Part Five.
In Which the Story is Almost Finished

The ship landed the very next day, in a shallow lake that ended right where the valley began, a worn path leading away from the lake . The Blue Label landed rather roughly in the lake, causing a large splash that had wet the valley and most of the crew members. Ash was still mostly drunk from last night thus landing the left half of the ship in the water first, at a speed that was unsafe for the crew. Once the ship had come to a complete stop, half in water, the other half on land, the crew cheer.

Castiel and Dean had stood at the front of the ship, watching the valley, the lake and then the road come into view. Castiel had gripped the railing tight, leaning back into Dean's space who was had braced himself against both side of the railing. He enclosed Castiel in the circle of his arms and the railing, catching light smells of night air and starlight in the star's messy hair.

Dean was not ready to let go of this moment, of this adventure. But as the ship landed and half the ship was covered in water, Dean realized that he had no other choice but to continue on. Perhaps Lisa had moved onto another man and giving her Castiel would just be an awkward rejection. Maybe Dean was too late and the gate to Wall would be closed. He'd be pronounced dead in Lawrence and he and his star would travel Stormhold until the next Market that would open the wall.

"Ready?" Castiel smiled, taking Dean's wrist and leading him to the edge of the ship where the crew was readying for their departure. Jo and Ellen gave the star a long and tight hug before shoving him onto the ladder. Ellen took Dean in a similar hug before passing on a small satchel filled with food, spare clothing she had prepared.

Rufus smiled from above them, "Wall is about a week's walk down that path. Stay on the road and you'll be fine but don't let anyone see you, alright?"

"Hey," Ellen shouted from the railing, "You take care and say 'hi' to the town for me! Especially that John Winchester!"

"Good luck on your journey, Castiel!" Jo smiled, "Where it takes you!"

Castiel waved, "Thank you, Joanna!"

"We can't thank you enough, Captain." Dean smiled.

"Don't mention it," Rufus smiled, then gripped Dean tightly. He felt the skin bruise beneath the grip but smiled all the same, "Seriously, don't mention it."

Dean nodded and tried to escape the Captain's grasp. However, Rufus pulled Dean closer and whispered in his ear. Dean's eyes found Castiel, they sparkled with something the star couldn't identify before Dean smiled and turned back to Rufus.

"Remember that, Dean," Rufus patted the boy's shoulder before pushing him closer to Castiel.

Dean nodded, "Thank you, Rufus."

The crew waved and cheered as the two walked up the path that would lead them to Wall. Dean's grinned the whole way, silly and a little lovestruck. It was the same smile Dean had first had when he talked about Lisa, only the boy wasn't talking, he was looking at Castiel. The star frowned, "What did he tell you?"

Dean shrugged and took hold of Castiel's elbow, pulling him closer, "Just, uh, take care and have fun on the Market."

Castiel didn't believe him but followed anyways with a soft smile lighting his face. After some time of stumbling over the rocky terrain, Castiel huffed, "I don't like these shoes."

Castiel pouted, tripping over the thick boots and right into Dean's arms. He caught the star with a soft smile and righted Castiel again. The star glared down at the boots, "I want to take them off."

Dean laughed, "You can't, you'll get blisters and cuts."

Castiel huffed and they continued on the path towards wall, Dean taking Castiel's hand lightly and providing balance as they walked. They were quiet for some time, peaceful where only the noises of their feet and distance horse hooves was heard. Dean's hold on Castiel tightened just a little more when the rhythmic pounding became louder, "Dean? What did Captain Rufus tell you?"

Dean paused, Castiel question's unheard as he measured the distance, when the noises were clearly closing in on them, Dean latched onto Castiel's upper arm and dove into the bushes lining the path. Castiel fell to the ground, Dean's whole body on top of him, pushing him into the soft ground. Castiel stifled a moan when intimate parts touched, and he chose to laugh to distract the other man from realizing the star's new predicament, "Dean?"

Dean placed a solid finger over Castiel's lips, "Shh, I don't want anyone to find you. I just...I just don't trust anyone."

