Siren Song
Epilogue: Dreams
"… I'm going to need a very long nap." – Puck, in "The Mirror."
"Not long now."
Molly spoke quietly. She, Fox, Owen, and Alexander, along with his wife and children, were all gathered by the bedside of David Xanatos. While never having achieved his dream of immortality, he had, among his many other accomplishments, lived to see his one hundredth birthday, and beyond. But even he could not defy fate. Molly had known his death was coming, and she had warned him to be ready, just as she had warned him years ago about his own father's death, affording him the opportunity to say goodbye. Unlike the mortals all those centuries ago, the Xanatos family did not resent or misunderstand her talent; rather, they valued her place in their lives and respected all of her abilities, including this one.
Fox wiped away a tear and glanced out the window. "It's almost sunset," she remarked. "The clan should be here soon."
Over the years, the relationship between the Xanatos family and the Manhattan Clan of gargoyles had grown strong. Part of the reason was due to the eventual success of the Restoration Project, which had allowed the Mutates to return to their original human selves. Among them of course was Elisa Maza's brother, Derek, also known as Talon. Since Elisa was so beloved of the clan (and of Goliath in particular), it had gone a long way to mending fences. Then of course, there had been all that business with Coldstone, Coldfire, and Coldsteel. Working together, the fay and part-fay members of the family had been able to use magic to turn each of them into living, breathing gargoyles, rather than machines. Of course, it was then up to the clan to defeat the evil one, which proved to be a bit trickier than anticipated, but over all, the gargoyles had been grateful.
They had also been grateful for Xanatos' protection and advocacy when the existence of gargoyles had become common knowledge in the world. Xanatos would not live to see the Gargoyle Rights Amendment passed, but everyone was fairly certain that it would go through in a few months' time.
For all his good deeds towards them, however, Xanatos still remained himself, a schemer, a game player, a trickster: it had been the reason Puck had been drawn to him in the first place. But he was also a family man, and as generous to his friends as he was dangerous to his enemies.
Speaking of friends…
The gargoyles entered the room. Their numbers had grown, although one was missing; Hudson had passed a few years ago, something which she had helped prepare them for. The great beast Bronx had also died, and Molly, to her own surprise, had taken no pleasure in or relief from his death. But there were others now who had joined the family: Brooklyn's mate Katana, their beast Fu-Dog, and the hatched eggs of the clan: Artus, Gwenyvere, Lancelot, Nashville, and Tachi.*
As if their entrance were a cue, Xanatos spoke. "I see everyone's here. Hmm. I feel like I should say something really profound right now." He took a painful breath.
"So, does anyone think my tombstone should read, 'Most brilliant man who ever lived'? Because I have to say, I kind of like the sound of that."
"Oh David," Fox said, laughing and crying at the same time.
"I see even death cannot humble you, my friend," Goliath said.
"Did – did you hear that? Fox, Alex, did you hear that? He called me 'friend.' I have witnesses – Owen, are you taking notes? Tell me you got that …" he laughed, and then began to cough. His wife stroked his face, muttering an incantation, and his coughing ceased.
"It hasn't been long enough," he said softly. "Not nearly long enough. There's so much more I want to do… oh, to be immortal …"
"Immortality has its price, sir," Owen said softly. "Sometimes it means you have to watch your friends die."
Xanatos smiled weakly. "Speaking of immortals, I'd like to see two of my friends as they really are."
With that, both disguised fay reverted to their true forms.
"That's better. I hope someday you find your way home. Owen … Puck … I never told you … how sorry I was … I never meant …"
"It's alright, Davey boy," Puck said. "I made my choices, and I live with them. Besides, it hasn't been so bad in the mortal world." He glanced over at the Banshee, smiling and slipping his hand into hers.
"Take care of them, will you? All of them. My wife, my family, my friends… even if you get back to Avalon, you will check in on them every now and then, won't you? Make sure they're all right?"
"Always," Puck promised.
"Always," Banshee echoed.
"Fox, Alex, I love you so much …"
"I love you too dad," Alex said, his voice breaking.
"We all love you, David," Fox said. "Sleep now. Dream now. We'll see you on the other side."
David Xanatos died peacefully during the night, in his home, surrounded by those he loved. He was 106 years old. He left the majority of his wealth to his wife and son, but also bequeathed gifts to the Manhattan Clan, and his two loyal employees and friends, Owen Burnett and Molly O'Riordan.
It would be many, many years yet before Fox died, thanks to her half-magic heritage. Indeed, she found eventually she had to disappear, because her longevity was starting to raise suspicions, although she was still able to maintain frequent contact with her loved ones. Titania even convinced Oberon to allow her to visit Avalon from time to time.
Owen and Molly were afforded no such luxury. They remained with Alexander and his family, fulfilling much the same roles for him that they had for his father, helping him in his role as CEO of Xanatos Enterprises. Very soon, they would be required to take on new mortal identities if they wished to continue, having allowed their current guises to age naturally.
And they would continue to serve the Xanatos family, and to be part of it, until they were called home, if they were ever called home at all. The Banshee had not attached herself to a mortal family like this since ancient times, and Puck had never attached himself, period, but things had changed for both of them.
They still missed Avalon, of course, but it was never unbearable, because they had a family. They had a place in the mortal world. And of course, they had each other. It was enough to sustain them.
Many nights now, as their true selves, they floated above the castle that rose above the clouds, watching the mortals, their mortals, protecting, guiding, teaching, and dreaming, always dreaming, of some day returning to Avalon.
"I love you, little siren."
"Don't call me that, Puck. And I love you too."
*The names of Brooklyn's mate, his gargoyle beast, and the hatched eggs of the clan are all taken from the Gargwiki site. The first three listed hatchlings are the biological offspring of Broadway and Angela; the final two belong to Brooklyn and Katana.