*Summary*
The hatching is near. An introspective Hudson remembers back to the time of his last child's hatching. Just as Goliath and the clan await the new generation.

*Disclaimer*
All Gargoyles and characters are copyrighted 1996 by Disney and Buena Vista Television. Any characters that appear in this story are their property. (They ain't mine.)

Any characters that appear in this story that have not been seen in the Gargoyles television program are the sole creation of the author. Any resemblance to characters already created is purely coincidental. (They are mine.)

* * *

Alexander looked at his father sadly. "I can't give you immortality. I may be fey, but I'm not a god."

Xanatos sighed. "You're a better man than I am, my son. Puck has trained you well." He moved away, frowning. "It's just that, I look at Halcyon Reynard and I get this fear inside me..."

"I know dad. I know. But I've been trying to prolong grandfather's life as long as possible. It's not immortality, but it seems to make him happy. He's been able to see Morganna, Johanna, and Shoshan. Why, in time even the gargoyles will get old and die."

Hudson quietly stepped away from the door. Unwilling to let the two humans see him, he faded away into the shadows.

Scotland 908 a.d.

The elder gargoyle growled, then flexing, burst out of its heavy stone skin, shaking his head as stone chips flew everywhere. Grunting, he tugged up his belt then looked at his clan. The other elder males were gathering, talking. The bonded males were soaring to their mates, embracing, whispering. Tomorrow would be the Breeder's Moon.

Not that he cared.

His mate had died thirty years before and he now stood alone. There would be no more children from this body. All he had was time. Time to watch over his clan. He was known as Elder. Of his clutch, he was the only survivor. His survival was testament of his intelligence and resourcefulness. Therefore, he led the clan. They trusted him with their lives because he was still living his.

Stretching his mighty wing span, Elder hopped off his pedestal to join some of the other unbonded males. "Well, brothers, what are you going to do tonight?"

They glanced at him but didn't answer, their gazes returning to what they had been looking at when he arrived. He sighed and looked also. 'Twas a female gargoyle from the last hatching, a sable haired beauty the color of deep twilight. Elder had to admit that she was attractive; she had a human like face, and a browridge like that of a six point stag's. Her wings were among the largest of the whole clan, a rarity for a female. Tomorrow would be her first Breeder's Moon.

Not that he was going to participate. He had been spared the last Breeder's Moon because his mate had died. Melancholy and grief had overridden the mating urge, and he had stayed grounded, wings wrapped about himself, shunning any attempts at conversation. But seeing his clanmates' lustful gazes centered on her, he felt faint stirrings.

All of them were startled from their perusal of the female by a large blue skinned male, whose physical appearance marked him as sibling to the female they had been watching so intently. No one would ever know if he was her brother or not, since gargoyle parents didn't claim their children, but the resemblance was unmistakable. His brow ridge sported twin horns that looked a bit like a spike bucks. His long dark hair fell to the middle of his back and was the same dark sable color as the female's.

He looked around at the other males, growling softly.

The Elder started a bit guiltily. "Well youngster, tomarrow'll be Breeder's Moon.

How is your mate tonight?"

The younger gargoyle looked at his leader questioningly. "She is fine. What of my rookery sister?"

The Elder glanced at Sable Hair. "What about her?"

"As you said, tomorrow is Breeder's Moon. There is talk calling for the older males not to participate. That it should be a young males night."

The Elder scoffed, "You know as well as I, that during Breeder's Moon a male has no choice in the matter. It is all we can do not to fall upon the first female we *see*. How do you propose keeping elder males away from the females?"

The younger shrugged. "That is not my problem."

"Nor is it mine." Elder snapped. He stared off at Sable Hair.

She was performing her evening toiletry. Her only vainglory were her wings, which she was currently spreading as she rubbed oil into the skin. The process was made even more distracting to the watching males because she was flirting with her watchers; a flash of an eye here, a sly glance there.

Oh yes, she was flirting. She turned her wing this way and that beckoning any of the males that watched her. Daring them to gather their courage and come closer.

The Elder sighed. "I can do nothing to discourage the older males. Breeder's Moon is the only time that the clan has a chance to repopulate the kith. I will do nothing."

He turned to the other males who were watching Sable Hair and laughed. "If you keep watching her, your eyes will pop outta your heads. Come lads! We'll hunt now."

Reluctantly the males turned, going to their perspective sleeping places to get their hunting gear and joining the Elder as he gathered them to go hunting for the first meal.

The Elder turned one last time to the young male.

"I can promise nothing, but I will try."

The younger looked deeply into the Elder's eyes then slowly nodded. "I am counting on you." he said. Then spread his wings and soared off to rejoin his mate.

New York, 2012 a.d.

Goliath looked on approvingly as the females of the clan sat close to the couches holding their eggs. The males, Broadway, Brooklyn, and Lexington, had taken up positions slightly behind them, their eyes aglow with white light. From their throats came a low pitched thrumming that tickled the ear and tingled at the flesh. In his excitement, even he was unable to resist the sounds that came from his own throat.

But mostly, he fidgeted. He was too excited to sit still like the others, and there were still other people to gather. The more people gathered in the Rookery, the faster and smoother the hatching would go. Something about a group of people *attracted* the unhatched gargoyles; made them break out of the egg quicker.

He wondered distractedly where Hudson had gone off to. He was supposed to be bringing Xanatos and Alexander. Already present, tucked out of the way, was Morganna, her dark green eyes riveted on the large eggs that sat in their couch.

Morganna was a strange child, considering who her parents were, and in comparison to her brother. Morganna *loved* the gargoyles with a single minded intensity that alarmed her father. Fox tried to temper her obsession by trying to get her to work on her art (at only seven years of age, she was an accomplished artist). Much to her mother's dismay, her favorite subjects just happened to be the gargoyles.