Castiel tried to to stifle the beat of his heart, the squirming, giddy feeling deep in his stomach, the heat that zipped through his body, but his shine could not be withheld. He saw it in the sparkle of Dean's very green eyes as the man above him gazed the contours of Castiel's face. Castiel shifted just a little, just to relieve some of the pressure in his lower regions.

As the pounding of hooves passed them by just on the other side of the bushes, Dean shifted above Castiel, eyes falling down to the star's exposed collar bone. Castiel bit his lip and titled his head just slightly, a movement Dean also followed with his eyes, "Dean, are you tempted?"

Dean's lips inched a little closer to Castiel's, "Tempted?" Castiel shifted his head the other way and Dean's head followed, "Tempted to do what?"

Castiel licked his lips, Dean did the same, "Immortality? Taking my heart and living for all eternity."

Dean looked pensive for a moment, "Probably not. I mean, eternal life and no one by your side? That would be lonely. I would miss my family, my brother..."

Dean's voice faded away as his thoughts took over. Castiel held his breath through the entire answer. He yearned for a single answer, something so specific from Dean, but Castiel could not fathom what it was. Perhaps it was acknowledgement, Dean admitting that if he took Castiel heart to live forever, he would miss Castiel as well. Perhaps he was preparing to here Dean's longing for Lisa. Instead, he watched Dean smile, his gentle, lopsided grin, "I imagine you would need someone special, someone to love forever and that would make it worth it."

Castiel exhaled but did not relax. Had he been waiting for that moment? No, or else he would have felt more...free.

Dean stood and helped Castiel to his feet. When the star stumbled a little, Dean took his arm again. Castiel blushed lightly as they walked with their arms locked together at the sides,

"So," Dean began as they exited the small grove of trees and bushes and out into the open field of hillsides and lakes, "You know, I can't help noticing that you..."

"That I?" Castiel blushed, eyes following the rolling landscape.

"You...Glimmer? Is that the proper term?" Dean shrugged, "I don't know you just...light up. Is it normal?"

Castiel shrugged, "I'll let you guess."

"Well, give me a hint?" Dean laughed.

"What do stars do?" Castiel smiled, finding solid ground as they approached a more even path on the road. He slipped out of Dean's grasp and walked a little faster. He hit a stone that etched the distance to Wall and turned back to Dean, "How long do you think it will be to Wall?"

"Oh maybe another three days," Dean shrugged as he passed the sign and met up with Castiel. Dean seemed light and easy, ignorant to the time and pace of their adventure.

Castiel stopped, "We don't have that kind of time, Dean. Lisa's birthday is two days, correct?"

Dean bit his lip thoughtfully, "Oh, oh it is. I guess I forgot."

He moved along again, Dean taking Castiel's wrist again.

"How about we rest for tonight?" Dean suddenly said, guiding Castiel off the road and into the hidden tree line again. Castiel agreed, easing down to the soft ground beneath a grand willow tree with thick, dropping branches. It created a curtain around them, obscuring the star even more from passers-by. Dean smiled, "I'll go find some food."

Dean ran as far as he could into the woods, heaving a great sign when he'd gotten out of the proximity of the star. He tried to fight the silly grin from showing across his face but failed to hid it. He was thankful to be alone in the silent grove of trees.

The forest was a wide stretch of large trees that reached high into the sky. The canopy above him darkened the ground area. Flecks of light bounced across the floor as the loudly chirping birds above jumped from branch to branch. Dean sighed, taking in deep breaths of the forest air. He tried to ease his mind, relax his body and turn his focus away from Castiel's innocent eyes, luscious lips and overall tempting figure. If he regretted anything about this journey, it was that Castiel was promised to Lisa for her birthday.

Just a little off the path, Dean spotted a blue figure in the distance. It hopped about like a rabbit and it limped like it was injured. He knew he could kill this prey and if he presented it to Castiel, he could explain the thing had been hurt anyway. Dean was only going to put it out of its misery. Dean sunk low to the ground, eyes following the bright blue body as he stepped closer to it. His steps were light, unnoticeable until he was an arms length away. The creature took form as a bright blue bird, a familiar silver chain wrapped tightly around its good leg.

