1

Something had woken him and he wasn't sure what, sliding from the bedding to check the baby. Kellie snorted as she shuffled about in the warm spot left, Jack grunting as he pulled her back into his arms like the big teddy bear she was. The noises outside the keep had frightened her and until the wedding was over, she would come to their bed for comfort each night. He found he didn't mind.

Theo was awake, silently looking to the West as was Myfanwy but when he questioned them they did not answer. He put it down to all the Dragons outside the keep in the meadow, so many arriving for the wedding that tents had to be erected to house them all.

He looked out the window at the fires being stoked and knew riders from the east were waking, their Realm getting the sun earlier than this one so he headed through to the kitchens to find some staff already there as well, the morning bread in the ovens. He smelt the bacon as the large ovens were opened and he settled to cut and butter the cooked bread already waiting, bacon sandwiches soon ready to be taken to the riders to help warm them.

He carried the large basket full, others following with sandwiches, fresh fruit and drink as they welcomed those still trying to adjust to the different time zone. Then he saw them on the outer edge on their own as they were not really welcome.

"Lava Dragons" a rider spat, "I had hoped they would not have the balls to come."

Ianto sighed as he listened to the talk and knew these riders had long memories. He also saw that the riders of the Lava Dragons had their own small camp. After a moment's thought he walked confidently towards them with some following nervously, his call of welcome answered by a large bull who shuffled forward to stand between him and those he rules as an Alpha.

Ianto pulled back the blanket to show the food, "I come to feed your humans. Step aside."

The dragon blinked as Ianto frowned and he pulled himself straighter, "I command you!"

The bull blinked and then shuffled to one side, his front feet touching the soil once more as he bowed to show service and Ianto walked past confidently, the riders watching with their mouths open.

"Good morning, you arrived about an hour ago?" Ianto asked as he placed the basket down and motioned for the nervous staff to depart, which they did gratefully, terrified of the large black beasts that seemed to smoulder. "I wondered what had woken me."

"Yes, we did" a man answered, doing up his tunic as he met a fellow rider, "We expected the cold shoulder but we welcome the food. Thank you brother."

Ianto realised with a start that he had not put on his crown and felt a giggle bubble up as he had just stared down a Lava Dragon as a rider, "There are more tents being erected today, I take it canvas is no conjusive to their hot feet?"

"That's right" a woman spoke now, her hand patting her dragon to raise its foot and he reached out without thinking to touch the hot pads.

"Amazing, beautiful claws look at the colours" Ianto said softly as his hands slid around a large toe to look at the rainbow coloured claws that could cause so much damage "you are a pretty girl."

The riders stood stunned with shock.

Ianto crooned more as he reached out to stroke her muzzle, the large girl leaning down to accept his attention with delight, "You know, a beauty like you might prefer rock. Over behind the other side of the keep there was a rock quarry. A large cave. Would that be more comfortable?"

"Yes, yes it would be but do you think they would mind? We would have to fly over the castle" the head rider asked.

Chapman was approaching in his Royal colours with the sash to show he was Head Rider and he bowed politely, the other rider bowing back as Ianto turned to smile his welcome and the Lava Dragon Rider spoke, "I am told there is a rock quarry over there my dragons would be happy in, this grass is going to die you know."

Chapman blinked as he nodded, "Yeah, anything else they require that we would not be aware of?"

"They like their meat fresh as I recall from my basic training, live sheep" Ianto added as Chapman nodded and then the rider looked at Ianto again, then turned back to Chapman.

"Tell me, this new bonding. Is it for real? I heard rumours that the new kings were…well…soft. How can they rule if they are too busy fawning over one another like kittens?" he demanded and Andy snorted softly as he stood back with a barrel of drink.

"Andy, go let the others know the Lava Dragons wish to take the rock quarry for their roost while here. They will have permission to fly over the castle twice a day, during the day they will need a space as well as they will not be permitted a flyover when the other dragons are about." Ianto said with a frown, "They like rock. Suggestions?"

"The dry river bed?" Andy shrugged and Ianto nodded

"Good. Yes, they will like that, plenty of sunbathing there. Good. Make it so."

"Yes Majesty" Andy bowed low as he enjoyed the horror crossing the faces of the Lava Dragon Riders as he showed Ianto's rank, then he ran off before Ianto could scold.

"Well then, how many are there, let me see you all" Ianto demanded and one by one the dragons moved to line up, more than one leaning forward with their head low to scent him as he walked amongst them talking softly.

"What the hell?" the head rider said softly.

"Behold" Chapman said as he turned to face the man, "Behold the King. Be glad he saw humour in your words, if the Just King were here he would have run you through."

"If the other one is the Just King…which is this one?" the woman asked and Chapman looked at her with surprise.

"I thought that was obvious girl. He be our king. He be the King of Dragons."