Owen tried in his way also, to wean her off the gargoyles by tutoring her in the academics and her Power. But unlike her brother, Morganna didn't need to spend time pouring over Latin texts. She knew her spells; they were already within her mind. She merely had to focus on what she wanted, visualize, and complete it. It was all willpower for her. And so far her willpower was centered on the gargoyles.

She seemed to be a happy child, expressive with family and friends but otherwise quiet and reserved. It was her silence that had been most disconcerting to her family. She didn't laugh like other children; she didn't sing; as a baby, she hardly ever cried. And she did not speak, choosing to express herself through her eyes and body language. At first they had feared that she was deaf, but after exhaustive medical testing the doctors had concluded, with some bafflement, that she just simply did not want to speak.

And with the gargoyles, she didn't have to. They accepted her for who she was; for what she was. They weren't afraid of her, and she repaid their acceptance of her with unconditional love. She practically lived with the clan. If you wanted to find Morganna, look for the gargoyles.

It was Morganna who took the toddler, Johanna, to the gargoyles when she was two. It was Morganna who placed the three month old Shoshan in Goliath's arms. It was Morganna who had started to break down walls between the Xanatos' and the clan. And now she was in what she considered her rightful place: with the gargoyles, as they awaited the newest members. Goliath turned his gaze away from the child. She was welcome.

He frowned and started for the door of the rookery. Where was Hudson?

Scotland 908 a.d.
Breeder's Moon

The moon's light touched all and turned it not silver, as he still expected, but golden. The Elder shook off the last of his stone skin, spread his wings and thrust himself into the air.

All around him, on other cliffs and scrapes, the other gargoyles were awakening. Females, eyes blazing red, began to vault themselves into the night sky. The males were quick to join them. With their pursuit and capture of a female, they would create a bond that could last a lifetime. The chase was on, and the grandest prize was yet to be awarded.

His flight took him right over the last place he should have been.

Sable Hair, shell just now cracking, screamed her battle cry and exploded from her sleep. She looked around her and saw those same males who had watched her last night gathering around. She screamed in defiance. The first male reached out to touch her, to stroke her dark mane of hair. She snapped at his hand and whirled, striking two more with her tail. They fell from their support into the gulch, spreading their wings and sailing slowly to other roosts. Sable Hair growled threateningly as the circle of males began to tighten.

The Elder had seen enough. Even though he too was affected by the pull, he resisted the urge of the moon. He closed his wings, giving full battle cry, and scattered the males who would deny the female her mating flight. With screams of surprise and disappointment, the males fell away, and Sable Hair saw her chance. She spread her powerful wingspan and launched herself into the sky, catching an updraft almost immediately. She cried out in her ecstasy, angling through the air, heading for the sea.

She gained altitude quickly, looking down with some amusement at the pursuing males. The only one she didn't see was The Elder. He already had caught an updraft and was soaring right above her.

He growled as lust and reason wrestled within him. His body said to dive, to catch her. It would be so easy. She would never see it. His mind urged him to rise, put distance between them; to hide in the coldness of a cloud bank, and be blinded by it.

He growled and followed his head. He rose quickly, lancing the cloud and disappearing within.

Sable Hair risked a look back at her pursuers. Her lead over them seemed insurmountable. Only the most canny, the swiftest, and the strongest would be able to overtake her. Only the most worthy.

She laughed at her cleverness. Tonight she would fly as she never had flown before in her life. She would fly far and fast, and only when exhaustion would claim her would she allow the pursuing males to catch her.

She called out to her followers and began to sing, a song that was quickly silenced as a dark shadow passed over her.

The Elder had tried desperately to get away from her. Yet as the cloud bank thinned and suddenly quit, there she was, just below him. He cursed himself for all kinds of a fool. What would he do with such a young female? His body knew and blazed with lust. His mind tried to temper his physical reaction, but instinct was too strong to ignore. The Breeder's Moon meant new life to the clan. To continue the bloodline was its imperative, and the night only knew that he was the last of his line.

*Enough talk!* His body knew exactly what to do. His wings folded and he plummeted downward, arms outstretched to catch his quarry.

Sable Hair gasped in surprise and outrage as arms encircled her waist and pulled her down. Totally surprised and now over weighted, her wings closed of their own volition and she fell with him. She screamed in terror and outrage, twisted and squirmed in the arms that were draped around her. The body pulled closer, its wings closing about them.

They tumbled head over heels, the night sky whirling in a dizzying array of starlight. She struggled for freedom, but her captor's grip was strong and sure. He had pulled himself up and now rested against her back. But he was not in the way of her wings.

With supreme effort, she snapped her wings out and they caught air, stretching to their fullest. Her muscles screamed in protest, but they held. As her body fell, her captor spread his own wings, slowing them further.

The Elder could feel the bridled fury within the female he now held. Underneath them was the ocean, black and endless. He laughed low in his throat. Well, he had her; now what do with her?

That, his body knew all too well. He reached up and kissed her lightly behind her ear.

Sable Hair snarled in defiance. Who was this unseen interloper that had caught her so easily? How dare he?! All her plans were ruined! She was to have control of the situation, to be able to choose who she would have as her mate. She would choose only the smartest and the most strong.

Hard and calloused hands were caressing her skin, and her protests began to melt. Had this suitor not proven that he was quicker than the rest? Had he not shown that he was smarter, by taking a position that was practically undefendable? And was he not proving that he was stronger? He had harnessed her massive wingspan; hers!

Yes, this male whoever he was, was worthy of only the best female. Worthy of her.

She turned heading toward the shore, toward a meadow over looking the sea. Her passenger -- her *mate* -- knowing that the battle was now won, closed his wings, allowing her to fly as she would with no interference from him. He rested his chin on her shoulder, nuzzling at her neck as his tail curled around her waist. She could feel the evidence of his arousal and that spurred her to quicken her decent.

Desire swept over her like a wave, and she struggled to maintain control of her landing. She needed to become one with him in the most intimate way possible.

The ground slid underneath them. She rose slightly, then landed heavily. Her legs refused to hold her; she stumbled and fell, but her unseen captor did not release her. He also stumbled, unable to get his balance, pulling her down till she lay atop him.

