"Well do you wish to see if your friend comes tonight? That is one man I know you wish to see."
"Yes indeed he is the only man I wish to see tonight."
Deep in the forest, in the tall tower, alone, the Doctor emerges from behind the dressing screen, in a white shirt and a black leather jacket with a long soft silvery cloak with a gold clasp, which softly falls down his back, trailing the floor when he walks, as hair drags behind him.
"Son my Doctunzel, please let down your hair to me -it's almost time to go and I don't want to be late."
"Coming Laneska." The Doctor calls from the tower.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yes I am! I can't wait to see my friend again. I still can't believe she is a queen!"
"You do have great friends indeed." Laneska says as she climbs up the tower towards the balcony.
"Let me help you inside." The Doctor says offering her his hand.
"Thank you Doctunzel! You're a good son to your mother!"
Looking at him Laneska gushes, "Oh you look so handsome this evening! You look like a king."
Taking off her cloak for a moment, she reveals her rich deep dark blue dress, and the kirtle with a silver trim, while silhouette material with soft leaves sits over top of gray material underneath it. Her hair braded up with stings of pearls and diamonds woven into it.
"What do you think?" Laneska asks twirling.
"You look beautiful. Every eye will be on you."
"Thank you now take my hand and we shall be off at once."
"Laneska could you…" The Doctors sentence is cut off as they reappear at the castle gates.
Turning to him Laneska smiles, "You look so handsome tonight my son. Remember the spell I used on your hair is only temporary. It will last all night- but your hair will become long again. Also remember that the tower is your home and you will come with me back to your home. For tonight -enjoy this outing and have fun. Come along now - I don't want to keep the Queen waiting." she says, running up the castle steps, and into the throne room.
"Announcing Lady Laneska and her son Prince Doctunzel."
The royal page announces them. Martha calls to them for hem to approach her.
"You're Majesty." Laneska says, with a low bow.
"You're Majesty." The Doctor says bowing.
"Lower son- to show more respect!"
Obeying, he bows lower almost falling to the floor.
"Please rise up Prince Doctunzel! I think I have seen thee before I was queen of this land. In my school years, I have seen thee. Aye -I have seen thee! It is you! It doth be good to see thee again. Lady Laneska may I have the honor of dancing with your son?"
"Indeed yes my queen thou art most welcome." Laneska says bowing.
"Musicians please play us a merry tune while we doth dance to thy music!"
Softly the musicians start to play a slow waltz. "Come take my own hand." Martha says offering him her hand.
"I am most honored my queen."
Dancing together Martha manages to talk to him as they dance, "Are you alright? you haven't been ill treated have you?"
"No I'm fine thank you you're Majesty."
"I am glad that thou couldst come to the ball." Martha replies, "We need to talk." She whispers.
"Lady Laneska would you grant me this audience - a walk in my own gardens with thy son?"
"It would be a great honor to have my own son walk with thy Majesty. It's an honor to have been invited her tonight majesty. If I may have one quick word with my own son then I relinquish him to you my queen."
"You may, Lady Laneska."
"Thank you Majesty! Son -come to me. Remember, son, the tower is your home and I wont' lose you."
"You won't lose me I promise." The Doctor says with a smile.
"You may go with the queen. When your walk is over, thou must come back here -I'll be waiting for you."
"Aye mother! I promise thee, I will return."
"Are you coming Doctunzel?"
"He is coming Majesty! I am sorry to have kept him from thee for so long. He is yours to walk with Majesty."
"Your Majesty, I thank thee for inviting me to your royal ball tonight. This be such a grand honor."
"Thou art most welcome." Martha says.
As they walk away from over hearing ears they talk less formally.
"Doctor are you alright?" Martha asks with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine! The witch, Laneska, has treated me well. I keep my guard up though -I don't wish to anger her."
"Can't have you turned into a frog."
"No then I couldn't fly the Tardis across the stars."
"I know you have a connection to the Tardis Doctor can you tell if it's alright?"
"It's safe where it is- but exactly where it is I can't tell but I know we can find it."
"I know we will." Martha says, as they walk along the stony path the sound of their shoes clinking against the ground.
"Martha are you alright here? The Doctor asks, concerned.
"Yes I'm fine, as I am Queen -and my friend Breanna might be able to help us find the Tardis- and I know we can trust her."
"Martha I must say this to you."
"Doctor really its alright I'm fine truly." Martha says sitting down on a stone bench in the gardens.
"Martha you mean a lot to me! You have opened my eyes, and my hearts to see that my life can have joy in it and happiness. I couldn't imagine my life without you being in it."
"Doctor?"
"I need you in my life Martha I can't travel on my own anymore! My life doesn't make sense without you!"
Staring into Martha's deep brown eyes he pulls her into his arms wrapping her in his arms as he brushes his hand down her face. Leaning over he kisses her as he holds her tight.
"Martha you're an amazing girl! You have opened my eyes to so much-you've shown me how wonderful life is. I haven't felt like this in a long time." The Doctor whispers in her ear.
"We should be getting back! Lady Laneska will be looking for you." Martha says as she backs away from the Doctor.
As he pulls her back into his arms; "She can wait! Right now I want to be here with you -I don't want you to leave my side!"
"I don't want you to leave me either, Doctor." Martha says, as he leans over to kiss her once again.
Feeling dizzy for a moment he falls off the bench.
"Doctor are you alright?"
"Yes sorry about that I was dizzy for a moment."
"Maybe we should go back to the palace! You're still dizzy Doctor -lean on me and I'll guide you back."
"Thank you! I am so dizzy don't let go!"
"I won't Doctor."
Entering the throne room, feeling stronger, he stands on his feet
"Your hair!" Martha whispers as she sees it becoming a little long.
"Thank you Majesty." The Doctor says, stumbling over his feet as his hair grows slowly down to the floor.
"What's going on? His hair." One Courtier shouts.
Seeing him sway on his feet Martha catches him before he falls to the floor.
"Not much of a prince, is he?" A nobleman smirks.
"What a funny enchantment. I dare say this is the oddest one I have ever seen!" Another nobleman says, bursting out with laugher.
"I shall not tolerate any unkind words spoken against this man! He doth be my friend, and as such is under the protection of the Queen. I had expected more form my nobles, and ladies of my court! That all of thee shalt treat my own friend with the same dignity, honor and valor as you wouldst your own Queen! If thou doesn't have any kind words to say about this man, my own friend, then I pray thee to hold thy tongues."
"Majesty." Laneska says, approaching the Queen, "I do thank thee for helping my own son! This indeed be a cruel enchantment upon him. I have tried everything to break it -but to no avail."
"I understand, Lady Laneska! May I still have the privilege of visiting your son, as he doth be my friend?"
"May I thank you for helping him again! It's an honor to call your Majesty my friend."
"Let us shake hands to honor our new friendship."
"I would be honored to shake hands with thy Majesty." Laneska says, smiling.
"Laneska -you and your son are most welcome at court."
"I am truly honored by thy Majesty's kindness and generosity!"
"Do take Doctunzel home, and wouldst thou look after him and see to that he is well taken care of? I ask thee to look after him- I ask thee to promise me this."
"I do promise thy Majesty this."