//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: The Prince Of Griffonstone 
// by Marezinger Z 
//------------------------------//

As the rising sun reached the peaks of the Hyperborean Mountains, ponies began arriving in Griffonstone en masse. Pulling wagons of construction materials, eight teams from three separate construction groups along with their foremans and accounting representatives met Gwyn, Genevieve and Gabriel at the entrance to the city. 
“Prince.” The lead foreman of Canterlot’s own building firm offered his hoof. “I’m Fixit, we’re all here on behalf of the Princesses Celestia and Luna.” 
“A pleasure.” Gwyn took his hoof. “You have my thanks for being so punctual. I have already secured your pay as well as a substantial bonus for you all.” 
“Thank you, Prince.” He lowered his head. “If that’s the case, then just tell us where to start.” 
“We will begin with the castle, it is to be torn down and stripped for extra materials to be used elsewhere.” Gwyn gestured through the ancient archway. “Follow me.” As he led them through the city, the griffons began to stir and come out of their homes; the sight of so many ponies foreign to them. “I have a select talon full of griffons experienced enough to aid you in this task.” Gwyn explained as they walked the streets. “They are at your disposal; in the meantime I have instructed the rest of the citizenry to begin clearing out their houses so that they will be ready to be demolished and rebuilt to the specifications I have provided. The remaining stone of the homes can then be ground and used as a base for the new roads.” 
“That’s a well scheduled plan, Prince.” Fixit praised. “You should be a foreman yourself.” 
“For my plan to meet the standards of a seasoned professional such as yourself is of the highest compliments.” Gwyn humbly replied. 
As they came upon the castle, the teams of ponies joined with the twenty griffons selected by Gwyn and began to organize the labor. Leaving the task to the capable leadership of Fixit, Gwyn took Genevieve and Gabriel back into the city to keep things on task. Gilda and Gabby were already on the job, getting their brethren to ready things for the pony workers. 
“Gilda.” Gwyn hovered beside her over the street. “A step ahead I see.” 
“I figured you’d better leave the yelling to me.” She smirked.
“You are far better than I at it, milady.” He lowered his head to her with a smile. “The castle work is underway as we speak, I will assist here with you and Gabby.” 
Gabriel and Genevieve claimed a spot overlooking the bulk of Griffonstone, their sharp eyes watching the city change in real time. As the hours passed, the castle slowly shriveled away into a memory. Wagons of trash and other unwanted items were cleared from the residences and taken out of the city to be disposed. More ponies arrived by the early afternoon, caterers personally sent by Celestia to ensure that every pony and griffon was well fed. The welcomed surprise brought a large scale lunch break and every creature took some time to refresh their energies. As work resumed, with the castle now gone, deconstruction of the griffon housing began. Focusing a large, deliberate amount of labor on a few houses at a time, the workers started at the far end of the city and worked towards the front. Gilda and Gabby designated which structures would be next, marking them with red paint. 
“Here Gabby, this one next.” Gilda pointed to her chosen target. As Gabby neared the home the shutters burst open and a single eye glared out at them.
“What the heck is going on out here!?” Grandpa Gruff stretched his neck out the window. 
“Grandpa Gruff?” Gilda flew over to the window. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in like a week… not that I’m complaining.” She muttered the last part. 
“What are you talking about?” He hacked. “I was just taking a nap.” 
“That’s not a nap, that’s a coma” Gilda put her talons on her hips. 
“Hush girl!” He swatted at her as he tumbled out the window, flapping his way to the ground. “Now what is going on, and why are these ponies here!?” He snapped.
“They’re helping rebuild the city.” Gabby landed beside him. “Prince Gwyn is fixing Griffonstone.” 
“Prince!?” He focused his eye on her. “What Prince?” 
“Look you old crow.” Gilda landed. “We don’t have the time or energy to catch you up. Gabby, just take him to the Prince and let him deal with this.” 
“Okay.” Gabby nodded. “Come on, Grandpa Gruff. I’ll introduce you to Gwyn.” She led him across the city to where Gwyn was inspecting one of the freshly completed dwellings. He opened the squeak less door and stepped into the fresh stone interior. A smile found him as he beheld the large fireplace that adorned the northern wall, lit by the sun which clearly shone down through the new dual pane windows. The roof, now a dual layer of weatherproofed shingle was supported by sturdy beams that stood as the house's skeleton. “Gwyn!?” Gabby’s voice called.
“Yes Gabby.” He left the house and saw her approaching with the elderly griffon. 
“This him?” Grandpa Gruff asked as he left her side and made his way over to Gwyn. 
“This is Grandpa Gruff.” Gabby informed. “Sorry in advance.” 
“It is nice to meet you.” Gwyn backed up a tad as the old griffon pushed his tilted head close to get a good look. 
“Prince huh?” He said with great suspect. 
“Yes.” Gwyn tipped his head. “My name is Gwyn, the last blood relative of Guto.” 
“Prince.” Gabriel called as he and Genevieve descended, having seen the unruly griffon approach him. 
“Oh, you even come with your own servants.” He scoffed. 
