Fourteen
Puck was agitated to say the least. His shoulder was killing him and he had the infernal human Sindri insisted was useful at the back of the pack. He couldn't understand Sindri's blind faith in the man behind his sister's capture, but he was far too determined and pained to question his best warrior. He had his reasons and Puck was fearful he'd blow up on him if he uttered a single word so he kept his mouth shut.
Puck had always enjoyed taking rides on Moonbeam near the river and following it to the countryside of Somewhere, but never once had he ventured through the mountains for pleasure. He'd heard pray tell of their dangers and the creatures that lurked there besides the Basket Woman who now called it her home as well. He hadn't wanted to tangle with any of them, but it appeared now he would have to. He wasn't afraid of course, but more worried for his sister and what he fate could be or already was and he was concerned that the human of their group would slow them down. Puck met Dean's eyes once when he looked back and then he quickly looked away. Dean sighed and kept his hands around Argo's reigns. Sindri shot him a smile.
"Do not pay Puck any mind," Sindri explained. "He is simply worried over his sister."
"It is my fault," Dean replied. "She only came to the training because I was there."
"I figured so," Sindri nodded. "She has always been a curious child, but she has never taken any interest in her brother's work before now."
"I take it you've known her your whole life too?" Dean asked.
"She would play with us when we were younger," Sindri told Dean. "She would tag along with us tearing through the woods like the warriors Puck and I would grow up to be one day. Puck would keep her entertained with his magic and I would stake claims for us in the woods. It was all child's play until we started to grow up. Puck and I went off to training and Lily was left alone to play by herself. But when Puck would come home boy did she jump for joy and run into his arms."
"They're very close I take it," Dean said. "My brother and I are too. I understand Puck's recklessness at going after her. If only he would understand that I know how he feels."
"Puck has always had a protective nature," Sindri replied. "He's always wanted to protect Lily from day one from anyone who might hurt her. He's wanted his father's crown for so many years in order to protect our people. You're basically a threat to all of that in his eyes. Especially when King Oberon decided you were the supposed chosen one of our legends. Personally I am beginning to think the king is falling a bit off his rocker."
Dean looked a bit confused as to what Sindri was saying. He maneuvered Argo around a pile of fallen rocks from the cliffs above.
"He claimed the first human to ever come here was the supposed chosen one as well," Sindri said. "I think he was just looking to push Puck to work harder. This time; however, he's running solely on fear especially now that his only daughter is gone. Lily never cared much for the throne. If Puck was to take the throne as king he could marry or he and Lily would rule as king and queen. Lily is ambitious yes, but not in the way we need to rule the fairy kingdom."
"You said I wasn't the first human to come here," Dean inquired. "Who was?"
"Why it was Mi—"
Sindri was cut off by a loud growl that echoed down from above. Above them, at least twenty yellow eyed wolves stared down at the group like they were bait. The wolves descended upon high until they were jumping in front of the group and waiting to attack. Puck stared into the eyes of the lead wolf and glared at him, hoping he would stand down. Dean and Sindri reached for their swords not a moment too late for the wolves sprung at the group and begun to attack. The lead wolf's fangs were bared as he leapt at Puck and knocked him off his terrified horse. The wolf pinned him down and snarled, Puck could feel the creature's hot breath on his face and he struggled to reach for his sword that had been knocked slightly away from him.
Dean jumped off of Argo's back and into the group of wolves. He slashed at their flanks and the feet of one in particular. Some of the wolves howled in pain and stumbled away from him against their pack leader's orders. Dean stabbed a few to death on the spot and most of the rest retreated back into the mountains. Sindri stabbed quite a few, taking him down when they jumped on his back and went for his throat. Sindri quickly joined Dean in pursuit of the one attacking Puck. Before they could reach him though the wolf took a large bite into his shoulder and Puck cried out in agony. He kicked at the wolf's belly and the lead wolf went flying away from him. He was going in for the final kill before Sindri drove his sword straight through the wolf's head, blood ran down onto the ground and the wolf died instantly. Finding they were without a pack leader now the wolves scattered and did not return.
Puck was holding onto his bleeding and oozing shoulder with his left hand while he right gripped the ground so tightly his fingernails were bleeding too. His teeth were grinding against each other and Sindri bent down first to inspect his leader's wounds. Puck looked up into his oldest friend's eyes and Sindri saw a rare emotion that Puck didn't show all that often if at all. He was scared. Sindri lifted Puck into his arms bridle style and the leader of the fairy warriors slumped against Sindri's chest.
