Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"It is not that bad!" Jack sighed as Ianto stood fuming at the letter in his hand.

"Not that bad. Are you insane?" Ianto hissed "This is deliberate. She did this to spite our child and you say it is not that bad!"

"Come on… it is not Jax's or her fault that his birthday falls in the fortieth anniversary of their marriage." Jack argued, now angry with Ianto for the way he was acting.

"Only… it doesn't!" Ianto was not backing down here "your parents wed a good two months from Jax's birth. Come on… who brings forward a wedding anniversary party by almost two fucking months!" Ianto spat with total rage now, thrusting the invite at his husband "If you want to go… go. Take the girls… fine. We will go… smile and be nice to everyone."

"Come on… he is too young to know it's his birthday anyway love" Jack tried, "He will just like a party and he will finally get to meet everyone. We can have his party when we get back. You know it will be nice to show him off to everyone, the King and Queen can't wait to fuss on him."

"Me ya mean" Ianto muttered "since Mother's little foray into our marriage your king and queen are dangling by their private parts."

Jack was also not about to back down and the shot at his mother did not go unchallenged "And you go off about my mother being over involved. What the hell do you call what YOUR mother did! Overthrew my family realm!"

Ianto stepped back and stared at Jack with shock "So… now you are moving back into her camp."

"Jesus Christ Ianto, this is not about taking sides. We are family… all of us." Jack threw his arms up "She is my mother and you will have to learn to get along with her sooner or later."

"So… right. Forgive and forget. It's OK Mother Harkness, I know you tired to kill me a little bit but we can get past it… here… have a sweetie" Ianto said in a syrupy sweet voice miming offering a plate, "Oops.. sorry. Check they are not the poisonous Killy Killy Die Die ones you offered me FIRST! But thanks for giving them to the previous one… I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"That is just childish" Jack said, folded his arms. Ianto did not answer, staring him down. He knew the bitch had gotten around him, been talking to Jack on the sly. Cow, wheedling her way back in.

"There will be security, we will have our own people there and she would not dare try anything as Uncle Marlin would skin her alive if she tried anything in his palace. Come on. It's a party!" Jack said looking at the invite again "And you did promise to try not to kill her."

Ianto sighed as he looked over at the little boy on the floor who was used to his parentals having shouty conversations. "Well… it is time the family met their Bladesinger.'

"Exactly, I can show you off… I know that gorgeous hair will have them all enchanted" Jack gushed then added "you sure? Not just a little crown… like a manly tiara. Or…."

"Stop it!"

.

.

"That sounds lovely dear" Queen Jennifer smiled at her son through the vid-screen, then looked down "Hello Jaxy, hello darling."

"GAM!" the boy shouted loudly, turning on the mat to wave and she laughed.

"So… the meeting of the family?" Ianto asked "We can do that this evening my time?"

"Yes love, I will set it up, all of us will enter the meeting… room… whatever you call it for your talk" she promised, then crouched to croon at the child some more "you know… Tadda and I got the invite too. I am thinking of sending your old tutor as our representative. He asks about you a lot."

Ianto felt his heart soar "Really? Master Theta? That would be lovely to see him again."

"Well… not like Tadda and me are going to travel all that way for a stupid wedding anniversary of a couple I don't even like. But I should represent" she rose and looked at Ianto "you look tired Poppet.'

"Jax is teething" Ianto sighed and then smiled wider "Tadda?"

"Hello boy" the king appeared behind his wife, hands sliding around her waist as he rested his head on her should to look at Ianto. Such a loving pose that he had to catch a print of it. "What are you doing love?"

"Took a photo of you" Ianto said as he touched the screen to dos o "You both look so wonderful and handsome. I wanted one for a frame for my room."

"Oh darling" the queen laughed.

"Is that harpy behaving herself?" King Ifan asked.

"So far… but she will be at the do as it is a party for her. I don't know… after what she did to her royal bloodline you would think the royal couple would not want anything to do with her, let alone throw her a party" Ianto huffed.

"Might be the only way to get her in a room to throttle her" the king giggled softly, showing himself to be as cheeky as his son when unattended by others.

Ianto grinned at his parents and then bid them farewell until the evening meeting with the entire family.

He had something to tell them all.

And he could barley wait.

Chapter Text

Rhiannon, Gareth and Lloyd were sharing a screen. No surprises there, still so close that even their partners were background distractions to the three musketeers.

Daisy and Iris each had a screen. Daisy looked to be in good heath, sitting with her straight back and prim ankles crossed where as Iris was having an off day, laying on a sofa like damsel in distress. The family had long since become used to this and ignored her flittering hand now and then.

Pip was then on screen and yelling at everyone for attention as they laughed and waved back, Ianto waiting silently for his parents to join and complete the party.

Not a single sibling acknowledged him during this time but he did not mind. Used to it. He watched them interact with one another, laugh and talk about things he had no interest in. Gossip whores. Then the middle screen moved and his parents were there, smiling as they sat on an ornate sofa waiting for everyone to calm down.

"Hello everyone" Queen Jenny said happily "Look at us. This is a treat, first time in .. well… almost six months that we have all seen one another at once"

"We have not all been tighter since my wedding Mama" Pip said moving up and down to take attention, "And while I have you all here I have something to say. An announcement!"

Ianto's smile started to slip as his sister took over his meeting "Pip…"

"Shut up Yawn-oh, I am talking here. Everyone guess what… Dustin and I have decided to start our family. We are actively trying for a baby!" she squealed, clapping her hands as everyone cheered and congratulated them. Ianto sat there smoldering away as she went on to gush. "There is a Spark in the ethos… can you feel it? I think it's for me!"

"Mama" Ianto said softly "This is supposed…"

"Oh shit up Yawn-oh. Why cant you be happy for me!" Pip slapped her hand on the screen "You always sit there with that 'swallowed a fly' look… go eat a bird, then cat… then all the rest from the old story until you DIE!"

"Pippy!" Ianto's father said with shock "do not speak to your brother like that. Come on… he is the one who organized this meeting in the first place."

"And why… I know it is only to upset me" she wailed, flopping back against the poor man who had wed her, his face full of alarm as clearly he knew the rest of his evening would be ruined with a sobbing partner.

Ianto deflated as everyone rushed to comfort her, the little twins even telling him he was selfish for taking her happiness when it was such a good evening. He threw his arms up "This is why I never speak. I don't know why I bother really"

"Me neither, you know she will always win" Lloyd said to him with a shake of his head "Sorry little Teddy Bear… what was it you wanted to tell us?"

"SEEEE" came a scream of rage "He gets ALLLLL the attention all the time, what about me. You are a pig Yawn-Oh, a fucking arsehole pig!"

"OK… good night everyone" Ianto reached out to end the call.

"No… darling... what was it?" the queen asked, leaning forward as she caught something in his face "Ianto darling, what's wrong?"

Ianto ended the call without answering, his sister's scream still ringing in his ears and he rose to pad to the bed, looking at his handsome husband who had slept through the entire thing. Gods, you could ride a dragon through the room and he wouldn't stir once asleep.

Ianto rubbed his belly and tried to work out how to get out of this bloody party, if he didn't go it would make thing so much easier. The last thing he wanted was be anywhere near that bitch … there were more than enough of those in his life ya know. Besides, travel was not a great idea right now... not with the spark.

.

.

The next morning he had his reprieve.

Jax started to get a temperature and the grizzling was even putting Jack's teeth on edge. "Gods, is there nothing you can do?"

"We are rubbing the ointment on his gums, giving him soft cool things to chew, there is not much else I can do Cariad. He is unwell and clearly teething is not nice for him… oh Gods." Ianto rose as the child started to cry, the nappy leaking into Ianto's lap evident as the stain grew.

"Ewww" Jack rose with alarm "Want can I do?"

"Get nanny and let me move past you" Ianto said as he rushed for the nursery with the baby hugged against him, trying to ignore the feeling of moistness seeping through his clothing. Ew indeed. Poor little mite, not his fault. Poor little guy.

Once in his bathtub on a little waist high table, the baby seemed to settle and Ianto could leave him with the nanny while disrobing and getting in the shower. He was still drying himself when the pinging started and he rushed to open it "Taddy?"

"Hello boy… oh… shower?"

"Yeah… Jax is teething and his nappy leaked everywhere… gross. Much better now" Ianto laughed as he pulled the robe around himself more.

"Your mother scolded your sister once she got control of the meeting… I am sorry you felt the need to retreat as always. Even on a vid-screen she is a bully to you" the man sighed.

"It's OK Taddy. I'm used to it" Ianto shrugged

"Well… I had words too. The way she kept saying your name… my father's name… really pissed me off. I think I even startled myself there" the king laughed "your mother told me I was forceful."

"well… thank you Taddy" Ianto smiled softly.

"So... that news…"

"Doesn't matter now" Ianto sighed again "She spoilt it, like she does everything of mine. It's OK. Let her have the limelight. Anything else will just set her off."

Oh dear. So… you will keep it to yourself." His face seemed to droop in the screen and Ianto knew that he had twigged. "You've not told anyone yet… he is still not listening to the bond is he!"

"Sorry Taddy… I must protect my own spark here." Ianto warned "any negativity cannot be around me."

"Of course son. Of course."

Ianto let his hands stroke the barely there bump as his baby listened to the voice of it's grandfather with interest.

They knew one another now… all that mattered.

Chapter Text

Jack had left taking the girls and Nanny with him since Ianto was 'hogging the child' anyway. Ianto felt the rush of anger Jack could get from him with a sneer or unkind word and he didn't' hide it in the bond, satisfied to see Jack wince as his own nastiness slapped him in the head.

Ianto waited.

"Ianto, sorry about before. Mama said…"

"You've been talking to her about us? Our relationship? Really? What does she know about Bladesinger bonds?" Ianto asked calmly "You know… I am not wanting a fight… I am tired too. Jax kept me up all night with his teeth, poor little chap."

"A curse of being a Harkness, great teeth mean huge roots" Jack grimaced, "The girls were bad too but they had their mother to fuss on them, I was useless."

"It's not your fault . I know you are all excited about seeing your cousins and siblings. I know you wanted me to meet them too… there will still be time. Plenty of time for all for that Cariad" Ianto crooned, stroking his cheek "Let's stop being angry. I know you hate being angry as much as I do and it solves nothing. Now. You can go, gush about Jax to then and when it's our little winter ceremony we decided on… they will all come here to meet him."

Jack perked up, their decision to have a little post bonding ceremony so Jax might get a good bonding to the Bladesinger bloodline had been in the works for some time, another reason Ianto was so pissed at Jack's mother for this.

She knew because Jack was talking to her again.

Damn it.

"Anyway… you know I am terrible at travelling. Go… have fun. Besides… this is a party for your parents. Your mother and I are still estranged, it might be uncomfortable for her to have me there and she is unable to say so. This way the focus is on her and she doesn't to have to hide any animosity or remorse. Hmmm? Not the time for a reconciliation. A time for her to feel loved." Ianto said firmly, pleased that he had convinced Jack to relax and accept the fact he was NOT going anywhere near that fucking bitch… ah… dear woman.

Jack spun on his heel "RHYS!"

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.

They had left in a rush, a smattering of kisses and promises of vid-calls up the nether regions for Godsake and finally Ianto was left to walk the silent castle with relief. Then he saw Gwen sitting to one side with her hands in her lap staring into space.

"Gwen? You OK?"

"I miss him already" she sighed "I don't know how I will survive without him. You know he is going to ask Jackson for permission to wed me… isn't that cute? He was going to ask Daddy but… feels as Jack is the boss it would come better if he could tell daddy Jack already gave blessing."

"Well I am all alone too, come on… I think this grizzly mess is finally wearing himself out. Let's see if we can get him to snooze in the sunshine of the little tea room and we can have high tea and talk about the upcoming party for Jax. Once they get back."

"I don't know what game she is playing, but I feel really… uncomfortable" Gwen said as they walked arm in arm as friends do. "She is never one to let dogs sleep."

Since coming to an agreement they had actually found themselves to be similar in humor and Ianto had long since forgiven any involvement in his little 'near death' thing. He now saw that she had a huge heart and was just easily led the silly mare. He actually felt sorry for her now, she must have been so out of control. Rhys loved her, clear in the way he lit up when talking about her and she felt the same. Sure he was a Guard, not a man of title but Ianto knew he could get him one if he worked on it.

A wedding might be nice. He knew Gwen would be a mad and eccentric bride and poor Rhys would cling to his beer mug. It might be fun. Ianto tried to be positive here.

.

.

"I miss you" Jack pouted down the Vid-screen.

"I know Cariad… but look… he's asleep" Ianto stepped aside to show the little man sleeping on Jack's side of the bed "I have a piece of you with me to love at least."

"Awwwwww" Jack gushed happily "And look at you all ready for bed and a good sniffing."

"A good what?"

"You have this smell that is so… yummy. Even more so lately. You know I will miss that. Damn, I should have snatched your pillow to cuddle. I am slow" Jack pouted some more, then lit up "Oooo, have to go. Ali is calling me for a bedtime story. Love you darling."

"Ditto" Ianto waggled fingers and the screen went black.

Ianto got into the bed and snuggled the little boy under his chin, waiting for sleep as the other little one listened to his heartbeat with interest.

He missed his father's snoring too.

Chapter Text

Ianto was still dressing when the ping sounded and he rushed to the screen with surprise. Jack?

Jack stood there with a look of total panic "Ianto… I … I don't' now what to do."

"Tell me" Ianto said softly.

"Uncle Marlin came off his horse. Out for a morning canter before breakfast and… it's bad. It looks really bad... Ianto I don't now what to do!" Jack wailed "I wish you were here. I feel so alone."

"Oh Cariad" Ianto ws upset now as well "Darling. Is your mother OK? How terrifying."

"She is being sedated, she was beside herself and as for Aunty Eilish… she collapsed. They don't know if he will survive… darling... please… is he better? Can you possibly come to me?"

Ianto was torn and knew he had no choice "Of course darling. Of course. I will… Gods. I can't you took the large Hover and I … ah… "

"By train" Jack sniffled "Mama said the quickest way to get here with all the traffic on the roads due to the celebrations would be the train."

"Yes… yes… GILLY" Ianto roared for his man who came running and soon Jack looked a lot happier as he watched Ianto prepare to come to him "I am coming Cariad. This time tomorrow we will stand together and be strong, yes? Only… what … five hours by train… yes. Gods. The Capitol. I hate the bloody Capitol City. You better know how much I love you."

"Oh baby, just come to me and help me now. I don't want to be a flapping idiot." Jack smiled softly, and blew a kiss as he closed the call.

Ianto ran from the room as Jax remained sleeping in his arms and he practically slammed into Gwen "GWEN! Thank the gods. Jack's Uncle… the King… fallen from his horse and it's bad. We have to get there…something about the train?"

"Yes!" she swung to grab a passing servant "Call for the train to be paused for his Highness at the Royal Station. I want three good guards and assurances that we will have a compartment to ourselves… go!" she ordered like a boss and Ianto felt better. She turned back to him "Pack things for you and bub. I will race and pack for me. We will go and I will see Rhys, you will comfort Jackson and we will be OK. Now… I need my good cape."

