31

Over the next few weeks Ianto worked tirelessly to get the cottage back in shape. He considered removing the entire garden's overgrowth but when he worked his way into the cottage and found it so damned cold inside… it was like stepping into a slice of home... for some reason, he decided to leave it hidden. His little slice of heaven.

Things had been heating up with the War Room and Ianto knew Jack was upset about something, nervously picking at his food but not telling Ianto anything. This did rankle a little. They were supposed to be partners here but Jack still acted like state secrets were above Ianto's pay grade for some reason.

Ianto hoped that given time Jack would be able to sort his thoughts into something he felt he could share. The bond was so… quiet with the shields he had thrown up everywhere. Mind you, Ianto was hiding his hurt too. To be able retreat to his little hidey-hole had been a nice change from sequestered boredom in his room back in the Elvish Palace as a youth.

Today was no exception, Jack rising early with a soft kiss and murmured apology for there not being a lunch meeting with him today, things were so… well… gotta go. A lunch meeting? Is that what their … rutting was to him? Like another business transaction? Gods, Jack really needed to learn how to express himself. His tutors were clearly all prigs. Ianto had rolled to his back and stared at the ornate ceiling of Jack's room and then rose to head back to his own, only to find that empty in joy or inspiration.

So here he was… back at his little project, elbow deep in subs as he scrubbed the walls of the kitchen, humming to himself. He had done a little too well in sorting everyone's lives out, Alice and Her Majesty off on adventures and Jack and his father off on their own. Ianto did think of his father now and then, wonder if he was even missing him. He knew his mother wound not be. Probably extolling the lightening go her heart with him gone to all who would listen.

Ianto stopped scrubbing to scold himself, let it go for fucksake. She made her choice on things… he make one too… stick to it. Let it go. You have a mother here who is loving, kind and available to you. You have a partner who is learning, still a dickhead sometimes but is trying to get over it and to be fair it is not his fault… he just needs time …. you have friends, a project… your own mind. Stop being a morose little shit.

This decided, Ianto picked up the bucket of dirty water and headed out to the back yard to tip it over the plants that had been battling little bugs. They did not like the soapy water even if the plants did not care either way.

"Awww… Myf. Really?" he sighed as he discovered his Mount in the back yard, her look one of bliss. He stepped closer to see why and found the surprise that showed this place is a gift that keeps on giving. His Mount was standing in a small pool of water that the plant growth had hidden in a carpet of lily pads.

She leaned down and drank, showing him that it was clean water. Pure, like the water beneath them that fed into the river out to the east of their little spot. Even though it was almost noon, the shadow of the cliffs still sheltered them and it was a cool, balmy day here.

Ianto knelt and reached out, letting his hand sink into the water, then after a moment's indecision he kicked off his riding boots and strode in. It was cool. Her heat did not diminish the cool water and he laid in it now, letting himself sink as he laughed.

What ho. A spring?

It must be deeper where she is.

He wondered how deep as he stood and waded out past her, finding it almost to his waist in the middle. Cool. Refreshing. Cleansing. Ianto laughed as he laid back and let it soothe. Myfanwy watched on with mild amusement, leaning down now and then to push on him so that he went under the water then popped back up. This seemed to amuse her no end and luckily he could swim thinks to his tutors back home.

"Highness?"

Ianto sat up and glared in the direction of the front of the house "Botheration."

He rose and stropped along the side of the house as the person called out again and he recognized Rhys' voice so he called back. Rhys entered the front yard to gape. Especially whine a wet and dripping prince appeared "Yes?"

"Highness I … ah… you're wet."

"Come see" Ianto beckoned and Rhys followed him back to gape at the water hole. "See? It's a natural spring under here. This land is not as infertile as it makes itself out to be. A hidden oasis. Her Majesty gifted me this parcel of land… like it?"

Rhys knelt where Ianto had, now clearly the edge to the water as little wildflowers grew happily around the circumference. He touched the water and raised his hand to sniff, then sample. "Sweet."

"Yeah" Ianto gushed "And it is all mine."

"Well… and his too, right?"

"No. This was a gift from her to me. Me. Not for the coffers, not for the realm. Nope. Jack does not have any rights over this spot. I made sure to check that." Ianto said with pride "I own my own dirt."

"Well… shit. More than your siblings own, they are all beholden to your parentals and their whims on the matter. No matter who they wed, it was still in that realm. You are the first to wed outside of the Elvish Realm and look at this" Rhys looked around "Shit. It's peaceful."

"Come. Sit and tell me why you sought me out." Ianto pointed to some chairs made of tree stumps and they sat, Rhys explaining that he and Andy wanted to openly court. They sought permission and wanted to openly dance at the next ball.

"When we do… when Jack and I take to the dance floor, then you do it. No one would dare comment then" Ianto advised.

Rhys nodded his agreement.

As always, his highness would lead him in the right direction.