10
"We chose to tell the children that one of the horses died" Jack said sadly into the camera lens "after all, these special Royal Bloodlines are theirs too. They understand someone came to our home and sullied it. It is the decision of your kings that these… people… be left to your care. I personally want to flog them in the town square until the whip meets bone but my dear husband tells me I am a little highly strung. King Ifan has faith in our people, he knows the judicial system will do what is right."
Jack paused and took a sip of water "On the subject of my beloved, you all know he is reclusive and selective with his time in the light. He is retreating further since this blatant attack on us, on our children. There are photos of… well. Ianto took them immediately after so the police could have a graphic and accurate understanding of the scene before medical crews arrived to help those still alive. Three men survived the attack against us and are now in the care of the justice department. Ianto has chosen a couple of the less…. Graphic shots and has allowed their release on our official website so you can all share our horror and anger. I Understand… Ianto NEVER shares his photography with you. The fact he is an amazing artist is something he never shared. Today is different. Today we share."
Jack glanced off screen to Ianto who nodded and made a motion with his hand to wrap it up so Jack smiled softly, transforming into the handsome man that made women…. And men… sigh "So, as you can see I am sitting the office of the cottage retreat. Not at all what you are used to seeing me in but it's a real home. For a real family, just a couple of parents and their kids having a little country holiday. And I hope you allow us the space to recover and rebuild strength. As always, I have faith in my subjects as we are made of strong mettle, right?"
Ianto stepped into frame in the background, his hands wringing together as he walked up behind Jack and placed a hand on his shoulder "Cariad. The little Captain wants a book."
Jack's face lit up as he grinned widely "Ah, my sweet Captain Bum. My youngest precious needs me. Farewell."
Jack fumbled with the buttons then swung from the chair and left Ianto stranding there, still staring at the little blinking light. He leaned forward so he was fully in frame, reaching for the button to stop the live feed but he hesitated and said softly into the camera "We endure. We prevail and we always return. Thank you for you love and kind thoughts. Thank you for supporting my Cariad and my babies. Don't worry about me. I will flame the world if I have to, to keep them safe."
He cut the feed.
That day, that last moment was replayed over and over again as the words 'We prevail and we always return' played under it.
Finally the world saw that their beloved king did not just have a handsome and righteous mate… but Ianto finally let his tiger laws show too. Rumors of his strength were confirmed, as stories were retold and by the time the children were in bed and Jack was doing the weird sock thing… the world readjusted their thinking towards the one they thought was a sour little wallflower.
By morning several stores had a poster of the kings or a family shot in their windows, flowers at their feet and those words painted on the glass.
By lunchtime it seemed like every store had a version of it, some even displaying Ianto's books along with royal ones, the posters all becoming just one.
The rare shot released at the time of the coronation when Ianto was alone, looking at the flowers left by the crowd and in a moment when he thought there were no cameras his smile had slipped and he had looked out at the world pensively. Many had thought him soft. Weak. Nervous.
Now people saw calculation and strength. Determination.
By that evening… the news started with the image of Ianto looking over the crowd of people from the podium after the train crash, his head high and his hands held out as if to reach for a hug, his face full of love.
When Ianto woke to the second day after the attack it was to the song on the radio that he had never head, turning it up to find it a song about him. One of the pop stars had already released a theme song for him. He had a new title.
The People's King breathes the air of the common man
The People's King speaks the words we need to hear
The People's king does not waiver or bend
The People's ling will prevail in the end.
All Hail the King!
It was like some sort of victory song after a war or something and he found it highly amusing. The crescendo of music like some sort of thunder storm. He liked it.
He rang the local papers, the reporters he liked and commented that he heard the song and found it very uplifting and blood stirring. He said he might let the children hear it for their thoughts, they loved music.
By the next day there were several versions including one sing by a children's choir.
Ianto felt much beter.
