9

They ran, Ianto leading the way as he led them up the falls, across the shallow bridge of rocks in the water and then up more. Twice he stopped, saying it was for the kids so Bonnie could have a moment, even in the middle a crisis he cared about her and she felt it.

Then they moved on and at the third stop they heard noise.

"Don't be alarmed. They will not hurt you" Ianto said as he crouched to tie Mica's shoelace and animals burst from the bushes around them, racing for the higher ground as the huge white stag bounded past a high leap as he brushed by Ianto who rose and sighed "Come on."

"Tadda? Wea my Flake?" a little voice asked with worry, the little boy looking around for his kitten.

Myfanwy wandered past with the kitten in her jaws, it's look of pure doom telling everyone it was fine. Just clearly a cat.

They moved up, Ianto starting to sing loudly and after a while he was answered in common song, people appearing to greet them.

"I think the dam has burst, the water may not come this way but it is coming" Ianto explained as he stepped forward to slap his hand into the elbow of the old man that did the same with him, the handshake both personal and ancient.

"Of course. We have had animals arriving since dusk. We have expected you" Tuck said calmly, nodding as he motioned them on to the colony.

"RYE!" Sparrow yelled, ringing for him with little ones in his wake, a lot of them recognized by Ianto as garden sandbox visitors. They were led into a long house, like a barn but filled with furniture, life and the smell of warm food.

All noise fell away as they entered and more than one made a soft mutter of some unknown language, stepping forward to gape as Ianto stood there in his black clothing and snow white hair, his little man now in his arms with the same shock of hair. It was clear to all that saw that the Mountain was making a statement.

"Hello everyone, sorry to intrude" Ianto said as they moved to the warmth of the fire in the middle of the house, settling to cuddle his child as Jack made sure David wss not too scared. Mica of course was excitedly hanging on to Gray with wild eyes.

"Gray?"

Gray turned as he stood waiting for a cup of soup and looked into the eyes of the woman offering it. "Mama?"

June looked almost unrecognizable. Her hair was gray, no longer dyed and without makeup she actually looked so much softer. The clothing looked warm, handmade and comfortable. Gray could only gape at her.

"Hello darling. They said something was happening, told us to prepare. I thought it was the hunting party back from the summit." She frowned "Are you ok love?"

"Mama" he repeated with delight gathering her into his arms.

"Oi!" a man said moving toward them and she laughed as she waved a hand at him.

"Handle, it's OK. This is my baby boy. This is my son Gray" she said to the man "And that is my son Jackson and his…. Man Ianto."

"Husband" Jack said sternly "Mama, Ianto is my husband. Life partner. Mate."

"It's OK Cariad. She never made any secret of her hatred for me. Did she not try to kill me?" Ianto asked serenely as the place slowly moved around them.

"She learned her place!" Handle said with a protective arm around her "She is my woman now. My… mate. She learned to be more humble."

"Well … I commend her for that. Well done June." Ianto said.

"I… I do not like to be called that now" she said with a shake of her head "I am not that woman anymore."

"OK" Ianto said slowly, looking at her intently, then he said "So… Primrose?"

The place froze.

"How did you know I chose that?" she asked with delight.

"I know your colours and I am looking at you, I see the colour all around you. It is your name now. You finally fit yourself. You are yourself. Are you happy here?"

"Yes" she said happily as she looked around with a nod of agreement "I never had a family, I was an only child. I know now that I focused on the wrong things. I was not myself, not the best me I could be. Here… now… I finally feel comfortable to be myself."

"Well… I admire that and I would like to say that I believe you have changed." Ianto assured her.

"I am sorry. I was not myself. I am so sorry, I … I did not even see you, only my own life. And this little man… he is… wow. So sweet" she gushed as she looked at Rye "Hello there, I am…."

Rye looked up at her and said without much fanfare "you are the fox in the hen house."

She blinked then tittered softly.

"Yes son, but even a fox can get it wrong" Ianto crooned happily as he cuddled his son.

"For even chickens can turn out to be birds of prey."