12

In the stales Ianto had collapsed in the stall, huddled against the huge chest of Myfanwy with the smaller Theo closed in behind him and the two dragons cocooned him as they hummed softly, trying to give him strength.

The king held his son against him still trying to comprehend what had happened as the queen raged, screaming for blood and explanations as Jasmine sank into a chair and asked meekly for something to drink.

"Majesties" the elderly man said gently, silencing the room as he limped to a chair and collapsed into it with a craggy hand waving for a drink as well, "I heard what had happened and consulted the books."

"And?" the queen demanded, her eyes still wild.

"The Shadow Rider bonded to the Prince in an effort to stave off death, it was risky and could have cost him his own life to do so, why it is literally unheard of. However…I did find reference to it in one of their own publications." The old mage nodded and the queen became calm as she sat next to him.

"Tell me great uncle, what does this mean for my boy?" she asked gently, holding a weathered hand.

"It was written that if one fell and another was in tune…like…er….if there was love in their hearts for one another then the other could unite their life-forces to give the dying one strength. This is why Jack is already healing like that, it is Mara magic. The young rider has joined his life-force to your son, making him strong again, healing him at a rapid rate as they do and ensuring he will like a good strong life bar another arrow to either heart."

"Either?" the king asked as Jack turned from his father with confusion.

"If the rider dies, so would Jack and vice versa" the old man nodded "They are bonded like the dragons. Had this been in vain, Jack too far gone the rider would not have only sacrificed his own life but the lives of his two dragons. He gave all there was to save Jack. Your son should be beyond grateful here, the young rider not only broke every rule in the book, he has ensured a shortened life for himself as one day Jack will die and on that day so shall the rider and his dragons."

"Oh my gods, no" Jack breathed with horror.

"Rhys tried to stop him, begged with him that it was cruel but he….he said he loved you so" Jasmine sighed, "all this time I've been jealous, tried to separate you. I was a fool. You were already bonded in a way, weren't you. I have punished you for something that in the end saved your life."

"Where is he?" Jack made as if to go to him and the old man cleared his throat making them turn to him again.

"We do have a problem there" he looked at the queen who was already frowning, "Love cannot hide when bonded."

"No" she sighed, looking around the room, "Those of us in this room can be trusted with this but not others. Once word gets out Jack will not only be targeted, so will the rider. They will know that killing him will kill Jack and the attempts in his life will be…"

"Or the dragons. Also the fact they will not be able to deny their love for one another. Once it is public the wedding would be forfeit, to save face Jasmine must walk away from the union" the old man warned, "Do you see the problem now? For all he has done to save Jack, this rider had sealed their fate with his mere existence."

"What do we do?" Jack asked his fear for Ianto now thrumming, "They will try to kill him at every turn, or a dragon. To kill a dragon is to kill it's rider right? He had two to choose from. Gods, what a mess. He should have let me die, I am not worth the lives of dragons or….or him."

"He must leave" the old man said firmly, "He must go into hiding and be safe. Gone away until this is forgotten. Until not even a whispered conversation."

Jack looked at him with horror, "No, you can't. I need him, I must have him near me…you cannot..no….mama…no…please"

She was already nodding, "My darling, he is an Unwanted. You know his life was forfeit the moment his passed under the gates into the realm. He chose this. We must now use it to our advantage."

"Mama no" Jack sobbed turning now to Jasmine "Jazzy please, please don't do this. I said I was faithful, I am chaste, please. Do not send him away, for all my love for him I would never….please. He is chaste too, we never…please"

"It is not about that" she rose with sorrow on her face "Jack now I know the level of affection for him I would have never been so cruel as to separate you but now it must be done. I am sorry darling, his life is a threat to you. To the realm and we must do what is best for the realm."

Jack wailed as he saw no way out and in the stables Ianto sighed, the pain flaring as he felt Jack's despair. He knew what they were talking about, the new bond thrumming as Jack raged and wept. Ianto knew he was to be sent away. Again.

Unwanted.