She gasped for breath, then with a trembling hand, pushed her hair out of her face. Hesitantly, she looked at the male who had captured her. Who would be the sire of her child. Who would be her mate for her lifetime.

She looked and felt shock reverberate within her. Never in her wildest imaginings did she even think that He would be the one to catch her. Never.

The Elder gazed at her, large dark eyes soft yet burning with a suppressed desire that was mirrored in her own feelings. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a soul searing kiss.

New York 2012

Hudson grunted with old memories. He no longer felt the surge of passion whenever he thought of his young mate, nor the pain of loss; only the warm tender emotion of love. He sighed, shook himself slightly and returned to the rookery. Goliath must be wondering where he was.

Goliath greeted him with a silent nod as he entered the room, and they watched as the female gargoyles of the clan milled about with unease. He smiled; they knew that the hatching would be soon.

Of the males, only Goliath could not remain still. He fidgeted constantly, sitting at one spot for a moment, eyes lit with white light which vanished again as he blinked. Moving to stand behind Elisa; reaching out to touch then thinking better of it, moving away. He began to pace the length of the floor, the sound of the thrumming a constant hum in his ears. This time, he did not join it.

Hudson shook his head, smiling. It would be Goliath who would have the hardest time with this.

Suddenly the large male rose and walked toward his mentor and friend.

"I can't stay here," he said urgently. "Come with me to get some air?"

Hudson nodded, and they exited together, slowly ascending the long, curving stairway.

"I thought that this was going to be the easy part," Goliath sighed. "I got through the laying with no problems, even with Elisa almost tearing my arm out of its socket."

Hudson chuckled. "Amazing how much strength a female has when in pain."

"You're telling me."

They exited the stairwell and stood atop one of the turrets. Below them the city buzzed, the sounds of traffic and people rising up from the streets.

"I can't believe that there will finally be children," said Goliath softly.

Hudson nodded. "Aye, it's been a long time. Too long. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to hold a child in my arms."

Goliath grunted. "I am surprised. Johanna seems to be with you more than Bronx is."

"Is it my fault that we like the same television programs?" Hudson smiled. "But to be truthful, I am a bit surprised that Xanatos allows her t' be with us."

"She is almost as much a member of the clan as Morganna is," mused Goliath. "Or Elisa."

A dark shadow fell across Hudson's gaze, and he reflexively ducked as he glanced up and saw, much to his own surprise, a familiar shape. One that he never thought he would see with an advanced warning.

"Demona," he breathed.

Goliath quickly turned, looking up.

The red maned gargoyle swooped down to circle above them, then closed her wings, dropping like a stone. At the last minute, she snapped them open, coming in to touch down lightly on the tower.

"Good timing, Demona," said Goliath warmly.

The outcast gargoyle flexed her wings, slightly wary. She looked at Hudson with a quick flash.

"Good evening. I... felt the call."

Goliath nodded, "Yes, it looks like it will be tonight. Come." he reached out a hand to her. She looked at it as though she would prefer to bite it, then grabbed for it.

Goliath drew her toward the stairwell. "Coming, Hudson?"

The older gargoyle turned away. "No, lad. I'll be a'staying up here for a bit. I'll be down later on."

Goliath nodded and continued with Demona downstairs.

Hudson listened as both gargoyles went down the stone stairs. He sighed, thinking about Demona and her situation. How must it have been for her, going through the agony of laying her egg completely alone? And how must it be for her now, going into the rookery?

He always pitied those females who had no one.

Scotland, 908 a.d.

The Elder burst out of his stone skin, roaring. He yawned hugely, then surveyed his clan. It was the third and last night of the Laying watch. Tonight the last of the females would lay their eggs, his young Sable Hair among them.

He turned his eyes toward the young female. She was gently picking the last of the stone from her arms, shaking the dust from her hair, caressing her wings.

He smiled. Always her vanity, those wings.

He spread his own and sailed toward her. She looked up with a faint smile.

"Coming to check on me?" she asked.

He placed a protective hand on her hard belly. "How can you doubt it? I cannot help but worry."

She laughed lightly. "There is no need. I don't think this little one is quite ready to make his appearance in the world." She looked up at the high cliffs. "Your brothers await you. Go and hunt. I will be fine."

He looked at her one last time, tucking a lock of her deep brown hair behind one of her horns. "I'll go. But I'll return soon."

"I'll be waiting."

He turned to spread his wings, allowing himself one last look at her over his shoulder before leaping from their perch. He soared over the others of his hunting party, calling out to them.

"Well, don't just stand there! There be deer in the forest and many mouths with empty bellies!"

Giving their battle cries, the others quickly followed him. But though his mind was on the hunt and providing for the others, his heart was not in it. He kept thinking back to Sable Hair and her hard middle. Tonight would be the night that she would lay her egg. All through the hunt, this phrase fluttered about his mind.

Luckily, it took hardly an hour for them to find and bring down a fine buck without incident, an absolutely magnificent beast with a rack of horns on him that spoke of its great condition. He silently saluted its spirit as the younger ones tied it to a pole, to aid them in flying it back to the cliffs.

As they were clearing the last ridge he saw Sable Hair, hand curved over her middle slowly making her away down to the rocky floor.

His eyes widened. It was time!

He swooped down and lighted beside her.

"My love?" he questioned, giving her his hand to clutch.

She smiled at him gratefully.

"It's time," she said simply.

A wealth of emotions flashed across his face before it settled on slight panic. He walked beside her as she struggled down the last of the stairs and to the egg chamber.

The Egg Chamber was old. No one knew who had carved it out of the stone or when it had first been used to for the purpose of holding eggs. Large couches the shape of oyster shells cradled the eggs till hatching.

Sable Hair groaned and doubled over, clutching her hard belly as a contraction shuddered through her. The Elder looked on with great alarm, made more acute by the fact that he could do nothing to help her alleviate the pain.

