Chapter 25

Sam was trying to get his rhythm back with riding horses again. He let his body sway with the motion of the animal and let the horse do all the work. He looked at his brother who was just ahead of him with Titus riding double with him and smiled to himself. He was back where he belonged but couldn't stop watching the skies and glancing behind them for any danger. He couldn't help feeling jittery still after his recent brush with death from a dragon. Of course, he decided Dean didn't need to know exactly how close to death he had been.

The day wore on and they were making good time at least. At the next brief rest Titus switched and was going to ride with Sam for a while. The weather was good and there was a breeze blowing across the land keeping the temperature comfortable.

"How are you doing Sam?" Titus asked trying to make polite conversation.

"I'm fine," Sam replied. "How about you? Have you recovered from your ordeal?"

"I have, luckily they didn't break anything when they questioned me."

"What did they want?"

"Since I had journeyed into the Forbidden Forest to the tree with the magic fruit, they wanted me to guide them to it so they could plunder and strip it bare."

"And you agreed but led them in circles through the forest."

"Yes, I knew Ice was looking for me. I heard them talking about a warrior elf that was trailing them and they thought they had killed him. I knew Ice wouldn't go down that easily and knew he would be looking for me."

"Dean found the trail you left. That was clever thinking on your part. It helped us find you."

"I never dreamed you and Dean would be with Ice but I'm glad he asked for your help, and you decided to do it. I don't think he could have rescued me by himself."

"As soon as Dean found out you were in trouble, he didn't hesitate, and I wasn't let him come by himself this time."

"You are a good brother Sam. I know Dean was worried about you when he was here. He was afraid of the lengths you might go to, to try and rescue him."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't in the greatest place after he was kidnapped…" Sam trailed off as he thought about what he had almost done. If Castiel hadn't stopped him in time, Sam was sure he probably would have died when he tried to summon the witch.

"You don't have to say anything. I saw the same thing in Dean when you went missing. You two have a special bond that most could only dream of having with their siblings."

"Yes, I guess we do. We've had it our whole lives, though there were a few times it was tested over the years."

"You were lucky to have a big brother. I wish that I had had one growing up or any family."

"That must have been hard on you being alone like that."

"It was until Dean came alone and picked me as his guide. He changed my entire life. Your brother treated me as an equal and wouldn't let anyone do otherwise. He gave me confidence, courage, and respect for myself. I was blessed when he asked Ice to find me a home. Dean knew I didn't belong in your world."

"That's true," Sam nodded. "There are those in our world who would want to hunt you and kill you because you are different."

"I think any place has good and bad people," Titus said.

"That is true. You grew into a wise young man."

"Thanks. Dean said you were super smart and even went to college. He had to explain to me what that was."

"Thanks, but Dean is just as smart as me. He just doesn't like to show it. People underestimate him and that's a big mistake."

"What are you two jabbering about back there?" Dean asked getting their attention.

"Nothing," they said together and laughed at that.

"Whatever," Dean mumbled giving them a weird look before turning back around. "We'll be stopping when we find a campsite somewhere ahead since it'll be dark soon," he called back to them.

"Alright," Sam replied wondering if Dean heard anything they were saying.

Spn

"There's water up ahead," Ice told them. "Looks like a good place to stop. We can use those boulders to protect our backs."

"Alright, think you can check around to see if there's any game and we'll get the horses rubbed down, watered and settled, and the camp set up," Dean replied.

"Alright, maybe I can scare up something for our dinner. Here, take my horse," Ice agreed. He handed the reins to Dean and went off on foot to search for any game.

Dean led the others on to the place Ice found and they dismounted and started getting camp set up. He assigned Titus to take care of the horses while Sam and him did the rest. They had a fire going and beds laid out when Ice strolled back into camp with two small turkey like birds.

Sam volunteered to cook the birds while Dean and Titus searched along the stream bank for any eatable roots or berries to go with it. By the time the two returned the birds were almost ready. They added their finds, and everyone was anxious to eat as the aroma filled their camp.

"Man, this is good," Dean hummed as he tore the meat off a leg and popped it in his mouth. "You did good Sammy."

"Thanks," Sam replied shyly keeping his gaze on his food. "And thank Ice for shooting them." He appreciated the praise from Dean but was a little self-conscious that it was in front of the others.

"Thank you, Ice."

"So, Ty when we get back to the farm, I'll have Ice take you into town and find you a ride back home. There's no use you staying with us while we help Harium on the farm. I know you want to get back to your family. We'll probably stay a couple of days to help him out before leaving."

Titus looked up from his food as Dean spoke and thought about what he said. He did want to get back to his family but didn't want to abandon his rescuers. They had risked their lives to save him.

"Only on one condition," Titus answered. "Will you stop by my home before you leave?"

"Of course. We wouldn't leave without a proper goodbye," Dean assured him. "I have to see my namesake one more time."

"Alright, then I'll do that. I really can't wait to get home. There's a lot of work that needs to get done that my wife can't do."

"Good, that's settled then. Ice and I take turns staying watch tonight and you two can do it tomorrow night. Sound okay everyone?"

"Are you sure you don't want me to take a turn tonight?" Sam asked.

"I think we can handle it, right Ice?"

"Yes, there shouldn't be a problem," Ice replied.

After the meal was finished, Sam and Titus cleaned the dishes. Ice was taking first watch so Dean stretched out on his sleeping bag being sure to be on the outside position with Sam and Titus behind him. Things quieted down when everyone turned in. Ice fed the fire and started humming softly as he listened to the night come alive.

Sam missed Drago and Black Beauty but knew they would be okay. He listened to Ice's deep voice and the tune he was humming. His eyes grew heavy, and the humming lulled him to sleep. Dreams of another time and place filled his mind and he rolled over to snuggle into Dean's back, knowing he was safe with his brother.

When Dean was woken for his turn at watch, he was surprised to find Sam tucked into his back like he slept as a kid and slid away from him only to have him stir, but he whispered for him to go back to sleep. He patted Sam's shoulder and brushed his long hair from his face as he made sure he went back to sleep. A warmness built in his chest because they didn't have a lot of these type of moments anymore now that they were both grown.

The horses neighed and snorted loudly like they were disturbed by something, so Dean took a branch and lit the end to check on them. He walked cautiously to the animals and looked around to be sure nothing was luring in the darkness. Dean mumbled to each horse and stroked them to calm them. He placed the branch in the ground by them so the light would shine around them. When he was satisfied nothing was there, Dean went back to the fire and settled back down beside it.

Several times Dean heard something moving out near the stream but whatever it was didn't come near their camp. The first rays of a new day were breaking over the horizon as the others began to stir and wake up. They filled their water containers, ate the last of the power bars and broke camp to head out. If they didn't run into any problems Ice estimated, they would be back at the farm in about two days. The terrain was getting better, and they finally picked up a trail as they got closer to the populated areas.

A/N: Thanks for coming along with me and thank you to any guests who have left reviews. I do like reviews/comments. NC