She took off and Ianto returned to his room, only realising once he was in there that he was still in his PJs with his hair flowing loose. Oh well. Friends, right?

.

.

"Did you hear anything more from Jack?" Gwen asked as she helped load the Hover for the train Station, watching Ianto jiggle the grizzly child. She held out her arms and he handed Jax over with relief, now able to check the luggage.

"No… you?"

"Rhys called a short time ago to see if I was coming with. Yes. It's bad, Jack wasn't exaggerating. They had all manner of healers in there trying their best. He said it was the strangest thing. The horse is one the King rode the most, a good mild tempered beast. It was like it was suddenly possessed, jumping up in the air bucking and leaping about. Then it simply leapt up and landed on it's back, crushing the poor king beneath it's weight. Jack was screaming with such horror that he lost his voice for a moment or two." Gwen said as she patted the baby's back "He does love his uncle so."

"My gods, I didn't realize he was there" Ianto was more horrified now.

"They all were. Jack, his mother, the King and Queen as well as two of their adult children. All out for a morning ride. How horrible to see one of your family members injured like that. He has been in wars, great battles and such, to be felled by a horse's brain fart… what a thing. Almost like someone has it in for him" Gwen stopped talking and placed a hand over her mouth.

"It' OK. It is just me you said that to, but try not to say it again" Ianto smiled softly, patting her arm to show he knew she didn't' mean it in a horrible way. Not malicious, just plain stupid sometimes. Something like that could get her in trouble. So many ears around these walls. He motioned her to get on board while retrieving his child as they were ready.

"Thanks Pet" she smiled, then lifted her large travel bag onto the seat beside her "Right. Let's get this show on the road. Gilly, help the Prince will you? Can't you see he had his hands full trying to step on here man?"

They were soon on the train and as promised, the carriage was a lovely one that had enough room for Ianto to lay the little boy on the seat beside him, placing a leg up to form a little safe space as he lead back to look out the window his foot was now resting against.

"You'll get cramp doing that all the way there, he should have come with a seat" Gwen huffed.

"He hates being strapped in, a real tantrum tosser like his father" Ianto said with an eye roll and she giggled as she agreed. Buddies. On an adventure.

Only for five hours.

What could possibly happen.

Chapter Text

"What the hell are you doing?" Ianto asked as he watched Gwen digging in her bag. Tissues, a writing pad… sweets…. Hair ties… a small child's toy… is that Jax's little ducky?

"Looking for the ink" she said as she dug some more and then flourished a little bottle of black ink with triumph "ta-da!"

"Ink?"

"I have a Great Aunt who refuses to use modern technology. She still likes the hand written letters each weekend it is a bloody chore. But… she is loaded and only the dutiful family members are remembered in her will. I have nothing else to do so I shall use the time to finally tell her about Rhys. She might help me work on Daddy" Gwen said as she plucked up the pad and then frowned "where the frick is my pen? Oh. Potty mouth. Sorry… trains make me grumpy with the rocking and rolling."

"You did remember to pack a nibbed pen, right?" Ianto asked.

Gwen stared at him and then started to giggle as she shrugged to show she had no idea, then they both laughed. She upturned the bag on the seat and picked through scissors, a sewing kit, make up, another bottle of ink (just in case she spilt on… come on it is Gwen) and some letters from the old lady. Then Ianto spied something that had him reaching out to snag it before Gwen could react.

Ianto started at handwriting that was clearly NOT the old lady… rather a Bitch Faced Her Majesty Fucker. Ianto looked at Gwen.

"It was a little note of congratulations on Rhys… look. You may read it" Gwen said with alarm.

Ianto knew she was testing him and somehow knew that a single glance would damage the friendship, so he handed it back unread like it didn't matter "She is trying I suppose."

"Yes" Gwen grinned "I was to answer that too. She holds land my family rents off her… we have to stay nice. I suppose I shall see her now… can I stick close to you? I would hate to get stuck alone with her, she is so… dominating."

"Don't worry, we shall endure" Ianto said theatrically and she giggled as she shoved everything back in the bag and wrote for the next hour or so of their journey. Soon they were all nodding in time to the rattle and him of the train, lulled to sleep.

.

.

"Highness"

Ianto open his eyes to find Gilly crouched near him, looking alarmed and harried.

"Gilly?"

"Highness, something is going on and I am not sure about it" the man rose and looked out the door of the carriage "They have stopped the train aid … I think they are searching it."

"What?" Ianto rose and followed him into the corridor to see other carriages being checked. Now they heard angry voices and a couple of high pitched voices of annoyance came from those with money. "Send someone to see what is going on."

Gilly motioned to one of the other men who went to move and Ianto reached out "Wait. Take of the royal standard on your jacket. Go as a commoner."

The man nodded and slid off his jacket, handing it to Gilly and taking off to listen to what was happening, soon coming back with news Ianto did not want to hear, even if he did expect it.

"They are searching for you. A Bladesinger." The man said with nervous movements "They have three they suspect due to their bright blue eyes… idiots do not know you are a silver eyed one… they seek you and it doesn't feel like it is for an invitation to high tea."

"Oh my god, what will we do?" Gwen asked, leaning over to check the little boy with a shaking hand. "his eyes are true blue."

Ianto knew the old bitch was behind this, somehow she had orchestrated this and if there was a possibility that he could kill someone though the power of telekinesis it would be the old bitch Mother Harkness on fire somewhere screaming with pain and slow suffering as she died. Damn it.

"Highness?"

Ianto looked at the child and then felt a churning in his gut. The Spark. Gods. He had no choice here… no way to…. Fuck. "Gwen… come with m and bring that bag, Gilly… mind the little man. Can your men get to your luggage? Fetch me clothes that look… common. Nothing blue!"

They headed to the bathroom of the carriage and Ianto stood in front of the mirror staring at the pale face in the mirror "Gwen… we are in deep shit here. If she a sent them to kill me, they will not want witnesses. Everyone will die, this entire train is forfeit to ensure my demise… and the baby too."

"I know" Gwen sobbed, "When he said… I knew it was her. The bitch. She id-called before we left and asked if you have the baby with you like she ws all concerned. She was making sure, wasn't she."

Ianto sighed "I must ask something of you that I cannot do myself, something that will cause me distress so…I need you to know that I trust you and forgive you for what you must do for me. OK?"

"What?"

"Get the scissor out of the bag and the bottles of ink." Ianto said softly "W are going to cut and dye my hair so it is black, not blue. Then we hide in plain sight."

"But to cut your hair is sacrilege… it is…" Gwen stopped talking "They would not hurt Jax too, would they? What if I say he is mine, move to another carriage… no, he will cry for you and those eyes… oh Ianto, what do we do!"

"A matter of life and death so… it will grow back but if I am dead what does it matter what length or colour my fucking hair is. Gwen…I tell you something I have not said out loud to a single soul… I am with child. It is not just Jax they will kill but a newling growing inside me."

Gwen sobbed as she took the long beautiful tail in her hands and pulled it back … she looked at him in the mirror, locking eyes with him and then ….

Snip!

Chapter Text

The men entered the room and looked at the people in the carriage with open anger. A woman with a man and small child that was covered as it seemed to be suckling, another two men opposite with bored expressions. Gilly placed an arm around Gwen with a look of thunder "Stop glaring at my wife man, she has done nothing wrong! You will sour the milk for my newling!"

"Sorry" the man said, letting his eyes roam to the other two men staring at him, one of them pale and sickly looking with his shoulder length black hair slicked back. The other a large man with a look of … ell… challenge. He spent a while staring at that one and finally Gilly snapped "My brother does not like your kind. Ex-service so knows when you are up to no good. If you don't need to see our papers, fuck of!"

"Language, you will wake her" Gwen scolded, cuddling the baby with wide eyes. Her gloved hands patting a little back gently.

"Sorry love."

The man departed and they all let out a breath of relief, Ianto wanting to reach for his baby but scared the men might come back. It was an hour later that the train was pulling away again and looking out the window they could be seen three passengers on the side of the tracks and the men holding weapons on them. All of them had Bladesinger-like characteristics. Ianto finally flopped against the seat and Gwen started to cry with relief as it finally occurred to her why Ianto was reaching out to take her gloved hand for his lips to press to. She had passed the ultimate test without even knowing it. She could have burned him bad here but instead those gloves were hiding her now blackened hands. She had come through for him when he needed her the most. Proved herself.

"Are we all OK?" Gilly asked firmly staring his boss "Highness… your hair…"

"Will grow back" Ianto said wearily. "Just get me to my husband."

.

.

"Any idea why?" Jack was horrified when he learned of the attack, his hands caring through Ianto's hair of black, a little flick of blue here and there where the ink had not caught. "How do we get this out?"

"I shall help you wash it" Gen said as she reached out to pat Ianto's hand, her own hand still blackened from the ink despite several washes wince arriving.

"You did that to his hair?" Jack asked with shock.

"Gwen was a trooper, a real boon and without her I would not have pulled it off. She saved my life and the life of our baby" Ianto said as she blushed happily at the praise. Something she was clearly not used to.

Then came the thundering bellow of Her Fuckness…. Er… Mother Harkness. Lovely.

"Jackson… I just heard the train was attacked… darling… prepare yourself... three men were taken of Bladesinger heritage and … I fear they may have been executed by the Dissidents for being Bladesinger. Daring I am so…." Her voice petered out as Ianto stared back at her from underneath the ink black hair.

"Hello mother" he said calmly.

"YOU!" she snarled "What are you doing here"

"Mama, I asked him to come to me. Thank the Gods Gwen was there and they got through the attack… my poor little boy. How scary" Jack plucked the baby from Ianto's arms and cuddled him as Ianto stared the bitch down.

"Well… you don't have to be… well. How horrible" she spluttered, unable to correct the confusion in her face.

"And how is your uncle Cariad?" Ianto asked as he sat and let one of the servants remove his travelling boots.

"Good… the doctor is sure that the worst has passed and he will recover. They are confident that he will regain full movement but now are assured that he will survive his fall. The healers your mother sent are a wonderful help" Jack sat and clutched Ianto's hand with one if his free ones "The Gods favoured us. Gods, I am so relieved but that hair… darling... please wash it out. It makes me feel so heart sick."

Ianto rose to comply and said as he left he said in passing to the woman still standing there like a stunned mullet "The Gods are kind, yes mother?"

She grunted and turned to watch him leave with Gwen, her face twisted with rage that the staff all saw… And exchanged glances over.

.

.

Ianto sat with his head leant back in the bowl of hot water, groaning as Gwen massaged the shampoo into his scalp "Gods that feels divine. I don't usually let people touch my head, my hair so heavy and cumbersome. This feels so lovely."

"I still feel sick that I cut it" she replied, leaning over to kiss his forehead in a sisterly way "but it worked you clever clogs."

"Is it coming out?"

"Slowly… more of a bluish grey now… I think another rinse of fresh water and the caustic soap...it will make it a little harsh but we can add some oils to soften it afterwards. There is one made from bananas that smells wonderful."

"If you think so" Ianto sighed, glad to feel something other than panic. His belly flipped and he placed a hand over it to comfort.

"Awwww, bubba happy it's over too?" she crooned, reaching out to place her hand over his and then a noise in the doorway had them both looking up to find an old man standing there with his white robes brushing the floor. A pale blue line around the bottom of the robes like they had soaked it up from a pool of blue water.

"Master!" Ianto said with glee, sitting up as he found a towel to wrap around the hair that was slapping around his face.

"I heard that you cut it" the old man said "do you still have it?"

"Gwen?"

Gwen handed over the long horse tail that she had place din the bottom of her bag with reverence "Ah. Good… will do something with this. Are you OK?"

"Sad it's gone but remember that it was just hair, nothing that cannot be replaced like a limb or a life" Ianto replied.

"Or a baby. Hmm?"

"Jack still doesn't know, I've not told him yet" Ianto said as he let Gwen towel his hair dry to apply the soothing banana smelling goop.

"Told me what?"

Chapter Text

"That Rhys told me the whispers are that the horse was somehow spooked to cause the king's fall" Gwen blurted, saving Ianto yet again. My how her life has changed.

"What?"

"They say it was an attempt on his life, the horse was somehow harmed to cause it to do that. His favourite mount that has NEVER done that. They are seeking something they called a... a… pincher?" Gwen placed her hands on Ianto's shoulders to keep him in the chair and facing away from Jack who stared at Gwen long and hard.

"Who would dare harm my lovely uncle kingy?"

"That is the question" she nodded "Apparently they are examining the horse own. Maybe Ianto could take a look, with his horse knowledge…"

"No, I will get the royal hands to look, Ianto… just… do something with that hair. It is still not right" Jack turned and left, the old man frowning as he looked at Ianto and Gwen.

"You know, the longer you leave it…."

"Until I am safe, my spark is not safe either. Jack will tell the world, especially his bloody mother. Do you want that? I have to … get things right" Ianto sighed as he rubbed his face.

"Don't worry boy… I will sort things. Your mother might not like it though, you know she forbade me from releasing my minions" the old man winked and Ianto's hands fell to reveal a concentrated expression.

"They are with you?"

"They are always with me"

"Good… sort it will you?" Ianto sat and Gwen watched the old man reach for the dirty water, pulling it closer and lifting his hand over it to reveal the same small mark in his wrist as Ianto. Whispers in a strange language and the water started to…. Ripple. Gwen blinked and step back, still watching Ianto as she shook with fear. Magic. It was magic.

Power in the words.

Ianto started to incant as well, their voices combining in a weird humming sound as the water cleared and stilled. Gwen peered in to see…. Grass. Boots walking in the long grass, someone running as they hurled toward something, the skirts rustling as the person fell to their knees and felt around cursing softy.

Jack's mother.

Gwen lost her fear as curiosity took over and she leaned in more to watch the woman running her hands over the grass, then glee as she picked up a small tin object, holding it up to the light, then snatching it to her chest before looking around furtively.

A pincher.

Now Gwen knew what one looked like and her anger burned. When will this old trout give up, when will she realize that she does not rule the fucking worlds! She tried to kill her own brother?

A shadow fell over the silly woman who looked up with surprise as the sky seemed to dull, a large cloud … no… birds. Crows. Crows that were… Gwen's hands flew to her mouth as the woman was attacked, her screams silent as the water only gave the image, not the sound of the woman's cruel and vicious death.

Then the grass swayed in the breeze, blood red stains reaching to the sunny skies once more.

The water dulled, died and went to dirt grey once more.

Ianto slumped back and the old man chuckled "I didn't' need to do much at all there. You were magnificent. So powerful when you set your mind to it Highness. You know…"

"That! That must ever be spoke of" Ianto said as he levered himself from the chair and made it to the bathroom before his guts released the water he had drunk upon arrival.

"With great power comes pain" the old man whispered to Gwen, "It costs to get power like that. Give and take, ya know? He will be spent now but… ah… look."

Ianto was re-entering the room and looked at them strangely as they both openly gaped at him and he sat for Gwen to resume her hair car only to find the mirror showing his hair the same pretty blue it always was, only now it was shoulder length and framing his face in such a soft way.

