BrooklynXReader- Children

The sun was beginning to set, and the changing of the guard was soon to commence. You peered outside the window of your bedroom in the small cottage reserved for servants, next to the castle.
As the light faded you could feel the atmosphere change around you. The palace guards became tenser, knowing that this was a vulnerable moment. The very air around you seemed to be sucked into a vortex of uncertainty and wonder as hairline cracks began to make their way up the sides of the massive gargoyles which adorned the castles towers. The sun finally dropped. It was beginning!
Loud tremors seemed to shake the castles very foundations as gigantic creatures erupted from their stone slumber. Their nightly cries cascading down from the castle top, and rumbling far out into the valleys.
Then just as suddenly the roaring stopped and the creatures relaxed and greeted their friends and brethren.
You sighed as the shift changed, the humans retiring for the evening and the Gargoyles preparing for their nightly defense. If only you could watch their awakening up close…
“Boo!” Suddenly a red face, hanging upside down, appeared in your window.
You screamed and fell away. The gargoyle laughed and planted himself upright on your window sill. “Scardy cat.” He teased.
“Am not!” you pouted picking yourself up from the spot on the floor where you had landed, sticking your tongue out at him.
“______?” your mother rushed into the room upon hearing your scream. “Oh _____ how many times have I told you?” your mother scolded going over to the now empty window sill, “you must keep the windows locked at night” she closed the glass panes as she spoke and latched them tight. “lest some vicious gargoyle find its way in here.”
“But mother” you whined.
“No buts about it.” She turned to you “those creatures are dangerous! And ye are to stay far away from them, understand? Now get dressed dear, its time to go feed those soldiers.”
Solemnly and without complaint you did as you were told.
It was your mothers job to help feed the soldiers that came off from the day watch and ensure that their armor was cleaned and stored properly for the evening. As there was no one else to care for you, your mother often brought you along with her to help handing out the food and such. It just so happened that your father was also one of these day guards and so it was outside the castle gates, amongst all the other guards merry making, that you and your family had their own evening meal as well.
“Daddy!” you cried rushing up to your father and leaping into his outstretched arms.
“Ah, there’s my princess!” he smiled and kissed you on the cheek. “Hello dear” he also gave your mother a kiss as he continued to hold you.
“Set her down now Matthew we have work to do” your mother reminded him as she handed you a large stack of soup bowls. “Start handing these out to the men now ______. And be quick about it!”
You gave one last smile at your father before you hurried off to start handing out the bowls. Finishing you set the extra ones down on the edge of a table and glanced around for your parents. Not seeing either of them, you slipped around the side of the castle and made you way towards the Rookery.
…………………………………………………

“It’s about time!” the red gargoyle from earlier waved you over into the group of young gargoyles.
“We weren’t so sure you were going to make it.” A smaller, yellowish gargoyle smiled at you.
“Did ye bring any food?” a taller, bluish gargoyle asked you as he took a large bite out of a turkey leg.
You shook your head. “I’m afraid not.” You answered him.
The large gargoyle sighed in dismay.
“It’s not like ye haven’t had enough to eat already” the red gargoyle poked him in the belly.
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” the blue gargoyle growled at him, placing his hands on his hips.
“It means that ye eat too much” the yellowish gargoyle taunted.
“I do not!” the blue gargoyle crossed his arms.
“Ye do too, but now’s not the time to discuss it.” Suddenly another gargoyle approached an elderly male with a white mane. You knew him to be the former clan leader.
You quickly disappeared into the darkness and the three other gargoyles tried to disguise your presence by standing up straight in a line.
“Good night elder” the brothers greeted formally.
“Good night to ye as well.” The elder bowed back and winked at you in the darkness. “And ye too lass.”
Surprised at his keen sense of observation you gasped and moved farther back into the shadows. You were forbidden to interact with the gargoyles, just as gargoyles were not permitted to play with human children.
“Ye be getting senile with your age elder” the eldest, red brother tried to cover for you. “There be no lass here but ye and my brothers.”
“Hold your tongue hatchling!” the elder roared causing the brothers to flinch. “I may be old but my warrior skills are keen as ever. Ye not be pulling the wool over my eyes.” He grumbled.
“My apologizes.” The brother bowed again “I meant no offence.”
“No I suspect you did not.” The elder sighed. “Ye were only trying to protect your friend. Please child, come out that I may see you properly. My sense of smell may still hinder my enemies but I’m afraid my eyesight is not what it used to be.” The gargoyle chuckled referring to his injured eye.
Slowly you stepped out from the shadows and the brothers separated that you may meet their mentor.
“Ah, just a little lass no?” the gargoyle smiled.
“I may be small but I’m as strong as him!” you pointed to the red gargoyle next to you who grinned slyly.
“Ye think so huh?” he pounced on you ruffling your hair as you tried to break away.
The elder gargoyle chuckled to himself “Tell me child” your attention returned to him “What do they call you in the way of names?”
“_______” you stated curtsying as you did so. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” You smiled at him.
“A pleasure hmm?” the gargoyle repeated softly to himself, eyeing you with interest.
“_______! _________! Where are you?” you heard your mother call.
“It seems our time has run out” the smaller gargoyle motioned for you to go to your mother, lest you be found out.
“So it would seem” you sighed.
“And before we got to dessert!” the larger gargoyle complained granting a laugh from everyone.
“Ye will show again tomorrow?” the eldest brother called after you as you began to return to your mother.
“So long as ye keep your beak out of me window!” you waved back at him, your eyes lingering on the bright smile he returned to you.

