, Elisabeth."

Goliath raised his head slightly, but his chin rested on his chest. His arms and wings went limp, causing Elisabeth to begin to slide to the ground.

Brooklyn quickly scooped her up. Holding Elisabeth in one arm, he shook Goliath's shoulder with his free hand. "Goliath? Goliath! Wake up! Goliath!"

A wail of pure anguish shattered the peaceful and happy mood of Castle Wyvern, mourning the passing of the clan's leader.


So what do you think? Feed back appreciated.