“Mind your tongue, old one.” Gabriel returned his scowl. 
“Stop.” Gwyn halted him. “You doubt my lineage, sir?” 
“I’m old kid, I doubt everything.” Grandpa Gruff retorted. 
“And here I thought age brought wisdom.” Genevieve raised her brow. 
“That is wisdom little lady.” He turned his eye to her. “Only fools accept things at face value… and you don’t get to be old being a fool.” Even the ever collected Genevieve started to ire at the belligerent griffon. 
“Please.” Gwyn looked around. “Above all else I was taught to respect my elders, and this may well be the eldest griffon left alive. I ask that you leave us, I wish to speak with him in private.” 
“As you wish, Prince.” Genevieve bowed. “Come with us, Gabby.” 
“O…okay.” Gabby obediently followed them as they headed back. 
“Well, at least one of you knows something about respect.” Grandpa Gruff plopped down in the dirt. 
“Sir, whether you believe me a Prince or not honestly does not matter to me.” Gwyn conceded. “But would you doubt what is happening around you? I have made a deal with Canterlot for them to assist in my plans to restore our city.”  
“Restored.” He grumbled, the word giving him pause. “I remember when Griffonstone was still at least a little respectable… still some beauty left along those old streets.” His ancient mind wandered in the fog of his memories. 
“Would you tell me of it?” Gwyn sat before him. “I have only seen it as it is now, my only window into the past the stories that were passed to me by Genevieve and Gabriel. 
Grandpa Gruff looked into his eyes, his long lived sensibilities telling him that whatever Gwyn was, he was at least genuine. “Not a happy story, kid.” He admitted. “I watched the griffons grow farther and farther apart with my own eye… well, eyes back then. I got the pleasure of seeing the beauty of Griffonstone fade and the rest of the world turn its back on us.” He let out a disgruntled snort. “If you’re seriously rebuilding it, then your story will be a lot better than whatever one I could tell you. Just leave it at that.” 
“I understand.” Gwyn nodded. 
“So.” He looked him over. “Related to old Guto are ya? What happened to the rest?” 
“That, too, is a long and sad story.” Gwyn sighed. “We have been living in a small village south of here…”
“Cliff Haven.” He interrupted.
“You know of it?” Gwyn asked in surprise. 
“It was settled by griffons even before Guto’s time.” Grandpa Gruff detailed. “Bunch of down to earth types who didn’t like how ‘high and mighty’ and ‘detached’ they felt Griffonstone had gotten.” He coughed and cleared his throat. “I don’t know all the details… I ain’t that old” He laughed. “So, the royal family was hiding there the whole time… kind of ironic.” 
“I suppose so.” Gwyn smiled, having learned something new about his history. “In any case, as I am the last, you can imagine what happened.” 
Grandpa Gruff nodded solemnly. “Sorry kid…I know what it’s like to not have any family left.”
“Then perhaps we are more alike than we thought.”
“Nah… difference between you and me is that I gave up.” He looked back at the work in the city. “But you kept up hope it seems.” He sighed, admitting a variety of things to himself. “To think I’d still be alive to see it beautiful again.”  
“You can do more than that.” Gwyn called his attention back. “I would be honored to have one with your knowledge and wisdom aiding us; you may have given up once, but you still have time to leave your mark.” 
Grandpa Gruff eyed him with a rare smile. “Guess I can still teach you fledglings a thing or two before I go.” They shook on the idea and returned to the worksite where the others were still overseeing. 
“Wonderful news.” Gwyn captured their attention as they landed. “Sir Gruff will be assisting us from here on out.” 
“What?” Gilda groaned. “Are you crazy?” 
“Gilda.” Genevieve eyed her for her disrespectful tone. 
“Sorry.” She sighed. “Are you crazy, Prince?” 
“He’s smart.” Grandpa Gruff corrected. “Kids' got a good head on his shoulders, more than I can say for the rest of ya. He knows the value of experience.”  
“If this is your wish, Prince.” Genevieve acknowledged. 
“He is far more than what you see, of that I am certain.” Gwyn promised. “I ask only that you treat him as a member of our team.” 
“Fine.” Gilda rolled her eyes. “Don’t know how much help he’ll be.” 
“Enough to tell you that if you keep digging up that street over there you’re going to damage the well lines.” He huffed. They all turned to see a team of ponies digging down into the road to make way for the repaving, they noticed the stares and halted their work. “Yeah, you…. danged hoof walkers.” Grandpa Gruff muttered as he went to them, he looked back to Gwyn and pointed to the earth beneath him. “This is one of the four primary roads that run through Griffonstone, the main arteries of the well lines that channel water from the aquifers run under them. If you damage even one of them you’ll contaminate the entire water supply… ya idiots.” He grumbled. 
“I had no idea.” Gwyn admitted. “Those were never detailed to me.” 
“They’re a lot older than your tutors there, kid.” He noted. “If you want to repair the road so bad then do yourself a favor and move it over a couple of yards, that way it won’t be a problem in the future.” 
