Epilogue

Dean and Sam made the drive to Louisville in a day. It had been like the old days, pre-Stanford, with their only worry being their father's disposition and the demon. Those had been their simpler times with Dean's duty cemented to watching his brother. Dean never shied away from the responsibility thrust upon him. He was trusted with it.

Watching the kids be released with his brother and Caleb fighting the good fight with him made Dean realize he wanted this for himself. He was the man he could be proud of, and this job he earned was not punishment. It was an accolade.

Sam had relaxed too, spending time in the Tomb while Dean played proud homeowner at the farm. As soon as Caleb came down from New York Dean assigned him a job of cleaning the barn and some carpentry work on the stalls to free himself up to work on something else. The house had to be ready for its visitors.

Dean had just finished dragging the boat to the edge of the water preparing for launch when Boo’s whining alerted him to Sam and Caleb’s approach. Dean knelt, securing the new tow line to the anchoring stake driven into the bank of the pond. Sam cleared his throat and Dean abandoned his task to face his brother and Caleb. He forced a smile. "Should have known you two would show up now that all the work’s done."

"You’ve been out here most of the night." Caleb kept his distance from the water, glancing to the boat before meeting Dean’s gaze. "Nice paint job."

"Thanks." Dean had started after the sun went down, finishing his work by the light of the full moon. He had gone for midnight blue on the inside to cover the blood stains. It had taken three coats to erase all traces of his death. The outside was a silver Jim would have liked. "I thought about having you do a big dragon on the side, Damien, but figured it was overkill."

"Good choice." Sam had two cups of coffee in his hands, one of which he offered to Dean. "It might scare all the fish away."

"Like there were ever any fish in there to begin with," Caleb snorted, shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked uncomfortable, his eyes drifted to the gently lapping water. "That was another one of Pastor Jim's fairytales."

"I’ll have you know there are fish in this pond." Dean pointed to the new rod and reel he'd picked up at Wal-Mart when he’d gotten the paint. "Boo and I are about to get you your proof."

The dog barked, hopping into the boat. Dean was glad for the fast drying paint.

Caleb took a step forward. "You are not going out in the water in that thing."

"Of course I am." Dean took a drink of coffee, sharing a look with his brother. "You and Sam are going to help me launch."

"Right." Caleb crossed his arms over his chest. Dean recognized the 'never in a million years' look.

"I filled in the grave, used the cross Bobby made for me as kindling, even planted a bunch of grass seed." Dean wasn’t sure anything would grow in the wake of Castiel's miracle, but he was willing to try. "This is the last thing on my list."

"Your list?" Sam asked.

"I want to do this Triad thing right." Dean took another drink of the dark brew, recognizing Bobby's heavy hand in the grounds department. He'd come to peace with his place as the next Guardian. Along with the faint stirrings of anticipation came the need to seek Jim's counsel. He, Caleb, Sam, Bobby and Mac had spent hours after dinner last night swapping stories about the former Guardian. Dean knew it was an attempt on all their parts to ease the ache of Jim's and Dad’s absence, but it only made Dean miss them more especially in light of Matty telling him about seeing Jim. Dean felt the pull of the pond.

"Putting a fresh coat of paint on things doesn't change what happened, Deuce."

"I didn’t say it did, man, but it gives us the chance to move past it."

"Missouri made pancakes." Caleb dropped his arms, changing tactics. His eyes had taken on a shade of desperation. "There's bacon and eggs, too. It won't last long once Ethan, Eli and Josh all get here."

"I trust you two to guard my share." Dean handed Sam his coffee.

"But the ceremony…" Sam started.

"Isn’t until tonight." He gave the boat a shove so the bow was now barely in the water. Others would be arriving at the farm shortly. Jocelyn, Esme, Adam and some high level members from the coven, even Griffin Porter was coming. They wouldn't be present at the actual ritual, but for the party afterwards.

The morning they left New York, Jocelyn had shared her stories with them. She told of the last transfer of power when hunters came from all around to join in the celebration. It was an opportunity for the old to greet the new, to embrace the future and hand down the ways of the past. She talked about the music and the feel of magic in the air.

A celebration was ludicrous in the midst of Armageddon, but so was performing an ancient rite of passage. Dean would have liked to have just raised his right hand and said 'I do.'

Somewhere Jim was getting a big kick out of all this.

He knew Caleb was reading his thoughts when his friend’s scowl disappeared behind a hint of a grin. "Usually the nervous bride just hides out in her room all day doing beautification rituals, Deuce. Fishing and communing with nature isn't usually on the roster."

"I naturally outshine the two of you." Dean slapped his brother on the back. "All eyes are going to be on me, anyway."

"Stop talking about it like that," Sam growled. "I'm nervous enough as it is."

"What?" Dean grinned. "We're only pledging our lives to the service of countless innocents."

