Chapter Seventeen

Dean kept guard outside Castiel's room that night, alone after sending Charlie away. He knew full well that Castiel would not be sleeping, but he hoped that his presence at the door would be a comfort. The rest of the castle bustled all through the night, and Dean could hear the army gathering at the edge of town.

Dean only left just before dawn so he could don his armour, before he returned to Castiel's door. The first rays of sunshine touched the horizon, and Castiel emerged dressed in full plate armour that gleamed in the torchlight. His sigil had been worked into the breastplate. He wore his silver band, a thick long cloak, and a grim expression. He said nothing, and led the way out of the castle and found their horses waiting at the gate, as well as the rest of his guard and Charlie, all of them wearing their chainmail with their swords at their waists.

They all turned to look at the King and bowed as he approached.

'Are you sure you all want to do this?' Castiel asked quietly.

They all nodded and mounted their horses.

Castiel sighed and followed suit. 'Hannah, I want you with the left flank, Benny with the right. Alfie, stay back with the reserves, we'll need someone to bring the town guard up to scratch once this is over, so protect yourself. Alex and Jack, you stay in the center, protect the generals. Ash, with the cavalry. Do you all understand your orders?'

'Yes, Your Majesty,' they all said.

Castiel spurred on his horse and rode through town, while the guard made their way to their positions.

Just as they reached the edge of town, they were stopped by a few men dressed in odd bits of armour and holding makeshift weapons, who bowed hastily.

'What is it?' Castiel asked.

The men hesitated, then one of them stepped forward. 'We heard that you said no civilians were allowed in battle, but we want to fight too.'

Castiel shook his head. 'I can't allow that, you're not trained.'

'But this is our land too,' the man protested. 'We want to fight for it. We want to fight for you.'

Castiel looked pained, unable to explain why he didn't want them to come without revealing that they were likely to lose.

'You can't stop us,' another of the men said. 'You can tell us not to come, but we'll just follow you anyway.'

Castiel rubbed his face. 'All right,' he conceded, 'but anyone who isn't a trained soldier stays at the back, understand? None of you should do any fighting unless absolutely vital.'

'Thank you, Your Majesty.'

Castiel moved past them, and Dean caught up to him.

'There's nothing you could have done about it,' Dean said at his guilty expression. 'You heard them, they would have come anyway.'

Castiel just shook his head. 'I was hoping to keep them out of it.' He drew himself up and continued through the rows and rows of soldiers waiting for his command. The generals were waiting for him at the front.

'Is everything ready?' Castiel asked. 'The supply train?'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

'All right, take your places.'

The generals turned their horses around and trotted back through the army, then another horse came back behind them.

'Sam, what are you doing!' Dean exclaimed, attempting to grab the horse's reins and lead it and Sam back into town.

Sam slapped his hand away. 'I'm coming with you,' he said forcefully.

'No, absolutely not-'

'Dean, listen-'

'I'm taking you back inside right now-'

'But-'

'Come on.'

'No, Dean!' Sam said fiercely. 'What am I supposed to do if you all die? I'm staying.'

Dean stared at him, stunned, then glanced at Castiel who was watching them solemnly. 'Stay back with the archers,' he said eventually. 'You're a better shot than swordsman anyway.'

Sam nodded.

'And if anyone comes near you, you run as fast as you can.'

'I will.'

Then Sam too trotted back through the army, finding himself a place with the other archers.

'I'm sorry,' Castiel murmured.

'It's not your fault,' Dean said thickly past the lump in his throat. 'Once Sam gets an idea in his head, there's no stopping him.'

Castiel looked thoughtful for a moment. 'Wait here.' He pulled his horse about and disappeared for a while. When he returned, he smiled reassuringly at Dean. 'Anna and Uriel will protect your brother.'

'Thank you,' Dean said, relieved.

Castiel took one last look around, breathed in deeply, then spurred his horse on. 'Forward march!' he bellowed, and the command echoed behind him.

So began the slow gruelling march towards the northern border. Every day scouts galloped back and forth, updating the King on the position of Raphael's army, as the occasional horseman that appeared on the horizon then disappearing again was sure to be doing. Castiel only removed his armour when they camped for the night, and Dean didn't take his off at all. He spent hours at night soothing the King until he could rest before falling asleep himself.