“That we shall.” Gwyn lowered himself respectfully. “We are already in your debt, sir.” Gwyn flew over to begin alterations to the plan. 
“Ugh.” Gilda moaned. “We’re never going to hear then end of this.” 
“Perhaps.” Genevieve agreed. “But the Prince’s eye for value in others proves yet again to be on its mark.” 
“Yeah.” Gabby smiled at Gilda. “After all, he saw it in you didn’t he?” She giggled. 
“Don’t press your luck, squirt.” Gilda glared at her. 
Gwyn had organized things so that when the labor ceased for the day, no griffon would be left without a place to sleep. As the afternoon waned, the work halted and the ponies set up a makeshift tent city to act as their lodging. The caterers saw to a hearty dinner and the atmosphere fell into one of relaxation and fun. Gwyn and the others made themselves plates at the improvised chow line and sat around one of the several fire pits that had been created. 
“Mmm.” Gabby hummed happily as she chewed. “It’s been so long since we’ve had good food here.” 
“Something else I intend to see changed.” Gwyn vowed. 
“So what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Gilda asked. “We’ve only made it about an eighth of the way through the city.” 
“That is fine, Gilda.” Gwyn assured. “To be honest, we are ahead of schedule. The next weeks will be much of the same; Fixit has seen to establishing a supply chain of materials from Canterlot so we need only press forward with due diligence.” He laid his talon to Gabby’s leg. “Would you take a message to Princess Celestia for me tomorrow?” 
“Sure!” She excitedly nodded. 
“I do long to see her, I want her to know that she is chief among my thoughts.” He beamed. 
“What the heck is the kid going on about?” Grandpa Gruff asked. 
“He wants to marry Princess Celestia.” Gilda explained. 
“What!?” He squawked. “Marrying a pony…” He turned is eye to Gabriel and Genevieve. “What kind of nonsense have you two been filling his head with?” 
“Seeking to wed the Princess had nothing to do with either of us.” Genevieve shook her head. “He decided this well before returning to Griffonstone.” 
“Don’t be sold old-fashioned, Grandpa Gruff.” Gabby gave him a stern look. 
“All I’m saying is that you should marry a nice griffon girl.” He protested. “Like Gilda here.” He looked her over in thought. “Well… she’s a girl at least.”  
Gilda blushed with angry eyes. “Why you…” Gabby jumped on her to hold her down.
Gwyn laughed. “I cannot help what my heart desires.” 
“Well I… think it’s… romantic.” Gabby managed as she struggled against Gilda’s strength. 



As the evening grew late the workers began to retire for the evening. With the castle gone, Genevieve stayed with Gabby and Gabriel with Gilda while Gwyn chose to stay with Grandpa Gruff. 
“Grab some floor, kid.” Grandpa Gruff said as he waddled into his house. “I don’t have any fancy, royal beds.” 
“That is quite alright.” Gwyn sat; the senior griffon's home hadn’t been remodeled yet and it struck Gwyn to see the condition in which he lived. “I am sorry.” 
Grandpa Gruff turned back to him. “Huh? What are you on about?” 
“I am sorry that you have had to live like this for so long.” Gwyn clarified. 
“Ain’t your fault.” He scratched his chest. 
“In a way… it is.” Gwyn said sullenly. “Was it not my family that failed Griffonstone in the first place?”
Grandpa Gruff mumbled to himself in thought. “Those griffons in Cliff Haven, what are they like?” He finally asked.
“They… are kind.” Gwyn answered. “They took our family in and I myself share my blood with them.” 
“I see.” He nodded with a heavy cough. “So even after Griffonstone fell they stayed kind and unified?”
“Well, yes.” Gwyn nodded.
“Then quit whining about the past.” He said bluntly. “Your family didn’t fail Griffonstone. Griffonstone failed Griffonstone. We never needed the Idol of Boreas to prosper… you think the ponies need some stupid glowing artifact to let them know to treat each other well?” He let out a mocking laugh. “They do it for the same reason you do kid, because you know it’s the right thing to do.” He slowly went to him and laid his weary talon to Gwyn’s shoulder. “If this whole rebuilding Griffonstone idea of yours is supposed to be some kind of penance, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason. I’m the only one left that even remembers a Griffonstone that wasn’t a pig sty, so don’t waste your time trying to apologize to the dead.” 
Gwyn made a silent gasp as he felt a weight leave him at the old griffon’s advice, he laid his talon over his and smiled genuinely. “Thank you, sir.” 
“You’ve got a good heart, kid." He patted his shoulder and headed back towards his nest. "Guess those two babysitters of yours didn’t do such a bad job bringing you up after all.” He flew up to his nest and settled. “Still think you’re crazy for wanting to marry a pony though.” He noted as he set his head down. 
Gwyn laughed to himself. “You are certainly deserving of your moniker of ‘Grandpa’, sir.” With the only strong male presence in his life being the stern and distant Gabriel, Gwyn felt a pleasant swell of emotion at the idea of having his own grandfather figure. He took a comfortable spot on top of a blanket and found sleep under the arrhythmic snores of Grandpa Gruff.