……………………………………………………..

You heard a light tapping on your window sill. Awakening you saw a dark figure standing on the outside. Knowing who it was you hurriedly grabbed the candle and match that you had hidden under your bed and lit it before rushing to the sill.
Unlatching the lock you threw the shutters wide and greeted the crimson gargoyle. “Are ye mad?” you laughed, “what if someone saw ye here?”
Grinning the gargoyle blew out the candle and taking your hand while you protested, “Come with me” he whispered.  
“Where to?” you asked as he helped you out your window.
“Goliath has chosen a mate. We are celebrating tonight.”
“A mate you questioned?” as you followed him through the deserted courtyard. “What is a mate?”
“Well, uh…” the gargoyle seemed unable to answer your question as he dragged you along by the hand.
“Well?” you asked, wondering why he refused to look at you.
“It’s, um…look up there!” he pointed towards the top of the castle where a large bonfire had bloomed, music could be heard drifting through the air.
“How are we supposed to get up there?” you questioned “Gargoyles are not allowed inside the palace…”
Grinning he approached the wall and knelt down, “climb onto my back. I’ll carry you to the top.”
“Oh, alright” you said as you hesitantly clasped your arms and legs around his strong torso.
Teasingly the gargoyle frazzled your hair with his tail.
“Hey!” you pinched him but he only laughed and began to climb up the side of the castle, claws digging in deep into the stone.
After satisfying your fascination with the strength of your friends claws you took the time to look around you, including looking down. You gasped at seeing just how far up you had traveled already and you didn’t have to be a mage to know that a drop from that height could kill you.
“You’re not scared are you?” your friend taunted over his shoulder.
“No!” you insisted clinging to him tighter. Unbeknownst to you, your gargoyle friend grinned in triumph and took pleasure in the thought of how much you were relying on him right now.
Reaching the top you climbed down off his back and looked around you in wonder. All of your childhood you had had a fascination with gargoyles, a fascination that your mother disapproved of but that your father encouraged. Secretly you had been slipping away to play with your gargoyle friends for a little while each evening but never before had you seen so many gargoyles up close at once. It seemed that every warrior they could spare from guard duty that night was present and all were indulging in grand amounts of food, drink, music, and dancing.
“This way” your friend took your hand and led you over to where his brothers waited, your eyes never leaving the colorful scene.
“_______!” both the smaller and the larger brothers greeted you in unison, the larger with a mouth full of food.
Suddenly a giant claw landed on your shoulder. You jumped and turned but only to see a familiar elderly face. “Glad ye could make it lass” the elderly gargoyle greeted you before returning to the party.
You took a seat next to your friends and laughed merrily at the festivities. You enjoyed throwing pies at the larger brother and the dog like creature next to him and watching them dive to keep them in their mouths. The youngest brother had many jokes and impressions to show off while the eldest chased you around trying to get a dance. Finally you gave in and danced with him…that is after you danced with his brothers out of spite. The evening was lovely but it was getting late and you knew you would have to return home soon lest you be missed by your parents.
Suddenly a loud roar was heard, followed by the roars and cries of the other gargoyles around you, the brothers included. When the ringing died down, Goliath had made his appearance, and on his arm, his new found mate, Demona.  
Goliaths very presence demanded everyone’s full attention. His large muscular stature was not one to be ignored nor taken lightly. He was the clans leader, and nobody questioned him.
He did not have to speak loudly because he enforced the silence. Yet his voice seemed to boom and reign down over everyone. “My brothers! My sisters…” he turned fondly towards Demona “You have all honored me with your presence this night. But the full moon is now waning, and my attention is demanded else ware.” Goliath gave a seductive glance towards Demona who only grinned in return, resulting in laughter and wolf whistles from the crowd.
“I don’t get it. Where is he going?” you whispered to your friend.
“Uh, I’ll explain later” he looked away from you. It could have been a trick of the firelight but, it seemed that he was a darker shade of red than usual.
As Goliath and Demona passed you, Demona got a funny look upon her face, she sniffed the air than whirled around and cornered you against the table you were standing next to. “A human!” she exclaimed. “And a child no less” she stood upright looking down at your wide eyes. The brothers ran to your side.
“She’s a friend!” the eldest insisted.
“She’s a human” Demona growled.
“Calm yourself my love” Goliath placed a claw on her shoulder and she instantly backed off. “My eldest friend has told me about this…________ was it?”
You nodded trembling.
“A friend” Demona repeated thoughtfully glancing at the red claw which had instantly connected with your trembling hand when she had approached. Demona looked sternly at your friend, he dropped your hand and looked away ashamed. You glanced at him confused but held your tongue.
“We will discuss this later” Goliath informed the brother, also knowing the implications of associating with a human in such a way that you could not yet understand. “Take _______ home now. She is, after all, a creature of the day as we are creatures of the night.”
…………………………………………………………..

