Chapter Nineteen

Dean glanced back at Raphael, his stomach churning. Raphael was tightly bound at the wrists and tied to his horse, surrounded by all of the royal guard, with Charlie leading the way, but Dean still felt unsettled around him. Perhaps it was the way he stared at the back of Castiel's head, or the way the air around him still crackled with the vestiges of static electricity.

'Are you frightened of me, Lionheart?' Raphael asked, speaking for the first time since he'd been captured.

Dean shivered and turned away, Raphael's harsh laughter echoing in his ears.

Castiel had not so much as turned his head, doing his very best to ignore Raphael, so Dean rode up beside him to check on him. His jaw was set, and he stared straight ahead, but Dean could tell that Raphael's presence was bothering him.

'We'll be home soon,' Castiel said reassuringly.

By now, most of the army had dispersed, either returning to their previous posts, or helping rebuild the homes that Raphael's army had destroyed.

Without a leader, most of Raphael's army had milled around until Castiel addressed them directly, inviting them to join him in returning to the castle, or accompanying the others in helping rebuild. Most of them opted to trudge back the way they'd come and begin clearing away the areas they'd burned down at Raphael's command.

Balthazar's army too had begun the long march back to Negium, leaving only a small contingent of soldiers to defend their king. He insisted that he was perfectly safe within Castiel's army, and commanded they return home to rest.

'How long do you think?' Dean asked, the feeling of Raphael's eyes on him sending shivers up his spine. He would be relieved when Raphael was finally thrown down into the dungeons.

Castiel looked around. 'We should be back by this evening.'

Dean nodded, letting out a breath.

Castiel gave him a concerned look. 'Come,' he said, spurring his horse forward, out of earshot of everyone else, and gestured for Dean to follow. 'You don't need to be afraid of him,' he said softly.

'Easy for you to say,' Dean said, scratching the lightning scars on his arm.

'He can't hurt anyone anymore.'

Dean shrugged. 'I know that,' he said, but even as he said it, the image of Raphael standing before him, lightning shooting from his hands, appeared before his eyes, and he instinctively raised his arm to defend himself. It wasn't until he felt Castiel's warm healing spread through him that the image faded away, replaced by Castiel's concerned expression, his hand on Dean's.

'Let's get you home,' he said gently. He glanced over his shoulder at Charlie. 'Wait here,' he said, turning his horse around and calling the whole host to a halt.

Dean watched as he had a hurried conversation with Charlie and Balthazar, then returned to Dean.

'We're going ahead without them,' Castiel said. 'Balthazar will lead them.'

'But-'

'Don't argue. I want to go home.'

Dean clamped his mouth shut, but smiled, realising that the King was making a show of wanting to go home to save Dean some embarrassment.

Finally free of Raphael's piercing stare, and the agonisingly slow pace of an army on the march, Dean was finally able to relax, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on his face as he and Castiel galloped away from the army.

They didn't stop for nearly an hour, until the army were far beyond the horizon. Castiel slowed the horses to a leisurely trot, then stopped altogether at a stream, where he let the horses drink.

He sat on the grass, basking in the sun. Where Dean felt weighed down by what had happened, the King seemed to be experiencing the opposite. He smiled more easily than he ever had done, happily scooping cool water out of the stream to drink.

Dean sat pensively, shoulders tight, until Castiel once again soothed him.

'I'm sorry, I'm not being a very good Lionheart,' Dean said.

Castiel shook his head. 'You threw yourself in front of lightning, Dean. I didn't expect you to come out of it unscathed. No one would.'

Dean sighed, running his hands through the lush grass, hoping to gain some comfort from it.

'Don't be so hard on yourself,' Castiel said softly. 'You're the best Lionheart I could have asked for.'

Dean flushed, and before he could stop himself, his own warm power tingled through his fingers, and wildflowers popped up around them.

Castiel raised an eyebrow, turning slightly pink himself, then got to his feet and dusted himself off. 'Let's go. We shouldn't be too far away now.' He mounted his horse again, leading the way to the castle.

The relief Dean felt at finally spotting the mountain on the horizon bloomed in his chest, then again when the castle came into view. Castiel smiled at him, and picked up the pace.

The bells tolled when what was left of the town guard saw them, and they rode through the streets surrounded by relieved and expectant faces. Castiel waved away all of them, promising an announcement soon, and didn't stop until they reached the quiet of the castle lawn. Having heard the bells, Gabriel was waiting for them in front of the doors.

He had finally dressed in clothes more appropriate for his title, resplendent in forest green and light gold. He watched them anxiously.

Castiel hopped down from his horse, followed closely by Dean, and approached Gabriel, placing a hand on his shoulder.

'We have him,' Castiel said gently.

Gabriel let out a breath and leaned back against the door. 'You really have him?'