She sucked in a deep draft of air and slowly straightened, pushing her thick fall of hair back. She looked at her mate with a shaky smile. "Do not worry," she gasped, trying to reassure him. "All will be well."

He didn't look convinced. He bent low and scooped her up into his strong arms. She wound her arms around his neck as he settled her into one of the large couches.

She gritted her teeth, catching her breath as another contraction gripped her. He held her hand in a strong grasp as she struggled to bear the pain, then swung his legs over the edge of the couch to join her.

She panted, the contractions coming stronger. He sat on the couch and held her upper body in his arms. She looked up at him in gratitude, his arms encircling her while her own wound around his neck. Her tail thrashed, coming perilously close to striking another egg already in the couch.

The Elder entwined it with his own, leaned forward and crooned in her ear.

She grunted and bore down, hissing.

The Elder said nothing and continued to croon. Sable Hair's eyes blazed red as she felt the sudden shift within her. The contraction gripped her and would not let go.

She gave a battle cry but it came out high and weak, a high reedy whine. She gasped heavily as the pain let go suddenly. She twisted in the Elder's arms then stiffened, groaning low in her throat. Her whole body trembled with the effort she gave forth. She pushed, trying to expel the egg from her body.

She fell back into the arms of her mate, gasping for breath; gulped, then bore down again. Just as she thought that all her efforts were in vain, a great pressure left her. She felt her egg slide almost effortlessly from her, rolling slightly to rest between her legs.

She looked at it with surprise then fell back, laughing breathlessly.

"I am finished!" Her voice was weak, but rapidly regaining the strength of youth.

The Elder leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Sable Hair's sweaty temple and giving her an affectionate squeeze.

"Not yet, my love." He smiled widely. There was an ache in his back and his shoulders burned, but these were good pains. Soon, everything would be fine. With the birth of the egg, the pair-bond would work its magic, insuring that both parents stayed together for the sake of the child to come.

"We are not finished. We are just about to begin."

New York 2012 a.d.

Elisa looked up as the door to the rookery opened. When she saw the form of Goliath she relaxed, then abruptly stiffened as a second form darkened the doorway.

Demona.

The female gargoyle barely spared Elisa a glance, but she was used to being ignored. Even without the history of bad will between them, she had been made a gargoyle by magic, not born one, and even after ten years she still didn't understand all the nuances of being one. It was pointless to expect to be accepted, and she was just grateful that Demona had apparently decided to peacefully coexist with them.

She tried to dismiss Demona from her thoughts, turning her eyes back to her egg. The clan hadn't seen much of her since their little *adventure* in Zurich all those years ago.

Elisa had been perfectly happy with that arrangement, but Goliath's distrust was strong enough that he would rather have her within eyesight, so that he knew what she was up to.

Demona stopped and looked down at the only parentless egg in the couch. It rocked slowly side to side.

Slowly, reverently, Demona fell to her knees her shoulders gently shaking.

Elisa looked at her, slightly alarmed. "Demona?"

The outcast looked up, tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she snapped, violently wiping away the tears.

"For once, everything is going right." .

Elisa turned and looked up at Goliath. He simply shrugged and shook his head.

Scotland 910 a.d.

With the birth of their egg, peace was suppose to descend upon the kith. Instead, chaos arose.

Sable Hair was seen by the other gargoyles as Clan Leader's Mate -- the female equivalent of Elder. At first she had been honored and excited. She tried to help with the clan, but their problems and the circumstances most of the times were out of her circle of comprehension. The more she struggled under the weight, the heavier it became. Soon she became sullen and snappish, yet the clan still tried to tried to get her to lead.

She rebelled the only way she knew how. She did something that no bonded female would ever think of doing. She took a lover, and the other females were outraged.

"How are we to look up to you?"

"I don't want anyone looking up to me!" she shrieked.

A second female came closer, a matriarch whose eyes were red with rage. "You are the leader's mate, not some unbonded female who can lay about the meadows as she pleases. Betrayer!"

Sable Hair couldn't talk to the clan. There was no one who would understand her plight, though her lover tried his best. Her love for him deepened because of it, yet it wasn't the same.

The only one who might know what she was going through was Elder. She was loathe to bring such inconsequential matters up to him. But the hurt festered, and one day during a hunt where she was expected by the others to lead, she threw down her spear and ran away.

In desperation, she went to her mate.

The Elder just looked at her with soft eyes. "We are mates because of the Breeder's Moon. But that does not make you responsible for the whole clan. Be true to yourself, my love. Be what you want to be. Do what you want to do."

But he was always that way. Never accusing. He gave her life structure even while he tore it apart.

She was deeply confused. She was also very young. The intensity of the pair bond had faded with the birth of their egg. Now the time of incubation was trying on her. She wanted to be with her mate, but his responsibilities as clan leader forced her to wait till he was available. With her lover, she always came first.

But he was also young and ideological. A dreamer.

She had gotten used to the reality of her mate, and now in his presence she could see her lover more clearly; the male that she used, that she said she loved. She could see that he was as she was a few years ago. Immature and petty.

She would break it off, she thought. She wouldn't see him again.

New York 2012 a.d.

Hudson stretched stiffly. He was getting too old for staying out in the cold all night. Wings rustling, he rose to return to the comfort of the rookery.

Just as he was about to enter the door, he heard his name called. He turned to look down the corridor. His eyes lit on David Xanatos, Alexander, and Fox who was holding the young Johanna's hand; eighteen month old Shoshan in her arms.

The elder gargoyle's jaw dropped but he quickly closed it up again, trying to be gracious.

"Ah, Xanatos... I was coming for ye," he muttered.

David cast him a sly smile and opened the door for his wife. Fox nodded in greeting to the elder then entered, Johanna tugging at her arm.

David let the door slowly close behind his wife and children and looked at the gargoyle with an almost sheepish smile, quite unlike his usual sneer.

"Hudson I wanted to... talk to you. Apologize, really."

