ooOoo

The Supernatural characters belong to Kripke Enterprises and the CW, not me. No money is being made from this story. It is for entertainment only.

ooOoo

The Fae Prince

Chapter 16

A Fae on the Hunt

Lying, robed in snowy white

That loosely flew to left and right –

The leaves upon her falling light –

Thro' the noises of the night

She floated down to Camelot:

And as the boat-head wound along

The willowy hills and fields among,

They hear her singing her last song,

The Lady of Shalott

The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1809-1892

The lovers stood on the hillside and watched as the police cruiser left with John in the backseat. In a couple of minutes the town ambulance showed up and the body in the bathtub made an appearance on a stretcher carried by two EMTs. Sisseton was too small to support its own police morgue so emergency services substituted in these cases.

"Do we want to follow this through?" Dean asked.

"I would like to know what kind of rumors are spreading." Sam replied. "They would tell us if the other Hunters are getting out of town."

Dean considered the idea. "I don't particularly want to go to the Hunter's bar," he said "but there are three other bars in town, remember? We checked them out hunting for John. Why don't we go to that first one? It was a pretty big place. I bet the shit is flying through the air there."

Sam curled his nose. "That is an ugly metaphor, Dean. I bet there is a lot of gossiping going on."

Dean lightly punched Sam's arm. "Lighten up Prince. You're letting your delicate fairy feelings show."

"You're really going to suffer for that one, pretty boy." Sam responded and went to grab Dean's head. The young Hunter ducked and scurried down the hill, his lover in hot pursuit.

Laughing Dean tried to get inside the Impala but Sam caught him around the waist and paddled his ass.

An out of breath Dean was deposited none too gently in the passenger seat of the Mustang and Sam drove off to the bar. Even though it was early in the evening the place was pretty full.

Inside they snagged a table in the middle of the room where they could hear the conversations around them. Just as Dean supposed the "shit was flying" and they heard John Winchester's name again and again. Acting the innocent Dean fluttered his eyelashes at their waitress and Rosalie settled in with her arms propped on the table for a nice gossip.

"And they said he was carrying the heads around in the truck with him. Sick." Rosalie burbled on thrilled to be the first to tell these two nice looking boys all about the manic that had been captured in Sisseton. She was so excited she was almost stuttering. Unfortunately for her the bartender noticed that his waitress was missing and he sent the boss out after her.

Shooing her back to work like a hen after a lost chick the owner of the bar glanced at Dean and Sam.

"Alright boys," Mrs. Pickens said. "You got I.D. to go with those pretty smiles?"

Sam went to circulate around the pool tables and Dan sat alone at their table, fluttering those eyelashes at every woman who looked his way. In no time they heard everything these people had to say.

From the woman Dean learned that they all "had just known" something was wrong with the grumpy John Winchester.

The men who had lost at pool to the man or who had shared a glass or two all felt slighted; like their brush with the famous "monster" entitled them to some kind of respect. Sam listened in to the bar flies talk about how they just knew that there was something shady about Winchester.

Sam came back to the table and brushed the latest piece of female fluff off his lover. "This bunch doesn't know anything. Let's move on. At least there are no Hunters here."

They left the bar and got back in the Mustang. "Do you want to dare the Hunter's bar?" asked Dean.

"I have a better idea." Sam answered. "Let's get back to Bobby's. I bet he know more than we do already."

Dean nodded. "You're probably right. If we keep poking our noses in where they don't belong someone will notice and punch them for us. Let's get back to Sioux Falls then."

Dean curled up in the passenger seat with his head propped against the window. The Fae Prince was left to drive through the soft South Dakota night under the clear skies and bright stars. He drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting on his lover's thigh.

ooOoo

Sam was right. John Winchester's arrest was big news in the Hunters' world and Bobby's phones were ringing like church bells. Serious Hunters recognized that John had been set up. No Hunter in his right mind drove around with that kind of evidence in his vehicle and John might be the world's biggest asshole but he wasn't a fool.

"John's buddies are already setting up a Hunt for the male witch that took John's boy." Bobby told them. "John may be in jail but he's still flapping that mouth. They are all freaking out because if the witch set up John he likely to be able to set up even more Hunters. The general consensus is they want to kill the witch before they become victims like Winchester."

"What should we do, Bobby?" Dean asked.

"If I were you I'd take off for whatever State in the Union is farthest away: California, Alaska, maybe even Hawaii. You two could hide out until the excitement dies down then maybe come back here."

Sam had become quieter and quieter as Bobby went on. Suddenly he got to his feet and began pacing the kitchen.

