//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: The Prince Of Griffonstone 
// by Marezinger Z 
//------------------------------//

Gwyn barrel rolled around Genevieve in exuberance as they flew back towards Griffonstone. “Was she not the most enchating creature you have ever seen!?” He asked as he flew at her side. 
“She is indeed the visage others claimed, Prince.” Genevieve gave him a look of concern. “Even so, I must ask again if you feel that was a sound move to make at such an important junction.” 
“I understand your position.” Gwyn nodded. “But I simply could not help myself, I was so overwhelmed just being in her presence.” He sailed over to Gabriel. “Besides, did you not see how impressed she was with my work? Not to mention she invited us to stay for lunch.”
“I would be inclined to believe a certain amount of common courtesy between royalties would be a factor in some of this, Prince.” Gabriel said squarely. 
Gwyn frowned at their lack of enthusiasm. “Well, I felt that things went well.”
“We do not say this to discourage you, Prince.” Genevieve flew closer. “Only to provide perspective.” 
“I know.” Gwyn sighed. “Thank you both. But my personal affairs aside, we can at least be sure we are bringing grand news to Griffonstone.”  
“Most definitely.” She concurred. 
“When we return, may I ask that the two of you to return to our village and retrieve a coffer of bits to pay the pony workers?” 
“It will be done, Prince.” Gabriel assured. 
Upon finally reaching Griffonstone they flew back down into the castle; Gilda was laying on the floor reading a cookbook she had found in the castle library. 
“Gilda?” Gwyn eyed her curiously as they landed.
“Oh, hey Prince.” She closed her book. “How did the trip go?”
“Excellent… what exactly are you doing?” He asked. 
“Me?” She sat up. “Gabby wanted to play hide and seek to pass the time, she’s been hiding for about an hour now.” A yawn left her as she stretched. “Did the Princesses OK the plan?” 
“They did.” Gwyn nodded. “The gate of opportunity has opened and we are free to move forward.” 
“Awesome. So what’s the plan now?” 
“Our pony allies will be here in two days’ time, we must prepare so that work can begin as soon as they arrive.”
“Just tell me what to do.” Gilda said with a shrug. 
“You and I will report to the city.” He informed.
“Prince, if you wish the bits then we should be on our way.” Gabriel suggested.
“Of course, thank you.” Gwyn tipped his head to them. “Be safe in your travel.” 
“Always, Prince.” Genevieve promised as she and Gabriel flew up and out of the castle. 
As Gwyn waved to them a voice echoed around he and Gilda. “Hey!” Gabby stormed into the throne room. “You weren’t even looking for me were you?” 
Gilda glanced over at her with a smirk. “Reverse psychology kid… I just found you.” 
Gabby pouted. “I don’t think that’s how the game works.” She said sourly as she joined them. 
“Ah, Gabby. Perfect timing.” Gwyn took her shoulder with a smile. “I have need of you.”
Gabby cheered at the request. “With what?”
“Gabriel and Genevieve will be returning with funds for the ponies, but I require that you take some and return to Canterlot tomorrow. I have some errands I would ask you to run.”
“Sure.” Gabby’s bright eyes filled with enthusiasm. 
“Let us get to work then.” Gwyn hopped into the air with them and headed out into the city. 



In Equestria, the following dawn, Celestia found herself quite busy. After breakfast she sequestered herself in a long meeting with summoned contractors to give them instructions for the Griffonstone project. The meeting ran into the early afternoon; rather exhausted from the conference, she went to the throne room to relax but instead walked into a veritable garden of floral arrangements. 
“What in the world is all this?” She panned her gaze around in shock. 
“Ah, sister.” Luna hailed from her throne, a large box of chocolates held in her magic. 
“Luna, what’s going on?” 
“These are gifts from your would-be husband.” She explained. 
“All of them?” 
“They’ve been arriving steadily since this morning.” Luna popped another candy in her mouth as she went to her sister’s side. “From what I understand, a young griffon arrived in the city and has been running around placing orders in Gwyn’s name.” 