'Yes. He's heavily guarded and restrained, but he's alive. He'll be put to trial.'

Gabriel nodded, tears forming in his eyes. 'It's really over?'

'It is.'

Castiel stepped forward and hugged Gabriel. Gabriel tightly returned the embrace, then pulling away to look the King up and down, sniffling slightly.

'And he didn't hurt you? How?'

Castiel glanced back at Dean, his expression warm. 'I had protection.'

'When will they get here?' Gabriel asked.

'Sometime this evening, I would say.'

'I'll wait here, then.'

Castiel smiled at Gabriel, then gestured for Dean to follow him inside.

It was surreal being back inside the castle. After everything that had happened, it seemed almost small.

Walther appeared out of the throne room, and hurried over, delighted to see them. He shook Castiel's hand enthusiastically, until Castiel politely asked him to bring them some food in his chambers.

'Of course, Your Majesty,' Walther said eagerly. 'Right away.'

Castiel had Dean sit at the table in his chambers, threw open the shutters leading out to the balcony, and poured them both a goblet of wine.

'And now we wait,' Castiel said quietly, gazing out at the sky.

Dean drank his wine without a word. He knew that Raphael was getting closer, step by step, and his arm itched. He scratched at it, falling into a trance where he had no thoughts, until the King shook his shoulder. He looked down at his arm and saw that he'd scratched it hard enough to draw blood. Castiel looked at him sympathetically, and healed the scratches.

'It'll get better eventually,' he said softly.

'How do you know?' Dean said, his voice croaking slightly.

Castiel grimaced. 'You'll just have to trust me. Can you do that?'

'I think so,' Dean said, allowing himself a smile.

They sat together, waiting, quiet, until the bells tolled again.

'He's here,' Castiel whispered, and Dean's mouth went dry. 'Do you want to come and supervise his incarceration, or would you rather stay here?'

Dean swallowed. 'I'll come,' he said, comforting himself by resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, that was still strapped loyally at his hip.

Castiel took a deep, cleansing breath, then led the way back downstairs, throwing the front doors wide open, to accommodate the full guard formation as they escorted Raphael downstairs.

Raphael's eyes immediately fixed on Dean, but he was determined not to show weakness. He stood stock still beside Castiel, staring down Raphael until, to his satisfaction, Raphael dropped his gaze.

Dean went before Castiel, ensuring that Raphael was safely chained inside their most secure cell, and waited for the guard to leave.

Castiel watched Raphael, refusing to speak first. The dungeon fell into tense silence, until the door banged opened. Dean jumped and yanked his sword from its sheath, but Castiel put a soothing hand on his arm.

'It's just Gabriel,' he murmured.

Dean sheathed it again, and moved out of Gabriel's way.

Gabriel stepped up to the bars of the cell, glaring at Raphael.

'Why are you here?' Raphael said coldly.

'I wanted to see you,' said Gabriel, barely containing his fury in his shaking fists. 'I wanted you to know that it was me that betrayed you.'

Raphael's expression didn't change. 'I should have known I couldn't trust you,' he said, spoken as though it meant nothing to him, without a trace of anger or disappointment.

This only served to infuriate Gabriel further. 'You ruined everything!' he spat out. 'Our lives were good until you started the war.'

Castiel looked away, shuffling his feet in discomfort. Raphael caught the movement and said smugly to Gabriel, 'No. This land deserved a better king than either of the fools it had on offer at the time.' He threw another sharp glare at Castiel. 'It deserved a better God.'

'Better than Era?' Castiel said, finally breaking his silence. 'How dare you?'

'She should never have blessed your father,' Raphael hissed. 'He wasn't worthy of the crown, he wasn't worthy of the power, and if she couldn't see that, then she wasn't worthy to wield it.'

'What gives you the right to make that decision?' Gabriel shouted, pounding a fist against the bars of the cell.

'Gabriel,' Castiel said gently, pulling him back by the shoulder. 'Come, we can hear all about it at the trial, when we've all had some rest.'

'Trial?' Raphael asked.

'That's right,' Castiel said smoothly. 'You'll be explaining yourself to me, King Balthazar and Queen Naomi.'

Raphael snorted, but they all saw a tiny flash of fear in his eyes.

Castiel turned his back on Raphael, leaving him alone in the dungeon.

By the time they emerged, the sun was dipping below the horizon, so Castiel insisted they all get some rest.

Dean didn't need telling twice. He climbed up to his room, feet dragging, and crawled into bed, fully clothed but for his boots. He barely even noticed that Sam was already in the room, curled up in one of the chairs, and only stirred slightly when Sam got up and climbed into the bed next to him.

It wasn't until he was in his own bed that Dean finally felt how tired he was. His bones ached, his arm itched, his throat and eyes were sore. It all hit him hard enough that he had to hold back tears. He wanted so badly to go and find the King, but he couldn't muster the strength to get back up again, let alone wander around the castle in search of Castiel.

