posting early as tomorrow is a busy day xxx

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11

Animals were walking with the people Ianto appearing at the top of the rise as more and more filtered up, until he knew somehow there were no more coming. Ianto knew those in the Long House were still accommodating these stragglers that had stayed low to watch the destruction of the town, their despair and broken spirits making the rain still falling softly seem like tears as the trees wept along with them.

Jack walked out of the Long House to see Ianto walking up the soft rise, his footsteps sure as he showed the others the way. Ianto's hair was blowing in the breeze and as they neared the top of the mountain more than one commented in the fact the rain had changed to a light mist.

"Minnie, watch that root" Ianto said without turning around and she squeaked as she stumbled slightly, the man walking next to her catching her easily.

Ianto turned to face the last stragglers "ok, there is warm food and a fire inside here. There are dry clothes that will be passed out to you as helpers walk around. Some do not speak. It's not that they can't, they are just a shy people. They've not all had a good experience down in the flat so … they prefer to stay away from you. Please don't take it personally, just as some of you judge them, they judge you too."

"Fair enough" Old Man Harrison said as he shucked off the old sack he had carried himself, not letting his son or anyone else help him. Many others had bags and things with them, having scooped what they could as they ran and they dropped thing at the door as they entered to instant warmth.

"Hey" Jack said as he walked over to pull his handsome husband to him "You OK?"

"Yeah" Ianto replied as he slipped off the thick coat to reveal the soft cream clothing underneath. He looked more like the mountainfolk than the townsfolk as he moved aroid and then he finally sat to check if his kids were OK, one of the women approached and fiddled with his hair while he assured David that the rain was going away. "This time tomorrow we can go down and check the damage. Our house is still there, might have had a little rain through it I fear but nothing that can't be dried out. I think we were lucky."

"Not everyone was?"

"No sweetie. Some houses are gone, some businesses damaged… not just the water but the mud and silt that is left… that will be the real clean up. Water damaged stuff needed to be removed, a real job ahead of us. I think you are old enough to help with that. The men will appreciate the extra hands of another man willing to help." Ianto nodded.

"And you?"

"Yes, I will see if Bonnie can stay with the kids, me and Dad need to do a lot of work" Ianto patted his boys arm then rose, surprised to feel something brush his shoulder so he reached up and Ianto felt a small feather. The woman had woven a feather into his hair behind his ear. I found it not that annoying and accepted it was a gift of affection and he did not want to upset anyone so he left it.

Minnie watched him as he moved past, the feather flicking in the light as it changed from blue to green. A mountain bluebird tail feather. She smiled as she saw him lean over a young mother nursing, talking gently as he pulled off the blanket that had been around his shoulders, placing it around her instead as he touched her shoulders affectionately.

Minnie tired to remember her and then realised this ws one of the young nurses from the town. The End of Care one that spent time with those terminally ill or infirm. Of course he knew her, his poor sister had known her as well in the end.

"That young mother Ianto is talking with, she's a healer that tired to ease his sitter's suffering in the end" she whispered to Bracken who nodded then motioned one of the women to make sure she was taken care of.

Jack asked one of the elders quietly "Why are some of them calling Ianto a Brennan?"

"A Brennan is our word for a chieftain or Elder. We have a council of elders and the one who holds the stick of power is the Brennan. Your man…he is a natural Brennan. A leader of men. In some cultures it is a prince, a king or great man. To us, he is one of us. Revered."

Jack could not argue with that, nodding as he filed away the strange word that was clearly a Mountain one.

Eventually the lights were all low, the fire the most light as people huddled in small groups, some asleep already.

Ianto knew his little girl ws upset, scared and clingy as Rye enjoyed the attention of most of the Mountainfolk so he pulled Mica close and started to sing the Welsh Lullaby he always sang her as a little girl.

The entire place seemed to sigh and relax as he sang, filing the space with such warmth and affection. Soon many were asleep, lulled by his chocolaty crooning. Once everyone wss settled, Jack slid in to hold Ianto to him kissing him as he encouraged him to relax.

There was nothing else they could do until first light.

A new day would then begin, and the aftermath could be seen.