"Gwen… you are a star" he smiled.

She gaped as she looked at the old man who chuckled and tapped a finger to his nose. She did not say anything and decided to be thankful that she was now a friend to this man instead of an enemy. She had found out before to was too late that this man was not a man you wanted as a rival.

He was a conqueror.

.

.

Ianto entered the main room to find chaos and extreme upset.

"What's happened?" Ianto asked with surprise.

"Mama… oh… Ianto…Mama was attacked." Jack sobbed.

"Oh man… by those men from the train?" Ianto gasped theatrically "Is she OK. I must get her a soothing tea!"

"No" Jack sobbed, trying to get the words out "She's… she… she's dead!"

Ianto slumped as he looked his husband in the eye and said calmly "And she died without even knowing about our child. Oh Cariad, I so wanted to tell her once we had it confirmed."

As Ianto let his hands slide to his belly he was sure to hide the strange glele he felt in the delight crossing Jack's face, the Bitch's death forgotten for a moment as Jack gaped "No!"

"Yes" Ianto said with a shaky bottom lip "I am so sorry Cariad. I know she would have been such a wonderful grandmother to our spark, as she is with ALL her babies."

Jack whooped as he jumped around the room crowing that he had done it again!

Into raised his head high and glanced over at Gwen who knew when to smile and look down to show that he was the one in charge.

Again, she thanked the Gods that she chose the right side in the end.

But she would never trust a crow again.

Chapter Text

It was confirmed. A baby. Ianto watched Jack being torn between embracing the joy of the child and the sorrow of losing his mother. Ianto tried to imagine what it would feel like to lose his mother but also knew he did not love his mother as Jack loved his. It was a cruel blow, even if it had been necessary.

Jax was settled once more with his sisters gushing all over him and Ianto finally got a moment to himself. He stood looking at himself in the mirror or the bathroom as he silently berated himself for being such a horrible person, such a vile, nasty contemptible…

"It's OK" Jack said behind him, making him jump and swing to look at him. Jack continued "It does not make you a bad person to be happy Mama is gone. I know she made your life hell and I also know you feel sorry about it too, for me. It's OK love."

Ianto told himself to have better firewalls as he smiled and reached for him "Sorry Cariad. It's the hormones, I am so full of horribles."

"No… full of lovely" Jack said as he reached out to cup the belly "Wonderful gorgeous lovelies. The Gods are kind… Mama is gone but now a part of her will live on."

Ianto forced a weak smile "Yes my darling, so true."

Come on darling, let's comfort the children and your poor father… if it helps, maybe he would like a cuddle with Jax?" Ianto suggested, then added softly "I am so tired. I might have a little cat nap."

"Awwww, the baby already making you tired" Jack crooned, "What a beastly baby"

Ianto waited until everyone as gone and flopped on the bed, screaming into the pillow before rolling to his back and then he took a deep cleansing breath. He was not sure if he had won but it sure as hell felt like it.

.

.

Ianto went down to the evening meal and was immediately aware of the silence as he walked toward his husband. Jack rose and pulled out the chair with delight, letting Ianto sit and pushing him in, leaning in to kiss him before seating himself once more.

"Such a shame" a young man sat sitting opposite, "Jack said you had lovely long hair. You cut it?"

"Yes" Ianto said then felt a tingle. Ah. Blood to Jack? "I had to evade those hunting me on the train young Prince Gray."

"It will grow back" Gray smiled weakly "And anyway… at least the ink came out. You are so pretty. For a man."

"thank you, your brother is being understanding of the loss, even if it does hurt" Ianto said with a return smile, letting his head fall forward to let the hair fall over his face as he did when a small child with this length.

Ah.

Ianto suddenly remembered all the different hairstyles his nanny used to put his hair up in and he was filled with warmth. Yes. Make a silk purse of this. Yes. He can do that.

.

.

Ianto knew he had to reconnect with Jack, had to reaffirm the bond while things were so raw and so he sat and brushed his hair carefully, watching the long flecks of it curl around his face like a caress. Saddened at the loss of length even as he knew Jack still found this attractive.

Right?

He heard the bedroom door and rose to face his husband, his roe open and flowing back as he walked towards the man who was standing transfixed with wide eyes.

Ianto was naked except for the open gown, his manhood on display as well as the nest of dark blue hair. Ianto knew they had never done this, despite their… touching…. They had never looked at one another like this and as he stood there letting the robe fall to revel his body and the small, barely there bump Ianto knew he had made a tactical mistake.

Jack stepped back.

Ianto felt the flare of shame, stooping to snatch up the robe and hold it over himself as Jack continued to back pedal to the door at he stuttered that he was sorry he had not knocked.

Then he was gone and Ianto was left feeling so empty.

.

.

"What's wrong boy?"

"Oh Taddy… I made a mistake" Ianto said with open sorrow, the despair raw as he let a tear roll down his cheek "I tried to seduce my husband. I wanted… I wanted to comfort him and strengthen our bond but when he saw me naked he… he… fled."

"Perhaps you startled him love" the king said softly "You… well… you have your mother's presence ya know. He might have felt small next to you."

"No… no… you've not met him. Not shared space with him… Taddy… even Mama would be hard pressed to match Jack… he fills a room" Ianto smiled softly, then it slid away as he sniffled.

"Maybe it's the baby" the king finally offered "did the spark want comfort? Love? Or maybe.. in that moment it felt your love and was jealous? You know, when your Mama was pregnant with Pip I was not able to get near her. The little one hated anyone else getting her affection."

Ianto had not considered this and as his father wished him well Ianto was left feeling alone.

Something he never thought he would feel again.

Chapter Text

Ianto tried again, reaching for Jack's hand at the last of the evening drinks the men sometimes had before bed, careful to let himself to demure and soft… so soft. Jack responded by pulling his hand back and physically distancing himself across the room.

Now that was cruel. Ianto swallowed back his hurt and went to leave, finding his path blocked by Gray "Leaving already? I've seen so little of you."

"Sorry… i… ah…."

"Is everything alright Ifan?" the lovely Queen Gamora asked gently, her had on his arm.

"Majesty, how is your husband?" Ianto asked, changing the subject smoothly.

"Getting better. We are amazed with his progress and that lovely old man your mother sent it a godsend, whatever those poultices are that he has applied, my husband is already finding strength to stand, and soon he will walk unaided. More than we hoped for" she smiled back "Nice try. What is wrong?"

Ianto was conflicted, but then said softly "I am with child. For some reason my husband has reacted to this by abandoning me. I am unsure if the little one is causing it or if he genuinely does not see me as attractive anymore… if he ever did."

"Oh dear" her eyes widened "He spoke of you with such affection."

"Yes well… it's gone now"

"He is grieving, it affects us all in different ways. Is it wrong to admit I do not shed tears for that woman?" she whispered "I hear she showed you her less flattering side also."

"She hated me and openly showed it by trying to kill me a few times… yes" Ianto huffed.

He queen stared at him, and then nodded "What do you need sweetie?"

"I would like to return home, I came for him but he does not want me so… I should retreat I think to let him have the comfort of those he would rather be around right now.. I need another place to sleep tonight if there is a room spare." Ianto said after considering "He will be more comfortable in his chambers without me there I guess."

"Oh, what a shame. Of course darling" she reached out and patted his arm, her sadness for him seeming genuine "I will arrange a bed for you… and transport for the morning to take you back home."

"Thank you majesty" Ianto smiled softly.

"Gomora" she said as she squeezed his arm "Call me Gomora."

"And I am Ianto to the few friends I have" he replied "Ifan was my grandfather's name."

Ianto retired to the chambers to repack the few things he had taken from his bags when he had thought he and Jack would share the space then followed the footman to the smaller room with little cot in the corner. "Thank you."

"I am sorry it is not to the same level…"

"Not at all" Ianto assured to footman "I have slept in smaller and been perfectly fine. Thank you… I shall retrieve my child and be ready in the morning for travel."

"Sir."

.

.

Ianto rested. He could not sleep as the spark bombarded him with emotions and movement. Seems he is not the only one that is not happy with Jack right now. Ianto sighed as he rubbed his tummy "Well? Make your mind up. Go away. Come here. Go away. You can't do that. Daddy does not want either of us now."

Ianto laid back on the bed and stared at the wall, the tears rolling down his face the only betrayal he would acknowledge as he tried to think ahead to activities upon his arrival home.

The sound of a large Hover woke him and he was surprised to find he actually slept. The baby took it out of him already. He rose and opened the door just as the doorman about to knock. At least he had slept in the clothes, ready. He scooped up the still sleeping toddler and they made their way down to the Hover that waited to take him home.

Gomora was there with a basket that she handed him once the baby was inside "Here, some sweet breads and such for the journey. When I was with child I found travel cumbersome. We shall meet again under better circumstances."

Ianto kissed her hand gently and then went into the Hover and bowed his head, admitting a defeat as his bond mate rejected him. Was it the spark causing it? Or was it him. Was he so unattractive with a belly? It was only a small one, barely there. If Jack reacted like that to a small bump, how would a fully protruding one make him feel?

Ianto felt even more sorry for the poor woman who had given Jack three wonderful children. Was she shunned each time too? Or was it just him.

Ianto made a mental note to check and find out if this was something that would pass and Jack would naturally come back to him or was this an anomaly.

He was not sure which he preferred.

He just wanted to know it would end.

Chapter Text

The trip home was in silence, the guards with him moving quietly around him as they tired not to disturb him. Jax was quiet too, feeling his sorrow and trying to make him better by singing softly, his little hands patting his arms as he cuddled him.

"Thank you darling" Ianto said softly, kissing the head of the child whose tooth had now come through.

Gilly woke him as they neared their station, startling him "Sorry Highness, we are nearing our final destination."

"Thank you Gilly" Ianto cleared his throat and rolled the little boy asleep in his arms so he might sit up and then rise, feeling a wash of affection as he knew someone loved him. He then old himself not to wallow, stop being such a whinger. Gods.

He entered his house and took a deep breath glad to be home at least. Then he headed for his chambers and the screen that would soon hold the image of the only one tht could give him guidance now.

.

.

"Well, I am sorry Poppet, I don't know what to tell you" the king sighed as he watched his son twisting his hands.

"I need purpose. If this is to me my life, if he now sees me as undesirable… I think I need to let him have his space. If the Bub is causing this it needs time to adjust too" Ianto sighed.

"Well… you replaced the mistress of the house did you not? Embrace that. Run the house, make it yours" he suggested to his son with a shrug "Rule what you can control."

Ianto closed the call and considered, then rose as he saw that his father was making sense. He was here to do a job… so … do it.

.

.

"Highness?"

"You heard me. I want to clean out the room" Ianto repeated slowly "I am needing the quarters for myself and my youngest child. It is a horrible dusty mess so… today we shall be cleaning and airing out the Mistress Quarters. Then I am moving in!"

"But… the Master said…"

"He is not here and I run this house now, remember? The Master does not run this house… I do. My house. My rules. I intend to reside in that wing and I want it habitable come bedtime. Do I make myself clear?"

"What do we do with the Mistresses things?" one of the servants asked nervously.

"Place them in one of the side spare staffing rooms so the girls might have them when old enough to appreciate their mother's things. I do not require a nanny to sleep in a room next to me, that room can be used to store Lucy's things. Do not throw anything away, be reverent and polite. This woman birthed three lovely children and died at the hands of someone who knew better. But I DO need that space for me now. It was built to be the quarters of the Master's Mate."

"Of course Highness." They agreed, mooing to do his bidding, even if it felt so weird to go back in there after so long.

He felt her in the air still, then decided to embrace that closing his eyes to commune with the echo of her soul. This was his space now. He was taking her place as the motherling for their children, he would endure and he would do her proud. He tried to convey this to the room at large, holding one of the large posts of the four poster bed while sending loving thoughts and comfort to whatever tenuous bond might still exist between here and the hereafter.

.

.

Jack felt it.

A punch to the gut that had him stopping midstride to grab for the wall as he gasped. Pain. Sorrow. Love. So much love and acceptance.

Lucy?

Jack tried to understand as he closed his eyes and a hand slid over his as an old man comforted the younger one. The old Mage felt it too and tried to condense and refine it so Jack could hear what Ianto was thinking.

Our children will be loved and safe. They will never forget you and now as I step into your space, I take you with me.

Jack felt tears rolling down his cheeks as there was something there responding like… a flutter of a feather's touch to the cheek.

.

.

Ianto reached up to touch his cheek where the touch was so strong, like a hand cupping his face for a moment and he knew she had accepted him into her realm, her room and the hearts of her children. Even as deep inside him the child shifted and also accepted the mother that touched him with wonder, seeing the next sibling to join her chidden. The love so raw that Ianto let the tears roll unabated.

This was his place here, his role.

Ianto unraced her love and held it close, sectioning it away so a part of her might follow him with the girls and their lives, the little boy so silent on the bed as he listened with winder.

"Mama?"

"Yes Jax… it's Mama" Ianto whispered, watching the child reach hands up to the air as if someone was leaning over him for a kiss. The child kissed the air and then laughed softly.

Ianto felt at peace as he let everything else go.

Including the pain Jack had caused.

.

.

Jack was on his knees, the punch to his groin harder. He looked at the old man who crouched to comfort him.

"So… you rejected him while the bond was still so raw. Silly boy" the old man sighed softly "You have cause damage now. Pray to the Gods that he might forgive you and see past your weak thoughts. You feel this pain? Imagine his when you found him undesirable."

Jack shook his head "I don't… he is with child…I …"

"Does not make him a monk" the old man snorted with amusement "He still needs your touch. For the bond, for the spark… he still needs your love. Deny him… deny your unborn. Push him away and to protect the unborn from the pain of your confusion, he WILL seal himself from the bond… and from you."

Jack felt the pain ease and rose with horror as he knew the old man was right.

He HAD pushed Ianto away without explanation of his actions. Did Ianto know that in his culture a pregnant one is revered and above touch? Shit.

Jack still had so much to learn about Bladesingers didn't he!

Chapter Text

Ianto was happy to see Jack disembark from the Hover, stepping into the courtyard of the castle and he revisited the urge to run to him. No. Let him do the walking. After a week here alone while Jack buried his mother and did the whole mourning thing… Ianto was over being nice. He had time to think things over and do his own assessment of things and he now felt calm and in control. Jack just had to learn who was in control too.

Then someone else stepped out and Ianto canted his head as the woman with Jack looked around with interest, her face screwed up in the bright sunlight. She was followed by Gray who pulled her to him possessively. Ah. This was Gray's intended?

Ianto smiled softly as they approached and before he could react the woman reached out her hands to slap onto Ianto's barely there bump as she exclaimed "Oh my… a preggers man, how novel!"

Ianto blinked as he felt a powerful jolt of negativity form her, then reached out and placed both hand on her breasts, firmly holding them as he stared into her eyes and replied "oh my… a woman with no boundaries. How novel!"

She gaped at him before stepping back to cover her own breasts with horror and Gray started to laugh "Grace Darling, Jack did say he was a Bladesinger and to be respectful of his space."

