[Fic] "The King and the Exiled One"

[lux_tuli]

 Title: "The King and the Exiled One"

Fandom: Supernatural

Rating: Teen

Pairing(s): Sam Winchester x Dean Winchester

Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, John Winchester, Mary Winchester, Kate Milligan, Bobby Singer, Ash

Word Count: 4,556

Summary: Once a part of a happy, royal family, Dean is exiled from Lawrence after saving his half brother's life. He lives amongst a pack of wolves in the woods until one day something changes...

Written for: Wincest Reverse Bang

Originally posted: June 27, 2017

Artwork by: bluefire986

The existence of Dean, if anyone had managed to wrangle the truth out of his father, was a royal mistake. King John Winchester of Lawrence had his share of on and off again lovers before he had wed Lady Mary Campbell. But even after their vows had been exchanged, he had not completely broken things off with his lovers, Kate Milligan in particular. She was an economic scholar and advised the king on such matters.

He had not been careful enough in his dalliances as Dean had been conceived and brought into the world. John Winchester’s first born was a bastard and illegible to take the throne as his heir. Dean was raised in secret by his mother, hidden away from the eyes of the public. Even still, there had been rampant whispers amongst the servants and guards of the king’s bastard while his mother cautioned him to not pay them any mind.

But how could he not? Even as a child, he could recognize that the dark tuft of hair on his head did not come from his mother, blond as the pale sun that she was. It was even more suspicious when the king would drop by for visits to see him, picking Dean up in his arms and comment on how much he was growing. Sometimes he could even make out a trace of a smile on the king’s face, resembling almost fatherly pride.

He was only two year old when he returned to his mother’s quarters and found her bedridden. She remained that way for three torturous months until she passed away. Poison, the doctors had said, unlike any that they had seen before. Dean was helpless, only able to watch as she withered away until she did not have any more strength to fight back against the toxin plaguing her body.

From that point, he was placed officially under the care of the king and queen but even then his father had not acknowledged him as his biological son. Just as before, he rarely got to see his father, who was all too busy with his duties as king, so often times he was left in the care of his wife.

Lady Mary was kind to him yet the knowing look in her eyes did not escape Dean’s notice. She would carry him around the castle giving him a grand tour of the place. Her favorite place to take him was the gardens, where she introduced to him all the different sorts of flowers that were planted. The purple dahlia had been her favorite.

Dean was four years old when he started to notice that the queen was starting to put on a lot of weight, her belly turning rather round, strange considering how she had always been thin. She had giggled at him when he had dared to ask about.

“There’s nothing wrong with me. You’re going to a big brother.” She had happily informed, not only revealing that she was pregnant but also the first real acknowledgment that he was of the king’s blood.

“Really!?” He had replied ecstatically, so excited at the prospect that he nearly jumped up and down to convey his joy.

“Can I count on you to be a good, big brother?”

“Mmhmm!” Dean had nodded fervently.

Only the midwives were allowed to be present as the queen gave birth, the king anxiously waiting out in the hallway and Dean bouncing excitedly on a chair. He could not wait to meet his new brother or sister. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, one of the midwives emerged out of the room and proclaimed, “It is a boy!”

Quite the fortunate news for his father because he finally had a legitimate heir to the throne. However, at that age, Dean was too young to care about politics, it mattered little that he was not going to succeed his father. Even when he became older, he did not care, all he wanted was to be a part of a family.

“How are they?” The king turned around to face the midwife and inquired.

“Both are in good health, my liege. You may go in to see them now.” She nodded at him with a smile.

“Come along, Dean, let’s meet your brother.” The king extended a hand out towards him and Dean eagerly accepted it. Lady Mary was dressed in a white nightgown with a blanket covering the lower half of her body. Cradled in her arms was Dean’s new brother. He let go of his father’s hand and scrambled over the side of the bed to get a good glimpse of him.

He was so tiny, flesh so pink. Dean found it amusing that at one time he used to be that small. Mary handed off his brother to the king to hold and she ushered Dean onto the bed beside her.

“He shall be called Samuel from this day forward.” The king pronounced and eventually returned Sam to Mary’s hold, which allowed Dean to finally get a good look at his brother. His eyes were still closed but he could make out the shade of his hair, dark like his own.

