The Last ValkyriePart 1 of The Winchester Legacy

by freyagirl

Cas is dying. Castiel's grace is making him sick, weakening him, burning him out. Sam and Dean are holed up in the bunker, Dean taking care of his angel while Sam desperately searches for anything that might save him. The boys make one last desperate attempt to save their friend, unwittingly attracting the attention of an ancient warrior bent on revenge. Part 1 of 3.

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Castiel was waiting for them when they arrived back at the bunker. Kara took the opportunity to shower while Sam and Dean caught up with Cas. Afterward, Dean made burgers and the four of them settled in front of the TV with season 2 of Game of Thrones.

After eating, Kara went to her room then returned with her sword and a leather pouch. First, Kara thoroughly cleaned and wiped down the sword with a shop rag, removing every last bit of vampire. Then she examined it for any nicks that may have been caused by cleaving through bone, pulling out a sharpening stone and carefully running it down the length of the blade. After making sure that both edges had a smooth sharp edge, Kara applied a little gun oil to a microfiber rag and wiped down every inch of the sword.

"That's a beautiful blade," observed Dean.

With a small smile Kara took a moment to run her finger over the runes etched into the hilt. "My Father's sense of humor, a bastard sword for a bastard daughter."

"Your Father, you mean Odin?" asked Sam.

"No, while Odin is -was- the AllFather, he is not my Father," Kara replied. "I was human once, I had a human Father."

"You were born human?" asked Dean.

"Almost 1,600 years ago. We were Saxons," said Kara with a smile. "His name was Sigeberht, it means 'bright victory'. We were mercenaries in service to Hengist during the conquest of Britain. My Father raised me to be a Shield-Maiden, a warrior like him. I spent my childhood always moving with Hengist's forces from one battle to another, settling down in the winters with the rest of the war band. My Father had this made for me when I proved myself a warrior in my own right."

"That all actually sounds a little familiar," said Dean. "So how did you become a Valkyrie?"

"I died in battle," replied Kara. "Freyja and Odin offered me the opportunity to join the Valiant Dead."

"What about your mom?" asked Sam.

Kara gave a humorless laugh, "Her name was Elswyth, it means 'elf from the willows'. They were never married which wasn't really a big deal then, but when I was little she married a nobleman in Frisia who had no interest in raising another man's bastard." Seeing the uncomfortable looks on the men's faces Kara quickly added, "I was happy with my Father and the warriors, I never lacked for love and affection. It was a good life."