Celestia sighed and rubbed her forehead. “This is unbelievable.” She happened to look over to the corner and gasped. “Is… is that a fountain?” 
“A white chocolate fountain to be precise.” Luna said as she chewed on a piece of nougat. 
“I suppose those were meant for me as well?” Celestia asked, eyeing the box of candy. 
“Well… yes.” Luna admitted. “But you said you wished to refrain from sweets so…” Celestia ripped the box from Luna’s magic with her own, immediately tossing three pieces into her mouth as she went to her throne. “Come now sister, don’t be like that.” Luna followed after her. “I think this is rather sweet, like a school boy trying to impress his first crush.”
“Perhaps, but look at all of this.” Celestia gestured around the room. 
“Your highness?” An elegant voice drifted through the chamber as a mare entered bearing a long black box.
“Oh, here is another one.” Luna noted.  
“Yes.” Celestia bid her to approach. 
“My name is Rough Cut, I represent the 24 Karat jewelry company.” She introduced. “I came to personally deliver this exquisite necklace ordered on behalf of Prince Gwyn.” She presented the box. Celestia brought it over to her and opened it; inside was a beautiful chain decorated with a number of gems. “That is one of our most lavish pieces, he certainly has fine taste, your majesty.” She bowed and excused herself. 
“Oh my.” Luna went to her side and admired the necklace. “That is lovely.” 
“It is.” Celestia said with troubled eyes. 
“You don’t seem pleased.” Luna saw the look on her face. 
“I’m not exactly comfortable accepting all of this.” She admitted. “I just hope this stays within Canterlot.” 
A flash of purple light burst before the sisters and a wild eyed Twilight appeared. “You’re getting married!?” She immediately shouted.
“Twilight?” Celestia held her hoof to her chest in surprise. “I’m… no… how did you even hear about this?” 
“It’s in all the papers.” Twilight handed her a copy of the Ponyville Daily.
Celestia took it with her magic. “The Princess Bride?” She read the headline, sitting back in her throne with an exasperated sigh. “I am not getting married, Twilight.”
“Whew.” Twilight wiped her brow. “I knew this had to be some kind of misunderstanding.” She laughed. “I mean, you can’t get married you’re… you.” 
“I…” Celestia paused her thought and eyed her former pupil. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?” 
Twilight looked up at her with a wide, innocent grin. “Uh… just that…. you know…” She twiddled her hooves.
“I believe that she feels no creature will ever be good enough for her treasured mentor.” Luna said with a quiet smile. 
“Well if you’re really not getting married, then what's going on?” Twilight asked. 
“Prince Gwyn has his heart set on me.” Celestia explained. “He made a public declaration that he intends to court me; while I am open to getting to know him better… this is starting to get out of hoof.” She pointed around the room. “As you can see.” 
Twilight spun around and observed the menagerie of presents. “Geez.” 
“He said he would return in a few days.” Celestia continued. “I’m going to have to have a talk with him about all this.”  
“Come sister, you should at least try to enjoy being spoiled.” Luna began rummaging in a nearby pile of boxes. “Here, how about you relax in your new hoof massager.” 
“My what?” Celestia asked in confusion. 
“It is the latest thing for the home spa.” Luna detailed as she showed her the box. “Three speeds and a heating feature.” 
“Ooh.” Twilight flew in for a closer look. 
“Well, that does look nice.” Celestia conceded with a light smile. 



Back in Griffonstone, Gwyn and Gilda stood before every able bodied griffon in the city at the foot of the old castle. 
“Fellow griffons.” He began. “As you know, full scale operations will begin tomorrow. With this final day to prepare, we will be emptying out the castle so that its demolition can proceed undaunted. Remove all the broken furniture, window coverings, artwork and what have you from the rooms. You are welcome to whatever is salvageable, but do be civil about it; Gilda will be available to keep any disputes peaceful.” Gilda scowled at the crowd and cracked her knuckles. “Come, with all of us together we will make quick work of this task.” The griffons followed him inside and got to work. Gwyn took this opportunity to see how well the griffons could work together and for the most part things appeared smooth. As promised he labored right alongside them, occasionally breaking to fly around the castle to monitor the situation. On one such round he spied three younger griffons hiding in the shade of a canopy in the rear garden. They jumped as he swooped down and landed before them. 