---

Dean had rarely left his brother’s side since he was born but once Sam turned four, it seemed like everything started to change around him. The king became cold and demanded that Dean had no further contact with Sam. No longer did he live under the king’s and queen’s care but Bobby, the butler.

He could not understand what he had done wrong to warrant this drastic change of events. And attempting to ask did not give him any answers. That first night, he had cried into Bobby’s arms.

Once he had turned twelve, he followed in Bobby’s shadow, following him about the castle all day and learning how he accomplished his duties. The butler supervised all of the other servants and ensured that they completed their tasks without failure. At first, Dean was obedient but eventually he grew bored of the same thing every day and started to sneak off.

Sometimes he would attempt to get a glimpse of his brother but it was difficult as he was constantly surrounded by people. The last thing he needed was to get caught and reported to the king. Perhaps once his father had cared about him but it was clear to Dean that he no longer did. After all, if he loved him so much, why would he shun him like this?

Most of the times, Dean found himself in the stables. The horse groom, Ash, was laid back and did not mind Dean’s presence, saying that he was welcomed anytime so long as the royal family was not around, or else he would be sternly lectured.

Gabriel was a chestnut Shetland pony, perfect size for teaching young children how to ride. No doubt that Sam was starting to learn how to ride with Gabriel. Raphael was a Belgian horse with a coat as dark as the midnight sky. Michael was a Clydesdale with a bay coat and his sister Lucifer bore a roan coat.

Gabriel was playful and at a time, a bit mischievous, sometimes tugging Ash’s hat off from on top of his head. Raphael was aloof and did not care much for humans. Michael and Lucifer were hardly ever seen without the other’s presence. But for being a mare, Lucifer was more temperamental than any of the stallions combined.

“Yeah, she’s a wild one alright.” Ash had confirmed, “Reasons why you should never underestimate a woman. They can be just as fierce when they want to be.”

“Have you ever tried riding her?” Dean had asked in curiousity. Calm and tamed horses were always the ones that were preferred for riding as selecting one with a strong will of its own was a recipe for disaster. That was how people got injured.

“Like hell, I wouldn’t get within two feet of her with a saddle. Even before she could buck me off, she would put up enough of a fuss to prevent even a saddle being put on her.”

“Then what’s the point of having her around?” Even Raphael in all of his aloofness could still handle being ridden.

“She’s so damn attached to her brother. Just you try to get in the middle of those two.” He had snorted.

---

Dean’s sixteenth birthday, while a huge milestone, did not feel like anything special. As soon as he had woken up and shuffled into Bobby’s living area, he was ushered down to the kitchens for breakfast. There was a crowd of servants gathered around to wish him a happy birthday.

Ellen had even made his favorite, pancakes. He appreciated that they had all gone out of their way to make him feel special but it just did not feel right without his family. However, at this point, he had long given up hope of his father or his wife acknowledging his birthday. He was just a nobody to them now, not even his brother was aware of his relation to him.

“Not that I mind your company but shouldn’t you be out doing something fun for your birthday?” Ash prodded him when Dean had decided to chill at the stables while Gabriel was eating carrots out of his hand. He was the only one that Ash felt comfortable hand feeding, all too worried that the others would bite off his hand.

“Like what?” Dean replied, raising an eyebrow.

“I dunno. Something.” He dropped the carrots that still remained in his hand when he saw a group of figures approaching, “Shit, hide.” Dean did not hesitate in throwing himself behind a stack of hay. Gabriel, intent on finishing his little snack, idly worked at the carrots lying on the ground. 

At the head of the group was his father with a flank of guards and Sam trailing dutifully behind him. Ash bowed before the king and greeted, “Welcome, my liege, what can I do for you today?”

His father eyed Gabriel briefly before replying, “I think it is about time that my son graduated from Gabriel and started to learn how to ride a real horse.”

“Yes, certainly.”

Despite Ash’s careful selection of a horse for his brother to ride, misfortune befalls as the horse became spooked after Sam had been seated on the saddle. Ash attempted to do everything he could to calm the horse but fearful that Sam would be bucked off the horse and fall, which could possibly prove to be fatal, Dean emerged out from behind the hay and catched him. It was not like he had expected any gratitude from his father but he had felt undeserving of his wrath.

