"Where are they?" Gunda was furious. She was anxious and pacing back and forth in the room. The sun eclipse was getting near and she could not stay calm.

"Relax, he should be here any minute." Gunter was rubbing his forehead, trying to soothe his headache.

"I cannot relax, he should have been here already!" Gunda screamed, her voice cracking.

"What is the matter with you?" Gunter rose from his chair. "The feast will not start until they arrive, so why are you so nervous?"

Gunda whirled around and stared at her brother, her face showing utter fear. "You do not understand, Gunter."

"Then explain better and maybe I will understand what is happening!" Gunter lost his patience and banged his fist on the table. "I am sick of your mysteries and secrets. If you want my help, you should make things clear," he lowered his voice, feeling uncomfortable after yelling at his sister.

"What if something happened to their ship and he will not be able to come?" Gunda locked her fingers and rested her chin on them.

"I am sure they are fine." Gunter put a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder. "You should relax. The bride should not be tired or nervous. You must look beautiful and happy. I will leave you now and you do what I told you." Gunter kissed her forehead and left her chamber.

Gunda's gaze lingered on the closed door. She was scared. Never in her life had she felt such fear and misery. She knew and could foresee her fate if she failed. And that would not be the pleasant one. She was the fourth priestess, all the former ones had failed her mistress in service and Gunda did not want to be the next one, knowing what would happen to her in case of a failure.

She grabbed at her pearl necklace and tugged it in frustration. The thin thread split and white balls scattered on the floor.

"This cannot happen to me, not me!" She was repeating it like a mantra and clutching her velvet bed sheets.

The fluttering of wings and knocking got her attention and she looked at the window. A black raven was pecking the ivory colored window glass brought from Byzantium.

"Shoo, you nasty creature! Get away from me!" Gunda screamed at the bird.

The raven calmly was examining her with its wise eyes. The bird flapped its wings rapidly and croaked dreadfully three times before flying away.

Gunda shivered. This was not a good sign.

Shouts sounded from outside and she withdrew from her thoughts. Gunda ran to the window and looked at the sea. She saw seven boats that were slowly approaching.

"Gunter!" she called for her brother and hurriedly left her room.

"Is it not majestic?" Dean asked in awe, looking at the castle.

No one was able to stop staring at the tremendous building. Castiel was enchanted by the red dragon that was sitting on the citadel roof.

Their guide, an experienced fisher with calloused hands, gave a small chuckle. "I do not know what you want on this island, and probably this is not my business, but I will give you some advice. Stay away from the mistress of this island. I have not seen anyone being lucky after encountering her."

Castiel and Sami glanced at each other. Dean just snorted. "Just a raving," he said, carefree.

"Sure, just a raving," said the fisher. "Did you know that three Norman ships have disappeared after visiting this island?" He squinted his eyes from the sun rays.

"How do you know about that? As I remember Ivar said you rarely leave your island," the Berserk said without lifting his gaze from the castle walls.

"Oh, we know a lot of things. We do not leave our island, but that does not mean that we are not aware of what happens around us," replied the fisher confidently.

"Whatever," Dean mumbled. "I guess we will have to find out."

Meanwhile, all the boats reached the shore. Despite Dean's invitations, the fishers categorically refused to stay overnight and rest. They said their farewell and quickly rowed back to their island.

"Let's go, my friends!" Dean exclaimed gleefully and moved towards the castle in the thick snow. As always, the Vikings followed their leader.

"I bet you Gunda killed her husband to own this place," Sami whispered to Castiel while learning the castle and its surroundings.

"But it was already hers, so why would she do it?" Castiel asked naively.

"Oh, you do not know women, brother." Sami laughed out loud, which made Dean turn around.

"What's so funny?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, nothing, I was just telling him how Ottar got wasted and was running naked in front of his house," Sami said monotonously.

The Berserk gave a small laugh and nodded. "Yes, I remember it. That was very funny."

As said before, Dragon Castle was a piece of rare beauty. To enter the castle one had to go through the barbican first. The barbican itself had walls seventeen feet high made from sandstone. Guards stood at battlements, pacing on parapets from time to time.

