Twenty Two
King Oberon and his wife were in awe when they saw the glorious return of the heroes and the children. Puck dismounted first and helped Lily over to their parents. They hugged her and King Oberon looked at his son with pride. Puck responded with shock he hadn't expected to be thanked for something he didn't even do. Dean had the final blow, but King Oberon's thanks hadn't gone to him yet. He was too busy helping children off of saddles and guiding them to other fairies who were going to look them over for injuries. Sam and Bobby were currently taking three sets of kids to a nurse. Dean's ankle was throbbing something awful and he sat down to relieve some of the pressure. It was still bleeding from his time in the cave when he'd tripped over the rock and he suspected it might be sprained from the way he'd bent it. Mike was nearby and when Dean's eyes met his he motioned towards an approaching figure. Dean looked over to see Lily approaching him and Mike smiled and walked towards the King to inform him of everything.
"Your foot isn't broken if that's what you're wondering," Lily informed Dean and bent down to inspect it. He could tell her fingers were lingering a bit too long before she moved them back to the problem area. "It's a sprain, but I can fix it right here before it swells worse."
She touched the cut and Dean's ankle felt immediately better. He rolled his ankle and was satisfied with the work Lily had done on it. She helped him up and he noticed her hand lingered in his again before she gently pulled it away.
"No doubt my father will hold some sort of feast tonight in your honor," Lily explained, motioning to her brother and the others. "Yours and theirs, you've rid our lands of a great burden Dean Winchester. You are eternally in my father's good graces."
"Good to know I'm in somebody's." Dean chuckled and stood. He noticed Puck staring at him in the same way he had before the fight with the monster. However his look was full of not malice, but worry. Dean was trying to read it from afar and it was coming through loud and clear. Puck was once again and worried about his sister and this time Dean was the source of his worry. Dean could understand why. He'd noticed the way Lily looked at him since he'd arrived and in a way he was flattered, but the other half of him the more rational half told him that he was unintentionally leading her on. Dean suspected the fairy princess didn't get out much and she was seeing something in Dean that he couldn't be.
Dean swore to himself that he'd talk to Puck after all this was said and done.
"Dean," Sam called from the entrance of the tree. "C'mon King Oberon's gonna talk to all of us!"
"Coming Sammy," Dean replied and then smiled at Lily. "Well duty calls."
"That it does," Lily nodded. "I'll see you tonight Dean. Look dashing."
"When do I ever not?" Dean joked, he immediately regretted it though for he concluded she didn't take it as a joke by the way she giggled and walked away.
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The party King Oberon put on in celebration of the victory was lavish and lively. The lights were twinkling and many fairy couples were dancing. Including Sam who had asked a lovely fairy nurse to dance with him, Bobby and Mike were on the sidelines drinking alcoholic blue drinks and clapping and laughing along. Puck had taken the hand of another young fairy maiden who was blushing the whole time. Puck broke into his usual mischievous smirk as the pair danced around to the traditional song. His best friend Sindri was right by his side with a similarly beautiful maiden. Dean stood by the food and watched. He was far too deep in thought to even think about dancing. He had wanted to speak with Puck since the festivities had started but it seemed every fairy girl in town wanted a dance with one of the heroes and it just happened to be him.
Lily came over to him wearing a shimmering blue dress with long sleeves and a crown of pansies on her head. Dean had to admit she looked absolutely stunning, but he'd never touch her. She carried the aura of a graceful virgin even more in the outfit than she normally did. And Dean had a sneaking suspicion she'd worn it for him for that exact reason. She was very persistent he could give her that.
"A nice night is it not?" she asked, grabbing a glass full of green liquid and taking a sip. Dean was currently nursing his purple drink.
"Yeah," Dean nodded, watching Puck touch the hand of the maiden and spin around in a circle with her. The fairy dance was also much too intricate for Dean to even try to learn and he was shocked Sam had even gone out there in the first place. Then again his brother had always been an adventurous one. "It is a nice night. I'm surprised you're not out there dancing?"
"I'm waiting for someone to ask me." she hinted at Dean and he knew at this point he had to set the record straight.