“P…Prince Gwyn!” One of them shouted in surprise. 
He looked up at the midday sun in thought before smiling down at them serenely. “Your cover here is not unlike Griffonstone. It provides shelter and protection but only because it is held together by strong stitching.” He raised his talon to the canopy. “For Griffonstone… we are the threads that form that stitching, holding it all together so that every griffon can enjoy it.” He drew his nail across the cover, tearing it. “But if even a single thread falters it quickly comes undone.” He held his talon down to the griffon in the middle. “Would you allow yourselves to be that thread?” 
“No.” The griffon took his talon and Gwyn pulled him up. “Sorry Prince, won’t happen again.” 
“Yeah.” The others said as they stood. 
Gwyn firmly took his shoulder. “Then let us return to work, shall we.” They nodded and flew back up with him into the castle. 
Gilda’s own patrol was interrupted by the sounds of squabbling. She circled in the air and flew down, hovering over a pair of griffons arguing over an ornate rug. “Hey you feather brains! What’s the problem!?” 
“I found this rug first, I’m going to put in my house.” The agitated female squawked. 
“You did not!” The other protested. “You tried to take it the moment I walked out of the room!” 
Gilda slapped her talon to her face with a growl as they continued to bicker. “Zip it!” She shouted. “Look, there’s only one fair way to resolve this.” She flexed her arm, her sharp claw glistening in the sunlight. 
“Are… you going to cut the rug in half… so we can each have a piece?” She asked nervously.
“No, I’m going to cut both of you in half and share a piece with the rug!” She glared at them. “Now quit screwing around and get back to work!” The griffons dropped the rug and hurried back into the castle. 
High above the action, Gabriel chuckled to himself as he and Genevieve watched the scene. “I’ve grown to appreciate that Gilda girl.” He smiled, a rare event for him. 
“That is far from surprising; she is just like you when you were that age.” Genevieve laughed quaintly. “Though I cannot deny her effectiveness. Between her and Gwyn, the citizens are doing an admirable job staying on task.” 
“Let us hope they maintain this fervor when the ponies arrive.” Gabriel agreed but maintained his cautious optimism. 
With only a few minor hiccups more, the work came to a successful end. Gwyn thanked and congratulated the griffons on their first collaborative effort in ages. As dirty and sweaty as they were, the flame of pride in what they had accomplished was kindled. Gwyn encouraged them to eat and rest well, as the real labor would begin the following day. 	   
Gabby returned not long after, eager to report her day to Gwyn. She walked into the stark castle and started searching for him. “Hello?” Even her normal speaking voice echoed in the now empty structure. 
“Young Gabby.” Genevieve called to her from down the master hallway. “You have returned I see.” 
“Yep.” She jumped up and glided down the hall to her. “Mission accomplished.” She said proudly. 
“I am certain the Prince will be happy to hear.” She gestured into the hall leading towards the eastern wing. “He is this way.” Genevieve led her to the only furnished room remaining; Gwyn, Gabriel and Gilda were inside eating. 
“Gabby.” Gwyn smiled eagerly. “How did everything go in Canterlot?”
“I got all the stuff you wanted me to and had it sent to the Princess.” She nodded soundly. 
“Excellent, thank you milady.” He scooted over so she could sit with them at the modest table. “Please, you must be hungry by now.” 
“Thanks.” Gabby sat at his side. 
Gwyn looked up at the ancient stone walls. “Tonight will be the last moon this place sees. It is an odd feeling that this is finally happening.” 
“It’ll be weird not to see it anymore.” Gabby admitted. 
“It’ll be better.” Gilda rephrased. 
Gwyn smiled and raised his cup. “It will be both.” The others raised cups as well. “To the future of Griffonstone.” 
“To Griffonstone!” They shouted in unison as they drank.