1
His horse stopped to drink from the stream as he looked over the path ahead.
It was a warm day and the path was light, well lit and without company yet he felt unease.
He looked back over his shoulder, his riding cloak shifting as he turned in the saddle to reveal a sword at his hip and after a moment's thought he unbuckled it and slid it into the long bedroll that swung from the saddle.
He was being followed.
That evening as he sat by the campfire he watched the one that had been following him slowly creep into the firelight and he sighed as the man bowed.
"Apologies good sir, I believe my horse's hooves have been sinking into the divots of your own all day" the man said politely and he was forced to politely offer space at the fire, seeing another traveler so late in the dark, it was an ancient rule to share your light as there were things in the dark.
Things he personally knew were out there, not just the childhood creeps.
"Thank you good sir, I had hoped to reach shelter but that steep incline was not on the map and my horse took a stone as we neared the top" the man sighed as he held out his hands to warm then and he watched the man's eyes hungrily take in the meat dripping fat into the flames.
With a soft sigh, he reached out and cut a hunk, placing it with bread in the hands of the man who groaned with delight.
"Thank you good sir, most kind" he said around his mouthful, "I have travelled for near a week and my food is diminished, Gods but this is good."
"I have known the hunger of travel" he finally spoke and the man paused his meal as the deep melodic voice startled him.
"I'm Andy of the Davidsons of Kentington" The blonde man smiled and he saw the youth still hidden beneath the clothes. Not much older than him then.
"Hendry" he replied, giving the name he usually used when travelling as he own true name was too well known in these parts. He had trimmed his usually finger length hair and was clean shaven. He knew he still resembled himself but not in an obvious way.
Andy didn't seem to mind the lack of title, many did not hold those here plus and he was too grateful right now to care.
Next morning the chatterbox talked of many things.
His family, baby sister the most, his parent's small farm and his desire to serve the crowned prince, the shame of rejection when he had presented himself and of others he had met on his quest.
Now he was set to return where he knew his father was waiting to crow at his inadequacies.
He winced as he listened, well aware of the feeling of rejection from the crown prince.
Was this not the reason why he was fleeing as well?
"Where do you travel?" Andy asked and he shrugged, no destination in mind, for where would he ever truly be welcome.
"Might we travel together, for a spell?" Andy's voice was raw with hope, his constant talk a tell that he did not like to be alone.
Loneliness.
He had heard of this, never known it himself as he desire to be left alone is what mostly pushed him these days but …
But he had once been full of hope and desire so he smiled and accented watching the relief flood the pale face of his new companion.
They packed up and rode, the morning spent with Andy filling the empty space with noise, something he did admit to having missed.
His previous travelling companion had been a talker as well, it had been soothing to listen to his wild stories punctuated with laughter and song.
Best not think of him now.
Best swallow that down and keep moving.
My, but shame is a bitter taste in his mouth.
Ahead they saw a small contingent of soldiers approaching and he stifled a curse, knowing it was probably him they sought, looking at Andy and seeing equal discomfort.
"Good morrow" he said calmly, nodding to the soldier whose horse reached them first.
"Good morrow to you to sir" the man grinned back.
"Tis a nice day for a ride, we do not hope for many more of these but are you not in the wrong place to do a spot of hunting" he asked, deciding on stupidity.
"We seek a lone traveler" one of the horsemen told them, "A man with a broad sword and weary mount by now."
He frowned, watching Andy purse his lips and then held his breath as he left Andy answer.
"There was someone, in the night, right?" Andy turned to him with an honest face.
"I … I remember hearing hooves" he said softly, wondering what Andy was up to.
"He was slumped over, more asleep than awake I think" Andy was nodding enthusiastically, "Headed towards the mountain."
"It was only a shadow to me" he decided to join in the lie, "I only saw a silhouette as I was further back from the fire."
"He was huge, the sword was almost the length of his leg, clinking against his stirrup" Andy nodded and shifted in the saddle as if growing bored.
"Towards the mountain you say" the man's face turned from them, his men's heads following as they seemed to ponder.
"Good morrow to you good sirs" he finally nodded, "Blessings and fair thee well."
They moved off as the two men muttered equal platitudes and he slumped back with relief.
"Good thing that sword is bundled on the other side of your mount" Andy whispered as he waved enthusiastically, "Bloody hide it better!"
As they moved off he wondered what the blonde man was running from, so easily willing to save him just to be hidden himself.
Not that it mattered.
Clearly they were both wanted men now.
Ianto wondered why the Crown Prince was acting this way.