Oh no, it's no bother. Jack's boobs are not nearly as much fun" Ianto said with the same smile stile in place, then turned to his husband "Cariad, welcome home. Where are the girls?"

Jack blinked, and then recovered himself as he answered "In the next Hover. Nanny let them stop on the way home to visit with their friend Amelia."

"Ah. Right. Jax is inside in a snot… be warned" Ianto turned and swept his arm "Please… enter."

"Oooo, I love the way he says that" Grace giggled "Like he is the head butler."

"Actually... I am the head man… yes. As I Jack's mate and Master of this house, I suggest you wind your neck in if you don't want me to put my blade against it… Grace Darling." Ianto said with his tepid smile in place.

Gray roared with mirth "See? He's so funny!"

Grace swing to complain but everyone was swarming past and Ianto leaned in to say softy "Fuck with me and some birds might peck you to death too… darling. Now shut your fucking mouth and be respectful in MY house."

Ianto kept the eye contact a beat longer, then leaned back as she let loose a screech, then ran for Gray babbling about the threat and birds.

"Don't be silly. Birds killed Mama, Ianto was not even there. Get a grip" Gray said angrily "All this voodoo hoodoo crap everyone is going on about… he is Bladesinger… not Meater!"

"And if I was Meater I would be feasting on your brainnnnnnnns" Ianto leered as he swept past and Gray roared with glee again, clapping as he skipped after him. She stood confused and growingly angry… as well as slightly afraid. She had not expected this at all.

"Don't hesitate, he might poke back at you" Gwen said as she shoved the woman "and it's true. Don't' fuck with a more powerful entity than yourself… you will get shat on from a great height… and not just from a bird's arse."

"But… he was rude…"

"You started it. You are the one who touched him when we warned you that he does not like touching. Christ… why not kiss him on the lips while you're at it. You are lucky he didn't gut you like a fish with those blades he has hidden in his clothing… stupid bitch" Gwen snarled under her breath propelling the hapless woman along by her arm, clearly not a fan "And its' true. Ianto was with me, inside the castle when Jack's mother was eaten alive by crows. You know… like that one watching you up on the open windowsill over there?"

Grace looked up at a high window and saw a liege black bird that may have been a crow… or raven… something large and … deadly looking. "Oh my god… it's huge."

"It's watching you, look away" Gwen snared enjoying this "Stupid bitch. You know what? I don't need this."

Gwen released the woman's arm and hurried after Ianto calling out "Wait for me sweetie. I want to hear about the nursery!"

The large doors to the sitting room swing shut and Grace was left to the eerie silence of the hallway, looking around lie Alice in wonderland. What the fuck was that… I mean… what the fuck?

"Did you hear him threaten me?" she asked a passing guard who didn't break stride as he passed her.

"Fuck up or fuck off" Gilly said simply "Because that man is our boss and you are not even family yet."

"Well… I never!" she said with anger.

Some welcome.

Seems that there was no room at the Inn for an uppity mare.

Huh.

Chapter Text

"Not even a welcome home kiss?"

"No. It was like… he was avoiding touch" Ianto sighed, pacing in front of the vid-screen. "I thought with the old witch dead he would shake it off… whatever this is and come back to me but he is as confused as ever. His hand reaches out and almost touches, but then he snatches it away as if it is slapped."

"How did he react to finding you in your own quarters?"

"He didn't seem all that concerned." Ianto let his shoulders slump "I don't know what to do now Master."

"Well. I do."

Ianto looked up from his slippers to focus on the old man on the screen "What?"

"Read him."

"My husband. The father of my spark… my lover?" Ianto asked angrily as the suggestion was more than a little… rude.

"Ianto … you said so yourself. Witch. Did she incant some spell over him? Is he under duress when you are near? Press it… touch him and watch his eyes. Is the love still there... or fear? Pain? Read him" the old man demanded now, pointing his finger through the screen so Ianto could almost feel his presence "Protect. Love… cleanse!"

"Yes Master" Ianto nodded, knowing his old teacher was right.

Like it or not... he had to know if Jack's dislike was real or forced.

Could the old bitch have something over him still, beyond the grave?

.

.

"Cariad" Ianto called as he walked towards Jack.

The stable doors were open and the Big Black stood with his head held high as Jack stood petting him and talking to Rhys about something. Jack turned when he saw Ianto coming and his face lit up "Ianto!"

Ianto walked confidently and as he got closer he watched Jack's face, noting the momentary flicker before the smile faded and Jack blinked as he stepped back. Ianto pressed more, stepping in close and reaching out to touch him, Jack stepping back again, slamming into the shoulder of the horse who responded by shoving at him to get away.

Ianto laughed as he caught Jack, smashing their lips together and he felt Jack respond, then leap back as it struck.

The old man was right.

Something was controlling him.

Jack was visibly confused.

"Cariad… I was hoping for a moment of your time to discuss the baby. As a Bladesinger Spark there are things I need that are beyond the usual expenses for my chambers" Ian or said smoothly "Perhaps later? Come to my chambers to see what I mean before dinner tonight?"

"Yes… I would like… I mean… yes" Jack floundered and Ianto nodded.

Ianto walked away like he was walking on air when in truth his gut was flopping as the Spark also responded to what was clearly some dark magic in the air.

Ianto was pissed.

.

.

Ianto prepared for Jack's arrival by burning sage, filling the room with the scent and delicate smoke of cleansing… speaking softly to the gods as he told them of his fear, his hopes and his prayers. By the time Jack was knocking politely Ianto was ready, his clothing discarded in favour of a silk robe that clung to him in a generous way so the baby was clearly visible now.

"Cariad, please… come on in" Ianto said as he stepped back and made a flush of letting him enter, watching as Jack stepped into the room and hesitated, the cleansing spell lingering as he entered it as well.

Jack looked around "You… didn't change much."

"No… Lucy had great taste and it feels comforting to know she is near… her hands touched some of these things. It comforts Jax to feel her here" Ianto said as he motioned towards the bed "Over here, I have some brochures for you so you might understand the things I need for the Spark. I also have some for Jax, so we can try to fix his rough start."

Jack walked towards the bed and Ianto watched the Owl. Dexter's eyes started to glow as Jack neared the bed, the soft blue changing to a deep red once Jack was close young. Right. Good. An enchantment.

"You seem flushed… give me your jacket. It is warm in here, I like it that way" Ianto held out a hand and Jack automatically shrugged off his coat, reaching out to give it to Ianto and as their fingers touched Ianto seized his wrist, swinging him back to slam onto the bed with a yelp of shock.

"Gotcha" Ianto said like it was a game, straddling his husband as Jack yelped and tried to buck him off. Ianto knew it was something solid… an enchantment this strong... had to be something solid, physical to hold the power… Ianto's hands slid over his mate as he leaned in and kissed him again, the lust flowing enough to still jack's struggle.

Ianto's hands slid up Jack's torso and over his chest only to have Ianto rear back as if struck. His hand had brushed something… what it that? Ianto pulled the shirt open and stared at the pendant around Jack's neck.

"Where did that come from!" he demanded.

"Mama… it was my great uncle's or something. Ugly isn't it? She was fond of him so… I wore it for her. Huh. Forgot I even had it on" Jack said like he honestly did not know why it was there around his neck.

Ianto hummed, leaning over Jack again as he kissed him more forcefully and sent a silent apology to the Spark who was about to feel the first real pain of his existence.

Ianto seized Jack's shirt, the pendant in the handful of fabric and he yanked as hard as he could, removing both the front of the shirt and the offensive jewelry, then flung it across the room and heard the clunk of it striking the floor.

Jack moaned, seizing Ianto's hips and rolling them, the kisses deepening as the man he knew returned.

Nothing gentle, loving or caring in their rutting though.

Their need so strong, the desire to reconnect so powerful as both of them tore at one another like animals, their snarls and cries filling the space as their love vanquished any remaining negativity between them and finally… after three couplings… Jack slept.

Ianto had won the final round.

Chapter Text

Ianto slid from the bed, his husband debouched and sleep still, starfished on his back as he snored happily. Ianto pulled on his clothing, not caring that his hair was wild and his mood matched it.

Ianto crept over to the lump on the floor, crouching to carefully open the fabric. He stared for a long time at the pendant, and then he scooped up the fabric by its edges so he did not touch the pendant itself. He moved quietly from the room and walked along the corridor to the dining room where they had already started to eat. Rude but whatever… they were maybe… ten minutes late to the usual start time… Ianto didn't mind as he knew Gray loved food like his brother.

"There you are!" Gray said happily "Sorry, I said to start. I thought you were both not coming for the meal!"

"Jack is exhausted after travelling and I am being clingy. We have decided to eat in our chambers tonight, we will see you both at breakfast. I came to say so myself, it feels so rude on your first night here but of course... this is your home too. I should have thought about it and known you would take charge Gray. Thank you." Ianto smiled, looking over at Gwen who was pouring some wine.

Something felt… off.

He knew it was not her doing, she was not trying to push anything here. He trusted her, knew he could. He stood and considered things, knowing there had to be something here that let the old bitch still linger.

His gaze fell on Gray's bit of fluff.

"Grace. Ave you settled in OK?" Ianto asked, moving towards her with a soft smile, leaning over to let his hand drop. She ignored him like he was the hired help, but he did not mind that either. The pendant slid into her kerchief pocket of her gown without any trouble at all as he added "Do try the chocolate pudding…it is Jack's favourite you know."

"Always was" Gray agreed happily.

Ianto smiled as he turned to leave and Gwen rose from her chair, following him into the corridor "Ianto? Is Jack OK? He has seemed… so distant the last few days."

"He was missing us, missing home. A good sleep and a good feed… he will be his old bouncy self" Ianto smiled, reaching out to take her hand, then leaning forward he said softy "Beware of that girl. She might be here for Gray but she is a Mama Harkness clone. I sense a lot of … wrong… in her."

Gwen turned to look through the open doorway and nodded "I agree. She has been looking at me like I am about to sweep him out from under her or something. No offence but… he is nothing on my Rhys!"

"Exactly… sooner or later she might think so too… especially if she finds that we intend giving Rhys title and land when the two of you wed" Ianto winked. He enjoyed Gwen's face as she lit up and she threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek.

"You are such a wonderful brotherling!" she gushed, then laughed as she returned to the table, flushed and happy.

"What was that all about?" Rhys asked her.

"Just Ianto… being Ianto" she shrugged. "he is lovely."

Rhys nodded as he knew that Ianto was one of a kind.

Grace watched the interaction and frowned, her gaze then going to Gray and as she reached out to seize his hand for a little simper and eyelash blatt … he pulled away.

Huh?

.

.

Ianto slid back into the bed and kissed Jack's cheek before nestling against him, Jack humming as he moved to let the bedding be pulled over them both.

It was a short time later they both woke to the smell of food, the servants bowing politely as they placed a little two person table in the room along with chairs… table service... a vase of flowers… oh. Ianto was touched as loyal servants showed their affection for their masters being joined once more.

The Nanny bowed low, her hair brushing the floor as her tail slid over her shoulder and Ianto was also comforted knowing she would have watched the food prep like a wolf, checking for any and all fiddling.

He also noted the footman he had brought back from the capitol was standing got one side politely, his own Bladesinger Hair twirled on top of his head like a dark blue turban. A dark one. Ianto loved the tint of midnight blue their hair was and made a mental note to ensure some silver ribbons came in the next shipment from the family for his hair care. Clearly he made the time to create some amazing 'hats' from it.

"I am so hungry I could eat my horse" Jack said as he plonked in a chair then frowned "No… I would never eat my horse, I love my horse. I might eat yours!"

"Oh you awful fiend!" Ianto fake gasped, his hand fluttering against his chest as Jack laughed.

Ianto sat and reached across the table to touch the bare chest of his husband, letting his fingers trace the line between his chest muscles, up the breast plate and rib cage, then across the left breast to land over his heart. A tap three times in time to the shared heartbeat of their retuning bond, then Ianto drew his finger to his own lips, then back to the spot in a fingertip kiss.

Jack paused the toast he was about to bite and leaned forward for a kiss instead.

"It's like … I have not slept in years. That was the best sleep of my life, I feel so awake. So alive." Jack said happily "Juice darling?"

"Yes please Cariad" Ianto sat back and smiled softly "Aware. The word. You are aware of the world around you. The colours, smells… sounds. Amazing isn't it? Like being in a silent room too long."

"Exactly" Jack said and then frowned "Why?"

"Grief affects us all in different way my love. Your mother was… unique and you will always feel the loss. You needed time for your heart to adjust to the pain and it internalized for a while maybe? No you are home. It is time to restart our life… our children will be our focus now and your mother… will always be in our thoughts."

Jack ate heartily as Ianto sat back and tried not to visibly preen.

Always in our thoughts… every time he saw a big fat cow in the field.

Chapter Text

"If it's a girl, we can call her after Mama" Jack said at breakfast the next morning, Ianto pausing the juice he was about to sip to stare at Jack.

Grace went to speak but Ianto cleared his throat as he placed the glass down and smiled softly "Of course Cariad. If it is a girl we shall… by all means. That is a reasonable choice… lovely. Yes. However… if it is a boy… we could also name him after your father?"

The Spark liked this idea and Ianto felt the amusement as Jack considered "Franklin the second… no… third. My grandfather was Franklin too... oh wait… my oldest brother is a Franklin… older than me by almost eight years ya know… we always call him Linny …. Would be the fourth? I hadn't thought of that. He had six girls… can you imagine the horror? Clearly he cannot make boys. Yes… as the next boy in line… a sister between us… yes… I should name one after Daddy to keep the name going right?"

"Four of you… that's right. I had forgotten that… he is in another realm right? Like your sister… why we have never met. Pity. Might be nice to see all of them … of course they came for your mother's funeral, sorry I had to ditch that darling but… I was poorly and it was about your mother not me. Hmmm. Little Lin… or Frankie… ah. Frankie. I like that. Jax and Frankie off to do naughty things… like a couple of rogues… I like that" Ianto gushed "Clever man… look at that. You named our child."

"Just like that" Jack said with wide eyes "I can't believe it. That has to be the easiest naming of a child I have ever seen. Are you sure? Mama or Daddy?"

"Yes. Lovely… a joining of our lives, blood and families… he is my father now too, right?" Ianto smiled "And your mother… well… lovely to think of a little one with her name. Of course, your sister might like that honour too… since I am sure your older bother is done after six … oh dear what a handful of weddings to arrange. So, we may have to consider a little nickname for her."

Gwen looked at Ianto with wide eyes, not knowing that the Spark was a little boy like Ianto did and he tried not to grin as he winked at her and said "But… I do think a little Frankie would be cute too."

Rhys knew from Ianto's demeanor that it was a boy, been around enough Bladesingers to know and his snort was loud as he hid it with a cough.

Grace went to speak again and Gwen was faster "I would like to take a walk after breakfast, Ianto love… have you been in the garden lately?"

"The roses are coming into bloom" he agreed, "Lovely."

Grace went to open her mouth and Rhys said loudly "Jack and me can go for a ride… Gray Boy… coming for a canter bud?"