It was a small, electric blue creature with the body of a Magpie. It's tail was long, a mixture of blue and black that dragged behind it's large body. A piece of feather curled away from the small bird's head, dancing in front of its dark brown eyes. The bird's massive wings were solid blue, one resting tight against its body, the other held outward, broken at an awkward angle that prevented it from closing the wing tight. It was the same side as the broken foot, the small thing keeping it close to its body.

Dean frowned, focused on its stoic face as the thing hopped towards him. Dean sighed, unable to slay a creature as beautiful as this. He lowered his hand to the ground and extended it wide, presenting his palm to the creature. It twittered at him, head tilted in a curious angle. Dean laughed, unable to hid the swell of affection when it looked like that. It reminded him of Castiel, curious, awkward and such a hypnotic blue that Dean felt lost but content. He gestured for the bird to climb up. When it finally did, Dean closed his hand gently around its body, allowing the bird to rest its injured wing against his fingers.

"Hello there," He whispered to it. The bird chirped in response, "Are you lost?"

The bird heaved a sigh in response. Dean smiled softly, "I guess you're just tired. Would you like water?"

The bird shifted in his grasp and released a quiet chirp, signaling it agreement. Dean reached for the canteen at his side and dropped a little water onto the bird's tiny black beak. It huffed contently. Dean dropped a few more drops of water on its beak then down its back. The bird shook its feathers and began to preen itself. Dean imagined if Castiel had fallen from the sky as a bird, this is how he'd look and act. He would be a giant ball of feathers squawking and huffing until Dean did as Castiel wished. Dean stroked a single finger down the birds spine and watched it shiver in joy before tucking itself into his palm and began to sleep. Dean laughed softly, ready to take it back to Castiel, to present it as a companion for the star when a shrilly cry was heard from across the way, "Thief!"

Dean was suddenly bombarded by a smaller man in layers of tattered robes, wrinkled face and blotchy yellow eyes. Dean ducked out of the way of the man's weak fist, "Hey!"

"Drop my servant you pretty boy thief!" The man hissed, latching onto the blue bird and yanking it out of Dean's grasp, "I ought to turn your bones to ice and melt them over my hearth!"

"Listen!" Dean pushed the man away with one hand, "Your bird hopped to me, seeking water. I only fed it."

The yellow eyed man glared at the bird that chirped loudly at him. He gave the bird a stern look and then raised it to his ear. The bird squawked and chirped several times, the man's eery yellow eyes focused on Dean before he mumbled back to it. He huffed and pulled the bird from his ear, "Well, perhaps what you say is not a complete pack of lies." He stormed away from Dean, shouting over his shoulder, "Stay away from my slave!"

Dean shrugged off the incident and returned with some fruits and berries he had gathered along the way; he was unable to go hunting for an animal to kill after meeting the bird. Dean eased himself down beside Castiel and handed him some berries. Castiel smiled softly and took one, "Thank you."

They camped out by the bridge, under the canopy of the weeping willow just off the roadside. The sky was clear through the trees and Castiel stared up at his twinkling brothers and sisters while Dean tried to sleep. They leaned against each other with the support of the willow behind them and the feeling of pure content swept over Castiel so much that he began to hum softly. It was a deep, vibrating noise that took conscious thought away from Dean. The man grinned in approval, "I'm glad I got to hear you sing a little. You have a nice voice. It's very relaxing."

Castiel blushed, the pores of skin bursting into light so bright his silhouette was seen from the road, coupled with his soft halo, "Thank you. I suppose I had not been in the mood until now."

And Castiel hummed Dean to sleep, the stars brightly dancing above them.

The next day, the two set back out on their journey. Castiel had a better grasp on walking but Dean still held his wrist tightly, pulling the star closer to them. They walked side by side, falling into each other with soft smiles and quick glances. That is, until the were nearly run over. Dean heard the roar of the cart and loud whiney of horses long after he'd moved Castiel out of harms way, the both of them nearly rolling down the hill they were passing.

