(Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the following story)

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Return of the Dragon Slayer.

Chapter Eleven.

Finn started backing away, shaking her head and muttering 'No, no, no, no…' over and over. Dean watched as the colour drained from her face and he grabbed her as she went to turn and run.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she struggled against him "Finn, tell me!"

"Finn…"

"YOU'RE DEAD!" she yelled at a man who stepped from beside Fafnir.

"No, Finn…I'm very much alive" he gave her a small smile "a little worse for wear… but alive"

"NO! I saw you die!"

"You saw me injured, Finn. I didn't die"

Dean held onto Finn and looked at the man that was talking to her, walking slowly towards them. He was about 6ft8, long black hair that fell past his shoulders, green eyes and a jagged scar that ran down the left side of his face; he was also missing his left hand. "Finn, Finn…just calm down and tell me who he is"

"I don't know who the hell he is!" she yelled.

The man stepped forward, a tentative smile on his face; he put his hand on Finn's arm and she recoiled.

Dean pushed him away "Leave her alone, dude"

"You don't understand…" the man started.

"I understand you're freaking her out and she was almost a dragon meal a little while ago, so she's freaked out enough. Back the fuck up"

Griffin…

Finn turned her eyes to the dragon, she'd forgotten he was here. He'd been sitting quietly watching everything and now she looked at him properly, she couldn't judge his size except that he was enormous. His scales the colour of spun-gold, giving off a soft glow all of their own. His wings were folded against his body but they were a deep magenta, the same shade as his eyes and horns.

Griffin…he is who he says he is.

"But…" she shook her head "No. I saw him die. I saw!"

"Finn, calm down…and watch what you say" said Dean as he rubbed her back gently "I don't know who he is but if Fafnir says he is…who he says he is…then …he…is. And that made no sense at all to me"

"Finn, listen to me" the man took a step towards her.

"Just stay there" said Dean to the man.

"I won't hurt her" he smiled at Dean "I'd never hurt her"

"Yeah? Well I'll be the judge of that…and if you'd never hurt her, why's she scared of you? Who the hell are you?"

He smiled at Finn "I'm her brother"

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Sam was in the main tent pouring over book after book, making notes on everything he thought was relevant. Jude had been right, there wasn't a lot of information on dragons and most of it was based on supposition but he had to work with what he had. He looked up when a cup of coffee was placed in front of him, and into a pair or startlingly blue eyes, framed by dark shoulder-length hair. He smiled "Thanks…"

She smiled "Eve" and stuck out her hand "Eve Paxton"

Sam shook her hand "Sam Winchester"

"I know" she smiled "Need some help, Sam Winchester?"

He grinned "You can answer a question for me"

"Sure" she sat opposite him "Hit me with it"

He grinned again "What's the deal with all the biblical names?"

She laughed out loud and Sam grinned all the more, it lit up her face "We're an old race, Sam" she grinned "Ancient even"

Sam rolled his eyes and laughed softly "Oh I didn't see that one coming"

She laughed "Well we are, so you're not going to find any 'Dillon's' or 'Cassidy's' running around…although a friend of mine just named her kid 'Presley'…what the hell that's all about I have no idea" Sam laughed again "So what have you found so far?" she asked.

He sighed "Not a lot. From what I can tell, the dragons were issued a large tract of land, doesn't say where or how big, but Finn said it was huge…and it'd have to be if that dragon we saw was anything to go by"

"I heard you'd seen it…how …I mean…what was that like?"