"Well! Can I get a bloody word in" Grace blustered.

Ianto leaned back to look at her with shock "Well… I never. Did your mother not teach you manners!"

"Grace… what the hell" Gray scolded his face changing to one of shock "that was uncalled for."

Jack looked around the table as Gray chewed thoughtfully and it was Grace, the Bitch.2 that then said "So you know it is a boy. Why you agreed to the Mama name knowing it would never be used?"

Ianto felt the temperature change as he tilted his head to address her "Excuse me madam. This is my house and my table you sit at. Monitor your tone. Also… I am pregnant. I do not need negativity or rudeness. How could I know what my baby is… Jack? You share the bond my love … can you feel the sex yet?"

Jack made a show of screwing up his face like he was constipated then said "I feel a little… like… warmth. Our child… I can sort of hear a heartbeat… like a whooshing noise. Far too early to feel anything else. I know, I have been reading up and it is too early to hear the child yet."

Ianto sipped his juice as he watched her squirm with anger then he added "Why does it matter to you? I suppose you wanted the name for your own child with Gray?"

Gray choked on his scrambled egg, pushing away from the table as he thumped at his chest, then started to laugh "Oh no…no… I don't think so."

"Never mind… if it is a girl, you can call your first born after your father right?" Ianto smiled softly "Or… I am sure there is another version we could come up with for your mother's name if Grace is so set on it. Oh dear… we could choose something else Cariad… if it means so much to her … I didn't' mean to be selfish wanting it for my child."

Jack rose from his chair, his face stony as he stared at the hapless woman "Gray. I suggest you control your fiancé, she is making a scene. MY mate is preggers and needs love, positivity and happiness for MY spark to grow. I have been reading everything I can and I know for a fact… for a fact… my baby can hear this and as much as I know my little one will love Uncle Gray… I am not so sure about Bloody Aunty Grace!"

Gray rose from his chair to face his brother "Don't worry Jack… I don't know if there WILL be an Aunty Grace right now. This is a side to her I have never seen! We have not announced yet… this might be something I think on more."

Ianto sipped his juice some more, pleased the silly bitch had worn the same overskirts to breakfast. That pendant still so strong. The Spark found his Dam's amusement soothing.

All is well.

Chapter Text

Ianto knew she would continue to be trouble and in the end… he was over this fighting thing. Not good for the baby ya know. He simply let Gwen make her life a misery and watched from a distance while keeping a regal air about himself.

"I feel sorry for Gray. I thought she might be the one but… she's not that shiny" Jack said after a while, watching the poor girl following Gray like a kicked puppy. "Mama usually has better judgement."

Ianto blinked, looking over at him and biting his tongue before thinking of a good answer "Maybe she fooled your mother. Her good heart."

Jack nodded, and then grinned as he looked at Ianto "Was that sarcasm?"

"Well… she did kill your first mate … tried to do for your second one sitting here next to you… she did seem to have a set idea of things. Not like her to make a mistake" Ianto said blandly.

"Well… I think she has to go" Jack sighed "I keep forgetting… it was like a fog."

It was the pendant. Ianto knew this now. Each time Jack started to feel the wrongness of his mother the pendant was correcting him. IT was now just a haze and most likely Jack would never fully get what had been happening.

Ianto chose to forgive for this, the witch's power clearly strong.

His was stronger.

As she found out.

He must have been grinning a bit because Jack reached out and took his hand, raising his hand to his lips then whispering "you look a little evil there darling."

"Thinking of the fun we had last night in the … room" Ianto winked and Jack laughed loudly then settled back. Ianto let their hands remain joined. He also decided to let the pain of what had happened go. This was beyond Jack's control. He knew this now and also knew Jack must have fought it at times to love him despite his mother's wishes.

"How is our little one doing?" Jack asked.

Ianto patted his stomach gently "sleeping. Like his big brother over there."

Jack looked over to watch Jax sleeping in the lap of the nanny, his little arms thrown out as he snored softly with her rubbing his chest lovingly. Him. Jack looked back and closed his eye as he reached out to touch Ianto's stomach, then smiled.

Him.

"It's a boy!" he breathed with delight.

"Do you think so? I do too… for a day or so now… I felt… yes. Oh Cariad, now you've said it I feel it stronger… yes. It is a boy" Ianto leaned over and kissed him "Clever man."

"I am hungry now… some fresh fruit I think" Ianto said, lifting a hand and laughing as the plate of fresh fruit appeared as if by magic, the servant blushing as they mentioned thinking he might want something sweet.

"Ah… we have such a wonderful family supporting us" Ianto smiled as he thanked the man who bobbed and blushed happily.

"I might go for a ride later, you up for one?" Jack asked.

"Actually I might be a lazy sod and go nave a kitty cat nap in the sunshine. You go... the girls might like to get their ponies out for a gallop too… especially if their uncle Gray is going too. They are quite smitten" Ianto laughed.

Jack kissed him and went to see what the kids wanted, in the end even strapping the little boy on his back and Jax was suddenly wide away and squealing with glee as he really liked horsies ya know.

Ianto went to the garden for the large sheltered corner with the willow tree that covered the seat he liked to snooze on. The pillows were already there along with a rug and again he felt loved by the staff who were fussing something fierce now. So nice.

Gwen was nearby weeding.

"Hello Gwen, Jack is about to clatter off on the horses with the kids, why not go with? He might like that. Rhys is going with them ya know" Ianto said as he settled and smiled when she rose to rush off and join the fun.

Ahhhh.

Peace at last.

Ianto closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

.

.

They were in a rush, yelling and laughing as they took off out of the courtyard for the huge open fields and more than one stable hand put down their tools and went to get something to eat now the Master was out of the house.

No one thought twice about the open stalls to be cleaned out yet.

.

.

Ianto was drifting, more asleep than awake and he felt a shadow fall over him, cutting off the warm sun and making him feel quite chilled. He opened an eyelid to see someone standing over him and he was about to auk what the hell was happening when they gave a shrill shriek and whoever it was got jerked back. Ianto sat up and looked on with horror as two horses attacked the woman, clearly not liking that pendant in her pocket either.

He yelled and stable hands tried to get control and finally Ianto rose, calling out as he lifted his hands and the horses stopped, panting heavily as they seemed to wake from some trance, looking around and calmly wandering back to their stalls as the woman lay on the ground groaning in pain from the biting and kicking she had endured.

"Well now Grace… you do seem to have bad luck lately" Ianto said as he motioned for someone to help her.

Somehow he knew Gray would not mind this ... ah… accident.

Things were working out nicely.

Chapter Text

"Jack?"

"She died" Jack said sadly.

"Ah. How is Gray taking it?"

Jack shrugged as he pulled off his shirt and looked around, then accepted the one Ianto had already chosen and was handing him "He knew they were not a good match but a shame to go like that. Those horses…"

"Something spooked them …maybe a bee? It was in the garden with all the flowers in bloom" Ianto replied as he stood and smoothed the clothing over his bump "Look. Bubba is popping out."

Jack looked and his far softened, letting go of Grace's demise via horse. Of course, Ianto was well aware that his kill count was rising rapidly and he had to stop for a while, hopefully that there would be no need for another one soon. Ianto was now assured a safe house and a quiet nest for the foreseeable future, at least until his chick was here.

.

.

Ianto stood staring at the id-screen in silent shock, not sure what could be said now.

"So you see poppet… things have changed and Mama and I can no longer even hope to see you before your spark comes. I know you want us there to welcome, and renew a bond with the little boy there as well but… well… you know how it is" Ifan grimaced as he watched Ianto's face pale slightly, then morph into the blank stare of a disappointed child. Again.

"So… when is she due?" Ianto said softly, hoping his voice was not shaking, his rage building as he imagined all the things that he might like to see happen to his little sister. Like a tree fall on her head of something.

"Well, she has just announced so … she will be due about three months after you, I think" Ifan grinned "Mam wants to travel now while it is cooler so we can be settled there and assist her in her final days. Pregnancy's last months are such an important thing for a bonding."

"Yes Da, I am well aware of that" Ianto snarled, unable to hide his anger any more "Of course, a male pregnancy is so much more dangerous for the Dam but by all means… Pip MUST come first. By the Gods, she must have had the poor man going at her constantly to fall so soon after I announced. Gods. OK. Pip wins again. Lovely. Shame you could not go from my realm to hers and witness both of the births…. Oh no… gods forbid I matter… of course. Pip comes first. Only my first birth."

"Oh don't be like that poppet" Ifan sighed "She did not do this to spite you! She is so small, frail and needs us."

"And apparently I do not. Here in a foreign realm where they do not even know that a blade ceremony is… of course I do not need you. Why would I start now, eh? Some things never change. Well… go. Enjoy your grandchild and know that I will… as always… do my duty as quietly as possible lest I upset her little sweetness."

"Ianto… come on now…"

Ianto cut the feed, watching the screen fade.

Then he screamed angrily into the empty room.

.

.

"What do you mean, not coming" Jack said with surprise "I thought it was all sorted. Owen gave me books on the subject and such… are they not to attend the birth for the bond with their grandchild to grow?"

"Yah... well… not you know why I put off doing the wing up for them. I knew there would be an excuse, there always is. I deep down thought it would be Mother's horror at 'slumming it' but really I should have known the little bitch would be jealous of a skosh of attention going elsewhere. I am trying to let it go, the spark knows something is going on and it is not his fault, I do not want him to know he is not loved by one of the sets of parentals, not when your father is such a wonderful man" Ianto said softly "I will simply do what I have always done… I will not speak to them until I can be calm again. Hopefully before the baby is born. If not. You will have to announce it to them. I will not let them upset me."

"Agreed" Jack nodded, angry for his love.

.

.

"What do you mean… you have to go!" Ianto said softly as he watched Franklin squirm in his chair.

"My brother seeks guidance on a matter and I have to go to Capitol City. Because of your baby Jack can stay here, he can beg off but all of the ruling families within the realm must attend."

"Botheration" Ianto sighed.

So the other grandparent would not be there either.

.

.

"So how does this work? Jack's father is a king but his brother is THE king?" Rhys asked.

"THE High King is Franklin's brother. Yes. Since the realm of so huge, it was split between the siblings, with the High King ruling over them all like a manager, then they control each area. So… there are three kings and a sister queen…. The oldest sibling is the boss of all of them." Ianto canted his head "not that different to our Old Fae ways."

"Ah. So the High King heads the group like a mayor and they are his council …. So it is a council meeting" Rhys nodded as Ianto hid his amusement.

Ianto just hoped there was not going to be more taxes added to the realms for the High King's young daughter's wedding that was announced just the other day. Ianto had ear tagged the profit from last year's crops for the baby's celebrations.

Seems like the poor little boy was going to be overlooked much as his older brother seems to have been.

Botheration.

Chapter Text

"Sweetling?" Ianto looked up from in the bushes to find Jack looking down at him with open confusion "What are you doing in there my love?"

"Hiding, get in here!" he hissed in response and Jack found himself sitting in the bushes with his husband, like a couple of thieves hiding from the guards as people rushed about in a panic.

"OK… we are here because…" Jack asked.

"Everyone knows. I had hoped that announcing would make things easier to control. Pip went and announced as well, took the joy from the event and now everyone is acting like I am spun fucking glass. It is driving me insane Cariad" Ianto hissed, pulling the bushes around them more to create a canopy as voices passed their spot.

"I am sorry about Pip." Jack grimaced, knowing the little cow had really cut close to the bone this time. Ianto had really been looking forward to seeing his parents and had been eagerly planning the refurbishment of the wing for them and showing off his little realm.

To tell the truth, Jack had been looking forward to watching him shine too.

"Well… Daddy will be getting into the Capitol about now, his Hover touching onto the Regal Hover Pad. No doubt the meeting will drag for a day or so. Tonight he will contact us and tell us how Uncle is looking. I know he is recovering well from the fall but there are still days where he is a little tired. Thank the gods for the healers your family sent." Jack tried to take Ianto's mind off things.

A little giggle had him turning to peer under the bush to his left and he found two little girls pressed against the dirt "What the…. Girls?"

"Hi Daddy" Ali giggled "We are hiding from everyone."

Jack frowned "And where, might I ask… is your brother?"

"Other side" Ianto whispered and Jack looked past Ianto to find his toddler sitting in the dirt happily sniffing a flower he acquired from somewhere.

"How long have you all been in here?"

"Long enough to decide the evening menu, the dresses they want to wear tomorrow and according to our son here… flowers are cool" Ianto said in a bored tone like they were so over it all.

So cheeky, such a Tiger. They were playing a game and Jack could see that his children were loving it. He decided to play along… this might be his last time before the baby comes to show his children that he loves them all equally. He did worry that the new bub might bring some problems. If would be a strong Bladesinger… much more than little Jax was now and the girls had seen the reactions to their brother when he was born, Jack worried that seeing another Bladesinger babe come into their family might upset them more.

To tell the truth… if felt nice in the cool of the bushes. It was roomy, the ground soft and as Ianto laid back Jack joined him. Pleased when the children all cuddled to them with Jax in the middle, a parental either side of him and a girl on each side of the parental.

Jack realized that they were bonding… nesting… communing and as he closed his eyes and let his mind drift he heard the soft giggles of Ali in the bond. Of course, they had Bladesinger in them too and Ianto was taking moments to help them find themselves.

Jack felt a little remorse there.

They had not known their heritage at all, his mother such a fucking prude.

Ianto was here now though.

He was fixing it.

..

.

Ianto could see the message blinking at the corner of the screen and after considering for a moment he touched it, steeling himself for the latest barrage of Pip Bullshit. Instead he was surprised to find one of his old masters there with a soft smile "Boy, if you have the time to watch this message, you have the time to bloody talk to me. I hate these damned things!"

Ianto laughed softly.

"Listen…Penelope is kicking up some sort of fuss over a crown… a filigree one that she wants to wear for a commissioned portrait of her once she is fat and ready to pop and I know you have it. Your Grandmother gave it to you and she knows, she is now trying to make out it is communal property and she wants it… tell me you took it with you. I know you hate the thing but it is your birth rite… tell me you have the Righteous Crown and the blades to match. Your Grandmother was clear that they are yours and she would be pissed as hell to find that little shit with them. She would come from beyond the veil to throttle us all."

Again Ianto laughed softly at the image of his long gone sweet Grandmother haunting them. He tapped the screen to respond "Master Hafflin. I do have what you ask about. They were gifted to me officially, you can find the papers Grandma sighed in the vaults… also it was witnessed by Master Flerd and Master Polim. Father was there as was my oldest sister Rhiannon. She has no claim."

He sent the message and settled back to consider Pip and her need to be so fucking important. He did not understand why she felt this need, clearly she was the favorite. Must she seek reassurance of that all the time?

His hands went to his bump and he sent loving thoughts.

He would not do that to his children. He loved them all so much, blood not a factor here. They were bonded by love. His daughters… his sons.

Pip though ….

Ianto hoped she only had the one child, gods forbid she have more than one for she would definitely choose one to lavish attention on… the prettiest, smartest one and the others would be pushed aside like everything else in her world.

His parents had created a monster.

He felt a little hatred for them there… hard not to.

