Chapter 26

The troop had been traveling for nearly two hours, making detours where they needed to allow the horses passage through some of the rougher terrain. Dean was suddenly on high alert when Talon cried out from the travois as Lark began to struggle in her confines.

"Stop! Stop!" he called quickly to the elf leading the horse so he could get to Lark. "Hey, hey it's okay..." he cooed to her as he moved Talon and leaned closer to her.

"No!" Lark screamed in anger as she got an arm out of Sam's shirt, ripping it, and threw a punch at Dean clipping his jaw and sitting him back on his bottom. She fought to get free of the confines of the blanket and shirt and fell from the travois to the hard ground, her breath coming out in ragged pants.

"Lark, hey it's Sam." he said softly kneeling down near her but not touching her, watching her eyes for recognition. "You're safe Lark." he told her searching her eyes but only seeing an emptiness and glazed look.

She looked around like a caged animal trying to find a way out as she scrambled backwards away from him. His shirt was hanging off her exposing more than any wanted to see, but that didn't register with her. She was still in fight mode like she couldn't shut it off.

"Lark, Lark." Talon's small voice called to her running to her side and hugging her showing no fear at all.

That innocent touch seemed to break Lark from her nightmare as she looked down at the little elf clinging to her and with trembling arms returned his hug. He looked up into her face with huge, tearful eyes and patted her cheek. "You come back..." he told her giving her a smile.

"Hey Babe..." Dean said softly squatting down near her trying not frighten her. "I see you still have a good right punch." he chuckled rubbing his jaw. He slowly reached out and pulled the shirt back over her bare chest, but didn't try to touch her. He watched her flinch away from his hand and a look of worry and concern flashed across his face.

Lark worked her arms into the sleeves of the shirt but didn't said anything to him. She kept her eyes down with a frozen expression on her face. She felt nothing. It was as if she was numb inside about all that had happened to her.

spn

Thallon stepped back to see what had happened and Lark immediately went on the defense, pushing Talon behind her and stood on rubbery legs ready to defend him. She had the look of a tigress protecting her young as she balled her hands into fists.

"Young warrior you need not be afraid." Mylaela told her from her seat on the horse. "He is my brother and will not harm you. You are under the protection of my people, The Elves of Ravenwood."

Lark looked to the matron elf as she spoke and looked back to Thallon who stopped moving toward her.

"She speaks the truth, you saved my sister and daughters and I will forever be in your debt." Thallon said bowing his head to her in respect. "If you will have a seat back on the travois, we will continue our journey."

Her gaze roamed around over Dean and Sam, who were standing nearby waiting anxiously to see what she was going to do. She didn't acknowledge either of them or let her gaze linger. Talon pulled at her hand trying to get her to the travois and she allowed it. She eased back down on it, letting Talon climb in her lap as Ara sat down beside her patting her arm in comfort as she chirped softly to her.

Sam looked to his brother as saw the hurt look, knowing all he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and hold her tight. He could feel his heartache and wished he could help in some way, but knew his brother wouldn't allow it. Dean was the strong, silent one who rarely showed his emotions to anyone. Sam was the only one who could read him like a book and at times felt what he felt. Their bond was strong and had been since the day Sam was brought home from the hospital and put in Dean's arm. That bond grew stronger over the years and was tested many times. It had almost broken, but could never completely disappear.

Thallon signaled for the elves to continue as he resumed his position near the front of the band. They started up again and Lark balanced herself on the swaying pallet. She kept her eyes downcast, but could feel Dean and Sam's eyes on her, studying her, probably waiting for her to break. She remained stoic and closed off, shutting down her emotions from showing. She didn't want anyone to see them because she was not ready to deal with what had happened.

spn

The sun was sinking lower on the horizon when Thallon called for a halt for the night. The soldiers scurried around gathering materials to make a lean to for Mylaela and the girls. One of the soldiers disappeared into the woods to come back later with a string of fish for their meal. They got a fire going to cook them.

The brothers chose a spot nearby and laid out their sleeping bags before fixing a fire pit to cook the food. Dean watched Lark as she sat on a rock away from everyone staring off into space. He gathered wood and Sam started fixing the food for Talon and Ara first so they could eat. He cut up fruit and veggies and broke up some bread for them.

"Hey 'kids' c'mon and eat." Sam called looking toward Lark where they were sitting at her feet.

Dean picked up a bottle of water and walked slowly to Lark, being sure to stay in her sight.

