Chap. 3

"Where have you kids been?" King John asked in a sternly tone.

"Outside in the grassy fields," said James as he tried to lie to his dad.

"Really?" said John while still being stern. "Because 1 of my guards told me that you've been heading towards the meadow this morning. Care to explain?"

"We only wanted to have fun in the meadow," said James.

"James. Susan. I forbid you from going to the meadow," ordered John.

"But daddy," said Susan.

"Don't talk back to me Susan. Both of you, to your room. Immediately."

Once James and Susan were in their room, they discussed on what to do next.

"How will see Pearl & Julian now?" Susan asked in a worrisome manner.

"I don't know," said James. "But if they make their way here, dad will capture them."

"Hope daddy doesn't get them."

"Me too."
Later in the night, the children were sleeping, but something was tapping on the glass window & it woke them up. Once James got up from his bed, he opened the window & was surprised to see Julian & Pearl hanging up-side down.

"Susan," whispered James. "It's Julian & Pearl."

Susan was happy to hear the news as got out of bed.

"Hello children," whispered Pearl.

"Hi Pearl. Hi Julian," whispered Susan. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to see you."

"But if our dad or the guards see you, they'll capture you," said James.

"We know you're concerned about our safety," said Julian. "But we thought it would be a good idea to come here & see you during the night. That is, if your father's guards don't see us."

Julian & Pearl entered James & Susan's room.

"Hmm. It's not so bad in here," observed Julian.

"Are you sure about this?" asked James.

"Trust us," said Julian. "We're good at hiding in the dark."

Susan & James walked behind the griffins & hugged their tails.

"You two love to hug our tails, don't you?" asked Pearl.

"Uh-huh," said Susan. "We love you." And that surprised the griffins, which brought tears to their eyes.

"We love you too," Pearl said tearfully. The griffins gently wrapped their tails around the kids' waist, knowing they care so much about them. But their embrace was cut short when they heard footsteps from outside the kids' room.

"Someone's coming!" alerted James. The griffins quickly climbed to the roof of the tower. After that, the kids closed the window & went back to their beds. John quietly opened the door & checked on his kids. They were (pretending to be) asleep & he closed the door. The kids woke up after John descent towards the stairs. James opened the window & let the griffins in again.

"Take care now," Julian said as he & Pearl hugged the kids. The griffins then flew out of the tower & made their way back to their cave.

"You think we'll play with them again?" asked Susan.

"I hope so," replied James. Julian & Pearl flew back to the forest & went inside their cave. It was small, but it had plenty of room inside. Then they started to discuss on what's next in the future.

"James & Susan are very nice children," said Pearl.

"They are," said Julian. "But do you think their dad & everyone else will accept us?"

"I hope so," said Pearl. "Although, I still fear that they'll see us for who we are."

"And what's that?" Julian asked.

"Monsters," Pearl said in a fearful tone. Julian knows that Pearl's scared of trying to make peace with humans, & change can be scary. He came to her side & comfort her by putting his left wing over her left shoulder. "Shhhh. There, there," he said. "I'm here. I'm here. Things aren't always easy, but we need to make the most of it. Even if the kids grow older, I'm sure they'll remember us."

Pearl wiped her tears & looked at Julian in the eye. "Thanks Julian. That made me feel better." They both laid on their stomachs & went to sleep.