Hudson shook his head. "Why?"

Xanatos shrugged. "For everything. Remember that time I had you captured and was intent on dunking you into the Caldron of Life?"

Hudson stroked his beard, smiling faintly. "Aye. I also remember the look on your face when I escaped."

Xanatos coughed to cover up his discomfort. "Yes... well. I just wanted to say..." He looked away for a moment, his voice once more growing firm and strong. "I wanted to say I'm sorry. I was younger then." He grinned ironically. You were right. It's not how much time you get; it's what you do with the time you have. I've had to figure that out on my own. But my suffering has been made easier with Fox and the children." His eyes softened. "Can you believe we're planning on at least two more?"

Hudson tipped his head back and laughed mightily. "Looks like you know what you're going to do with your time!"

Xanatos grinned. "She's a beautiful woman. I love her."

Hudson looked at the human with an unreadable expression in his eyes. "So you've learned what love really is, eh?"

Xanatos nodded. "I wonder how I ever got through life without it before."

New York 2012 a.d.

The hatching vigil continued into the night. Elisa crouched close to her egg, keeping her eyes pinned on it. All her hopes and dreams depended on the child within, for whom she had sacrificed so much; gained so much.

She smiled softly. For the first time, she really felt a part of the clan.

Around her the male gargoyles were thrumming loudly, including Goliath, who had finally settled down long enough to seat himself with the others. The waiting was hard on him. He was used to acting, not reacting. And in this instance he could do nothing to hurry the process along.

A light knock came at the rookery door, but none of the gargoyles broke to answer it. It was Xanatos who got up and opened the door.

"It's about time you got here, Detective," he chided.

Elisa glanced at the door and saw Matt Bluestone smiling sheepishly. As he entered, Demona looked up, saw the one who had stolen her egg and hissed. Matt gave her a wide berth as he made his way around the couches.

Xanatos craned his head from the doorway and saw something that made him feel a little bit better. His personal assistant Owen with the rest of the invited guests, and a few surprises.

"Well, Owen, I see you've found a few stragglers."

Owen looked at Xanatos with his normal bland expression.

"They met the helicopter at the heliport. I was sure that Elisa would want to see them, and that they would be welcome."

Xanatos grinned. He loved to tug at Owen's chain simply because *nothing* ever phased the man.

"Well, bring them in!" He moved out of the way so the others could enter: First Owen, then Elisa's parents and sister. Then he let the door go and backed into the rookery as the other guests followed.

Elisa saw her parents, rose and hurried over to them.

"Mom! Dad! Beth! Boy, am I glad you're here!" She embraced her parents as one and reached out to touch Beth.

Peter Maza looked about the dark rookery with some trepidation. "Certainly is different from the hospital."

Elisa laughed. "I'd hope so." She looked over her parent's shoulders and gasped as she made out the dark forms of Talon and his wife, Maggie. Standing on his own was the nine year old Kit, his golden eyes large in his dark face. In Maggie's arms was the young Bess, her daughter and pride and joy.

"Talon! Maggie! I wasn't sure that you'd come." She released her parents and helped them around the couch to a place where they could sit and watch. Talon and the rest of his brood followed.

Elisa looked at her blood family and smiled widely. Matt, seeing her happy look, grinned. "Well Maza, looks like you fit in here really well."

Elisa nodded. "I love it here. Especially tonight. Can you believe it? Tonight, the egg will hatch!"

"And a new part of your life will begin."

Elisa nodded and looked about the room. Clan Xanatos was here; Clan Maza was here; the mutates were present, and of course her clan.

"It's perfect," she murmured. "It's home."

Scotland 918 a.d.

Elder looked approvingly at the eggs of the rookery. He knew this would be the last child of his body. He was too old to fly under the Breeder's Moon again.

The eggs sat in raised couches which had been carved and placed within this place long before even he had been hatched. The caverns were cold, dank, and uncomfortable. But they were the perfect place to incubate eggs.

Ten eggs occasionally rocked within their couch. The hatching would be soon.

He sighed, turned and started up the steps back outside. He must talk to Sable Hair. The decade of their pair bond hadn't exactly been torture, but neither had it been easy, especially on her. The clan still tried to look up to her, and she still resented it. She wasn't comfortable in the role of Leader's Mate. He had never forced upon her any mantle of leadership or responsibility, but still the clan harassed her.

Maybe it was best this way. They had stayed together over the span of years due to the demands of the pair-bond, but its call had begun to fade to a dull whisper. In time, it would vanish completely.

He would never fly under the Breeder's Moon again.

Many changes had occurred in the ten years since that first Moon. The humans had come, and with magic and sweat had created the castle named Wyvern. There was an uneasy alliance between the clans, held together by the leader of the humans, Bhruic. He was fair and open minded, and enjoyed the security that the gargoyles provided for the castle, but never forgot that this was their home and he was but a guest.

The gargoyles also had come to rely on the humans to watch over them during the day. With the entrance of humans back in their lives, the danger that they could be under had greatened considerably. Every evening the Elder counted the gargoyles to make sure they were all there. He might protect the humans but he still didn't fully trust them.

The gargoyles had gained in other ways also. They now had weapons made out of steel, and a few trinkets of gold that some of them wore for decoration. Trade and news came quicker, and attacks were lessened because the gargoyles, when they felt like it, could glide the humans to nearby villages.

For the gargoyles, the springing up of new villages was seen as more of a nuisance than a blessing. The clan had spent its whole life in isolation away from humans, and now they were again in human servitude. The Elder was the only one who had heard first hand accounts of humans, but he had only the old clan's word for it. He had been hatched in the wild cliffs that were now Wyvern.

He stopped as he entered the lower bailey. Most of the clan hated to stay cooped up within the walls of Wyvern and had left it to go hunting. He glanced at the place Sable Hair liked to roost and didn't find her. He would have to search for her.

Unlike most of the younger gargoyles, the Elder wasn't adverse to using the human walkways or stairs. Most of them made way for a gargoyle with good grace. Some still looked upon them as the Devil's minions, but those the Elder ignored.

