Chapter Text
She was coming.
This was a certainty and Ianto pondered the fact that Jack's parentals visiting always seemed to bring a siege on their bloody coattails.
He had left them there at the castle, Jack nervous and wanting to come with him but as John was already scooting about like a wraith it fell to Jack to stay as man of the castle. Sorry my Cariad. So here is Ianto, riding along sedately like he is not waiting for a great weight to descend .. like he had not walked through flame, vanquished a demon and lived to touch a dragon. And here SHE comes. Gods.
He is surprised to find her on horseback, not in a carriage and he pities the horse a little as she rides it like a man, not side-saddle. She sees him riding and calls out to him as she recognises him immediately "Ianto!"
"Sister" he replies calmly, nodding his head into a slight bow as Lady Rhiannon of Rhonia rides up to him and their horses almost touch. She is quick, her eyes sharp and Ianto knows from the few meetings they have had in their adult lives, be they few, that her tongue is sharp too.
"I did not think I would see you on this road" she shakes her skirts as they catch in her riding boot and he leans over to absently fluff it for her. She nods her gratitude.
"Well … it is a nice road" he said conversationally and they fall into a gentle walk together, both horses eyeballing one another silently.
"So, I have heard of a union? You have found a soul Mate?" she asked like she was not really interested and he fond amusement thrumming deep down. Only found him years ago, just coming to see now? Right.
"Yes. This is true. I have" he replied with the same air of nonchalance which he knew annoyed her no end. They rode a while longer then she asked him of the battles the whispers had told of.
He said he had not seen all of them, had heard of the brutality of them. She seemed to like that, telling him of one she witnessed at their father's side as a child. He let her waffle on, pondering what her real intent may be and as they neared the road that forked from the main one, the one leading to his lands, he watched her turn the horse's head towards that junction.
"Going to see the old castle sister?"
"Yes. I hear whisper that the Torchwood Tree is in flower. I wish to see" she called out as she spurred her horse and he felt anger as it grunted with pain, then picked up the pace. They rode on.
They came to the first of the trees and she slowed, the canopy over the road seemed to go forever and for the first time he saw how foreboding it must be to visitors, when he only saw arms stretching out lovingly to shelter … a show affection. Strange. His land did not welcome her.
After sitting staring at it for a few moments she made a noise in her throat and slowly urged the horse forwards. They entered the dim light of the forest and her hands tightened in the reins.
"Your husband is not with you?" Ianto asks to break the tension "the younglings?"
"David is now eight, Mica is six. Younglings no more." She replied with a smile "They had their studies and I do not know the reception I will get."
"The reception?"
"Well … if the tales are true… our King has returned, yes? If this is true, he will feel our blood, hear the whisper of our heritage. He has not killed you so clearly he does not mean us disservice but… I do not want my children in harm's way until I am sure the one who calls himself the king is not mad."
"Ah. He says he is a True King so he must be mad?" Ianto felt amusement as he realised she did not know it was him. All her spies, all those whispers and his people had been loyal. Not telling of his identity. He forced a droll expression even as a giggle bubbled and he caught it with a clearing of his throat.
"It is good to see you sister" he managed to get out "You look buxom. Married life agrees with you, you do my heart good to see your comfort."
"Comfort" she snorted "More like control. Gormless fool does as he is told. I rule with a strong hand, gloved in velvet of course."
"Of course, he must think he is the one holding the whip, even if your hand covers his to guide the swing" Ianto agreed.
Birds were in the trees and one made a noise, making Ianto turn to look and he smiled as he stopped his horse, raising his arm so the crow could descend and alight on his wrist. Ianto crooned softly, telling it this was his sister, the Lady Rhiannon, come to see the True King.
The crow's head swivelled to look at her, and then at him like he was being silly, then it croaked out 'whore' before rising to the air.
"Did you hear that?" she said with surprise "It said War."
"Close enough" Ianto muttered under his breath as he glanced at his sister.
That was coming too.