"Jocelyn did say it was more binding and sacred than holy matrimony." Caleb bobbed his brows at Sam. "No pre-nups and divorce isn’t an option. Don't forget to put a six pence in your shoe for luck, Runt."

"Shut up." Sam tossed out the rest of the coffee, setting the mugs on the ground.

"Don't sweat it, Sammy. That just means we can take all of Damien's millions if he screws around on us."

Sam shoved his brother. "Get in the damn boat."

Dean laughed, stepping into the vessel. "You two go have Missouri braid flowers in your hair and prep you for your part in the ceremony. I'll be fine out here."

"That your way of telling us you want some alone time?' Caleb stepped forward alongside Sam.

"Don’t worry, Princess. After tonight, we'll have the rest of our lives together." Dean batted his lashes. Sam gave the boat a hard push, sliding it across the loose sand. It knocked Dean off balance. He caught himself, dropping to the middle bench seat, Boo barking in excitement.

Dean grabbed the paddles, meeting Caleb's gaze. His friend rolled his eyes, but hunched over to give Sam a hand. With both of them putting their backs into it, they managed a perfect launch, casting Dean into the sparkling water.

"Healing, right?" Dean called out to them, rowing steadily away from the bank and out of their reach.

Caleb shook his head, but Dean noticed the smile was more genuine. "A hell of a lot better than last time."

"Idiot," Sam muttered. "I'm going to eat."

Caleb stood on the shore, watching him for a moment more. "I'm coming back in an hour."

Dean nodded, not doubting it. A moment to soak in the idea of what he was about to do, the commitment he was prepared to make. With each dip of the paddle his mind swirled with possibilities of what lay ahead, each stroke brought thoughts of what he had left behind.

"I remember the day I accepted Julian's offer be The Guardian." Dean jerked his eyes from the water, not surprised to find Pastor Jim sitting on the seat across from him. "It wasn't a traditional transition as yours will be, but I was nervous and frightened just the same."

Dean smiled. "About time you showed up, Merlin."

"Hello, my boy." Jim patted his knee. "We have much to talk about."

Before they spoke about what was going to happen Dean had to ask about the recent past. "I saw those kids when Caleb and Sammy couldn't. Did you have something to do with that? More Guardian mojo?"

"We see what we need to when it's most important." Jim smiled. "Julian once described being The Guardian as living the life of a nesting doll. There is always another gift inside to discover."

Dean shook his head. Jim was always so proud of being The Guardian, but not in a haughty way. He made it sound like an adventure, which Dean had signed on for.

In the end it was just as Jim said it would be. Dean wasn't anxious. He felt as if he were right where he was always meant to be. He stood beside Caleb and Sam bathed in the firelight, watching as Missouri took precautions to protect them while the Triad ritual was performed. Even though their transition wasn't like the celebrations of past, Dean still felt the tingle of magic in the air. The wind chimes from the porch provided a certain kind of music.

Missouri began by placing Elijah, Ethan and Bobby at strategic points behind them, away from the bonfire they had built in the field. Missouri was creating a living protection circle around them. Dean could have chosen any of The Brotherhood for this job. It was his right as the future Guardian to pick those to witness the ceremony. Bobby was a no brainer. Ethan and Elijah were picked by Jim as a potential Triad themselves. They had lost a brother in the fight. Gideon gave his life so Dean could have the opportunity to serve as Guardian. Having Ethan and Eli there was a way for Dean to honor that sacrifice.

A faint purple light traced Missouri's path as she walked between the men, giving each a magical artifact as she sealed the outer circle. Dean recognized the items from The Tomb. He understood they represented the ideas of knowledge, strength and sacrifice that Merlin had intended The Brotherhood to use in protecting mankind. Elijah held a lantern, Ethan a shield, and Bobby a purple scarf draped over his shoulders. Dean bit his lip to keep from laughing when the mechanic rolled his eyes at Missouri’s dramatics.

Missouri cleared her throat, casting a reprimanding glance Dean's way. She moved to where Joshua stood between the inner circle and the outer circle of Bobby, Ethan and Elijah.

They bowed to each other and she withdrew a knife from beneath the billows of her silver robe, offering it hilt first to Joshua. He accepted it with a slight bow and held it out on his palms to Mackland before returning to his position.

Mackland faced the boys. He gave each a brief smile, winking at Sam who was sweating. Dean watched as the last remaining member of the current Triad knelt on the earth, carving the Triad symbol into the cleared ground before him. When he finished he returned the blade to Joshua. Missouri moved to be with the outer protection circle.

Mackland removed his ring, kneeling to place it in the outer area of the right circle before facing Caleb. "The Knight's ring?"

Dean watched as his friend gave John's ring to Mac. Dean had never actually seen his dad wear the silver, not once, but knew he kept it with him. When he died, Dean passed it on to Caleb along with the truck.