Finally, the day came that the scouts reported Raphael's army to be only a few miles away.

Castiel nodded gravely and commanded everyone to rest, ready for battle. He sat up on the bedroll in his tent, silently staring into space, and Dean sat beside him.

'You should sleep,' Dean murmured. 'You'll need it.'

'I can't,' Castiel whispered. 'A lot of these people will die tomorrow because of me.'

'Because of Raphael,' Dean corrected. 'Besides, all these people chose to be here. They know you wouldn't stop them from leaving and they stay anyway.'

'That doesn't make me feel better.'

'Maybe this will.' Dean pulled off one of his gloves and reached out to cup Castiel's cheek. He could feel the ache in Castiel's muscles, the tension in his neck and jaw, and in an instant, he smoothed it all away.

'Thank you,' he murmured, lying down.

Dean nodded and made himself comfortable next to the King. He watched Castiel sleep for a while before finally nodding off himself.

They weren't asleep for long. Late into the night, they were both woken by shouts and hurried footsteps. Dean leapt to his feet, reaching for his sword.

'What's going on?' Castiel frowned.

Then, Charlie burst into their tent. 'Balthazar's here!' she gasped.

'What?' Castiel too jumped up. 'How?'

'I don't know, but he's coming.'

'Dean, help me,' Castiel said, hurriedly attempting to make himself presentable.

He shoved on his boots, and Dean collected his cloak and band, draping the cloak around his shoulders and putting on the band for him. He lit some candles and straightened just as Balthazar ducked inside.

He was in full armour himself, though his was much more ornate.

'Surprise,' he smiled.

'How are you here?' Castiel asked.

'I had already ordered the march when I heard you'd been killed, but then we intercepted your message along the way - is this where you sleep?' Balthazar said, casting a critical eye over the simple bedroll and candles.

Castiel shrugged. 'Makes me indistinguishable from everyone else, therefore harder for assassins to find.'

'How practical. Where would you like my men? We have mostly cavalry, but a few thousand pikemen too.'

'How many total?' Castiel said sharply.

'Eight thousand, give or take.'

Castiel bit his lip, glancing at the entrance to the tent. 'Balthazar… we're going to lose, even with your men. There's no need to put yourself at risk. You should go.'

Balthazar took a deep breath. 'See, I heard about that little issue of yours, and it turns out that my men are very well trained, and if we play our cards right, we might just win this.'

Castiel stared at him. 'But why?'

'For a start, I'd much rather have you as a neighbour than Naomi.'

'Naomi?' said Castiel.

'My scouts report that she and her army are standing at the border. Seems like she's waiting to see what happens before she swoops in.'

Castiel considered it carefully.

'With all due respect, you have neither the time nor the resources to stop me,' Balthazar added.

Castiel pinched the bridge of his nose. 'All right, fine. I'd like you to split your cavalry in half and join each flank. Your pikeman can form along the front line.'

'Great,' Balthazar said brightly. 'I'll see you out there.' He clapped his hands together then strode out of the tent.

Castiel grabbed Charlie once Balthazar was gone and said, 'Go and find Ash and have him protect Balthazar. Now.'

Charlie nodded and hurried out of the tent.

'Are you all right?' Dean asked. 'This is a good thing, right?'

'Not necessarily. He seems confident, but… I'd rather he not throw his army away.'

'He's here for you,' Dean said softly. 'You inspire people whether you like it or not.'

Castiel shook his head. 'I'm not going back to sleep now. Will you help me with my armour?'

'Of course.'

Dean helped him into it and tied each piece firmly in place. 'There. Nice and safe.'

Castiel looked him in the eye. 'Are you ready for this?'

'As I'll ever be.' Dean pulled out his father's red scarf and tied it around his neck, followed by the blue cloak Castiel had given him.

They walked outside together and mounted their horses, joined shortly by Charlie, and made their way to the front.

Before long, Raphael's army appeared on the horizon. The air was still.

'At least we look good,' Dean said in an empty attempt to lighten the mood.

'Yes. Very intimidating,' Castiel said slowly, staring intently at the line slowly advancing on them. 'Where is Raphael?'

'That's not him?' said Dean, pointing at the horseman leading the opposing army forward.

Castiel shook his head, then took off galloping along their front line. 'Shields forward!' he commanded. 'Defensive formations now!'