"Grab the horses," Sindri ordered Dean. "It's getting late and he needs care. We have to make a camp for the night and continue our trek in the morning."
Dean nodded and helped Sindri guide the horses further through the mountain crevice. Hoping they would find shelter soon.
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Mike Rolland guided Sam and Bobby through the final twists and turns of the woods and they reached an opening. Sam stared around in awe at the trees around them that were covered in little houses that seemed to be resting only on their branches. There was one giant tree that Bobby and Sam were both pretty sure broke all California Redwood records. And there were people. They had wings and they were walking about frantically. There was one individual standing on something that looked like a podium and he wore a crown. He was also preparing to speak.
"King Oberon," Mike strolled through the gasping crowd and bowed at the king's feet. "I must say it's been awhile."
Mike looked up into the king's soulful eyes and waited for the recognition he got a few moments later.
"Michael," King Oberon breathed out. "Little Michael Rolland. You have returned to us."
"Not so little anymore," Mike stood. "But yes I have come back and I am not alone this time."
The crowd was murmuring as Bobby and Sam stepped forward too. They had felt awkward doing so and Bobby looked around, giving everyone a look. Mike looked back at them before returning his gaze to the king.
"I have come to make amends for my past injustices to this land," Mike explained. "Please allow us to stay so that tomorrow I may do so. In going after the Basket Woman I will only need a strong steed and a simple weapon."
"Forgive me for my bluntness Michael," King Oberon replied. "But it is already taken care of. My son, his finest warrior and best friend, and Dean the human who stumbled upon our world have gone to save my daughter and the children captured from the evil hag's clutches."
"Dean went to kill her," Sam whispered to Bobby. "He needs backup."
"You heard the big wig up there," Bobby replied in a whisper. "Dean's got back up."
"I understand," Michael nodded. "But please allow my friends and I to stay here. I have much to apologize to you for anyway."
"Let it be known," King Oberon exclaimed. "That we have three more human guests for tonight. Michael Rolland and his friends! Please show them your utmost hospitality. That is all!"
The crowd started to disperse and King Oberon motioned for Bobby, Sam, and Mike to join him in the dining hall for a meal. Bobby went first wanting to avoid having anymore eyes on him. Sam followed close behind and Mike was the last to head that way. He looked up at the sky that was just beginning to show stars and a full moon and sighed. He prayed that Dean wouldn't suffer a horrible fate for his mistakes and then slowly he made his way into the familiar dining hall.
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Dean had helped Sindri bandage up Puck's shoulder and lay him flat under Sindri's large comfortable coat. Afterwards Dean had given Puck all of the food in his pack, much to Puck's dismay and protest claiming that Dean was going to starve and he was an idiot, but Dean had claimed that Puck needed to keep up his strength to heal and find his sister so Puck had taken the food and hungrily eaten it. Dean had had to use the same tactic with getting Puck to take the medicine King Oberon had provided him. Thankfully it had worked and now the leader of the fairy warriors was sleeping almost soundly. Dean was awake and sitting around the fire Sindri had built, watching the smoke dance all the way up into the night sky.
"I suppose to clear the air of all secrets," Sindri spoke up, looking over at Puck to make sure he was still resting. "I was the one who pushed you into the river Dean."
"You did," Dean was confused once again. "Why?"
"You still possess the soul of a child in Org's eyes and in the Basket Woman's too," Sindri explained, leaning back onto the rock wall nearby and smoking his pipe. "She would've captured you too and Puck and I would've been at a loss at how to rescue you both. Besides Puck wouldn't have gone for you, I wanted him to see that you were useful after all and more importantly that you were a person with feelings that he didn't need to step on anymore."
The flames from the fire danced before Dean's eyes and he looked from them to Sindri's eyes.
"I like you Dean," Sindri said. "I do not blame you for Lily's disappearance, but I know for a fact that you are the only one who can get her back. Those kids too. I believe in you unlike him and I'm just hoping that by the end of this journey he will share the same beliefs about you that I have."
It meant a lot to Dean to have Sindri say those things. He wasn't like Puck. He wanted revenge, but not for his own reasons. He just wanted his home to be safe once again and his people to return to the kingdom. Dean could understand that. That was why Dean got some sleep that night for he knew that if they were to succeed they needed to press on tomorrow without any wear and tear.
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