Mackland placed the band in the outer left circle, moving to stand in front of Dean. "The Guardian’s ring?"

Dean squeezed the cool silver in his fingers, unable to stop the thoughts that his dad and Jim should be there. He remembered the day Caleb called to tell them the pastor had been murdered. He recalled the night Caleb gave him Jim's ring, and how even then Dean had understood on some level what the gesture meant. He knew well the inscription inside the ring. He gave the ring to Mac, watching as the former Guardian's band was placed in the outer section of the bottom circle.

"Now your rings." Mac took their bands, grouping them together in the inner portion of the symbol, the small space where all three of the larger circles conjoined. He straightened, holding Dean's gaze. "The time of my Triad is over. I call for a new era to take up the challenge."

Dean glanced at his brother, then Caleb. He stepped forward, inclining his head. "We accept the challenge." He raised his hand over the Triad symbol, remembering the specifics Jim had shared with him. He closed his eyes.

The first time Dean had unknowingly called the silver it left him stunned, slightly terrified and drained. This was different. He felt the energy surge through him as he concentrated on the rings of the former Triad. The metal yielded to his silent command.

The former Triad's bands melted, running like three silver streams from each outer circle, merging to form a small shimmering pool in the center of the Triad symbol. For a moment Sam's, Caleb's and Dean's rings were buoyant, bobbing in the molten water before liquefying to join the silver mass.

"In the name of Brotherhood," Dean said. He opened his eyes, watching as his words heralded an explosion of light. A brilliant flame leaped from the Triad symbol, burning bright yellow, red then finally an icy blue. It died out and in its wake The Triad symbol glowed bright. Each ring of the glyph Mackland had carved on the ground stood out in a fiery brand.

The Scholar's circle was yellow, The Knight's a deep red, and the bottom circle glowed blue for The Guardian. The three silver rings of the new Triad were restored, shining in the outer circles where Mackland had placed his former Triad’s bands. The inner circle shone white, only one ring remaining.

It was the silver band in the center that Dean picked up first. Somehow Merlin's magic recognized the last remaining member of the former Triad, honoring his place as an elder. It was only fitting that the first ring Dean would give would be to Mackland. "You are more than the former Scholar."

Mackland’s gray eyes shimmered as he accepted the silver. "Thank you."

Dean took The Knight's ring next, offering it to his best friend with a smile. He clasped Caleb's forearm. "Third time is charmed, Damien." Dean referred to the two other times he had to return Caleb's ring to him.

Caleb grinned, squeezing back. "I'll make sure it stays put this time, Deuce."

Dean retrieved the final ring from the symbol, moving to stand in front of his brother. "Sammy."

Sam's face was solemn. "Dean."

"Mom, Dad and Jess would be proud of you." Dean placed the ring in his brother's hand, closing his fingers over Sam's. All their tragedy had brought them to this point; Dean wanted to move forward with hope. "I’m proud of you, too."

Sam slid the ring on his finger. "I won’t let you down, Dean."

Dean patted his brother's cheek. "See that you don’t, Scholar."

He grinned at Josh. "I call forth The Advisor." Mackland passed Dean the knife he had used to cut the circle in the earth.

Joshua stepped forward. Dean met his gaze, surprised to see the twinkle of amusement in the other man’s blue eyes. They had come a long way in the last few years. "Do you accept this post, Brother?" He held out the hilt of the blade.

"I do, Guardian." Joshua took the blade, placing it in the empty sheath at his side. His gaze turned serious. "I will serve your Triad well with honor and, above all else, loyalty."

Dean nodded. "Then welcome." He'd felt a little silly adhering to the use of ancient titles and terminology, but he wasn’t about to rile Missouri by not following her instructions to the letter.

Joshua moved past him, taking herbs from the pouch hanging around his neck. He whispered a quick incantation, scattering the herbs over the Triad symbol. It glowed bright once more before quickly fading, all traces of its presence disappearing from sight. He moved from Bobby, to Ethan and Eli, taking the objects from them, the purple light receding in his wake, erasing the protection circle in the opposite direction it had been formed. The artifacts would be returned to The Tomb.

Dean rejoined Caleb and Sam, glancing to the stars above them. Orion blinked down, seeming brighter than the full moon. Dean hoped his favorite constellation wasn't the only hunter looking upon them from above. This might not have been the celebration Jim hoped for, the passing of the torch he imagined, but Dean had faith that maybe they could create a future where the past could once again flourish.

He let his gaze go to Mackland once more, feeling the surge of energy quake through his silver ring, knowing it echoed in Caleb's and Sam's bands as well. "Let the new era begin."

Mac smiled and on the wind echoed a faint but familiar. "Amen, my boys. Amen."

THE END

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