The orders were echoed through the army, and there was a great thunder of footsteps as everyone moved to their new positions.

'What is it?' Dean said in alarm.

'We need to delay them for as long as possible until I can find Raphael,' said Castiel. 'Come on, we're with the cavalry now.'

They retreated back to the cavalry line on one side and watched as their archers rained arrows down on the advancing line as soon as they were within range. Dean's stomach flipped as he watched them, knowing that Sam was among them somewhere. He knew that Sam was protected, but it didn't ease the queasy feeling. He bit his lip and glanced at the King. His face was tense and Dean could see the fear in his eyes. Dean reached out and held Castiel's hand as best he could through their armour.

Castiel didn't move his hand and kept his eyes fixed on the opposing line, sweeping his gaze up and down, searching for any sign of Raphael, but none came.

'Hold!' he called, as they clashed with the line of shields.

From their position they could hear the shouts and ringing of steel on steel and it took all Castiel had to hold their position. He bit his lip so hard he drew blood, but still he did not move, his resolve to find Raphael outweighing his desire to help his soldiers.

'Hold!' he called again.

The minutes stretched on, every second of it agony for Castiel, until at last he spotted a flash of lightning a few rows back from the front line. It arched overhead and flattened a group of soldiers that were impeding the progress of Raphael's army. The gap was soon filled with more soldiers before any of Raphael's army could get through, but it was all Castiel needed.

'NOW!' he yelled, yanking down the visor of his helm and kicking his horse into a gallop.

Their half of the cavalry swept through Raphael's front line, and the other half, led by Balthazar, sliced through part way back, cutting off a large portion of the army from the rest.

The horses curved around until both halves of the cavalry joined up and circled the soldiers, but they didn't give up easily. They stabbed at horses and dragged men from their saddles. Castiel ignored them, searching desperately for Raphael until Dean was ripped from his horse.

'What are you doing?' Dean yelled as the King threw himself from his own horse, beheading the man that was slashing at Dean.

'Get up!' Castiel yelled back, yanking him to his feet.

'You have to get back on your horse, it's too dangerous down here!'

'Not without you!' Castiel parried a heavy blow that buckled his knees, and barely had time to get up before blocking another one.

Castiel's horse had run off in fright, leaving them completely surrounded. The cavalry had continued on without them, widening the circle to make it easier to fight off the main bulk of the army as best they could, but Dean knew that Charlie couldn't be far, and she was their best hope.

'CHARLIE!' he bellowed, fending off a flurry of blows from another soldier. 'WE'RE DOWN HERE!' He kept shouting, slashing his sword at anything that even flinched towards Castiel, until he finally saw a swirl of red. 'CHARLIE!' Dean screamed again, his voice growing hoarse. Just as he did so, a riderless horse charged wildly through the mass of men and swords, desperate for escape. It slipped on a shield that someone had dropped and barrelled into Dean, pinning him to the ground by his legs. He cried out, feeling several snaps and cracks.

'Dean!'

Castiel slid to the floor beside him, pushing up his visor.

'You have to go,' Dean wheezed, the weight of the horse making it difficult to breathe.

Castiel lashed out at a soldier that ran at them, but Charlie beat him to it, galloping up behind the soldier and lancing him through the back.

'Get him out of here!' Dean shouted, pushing at the horse, but unable to wriggle his legs enough to pull himself out from under it.

Before Charlie could do anything, Castiel tore off his gauntlets and put his hands on Dean, quickly healing his legs.

'No, don't!' But it was too late, and Dean watched as Castiel's eyelids drooped and his head lolled. Dean tried to reach out to him, but Charlie had already started dragging him away, heaving him up onto her horse.

Castiel weakly tried to pull away from her.

'Just go, I'll be fine!' Dean shouted, gaining more leverage under the horse now that he could move his legs again.

Charlie hesitated.

'That's an order, Charlie!'

Charlie opened her mouth to argue, but a spear flying narrowly past her ear silenced her. She tugged at the horse's reins with one hand, holding up Castiel with the other, and brought the horse around. Together, they galloped away, back towards their own front line.