Sable Hair looked at the deer she was about to bring down. Here with her lover, she was free from the demands of a clan that she was beginning to resent, and soon she would be free of her bond. Soon she would be able to do what she wanted when she wanted. She would no longer be the mate of Elder.

The arrow flew, missing its target by many wingspans. Slowly, she lowered the bow and watched as the deer bounded away.

Her lover hissed softly, looking at her in puzzlement. "You missed! What happened?!" She shrugged and turned away.

"Mo chridhe?" he queried.

She didn't answer him and unstrung her bow. What was she doing? She shouldn't be here. She should be with her mate. Her mate was Elder, clan leader. The Breeder's Moon had... what? Chosen him?

No. That wasn't right.

She quickly looked to the sky as a shadow passed overhead and saw the silhouette of a gliding gargoyle.

"Elder," she breathed.

Her lover glanced up but saw nothing. "What?"

"I must go," she said. She clutched her bow, covered her arrows, and hurried to the cliff.

"Wait!"

But she had already spread her wings and was soaring away to join her mate.

The Elder saw her almost immediately, twisting in midair to wait for her. She rose and came abreast him.

"Elder."

"Greetings, Beautiful," he said smiling. He looked down, searching for a place to land. "I think we should talk."

She looked at him, surprised and puzzled. Elder talked to her to give comfort and affection; he saved serious topics for his council and the clan. Normally, she was the one who approached him on serious issues. Mostly to complain.

She nodded and followed him as he turned into the wind and headed west toward the sea-cliffs. The wind howled with intense fury as they approached the steep rock face; in time, it vowed, it would destroy the rock and send it careening into the sea. But for now it was content to gnaw on it, taking off a stone here, a pebble there.

Elder folded his wings and came in with a running touch down, as Sable Hair simply closed hers fully and fell heavily to the ground. Both gargoyles quickly caped their wings and stood looking at each other.

Elder was the first to look away. He hurumphed as he stared at the thrashing sea.

Sable Hair watched him patiently, but with a sense of growing dread.

"My Beauty, what do you hear?"

That was not the question she had been expecting. She frowned, cocked her head and listened. "I hear the wind and the sea."

Elder shook his head, turned back to her and took one of her hands. "No, I mean in your heart."

"My heart?"

"Yes. What does your heart tell you?"

She shook her head. The question didn't make sense to her.

"I hear my heart beating."

"For who?"

She understood then. She looked at him then dropped her eyes. "It beats for you." she said softly.

"Does it? Be honest, my love. Honesty is the only demand I've ever made of you."

She looked up and met his eyes. She straightened and held tight to her courage. "Honestly?"

He nodded.

"Honestly then... it does not. It sings the song of the one I truly love. My lover; he with the arm-wings."

Elder sighed, looking relieved. "I thought as much."

Sable Hair blinked, "You're not angry?"

"Why should I be? I find you very beautiful and highly desirable. But you are also young and I am old. Too old to fly under the Breeder's Moon again. Have you not wondered why the voice of the Bond has quieted?"

She shook her head, slightly stunned.

"It's because it knows. Through my own folly I became your mate. Through my own blind lust I bound you to me. I knew that I should have stayed away from you that night. But I was not in control. Like every other male in the kith I had to have you.

"I took advantage of the circumstance. I am afraid I've also taken advantage of you. And I am sorry."

She blinked in confusion. "But why? We mated, we became a pair. We bonded."

"Yes, we bonded. But you were never to be *my* mate!"

He turned and thrust his arm in the direction of the castle. "You were to be your lover's mate, and I stole that freedom away from you! And I have paid for my folly. I have tried to let you continue to be free. I have tried to keep the other's expectations of what you do, down. I have tried to let you have as much of your life back as I stole, but in the end it is not enough."

He dropped his arm, sighed, and looked back to the sea.

"I am too old to fly under the next Breeder's Moon. The fire is no longer there." He uncaped his wings, stifling her protest. "Our pair bond has faded and I release you from your vows. Look to your lover for your comfort and love. I am Elder, clan leader, I dissolve any union I have had with you."

He spread his wings and let the wind catch and thrust him into the air.

Sable Hair watched him go, shattered. For years she had been trying to make something out of the Bond; tried to be what she had though he wanted her to be. And for years she had thrust away happiness. She had felt guilty when she was with her lover.

Everything that Elder said was true. The pair-bond, that mysterious force which kept two gargoyles together in lieu of love, had faded. True deep soul claiming love for her ancient mate had never come, no matter how many times she had wished for it to. She did *love* Elder, but not in the same way other bonded pairs loved each other.

Tears ran down her face, washing away the darkness in her soul. She had never felt worthy of being clan leader's mate, and now she was absolved of that duty.

A duty that Elder had never wished her to have.

She closed her eyes and let the wild wind swirl around her form. With the end of one life, there came the chance to claim another.

Her eyes snapped open and she spread her wings. Yes, he was right as always, her wily mate and clan leader. He had always given her freedom, freedom that she had seen as rejection and thrust from her. But she finally saw it for what it truly was.

A feeling of gratitude and love washed over her. She felt for the first time truly in love with Elder, and breathed a silent word of thanks for his "folly".

She let the wind pick her up as it had the Elder and carry her away. Carry her back to the male who should have been her mate all those years ago.

A week passed before the first of the clan eggs began to hatch.

Sable Hair entered the rookery and sat down next to her lover. He looked at her with slight confusion. For the past week she had thrown herself into his arms with no hesitation, embracing him without restraint.

At first he had been horrified. Never had she been so unrestrained in her affection for him. There was always the guilty start, or tearing herself out of his arms, not wanting to be seen with him. But now she didn't mind.

He had deduced that he had the Elder to thank for her change in attitude. But what did that mean for the old male?

The Elder sat where Sable Hair should have been, before her egg. His eyes glowed with white light and he thrummed 'till he thought his throat would go raw.