No.

She is their problem now.

Chapter Text

A sound.

Ianto did not know what it was but it woke him and he sat up with a sharp intake of breath, turning to find Jack awake and rising as well "What the hell was that?"

"Distant thunder?" Ianto asked softly, rising to walk to the balcony that overlooks the courtyard, looking to the horizons in the hopes of seeing rainclouds. So hot and sticky, it would be welcome for the crops.

"See anything?" Jack called out as he rolled in the bed to watch his beautiful mate in the moonlight.

Ianto frowned as he strained his eyes "Weird. Something is glowing to the… over there in the distance like… almost like the sun is trying to come up again."

Jack was behind him, hands on his hips as he snuggled into his back and looked in the same direction "Huh. You're right, it IS glowing… maybe the Capitol is putting on a light show? That is over there."

A soft ping sounded, then something new. Alarms.

Ianto swung to watch Jack's face and as Jack turned to run for a robe it hit…. The shockwave slamming into the castle and Ianto was thrown back, Jack leaping to cushion his fall as they lay in shock.

"Jack? What…."

"Are you OK" Jack asked shakily, getting to his hands and knees and helping Ianto sit up "By the Gods, what the hell was that?"

"It is as if the Gods breathed out a sigh for some reason" Ianto said as he got to his feet and assured Jack that he was fine, no harm. Ianto looked again at the glow "It's stronger now… Jack… Jack is…. Is that… flames?"

Jack ran for the Vid-screen that was still pinging softly and touched the screen, the face one familiar but not the one he had wanted to see "Your Highness… here has…. We are unsure if it is an accident or sabotage but there has been an explosion in the city… the Royal House is gone, the surrounding keep in ruins… several of the outer village dwellings also gone… it is estimated that several hundred have lost their loves…. Highness… my… my king… I …"

The man stopped talking, a sob escaping as he turned to listen to someone off-screen then look at Jack again "Highness …. I fear your father is gone… I … they all are."

"Oh gods" Ianto said softly as he cinched his robe tighter around the bmp "Gordon, are you telling us that the royal family have been assassinated?"

"Yes Prince Ifan… it seems so. They took out several another families and servants... night staff… guards… over a hundred soul within the castle itself, another hundred or so outside in the surrounding guest dwellings … The High King… his siblings… his son … all gone."

Jack had started to weep softly for his beloved father, sitting on the bed to grieve as Ianto focused on the more important and horrible thing that was happening here "Who else?"

"My … mi' lord?"

"Who else is there alive in the bloodlines. Tell me… the High King's son… what other is in line…"

The man stared at Ianto silently and he knew. He sat heavily beside Jack, his hands on the bump and he knew why they had been contacted so soon after the blast. "Thank you Gordon. Please… see to your people."

Ianto rose and closed the call, then turned to watch Jack weep. After considering, the reached to the screen and touched a series of buttons, the screen in the Guard House coming to life as those in the room froze "Attention. This is Prince Ifan … This is… fuck … his is His Majesty king Ifan … all hands… all hands. The High King and his family have been assassinated. All Hands… to arms. I want protection around this keep, I want it swept for any sign of terrorism and I want guards with my babies … protect your royal family… protect your kings! "

He watched the world come to life, swinging as he reached out, his hand almost there to close the screen to see Rhys staggering into the room to stand and stare at Ianto then with a sigh Rhys did the thing Ianto knew he would have to get used to.

Rhys took a knee and bowed "All hail the kings."

The world before, they people they were before this dark morning now gone forever and Ianto stared back then turned back to the screen to watch those in the guard house take their knees and bow heads. Ianto struggled with his tears to stare back. Ianto drew himself up and reached back to place a hand on Jack's shoulder before replying "Thank you Rhys. High Majesty Jackson and myself need service. Come… serve to kings."

Ianto let them take time to realize what was done, what he had said and one by one they rose from their knees to rush for their arms … to serve the new rulers of their realm.

By the time Ianto cut the feed Jack was on his feet, his mind engaging finally as he pushed his grief aside "What do I do."

"Wake the advisors, turn up the lights in the War Room and draft your first official statement as the King" Iain said softly as he turned to face him, reaching out to place his hands either side of his face, then kissing him gently.

"And you?"

"I am calling my daddy. We are in danger and night now I need protection from whomever is doing this. Regicide I something no realm should see… let's make sure we are safe. Our babies are." Ianto said as he kissed Jack again "Now go… get dressed and head to the War Room… begin to assess our damage here. Also… you will have distant family wanting to reach out, reassure themselves that there is still a head of the family."

"Me" Jack said morosely.

"US" Ianto corrected firmly "I am with you all the way."

Jack felt the comfort in the nod and nodded back, heading to his fate.

Ianto turned to the screen and took a cleansing breath before beginning his own work.

Good thing that little bitch had reminded him that he has the crown.

He would have to wear it now.

Chapter Text

Ianto spoke briefly to his father and father's advisors while he dressed. He chose strong Boeshane colours along with headgear and then after consideration he took one of Jack's sashes from the closet and slid it over his one shoulder… the sash of the royal family. He had to be strong, he had to represent his husband as well as remind everyone of the simple fact that he was also royalty.

He entered the War Room to find it in full swing. A screen showed faces and Ianto felt sorrow in seeing the small children amongst the line-up of the dead, walking over to the the screen and make it change to an overview of the ruined Capitol City Center.

"Shit" Jack said softy from behind him "They are still looking for survivors…. And bodies. Mostly finding bodies. It's a mess."

"And we have been swept here for any signs of the same explosives?" Ianto swung to address the men in the room.

"Yes your Highness… we have…"

"Sire. Sire or Majesty" Ianto corrected gently "Jack and I are now the reigning kings of the realm, with or without a coronation. Jack is the highest ranking family member still alive… my father has confirmed that … as this is actually my realm and Jack's family are Regents… that means technically Jack and I both now rule."

"I thought so" one of the elders nodded "your people overthrew ours in a bloodless battle recently. Yes. Apologies Sire… we are all slightly addled here."

"Of course, this is… horrible. But let us show unity and strength at a time when our people are terrified. I want a large guard presence in the village, armed guards walking the streets in pairs. Let them see that we are many, strong and angry. Comfort them that they are safe in their homes now." Ianto turned to Jack who was watching him silently "Cariad. How do you want to proceed?"

"The site… we need to go. I know you hate that place… but we must pay respects." Jack said sadly.

"Yes. I know, servants already prepared the large Hover. We will go, lay flowers and show our grief so they know it is Ok to grieve too. I do hate that place but it is immaterial right now. The Capitol is the heart of the Kingdom and we must go, rebuild and show strength." Ianto nodded "I agree my darling. Yes. I will go talk gently to the kids… I am not letting them come because we might see… oh gods. We cannot travel together… if there is an attack we are sitting ducks. No.. I can not travel without you after last time. We will need a series of Hovers... identical so there is no telling which one we are in and which are empty."

"A shell game?" Rhys asked with a nod from the doorway "I will go make sure we have three the same. Good idea."

Ianto watched him go and turned to Owen who was silently watching everything "Owen. Survivors…what injuries might we expect to see?"

Owen started to talk of those pulled from the rubble, the reports of injures and Jack felt himself relax as Ianto led the room and let him have a moment to steady himself. Then the screen pinged and Ianto groaned, he did NOT need this.

He opened the screen to find the last person he wanted to see glaring at him. He touched the mix-coms button and saw the responding light to say his father was joining the conversation.

"Hello Pip."

"Her Royal Highness Princess Penelope of the Regal Killians to you!" she replied haughtily and Ianto watched for his father to intervene, hurt that he didn't.

"Pip, I am rather busy right now and…."

"Busy. You. Doing what… polishing shoes?" she sneered then laughed like it was a huge joke.

"Jack's family has just been assassinated in the Capitol and we are preparing to head out to see what can be done for the empire thank you very fucking much" Ianto roared with anger, hoping it was strong enough in the family bond for her to feel "how feckin dare you call me at a time of mourning to gloat over… whatever it is you think you have or did better than me. Why not just fuck off Pip."

"HOW DARE YOU!" she screamed with genuine hatred now, her face morphing as she leaned in close "Shame you didn't die too."

"Enough"

Their father's voice was firm "Ianto? What did you say of Jack's family?"

"The High King has been killed, his entire family as was Jack's father and all the cousins. It appears that Jack might be the highest of the bloodline still here to take the throne and we are now heading to help calm the situation." Ianto sighed.

"Oh… so Yawn-oh will be a queen?" Pip laughed in a cruel way.

"Actually Pip, this is MY realm, gifted to me from Mama" Ianto said with satisfaction, watching her face drain of colour "So technically, I am the High King now… always was. Jack's family are the Caretakers… a Regency. Jack and I shall rule together I think. Time of me to wear the crown."

Pips' eyes narrowed, stepping closer still, she must be almost touching her screen "You have it. You have my crown."

"No Pip. I have MY crown, and you shall never wear one as powerful." Ianto said with emphasis on the power part, "Never mind little sister, you will be a pretty little queen for your wee spot, yes? Oh wait… sorry… you did not marry high enough for that. You will be a Duchess when his brother takes the throne, right? Oh… Duchess of Regal Killians. Hmmmm… D.O.R.K. Oh dear, you will be a dork."

She roared with anger, slamming her screen now.

Ianto felt her thorough the bond, her anger releasing the walls and he knew. He knew her secret.

"Pip. Dirty pool there. You are not with child… look at you. You are drunk right now… the only spark in the bond of our bloodline is mine. Shame. Shame on you for pretending just to usurp my attention. Shameful." Ianto snarled, knowing his father would feel the bond just as strongly.

As would another "Penelope? I need you to come to my presence."

The girl's face changed to one of horror "Mama? Mama, i… am too unwell to travel and… and… I fear I might loose the baby… a miscarriage… yes… I think I … oh no."

She put on a silly performance of grabbing at her gut while crying out, falling to her knees.

"Stop it you stupid child… you dropped your walls when you attacked him. I see you… I see you child and I see no youngling within you… and Ifan is correct… you are drunk! You should not be on an open line like this, bringing shame to my family!" the Queen snarled and Ianto reached out, waving with his fingers in the way Jack does.

It seems to piss her off that same way it did with him.

Ianto cut the feed.

Fuck them.

He had work to do.

Chapter Text

Ianto walked as confidently as he could towards the three Hovers with the Boeshane Robes covering his Boeshanninan colours, the beast of a vessel sitting pristinely on the Hover Pad. Three huge beasts that were identical and all three wore the Royal crest of Boeshane. Ianto took a deep breath and nodded to Rhys who made a motion for the first Hover to take off, watching it rise slowly and turn so it was heading towards the Capitol, then Ianto and Jack went into the second one, Owen there waiting for them with a solemn face.

They took off and the third one followed, smaller Security hovers move around them all like gnats around an elephant. Ianto hated leaving the kids behind but knew they were safest there, the little one inside him the one in danger now. He knew he would have to be on his toes.

The flight was long and silent, both men taking the time to hold hands and reflect in silent prayer for those lost. Ianto was also wondering why it was done. Who had tried to wipe out the family, not knowing Jack was not there like he was supposed to be.

"Cariad?"

"hmmm?"

"If you had died also… all of us there like the invite had requested …. if your entire bloodline was gone… who takes the throne?" Ianto asked gently.

Jack blinked and then frowned as he focused on Ianto's line of questioning "I don't know love. Good question."

And therein lay the question.

.

.

The silence was the first thing he noticed as he stepped from the Hover, the other two touching down as well and the armada of security making the pad full of silent threat to anyone who might try to approach.

Ianto walked confidently with the Bladesinger colours hidden by the large Boeshane robes in the bright light, as were the blades at his hips. The small crown on his head that of his Grandmother's line… the Old Blood that denoted this man to be the true owner of this realm… hidden under the headdress. He felt in control.

Maybe… maybe it was time he decides if he is.

.

.

Ianto entered the main hall and noticed the chaos, walking to the head of the table with Jack following him silently. The impromptu throne room in the Great Hall that was actually the outer building for visiting realms which was outside of the blast radius thank goodness. They settled in the thrones waiting for them, Jack careful to take the higher one as Ianto had instructed him to. Ianto might 'own' the Realm but Jack's family had rules it for so many generations that it would seem … crass… to change that now. Besides… it was all mote once their son takes the throne… right?

The advisors that had rushed from the outer realms came and knelt as well, all of them both eager and afraid to replace those lost in the explosions that Ianto could still smell on the wind.

"Sires…"

"We have not been sworn in" Jack said calmly "The first thing we need it to quickly… swear Ianto and me in as the new rulers of this realm so we can officially protect and serve."

"Yes Sire… we will do that momentarily…. Is there something we can effort while that is being prepared?" one of the old women asked, her eyes firmly locked on the man in the plain robes, his hair covered to hide that he was a Bladesinger. Her own so faded that there was a mere flick of blue here and there amongst the sliver of age.

"I want to know who stood to gain from the demise of the royal family" Ianto replied softly "Who is still here that could claim the throne… had Jackson been attending with his family like he had been supposed to?"

"My King" she bowed low so her forehead touched the ground, then she rose and swept from the room, some of those in the back of the room scattering with fear from the witch.

Ianto felt no such fear. She was one of his old tutors after all… a cousin cross-breed from the Terillion Realm that had both the Old Blood and the Eye of the Rook. Like his beloved Master. Oh yes, she will find out.

Ianto then rose from the throne "Swear us in… then his Majesty the Mighty King Jackson will retire with the advisors to agree on a strategy for rebuilding. I will then go to the blast site where I will pay respects and lay flowers."

"No… I go with you." Jack said strongly "Nothing else matters but the respect to those gone. We will look forward only after we have bowed to those behind us now…. For their deaths herald our path forward."

"Well said" Ianto answered softly as he kissed his cheek "Well done."

Jack smiled as he knew he had to be a strong man now. Ianto had named him. The Mighty King Jackson. Oh yes… he will be Mighty alright… and he will grind those bones to help mop up the blood of his enemies.

The hand moving to Ianto's stomach as their spark moved within was a comfit to them all.

Oh yes.

The Mighty King Jackson would rule with a strength and fairness that was metered by his beloved. The Sweet King Ifan would become known as the one to give blessings, favours and affection.

But that is all to come… than will be then… this is now.

And right now… they would both be savage against their enemies. For that Spark within and the three souls waiting for their return to their country home. Even if Ianto knew life would never be as it was before the blast and deep down… in the dowels of his soul… he was already home.

The Capitol he hated so much… was now his house to clean.

Chapter Text

Ianto hung back, the stench making his stomach rebel as Jack walked confidently amongst the dead, taking a knee now and then to touch the pristine face of a child, or brush the hair from the face of a woman who was laid next to the baby she had tried to protect in their last moments.

Ianto knew he was going to hurl, knew the bub was horrified at the images he was unable to shield him from completely and the flecked blue hair of the Bladesinger Representatives called to him, making him stager over to take a knee and bow his head in prayer to the gods for mercy. A loving welcome to these people who his parents sent to the meeting and inevitably to their doom and… and… Ianto recognized one. He reached out to take the slack hand and held it, weeping softly as he saw one of his tutors. This woman had been kind to them, all the children and especially …. Pip. Ianto looked closer at her, her clothing barely scorched, she had almost made it out, as if…. Why was her body not as badly damaged as the others were?