The iron gate connected the barbican to the courtyard. It was divided in half. One part with the lower bailey consisted of stables, a well, and other small buildings. The main bailey had the main building and the small chapel, which lord Robert had built himself. Being a believer in Christianity, he loved to pray there.

The curtain walls of the castle were as high as the barbican, with four towers of twenty feet high at all four sides built from sandstone and linestone. There were many arrow loops in the walls where the archers could shoot intruders from.

But the main part of the castle was a twenty foot high keep. It was made of flint stone and had round arched windows. The keep was the strongest and the most secure place of the whole castle. On the roof of the keep sat the red dragon, terrifying enemies only with its shape.

As the Vikings approached the barbican, the drawbridge descended slowly. The thick iron chains rattled and creaked.

In the passage stood Gunda, Gunter, and the town's noblemen accompanied with dozens of guards. Gunda was wearing a scarlet dress with a golden belt. Her red dress seemed like a blood puddle on the white, untouched snow.

She looked relaxed and composed. She stepped forward to meet her future husband, reaching her hands towards Dean. "Finally you have arrived," she murmured as their hands met.

"Our ship sank and we were helped by the nearest islanders. I apologize if it caused you concern." The Viking held her in a tight embrace. "Thanks to the Gods we overcame the dangers and obstacles and I am here." He kissed her hand.

Gunter stepped forward to meet his future brother in law. "Good to see you Dean the Berserk," he greeted him heartily. "Please, dear guests, come with us." Gunter motioned them towards the castle.

Before they entered the gates, Gunda leaned towards her brother and whispered into his ear: "Gunter, take the guests to the hall. I have something important to do. They can eat and drink as much as they want, but do not touch any food or drink. And do not ask any questions until I come back into the hall."

The Danish Jarl stopped, confused. His sister's cryptic tone made him utterly suspicious, but then he quickly came round and led his guests to the castle.

As they entered the courtyard, merry music and cheerful greetings sounded from every corner. People were throwing flower petals at their heads and covering their path with olive branches. The Vikings were amazed at the reception and with puzzled expressions were looking in every direction.

It was hard to keep an eye on Dean as a lot of people danced, jumped, and mixed around. There were a lot of animal tamers who held big pumas by chains, dangerous and fierce bears, small and clever monkeys, and other wild animals brought from the exotic countries.

Castiel jumped aside when a big snake rose up from the open basket in front of a charmer who was playing a flute.

Sami instinctively grabbed his sword while contemplating the huge, brown snake. "We should talk to Gunter and explain what's happening. Damn, I hate these things," Sami growled.

"Do you think he will believe us? I am not sure. I think it will infuriate him, thinking we are insulting his sister." Castiel shook his head in denial.

"Well, we could try and see what comes out of it."

A small group of fire-swallowers crossed their path and the procession stopped. The smoke and the flames blurred their vision. The public screamed and cheered, excited. Musicians, actors, and pranksters mixed with locals, making their passing almost impossible.

Cold wind blew, bringing dark clouds across the sky. Torch fires in the fakirs' hands died out.

"Gunter," Sami called the man, trying to overcover the loud shouts and laughter.

Gunter stopped and turned around. "Yes, what is it?" he asked gently.

"We need to talk." Sami and Castiel said simultaneously.

"Yes, sure but let's get inside first. We can talk at the table."

The crowd pressed from all directions and the Vikings were pushed towards the main tower. Gunter led them to the great hall, where a table of enormous size with fabulous food was set. As the Vikings entered the hall, a heavy door closed behind them.

"Yes, my friends, what is it? How can I help you?" Gunter asked while moving towards the table.

Sami stared at him intently, frowning deeply. "It's about your sister."

Gunter quickly stopped and gave him a confused look. "Gunda? What about her?"

Sami gulped nervously before answering. "She plans to sacrifice Dean. She is Hel's priestess."

Gunter stared at Sami like he was looking at a mad man. After a short and tense silence, he burst into laughter. "Now, this is the strangest joke I have ever heard."

Suddenly Castiel gasped and paled. "Where are Dean and Gunda?"

Sami looked around and cursed aloud when he did not see Dean in the hall.

Gunter stopped laughing, his face deadly serious. "What's going on?"