The next day you sat outside in a chair sewing while your mother polished your fathers armor. “Mother”
“Yes dear?”
“What is…a mate?” you asked.
“Now where would ye learn a word like that?” your mother questioned suspiciously.
“Well, Margaret mentioned at the well today, something about that gargoyle, Goliath, choosing Demona as his mate.” You had expected your mothers suspicion and had prepared your words with care.
Your mother sighed “so you heard about that did you?”
You merely nodded and waited for her answer.
“Well, a mate…it’s not the same as a husband and wife, though it does share similar qualities.” Your mother thought for a moment “You see, gargoyles are…primitive, greedy. They covet what they want with no thought as to who could get hurt in the process. Male gargoyles…they pick a female of their choosing and befriend them. Then, after awhile, they decide to become mates and make a pact to never leave the others side.”
“So…” you tried to sort the new notion out in your head. “They’re like friends, who can stay together forever?” you asked.
Your mother nodded “yes, something like that.”
“How does one become another’s mate?” you asked.
Your mother cleared her throat “That’s a story for another time” she stood. “Now come on, we have soup to put on.”
…………………………………………….

A few nights later, you were walking along the cliff edge with the eldest gargoyle alone. You were humming softly to yourself looking at the water below while he followed closely behind in thought.
“I wonder how far down that is.” You thought aloud stopping to peer over the edge.
“Only one way to find out” the gargoyle got a twinkle in his eye as he playfully pushed you over the edge while keeping a firm grasp around your waist.
You screamed in fright and he pulled you back close to him where you hugged him tightly. “You’re so mean to me.” you murmured into his chest.
He hugged you close. “Am not.”
“Are too” you leaned away from him but your arms were still wrapped around one another.
“Ye know I’d never leave you.” The young gargoyle whispered to you.
“Really?” you asked.
“I’ll always be here.” He nodded.
“Forever?” you asked hopefully.
The gargoyle nodded “Forever.”
Suddenly you heard a snickering in a nearby tree. “Who’s there?” you called out.
“Show yourself cowards!” the gargoyle took a defensive stance in front of you as two familiar gargoyles leapt out of the tree.
You sighed in relief “Oh, it’s only your brothers.”
“Awe look at em’” the largest brother mocked.
“They’re like fresh mates” the smallest brother taunted batting his eyelashes to irritate his brother.
“So what if we are?” you asked defensively.
“_______!” the eldest brother turned to you.
The other brothers faces dropped in a shocked disbelief. “Y-Ye two…” the bigger gargoyle pointed from on to the other trying to wrap his mind around the situation.
“That’s not what she meant!” your friend insisted.
“Yes it is.” You turned to him. “We are mates.”
“Do you realize what that means?” the smaller of the brothers crept closer on all fours before returning to his upright position. “Do you know what could happen…?”
“We are not mates!” the crimson gargoyle yelled at his brother in a panic.
“We’re not?” you asked on the brink of tears.
He turned on you “No!”
“B-But you said, you said forever” you started to quake as you held in your pain.
“That’s not what I meant!” he yelled at you in frustration of the situation.
“I hate you!” you screamed at him and turned crying towards home.
“________! Wait! That’s not what I meant!” he called after you.

…………………………………………………………….