"Hey Babe, want some water?" Dean asked softly holding out the water.

Lark only raised his eyes far enough to see the water bottle he was offering and took it being sure not to touch him. She wouldn't raise her eyes high enough to look at him.

"Sammy's fixing something to eat but I bet it won't be as good as your cooking." Dean said trying to pull her into a conversation or at least get her to say something. She had only said one word since they had rescued her. She still remained aloof and closed off, even from them and this concerned him. With the trauma she went through, he thought she would be showing some type of emotions even if it was anger or rage or tears, anything to show she was feeling something.

"Dean." Sam called to him making him look his way.

Dean walked over and joined him to see what he wanted.

"Anything?" he mumbled as he stirred the food.

"No." he replied shaking his head sadly.

"Maybe she'll eat something." he offered checking to see if it was ready. He dished some chicken and rice onto a plate and added a piece of bread. He handed it to Dean and looked toward Lark.

"I'll try." he sighed taking the plate and walking back over to her. "Sammy made chicken and rice, one of your favorites." He held out the plate to her, waiting for her to take it. "You need to eat something Babe, please." He finally set it on the rock beside her and moved away hoping she'd take it and eat.

"Here, you need to eat too." Sam told him sliding a plate toward him.

"Not hungry." Dean mumbled trying to figure out a way to help Lark. He was at a loss of what to do to break through to her.

"Yes you are, now eat." Sam said sternly pointing at the plate knowing if he didn't make him he wouldn't be eating.

Dean huffed, but picked up the plate and took a bite. He stole a look out of the corner of his eye to see if Lark was eating. He saw her pick up the bread and take a small bite and after a moment spooned a small bite of the other. He was eating automatically and not tasting anything.

"I'm going to see if the others want some chicken and rice since there's plenty with the spell the wizard used." Sam said before gathering up cups, a couple of plates and silverware. He looked to his brother when he didn't answer and sighed softly.

spn

"Hi, I know you have some food, but wondered if you'd like some chicken and rice?" Sam asked sitting the cooking pot down and spooning out servings. He gave the two soldiers and Thallon cups and the girls and sister the plates. "Sorry girls, hope you don't mind sharing. I didn't have any more plates."

"Thank you young Samuel" Mylaela told him accepting the offerings and giving one to the girls.

The soldiers eyed the food and took a tentative bite realizing it wasn't bad and quickly devoured their servings.

"It's not much, just freeze dried meals we have for when you're camping." Sam said giving the soldiers more and smiling at their eagerness.

"I don't understand this freeze dried words." Thallon questioned.

"Well there's a process done that takes all the moisture out of the food and then its packaged in bags for easy storage. All you do is add water back, heat and you have your meal. When you're out camping or like us here, its a quick meal and easy to carry. With Bloodwyne putting a spell on our pot, we can eat as much as we want before it stops coming back."

"I see." he said taking another bite.

"So is there a river nearby that I can get some water to heat to wash the dishes?" he asked knowing the soldier had come back with fish.

"I will have one of my soldiers retrieve it for you."

"I don't mind."

"Wouldn't want you to get lost trying to find it."

"I have a flashlight..." Sam started and looked toward his brother when he heard his whistle. He saw Dean motion to him and sat the pot down so if they wanted more they could serve themselves. "When you're done say, Deiseil and it will stop. I need to see what my brother needs."

"I will have the water brought to you and thank you for the food." Thallon said with a nod before Sam walked away.

spn

Dean quickly finished his food and was washing it down with water when he saw Lark slowly stand. She grimaced in pain, but quickly hid it as she limped very slowly toward the fire. His eyes tracked her every move, but was afraid to say something. Lark sat her plate beside Sam's dirty one and moved like an old woman shuffling toward the sleeping bags. He figured she was going to lay down, but his heart crumbled when she pulled her bag from between theirs and turned to move away. She paused at her pack and opened it pulling out her hand gun before moving back across the clearing as far away from everyone as she could get, including him. Dean sucked in a sharp breath and stood giving a short whistle to get Sam's attention before motioning him over.

"What?" Sam asked as he drew near his brother.

"Lark just took a gun from her pack." Dean hissed quietly. He couldn't keep the concern from his voice as he stole a backward glance seeing she had put her bag near the rock and was leaning back against it with the gun in her lap.

"Crap, that's not good." Sam mumbled back. "She could accidentally shoot one of us by mistake."

"I know, she's not in any mindset right now to have a weapon, especially a loaded gun."

