The Other Clans

Back from the Grave

The two clans stood solemnly around the two piles of stone rubble. The seven new gargoyles not wanting to disturb the Manhattan clan in their grieving. Hudson's face stared up at them, frozen in a roar that would forever remain silent.

"Hudson was the greatest warrior I have ever known," Goliath started respectfully. "His loss diminishes us all."

"While we didn't know him for long, Hudson was always helpful," Shona added.

"As was Lilias."

"Yeah," Brooklyn started. "No...I'd wish I'd..." He trailed off as he rubbed his eye. Gillian walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "He was one in a million."

"They both were," Ivar agreed.

"Hudson's forgotten more things than we'll ever know," Lexington said sadly and Elspeth draped one of her wings over his shoulders.

"And while I may have doubted her at first, Lilias knew what she was doing," Donnan said as he folded his wings over his shoulders.

"They were always there for us," Elisa summed up what everyone was thinking.

"Sorry Hudson, I wish it hadn't turned out this way," Broadway added.

"You too Lilias," Aileen said.

"All things considered, I'm just as glad it did," Hudson commented dryly from the edge of the roof.

"Hey guys." Lilias waved from her position next to him. There was a chorus of 'Hudson's and 'Lilias's as the two walked over, as well as a mash of questions.

"It's a long story, and one best told over a hot cup of tea," Hudson told them. He looked down at the remainder of his statue and picked up what was left of his face. "I think I'll keep this as a souvenir. Not everyone can reclaim their head after losing it." Lilias eyes what was supposed to be her remains.

"Speak for yourself Hudson," she quipped as she crouched by the pile and ran her talons through the small stone bits. "I don't think I could find anyone's head in this pile, let alone my own."

"Let's keep it that way," Brooklyn told her with a smile. She smiled back, then she remembered what had happened before they had thought that she was dead. She turned to her own clan.

"I should probably tell you guys," Lilias started, "that I've recently learned that I can breath fire."

"What?!" Gillian exclaimed.

"Seriously?" Donnan asked.

Hudson just smiled as he looked at Lilias. "There's been enough excitement for one night. Let's go home."

"I couldn't agree more," Lilias said and she and her clan prepared to take off.

"Join our clan," Goliath offered suddenly. Lilias almost fell off the rooftop at the offer.

"Really?" she asked, looking him in the eyes to gauge his sincerity. She hadn't know Goliath for more than a couple weeks, but that was enough to know that he didn't make empty offers. Goliath simply nodded his head. Lilias looked around at her clan for their thoughts. No one frowned or shook their head at the thought of joining with the Manhattan clan, so Lilias smiled and nodded her head. "We'd be honored." And the two groups--now one clan--soared away to the clocktower to talk about what had happened to Lilias and Hudson while they had thought to be dead.