Chapter 3 - Party Time
The source of the commotion was not a battle, but a festival of some kind. Horse- and oxen-driven carts moved amongst a variety of tents, tables, and games. Hand-in-hand, the Doctor and Rose dove in among the locals, trying to take it all in. The Doctor was particularly relieved to see the delighted expression on Rose's face as they explored.
"What do you think you're doing?" a woman called out harshly as they walked by.
Startled, they came to an abrupt halt in front of her. "Sorry," began the Doctor, "I'm afraid we're new here -"
"I should say so!" answered the woman. "What's a beautiful maiden doing at festival without a proper dress?" Her face instantly softened to something between a caring mother and an eager salesperson. "Come along dear," she said to Rose, holding up one of the dresses from her cart. "Anything you like?"
Looking around more carefully, the Doctor noticed that while most of the men were dressed in the simple, practical garb of farmers, the women wore particularly festive dresses, with wreaths of flowers and green leaves in their hair. "Probably a good idea, Rose," he whispered quietly to her.
Fortunately, Rose seemed agreeable to the idea, if her smile was anything to go by. She asked the woman, "How much?"
She scoffed in reply. "At the solstice? No charge. But if you'll come to Lark's Hill in three days' time, you'll find all my wares are reasonably priced," she added with a wink.
"Is it the summer solstice, then?" the Doctor asked. "Is that what the celebration's for?"
The woman looked at him like he was mad, an expression with which the Doctor was not unfamiliar. "Where are you from that you'd come to the solstice without knowing what day it is?" she asked.
"Oh, a way's away," replied the Doctor vaguely.
With a shake of her head, the woman ushered Rose into a small tent to change, having picked out several dresses for her to try.
To be continued.