"Why don't we get out of here for a bit?" Dean suggested, hinting that he wanted her to follow him. She obliged almost immediately and walked off into the woods nearby with Dean. Org's carefully eyes were the only ones to catch the exchange of words. He'd warned Dean of the princess's innocence and he only hoped he'd heeded his warning as he turned away from the retreating pair and back to the festivities. Puck broke away from the fairy girl he'd been dancing with and walked over to the refreshment table where his other old friend stood. He took a swig of a drink and looked over at Dean and Lily departing into the forest.
"Where is he going with my sister?" Puck asked.
"To the woods." Org replied as if that explained everything.
"Why is he taking her there?" Puck inquired. He had no hostility in his voice, more concern for how Dean was going to go about it. He'd seen the look Puck had given him and Puck had hoped it had registered.
"Hopefully to do the right thing," Org took another drink and sipped it as he watched the happy dancers. "Before she falls further in love with him."
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The forest was quiet, except for the echo of the music in the distance coming from the kingdom. The moon shone brightly through the tree branches and the trees themselves seemed to be at peace too. Their faces weren't creased at their foreheads, they were relaxed and their eyes were closed. They were finally able to sleep without the fear of the Basket Woman's roar awakening them from their dreams. The brook was babbling as Dean crossed over the small bridge and looked down. The log he and Lily had sat on the first time looked so cold and uninviting, but Dean had dragged her out here for a reason and he intended to set things right before he had to leave. She didn't even know he had to leave yet. The words that Org had said to him earlier came back into his head like a distant memory.
"You give her so much hope," Org had said. "For her salvation from a mundane existence and all she's ever known. You're new. You're not of her kind. But if you were to tell her why you're really here then I fear it shall break her fragile heart."
Dean swallowed hard and sat down on the log. The flowers around them threatened to fly again, but Dean silently prayed that they would stay where they were. This was far too important to be interrupted by a plant. She sat down, starry eyed, right next to him.
"My father will be so happy to hand you over his crown," Lily babbled on like the creek before them. "You'll do this land proud Dean and furthermore—"
"Lily," he interrupted, perhaps a bit too harshly, but Dean didn't care he needed what he had to say to be heard. "I can't stay."
"W-What?" Lily stammered with a nervous chuckle. "Dean I don't understand?"
"Lily I don't belong in this world," Dean explained. "My world is where the humans are. I have an obligation to them and to my brother among other things. I can't stay here and pretend bad things aren't happening back home. I can't live in a fantasy world forever. Eventually everyone has to grow up."
Lily looked confused and hurt beyond belief. She couldn't understand Dean's hesitation to stay here with her and her people forever. She clutched at her dress hoping tonight was just some gross misunderstanding, but even she was not that naïve. She looked down to avoid Dean seeing the tears forming in her eyes.
"Lily you have to understand," Dean explained. "You can't just fall in love with the first man that saves your life. It doesn't always work like that. You're young you have your whole life ahead of you..."
"Stop saying such heinous things," Lily sprung up from the log and gave a hurt glare towards Dean. "You do not know what it's like living here with all these fairies that treat you like a little girl! Who don't look at you like anything less! You cannot blame me for falling for the first man who hasn't?"
"I'm not blaming you," Dean said. "I'm just saying you shouldn't settle on a man who can't even stay in your world."
"Then go," Lily harshly replied. "Just go already..."
Dean tried to reach for her arm to stop her and better explain his point, but she jerked it away and ran off back towards the kingdom. Dean sighed and looked down at the brook at his reflection. It shimmered and disappeared as fast as Dean's eyes did from it. He started making his way back to the party too and once he reached it he saw Puck and Org both staring at him.
"It is done I suppose?" Org inquired.
"I told her what she had to hear," Dean explained. "It was clearly what she didn't want to hear."
"It was for the best my friend." Org sipped the last of his drink. Leaving Puck and Dean alone at the table as he lumbered over to the king to inform him of why his daughter had left the celebration.
Dean didn't dance that night. Puck did a few more times before retiring to his chambers. The party died halfway through the night and eventually everyone went to sleep in their rightful beds. Except for Dean who was waiting and watching from his window for the moon to stop shining and the sun to take its place. He also waited to hear the cry of the Basket Woman through the warm breeze kissing his face threatening her next kill, but that never came.
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The next morning was quiet as only Puck's warriors, the king and queen, and the prince and the princess gathered in the courtyard to begin with. Slowly the other members of the kingdom joined the meeting. No one was sure why King Oberon had called it, but the smile on his face was all the more confusing.
