Bespelled

Warnings: AU, shape-shifting, magic, possible spoilers for whole series

Author Notes: Not sure where we're headed but it's a fun journey, isn't it?

Disclaimer: Not mine. Just borrowing for the time being...Disclaimer: Not mine. Just borrowing for the time being...

 

Chapter 4:

 

"What do you mean you weren't born in the form you are?" Ianto asked as his heart sank.  If someone had done this to the creature before him he would have to find a way to correct the mistake.  And he may lose Jack.

 

That thought hurt more than he thought it should.  But he would do what was best.

 

"I was born a human.  Well, mostly human," Jack gave a small laugh.  He readjusted to sit more comfortably on the floor, and wrapped his tail around his legs, admiring the blue color in the scales.  Now that he was drying off the sunlight from the window glittered off the scales that had once seemed midnight blue, but were in fact many varying shades of blue.

 

Ianto sat down before him, staring into his face with rapt attention.  "Go on."

 

"Do you still know of dragons?" Jack asked as he looked up.

 

"The great winged beasts of the sky?  They roam far away in the mountains.  But it has been centuries since any human has had contact with one," Ianto replied after a moment of thought.

 

"Centuries?" Jack asked, looking dismayed.  "Then all my people... I truly am the last of my kind..."

 

Ianto could stand the heart broken look and leaned forward to envelop Jack in a hug.  Trying to comfort him in any way he could.  He felt the winged man hug him back briefly before pulling away.

 

"Thank you.  But I should tell my story so you understand," Jack replied.  "I will not tell you everything.  Some secrets will be mine to keep.  But I will tell you the gist of what happened.  I belonged to a tribe... well town; but what does it really matter? We lived in the shadow of the dragons long ago.  We lived high in the mountains, where the dragon's flew over head frequently. Many feared the dragon's would attack, but the elders made an arrangement long ago to keep the dragon's from attacking with us so close to their nests.  We agreed to help them if they in turn helped us.  They would fly our men to far away lands for trade and necessities, and we would help with the rearing of the young dragons.  The relationship grew to some of our townsfolk become bound to the dragons they were with the most.  Becoming Companions."  Jack paused for a moment, lost in thought and memory.  

 

"Are you alright?" Ianto asked as he reached out to hold Jack's clawed hand, ignoring the long nails that could do him great harm.

 

"I'm fine.  I should finish the story though," Jack replied with a little laugh.  "I was only eighteen when I was chosen to work in the hatchery.  Mother dragons do not have litters as often as humans think.  And on their own, not many survive.  So our job was simple.  Keep the eggs warm when the mother was not around.  Keep the eggs clean.  And keep them safe.  The mothers would be around for the majority of the time.  But when they needed to hunt they would leave their offspring in our hands.  Kind of humbles you.  It was the first step towards getting ready to help rear baby dragons.  We could feel their pulses in the eggs, and hear them move once in a while.  Most of the mothers would let us touch the eggs.  Cautioning us to be gentle but it helped the young ones inside to know there was someone there, even when it was not their mother. I worked with the eggs for a year before getting ready to help with the hatchlings.  Helping them to leave the eggs."  Jack paused, pain in his eyes.  He shook himself.  "I'm sorry.  I just remembered how this," he gestured to himself, "happened and what the cost of it was."

 

"What happened?" Ianto asked.

 

"I died."

 

"What?"

 

"There was an earthquake.  The cave I was in was collapsing.  I was with the little ones, trying to get them out.  They were a cross between our own children and pets.  We could no more leave them to die than you could a child you have just met that likes you.  So I stayed in the back, helping the little ones keep their wings and tails in check and run.  Others were closer to the exit.  I... there was a surge of magic.  A piece of the ceiling collapsed on me and I heard my back break.  When I looked down I could see blood pooling around me.  One of the eggs had fallen with me... the magic pulled us through together and fused us.  The hatchling inside had died.  It had died just as the earthquake began.  When I fused with it... this happened," he gestured to himself again.  "I hurt so much.  But I felt the brief touch of the mind of the little one.  It helped to make the transition.  It knew my energy, my soul.  I had sat with it when we thought it was dying.  I didn't want it to be alone.  I couldn't leave it.  And ... I heard it tell me I would find my Companion.  My..."

"Yes?" Ianto asked, wanting to hear the rest of the tale.  Jack had avoided eye contact for most of the story and the young wizard was trying to catch his eye again.

 

"My Soul Mate," Jack replied as he looked up and locked eyes with Ianto.

 

Ianto gasped as he felt the connection between the two of them surge.  He felt the magic bind them closer together, but he felt no fear at the concept.  Only a deep sense of belonging.  

 

"I believe you are my Soul Mate," Jack said quietly.

 

Ianto laughed a little, startling the other man.

 

"What's so funny about that?  This is supposed to be serious.

 

"It's not funny.  It's just... relief.  I thought I was mad when I was younger to think there was a deep connection between us.  The Elders said it was just the sign of a companion.  That you were nothing more than a beast that had been thrown here by Fate and Circumstance.  I ... didn't believe them.  I have dreamed of your eyes since the night before I first came to see you.  You have been in my thoughts for a very long time.  It would only make sense it is because we are meant to be."

 

Jack smiled at that.  The wide grin was catching. "I believe we will do well together, Ianto."

 

"I believe you are right, Jack."