Dean watched the Fae with cautious eyes. This was an angry Prince. Sam was normally in tight control of his emotions. Even when facing the Unseelie Queen or when manipulating his father, Sam was always in control. Something about this conversation with Bobby was upsetting him and his control was slipping. Crossing his arms Sam stood and started at Bobby and Dean.

"I think you should be reminded that I am not a frightened little rabbit running from your all mighty Hunters." The Prince said.

"Now Sam," Bobby started to say. "I didn't mean to say that you were afraid."

Sam cut the older man off. "I think your Hunters need to be told that there are some things they cannot and should not hunt. There are some things that will hunt them back."

"Dean, go get dressed in your Fae clothes and don't forget the armbands." Sam instructed. "Remember always, I provide and you obey. Now go and get ready. You can wear one of your flannels over all but everything else is to be Fae only. You are Fae now and we are going to go teach some arrogant people what it means to anger the Fae."

Dean headed up stairs to find his soft gray Fae clothing.

Sam turned back to a stunned Bobby. "Mr. Singer," Sam started in an icy voice. "I truly appreciate your help, your shelter and your council. In the end however, remember that I am Fae. I will offer you my protection and my friendship but I am not human and I will follow the way of the Fae when I or my consort make decisions."

"I don't know, Sam," Bobby said. "Am I still allowed to speak my mind?"

"Absolutely," Mr. Singer," Sam replied. "I find your counsel invaluable, I trust you to tell me the truth in all things. Truth is all I ask."

Bobby smiled at the tall Fae. "First of all, I would really like for you to go back to calling me Bobby. The FBI are the only people who consistently call me Mr. Singer. It makes me itch."

Sam laughed. "Very well, Bobby."

ooOoo

It was late at night when Sam and Dean pulled back into Sisseton. They were driving the impala now. Sam was done with running and hiding and Dean was happy driving his baby again.

They parked at the back of the lot, away from the lights and watched the door of Erickson's Bar. This was the Hunter Bar in Sisseton and Bobby had given them a list of the Hunters he believed were inside. A lot of them were, if not friends, at least acquaintances of John Winchester and were among the group who were asking for tips on how to kill a male witch.

Sam had picked out a particular pair he wanted to cut out of the herd. They were Jay and Evan Weston, a nephew and Uncle hunting pair. Jay had been hunting for decades. He had found out about the Supernatural in the worst possible way. His wife and daughter had been taken by a Wendigo and by the time a Hunter had convinced him of the reality and necessity of hunting this creature his family was dead. He found their bodies hanging like slaughtered carcasses after helping the Hunter kill the Wendigo and had been on a blood thirsty trail for decades. Anything not human deserved to die.

His nephew Evan had joined him after another supernatural family blood bath. Evan's family fell to werewolves and John Winchester had helped with the hunt. Now the only remaining members of the Weston family were Jay and Evan. They were both members of the 'if it's not human, kill it' club.

Sam and Dean stood outside in the parking lot watching the various Hunters and other bar patrons disperse. Finally Sam's targets showed up. Sam climbed on the hood of the Impala and removed his flannel camouflage. Dean causally leaned against the driver's door and did the sane. Dressed in their Fae vests and arm bands they looked like a pair of Lord of the Ring extras, Sam in russet leathers and Dean in gray.

It was the Impala that caught Jay's eye initially and he walked further into the darkened lot, away from the lighting. Evan followed him. When Jay spotted the two figures he drew his gun and signaled Evan to do the same.

"Dean Winchester," Jay called. "If you don't want shot, boy, get away from the witch."

Dean laughed and Jay immediately sighted on the boy. "Evan," Jay said, "Keep your eye on the witch."

"Drop, Dean." Sam ordered and Dean hit the ground. Sam transformed and his Fae form spiraled up off the hood. Evan got off a couple of shaky shots but aimed too high.

"Hit my baby and you're dead" Dean yelled. The two Hunters began to run at the Impala.

Sam reached down and took Dean's hand. They then sprinted off into the nearby woods with the Hunters right behind trying to get off shots at the fleeing pair.

"What it is?" Evan yelled at his Uncle.

"Don't know," Jay yelled back. "Not human for sure. Shoot it."

Once inside the cover of the woods the chase slowed down. Jay and Evan dodged from tree to tree searching for their prey. Every few moments they would hear a noise as Dean's foot would land on a branch or in a pile of leaves. They thought they were tracking their prey when they were actually being lead further and further into the wood.

San finally lead them into the same clearing where the werewolves had been killed. He pushed Dean away from the Oak tree and placed a finger firmly against his consort's lips, signaling quiet. Jay and Evan slipped into the clearing, staying low to the ground.