"We told you. Gunda is Hel's priestess and she will sacrifice Dean to her before the sun eclipse is over. We need to find them as soon as possible." Sami unsheathed his sword. "Vikings, remember what Ulvhat told us? Do not touch anything!" he barked.

Gunter was utterly shocked and didn't have the slightest idea what was happening.

Castiel felt sorry for him and tried to explain. "Your sister wants us dead so we can not prevent her from her intention. She has poisoned the food and drink. Our sorcerer warned us beforehand."

Gunter's face reddened from rage. "I swear by Odin and Thor if this is a joke, I will not tolerate you insulting my sister's name!" he hissed.

"Very well, and what will you do if we are right?" Sami asked sternly.

"Then I will kill her myself," Gunter replied without taking his eyes off of Sami.

"Sami, look," suddenly one of the Vikings called. He was holding a big rat.

"We can find out if we are right," Sami told Gunter and took the rat to the table. He took a small piece of cheese and gave it to the rat. The rodent took the cheese and began to chew. After a few bites it squeaked and cramped. A few more seconds and the rat was dead.

Sami glanced at Gunter, who was opening and closing his mouth, not able to utter a word. Sami dropped the rat on the floor. "Vikings, follow me, we need to find our Jarl!" he shouted and moved towards the door. His forty eight friends and a stunned Gunter followed him.

That was when they found out that the wooden door had been barred from the other side.

"Where are we going, Gunda?" Dean was surprised as Gunda kept pulling his hand, tugging him towards the forest.

"Come, Dean. I want to show you one special place," she said with a smile as they passed through the gates of the castle.

"I forgot to inform my men." Dean's voice sounded concerned.

"Gunter is with them. If they need something, he can provide," the woman assured him.

They turned to the left and walked towards the aspen grove. Dean did not notice a victorious smile on Gunda's face when the dark clouds covered the sky and the sun disappeared. The earth sank into the darkness.

They were about to enter the grove when, out of nowhere, a beggar appeared. She stood in their way with determination.

"My lady, I have not eaten for a few days, please give me some coins so I can buy bread for my children," she pleaded Gunda.

"Out of my way, wench!" Gunda said in disgust, trying to push her away.

The beggar fell on her knees and grabbed Gunda's dress hem. "Please, be merciful," she pleaded. "I do not ask for myself. My children are starving."

Gunda kicked her and snatched the dress out of her hands. "How dare you stop me? Don't you know who I am?" she shouted in rage.

But the woman was not listening to her. Now she was clinging and wrapping her arms around Dean's legs. "My lord, I can see your kind heart, please help me feed my children." She sobbed miserably.

Dean's heart felt heavy. He leaned down and helped her get up. "What can I give you, poor woman? My ship sank in deep waters, taking all my belongings to the bottom," he said with deep concern.

"Do not listen to her, my lord, come with me." Gunda tugged at Dean's sleeve.

The beggar bowed her head and whispered: "Do not worry, Dean. I do not need your money." A mysterious smile danced on her lips before she slowly walked away.

"What a strange woman," mumbled the Viking as he followed Gunda, who was almost running towards the woods.

"Gunda, wait," he called as he entered the woods.

He saw four white columns. A small set of stairs led to the marble pool, which was situated in the middle between the columns. The pool was full of red substance that looked eerily like blood.

"Gunda, where are you? What are we…" Dean suddenly cried out in pain and grabbed his head. "What…." he began again but could not finish as a worse wave of pain crashed into him.

He yelled and fell down on his knees. He felt like his head was on fire. His blood was boiling, his bones ached, and his muscles were tensed to the edge of tearing. Dean's whole body shivered and cramped. He opened his mouth in a silent scream. Then he began coughing and vomiting. A thick, green mass poured like a river from his mouth.

Sudden thunder shook the earth. Wrathful wind howled in the trees. The pool surface bubbled and stirred.

Dean finally was able to inhale. He slowly got up from his knees and looked around. He shook his head and strained his eyes, looking around. "Where am I?" he whispered, bewildered.

A sudden scream startled him and he barely managed to jump aside and avoid a strike. He quickly turned around and saw Gunda, who was holding a heavy cudgel.

"What is happening? Where am I and what do you want from me?" Dean yelled at top of his lungs.