Sam was confused and apologetic but the king was not deterred. His brother was led back into his rooms and in front of his court, the servants, and his wife, Dean was exiled from Lawrence.

For saving his brother’s life.

---

Dean had lost count of the days since he had started living in the woods, no longer living a safe and comfortable life inside the castle walls. No longer were meals being generously given to him, he had to learn how to hunt for his own food. Bobby had taken pity on him and would venture out to leave him clothes in a discreet box hidden away inside a rotting tree. Though the clothes were not enough for the colder temperatures, which led Dean to hunting down a bear for its pelt. He had ended with a gash on his shoulder than remained as a scar but in the end he had came out victorious.

Perhaps it was because he had spent such a long time in the wilderness but Dean, through a chance encounter, had become accepted by a pack of wolves.

He had been tracking a deer when he heard a howl of pain, leading him to disregard his chosen prey and follow the trail of the sound instead. Eventually, he stumbled across a grey wolf with its rear paw stuck in a hunter’s trap. Dean thought that the crude tool was cruel and hunched down before the wolf, even as it snarled at him in distrust. He paid it little mind as he concentrated on freeing the wolf’s paw.

He was not well versed in their construction so it took him a few tries before he was able to successfully free the wolf. Dean had expected the wolf to take off running but instead it stared at him, almost considering. Within a blink of an eye, the wolf moved closer and gave him a big lick across the face.

Ever since the wolf, which he named Cas, never left his side. Eventually the rest of his pack showed their faces, hesitant at first, unsure of what to make of Dean but they warmed up to him over time. When he had gain enough of their trust, they had led him to their den nestled inside of a cave, inviting Dean to stay with them.

---

It was perhaps foolish of him to push his luck but sometimes Dean missed the scenery and people of Lawrence and snuck inside the city walls. He was not bold enough to walk in with his face uncovered so he usually wrapped a piece of cloth around his face to hide his identity. Nor did he dare to bring Cas with him because people would automatically run in fear or try to shoot at him.

On the rare occasion, Dean would arrange, via sending a letter in advance, a meeting with Bobby, who was the closest he had for a father since his own wanted nothing to do with him. He would provide him with tidbits on how the staff was doing and about his brother. This time, the two of them were meeting up at a local tavern, changing the location every time that they met as a precaution.

“Let me get a good look at you,” Bobby had insisted when he walked inside, tugging at the cloth. Dean unwrapped it for a brief moment, and after allowing him a few moments, put it back on. “You going to need to start shaving unless you want to grow out a beard.” The older man had commented on the the hairs growing in on his chin.

“I’m still thinking about it. It would probably be difficult shaving all the time so I might just let it grow out.” Dean did not own a mirror so it would be hard trying to manage shaving it, he would be worried about accidentally cut himself on the blade.

“You have grown up so quickly. Feels like just the other day that you were fussing about and tossing tomatoes at the statues.” Bobby chuckled. The statues being busts of the previous kings. He had gotten real mad with his situation that he had made off with tomatoes from the kitchens and started trashing the place.

“Funny that you can laugh now as you were mad as hell when you found out.” Dean felt a bit bad for the staff having to clean up the mess he had made. And Bobby, he had been fuming. Making him give a heartfelt apology to the staff was just the tip of the iceberg that had been Dean’s punishment.

“I was at that damn mess you made. Thought twice about doing that again, didn’t you, when I made you scrub them with a toothbrush.”

“Yes sir. So, how are things?”

“About the same as normal. Sam’s a giant now, though, went through a huge growth spurt.”

“No way, he was so small as a kid.” Dean denied, all he could remember how short he was at twelve years old, unable to catch any further glimpse of him after he had been exiled.

“Well, he ain’t a kid no more, just recently turned twenty two.”

---

It had eventually become known to Dean that his brother, the newly minted king as his father had retired, had taken up a habit of going for walks in the woods. Even though it had been years since he had actually seen his brother in person, there was no mistaking those eyes and face. 

Most likely Sam went about on his walks in secret as no doubt the guards would refuse to permit him if they had known. Despite all of the urges inside of him to become reacquainted with Sam, Dean instead kept his distance, hiding in the shadows and keeping an eye out for any potential dangers that may threaten him.