The next time he saw you, was not under the circumstances he had hoped for. It was at midnight, several days after the misunderstanding at the cliff. Gathered in the courtyard, humans on one side and gargoyles on the other, the community gathered to lay your fathers bones to rest. He had died honorably in battle protecting Goliath from a sword through the heart. He sacrificed himself saving a gargoyle, a deed nearly unheard of in those days. Upon Goliath’s insistence, the funeral pyre had been saved for night so that the gargoyles who had served along side him could pay their respects as well.
You and your mother stood at the head of the congregation outside the palace doors with Princess Katherine while Magus read the final rites. Once he finished, Magus handed your mother the torch and after kissing your father one last time, she laid it upon the pyre and stood beside you to watch it burn.
As was customary with the death of a fellow gargoyle and ally, the clan erupted into a loud roar of anguish together. The sounds of their agony shook you to your very core and your mother grasped your hand tightly as she shook with rage. She blamed Goliath for your fathers death and, had she had her way, none of them would have been present at the pyre.
One by one those within the kingdom said their prayers upon the pyre and gave you and your mother their condolences. After most of them had left only the gargoyles remained. Goliath and Demona approached your mother.
Goliath bowed before her, much to Demona’s obvious displeasure. “I owe you and your family a great debt.” He rose “I would not be here today if not for your husbands sacrifice.”
“But HE would be.” Your mother hissed at him.
Demona growled and clenched her fists but Goliath stayed her rage. “Nevertheless, should you or _______ need anything-“
“There is nothing we need or want from ye or yer kind!”
“Now listen here you wench!” Demona stepped forward threateningly.
“Enough” Goliath put an end to it. “This woman is in much pain, and I am sure you would be had Matthew not done what he had. Let us leave them with their grief now.” With that Goliath led Demona away.
The crimson beaked gargoyle never looked away from you through the whole ordeal, never once did you look up at Goliath or Demona, or even to your mother. You merely stared at the ground lost in your thoughts.

……………………………………………………..

Several more nights passed and still the young gargoyle saw no sign of you. Finally he decided it was time to give you his own condolences in person as he had not had a chance at the funeral.
He hurriedly made his way to your cottage but stopped suddenly upon seeing a commotion outside of your home. Your mother was in a state of distress screaming your name while neighbors tried to comfort her. The men began to light torches and soon they split off in search of you. Nobody had any idea where you were.
Racing to the nearest rooftop the distressed gargoyle leapt off of it, catching an air currant. Struggling to get higher pressed on searching below for any sign of where you could have gone.
Suddenly he had a thought and returned to the cliff side the two of you had been at only a few days before. There he saw a small figure walking along it. He sighed in relief, you were safe.
He landed a few feet behind you “_______” he called
“Who’s there?” you turned quickly on your heels, seeing only bright yellow orbs in the darkness you let out a screech before losing your balance and tumbling over the edge.
“_________!!!!!” he cried diving over the cliff after you. His eyes locked with your e/c ones, open wide with terror and shock, not fully comprehending the peril you were in.
Swooping down he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you tightly against his body. He then tried to ease up as quickly as possible, but the pressure tore at his wings and he flailed trying to keep steady. He was able to slow down the decent enough that it wouldn’t kill but hitting that water felt like a smack in the face.
Spiraling underneath the dark water you quickly regained your bearings and made your way towards the surface. Looking around however there was no sign of your crimson friend. “Where are you?” you screamed out. Turning in a circle you saw nothing so you dived back under and squinting through the murkiness you could just make out the telltale signs and long silver hair floating downwards. Swimming beneath the surface you wrapped your arms around his neck and dragged him up.
Gasping for air you dragged your unconscious friend towards the rocky shore and lay down beside him trying to catch your breath. “Wake up” you breathed forcing yourself to your knees, “wake up!” you shook him. He lay motionless beside you, tears beginning to fall. Suddenly a burst of anger took hold “I said WAKE UP!” you slapped him roughly across the face and he suddenly shot up straight coughing and looking bewildered all at once.
“Thank god you’re alive!” you clasped your arms around him tightly and he put a hesitant arm around you still trying to grasp his bearings.
You heard calls from the top of the cliff, looking up you saw the search party your mother had put together waving down at you. “Are ye alright lass?” one called down.
“Yes! We’re well!” you waved back up at them. You then helped your friend to his feet. “Thank you. You saved my life.”
“I thought you hated me.” he smiled cheekily at you.
You blushed “I only said that because…well I thought that we were…”
“Mates.” He finished for you.
You nodded looking at your feet.
He took your chin in his claw and raised your face to his before placing a kiss upon your forehead. “I have come to love you _______.”
You looked into his eyes.
“You are my greatest friend.” He continued. “We are not mates. But perhaps someday, we will be.” He whispered softly as he placed another kiss upon your face.
There was a loud swooshing sound as two gargoyles landed beside you. “I should have known she’d be the cause of all this strife.” Demona glowered at you. But Goliath merely smiled at the sight of a gargoyle hugging a human.
“You have preformed valiantly my brother.” He commended him. “You have found the missing child. But now, we must return her to her mother. I do believe this family has been through enough turmoil as of late, don’t you?”
Nodding the crimson gargoyle turned and allowed you to crawl upon his back while he climbed back up the cliff with Goliath and Demona to the awaiting townspeople.  
“Kidnappers!” your mother cried in outrage.
“No! No!” you ran into her open arms. “Mother, they saved me! He saved me.” you brought your friend over to meet her, placing his claw atop her hand.
“He…saved you?”
“Yes.” You took his clawed hand in your own. “And, he is my friend.”