Sam shook his head "Awesome just doesn't cover it. It…"he shook his head "mind-blowing" he shook his head again and pulled out some maps "I've been going over these maps, trying to figure out where they'd be…but I really don't know this place…but…the map looks incomplete"

Eve stood and came round the table, she pulled the map towards her and leaned over the table, studying it. She pointed "Well we're here…" she pointed again "and that's the Citadel, where they're keeping 'the fledgling' and the Supreme Royal…"

"Gideon"

She nodded as her eyes scanned the map "But…yeah, everything's where it should be. Our maps are extremely accurate"

Sam nodded "Yeah, I'm sure they are but look …here…" he pointed to a part of the map that held very little information and just didn't seem to fit with the rest of it "That doesn't look right"

Eve looked at it "That's the 'Barren Lands'…no-one goes there. There's nothing but endless desert and the few people that have returned, have come back mad…quite literally insane"

"Have they said anything about it?" he asked.

"All I know is that they just said there's nothing out there…nothing but madness" said Eve.

Sam sat back in his chair as Eve continued to study the map; it had to be the place. The dragons wouldn't want anyone knowing where they were and if someone had stumbled upon it, what better way to keep their secret than by sending the intruders insane. He looked at Eve, his eyes dropping to her ass…he smiled, her leather-clad ass and he smiled again. He looked up as she turned to him "Aaah, umm…I think that's where the dragons are?"

She grinned at him "On my ass?"

Sam blushed "Aaah, no…sorry…in the..umm... 'Barren Lands'" he stammered.

She turned and leant back against the desk, crossing her arms across her chest "You're not thinking what I think you're thinking?"

He smiled at her "That all depends on what you think I'm thinking"

She raised an eyebrow at him, a small smile touching her lips "Well apart from how great my ass is…you're thinking of going to the 'Barren Lands'"

Sam blushed again and was about to say something when the tent-flap opened and Jude walked in. Sam stood "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Caleb's missing"

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Dean looked at the man and then to Finn "Finn, I thought you said…"

"He is dead. He died in battle twelve hundred years ago" said Finn, her eyes glued to the man.

"One thousand, one hundred and eighty-two years ago, Finn. And I didn't die" he said.

"I saw you die…"

Griffin…

She looked at Fafnir "Yes?"

We found your brother, he had stumbled into our lands by mistake. He was to be put to death for entering but when he told us his name…we changed our minds. This has been his home since that time.

"Why?" she asked.

Because we knew a time would come when he would be useful to us.

"So he's been a prisoner here?" she asked, her gaze going between Fafnir and the man who claimed to be her brother.

"Not a prisoner, Finn. Well maybe at first, but I've come to understand…a lot since then. It was for the best that I stayed here"

"Why? And if you are my brother, why wouldn't you want to come back to me and Gideon?"

"Finn, I wanted to, believe me. But …shit, look, just sit down and we'll explain it okay? Come on…please?"

"Finn, we need to speak with Fafnir anyway. But once we do, we'll go. I promise" said Dean.

Finn looked at Dean, then Fafnir, her so-called brother and then back to Dean "Okay, but as soon as we're finished, Caleb's probably freaking out"

Dean nodded "I promise. Now come on" he took her hand and they went and sat in front of the fire that separated them from Fafnir; Dean making sure he was between Finn and the man.

"Slayer…" started the man and Dean turned to him "Gabe Jacobs" and he put his hand out.

Dean looked at the hand and finally shook it "Dean Winchester" he looked at Finn and whispered "Gideon, Gabe and Griffin? What were your parents thinking?"

She gave him a small smile, he was trying to make her laugh "They thought it was cute, we told them it was ridiculous"

Griffin Jacobs…you are the daughter of the 'Pact-Makers'

"Yes"

You understand that the pact has been broken, broken by those that now claim to be the leaders of your people.

"Yes"

Our land has been threatened, our lives have been threatened and we have had our next leader stolen from us.

"That's what I've been told, yes" she paused "May I ask a question?"

Fafnir nodded You may.

"I understand that Dean needs to lead you into battle but if the pact was broken by them, why don't you go to war without him? Surely the pact is null and void now"

We hold to our oaths. If we are to break an oath that we have given, does that not make us any better than you?