"Hey!" Dean shouted, jumping to his feet and circling the faded yellow carriage and haggard, yellow eyed man, "Watch where you drive, you almost hit my-"

The man narrowed his eyes, "You, you're the boy that..." he paused with a soft smile, "You saved my bird. I suppose I should have thanked you."

Dean exhaled all of his anger, throwing a look over Castiel who was already brushing off his black trousers, "Yes, well, how about a ride?"

The man frowned, "To where?"

"To Wall," Dean stated.

"Safe passage to Wall," Castiel announced but the man interrupted her with a sardonic laugh.

"My bird is not worth that much trouble." The yellow eyed man guffawed.

"Then we'll pay for our way to Wall," Dean stated.

"With what?" The man jumped down from the carriage and circled Dean, "How about that flower? It's very dear to me, had one like it years ago."

"It was his mother's!" Castiel shouted. Dean held it tightly to his breast.

"It must be very dear to you," The man frowned, "to keep it so close to your heart."

"My mother gave it to me," Dean frowned.

"Brilliant," The man grinned, "A gift like that will assure you safe ride, lodging, and food for your entire trip to the market. Just give me the flower."

Dean frowned and passed a look to Castiel. the star frowned but shrugged, unsure of how to approach the bargain. Dean handed the flower over, "Deal."

The man took the flower with a smile, "A lucky charm this one, protects the holder from all magic. Including magic like this," The man waved his hand and Dean gasped, grabbing his heart and falling to the ground.

"DEAN!" Castiel rushed forward as a cloud of blue mist surrounded his body. The yellow eyed man laughed as he watched Dean shrink to the size and shape of a mouse. The yellow eyed man laughed as he bent to pick up the mouse, Castiel rushed forward to grab hold of the transformed Dean before him but felt an invisible wall block him out, "What did you do?"

"See," The yellow eyed man began, "The caravan's pretty small and food is expensive. And I already have a useless slave that takes up most of my attention. So shrinking you down to the size of a mouse will guarantee you passage and food to Wall."

"You assbutt!" Castiel shouted, attempting to punch the yellow eyed man and grab Dean but the force surrounding the yellow eyed man threw him back to the ground. Something was blocking Castiel out, he couldn't touch the yellow eyed witch nor did it seem the man could feel him at all. Castiel sprang to his feet and followed the yellow eyed man as he circled the caravan then entered it. Castiel heaved a sigh, "Am I to assume you can't see me or hear me?"

When Castiel received no response, he huffed, "Well, you smell, your rude and I hope you choke on your ratty hair!"

The yellow eyed man passed a piece of cheese to the mouse then shoved him in a small cage hanging above a pile of blankets in the corner of the caravan, "I promise you'll be in one piece upon your arrival into Wall."

The blue bird squawked from its perch above the door. It bounced around a peg, held back by the silver chain clinking away. Castiel neared it, feeling warm and content from beneath the bird's perch.

"Of course I'll keep my promise," The man hissed to the blue bird, "What do you take me for?"

He slammed the door shut, leaving Castiel in the dark with the two animals.

The carriage drove through the night, Castiel sitting between a very silent mouse and a chirpy blue bird. They stopped once when at twilight, the cart coming to an abrupt hault that had sent both Castiel and the bird falling to the floor. In the confusion, the bird began to roll about, a puff of blue smoke seeping from the tiny thing's body. It wrapped around the bird and began to twist upwards. Higher and higher, the smoke circled to form a human body before it was sucked back in again. A woman had taken the bird's place. She had shinning green eyes and tumbles of curly blonde hair. Her fragile shape was covered in a solid blue dress, the top half of the dress falling off her shoulders and tightening around the bodice. With a soft, knowing smile thrown over her thin shoulder to Castiel, she pulled a stool and supplies for fire from the caravan to the outside.

The yellow eyed witch held a skewered rabbit up to her to roast. He circled the cart and was out of view once the woman had placed it over the fire to cook. She then returned to the caravan to help him up. When her master was in sight, hovering over the fire and waiting for the meat to finish cooking, the woman ignored Castiel. Once the caravan started again, the bird remained close, chirping softly in Castiel's ear and rubbing her wing against his exposed neck. Castiel enjoyed the company but longed for Dean's voice, ached for his arms when the chill set in.