It had seemed as if though Sam had been favored by Lady Luck herself as all the times that Dean observed him strolling through the woods, he was left unharmed as he had entered. He doubted it was that the animals had recognized the king of Lawrence.

Though perhaps even Luck herself had her limits. Cas was grunting at Dean to move on and hunt them down something to eat, spending enough time in the wolf’s company that he could practically understand every sound that he had made. He told him to patient or go join his siblings to hunt something to sate his hunger.

Dean was glad that he had not given in as he soon noticed a cougar trailing after Sam. The cougars were known for being just as territorial as wolves and must have considered his brother to be a trespasser that needed to be taken care of.

He hid in the shadows, keeping out a watchful eye. As the cougar launched forward from the bushes that it was hiding inside, Dean jumps out and wrestles with it. Sam is startled and at a loss of what to do. Somehow, the cougar manages to clamp its teeth down into the flesh of Sam’s arm before Dean manages to snap its neck.

“Fuck, you’re hurt…” Dean cursed as he looked down at his brother’s arm, blood seeping out in two big dots, “Follow me.” He advised him, leading back to the wolves’ den so that he could tend to him.

“Wait, thank you for saving me, I don’t know what I would have done if you had not come to my aid.” Sam offered his gratitude as Dean leaned down and tossed the cougar’s body over his shoulder. There was no sense wasting perfectly good meat or the skin for a fur pelt.

“It’s nothing but you should know better than saunter through the woods without protection.” He shrugged.

“What about you?”

“This is my home, I know the woods like the back of my hand.” He answered vaguely, “Oh, just so you know, I live with wolves. They might get a little sketchy around you but they wouldn’t attack.”

“Wolves!?” Sam had exclaimed in shock.

“Yeah, I kinda got adopted into their pack. Saved one of them then the others just warmed up to me after that.” When they had reached the cave, Cas was lying at the entrance waiting. He grunted when he noticed his company.

“Chill, Cas, he’s fine. Got something for later.” Dean tossed the cougar onto the ground in front of Cas, who happily picked it up and went deep into the cave to store it.

“He understands you.” His brother spoke in disbelief.

“Yup. Now, why don’t you sit right here and I will patch you up a bit?” Dean gestured to the padding sitting on the floor of the cave’s entrance. He briefly went inside to grab at his chest with medical supplies, goods that he had gotten from Bobby. As he first cleaned off the arm then dabbled on the disinfectant onto the wound, Dean asked, “So, what causes a fella like yourself to be roaming out in the woods?”

“What do you mean?” Sam blinked at him.

“Most nobles don’t go venturing out here unless it is for the game of the hunt. And you don’t got any hunting gear on you.” Even then, most of the nobles stayed clear of this neck of the woods, which is why Dean settled here.

“How can you tell that I’m a noble?”

“You might have dressed down but that doesn’t erase the lack of callouses from your hands or the lack of scars. You haven’t worked a single hard day in your life meaning you must come from wealth.” Dean reasoned, avoiding the real reason why he knew.

“I see. What brings someone like you out to live in the woods?” Dean briefly rose his head up from where he was concentrating in wrapping a cloth bandage around his brother’s arm at the question.

“I was exiled from Lawrence by order of the king. Can’t show my face around without getting tossed in jail.” He left out the part of, “if he got caught”. Little did the court and the guards know how much he frequented the city.

“That’s awful, why would he do that?”

“Because he’s an asshole. Nevermind the fact that I was only sixteen at the time.”

“You were still just a minor...I don’t understand how he thought that was acceptable.”

“I stopped looking for a reason to that man’s actions.”

“Why don’t you come back with me to Lawrence?” Sam offered.

“I couldn’t possibly…” Dean started to protest but was cut off.

“I need to properly reward you for your actions. Worry not, the king that exiled you is no longer in power and if anyone protests your presence then I will say that you are under my protection.”

---

Dean had never thought that there would be a day that he would be able to step inside Lawrence without covering his face but here he was, escorted by his brother, the king, no less. Though his brother still had no admitted to such yet but Dean was in no position to judge because he was hiding secrets of his own. However, for Sam, his secret is not kept hidden for long because as soon as they approach the gates, one of the guards exclaim, “My liege!”