"How can we get it away from her?"

"She looks like she's hurting, maybe offer her some pain meds and when she's asleep take it." Dean suggested.

"That might work."

"You do it." he said sadly. "She might not be as jumpy with you."

Sam looked at his brother's face and saw the raw emotions on it as he tried to hide them. "Alright." he agreed stepping to her pack to find the first aid kit with the meds. He pulled out a bottle of the stronger medication and turned to walk slowly over to Lark, making sure to stay in her line of sight. He faltered slightly when he saw her body stiffened and the gun in her lap being raised toward him.

Talon started to follow Sam toward Lark until Dean grabbed him up and whispered to him. "Not yet kid, Sammy needs to talk to Lark and then you can go over."

Talon nodded he understood and put his arms around Dean's neck in a hug. "Lark be okay." he whispered to him making Dean tear up for a moment before clearing his throat and getting his emotions under control.

spn

"Hey, Lark...I thought you might need some pain meds after what..." Sam let his voice trail off not able to say anymore. He didn't want bring back those memories for her. "They should help." he continued opening the bottle and holding it out to her. "Why don't you take a couple, you're gonna get stiff tonight."

Lark felt Sam before she let her empty eyes glance at him for a moment. She couldn't stop her body from tensing and the grip on the gun from tightening. She knew in the back of her mind that Sam would never hurt her, but she couldn't stop the automatic response. Lark watched him open the bottle and caught most of what he said. She stared at his hand for a moment before lifting her heavy arm with the palm up so he could put a couple of pills in it. She brought her hand to her mouth and took the pills, washing them down with a little water.

Sam stood there a moment longer, not sure what to say or do and then finally whispered a good night before going back over to the fire. He saw one of the elves had brought water so he could wash the dirty dishes and sat it on a rock in the fire to heat.

"She took them, it shouldn't take them long to work." Sam whispered putting the pills in a side pocket of his pack thinking she would need more in the morning.

"Good, I'll keep a watch on her." he nodded sitting Talon on his feet and letting him go over to Lark to sit down beside her while he sat back down and threw a couple more branches on the fire. It wasn't cold but he felt a chill in him that didn't want to warm sending a shiver up his back. He hunched over and pulled his jacket closer around him feeling a heavy weight on his soul and an unending ache in his chest. Lark hadn't spoken to anyone, but that one word 'No' since she had come too and he was getting worried. She was showing no signs of any type of emotion, like she was an empty shell just going through the day to day motions. Dean had hoped she would've snapped out of it by now, anything was better than this, even if it was a melt down. That he could handle, better than total silence.

spn

"How long has she been asleep?" Sam asked looking up once he finished cleaning up.

"About thirty minutes. I'll give it another ten and see if I can get her gun without getting shot." Dean answered. He had watched Lark's head nod up and down as she tried to stay awake until finally she had given in and her chin was resting on her chest. He didn't want to leave her that way too long since it would cause a sore neck come morning.

"Just be careful and don't stand in front of her. You'll make less of a target at the side." Sam suggested.

"Got it." he said glancing at his watch and back up at Lark. He ticked the time off in his head before quietly getting up and moving toward Lark. He put his finger to his lips for Talon to be quiet as he sidled up to her and squatted down, carefully slipping the gun from her limp hand. She stirred slightly, but didn't wake as Dean tucked it into his jacket. He slipped a hand behind her neck and around her waist to ease her down on her sleeping bag so she would be more comfortable. The little elf moved and after Lark settled, curled up next to her to sleep. "Keep her safe." he whispered to him, ruffling his hair before getting up to move away.

"We need to watch her in case she tries to get another weapon." Sam stated when Dean joined him back by the fire.

"Already thought of that." Dean said. "I put her weapons in my pack."

"Good. Let's hope she can get some rest."

"I'm going to sleep closer to her tonight." he decided, getting up to move his sleeping bag closer to Lark. He was six feet away and figured that was far enough that she wouldn't feel threatened if she woke and saw him.

"Nite, I'm turning in too." Sam said as he yawned widely. He saw Ara was laying at the head of his bag already asleep and eased down beside her. He could only hope that this fugue state Lark was in wouldn't last long. He worried for his brother knowing how devastated he was not even being able to touch her. Sam closed his eyes and let the night sounds lull him to sleep.

A/N: Lark's strong, but it may take longer for her to snap out of this. Thank you for all who are reading my story. Any reviews would be welcome. NC