He peered down at the cage, the mouse that was formally Dean was gnawing on his cheese, Castiel could only laugh, "This is quite a situation you got us into. And you say stars cause all the trouble." Castiel snickered to himself and eased against the back of the caravan, "You probably can't understand a word I'm saying." Castiel hesitated then clapped his hands together, "If you can understand me, nod your head!"

He looked down into the cage, right into the tiny creatures big brown eyes. They stared at each other but the head did not move. Instead, after a long, agonizing minute, his nose twitched and he looked to the packs of cheese dangling in the corner. Castiel sighed and grabbed a block of chedder, "I thought so, you only want cheese don't you? So won't have to be embaressed when I tell you what I'm thinking?"

The creature did not answer so Castiel sighed, "Right, well I'm tired of keeping my feelings to myself, so I'm just going to say it! Once I say it, that's it, I won't think any more about it and we won't talk about it."

Castiel exhaled once more, preparing himself for his confession. He relaxed his shoulders and looked back to the cursed Dean, "You know, what I said about love? I, well I know more than I said. I've watched humans fall in love for centuries, in fact, it's the best thing about your world. All the anger, the hatred and violence, it's all washed away with the beauty that is love. I wished for it so much for myself, I ached for it. And I think all its beauty has blinded me, made me mistake love for..." Castiel gulped, "well, for loathing, which is really very easy when dealing with a man like you." Castiel grasped his heart, "I guess, what I'm trying to say is..."

The cart rattled to a stop, shocking Castiel so abruptly that he fell to the floor along with several jars filled with fruits. The yellow eyed man entered the cart and pulled Dean from his cage. Castiel followed him out and watched as the yellow eyed witch raised Dean to his lips and pointed beyond the trees with a thin finger, "The wall is two miles in that direction. You can walk but you won't get through until tomorrow evening."

The witch whispered something deep, hypnotic into the mouse's ear. The overgrown appendages began to twitch and then the whole body began to convulse. The brown fur fell away, revealing supple pink skin. Castiel blushed and looked away, out of fear that Dean would appear naked before them. When Castiel dared to turn back again, Dean was in his own body though not very steady on his feet. Dean pulled out his sword, muttered 'son of a bitch' then fell to the ground, too dizzy to stand. Castiel ran to his side as the man laughed.

"I warned you there would be some dizziness. Look, I got you here in a couple of hours, Wall is a two mile walk that way," He pointed down a row of tents and lanterns to the forest beyond, "Now be off with you, I have a reputation to keep."

"Dean," Castiel shook the man's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Dean heaved a sigh from beneath Castiel then smiled crookedly, "Yeah, Cas. I'm fine. Did he harm you at all?"

Castiel helped Dean to his feet and brushed him off, "To be honest, I don't think he knew I was there. I'm unharmed."

Dean nodded, shoulders relaxed, "Come on, we should try to cross the Wall. Are you ready for it?"

"Hardly."

"You'll be fine," Dean took Castiel's wrist and led him away from the crowds, "I know you'll like Sammy. He's got a room full of books and no one to really read with him. Adam will be alright but he can hardly keep a secret so I'm not leaving you alone with him." Castiel laughed, taking Dean's hand in his and twinning their fingers together, listening quietly as Dean imagined how Castiel would react to his family.

They reached the tree line when Dean realized he'd been rambling. He stopped short of the trees, pulling Castiel back, "You know what, we can wait. Lisa's birthday is tomorrow. We can..." Dean bit his lip, watching Castiel out of the corner of his eye, "We can enjoy the sights, wash up and all that."

Castiel smiled, the glow about him could have been the light of the lanterns but Dean liked to think he'd made Castiel glow himself.

The two made their way back to the crowds, hand in hand, buying the local snacks and speaking softly to each other. Castiel tried to withhold his glow but having Dean here, with no thought for Lisa or crossing the Wall, Castiel could feel his heart swelling and breaking out of his body in joy.

"You're very much in love," A snarky woman laughed from beside Castiel, she wore dark goggles over her eyes and peered over a crystal ball, "Oh, and he's got a sexy ass too. You've got good taste."

