(no subject)

[theravenboy]

Bran has baked chicken and roast potatoes and set the table for three. Owen Davies and John Rowlands are due back from the fields at any moment. Everything is done that can be done, so Bran sits outside the cottage door, scratching his dog behind the ears and waiting.

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[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

The assumption has been that John received bad news in Cardiff at the doctor's appointment that never happened, and David and Jen Evans -- and Owen Davies -- have largely left him alone. He's been quieter, more subdued, more apt to find work to do by himself.

It is difficult, sometimes, not to think.

The day is over; Owen and John come from the fields together, largely in silence.

John raises his head and sees Bran, and gives him a quick smile.

[theravenboy]

"Come in, both of you," Bran says, standing and opening the door. Lluchddu bounds in after them.

There is very little conversation over dinner. Bran is tense and quiet as he serves the chicken. Owen's eyes flick to him and away, every so often, in faint worry. John, too, says almost nothing tonight.

At last, Bran clears the plates and returns with strong tea and biscuits. When he has poured each of them a cup, Bran says, "We all three of us need to talk about Milliways."

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

There is open surprise on John's face.

The cup looks smaller than it is, in John's hands; he cradles it carefully as he looks from Bran to Owen, not saying a word.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen looks sharply over at John. "You have been there, then? And you have met--" He breaks off, not sure what John already knows.

[theravenboy]

"Yes, he has been there," Bran confirms heavily, "and yes, he has met Blodwen Rowlands, who is the White Rider of the Dark. John, as you have guessed, Da has gone to Milliways as well, and seen some of its dangers, and some of its beauties. My mother is also there, bound so that she cannot leave... it is a strange place, full of people good and bad, living and dead and creatures that are not people at all. And you both need to know about the current dangers there."

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

There are beauties? he thinks; and for a moment his mouth twists.

And then John looks at Bran, sharply -- he will ask, later, just how much of that bygone summer Owen Davies is aware of.

And then he nods, glance flicking down to his tea.

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

"What has happened?"

Owen directs his question to the space between Bran and John.

[theravenboy]

"It is not all my story to tell," Bran answers, "but John met the woman we knew as Blodwen Rowlands, and spoke to her, and then they spoke with me."

He picks up his teacup and sets it down again without drinking. "I am afraid I angered her."

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

"You are not the only one to have done so, bachgen." His voice is heavy. "Though that is no great matter, now."

Were he a few decades younger, John would fidget in his seat. "I will assume, Owen, that you know what it means that the creature who acted the role of my wife is the White Rider of the Dark." His glance is for Bran, now. "Milliways, then -- is it outside Time?"

The underlying question: will we see another battle? Will we go through all this again?

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen sips his tea before answering.

"I will not say I know everything it means, and I do not want to know any more than I do already. The Light and the Dark are not our business."

[theravenboy]

"No, but it is my business to keep you safe from them."

Bran grips the edge of the table.

"Milliways is outside Time, yes, and the Riders of the Dark cannot leave it to come back to this world. The danger there is very great, now. The White Rider is furious, and she is willing to hurt my friends and my family only to touch me.

"The Black Rider has been making threats, too, although his power was stripped from him and I do not know what he can do, now. So I need you both to be very, very careful should you enter the doors of Milliways again."

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

There's silence, for a moment.

John breaks it. Quietly. "I did not have a say in going there. Will I now?"

[theravenboy]

Owen glances at Bran. Bran shakes his head. "I can go when I wish, and take others with me, but Da cannot choose. It is different for everyone."

Bran pushes a lock of white hair out of his face.

"I think it may be very different for you, John. When I go there, and when Da does, not a second passes at home between the time when we enter the bar and the time when we leave it. You were there for two days of our time."

(At this, Owen looks up, and his chin firms in sudden understanding.)

Bran continues, "I do not know why, but I know that I cannot answer your question."

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

John nods slowly.

"Then I suppose the thing to do is turn around and come home." Just a little wry.

[theravenboy]

"That would be wise," Bran agrees. "I should warn you, though, that the door is not ... predictable. On occasion, it will not let you walk out again once you have entered."

"This has never happened to me, but it has happened to friends of mine. You must be prepared for it. If you are ever trapped in Milliways, try to find people who are strong enough to protect you, and stay by them as much as possible. There is the dewin Merlion, Merriman Lyon, and of course there is my friend Will. Will can always leave the bar and get messages to me, so if you see him, tell him what is going on with you. The bar has a security force, but I think that the Dark is stronger than it is, so I do not know how much help it will be."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen stares at his uneaten biscuit. Not looking at his son, he says, "If I asked you not to go back to Milliways until this was over, Bran, what would you do?"

[theravenboy]

"I would obey you, of course." Bran says tightly. "Please do not ask me. I haven't warned Mother yet."

[owendavies.livejournal.com]

Owen draws in a sharp breath and nods.

[johnrowlands.livejournal.com]

John looks at Bran, then, and doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Be careful, then."

It's been a little shocking to remember that Bran's other father is a king.

[theravenboy]

Bran bends his white head in a quick gesture of assent. "Of course."