An old woman sat in a rocker, in a small room, reading a book from the library. It was her favorite thing to do since her longest, dearest friend past away. She knew he would pass on but figured it would have been from old aged. Since it was in the middle of day, her adopted children were not awake. Normally she wasn't in the room, until near bedtime. She'd spend about an hour reading a book.
This small room had a window with the long, thick, green curtains drawn closed. A small fireplace sat in the corner, with the rocker sitting off to the side so the fire glow of the fire would give light to read.
The door to the room creaked opened, bringing in a middle age man. "What are you doing, my love," he said, with a heavy Scottish accent, as he walked into the room. "The sun is still quite high in the sky. You usually don't come in here until after dark."
The woman turned to the sound of the voice. "I know but I feel sad today and I didn't want to bother you." Her voice was also thick with a Scottish accent.
"Bother me." The man walked into the room and over to the curtain closed window. He pulled the curtain for the sun to pour in. "Why would you bother me?"
The woman squinted her eyes to allow her eyes adjust. "Ever since Angela left, I have been thinking of the past. Much time has past since my father passed away and yet to me it feels as though it's only been 60 years."
"You were only a young woman when your father passed. But looked at what you gained. You said yourself that you used to believe the Gargoyles were a threat and it took until the castle was pillaged to realize the error of your ways."
"I blamed the Gargoyles for my father's death. I owe Goliath so much."
"Don't beat yourself up," the man said. "He lives and has been able to move on, just as we have. If we hadn't left, you would have married a man who murdered your uncle."
"Even that seems not that long ago. So much time has gone by but yet not enough."
"Katherine, what has brought this all on? Couple of hours ago, you seemed very cheery."
"I don't know. When you went to check on the Gargoyles, I started feeling sad."
"I have a solution," a voice said.
Katherine and Tom turned to sound and saw Tatiana, Lady of Avalon.
"What brings you over?" Tom asked.
Tatiana ignored the man for the moment. "I could allow you to visit Goliath in New York."
"You could do that?" Katherine exclaimed. "Is that a good idea? I do not know that world. Only from what I've seen when the Archmage came and what Elisa had."
"Princess Katherine, you have lost a life and gained a new one. You have gone through what most would read in fairy tales or dream of. You have gone from owning a castle to being forced to marry to taking refuge here on Avalon. Lord Oberon gave you access to stay on the island. Now I wish to give you something."
"Why would you want to help us?" Tom asked.
This time Tatiana did not ignore the man. She turned to him. "Something is about to occur and Goliath will need much support. I do not know what is about to happen but I know it will change everyone lives, including mine and yours."
"That world is so different than what I knew. From what Tom has told me when he was there to get Goliath, it's a dangerous world."
Tatiana turned back to the princess. "I will admit poverty and fighting has never stopped but life has evolved to better needs. There are new illnesses but the illnesses you knew of, do not exist anymore. Women have a say in the world and they have their own mind and voice."
Katherine thought for a moment. "Well, ever since meeting Elisa, I have been curious of how she became such a strong willed woman who will fight. And through her, I have come to learn that magic has turned into what is called science."
"I should also let you know that Elisa and Goliath have taken a big step into their friendship."
"What kind of step?" Katherine asked.
"They are to be married," Tatiana stated.
"Married!" Tom blurted. "Is that even possible for a human and Gargoyle?"
"Elisa has decided that having a life with a human will not fulfill her life. And Goliath came to the same realization. The two are close friends and love each other as much as a normal couple can. They don't care if they can't mate there's more to life than that."
"I don't know if we should leave the Gargoyles here unprotected," Katherine said.
"They can go as well. I'm sure Goliath and the rest of the clan would love to see their rookery children. Rookery children they have never gotten to meet, with the exception of Angela, who is being acquainted with her mother and helping her to come to terms of her wicked ways."
"Demona! But I thought she was cast out from the clan?" Tom said.