'Are you all right?' Sam whispered, noticing Dean's discomfort.

'Could you - could you find the King for me?' Dean mumbled.

'Yeah, of course.' Sam jumped out of bed and hurried out of the room, returning with Castiel not long after.

Dean was shivering by the time they returned and his joints felt like splintered glass.

'Wh - what's w-wrong with me?' he asked as Sam and Castiel pulled him into a sitting position, propping him up with pillows.

'There's nothing wrong with you,' Castiel said gently. He made Dean drink some water before putting a cool hand on his cheek. 'You've had a shock. Literally. There's only so much one body can take.' With that, Dean felt all the aches and pains fade away and he sighed in relief, but Castiel didn't stop there. 'Sleep, Dean,' he murmured, soothing Dean until his head lolled and he finally fell asleep.

His dreams were thankfully undisturbed, and he slept deeply. It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Dean awoke, refreshed. His mouth was dry, but nothing a long drink of water couldn't cure.

Sam was gone, but the King had fallen asleep in one of the chairs before the fire. Dean got up and padded over to him, crouching down beside him and placing a hand on his knee.

Castiel's eyes fluttered open and he smiled at Dean. 'Good morning,' he said and Dean's heart skipped a beat.

'I don't know if I'd call it morning,' Dean laughed.

'Oh.' Castiel sat up straighter, looking out at the blue, cloudless sky. 'Oh no, I was supposed to start putting together the celebrations.'

'I'm sure it can wait a day,' Dean said. 'You've more than earned a rest.'

Castiel shook his head. 'I'm the King. There's no time for rest.' He got up and stretched widely. 'Go and find Sam and meet me outside,' he said, striding over to the door.

'What for?'

Castiel smiled at him. 'I have a promise to keep.'

Dean got dressed, mystified, grabbed Sam from his room, and hurried outside.

The King was waiting at the gate and handed them each a small satchel with a small lunch, and a waterskin.

'Where are we going?' Sam said eagerly, slinging the satchel over his shoulder.

Castiel smiled and tilted his chin towards the mountain.

Sam's eyes went wide. 'Really?' he breathed.

Castiel nodded. 'Come, we should go while we still have the light.'

It was a very different climb from the last time. While they were gone, the mountain custodians had cleared the thick, fallen trees from the lower path, and though there were now some gaps in the canopy, the forest seemed undisturbed. It was still quiet, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath, but the warmth of the sun caressed their cheeks. Since Castiel was not on the sacred pilgrimage, he was dressed as he normally would be, and armed with his favourite, thin-bladed sword. He didn't have to go through the trials either, and it didn't take them nearly as long to ascend. He allowed them to stop and sit next to the waterfall to eat their lunch, but when they finished, he put his hands on Sam's shoulders, looking at him seriously.

'Now, Sam, you have my permission to be here, but no one other than the monarch and the Lionheart has ever been beyond this point. I must ask you to be respectful. Keep your voice down, and if you see any spirits, don't look them in the eye, otherwise you'll anger them.'

Sam looked slightly alarmed, but nodded. He followed Dean closely, grabbing the back of Dean's shirt for comfort when thin tendrils of mist curled around them.

With his sword at his waist, Castiel was more relaxed at this part of the journey than Dean had ever seen him. Not many spirits gathered without the crown to attract them, and they seemed more curious than anything else at the untimely disturbance.

Sam diligently avoided their gaze, clutching Dean tightly, until they finally came to the red painted, wooden archway near the peak of the mountain.

'You can look up now, Sam,' Castiel said quietly.

Sam let out a small sigh of relief and followed them down the path.

The path wound around the back of the mountain, surrounded by deep shadows as the sun was blocked by its peak. Despite the drop in temperature, none of them were uncomfortable here. It was peaceful, lacking the chaotic energy of lingering spirits. They eventually came to a cemetery, fenced off with more red painted wood.

'This is the highest honour we can grant the Lionhearts,' Castiel murmured, running a hand over the aged wood. 'They dedicate their lives to us, the least we can do is give them peace.'

Dean didn't even have to ask which one was their father. Not far from the entrance, snug against the side of the mountain, was a grave surrounded by vivid morning glories.

'Did you plant these?' Dean asked, approaching the grave and kneeling before it.

'I did,' Castiel said softly. 'Millennia keeps them alive for me.' He stayed back, hovering near the entrance, leaving Sam and Dean to finally say goodbye to their father.

'Do you remember him much?' Dean asked Sam, putting an arm around his shoulders as they sat together.

'I remember some things,' said Sam. 'He taught me how to make arrows.'

Dean smiled. 'Yeah, I remember you were out there with him for hours getting splinters, but you loved it anyway.' He squeezed Sam even tighter. 'And I remember that he loved you so much-' Dean was cut off by the hard lump that formed in his throat.