Around him eggs were cracking and the sounds of struggling hatchlings could be heard, the desperate pitiful mewing sounds of babies struggling for survival.

The egg in front of him suddenly lurched, tipping over onto its side. A large crack appeared in the smooth shell; then a piece popped out, poked out from the inside. The egg shuddered as its occupant writhed around trying to find an exit.

With a mighty effort, the narrow end of the shell suddenly separated from the egg and a dark shape slid out on it's back.

The baby sputtered, clearing out its mouth and nose. It opened its mouth to squall a protest at being so inhospitably deposed from its decades-long home.

The Elder stopped thrumming, grinning as he reached out to pick the child up. A male.

As soon as he touched the child, it closed its mouth and turned toward the movement. It mewed once as if questioning the figure, but allowed the Elder to pick it up with no protest.

Elder cradled the child in his arms. It nestled closer into his warmth and yawned. He looked up, across the span of the couch, his eyes searching for Sable Hair. He found her snuggled up close to her lover and intended mate.

She had tears in her eyes. She knew that she would never be a part of her son's life. Not because Elder would prohibit her, but because the maternal bond wasn't there.

Her eyes lifted to meet his. Something passed between them, a wordless understanding. She smiled shakily, then buried her face into her lover's shoulder and cried.

The Elder looked down at the small miracle in his arms. The baby had curled up, rested his head on the Elder's chest and was now softly purring with contentment.

The Elder smiled softly. This young one he would raise. It would be hard not to show him favoritism but he would try.

And maybe in time, he in turn would lead the clan.

New York 2012 a.d.

Hudson gazed on the clan with pride, but his eyes lingered on the large clan leader, Goliath. That tiny wet-winged gargoyle had fulfilled the promise of his parents. From his mother he had gained his wings, a massive span of eighteen feet; his coloring, and his dark sable locks. From his sire he had inherited his height, his browridge and his fierceness.

And maybe his sire's level head. For was he not leading the clan?

Hudson chuckled softly. At least that dream had come true.

The thrumming of the males got louder, rose an octave. As if answering the change, one of the eggs, Angela's, suddenly rocked violently then tipped over. She gasped and reached out to touch it. The shell trembled as a small portion cracked and then came free.

She pulled back, watching with fear and hope in her eyes.

The egg began to rock to and fro, side to side. It hit up against the wall of the couch. The crack got larger.

From within there was grunting, panting, and a high pitch chirp. Angela answered it with a small questioning growl of her own, and the struggles renewed with intense vigor.

Just as the egg was about to give way, Delilah's egg tipped over from it's wide bottom and onto it's side.

Angela glanced at the white winged female, but Dee was staring intently at Angela's egg. Even as she watched, the shell opened.

The hatchling gave one squall as it slid out into the open. It weakly crawled out a little further then collapsed, mewling plaintively. It lay on its side, eyes half closed in exhaustion.

Angela reached out gently, putting her hands under the babe's arms to draw it out of its shell. The baby thrashed and gave what could only be described as a squall of protest. Angela jerked back, seemingly terrified. She placed a hand on her chest as though to calm her heart, drew in a breath and sighed. She got up on her knees, leaned over the couch's wall and wuffed questioningly at her offspring.

The baby turned it's head in her direction and gave it's mewing cry again. Angela wuffed in return, reached out again and this time was allowed to draw her child out of its home.

A female.

Angela choked on a sobbing laugh as she lifted her daughter and cradled her in her arms. The baby mewed again and nuzzled at her mother's breast.

Brooklyn stopped thrumming, stood up and looked over his mate's shoulder. The baby turned toward the movement, her large nocturnal eyes unfocused.

"She's beautiful," breathed Brooklyn.

Angela nodded, sniffled, and wiped at her tears.

"She is, isn't she?"

A large squall and the sound of an egg shattering made them all startle, and they turned to look into the couch. Delilah's egg had hatched, her offspring sliding out of the egg on her back. Disorientated and out of position, it was squalling for its life.

Delilah quickly reached in and righted the child, who quickly stopped crying and began making the same mewing sounds that Angela's daughter had. Delilah didn't wuff in return, but picked up the baby and cradled her in her arms. The baby began to cry again, reaching out with still soft talons and clutching at her mother's white hair. Her own was black as pitch, a gift from Elisa, but her coloring was all Demona's, testament to Delilah's origins.

Broadway blinked, extinguishing the light from his eyes. He also came around to look at his new daughter.

"She looks exactly like her mother," he said, awed.

Delilah leaned into his strength in gratitude. "She has your brow ridge," she said softly. And it was true; the skull ridge was diminished because of her sex, but the nodules were there none the less.

Broadway smiled. "I guess she's not *all* yours, then."

"No," affirmed Dee, smiling. "She is *ours*."

There was a pause in the activity on the couch. Demona and Elisa's eggs still rocked, but not with the vigor of impending birth.

Elisa sat back on her heels, tail twitching softly right to left. Behind her she could hear Goliath, still thrumming but in a lower register. She glanced at her parents and the mutates. She could see tears of happiness running down her mother's face, and a look of wonder on her sister's.

Mentally she nodded. She had probably looked the same way on numerous occasions ever since meeting the gargoyles. And now she was one of them. She smiled and looked back at the couch.

She blinked.

No, she wasn't imagining things. There was a crack in her egg. It rocked gently, almost rhythmically, then slowly slid over onto its side.

Goliath's voice became stronger, joined by Lexington and Bronx. Elisa held her breath as she watched the crack grow larger. The gap darkened, then came loose and rolled away.

She was on her feet in a heartbeat. Her child was still curled up inside the shell casing. It had her coloring, black wings and hair. It moved slowly, raising its head and taking a deep breath of air. As it opened its eyes, she noticed the browridge, all Goliath's. Strong genes, those. She grinned.

The child tried to uncurl itself but was hampered by the shell. It turned onto its stomach and slid out of the egg, resting for the briefest of moments before struggling to crawl toward the figure it could make out.