"She was but through Angela, she has started her healing process," Tatiana smiled. "Demona is going to become a very reliable asset to the clan in the end. With her ability to be human in day and Gargoyle at night, she will be a big help. If you wish to go to New York and see what has become of your castle, come to the throne room. Oberon and myself will be there."
"Thank you," Katherine said as she stood and gave a slight bow
Tom followed his loves lead and bowed as the Queen of Avalon left the room.
"We have much to discuss," Tom said. He looked out the window to see there was still two hours of daylight. "Before deciding, let us go outside and enjoy the rest of the day and we discuss it there. You have been cooped up in this room for a while."
Katherine nodded. She walked over to her 'husband' with renewed energy. With Tatiana giving them the opportunity to see New York, perhaps she will be able to get some answers to some of her troubled thoughts.
When Tatiana reached the throne room she noticed that her husband was about to say something. She placed her hand in the air. "I know what you're going to say. And before you ask, I will answer. I was over visiting our human occupants, inviting them a chance to see Goliath."
"My dear, why would do that?" Oberon asked. Not very often did he question his wife's decisions but when it didn't concern them or Avalon, he got questionable.
"Princess Katherine is lonely and would like other human contacts. She's been reminiscing her past and it has made her upset. I figure since the human Elisa has been here to Avalon and got a taste of what the old world was like, it's high time for the Princess to do the same. Plus also what I fear is going to happen, Goliath will need support."
"If that is the case then, I will allow a portal to be permanently opened to allow these humans access to the outside world. Only the Princess, her husband and the Gargoyles will have access to it. No outsiders of the human world will."
"Elisa Maza perhaps should have the privilege as well. She is much of a clan member as one could get, especially since she's going to marry Goliath."
Oberon sighed. "Very well, my love." He stood from his throne and walked over to his wife. He gently grasped her hand and kissed it. "You have my consent to allow the human woman to travel here as she's been here once before. I shall travel over to the human world and decide on where the portal shall be place."
"To keep the peace between my daughter, allow your presence to be known. Xanatos still hasn't forgotten what we almost did."
"I shall do what my wife asks of me." Oberon turned away and disappeared in a blue swirl. He reappeared in the lobby of Castle Wyvern, in the room, where Xanatos and his wife were discussing some of their own plans. He smiled as Xanatos turned and watched his wife give a look of terror.
"Do not worry, I'm not after your child. My wife has already ended that score by allowing the Gargoyles to interfere and convinced me to leave the child alone."
"Then what are you doing here?" Xanatos questioned.
"There are humans on my island who have been granted access to visit their once known castle. I am here to allow that access by opening a portal that will allow them to come. However only they and the human Elisa Maza will be able to enter through as well as the Gargoyles."
"Once known castle?" Xanatos was at a loss.
"Two old inhabitants of this castle fled to my island, known as Avalon, where they have lived for the past thousand years. And the reason they are still alive is simple. Avalon's time passes differently than this world. Therefore the humans have only lived on my island for approximately 60 years."
"Princess Katherine?" Fox said. "Goliath said that she was the princess who lived in this castle but left when the Vikings attacked. He also said he found them still alive to this day, living on a magical island."
"Goliath speaks the truth," Oberon said. "Now if you excuse me, I must search. Unless you have a private area where this portal can reside."
"I suppose I can't talk you out of this," Xanatos said.
"No. What Lady Tatiana wants, she gets."
Xanatos thought for a moment. He allowed his body to relax but didn't take his eyes off the lord. He knew that there would be nothing he could do if the lord decided to attack him. "Actually yes there is a spot."
"David?" Fox warned.
Xanatos turned to his slightly frightened wife. "My dear, we have come to terms that you are a daughter of a magical person. I doubt your mother would allow her husband to harm us."
"Your right, Tatiana had made me promise that I would not hurt you."
Xanatos turned back to the lord. "There's one part of the castle that I did not modify too much. Perhaps the library would be best. I have no need for the room and it's Goliath's favorite room. The only modification that was put into the room was electricity but it was designed to look like middle ages."