Sam manifested his form in front of the Fae doorway and the Hunters sprang up, firing away. The bullets passed through Sam's insubstantial form, embedding themselves into the tree. Dean had passed around behind the Hunters and stepped forward, pressing his own gun into the back of Jay's head.

"Stop firing, Weston," Dean ordered. "If you would like to keep your brains in your head, drop the gun and tell Evan to drop his too."

"Winchester," Jay growled out. "You're human; you're John's son. What has this witch done to you?"

Dean pushed Jay forward into the clearing. "See, that's what happens when you depend on a drunk's research. John told you Sam was a witch and you went for it. Bad intelligence, wrong ammo."

Dean pushed Jay down to the ground and motioned for Evan to join them. "Now we're just going to have a civilized discussion."

Sam flowed forward and hung in front of the Hunters in Fae form, providing an effective distraction as Dean cleared and captured all the weapons he could find.

"What are you?" Jay ground out between his teeth.

Sam slowly settled and transformed into his human persona. Jay held still but Evan jerked back in shock.

"You were right about one thing, I'm not human." Sam said. "I am the one thing you Hunters should never hunt. I am Fae and I'll hunt you back."

"No such things," Jay answered back. "Never have been anything like that; Fae and Angels, just legends for old women."

Sam leaned forward closer to Jay's face. "Right in front of you and you cannot see. Not a good trait for a Hunter. "

Sam then turned to look into the younger Wesson's face. "What is your name, young one?"

"Get the hell away from him" Jay barked out. "Isn't one boy enough for you?"

Sam reached out and held Evan by the chin. He turned the young man's face from side to side. "What do you think, Dean? Should I send him through? "

Dean snorted. "That's up to you, Sam. "

"I think Cousin Ethan would like him." Sam stoked his fingers down Evan's face from the corner his eye to the curve of his jaw. Where ever Sam's fingers traced a pattern appeared on the skin. The light green marks curled like vines and grew up from his neck to circle his eyes.

Jay pushed forward and Dean wrapped his arm around the man's neck and pushed the gun into the back of the Hunter's head even more firmly. "Let it go, Jay. You brought this on yourselves."

Sam took Evan's hand and raised him up from the forest floor. It was like a dancer leading his partner out. Sam took the boy to the Fae tree and said, "You are going on an adventure. When you get inside go downhill and keep going downhill."

"If you see black riders assume they are your enemy. I have marked you as belonging to my house but the Unseelie Huntsmen are not known for their honor. Avoid them at all costs. You are searching for the Seelie Court. You will know them when you see them because they look like me. Tell whoever speaks to you that you belong to the House of Samisfallen and ask them to take you to Ethan. Once you are with Ethan you will be safe."

Sam turned and pushed the young Hunter into the Fae portal. The tree opened for just a moment and cold blue light spilled out on to the ground. Jay Wesson screamed his nephew's name but the young man was gone.

Sam returned to Jay Wesson. The man was beginning to struggle in Dean's hold but froze when Sam approached.

"You have a job to do Mr. Hunter." Sam said. Jay snapped his head up and glared at the Fae Prince.

"OK, freak. Just what is this job you have for me? To die quietly?"

Sam stroked the man's hair. "No, you don't get to die just yet; maybe later.'

"You are going to be set free to spread the word among your fellow Hunters. Leave the Fae alone. We won't hunt you If you don't hunt us. Our world has no desire to touch yours. We find you distasteful, ugly and dirty."

The Hunter spat at Sam's feet. "We kill the non-human and you are fair game. Whatever you've done to Winchester's son makes him fair game too."

"Here is where you have gone wrong." Sam replied. "You need to hunt evil. Not all Supernatural is evil. You kind occasionally kill the innocent. Keep it up and we will come for you. If the Fae rides through this world there will be nothing left. This is a warning." Sam turned away then stopped.

"You know, I think you need a demonstration." Sam turned back to the Hunter. "Stand on your feet. Dean, let him go and stand back."

The Hunter stood. He was no coward. No hunter could survive as long as Jay had and be a coward. They could survive as jackasses quite nicely also as evidenced by John Winchester.

Sam reached forward and took hold of Jay's left arm just above the elbow. The hunter began to shake and tried to pull away. He gritted his teeth and then gave in suddenly and started to moan. Slowly he collapsed and fell unconscious on the ground. Dean stepped forward and looked down at the Hunter.

"What did you do to him?" he asked Sam

Sam knelt and pulled off the Hunter's jacket. The man's left arm was rigid and looked somehow diminished. The hand was curled in on itself.

"I withered his left arm. He's a cripple; something to remember me by."

Sam took Dean's hand. "Leave him. We have to get back to the car. It's a long ride back to Bobby's place."