5

"What the hell are you doing?" Ianto asked as he watched Gwen digging in her bag. Tissues, a writing pad… sweets…. Hair ties… a small child's toy… is that Jax's little ducky?

"Looking for the ink" she said as she dug some more and then flourished a little bottle of black ink with triumph "ta-da!"

"Ink?"

"I have a Great Aunt who refuses to use modern technology. She still likes the hand written letters each weekend it is a bloody chore. But… she is loaded and only the dutiful family members are remembered in her will. I have nothing else to do so I shall use the time to finally tell her about Rhys. She might help me work on Daddy" Gwen said as she plucked up the pad and then frowned "where the frick is my pen? Oh. Potty mouth. Sorry… trains make me grumpy with the rocking and rolling."

"You did remember to pack a nibbed pen, right?" Ianto asked.

Gwen stared at him and then started to giggle as she shrugged to show she had no idea, then they both laughed. She upturned the bag on the seat and picked through scissors, a sewing kit, make up, another bottle of ink (just in case she spilt on… come on it is Gwen) and some letters from the old lady. Then Ianto spied something that had him reaching out to snag it before Gwen could react.

Ianto started at handwriting that was clearly NOT the old lady… rather a Bitch Faced Her Majesty Fucker. Ianto looked at Gwen.

"It was a little note of congratulations on Rhys… look. You may read it" Gwen said with alarm.

Ianto knew she was testing him and somehow knew that a single glance would damage the friendship, so he handed it back unread like it didn't matter "She is trying I suppose."

"Yes" Gwen grinned "I was to answer that too. She holds land my family rents off her… we have to stay nice. I suppose I shall see her now… can I stick close to you? I would hate to get stuck alone with her, she is so… dominating."

"Don't worry, we shall endure" Ianto said theatrically and she giggled as she shoved everything back in the bag and wrote for the next hour or so of their journey. Soon they were all nodding in time to the rattle and him of the train, lulled to sleep.

.

.

"Highness"

Ianto open his eyes to find Gilly crouched near him, looking alarmed and harried.

"Gilly?"

"Highness, something is going on and I am not sure about it" the man rose and looked out the door of the carriage "They have stopped the train aid … I think they are searching it."

"What?" Ianto rose and followed him into the corridor to see other carriages being checked. Now they heard angry voices and a couple of high pitched voices of annoyance came from those with money. "Send someone to see what is going on."

Gilly motioned to one of the other men who went to move and Ianto reached out "Wait. Take of the royal standard on your jacket. Go as a commoner."

The man nodded and slid off his jacket, handing it to Gilly and taking off to listen to what was happening, soon coming back with news Ianto did not want to hear, even if he did expect it.

"They are searching for you. A Bladesinger." The man said with nervous movements "They have three they suspect due to their bright blue eyes… idiots do not know you are a silver eyed one… they seek you and it doesn't feel like it is for an invitation to high tea."

"Oh my god, what will we do?" Gwen asked, leaning over to check the little boy with a shaking hand. "his eyes are true blue."

Ianto knew the old bitch was behind this, somehow she had orchestrated this and if there was a possibility that he could kill someone though the power of telekinesis it would be the old bitch Mother Harkness on fire somewhere screaming with pain and slow suffering as she died. Damn it.

"Highness?"

Ianto looked at the child and then felt a churning in his gut. The Spark. Gods. He had no choice here… no way to…. Fuck. "Gwen… come with m and bring that bag, Gilly… mind the little man. Can your men get to your luggage? Fetch me clothes that look… common. Nothing blue!"

They headed to the bathroom of the carriage and Ianto stood in front of the mirror staring at the pale face in the mirror "Gwen… we are in deep shit here. If she a sent them to kill me, they will not want witnesses. Everyone will die, this entire train is forfeit to ensure my demise… and the baby too."

"I know" Gwen sobbed, "When he said… I knew it was her. The bitch. She id-called before we left and asked if you have the baby with you like she ws all concerned. She was making sure, wasn't she."

Ianto sighed "I must ask something of you that I cannot do myself, something that will cause me distress so…I need you to know that I trust you and forgive you for what you must do for me. OK?"

"What?"

"Get the scissor out of the bag and the bottles of ink." Ianto said softly "W are going to cut and dye my hair so it is black, not blue. Then we hide in plain sight."

"But to cut your hair is sacrilege… it is…" Gwen stopped talking "They would not hurt Jax too, would they? What if I say he is mine, move to another carriage… no, he will cry for you and those eyes… oh Ianto, what do we do!"

"A matter of life and death so… it will grow back but if I am dead what does it matter what length or colour my fucking hair is. Gwen…I tell you something I have not said out loud to a single soul… I am with child. It is not just Jax they will kill but a newling growing inside me."

Gwen sobbed as she took the long beautiful tail in her hands and pulled it back … she looked at him in the mirror, locking eyes with him and then ….

Snip!