"Show me this room so I may place the portal."
"Owen!" Xanatos called.
Moments later his trusted advisor slash employee walked into room. When he walked in, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. "Lord Oberon."
Oberon laughed. "Your human ego suits you Puck. It is quite amusing that you are permanently confined to human." It had taken Oberon a few seconds to realize who Owen was. He remembered that name before but couldn't place it. He was the one who was Xanatos's right hand man.
"Yes, well…" Owen started as he pushed up his glasses. "That is punishment for defying your request."
"That it is."
Owen turned from his lord to his employer. "You called for me sir?"
"Yes, Lord Oberon has insisted on seeing the library. Since you know him, I can trust you with him."
"Of course," Owen answered," This way, my Lord."
As Owen and Oberon walked down the many hallways and stairs to the Library, Oberon decided to make conversation.
"You have accept your punishment well and with this portal, I'm considering of allowing you to limited access to your powers."
"If I may ask but what portal is that, my Lord?"
"I trust that you can keep this from the Gargoyles and from the humans. Queen Tatiana has sensed a disturbance that will affect not only the Gargoyles but also the humans and us. She has offered a chance for Princess Katherine to visit her ancestral home. I have decided that she will not only have a chance to visit but have a portal opened between both worlds."
"And it's best for this portal to be out of pubic eye," Owen deducted. "That is wise. Many humans have been here in recent months and it's good to allow the Princess to slowly make her way around. Here we are."
They made it to an end of a hallway. Owen pushed open the doors, allowing his lord to enter. Upon entering, they realized they were not alone.
"Lord Oberon," Goliath called from one of the sofas. Elisa was sitting beside him. "What brings you here?"
"Wishes of my queen," he simply said. "You may leave now Puck."
Owen slightly bowed and left. When he was gone, Oberon continued. "Queen Tatiana has asked Princess Katherine to come to this world and visit you and this castle."
"That will be a dangerous venture for her," Elisa said.
"I have to agree with Elisa," Goliath said. "This is not an environment for the Princess to come to."
"The decision has been made and this room will be host for the portal and it will be a portal that will allow you and the rest of your clan to pass through as well as your clan on the other side. Including your soon to be wife but no others. And I will not be persuaded to have anymore. I draw the limit with Elisa."
"What about Demona?" Goliath asked.
"Once she has proven her worth by me, she will have access as well. She has tried to destroy humanity on more than one occasion and for that this will be her punishment. She will not have access to see her clan on the other side unless they come here."
"When will be expecting her?" Elisa asked.
"Anytime after I place the portal up." Oberon turned away from the couple and walked over to a corner of the room. The corner was plain. There were no pictures or paintings but he was sure at one time there was. "This will be the perfect place."
He moved a little away from the corner to face a wall and raised his hands above his head with his fingertips pointing up. Taking his hands, he began to bring his hands down as if he was drawing an imaginary circle. But once he had a half circle completed, he brought his hands straight down so his fingers pointed to the floor. He then blew onto a wall and a mirror was formed.
The mirror was shaped differently than his or even Tatiana's mirror. This mirror stood ten feet high and went to the floor. All around it was framed in cedar wood with carvings from the middle ages. "This will be point of entry."
He moved away from the mirror to face the corner and swung his hands around in the same similar manner. This time, though, when he blew into the wall a corner fireplace was formed as well as another identical mirror on the other side.
With his work complete, he turned back to the couple. "The mirror on the right will be the portal and the other is just for looks. The Princess will slowly adjust to this new world."
Lord Oberon smiled and then disappeared in blue swirls.
"Angela will be thrilled to see Princess Katherine again."
Goliath turned to his fiancée. "That she will but I'm worried that she will not adjust as well as we did."
"What makes you say that she'll need adjust? She's lived on Avalon for close to 60 human years."
I have a feeling that Oberon has something planned. I'm sure he agreed to this too easily. But the question is what. The Princess is too old to be given a new life."