"My people," King Oberon announced to silence the crowd. "I have called this meeting not only to thank our saviors, but to make a wrong right. Sam Winchester, Robert Singer, and Christopher and Michael Rolland please step forward. Michael and Christopher first please."
The father and son stepped forward and bowed at the feet of King Oberon and his wife. Lily and Puck stood nearby and they bowed to them afterwards before turning back to King Oberon.
"Michael Rolland you were the first little boy to come here after Shakespeare had," King Oberon explained. "You were the first little boy to create a rift between your town and here and though you believe that you were the one who plagued us with the Basket Woman you ultimately came back in the end to save us. For that you have my eternal blessing and gratitude."
"Thank you King Oberon." Mike nodded and King Oberon turned to Christopher.
"You came here next and tried to take on the task of taking her down," he explained. "You didn't fail. You left a legacy of those to follow. Your name made human papers as your father has told me and you always left hope that others would succeed where you led them."
Christopher thanked him too and backed up as Sam and Bobby approached and repeated the bows.
"You two are awarded for the bravery you've shown," King Oberon said. "Your friend Dean encouraged you two to come here and to bring Michael along. Without you all this task could never have been brought to completion. You have my eternal gratitude as well."
Sam and Bobby each thanked King Oberon and backed away. Dean and Puck were called up next. The pair looked at each other confused and then bowed before the royal family.
"Michael Rolland taught me something else while he was here this time," King Oberon explained with a smile aimed at his son. "He taught me that I should not believe everything I hear. That the prophecy I was waiting to come true could possibly be untrue and confirmed by another old friend I found this to be true. I was willing to believe that Dean Winchester was the prodigy we were looking for when I was so blind to see that he was right in front of me the whole time. Dean Winchester you have saved my home and for that I am thankful until the end of my days, but I should have listened to you when you said you weren't the man we were looking for."
Dean smiled in realization and Puck gazed in awe at the future King's crown. It was glimmering and was as beautiful as he'd always hoped. Dean stood and then turned towards Puck to bow. Puck saw his warriors and his people bowing too. His sister even dropped down on one knee and bowed.
"It was you all along my son," King Oberon placed the crown on his son's head. "Dean has informed me that only by working with you could he have achieved the success he did. He also mentioned that you were far more deserving of the crown than he and that he's never seen someone so determined to get what he wants that it would be silly of me not to give it to its rightful recipient."
Puck stared over at a smiling Dean who closed his eyes and bowed his head again. He suddenly beamed with pride and thanks to Dean. He stood when King Oberon instructed him to and so did the rest of King Oberon's people.
"In your time of passing father," Puck was still shaking from shock. "I will never disappoint you."
"I know." King Oberon smiled at his son.
The ceremony ended and the fairies disappeared in all directions. Dean and his group had gathered all the children they'd rescued within the hour and were preparing to trek out of Somewhere and back to Newsburg. Mike was at the head of the line with Puck Sindri and Org. They were preparing to lead everyone back to the portal. King Oberon, his wife, and Lily were saying their goodbyes to everyone and shaking hands.
"You have saved us all." King Oberon took Dean's hand in his and squeezed a little. A smile spread from ear to ear on his face. Dean nodded in response and his hand was kissed by the Queen. When he got to Lily she looked away and walked off. Dean sighed. He wished he could've made things right before he left. There was nothing he could do though. He could only hope that eventually years later she would wake up and forgive him. He turned away and back to the group where Mike was motioning for everyone to follow. Dean fell into line and with one last look at the kingdom he followed Org and the others into the woods.
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When they reached the field Org told Puck he'd take it from there. Puck and Sindri stopped and the children filed in a line down the mushroom lighted pathway towards the portal that Org was about to open. Dean paused and turned to the two fairy warriors.
"I guess this is goodbye." Dean said. The field was quiet and there was no sign of the unicorn he'd seen upon his arrival in Somewhere. Sindri was smiling and so was Puck. The breeze was like a gentle warm hug just as it had been the night before and Dean felt this sort of melancholy he'd never expected to have upon his departure.
"Who knows," Sindri chuckled. "Maybe we'll meet again one day. For now I must say it was great fighting alongside you Dean Winchester. You'd make a fine warrior here and you will always be considered one of us. I will see you around old friend."