Elisa took pity on her struggling offspring and reached out to pick it up. It saw the movement and mewed plaintively. That broke her. Her hands curled around the baby's tiny arms and picked it up.

A male.

Goliath's son.

She was able to catch the sob before it escaped and clutched her son to her breast. The baby squalled as it was embraced a bit too tightly, and Elisa quickly softened her hold and whirled to show her mate.

But Goliath's vigil wasn't over.

Demona glanced at Goliath, then at the watching Matt Bluestone. She still hadn't forgotten the events of nine years ago. In her own mind, she wasn't sure whether she should forgive the human or not. It was still up for debate. If the child was alive she might forgive him; if it was harmed in any way, he would not leave the building alive.

She was sure that she had made the right decision in leaving the egg with the clan. Seeing Angela's ecstatic face and that of the clone, Delilah, only reinforced it. Her child would need a place that would welcome it. She knew all about being outcast and unwanted.

Her egg, the last to hatch, began to rock more vigorously. Goliath's thrumming again rose in volume and intensity, and the sound waves bounced off the egg, further weakening making its shell tremble.

Unlike its clutch-mates, Demona's hatchling didn't rock its egg over before emerging. It simply broke its prison and rose up squalling as Demona looked at the baby in shock. Her head was covered in dark wine colored hair, but the dark eyes and caped wings were her sire's.

The egg could not maintain its stability and rolled over onto it's side. With a surprised cry, the child was tumbled out of its egg. It hit the bottom of the couch with a gasp, then began to cry in earnest.

Demona reached in with trembling hands and picked up her startled daughter. She smiled gently. It would *be* a daughter.

Goliath's deep-throated hum finally stopped, the silence seeming loud by comparison as the last of the hatchlings emerged. He looked at his clan with a deep sense of contentment as the mated pairs looked down at the babies in their mother's arms.

He turned to look at a beaming Elisa. She was too busy making sure her son had the correct number to fingers and toes to take much notice of him.

And Demona...

She was wiping her new daughter's wet hair out of her eyes.

He sighed quietly and rose to his feet. "The hatching is over. A new beginning for the clan has arrived." He paused to let the full import of his words sink in. "As befitting such a momentous occasion, I have decided that names should be given to the newest members of the clan." He turned with a smile on his face. "Brooklyn, my second in command, mate to my daughter, and my friend. What is the name you have chosen for your new daughter?"

The white haired gargoyle stood up and gently took the baby from her mother's arms to hold her himself. He looked down into the small replica of Angela's face and Sable Hair's. Her coloring was as red as his own, with a similar browridge to his but slightly less pronounced. Her hair was also a compromise between mother and father, dark now but becoming lighter as it dried.

Brooklyn looked at Goliath then at the clan. "We have decided to name this child Vasha."

Goliath nodded and repeated the name. "Vasha, daughter of Brooklyn. Daughter of Angela."

He turned to Broadway. "Broadway, what is the name you have chosen?"

Delilah looked up at her mate, but he made no move to take the child from her arms. "Well, since I watch *so many* videos we decided on Koula. You know, from Lodoss War?" Seeing the puzzled looks on his clan mate's faces, he tried to explain. "Actually it's Karla, but in Japan they can't pronounce it right so it comes out Koula." They still didn't understand.

He shook his head in defeat. "Well, whatever. We're naming her Koula."

Goliath looked amused. "Koula, daughter of Broadway. Daughter of Delilah."

He turned and smiled warmly at his chosen mate.

"And you my love, have you decided on a name?"

Elisa swallowed, looked at her parents and the others assembled and cleared her throat. "Goliath, when I first met you I was frightened. But you showed me that I had nothing to be frightened of. You've always been there for me. You've been my protector, my guardian. You've told me that to protect is the gargoyle's purpose.

"During the day we turn to stone, but it's strong stone." She looked almost shy. "That's how I've always thought of you. Strong, always watching over me. My protector. So will it be with our son.

"Our Ailaech."

Goliath nodded in agreement. "Behold! Our son, Ailaech. Son of Goliath. Son of Elisa."

He would have continued but for a small sound from Demona.

He looked at her with some compassion in his eyes.

"If I had known that you were going to name the children, I would have thought up a name." She cuddled her small daughter to her then held her out to Goliath.

"Goliath, I have no name for her. I beseech you. Name this child; your daughter."

He had no other choice but to take the girl. He looked down into the baby's innocent face and quickly discarded all the hurtful names he could bestow on her. He saw in her great potential, and her name must also reflect those same possibilities.

Then he remembered something. Something that had been told to him years ago. Something about a monarch.

*It's not you I am after. I want your queen.*

He glanced at Demona. She had been his second in command, and had wanted to be much more. She would wipe every last human off the earth if she could. She had made deals and had betrayed countless times.

She wanted to rule the world, but never would.

He looked down into the baby's innocent face and said softly,

"I name thee in the ancient tongue. I name thee Banrigh."

He gently transferred the babe back to her mother.

Demona stared at the newly christened Banrigh with tears running down her face. "Banrigh. Queen." She looked up at Goliath with undisguised gratitude. "It is fitting."

He grunted, strangely unwilling to grant her anything more. "I am glad you approve."

He moved away from her and approached Elisa, who still marveled at the small drowsy creature she held in her arms. A feeling of contentment and love came over her, so large that her knees went weak. Goliath helped her as she slid to the floor.

"My love, what's wrong?"

She sniffed. "Nothing. Nothing at all." She looked at Hudson who was petting Bronx's head. Her family, Xanatos and his family. Talon and *his* family. Owen, Matt, and Demona.

"We're home," she said softly. "Surrounded by family and friends. What more could we ask for?"

Goliath looked at all those assembled and had to agree. "You're right. We are home."

Hudson watched as Goliath wrapped his mate up in his arms and wings. He smiled to himself.

*Aye, lad. we are home.*

The End