12

Gray was surprised to see the party back and he swung with a squeak as he was discovered in the dressing chambers.

He was in the middle of a costume fitting for the coronation and Jack wasn't the only one to note that it was the Robes of Crowning, identical to Jack's that Gray was wearing as he turned with shock to watch his brother enter.

Then came his Fool and Gray's eyes narrowed.

So he was back then.

Gray stepped off the dressing stool and smiled condescendingly as he looked at the Fool standing there in uncommonly dark clothing.

"I do not believe I have ever seen you wear common clothes" he sneered, realizing he was doing so and clearing his throat before stepping closer to the fool, "Usually you are so colorful on my brother's arm like a cute pet."

"Gray" Jack said in warning as Ianto stepped closer, his head canting and Gray then noticed movement, looking behind the Fool to see his mother's pale face.

"Tell me what surprises you more my child" her tone was low and full of warning, "That Ianto has returned? Or that we have!"

Gray blinked and looked at his brother's stony face, then laughed.

"I do not know what you mean by that Mother" he bluffed, turning back to the mirror.

"Why do you wear my colours?" Jack asked softly, knowing the answer but needed his mother to hear it as well.

"They are so handsome on you, why not on me as well. After all, did Father not say we were interchangeable?" Gray flounced.

Jack closed his eyes as he was reminded of his father's throw away comment when they were children, warning them during a childhood spat that either might rule one day.

"Father never meant to divide us" Jack said sadly, "You know he was horrified the first time you declared your intent to dethrone me."

"I was eight years old, you were ten and I was already larger than you!" Gray huffed.

"But then things changed" Jack said as he looked over at his beloved.

"Yeah."

Gray turned to leave the discussion and Jack reached out to hook his arm, wanting an explanation.

Ianto moved swiftly, placing himself between them as the blade slid home with his body surprising Gray who stepped back with open surprise.

"Do not walk away from this young man!" the Queen demanded and she strode forward striking her son with anger.

"Cariad" Ianto whispered, the word used only in the bedchambers alerting Jack to Ianto's confusion and he turned to see him start to fold.

"NO!" Jack screamed as the hilt was visible in the folds of the black robes, Ianto grunting with pain in his arms.

"By the Great Mountain, what have you done" Queen River gasped as she watched the young man writhe in Jack's arms.

Jack started to scream as Ianto slapped his hand away from the blade and grunted "Gloves."

Guards spilled into the room as Jack sobbed, rocking Ianto as he shakily used his own shirt sleeve to remove the poisoned blade.

Gray stood watching Jack's face as he screamed and roared for the healers, gathering his beloved into his arms and stumbling as he tried to rise.

"Jaxon?" Gray asked with confusion, the reaction to a felled fool unexpected.

"You tried to have us killed, you have just probably killed your brother's preferred intended and yet you look surprised at the turn of events you, yourself orchestrated?" the Queen demanded.

"What?" Gray asked with confusion, "What are you talking about? It is the Fool that has been trying to kill us!"

"Oh Gray" she slumped, "You are the Fool. We were attacked just now and Ianto saved us. Your brother, me, your little sister whom I thought you loved. We almost perished. We come back with a note from the body of a dead attacker from you and now you have … what … killed Ianto?"

"No. No!" Gray was now showing alarm as he looked in the direction Jack had gone, "No, he … he is just a fancy, just … he is the one that came between us."

"Came between you?" the Queen frowned, "Gray, you are the one who set Rhys on Jack that day. If it were not for your angry quest Ianto would have never been injured and they may have never met."

Gray wrung his hands as he stared at his mother.

"Who had filled your head with these thoughts" she asked softly, "Gray, if you wish for any leniency from your brother, please my love. Who is the one behind this, who whispers in your ear?"

Gray wept as he looked at the doorway again, then at his mother.

"Oh Mama" he sobbed, "What have I done?"