"Goliath, I think you're worrying too much into this," Elisa said as she stood up from the sofa and walked over to the lavender giant. She placed her arms around his mid section as best as she could and leaned into his chest. "As I was saying before we were interrupted. I asked Angela to be part of the wedding party."
Goliath wrapped his wings around the small woman. "And what did she say."
"She was thrilled. I'm going to ask Beth tomorrow if she'll be my maid of honor. I was going to ask Angela but she's still quite new to the world and Beth would be upset if she wasn't."
"I suppose she would. I've only met her once but she seems to be the type to get disappointed."
"What happened about the girl you rescued last night?"
"When she placed in her statement, Hudson and I escorted her home. The amazing part is she lives in the same apartment building as you do."
"Really? That is amazing. What exactly happened?"
"The short version is, the girl was being chased by two men and we stopped in an alleyway. Afterwards I offered her a flight over to the station so she could put in a statement."
"I suppose she was a possible rape victim?"
"Yes but one thing that disturbed was she said she was a victim before."
"That's sad." Elisa couldn't imagine what it's like to be a victim. But she was sure it was something that was hard to get over, if it was possible to get over.
Goliath didn't like the way the direction the conversation was going and decided to change the subject. "If the Princess does come, I do not want her to leave the castle."
"That is probably a good precaution. Did you want to tell the others about her possible visit and that we can travel over there?"
"No. I want to wait until she makes the first visit. They know she still lives but it will excite them more to see her in person."
Oberon returned back to his realm as his wife waited for him. She smiled as he walked over to her.
"The task is done. Whenever she's ready the portal will open. The portal will be in our library, which is joined to their library."
"That is wise, Xanatos has visitors all the time. This way, no one will see their entrance."
"I am considering of giving Puck limited amount of powers."
"Besides only allowing him to use his powers when it's my grandson's concern."
"Yes. He seems to have learned his lesson. Though I would like to see him suffer, I suppose having a protector of the portal takes priority."
"That will still keep my grandson safe."
"You might as well let the Princess know of the portal."
"Yes, my Lord." Queen Tatiana bowed and disappeared. She reappeared in the courtyard where she knew the humans were. They always would go there to spend the last rays of sunlight together before greeting their winged friends.
"Queen Tatiana," Princess Katherine said. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."
"I know I said to see me in the throne room, but I thought to inform you that the portal to the real world has been set up. You may enter it through the library which will take you to the library in on the other side."
"Thank you," Tom smiled. "The other Gargoyles will be happy to learn they will be able to visit their peers."
"Perhaps it might be best to venture now before sunset. That way you can see the clan. It will soon be sunrise there. You will be back before sunset."
Katherine looked at Tom as he shrugged. "It's up to you, my dear."
She turned back to the Avalon queen. "We'll go."
Tatiana smiled. "For now, I'll transport you there myself so you may spend as much time with them as possible. I will warn you now the castle is nothing like you remember it. The library is probably the only room that still resembles its original form.
"Thank you."
Tatiana waved her hands in the air and in a flash the trio disappeared and reappeared in the library of Castle Wyvern. Luckily for them, Goliath was in the library.
Goliath turned to the flash of light and gasped.
Katherine looked up at the sound. "Goliath," she greeted.
"Princess," Goliath said with a small smile. "Welcome to the 20th century."
She looked out the library windows and saw a small amount of cloud coverage. In the distance, she could see towers of lights in several shapes and sizes. It was something she wasn't expecting. She didn't know what she was expecting.
With a quick sweep of the room, she could see that it still had the same furniture but the library had more books. The desk she used to sit at as a child seemed the same but she was sure something was different with it. She also noticed there were soft looking chairs and benches in the room.
None of the paintings were no longer lined the walls, due to the fact that she took them when she left Castle Wyvern in the first place. They were paintings of her parents and of different landscapes that were done, of the castle. There were even paintings of the Gargoyles.