Sindri patted Dean's shoulder and turned to leave. He didn't look back as he re-entered the forest never to be seen again by Dean's eyes.
"You saved my people," Puck spoke up. "I know we started off on bad terms, but I'd like to think we ended as friends and comrades...Dean."
"Yeah me too," Dean shook his outstretched hand. "Hey, you said my name."
"That's what friends do is it not?" Puck smirked and the two of them shared a laugh before Puck turned serious again. He took out his dagger, the one with the snake head as the hilt, and placed it in Dean's hand. "I won't need it once I'm King. Besides there is nothing to fight for now. I can always wield another one, but I want you to have this one. Consider it a token of friendship and a reminder in times of doubt that your skill will never fail you. You are a brave man Dean Winchester. Go and prove it your people."
"I will." Dean nodded and slipped the dagger into his inside pocket so he wouldn't lose it. "Thank you Puck."
"I'll see you again sometime Dean," Puck started off to where Sindri had walked. "Until then this is goodbye. Just remember goodbyes are not forever my friend."
Puck vanished into the woods too and his dagger felt heavy in Dean's pocket as he turned around at the sound of his name being called. He followed the others into the woods and down the dark path for the last time. The mushrooms were a somber blue as if they were loathing his leaving. Org stopped and the children watched in awe as he opened up the portal to their home. They yelled in excitement and ran out into the field near the woods in Newsburg. They rolled in the grass and their joyous cries filled the air so loudly that adults started coming out of their homes. Tears met their eyes when they fell upon the sight. Adults ran to their kids and hugged them, sobbing in joy and their kids arms wrapped around them. Dean and his group were the last to exit and he spotted Sierra and Miranda immediately. She looked up at Dean and he smiled.
"I told you I'd bring her home." Dean said and Miranda leaned up and kissed his cheek gently.
"Thank you." She replied through her tears.
Sam and Bobby were smiling and helping children find their parents. All while Mike and Christopher were standing with Org at the opening of the shimmering portal. Mike turned to the troll and smiled.
"Well done my old friend," Org said his voice unheard and his body unseen by adult eyes. "I suppose the most unfortunate part of this has to come."
"We've all got to grow up sometime," Mike replied. "But thank you for giving me one last adventure."
"Anytime," Org nodded and smiled. "As Puck said to Dean goodbyes are indeed not forever. In the meantime here's to everlasting peace in both our worlds."
"Goodbye my old friend and thank you." Mike smiled and Org waved goodbye before closing the portal behind him, never to be opened again unless by his hand. Mike turned to his son and hugged him tightly. Christopher smiled and walked down with his father towards the excited crowd, but only after his father unpinned his ribbon of hope and let it fall to the ground. Neither of them noticing it disappearing after they walked away.
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Bobby took off in his car shortly after they'd helped the rest of the town, claiming he'd be a phone call away when they got some information about the apocalypse. Sam was sitting in the passenger seat of the Impala after he'd returned paid for their room and Dean was busy putting their weapons away in the trunk. He took out the dagger Puck had given him and noticed the eyes of the snake were shining a bright green now to match Dean's eyes. It was a fierce green that could only be described as a warrior green. Dean placed it in a special box with the weapons he hardly touched and shut the trunk. He got into the driver's seat and started up the car. They drove down the main road of town and saw nothing, but children playing in their front yards and piles upon piles of wreaths at the curb for trash pickup.
"Hey Dean," Sam said. "Whatever happens with this apocalypse thing—"
"We're gonna be fine Sammy," Dean replied. "In the meantime we've gotta do what we do best. Save our people."
The last glimpse Dean caught before they left for the highway out of the town was little Sierra on the monkey bars climbing across them with trepidation and her mother Miranda reading on the bench. He broke into a smile when he saw Mike and Christopher sitting there with her and smiling. And the last thing Mike and Miranda heard was the distant roar of an Impala's engine before the two brothers, their saviors, tore off onto the highway and out of town towards the long road ahead.
The End
A/N: Wow...guys this was a long journey, but I finally made it to the end. This was certainly my most interesting story and I'm so glad I went ahead and wrote it. I love the way it turned out. It was inspired by the country, the woods, childish dreams, and the fantasy worlds we all wish we could go to sometimes. I'll admit I teared up at the end of this chapter. Thank you to those who reviewed and read and gave this story a chance and here's to seeing you soon in another one!
Bye for now!