Finn had to smile "Okay, so you're more noble than we are, I get that. But why keep…" she looked over at Gabe "him"

Your brother was needed to gain an insight into our ways. The Slayer will lead us into battle in the air, your brother will lead those on the ground, taking his rightful place at the head of your people's army. Had the Slayer not returned, your brother would have led us.

"So why not just use Ga…him?" asked Finn, she still couldn't believe it was her brother sitting on the other side of Dean.

He is not the one foretold. He is not the 'Dragon Slayer'. He could lead us, yes…but we would suffer because of it.

"And Finn? She'll fight on the ground?" asked Dean.

"No" said Gabe.

"You don't decide where I fight" she said angrily.

He smiled at her "Finn, you're just as stubborn as ever…"

Dean squeezed her hand "Don't say it. Remember where you are"

She nodded "I'll be getting Gideon out. Gideon and the fledgling"

Yes, that is your calling. The Slayer will rule the skies with us, your brother the ground while you and a chosen few will release 'Azhi' and your other brother.

"We have another problem" said Dean. He looked at Finn then Fafnir "Umm…our…son…said they'd be using …"

"You have a son?" asked Gabe, a smile splitting his face.

"Aaah, yeah…but we're …not together…or anything…" said Finn "Jesus, I sound like a slut" she whispered.

"Caleb?"

Dean nodded "And he said they're gonna be using …'big birds'…but we don't know …"

"Bullshit" said Gabe.

"It's NOT bullshit! If Caleb says they're gonna use 'big birds', then they are, he knows what he's talking about…he just…"

"He's five, he doesn't have the words" said Dean "And I believe him"

"No, I don't mean what he's saying is bullshit" said Gabe "I mean…shit…they're gonna use 'Rukh's'"

Finn stared "But they died out …thousands and thousands of years ago"

"You don't mean those big freakin' birds from Persian mythology? Carry off an elephant, kinda crap?" said Dean.

Finn laughed softly "Dean, you're sitting here chatting to a dragon while your tattoo does a scary freakin' dance…"

He grinned "Keith"

"You're NOT calling it 'Keith'" she shook her head at him, trying not to laugh "How can Rukh's seem far –fetched?"

"Okay, you got me there, but how many are we talking about?"

They have a sizeable race.

"Greater than us?" Dean asked Fafnir.

They are our match.

"No, they're freakin' well not. We'll shoot those overgrown chickens outta the sky" said Dean and Finn watched as his dragon tattoo opened its jaws and roared. Dean grinned "See? Even Keith says so"

"Good lord…" said Finn.

"You do understand that Rukh's shoot their feathers, Dean. And they're not the soft, downy type either, they can pierce dragon scales"

"We'll kick their…" he looked at Finn "What is wrong with your leg?" she'd been scratching at it since they'd left the dragon's lair.

"It's just itchy…" said Finn as she scratched at it again.

It is more than that.

"Christ, I didn't catch anything from …Keyo, did I? What with all that licking…" she looked at Fafnir "I mean no offence"

No offence taken. Keyo was unaware that you were expected, he has been spoken to. Slayer, take your woman to the far cave.

"Aaah, she's…not my …woman…" stammered Dean.

But she is.

"No…she…"

She is.

"But..."

Finn stood "Just take me to the cave" and she walked out of Fafnir's cave.

Dean stood and turned from the dragon

Slayer ... he turned back to Fafnir Deceiving yourself is not in our ways. A secret kept, especially from yourself, will eat away at you. You know who she is.

Dean stared at Fafnir before turning and following Finn.

He found her waiting at the main entrance, crouching as she spoke with Peluda and scratched at her thigh. She stood when she heard him.

"Finn…"

"Just take me to the other cave" she held up her hand when he started to speak "I don't want to hear it. Lets go"

Dean nodded "This way"

Finn followed Dean down long passageways, the air getting colder the deeper they went. She rubbed at her arms as goose-bumps rose on them "Aaah, Jesus…" she grabbed at her leg.