Dean was alone, pushing against the dead horse with all his might. He didn't know how long he was trapped for, avoiding being trampled or impaled, slashing at the legs of the men that ran near him. With great relief, he finally freed himself, and stumbled away from the horse, raising his sword defensively. He kicked and stabbed, fighting his way through the throng of soldiers all trying to fight their way out. Sweat and blood poured down his face. He accumulated cuts and bruises, but none of them slowed him down. Though he didn't know which way was north or south anymore, he had to get back to Castiel. The moment the energy drained from Castiel kept playing in his mind, and he knew that if he couldn't get back to heal the King, they were all lost. His vision narrowed. All he could see were more soldiers, more enemies. His arms and shoulders burned and he could feel himself beginning to slow. Just when he thought he would never make it out, a horn sounded loudly, then another in the opposite direction.

'Pull back!' came the order, from both sides.

Men looked around in confusion, lowering their weapons. Dean took the opportunity to back away and take stock of his position, before running back towards their camp.

'Dean, what's going on?' Sam called as he passed, but Dean barely had time to be relieved that Sam was alive, he just kept running until he was forced to stop and take a breath.

Dean doubled over, clutching the painful stitch in his side.

'Dean!'

He looked up at the sound of Charlie's voice, but saw her struggling against two of the castle guards that were dragging her away. 'What-?'

'You have to stop him, he's going to fight Raphael himself-' Charlie was cut off by a hand over her mouth, but it was all Dean needed.

He took off running again, to where he knew Castiel's tent to be, past other members of the royal guard that were also being arrested. Dean dodged past people that tried to grab him, then burst into the tent. Castiel was inside readjusting his armour, and there were a few more of the castle guards hovering.

'You can't!' he gasped. 'Don't!'

Castiel gave him a pitying look. He still seemed tired, but resigned. He healed Dean again, and this time Dean returned it, soothing all the aches and bruises he could feel.

'Thank you,' Castiel breathed.

'You can't win, don't do this,' Dean said desperately.

'I don't need to win,' said Castiel. 'I just need to force him to use the last of his power.'

'Is that all?' Dean said bitterly. 'And what if he kills you? What then, huh? Who will perform the blessing? Who will protect Millennia?'

Castiel gave him a sad smile. 'I think you know the answer to that.'

Dean's stomach dropped and he shook his head. 'No. No, you can't - I won't let you do this.'

Castiel sighed, and he caressed Dean's cheek. 'You've made me happier than I thought I could be, Dean,' murmured, then pressed a gentle kiss to Dean's lips, catching him off guard. 'But you can't stop me,' he whispered as he pulled away. 'Take him.'

The guards moved towards Dean and seized each of his arms.

'Wait, wait - no, stop!' Dean growled, yanking his arms and kicking his legs to no avail. 'You can't do this!'

The guards wrestled his arms behind his back and forced him to his knees.

Castiel knelt in front of him, putting his gauntlets back on. 'Everything will be all right, Dean,' he said. He straightened and grabbed his helm, glancing over his shoulder at Dean before exiting the tent.

'No!' Dean shouted. He wrenched his arms again, but the guards' grip on him was too strong. 'You have to let me go!'

The guards just tightened their grip.

'Listen to me, he's going to get himself killed!' Dean spat, after a while of trying to wiggle out of their hands. 'Are your jobs worth your life? Because let me tell you, if he dies, yours are the first heads I'm coming for.' Dean could tell his words were getting to them. 'Please,' he begged. 'You have to let me go, I have to stop him. How do you think this will go if he dies? Do you think Raphael will just let us go? Please?'

The guards glanced at each other, and hesitantly released him.

Dean scrambled to his feet, staring at them, and they sprang into action, thrusting a sword and shield into Dean's hands.

'Go!'

Dean nodded and dashed out of the tent.

Past wounded soldiers, past piles of broken weapons, past anyone that tried to stop him and speak to him.

Lightning flashed in the sky, and Dean ground his teeth, straining to run faster. He pushed through the men that had gathered to watch and fell through them just in time to see Castiel barely dodge another burst of lightning.

The man opposite Castiel was smaller than Dean had expected, wearing tarnished armour and a tattered blue cloak. He aimed at Castiel again, his hands crackling with lightning.

Dean propelled himself forward, throwing himself between Castiel and Raphael, his shield raised. The lightning hit his shield first, but burned through it and up Dean's arm, throwing him backwards. Everything turned white and all he knew was fire as he crashed into Castiel.

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