Who *am* I?
By Aris Merquoni (flamester@hotmail.com)

Gargoyles and all related characters belong to Disney and Buena Vista TV. 
Used without permission. The lyrics for the song "Who Am I" belong to Herbert 
Kretzmer (Yes, that *is* the name of the guy who wrote the lyrics to Les 
Misérables... look on your local CD cover :)

This is a little story, unattached to anything, that I wrote up after 
listening to my soundtrack of Les Misérables for too darn long... Can you 
tell? ;) This *looks* like it needs a little more explaination, or a little 
more background, but this is it. It ends sharply, even for my stuff, so be 
prepared for... uh... nothing. This is *short*. It has *no background*. Don't 
worry. This is *purely* character development. If anyone wants to write this 
scene (That's just about all it is, really) into another story, feel free.

-=+++=-

*o/~ This innocent who bears my face, who goes to judgement in my place, who 
am I... o/~* The words echoed in his head like a bad memory as he stared, 
stared at his clan leader, his friend, recieve his judgment. He was as frozen 
as the rest of the clan as the judge started to read the charges. But his 
conscience would not be quiet, would not leave him alone.

*o/~ Can I conceal myself forevermore, pretend I'm not the man I was 
before... and must my name until I die be no more than an alibi... o/~* He 
knew that he had the power to set Goliath free... with a few words, he could 
right the wrong being done. With a few words, he could set his friend free... 
but at what price? He would reveal himself... and be condemned. He could not, 
could not! reveal his true self... his true name... Who he was, really. Not 
just another Gargoyle who had joined the clan... there were thirteen in the 
small clan, now. He was unlucky thirteen.

*o/~ Why should I save his hide? Why should I right this wrong, when I have 
come so far, and struggled for so long? o/~* The music echoed in his mind. He 
had listened to it just last night, when he had heard the news. Goliath had 
been found guilty. He had been identified by three sources, and five security 
camera films. There was nobody who could contradict ths evidence. Nobody but 
him.

*o/~ Can I condemn this man to slavery? Pretend I do not see his agony? o/~* 
There was no way... No way. He had made his desision. He had taken another 
name, another face... he wasn't the same person, anymore. He wasn't the 
Gargoyle who had done these crimes, any more than Goliath was. But Goliath 
had not, either... there was no answer. *o/~ If I speak, I am condemned... if 
I stay silent, I am damned. o/~*

*How can you?* His mind cried at him. *How can you sit there, and let him 
take the punishment for what you did? o/~ How can I ever face my fellow 
men... how can I ever face myself again... o/~* He could not move. He stared 
hoplessly at the judge... he was reading the punishment. *With one stroke, 
you could save him. With just a few words...* But he would not, could not. He 
would be rejected again... he had *changed*. If he spoke up now, he would be 
cast out... they might break his wings for his lies. He tore his gaze from 
the stand, from the scene.

His eyes met those of the one man who knew his secret. Owen Burnett.

Burnett's face was expressionless, blank as normal. But his eyes... the man's 
eyes burned into the Gargoyle like hot irons. He wilted. How could he remain 
silent? *o/~ Who am I? Who am I... o/~*

As the judge finished, the Gargoyle stood. "Wait!" He cried. All eyes turned 
toward him.

The Gargoyle held out his hand and started chanting. He felt the power come 
to him, the simple spell that would break the enchantment placed over him. 
Nearly choking on the last word of the spell, he felt the disguise slip away.

His shoulders slumped from the effort, the Gargoyle raised his head to meet 
Goliath's startled gaze. "He didn't do this. I did." He said, in his normal 
voice, a deep bass rumble.

Goliath gasped in shock... and recognition. "Thailog?"

-=+END+=-

That's it. Yes, that is *it*. No more... Yes, I know you want more, but 
THAT'S IT... sorry. I warned you, I warned you, but did you listen to me - 
oh, no, it's just a harmless little bunny...