Castiel looked around quickly for Dean, finding him a booth away, picking out candies. Castiel turned back to the dark haired gypsy and leaned over the crystal ball, "You see my love for him?"

The gypsy laughed, "Honey the moon can see your love for him." She tapped her narrow chin thoughtfully, "Maybe a better analogy would be the sun, he doesn't see your kind too often." She shrugged, "Well, I'll know for next time."

"You know who I am too?"

"You're..." She paused for a moment, small hand reaching for Castiel's, "...destined. You two are a love that has been planned for decades, centuries. We've all been waiting for this moment." Castiel exhaled shakily, the weight of his fate bearing down on his shoulders. He felt stifled and suffocated, heavy with everything that this adventure suddenly became. Then Dean's warm hand rested on his shoulder and everything just faded away.

"Is everything alright?" Dean asked, rubbing the back of Castiel's neck with his thumb. The star eased back into Dean's grasp.

"Of course," The gypsy smiled, "Just reading fortunes. Your friend looks tired, perhaps he would like a bath and some sleep."

Castiel smiled gratefully but Dean frowned, "Rooms are all full."

The gypsy smiled, "Not a problem. I have room and food to share. There's a lake just behind my caravan where you can wash up."

"We can't accept that kind of hospitality." Dean began but the gypsy waved him off.

"No no, we travel in the same circles, Dean." She smiled, "I've got some towels for your friend. Follow me, Castiel."

Dean laughed, "Bobby again?"

Castiel shrugged and followed the gypsy beyond the tent and curtains to her caravan. She passed towels to Castiel and pointed beyond her caravan, "Just about a mile out, there should be some lanterns around."

"Thank you..." Castiel bit his lip.

She smiled, "Pamela. Now scoot, you smell."

Castiel laughed and followed the path to the lake, Dean made to follow but Pamela took his arm, "No no, pervert."

Dean blushed, "He can't be alone."

"He'll be fine."

Dean finally snuck away from Pamela when customer's passed her tent. He followed the path, stepping quietly over twigs and stones. The closer he got to the lake, the less people there were around until finally the only bodies in the area where Dean and the stare who may or may not be still bathing. Dean truly feared anyone coming around and spotting Castiel; too many people knew about Castiel and what he was, dangerous people. Dean needed the star in his sight at all times just to protect him.

Or at least that was his defense.

It had nothing to do with Pamela's not so subtle remarks about Dean wanting to see Castiel naked. But then, Dean couldn't deny his was curious.

He heard Castiel's low, rhythmic humming and followed it to a closed off area where rocks mostly hid Castiel from prying eyes. So Dean had to get very close, practically on the rocks just to make sure Castiel was okay.

The man was humming and washing himself, pale skin alight with that familiar glimmer that created a halo around Castiel's head. It encircled his body and protruded just slightly from the man's shoulder blades. Dean rubbed his eyes to remove the vision but Castiel's illumination only grew, creating longer stretched of brightness from Castiel's shoulders.

Dean tried to look somewhere else, at Castiel's content face, the gold amulet that hung low around his neck, or the surrounding area for intruders. But his eyes only found the juncture of Castiel's hips, to the heavy flesh that rested in between. Dean turned quickly, blushing hotly. Heat pooled low in his belly and he felt too stiff and cramped in his leather pants and thick riding jacket.

Once his breathing and body was in order he peeked over the rocks again. Castiel was no longer in sight which terrified Dean. He ran to the edge of the lake just as Castiel surfaced again. Water dripped down Castiel's flat, lithe body; Dean swallowed audibly, throat suddenly dry. He tried to take a step back, to escape to some secluded area to take care of his problem when he tripped and fell on some loose rocks. The star was suddenly staring at him, "Dean?"

Dean gulped, "Uh, hey Cas. I just wanted to make sure you're alright."

Castiel smiled and moved to the bay, grabbing the towel and covering his hips with it, "Is that all Dean?"

"Y-yeah," He blushed deeply and turned away while Castiel got dressed. When he heard the final buckle snap in place, Dean turned and smiled, stunned by the bright glow around Castiel, "You look..."