Sam too started to sniff and rub his eyes, and he looked up at Castiel. 'Can you tell us more about him?' he asked tentatively.

Castiel stepped over to them and knelt beside the grave, fondly running a hand over the stone. 'He was kind, and brave. I certainly wouldn't be alive without him. He always stood up for me when he could, even with my own father. He was a great man, and I don't say that lightly. He wanted more than anything for you two to live in the castle with us, but my father explicitly commanded him to leave you at home. I wanted to meet you two as well, but I wasn't allowed to leave the castle unless my father said so… I was a very different person then too. Timid, weak, afraid… But your father saw something else in me, and he did everything he could to encourage it to the surface. He saw my worth when no one else did, not even myself.' Castiel too welled up. 'I miss him, as I'm sure you both do.'

Sam's chin wobbled, and all of a sudden, he pulled away from Dean and threw his arms around Castiel's neck. 'I wish he told us more about you. We could have told that stupid old king how great you are.'

Castiel chuckled, hugging Sam back. 'He was forbidden from talking about me too much, until I was less of an embarrassment.'

'You were never an embarrassment,' Dean said fiercely.

Castiel wiped his face, letting go of Sam. 'Thank you. Both of you.'

Dean felt a sudden rush of warmth towards the King. Some shoots of grass pushed up through the loose dirt around him, and the morning glories grew larger and more vivid. Castiel's eyebrows shot up, but Dean just shrugged.

'We could have been family,' Sam said, regret in his voice.

'I'd have you as a brother in a heartbeat,' Castiel murmured.

'That really means a lot,' said Sam.

They sat together a little while longer, sharing their stories of John with each other.

Dean sighed as he saw the sun had dropped half way down the sky. 'All right, Sam, you ready to go? It'll be getting dark soon.'

Sam took one last look at the grave and nodded, getting to his feet.

Dean too stood, but he hesitated. 'Actually, can I just have a minute alone?'

Castiel opened his mouth, but Sam spoke before he could.

'Yeah, come on, Your Majesty, we'll wait over here,' Sam said, tugging on Castiel's sleeve. Dean heard him say, 'Dean took it hard when he died…' as they walked further back up the path.

Now alone, Dean ran a hand over his father's grave, gently brushing the morning glories. 'I miss you,' he whispered. He closed his eyes and put his hands on the ground, letting his grief wash over him. He remembered his love for his father and how much it hurt when he was gone. He let it all out, falling from his cheeks as he cried, and flowing from his fingertips. It mingled with the grass he'd already grown, and the morning glories that Castiel had planted, and he let it spread. It poured out of him, and he finally let go of all his pain. He felt it flow into the seeds he could feel in the ground, just waiting for the right spark of energy.

When he opened his eyes, several skinny trees had sprouted up around the cemetery, and the grass had grown tall, studded with perfumed wildflowers. He took a deep breath and looked around. He took it all in with a hand resting on the stone grave, and he finally felt at peace. He leaned over and kissed the stone.

'Goodbye, Dad,' he whispered, then got up and turned back to the entrance of the cemetery.

Castiel, who had clearly felt the surge of power in the air, had come back to check on him, and was standing at the entrance with a soft smile on his face.

'Feel better?' he asked.

'Much,' Dean said, realising that Sam was standing a little way behind him, mouth hanging open.

'I think it's time I showed you the garden I keep,' said Castiel, with a slight chuckle. 'Let's go.'

They all walked slowly back up the path, and Sam once again respectfully lowered his head, as they walked past the red archway to where a few spirits were still ambling around.

Then, Dean and Castiel both slowed to a stop, turning towards the cavern at the end of the path.

'You feel it too?' Castiel asked.

Dean nodded, a ringing sound jangling in his mind, pulling him towards the cavern. 'What does it mean?'

'It means we should perform the blessing again soon. Millennia calls us. I think she means for us to try reseeding the north.'

'Oh, so that's how you know when to do it.'

Castiel smiled. 'It can seem quite mysterious until you're directly involved. Don't worry, it can wait until after the trial.'

Dean's stomach twisted, after a few hours of not thinking about Raphael, it caught him off guard.

Castiel started back down the path. 'I think I'll invite Naomi and Balthazar to watch the blessing. I think they'll enjoy it.'

'That's a good idea,' Sam said enthusiastically, 'it looks amazing from the ground.'

'Thank you, Sam,' said Castiel. 'For now, though, celebrations begin tomorrow. It'll take Naomi at least a week to arrive, so we may as well have some fun while we wait.'

Dean listened contentedly as they both discussed their ideas, and smiled to himself.

Welcome back everyone! Thanks to Dizzybunny, Guest and Kathy for the reviews! See you again next time :)