38

Ianto sat in the long grass listening to the world turning around him. That almost unperceivable tick-tock of time the mere mortals missed, heard with the flow of dragon blood.

With his eyes closed he could see with his dragon eyes.

The world was beautiful.

There were dragons surrounding him in the meadow, also communing with Mother Earth, their heads turned up to the sun and their breathing a slow hum as if meditation was in play, all synchronised to their king as he calmed and renewed.

A scream rent the air and Ianto's' eyes slowly opened as he swivelled his head to see his beloved son leap into the air with another banshee wail to match the wee blonde boy's. Gray didn't stand a chance apparently, this man who could have caught a small child under each arm but instead fell gracefully into the clover crying out with horror at the attack and the little boys crowed their victory.

Rane sat on Gray's chest and slapped at Haze, their giggles rising into the air as they argued over who had swayed the man. Like bookends, their matching curls and bright smiles, one with coffee tones and brown pools of intelligence stark against the blonde tones and light blue spheres looking back.

Jack called them Pepper and Salt.

As time went by these two boys became closer than brothers, their hands seeking comfort and their skill at evading Grups immense.

Of course you can't outsmart a dragon.

Laughing, they fell to one side like it had been planned and they collapsed into the grass so Gray could rise and roar as he fell on them ticking and kissing.

Seems he was the softest touch in the worlds.

Ianto closed his eyes once more, knowing his baby was safe with his uncle and friend, now turning his head to the north where Jack rode along the ridge looking out over the bay. There had been talk of a creature in the water and Ianto was mildly curious but not overly so.

Dragons come in all shapes and sizes, Jack would get that soon enough.

Those who might come by boat would get that too. If they dared.

Ianto rose to his feet, as did the dragons and as he stretched up to the heavens they spread their wings, then they erupted from the earth, the flurry of wings making the grass move and ripple like waves around Ianto's feet.

How apt.

Ianto liked the imagery, laughing as he watched they all circle up like a tornado of leather and scale, trumpeting their own delight as they scattered to their own made wind.

"Lunch time" Cook called and she stood with her hands resting on her ample stomach as she watched the children wrestle to see who would be first to get back, running, tripping and laughing as Gray pretended to race them as well.

Ianto turned to watch the display of childishness, his arms falling to his sides and his pure white clothing staining out against the blue sky and green grass that tapped at the tops of his thigh boots.

He looked like something in a painting. Ethereal and powerful even as he dressed simple and common.

Rhys watched from the shadow of the stables, seeing the dragons leave and feeling the pull of flight as all did of their blood. He waited a few moments before starting to walk out to greet his king as he began to walk towards the keep, his face flushed with delight as he watched the children reach the steps of the kitchen stoop then turn to look back and scream as gray roared with his arms flapping at them.

"He needs to be wed" Rhys said as they came to greet one another and Ianto laughed softly.

"He already has interest in her, but I do think he needs more time. Stubborn. Scared. We must have patience" Ianto said as they started to walk shoulder to shoulder towards the keep then a screech had Ianto looking up as a little dragon swept towards him.

"Little claw" he called with glee, his hand raised to stroke the belly of the wee beast as it passed low enough for contact.

"Awww, she's a wee princess" Rhys crooned happily, "Look at that."

"She is the one I saved" Ianto said with joy, "They don't usually let their young near humans. Isn't she beautiful?"

"How many are there?"Rhys asked.

"Adult or all up? Including hatchlings?" Ianto asked and Rhys laughed softly, "I know there are more than leaves on a tree of knowledge"

"Gods, you even talk like one of them" Rhys shook his head with wonder.

"We commune, no wonder I pickup their ways" Ianto shrugged back, "Their speech is like music. A melody that churns and ebbs, wanes. Lovely. Beautiful ethereal sounds that fill your very soul."

"Well, they certainly dill you with joy, that passes to those around you" Rhys said, then stepped to one side as a horse thundered past, "Blackie carrying Jack home where they skidded to a halt and Jack leapt off with his face flushed.

"A dragon darling, a water one!"

Ianto smiled and tried to look surprised.

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So ends part 1. There will be part 2 … after all, we have a war coming.