The other one started mumbling about how he should not be out of the castle. Sam groaned and Dean just merely raised an eyebrow at him.

“Let us escort you back!” The first one enthusiastically offered.

“That is unnecessary and you shouldn’t leave your post anyways.” Sam answered before trailing past them, Dean following after him.

“Looks like I might have underestimated you, my liege.” Dean teased him.

“Ugh, I don’t care much for the title. Please, just call me Sam. I know that my father mistreated you by casting you out but I assure you, I’m nothing like my father.” His brother asserted, “And what should I call you?”

“The name’s Dean.”

“Dean…?”

“What’s wrong?” He asked when his brother scrunched his face in deep thought.

“Nothing, just sounds familiar but I cannot place where I’ve heard that name before.” It was unsurprisingly to Dean. No doubt that their father had made certain to never utter his name before him, pretending that he did not even exist. “Anyways, I think a good way of marking your return to Lawrence will be by having a feast at my place. I will have my steward immediately rescind the order on your exile.”

“That’s rather generous and a bit excessive.”

“Nonsense.” Sam dismissed the notion. They had not made it far into the castle, all while Dean was stunned from walking inside for the first time in over a decade, when they were ambushed by attendants and Lady Mary.

She instantly wrapped her arms around Sam and hugged him tightly, “I was so worried about you. I heard you had went missing and feared the worst.”

“I’m fine. Just had a small encounter with a cougar that Dean here saved me from.”

“Dean…?” Mary’s eyes widened and she pulled back from Sam to look at him, “Dean, is that you?” It surprised both Dean and Sam when she hugged him. Sam’s shock stemmed from the fact that Dean has kept him in the dark about their relationship but Dean’s came from that he had not expected such affection from her.

“Mom…? Do you know him?” His brother asked, obviously confused. Mary furrowed her eyebrows then softened as if realizing that he had not told Sam.

“Yes, we’re acquainted. Though, I admit I haven’t seen you since you were a boy.” She observed as she patted him on the cheek, “We’ll catch up later, shall we?” She insisted before walking away.

Sam appeared dumbfounded, unsure of what to say in response to that. He certainly had not expected that.

---

When Bobby came out to greet Sam as they were walking down the hallway, he looked like he was nearly about to have a heart attack when he saw Dean. As soon as his body leant backwards, he moved quickly to hold him up.

“You’re nine shades of crazy, boy. What in blazin’ hell are you doing here?”

“I’m here as a guest of the king.” Dean gave him a cheeky grin and his adoptive father gave him a whack to the back of his head.

“Am I the only one that doesn’t know you?” Sam frowned.

“Bobby was the man that raised me.” He responded truthfully, “Got to know a lot of people while I was living here.”

“You haven’t told him yet?” Bobby turned to Dean with a puzzled expression.

“Tell me what?”

“Dammit, Bobby, I was working myself up to it.” Not only did he have to muster the strength to tell Sam the truth, he also had to convince him. What reason did he have to believe that he was his half brother?

“Then get on with it then, not like you have to worry about mean old John since he’s permanently resting six feet under.”

“He’s dead?” Dean exclaimed in surprise that he had not been informed sooner.

“I was going to tell you the next time we met up.”

“Hello? I’m standing right here you know…” Sam interjected.

“I’ll leave it to you then.” Bobby said firmly before walking away.

“This might be kinda hard to believe but...well...I’m your older brother...half brother to be precise.” Dean had sucked in a deep breath of air and just went with it.

“I…” Sam’s body seemed to freeze up then relaxed, “That would actually make a lot of sense. I remember when I was really young, an older boy would hang out with me then one day he disappeared.” Wow, he had a pretty good memory, Dean had not expected to remember him from back then. “What happened? I don’t understand why we were kept apart…”

“Me neither.” Dean shook his head.

“And did father exile you just because you were my brother?”

“It never made sense to me but you were twelve when you tried to ride a horse for the first time. I was the one that caught you. Apparently showing my face in front of you was just as wrong as murder.” He responded, noticing the look of outrage on his brother’s face. No doubt anger towards their father for hiding him. Dean was grateful for the burden of hiding his true identity had been lifted from his shoulders, no longer needing to shroud himself.

The two of them had a lot to catch up on.