Chap 22
Ianto walked as slowly as he could but knew to most guests it still looked rushed as he approached Jack.
Looking at his mate filled him with such pleasure that he felt the urge to cry. Rhiannon would have been so pleased for him. Love. Real love, not the kind you strive for but that which is truly given. Gods, thank you for your gift.
Jack looked edible in his midnight blue slacks and pale blue tunic with silver buttons fastening the front. The open smile facing him told Ianto he was pleasing to his mate's eye as well in his burgundy and gold.
As he reached Jack he held out his hands and Jack clutched at them, pulling him into his embrace. As Jack held him Ianto sighed and let go what silly fears he still had. Whatever happened, he would not be alone.
Jack wanted to begin the vows and Ianto nodded as the unspoken agreement of today's events began to unfold. The guests all settled to watch with the Hart family scowling at their surrounding rivals.
The high priest motioned for Jack to begin.
"I, Jack Harkness, take you, Ianto Jones, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the bond mate you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I will keep you safe, you will keep me warm and may we always know the warmth of the sun as we enjoy the cool waters." Jack said calmly and many gasped as the traditional vows gave way to love tokens.
The Hart family shifted in their seats as they recognised the ancient verse of bonding that had not been included in a wedding vow for over five centuries. Lisa noted that her friend had the water bowl and she smiled to herself. It was all going as planned.
"Jack, do not make me leave you, return quickly if you leave me as I will be following after you, For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and my people are yours, and your Gods will be my Gods. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lords do with me what they will and more if anything but death parts you from me. For our time apart in death will not be for more than the moment I need to find my blade, then I'll join you on the journey knowing you will be waiting just along the path. My beloved, I will wait for you if my journey begins first." Ianto's voice carried over the congregation and his gravelly lit had many stunned as there were few who had ever heard him speak, let alone with such strength.
The shock at hearing another ancient vow within Ianto's words not only shook the Harts but the whole room who began to look at their neighbours with confusion.
Jack bit back a sob as he slid his ring onto Ianto's finger, joining the one waiting there. His own ring slid on almost immediately and as the place erupted into cheers Jack held up their joined hands for the worlds to see.
"Lords and Ladies may I present to you our Princes' Regent Jack and Ianto Harkness-Jones!" crowed the priest talking pleasure in the roar of outrage from the Harts as they heard the truth of the union. The Harkness and Jones houses had just merged to become one.
The two men had not just bonded, they had fused. Lisa had missed the announcement as she stood and motioned to her friend who slipped to the front and handed Jack a bowl of water for the stream ceremony.
Jack took the opportunity to tip the water into the fire bowl but Ianto barked a warning as he smelt oil, not water in the bowl. The flame danced higher and as everyone watched with open shock Ianto did the only thing he could to save the room, he reached out and caught the flame in his hand, holding it safely in his palm.
It was time to fly. The mountain exploded as the beast sprang from its lair and her heavy wings fanned out to catch the winds as she turned towards her new master.
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Bugger, bum! Sorry I missed a chap. Tired and slightly insane