Castiel smiled softly, took Dean's hand and walked them back to Pamela's tent. When they returned, Pamela gave them a knowing look and continued to tease customer's closer to her booth. She passed them blankets and pillows as the night grew on. Dean and Castiel curled up together just inside Pamela's doorway. Dean finally drifted to sleep, breathing in Castiel's clean smell.

Castiel snuck out after Dean had fallen asleep, retreating to the edge of Pamela's tent and starring up at the moon. He sighed, longing to speak with his mother but not feeling the encompassing loneliness anymore. Dean had filled the dark void he once felt and now Castiel only wished to spread his joy to his family in the sky.

The blonde woman from the yellow caravan appeared at Castiel's side, electric green eyes staring down Castiel like a cat ready to pounce. He suddenly realized how close Pamela's tent was to the yellow eyed man and how easily the blonde had stretched the chain to the max to sit beside Castiel. He shifted closer to her, if only to loosen the grip of the chain on her ankle. She smiled softly at him, "He seems like a good man, raised right."

"He is," Castiel smiled fondly, eyes following the woman's gaze to where Dean slept. They sat in companionable silence, Castiel's eyes falling to the woman's ankle, "He once caught me in one much like yours. Then, when he freed me, I ran away only to be caught in his clutches again by an obligation, one that binds me to him far more profoundly than that chain."

She smiled softly, fingers finds the black rope chain now resting on the outside of the shirt, "You have another obligation, this is not yours. I know this stone form a long time ago."

Castiel frowned, "Who are you?"

The woman smiled, fingers brushing up Castiel's neck, to his cheek then through his hair, "I'm a friend."

The woman left after that, leaving Castiel to contemplate this new twist in their adventure. He returned to Dean's side, snuggling up to the body heat that was Dean Winchester.

Deep into the festival, in fact it is right in the center of all of the market, is Diggory Dyke. Diggory Dyke is a worn down bar and hotel, the attraction was either the fairy whiskey or the frisky women. For the most part, the crowds are drunken men looking to score but some had darker purposes. Liked the aging man in long black robes that spoke to his ring in hushed, irritated tones.

"I know the star is here, but I can hardly feel it. Someone is blocking the power. No I'm not coming back when I'm this close."

Or there was the two gentlemen clearly not starring at each other, one a short, dark haired man with shifty eyes and a thirst for scotch, the other a pale eyed, royal with rich clothing and a sharp sword.

"This must be the place the star is going." The young royal hissed.

"Would a man be really dumb enough to barter a star's heart?" The smaller man with a distinct accent muttered from the brim of his drink.

"Perhaps not, but the amulet, yes."

And then there was the smallish man with the long black robes and strange top hat. His dark brown hair slipped out in wisps from beneath the brim and the teasing smirk twitched with amusement as he scanned the bar. He sipped a beer easily before finding his target, a busty bar maid who licked her lips whenever she looked at him. He grinned and stretched, feeling the ease of Stormhold's power roll through him.

It had been eighteen long years, trapped in Stormhold, waiting for the rest of his promise to be fulfilled. He was getting close, could feel the pieces slide into place but they weren't there yet so he felt he could waist a little time in bed with a pretty face.

"Gabriel," The taller, hairy, crankier man grunted, latching onto the robed man's shoulder and guiding him away form the bar maid. The man in the black hat groaned and followed the hairier man to a secluded corner, "I'm glad you're here. It goes down tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah, Bobby," Gabriel groaned, "Tomorrow, so I can have my fun tonight."

Bobby frowned, "Look, you made a promise. You have to follow through and tomorrow is the last day."

"Hey, I led the boy over the wall in the first place," Gabriel groaned, "I think my job is done."

"And you don't fear for your brother?" Bobby hissed, "We can't be sure Dean is ready, that this plan will follow through and if that idjit screws up, your brother will be the one hurt."

"Dean will be successful." Gabriel sipped his beer, "I thought you had faith in him."

Bobby sighed, eased back in his bar stool and sipped his own beer, "He's still an idjit."