The Griffin Queen Mother agreed to the Trees and Boulders accompanying her the rest of the journey to the Portal to take her to her baby and return to Griffith.
She was happily surprised when her tiny friend also dropped in to accompany her.
The Queen and her friend were startled to see how the Trees and Boulders arranged themselves to comfort the Queen and her friend. The Trees lay atop the Boulders, effectively becoming a platform on rolling stones. The trees brought their limbs to intertwine at the rear of the 'cart' as a back rest, and their roots also knotted at the front of the 'cart.' The largest Boulder is positioned at the rear to start and keep the smaller stones rolling. Finally, the large Boulder said, "Ladies, please board your carriage, and we shall begin to your destination."
The Griffin Queen asked her friend, "How are things going with your adventures?"
"This is the start of the adventure and the only period he does not recognize. It will be written as were the others, and hopefully, one day, he will have full recognition."
"So you're saying he doesn't remember your children?' Asked the Griffin Queen.
"Sigh. I know, and he does not recognize me on this timeline. Not yet, anyway, but that will change. We are almost at the Fortress Portal," the tiny one said.
"Oh no, how do I look? My King is holding our baby and is here to greet me," the Griffin Queen Mother said.
The tiny one was flying circles around the Queen's head, saying, "You look great! Fantastic! Gorgeous! Invite us to the Christening, Ada. I'm so glad we had this time together. Bye, hope to see you soon."
The Queen raised a paw in acknowledgment to her friend but did not look back as she ran to her husband, King Samir. Instead, he held the cub/chick close to his chest, pulling the Queen into his other arm. They both lowered their heads and covered them with their feathers for privacy while their baby cooed and purred.
King Samir said, " Don't ever do this again. I was frantically looking for you until the family you replaced showed up at the palace and said you were okay. They had stayed with you until the complete birth."
Queen Ada said, "Don't tell me I am fat. That was horrid. Both of us need to mend our ways. I won't run again. I missed you so much. And then I heard you were ready to start a war for me. Never, never!"
"My threatening war," said King Samir, "had one positive outcome for us and for the Panther King."
"Do tell," said Queen Ada.
King Samir smiled, "We have been pushing for double troops, and King Steward agreed to two couples, and when they have children, they will rotate, and two more teams will go to the mountaintop. Even though we Griffins are always on the alert, I like the idea of having night and day troops."
The troop teams were eager to go to the mountaintop, and the Trees and Boulders offered to escort them to their new homes/nests - there was a surprise waiting for them.
The trees had built each of them a new nesting area shelter where they took root and would stand as guards.
King Samir said, 'Come my Queen, we need to take leave of King Steward and Alaisdair Peyton, the Master Monster Hunter. And, our friend, Commander Fallon."
The Panther King said, "Queen Ada, I am so happy you willingly agreed to return to your husband. You both know my stance on war. And, looking over the agreements for your troops, I see the logic and the need in today's world of lawlessness."
The Queen curtsied to King Steward, saying, I found your cloud cover and rain effects quite compelling, but I still am glad you agreed to my husband's demands for day and night guards at the entrance to our worlds."
King Steward bowed, saying, "You're welcome, Queen Ada."
King Samir and King Steward hugged, stepped back, and bowed to each other. Then, both Kings said as one, "Goodbye, my friend. We shall meet again, anon."
King Samir told his Queen, "Let's go home, Sweetheart," as they walked through the Portal, set for their destination, Griffith.
The King, Fallon, and Alaisdair went up the drawbridge and into the Fortress. The King was now again in human form.
Alaisdair had questions
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