Dean turned "Just keep walking, it'll be better in a minute, I promise" he smiled at her.

"Yeah, it's hysterical, Dean" she pushed past him and walked down the passageway and turned into an enormous cave and was struck dumb again.

She felt Dean come up behind her "They're the last of their kind" he whispered in her ear.

"But…how...?"

"Fafnir called them. They would only come for you" he whispered again.

"But…I don't have the magic anymore" she whispered as she watched them pace the cave, their eyes never leaving hers.

"It's not about the magic, Finn" he whispered "They know who you are"

She stepped forward, moving slowly but purposefully into the cave, she raised her arm, putting her palm up. Dean watched as the largest griffin walked towards her, its taloned front claws scraping on the ground, it's padded rear paws moving silently. It stood fifteen feet at its fore-quarters, twenty feet all told. It lowered its head and opened its beak wide, its scream bouncing off the walls of the cave. When the griffin finished its call, it lowered its head and Finn placed her palm gently against its beak, looking into its eyes. The animal towered over her, it could easily rip her apart, yet she didn't seem scared. He was in awe of the animal; dragons were one thing…but a beast that was part eagle, part lion? That defied all explanation. He saw her nod and the griffin turned and settled itself in the middle of the cave, the three other griffins settling next to it.

Finn turned back to Dean "We have work to do, the griffins say we have less time than we thought " She walked past him and he grabbed her arm, he saw the griffins get quickly to their feet; Finn turned and shook her head and they settled again. She looked at him "What?"

"Finn, you…"

"We have work to do, Dean. Lets just get this done and..."

He cut her off, pulling her against him and kissing her "Just shut up"

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Sam and Eve sat on the horses as Jude paced angrily in front of them.

"You have no goddamn idea where he's gone, Sam!"

"I have an idea" he said "And I should have been watching him. I'm going, Jude, that's all there is to it. If Dean and Jay get back before me, you tell them I'm sorry and that I will bring him back"

"I'll watch him, Jude" said Eve "Besides, how far could he have gone?"

"Two hours far, Eve! He could damn well be anywhere" he sighed "Look, I've already sent scouts out looking for him, stay here..."

"It's not their job, it's mine" said Sam and he kicked at Bull, urging the horse back through Loch Forest.

"Eve" said Jude as he placed his hand on her horse "You watch him and you bring Caleb back" she nodded "If Seth gets back, I'll send him after you. Where are you heading?"

"The Barren Lands" and she kicked at her horse and followed Sam.

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Caleb and Wolf got the edge of the forest, both of them going into a crouch as they peered out of the mist. He knew no one could see him, he was small enough to remain unnoticed in the forest, the few Ancients that had been sent out to look for him had ridden right past him, not realising how close he actually was to them. There was no way he was going back to camp, he had to find his mother. He'd heard the dragons when his mother and Dean had arrived in their land, he'd heard the one called Keyo say she was his and then the dragons had all gone silent. He couldn't hear them anymore and he always heard them. His Mamma was in trouble and it was his job to look after her. He adjusted the sword across his back, put a hand on Wolf's head and ran from the forest, cutting across the blue fields and ducking down into a small gully, Wolf at his heels. He knew he had to be careful, knew that people were after him but he had to get to the dragons land. He hurried down the gully, keeping as low as possible and ducking down, lying flat every time he heard the sound of approaching horses.

He'd been travelling for a really long time, his little legs starting to tire. He sat down in between some bushes, took his water bottle from his bag and drank. He didn't drink too much, he still had a long way to go. He gave a little water to Wolf and put the bottle away. He went to rise when he saw Wolf tense and spring in the opposite direction, barking furiously before he heard a yelp. Caleb drew his sword and ran out, stopping in his tracks as he saw Wolf lying on his side, bleeding from a wound to his chest, a large man standing over him.

The man turned when he heard footsteps behind him "Well, well, well…the bastard prince…" he grinned "Jackpot"

To be continued…