Ianto rose and motioned over one of those with a tablet "This one… was she found with the others of her group?"

"No your highness" the man said dismissively "She was here actually …. Almost made it out. Seems at the last minute the guards stopped her to request her pass."

"Majesty" Ianto corrected firmly, his anger showing "I am one of your kings, take a fucking knee and respect me!"

Those working around them halted to swing and see the man standing tall and proud, his eyes flaring with anger. The worker looked a little startled and looked around for guidance. "Well?"

"Ah…. Whatever" the man finally blurted, and took off in the other direction as Ianto stood with shock. What? Oh no… nope. Not here, not was he stood near the dead of his people… that is not… gonna hurl. Fuck.

Ianto rushed to a alleyway to his right and gripped the edge of the building as he vomited, his hand going to his stomach as he tried to soothe the babe who was now angry at the insult the interaction had caused.

"Oh dear… let me look at you sweetie" a voice said as he leaned back to let a woman wipe his face with a cool cloth. "I came looking for my son to wash and burry, instead I find this mess… poor boy. Come… sit over here. Take a moment, the smell is dire."

Ianto sat heavily and without thinking, he pulled off the headdress to relive the heat. The woman's eyes widened as the blue hair came into view and Ianto sighed as he rubbed his face with the cloth, ignoring the chaos around him. Finally he remembered something else and he sat back to eyeball her.

"My king" she whispered softly "Put that back on… and get thee to your palace over to the West of this place. Get guards and get safe. Do you not know the rumours? Is it the Bladesingers that were targeted. Apparently it was the end of the War Room they were seated in that went first."

Ianto did not want to hear that, the place he would have sat out of respect for his elders… nope. Ianto fought the urge to throw up again and he rose, letting her help him with his headdress.

The Bladesinger palace. Of course. His parents had their own embassy here… he had forgotten that.

Jack saw Ianto moving for a Hover and he hastened after him "Tiger you OK?"

"The stench is turning my stomach, I need… I need to go somewhere quiet to regain myself. I do not need you to come if you need to tend here" Ianto said with more calm than he felt "The Bladesinger Embassy is intact and I will head there to refresh my lungs and soothe our son."

Ianto could see that Jack was torn so he placed a hand on his arm "You are the mighty king… go… be mighty. Gnash your teeth…. Demand renege and tell them that war was declared this day… this was their declaration. Ours will be louder… and more final. You named me the Sweet King… I am getting sour right now and must retreat, for our chickie."

A kiss and Ianto was on the Hover, Rhys flying it with speed over the edge of the blast while Ianto kept his hands in his lap and his eyes cast to his feet least he look out the window and see more of the horror below.

Who would do this?

Who would target not just all the families like this but specifically his? Had he and Jack been there they would have sat that end out of respect. And the biggest question of all… why was that old woman not with them… why was she …. Escaping?

Huh.

That is the word that had been whispering in the back of his skull.

She had been escaping. Fleeing the blast…. Before it was even a blast.

She knew.

This left him with one final question.

Who ordered her to place that bomb?

Chapter Text

Ianto swept toward the Embassy gates and was not surprised to find the guards moving to block him. The Boeshanninan robes not giving away who he was and as he came level with them he raised a hand to swept them back, their shock at an unseen force simply… shoving them out of the way… would shock anyone I guess.

Ianto was moving with speed, his anger raw and his strength… his power starting to build as the crown in his hair settled more… grew and became a little more. By the time he reached the War Room of the embassy there were several others following with alarm and the air crackled with anger.

Ianto swept into the room, flinging back the robes to let them flutter to the ground and the blades at his highs swung openly. He reached out and tapped the vid-screen then stepped back and waited, his father's face soon looking back at him.

"Daddy… it is an attempt on me" he said immediately lest the King be distracted. Ianto then pulled off his headdress and fling it back to join the robes a harried man was trying to pick up then turned back to his father "The bomb was placed at the Bladesinger section of the table, where Jack and I were supposed to sit. It took out all the Bladesingers bar one who almost escaped but was caught in the outer blast by guards who were confused as to why she was fleeing the building."

"Bladesinger?" the king repeated softly "Sweetie… are you sure?"

"Daddy… this was a shot at me. Jack's brother Gray is unharmed in his kingdom to our west. Would he not inherit Jack's crown? Who owns this realm? Who knows? Not many, the takeover was quietly done and the family allowed to remain in place as Regents. Whoever did this was taking out everyone, including the remaining family but most of all… most importantly… it was aimed at my family. Me. The Crèche for the children one floor above that end of the table… my children!" Ianto was firm now, the idea solid and gaining momentum as he went over things out loud "Someone who would rule now we are all gone… who Daddy? If I were to die and all those of rights… who would the realm be given to? Hmmm? One of Jack's cousins? His brother? Or one of MINE!"

Silence as the old man tired to work it out. Then saw the logic to it all. The horrible logic.

"Well… ah… the twin girls would not do such a thing… they would not want their husbands to get a different crown to their shared realm, both of them happy in their realm" Ifan said, then stalled out as he recalled the recent conversations regarding crowns. "Ah."

"Ah" Ianto agreed "Daddy… could it possibly be? The one who had fled…. She was Cortessa Gerrant. Pip's teacher and advisor. You remember her… she argued with mama about Pip wearing that hideous gown to the party that time… mama called her rabid."

"I remember her Teddy Bear" his mother's voice said softly and Ianto watched her step into view from the side of the screen's camera where she had stood listening "you are right. If you and you bloodline were wiped out… the realm would likely go to Pip as she would not get a crown otherwise. Oh… botheration. She could not be this brash, would she?"

Ianto looked at his mother … long and hard… "Mama… there is no need for me to answer that as you already know. Don't you. She is pinging right now? Seeking audience?"

His mother touched her screen and it flickered, then Ianto saw his sister on the screen, her face covered in tears "MAMA! I just heard… the horrid slaughter of the Boeshanninan royal house.. this is so horrible. Are you and Daddy OK? Do you need me to come home? Oh Mama… the shock if this is too much…I fear I am losing my chick… poor Ianto. Oh no… I have talked with my husband and we are ready to move when and where we are needed to help with the rebuilding of this empire. The Bladesinger Realm shall endure. I am ready to do my part."

Ianto folded his arms and wondered if she could see him in the corner of her screen, his anger now flaming in the bond. OK. She felt that and was now looking at her father with confusion "Daddy? What's wrong?"

"Penelope? I want you here… with me and mama. Now. No excuses, the first Hover here so we might have you in our arms" he said firmly and Ianto felt a morbid satisfaction as he knew what the old man was doing. Get her home. Get her in their grasp and a finger's touch would tell them everything. Her firewalls were always shit. Daddy always knew if she had stolen or broken something she was blaming on the others… usually Ianto. Even if he let her away with it… he knew.

She nodded and closed the call leaving Ianto alone with his parentals once more and he sighed "you know what you will find."

"And she knows the penalty for it, if it is true" the queen snapped, then grimaced "Sorry Teddy Bear, I do not mean to take it out on you but… of all of you she got the most. Demanded the most and used the most. If she is truly this greedy that she would kill her own brother and his entire realm's bloodline to get that crown… I … I do not know what to say."

"Then I shall say it for you" Ianto said as he locked eyes "If she is capable of that… knowing the chick in me is part of this… what else is she capable of? Are the boys next? Are you next?"

"Steady on there, little Ted" the king snorted with mirth, then his smile faded "shit."

"Yes. He is right. How far would Pip go given the fact she sees herself as the victim in all she does" the queen frowned "We let her go too far Father. We let her gain too much power… my goodness… Ianto. Turn your head, let me see my family crown?"

Ianto obliged and they all watched the crown take in the light like it was made of starlight.

"Well now… that is something" the old king started to laugh softly "Look at that. Ianto… heavy is the head that wears the crown… strong is the spine of the one that can."

Ianto nodded knowing what his father meant.

The Righteous King Ianto was now standing in his Realm and the decision had been made with or without him. The ancestors… the blood… had decided.

The crown now large and imposing as it shone in the light.

Like a mighty stag's horns… Ianto's crown showed his ability to butt heads… and take some off if need be.

Those blades at his sides no longer ornamental as he felt them in his hands.

They were his judge and jury… he of course… would be the executioner.

Chapter Text

So clearly Sober Pip did not know what Drunk Pip was doing, hence the drunken tirade followed by the sober one like she had never confessed. Ianto knew the arguments would roll around until they decide she has some mental issue and instead of being a spoilt bitch who simply 'dumbed' her way out of things. Ianto knew he would not see the beheading he would have personally preferred… Pip will get pampered in a padded cell. Yeah. How it is sometimes done… and Ianto now knew he had to let that go… not his monkey… not his circus.

Besides… he knew that was an act and she was about to get caught in her own web.

Ianto walked from the room with his blades on show, the crown glinting and his hair loosely swinging about his shoulders. No warrior's tail here… oh no. He would fucking shine.

Those taking a knee did so with awe as they saw the old blood sweeping through the palace. Doors were flung open, windows too. Dust was cast out and people rushed to open all the living chambers that were usually closed this time of year. Ianto was here… their king was here… and he was demanding his comfort.

By the time Jack and his advisors arrived the place was a hum of activity and the guards swept to one side respectfully as he walked with his security detail through the gates, looking up at the building he had not even noticed before.

"Sire… his majesty is in the War Room" Rhys said loudly as he walked towards Jack and motioned for him to follow before lowering his voice "This place is a bit of a rabbit warren until you get your bearings Sire. See the cute little tiles on the floor? See some are different colours and seem to move in a line… every fourth one if blue. Blue is your quarters. Blue blood. Red is for anger… the War Room. Follow them in this direction and you will find it."

Jack was interested as he watched their feet "Purple?"

"The children's quarters and nanny."

"Yellow? No. don't tell me. Food."

"Yes" Rhys grinned "Yellow is for the gut. The dining area and kitchens beyond. Yes. Bladesingers love colour."

"I have noticed" Jack smiled as he felt some comfort in the way Rhys was acting like this was any other day, not one of the hardest of Jack's life. They entered the War Rom to find Ianto standing there at the screen talking to Gray.

"GRAY!" Jack cried with relief, rushing to reassure himself that his brother was safe.

"Jack, you should have seen it. The Royal guards swept in and covered the entire place with bluster and steel… some of Ianto's people too. His parentals sent representatives to guard us, some are at your place too so the kids are protected against whatever the hell this is. Thank god I did not come like I was supposed to… the rains came early and cut off the pass."

"It is contained, I think" Ianto agreed "Mop up will be the thing. I need to seek others here this end of the string who are involved so I might yank hard enough hot catch me a few fish."

"What do you need?" Jack asked.

"For you to be front and centre, you need to make public announcements, you need to be the face and the voice of this tragedy. The Mighty King… let me be soft, gentle and sweet. Let them think you are the one in charge and I am your simpering sweet mate. Let them think of me as no threat. It will make the taste of their blood on my blades all the sweeter. They will learn why I am called the Sweet King… oh yes. My revenge shall be sweet indeed. I cannot touch HER but I can get to her minions still loose and able to strike at any time."

"My… you talk with such venom" Jack said softly "are you OK?"

"No. I am pissed as hell … but I shall be fine Cariad. I have you. My handsome, strong and capable partner." Ianto assured him, patting his chest.

"So... who is the fish you want to reel in?" Jack asked, dread now as he felt that Ianto knew the entire cast of this play even if he did not.

"Pip's handler."

"your sister… surely not. I mean… there are children…. God. If so… it is the highest crime of her bloodline isn't it? To kill other Bladesingers?" Jack asked with horror.

"No… to kill her own flesh and blood is. Two of our cousins, my mother's sister's children, were there. She killed direct family. Someone put this in her head, someone carried out her random orders with a vicious cunning… no… there is someone still in play" Ianto frowned, then turned to look at something on the screen once more "And the bond is in flux. Something else is happening, I don't know what."

"Yes. I feel it too" a voice said and they turned to find an elderly lady sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, her hands in her lap were crippled and clutched tighter.

Ianto started for a moment then said softly "Old Mother."

Jack watched Ianto move to crouch down, reaching for those hands to pick them up and kiss them gently. Old Mother. Jack racked his brain. Shit. That is what Ianto calls the old Nanny he talks of. This as his old nanny? Jack stepped forward and leaned into a bow to be polite.

"What is it Old Mother?" Ianto asked gently.

"When our Pip got too big for me and they got the other one in… the one who coddles her… I went to Rhiannon and her children coming." The Nanny said softly "I also helped when Gareth's first born came… I …"

"Old Mother… why are you here?" Ianto asked with dread in his voice.

"I came with your sister's child… David." She finally sobbed "He came to represent."

Ianto sat heavily as he stared at her and knew it was true. The thing not right in the bond, the weirdness to it. Someone was missing from the hum. David. The oldest of Rhiannon's children, now a young man … no. No. "No"

"I had hoped he would be back by now" she started to weep and Ianto rose to sat something, only to watch the doors open and the man in question stagger in.

David was covered in ask and debris, blood on one side of his face a she stood there staring at Ianto with open shock "Uncle? What… what are you doing here?"

"Came for a picnic lunch" Ianto said softly, then he looked the young man up and down "Tell me David… why are YOU here?"

David seemed confused with the question and he turned to motion the man behind him "We are here at the behest of Aunt Penny… Sean and me… we are here to represent."

"Sean. Gareth's boy" Ianto said softly as he rose and approached the young man that looked to be more his own age, older than David by a long shot even tough David was the elder of the two. David was fifteen and Sean was a mere eleven, but he looked so much older. Gods, where does the time go.

Both boys were shielding from the bond… now he knew why as he looked at the both of them. They had helped, tried to help. Good boys. Their despair raw. Innocent and horrified.

"Sean… who told you to do this? Does your Da know where you are?"

Sean looked around furtively and said softly "Aunty Pippy said it was a surprise. We were to come, bring the men she assigned to us and we would get our own horse drawn carriages, like the ones Grandmamma has in the big palace. Even said we could choose the horses. We would then be revealed as the spokesmen at the meeting and have our coming of age early."

"Yeah" David agreed with his cousin, nodding enthusiastically "She said we were old enough to represent the blood."

"And you are the only two males in the youngest generation apart from mine… holy shit. I know why now" Ianto gasped to Jack with open anger now "She was taking out all the males in this generation so her first child might be the only grandson!"

"What?" Jack spluttered.

"We know this is a boy… they all know this is a boy… she wanted to be first to have a son, made no bones of it and the way Mama and Da fuss on the grandkids… oh god. Mica" Ianto rushed to check on his sister and beloved only niece.

Finally he knew why… not that it helped.

IT was never about a crown.

It was not about bragging rights.

She wanted the bloodline.

Chapter Text

"David, look at mother" Rhiannon said firmly as she stood at her full height, filing the screen "Tell me again what aunty Pippy said."