"Die, you bastard!" she screamed and attacked him again, trying desperately to throw him into the pool.

"Where is Castiel? What did you do to him, you bitch?" Dean snarled and grabbed her wrists.

"He is dead, as are all of your friends," she laughed manically. Hysteria and madness danced in her black eyes.

"You're lying," retorted Dean in protest.

Gunda's response was subdued under a roll of thunder. The cudgel fell out of her hand. She shrieked and kicked the Viking in the groin. Dean cried out from pain and doubled over, but he managed to slap her hard in the face. Gunda fell down on the ground, unconscious.

The powerful earthquake shook the earth. The forest filled with frightened sounds. Birds and animals shrieked, squealed, and howled all around him. The pool bubbled once again. Dean unsheathed his sword and yelled:

"Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!"

The Vikings were trying to break down the door when Castiel yelped from pain and grabbed his left arm.

"What is it, Castiel?" Sami stopped ramming the door and looked at his sworn brother.

"I believe it's the sign again," the Saxon muttered and quickly rolled the sleeve up. No need to say that his arm was covered in blood.

"Dean is in danger…" Castiel paled and he grabbed the hilt of the sword with his trembling fingers. As proof of his theory, a desperate cry sounded from the woods:

"Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!"

Castiel made a choking sound and, without much thinking, ran towards the window. He broke the glass and looked out towards the woods.

"What are you doing?" Gunter asked, not believing his eyes.

"I am trying to save my Jarl," Castiel said simply.

"You will die, Castiel! The walls of the castle are too tall!" Gunter exclaimed.

"Maybe it's better that way," Castiel chuckled bitterly.

Sami stepped to the window, but Castiel stopped him. "No, Sami. Please don't."

Sami nodded knowingly. "May Freyja protect you, Castiel," he said, his voice breaking at the end.

Castiel nodded with a smile and jumped.

"How long?" Gunter croaked.

"What do you mean?" Sami came out of his astonishment.

"How long has he been in love with Dean?" Gunter clarified.

"Long enough."

"And Dean?"

"Yes. He loved him until your sister messed up his mind." Sami smiled bitterly.

"I am sorry. I wish I had known." Gunter's voice was full of regret.

Footsteps sounded from the other side and someone unbarred the door. Armed warriors rushed in to the room.

"Did you really think we would not find out about your mistress' dirty plans?" Sami roared at them. "Vikings, charge!" He gave the command and attacked with a fierce force. Gunter was the first to follow. With a mighty war cry, he attacked the intruders. The Vikings, who were enraged by all that was happening around them, flipped the table and charged at Gunda's men.

Castiel's heart was trying to explode while he was rushing through the air. He had jumped from a twenty foot high wall and he was not sure he would be alive after hitting the ground. His last hope was the thick snow that was still fluffy. The Saxon frantically prayed to Freyja. "Please, help me. I beg you!"

The collision with the earth was horrible and at first he thought all of his bones were crushed. He was sunk into chest-deep snow and gasping for the air. Little by little, Castiel felt he could move his hands and legs and began to climb out of the white cover. He was outside the castle.

He rubbed his ankle and limped towards the woods.

Dean waited for a response, straining his ears. The only sound he heard was some splashing from behind him. He quickly turned around. The Berserk felt how his hair stood on its end. Six creatures, half men, half snakes to be precise, were staring at him from the pool. They were leaning on their snake tails. Red eyes glared at him hungrily. Their torsos were covered with thick, black scales. The creatures did not have noses or ears. The holes which they had instead of ears were leaking some gross, dark liquid. Each creature was holding a sharp dagger.

Dean was too astonished to move when a groan got his attention. He turned his head and saw Gunda sitting up and massaging her temples.

"Gundaaaa…." hissed one of the creatures and swam closer to the edge of the pool.

Gunda, startled, and opened her eyes. Immediately, utter fear crept into them.

"You failed…." The creature's long and forked tongue thrust out.

"No… no…. no, I have brought him to you…" Gunda protested weakly.

"You had to throw him in the pool." The rest of the creatures hissed synchronously and moved forward.

Before Gunda could respond, a hand of the first creature extended at an unbelievable length and grabbed the woman's hair. With another hand he clutched her dress. The hand that was grabbing her hair made an abrupt pull. Gunda's scream was deafening. Dean felt nauseous when he saw the ripped off scalp in the creature's hand. The rest of the creatures swam out of the pool towards the flailing Gunda. They encircled her. The sight which Dean saw he could not have imagined in his worst nightmare.

The creatures held Gunda's hands and legs still while one of them was slowly breaking and snapping each of her bones. Gunda's voice was hoarse from screaming. Torn and bloody muscles and veins were hanging from her skull. Her red dress, shredded to pieces, was dropped on the ground while the owner's naked and tortured body was writhing in her tormentors' clawed hands.

Dean did not think that there could be something worse that could happen when a clawed hand ripped Gunda's stomach apart, emboweling her. Gunda's breathe stuck in her throat and her body cramped in agony. The creatures dropped her onto the ground and stared at Dean.

The Berserk took two steps back. "Don't you dare, you sons of snakes, or whatever you are!" he growled low and warningly.

He hacked a large portion of the tail when it tried to smack him. The creature shrieked and attacked. Dean jumped aside with lightning speed, whirled around, and thrust his sword into the creature's throat. It fell on the ground, writhing and spitting blood out. The second creature was beheaded by Dean's sword, though the monster managed to stab the Viking in the arm.

The other four monsters encircled the Berserk. Dean held his sword tightly. "Come on, you bastards!" he roared and raised his sword.

Castiel was panting and out of breath when he reached the marble columns. He heard shrieks, hissings, and metal clashing as he entered the woods, but could not understand what it was until he saw the dreadful sight. He noticed Dean's figure, which was being ambushed by eerie monsters. The Viking was covered in blood and swaying. Three creatures were still alive. Three of them were lying dead on the ground.

"Dean!" Castiel shouted and rushed towards his lover.

"Cas, you're alive…" the Viking stopped for a second and smiled blissfully. That was enough and one of the creatures stabbed him in the stomach.

"No!" Castiel yelled and covered the last remaining steps with one jump.

He did not notice how he hacked left and right, up and down. The Saxon was fast and furious. It seemed even the legions of Hel would not be able to stop him. The monsters desperately tried to rip him to shreds, but the scales tipped into Castiel's favor.

The last creature, with open chest and ripped out heart, fell on the ground and Castiel, covered in their blood from head to toes, drove his sword into the ground.

He fell on his knees beside Dean's body. The Viking had a lot of wounds and stabs. It seemed he did not have an unharmed spot on his body.

"Dean, hold on, Dean…" Castiel held him in his arms. "I will get you out of here, I promise! Don't you dare to die on me, you hear, Dean?" He was kissing Dean's cheeks, forehead, eyes, and lips.

Dean chuckled and immediately a thick blood stream stretched down from the corner of his mouth.

"Don't speak, please," Castiel's voice broke and he was not able to stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks.

"Cas… I am… so sorry for… everything," Dean rasped and patted the Saxon's cheek.

"It was not your fault Dean, it wasn't," Castiel whispered and rocked back and forth with his lover's body in his arms.

"Cas, I'm dying," Dean said calmly. "I can die happy knowing that you forgave me."

Castiel started. "Don't you dare, Dean, you hear me? I swear by my God, your Gods and Goddesses, and every God out there that I will find and resurrect you only to strangle you with my own hands if you leave me!" The Saxon's voice cracked and he sobbed.

"Cas, can you do something for me?" Dean whispered. It was getting hard to speak for him.

"Anything you want, Dean." Castiel choked another sob.

"Sing me the song which your mother sang to your father before he went to his final battle." The Viking closed his eyes.

The Saxon let out a bitter moan. He squeezed his eyes shut and began with a shaking voice:

"Close your eyes, and follow dream's path,

Free your mind from worries and rest,

The night has just started, time is still left,

Sleep in my arms, put your head on my chest…"

Dean smiled happily. "I love you," he said and his fingers softly touched Castiel's lips.

"I love you too, Dean," Castiel whimpered.

The Viking's hand dropped limply and his head rolled to the side.

"Dean? Dean? No, no, noooooooooooooooo!" Castiel screamed.

His scream rose up high towards the skies. Thunder rolled, lightning flashed, and heavy rain poured down, flooding everything on its way.