Ianto sat to one side, sickened to his core at the reason for all this death and his fear for those children left behind at their castle. He knew the guards were on alert, that his parents had sent more but… damn. Pip really wanted to be the only one with a grandchild to flash about like the latest fashion accessory?

Ianto knew his parents were on the call as well, his mother's anger filling the bond as she listened with horror to the plans laid out, the man in the holding cells … the man assigned to David and Sean as an advisor weeping as he confessed to his part in the plans. John Hart, Jack's man, it seems is artful in his conversations.

Gwen had insisted on staying with Ianto even as her hands shook and Rhys was comforted to see her safe. At least they were all together and in a place of safety. For now.

Soon several others were rounded up and the flames of Ianto's ire burned high. Ianto did not want to know, or hear. Jack took on that part with a righteous air about him that commanded the room and those in it.

.

.

Ianto retired to the bedchambers to hide his sorrow and Jack found him there on the bed asleep.

Jack sat in on the edge of the bed and removed his boots then looked at the large windowsill that overlooked the city… and remains... in the distance. All along the sill were little bits of coloured glass. Like animals, fruit… trees and flowers… all sorts of things all in tempered glass. The prisms caught the sunlight and the room seemed to glow within a rainbow's heart.

Comforting.

Jack walked over to pluck up a flower and turn it about in his hands, now seeing rare jewels in the petals as well. Something rare, beautiful and so damned expensive.

"That was my great aunt's." Ianto said softly from the bed "She gifted that to my mother. Mama put that one there when she stayed last, knowing I would lie here on occasion. I love the colour red."

"They are… amazing" Jack said with awe.

"A Horde. We do that. We gather thing and make pretty little collections of them. Nesting. It comforts us to have a pretty nest, it encourages the chicks to be happy. Colour is important to us, light and shiny things… we are chicks at heart too" Ianto explained. "A true Bladesinger has a mighty collection of weird tat, things that pleases them. Button here… a weird stone there… a feather… all sorts of things that have memoires… meaning or just a happy vibe."

"So… Gareth and Lloyd?" Jack asked, knowing Ianto did not want to talk about it but must to let it go.

"We detected danger and eliminated it" Ianto sighed softly "Seems she was going as far as I surmised. ALL males in the bloodline were being wiped out so her first born son would rule."

"All... you mean…"

"Yeah. Daddy too" Ianto rolled to face him "he loves his ale in the evenings. Often we would talk while he supped in his chambers. Luckily they thought to check the latest barrels."

"Oh my goddess… Regicide!"

"Yeah. Poor Daddy is so perplexed. He still can't get his head around it. Mama on the other hand… might do a public beheading of her own child." Ianto scoffed, and then sobered "Nah. She will do her business behind closed doors and said to be in some sect publicly to save face. Pip will be… sickly."

"Like your sisters… ah… Daisy and Iris?"

"Well… maybe they were not born like that… maybe they did not like their baby sister and made too many overtures… then were discovered with a pillow over the baby's face in the dead of night. Hence… slickly and wed off to low level brothers as soon as possible so they might all be happy in the furthest realm from Pip."

"So she was always precious and allowed to be" Jack snorted. "Fuck… the girls in your family are spoilt."

"Penny" Ianto muttered to himself as he lay there, still lazy and half asleep "David… called her Penny, not Pippy. Huh."

"What does that mean?" Jack asked as he settled to watch Ianto' eyelids flutter, sleep calling to him.

"That she used more than one name… maybe… maybe more" Ianto sighed, then let sleep steal him away as the chick was demanding it so the thoughts keeping them both awake might settle.

Jack sat back and considered this then rose and called to John who came with his usual swagger.

.

.

"The boys called Pip Penny. Apparently she uses that name too" Jack said and watched John's face.

"Bad Penny" John said softly "There is someone called Bad Penny making some noise around the place but it is not a woman… BP is a man. Some duke or earl or something."

"The D.O.R.K." Jack said with a frown "Pip is Duchess of the Regal Killians. Ianto was making fun of it… calling her a Dork. So… the Duke would have the same name right? Hang on…. His name is Prentice. Penny. Fuck. It's him… she is just his fucking hound he sets on people. "

"Dorks indeed" Jack nodded "I will go ask around, poke some holes and see what rushes out the other end … yes. I think you are right. Her husband wants the crown."

Jack hoped this was not the case, the entire realm about to lose a limb. Mind you… better to know than to assume.

Lest someone try to chop off more of their own flesh here.

Chapter Text

Ianto walked with the confidence of one who knows he is shit hot and as he walked down the Hover's ramp he knew people were scattering like rats deserting a sinking ship. Let them run, his men that were exiting behind him were running too, and they were primed rat catchers.

As he walked, he unsheathed the blades and let them hum at his sides, skimming the long grass at the side of the walkway and as he got to the steps of the castle he finally looked up at the flags flying in the breeze. He turned back to Rhys "Those annoy me."

Rhys responded by stepping back, cocking his arm back and flinging a blade up at one of them, the blade arcing around to catch both and come back to him boomerang style. Showing off. Brilliant blade skills. Ianto nodded and stepped into the main foyer.

"Who seeks an audience with glerkkkkkk" Ianto's blade silenced the man who had pompously stormed towards them with a blade by drawn in his own hand, Ianto's left blade across the man's throat, the man's head flopping back to almost leave his shoulders completely.

As the body slumped to the floor Ianto stopped walking to look around with a raised eyebrow "Anyone else seeking to challenge a High King? Hmmmm?"

Ianto turned to eyeball them all slowly, turning in a full circle on his heel as he looked at those standing startled, frozen statues. Then one took the correct line of action by sinking to his knee. The others started to follow.

"Where is herself?" Ianto demanded angrily "Pip?"

"Her father, the Great King, sent a Royal Hover and a security detail so ours was not needed, they have taken her to his presence for safe keeping" one of the men simpered and Ianto nodded with satisfaction. Good. Da is keeping his word there at least.

"Now" Jack said as he entered the foyer to stand behind his mate "Where is Penny?"

.

.

"Prentice" Jack called out as he entered the room and John took off to the left, skipping like a loon as he cackled to himself. No one noticed the Bladesinger entering last of all, his left blade dripping blood on the blonde wooden flooring.

Ianto stood with his head down, chin to his chest and the look of a predator as Jack walked over to Duke Prentice who had risen from his chair with shock and looked him up and down, then said "Hello Penny. Funny… you married one too… I guess it's a good thing she is called Pip. Two bad pennies is not a good thing. Two wrongs do not make a right ya know."

"Extremely bad luck" John giggled as he slid pas the Duke, making him squeak as he watched the weird man perch on the throne "look Jackie… he has a throne. I thought he was just a pissy little Duke."

"And is that a crown I see sitting on the back of it?" Jack asked as he pointed and John looked up, and then giggled as he pulled the huge gold crown from the edge of the chair.

"So you want a crown do you?" Ianto said in a low, dangerous snarl making them all turn to watch him stalk towards them, his blades still humming in the same low tone to match his voice even though there was no breeze in the room.

Ianto slid the clean blade back into its sheath and kept walking until he was face to face with the Bad Penny, looking him up and down. Then he reached up and removed his own crown from his head, reaching out to slam it onto the confused man's head "There you go. The Crown of Truth."

Prentice blinked at Ianto with confusion, then his face changed to one of shock, horror… grimacing before he fell to his knees, clawing at his head as he screamed with pain. The crown seemed to morph and change as it melted into the man's scalp and while doing so it shone red hot.

"Ianto?" Jack asked softly.

"It is a living entity" Ianto said softly as he watched the man writhe in silent agony "It knows the truth. It hears your thoughts like a bond mate and it reacts accordingly. Anyone seeking to harm me or mine… the High borne … is fodder."

"Ouch… it looks like that hurts" John said with a cock of his head "Tell me … how do you get it off after?"

"After is the right word" Ianto said as he watched the man at their feet stop moving, his noises coming to a sift sigh … then he was still. A puddle around his crotch where he had wet himself.

"Fuck. He's dead" John muttered with genuine shock.

Ianto bent down and reached out, gently touching the red hot metal. As he did so, Jack winced then watched as it slid off into Ianto's hand and by the time Ianto had lifted it up back to his own head, it was once again shiny and solid.

"Some party trick" Jack said to John with a wide grin, not the least bit put out by what he had just seen.

The fucker had asked for it, clearly.

Chapter Text

Ianto strode down the Hover's ramp and into his father's arms. His father had never felt frail before and as Ianto held him he felt the dl man's sorrow. Pip had confessed then. Sorry Da. Ianto held him tightly and ignored the woman standing nearby as she waited for her own acknowledgement.

Finally, Ianto stepped back and looked at his mother, then bowed politely to the Queen of All.

"Hello Poppet" she said softy, holding out her arms in the hopes of a hug as well and although he knew she saw the hesitation in his eyes, he complied and as she held him she sighed softly "So much tension in you. Like hugging a statue."

Ianto stepped back, his face showing his annoyance that their first words be a scolding… as per usual and she caught it. She went to speak again and saw the crown in his hair, entwined in the hanks of hair like it lived there.

It was like it was carved form a single huge diamond. The biggest, prettiest piece of bling she had ever seen and as he turned his head to check Jack was behind him she saw it move gently in the breeze along with his hair. The Crown of Truth was loving him.

"Pretty crown there darling, where did that come from?" the king asked, unaware of the power on display and Ianto smiled softly as he responded to him with affection.

"This is my crown Daddy… the one Pip wants and shall never have."

"May I?" the king held out his hand and Ianto automatically removed the crown, everyone watching the hair move and slide though the prongs like it would never catch in the intricate designs, then he handed it to his father. The moment it touched his father's hand it changed to a gold crown, the pretty glassy diamond now was gone like it had never been.

"Well now… would you look at that? I thought that was merely legend" he chortled as he turned it over in his hands "So pretty and so light. Almost like it is made of whipped cream or something… so be so powerful. The Crown of Truth. The Crown of the Truthful Man. That is the full title isn't it my dear? Worn by the Great Kings of Old?"

"Yes" she replied faintly, shocked to find her son in the possession of the crown she thought had been lost centuries ago. She had allowed him this one as it was tarnished and… well… sad. All this time… all this time she thought it just a pretty little crown the children used to wear and fight over, Ianto never one to snatch or demand. She had let him have it because the others had all chosen prettier ones larger more expensive items with jewels in them. Ianto was the only one drawn to the plain little crown that was more like that of a maiden of the court and she had mocked him for it, even as she had flung it at him. She remembered now. Pip had scoffed too, egging her mother on. The queen felt shame in her actions as she now saw how Pip had controlled things with her head games. Supposed to be the Queen of All and she had let this child… this spoilt child make her a fool.

Ianto accepted it back from his father and slid it back over his own head, the transformation back to the True Crown almost instantaneous and by the time his hands dropped it was once again a thing of rare beauty.

Jack had no idea of course, the stir his husband was causing right now as the king turned slowly to stare at his wife, also confused "Pumpkin? Something amiss?"

"No" she croaked out, blinking furiously as she berated herself for her failings. The Gods had tested her, hadn't they… and look what she had done about that. Look how she had met her task. She failed. She flailed the next True King so horribly. She had to make amends while she could, he was worth more than what she had shown him.

"And where is she now?" Ianto asked, as if hearing his mother's thoughts and wanting to change the subject before it gets air.

"Don't' you worry son. She will not bother you again" the king said with a finality in his voice that turned Ianto's heart cold, his Da's sorrow raw in the bond.

"Oh Daddy. I am so sorry this all happened." Ianto sighed.

"Me too sweetie… lest said, soonest mended, right?" the king replied then he clapped his hands together "and now… let me see."

Ianto stepped closer and pulled apart his robes to reveal the under shirt that was snug against the bump.

As the king sank to his knee and placed his hands over his grandchild to croon softly, the queen stepped forward to stand behind her husband and look her son in the eye "It is done."

"Yes mama" Ianto said softly, accepting that the subject was closed.

Pip was gone.

His Da had trimmed the fat too.

Chapter Text

Ianto had not wanted to remain in the realm of his kin for too long. It felt foreign to him now… a strange concept to feel like a stranger in your own place of birth but it was true. Ianto was not the same person that left this place almost a year ago.

As they entered their home Ianto felt a sense of relief, like being soused with water on a scalding hot day… as it was out there in the land of Boeshane. "Thank the gods… home."

"I hear you… I am shattered" Jack agreed as he walked in and then took a knee, his arms wide as children burst from the side doors screaming. The nanny quietly carried the little one whose face shone with delight, little hands reaching to Ianto for comfort.

It was later, once the kids were sure they were not leaving them and had finally gone to bed that Jack asked Ianto "Pip?"

"They did not kill her… Da would not do that to one of his chicks no matter how badly they deserved it. No. I was told a story by my Nanny once, one of a mad king that was imprisoned for the term of his natural life in catacombs beneath the city. It was opulent down there and the guards that tended him treated him with honor and respect. But he could never leave. He had overthrown his father and been discovered after the fact, already had the crown so … it was a warning. Behave of get locked in the catacombs." Ianto said softly as he lay on the bed to let his mate stroke the bump lovingly "I remember…. I went searching. As is my childish intelligence, I wanted proof that she was not blowing smoke up my arse. The other kids believed her but… well… I never believed anything if it was not proven to me."

Jack laughed softly, "I bet you were a quiet child that wraithed like a boss and when you spoke, they jumped."

"Hmmmmm"

"So… did you find anything?" Jack promoted after a while.

"Yes. Dusty. Old but intact. It was pretty in a way. The artworks, furniture. Opulent. I guessed some of it had been taken from the upper levels, things he had loved and asked for… it was decked out like a royal suite. He had lived in luxury. No windows, only the one door that was a huge metal thing that had a lock I could easily pick…" Ianto stopped and snorted softly with mirth "Or so I thought. Now I know it was simply not locked in the first place."

"And there will be guards there at all times too, as is the general rule of thumb with a prisoner" Jack agreed with a grin.

"Pip will not get visitors, not get news… books. Food. That's it. Maybe a pet like a cat or dog … but that's it. She is gone. She might as well be dead, it will be a sad existence for her now." Ianto lay there in the bed a little longer then sighed "They will rotate the guards every few weeks so she does not have time to get attached to one, learn their ways and manipulate them. It also means none will become friends. She is truly in a foreign land under her own family palace."

"But she will never get out" Jack emphasized, feeling the dread in Ianto through the bond.

"No… no… it's not that. I fear the life she has now. To be forgotten and alone. Why I ran into this one… I saw myself slipping deeper and deeper into the shadows. This was my choice."

"And she made hers Tiger" Jack patted the bump then moved up to kiss him "Remember that when you feel remorse and sorrow. She chose her path, as you did yours. You chose the right one… she faltered."

"Yes Cariad"

Nothing else to say really, both men settling to slumber as the realm followed suit and the day grew weary, the moon travelling her familiar path across the sky before her bother chased her away again to beam with triumph.

And so I leave this segment here. The next to be the birth of the babe and the next chapter in their lives. And whatever chaos I think up.

Thanks for reading.