Starfall
Chapter 03: Tooth and Claw
Almadynis
AN: I actually did some research for this chapter. Queen Victoria did indeed have a dog named 'Sharp' that died in 1879. I'm not making that up.
Astrid's thinking
Astrid was diligently working to hand sew mistletoe—another task gained from the SCA—into the lining of two Victorian dresses. One for Rose, which was in the color of deep navy blue, and one for herself in a dark forest green. It was very interesting having two sets of memories in her head. There was the set from watching the show in her own dimension, and the set from when she had run through just seven months prior. This time, I'm going to be prepared with actual mistletoe. Last time was a disaster. Let's see if I can prevent more this time. Yesterday, Astrid had asked the TARDIS for special Victorian-style dresses that had bigger-on-the-inside pockets and an incredibly large amount of mistletoe. She had stuffed as much as she could in the pockets and still have enough left for the linings of the dresses. She had finished the green and was currently working on Rose's blue one—almost done with it in fact—and had the green on with her standard black sneakers on underneath where no one could see—to be sure that it fitted correctly.
Astrid had also told Rose that soon the Doctor would become slightly nostalgic about a certain music group. He would try to take them to 1979 Sheffield and would miss by about 100 years. When he did that, Rose was to come straight to her room and put on the Victorian dress that should be ready. Hopefully, that will save a lot of time and misunderstandings.
The only problem with her idea—one of two ideas she had come up with running for her life from the werewolf last time—was that Julian had gotten it into his head that this morning would be a perfect time to play tug-of-war with the dress acting as the rope. The TARDIS was currently in flight, but she could hear the landing noise and knew it wouldn't be long. It was around the right time for the 'Tooth and Claw' scenario and she didn't want to be unprepared this go 'round. Running from an insane werewolf was not exactly on her to-do list…well, it was, but if she didn't have to, why bother?
The TARDIS landed and it jolted her down onto the floor in a heap; she lost her grip on the blue dress and Julian took off out of her room and towards the main control room. "Julian! Get your butt back here!" Astrid ran after him, hiking her skirt up with her left hand to make room for her feet so that she didn't trip. I know how to run in a floor-length skirt. Thank you, SCA! "Julian! Drop it!" Why does he decide to pick today to be a puppy? He didn't do this last go 'round…of course, I didn't think of the dresses last go 'round either. Maybe he likes dresses? Just what I need.
Astrid ran into the control room with enough time to see Julian's hind legs disappear out of the open front doors. "Julian!" Fear embraced her instantly, since their adventures didn't exactly cater to dogs. "No!" A gunshot rang out almost immediately after her golden dog had run through the doors, followed by a puppy squeal of pain. "NO!" She rushed the last few remaining feet, through the doors, and saw her Julian down on the ground, the blue dress spattered with fresh blood.
She barely acknowledged the guns now pointed at her, collapsing on the ground next to her pet. "Julian! DOCTOR!" Her hands were gentle as she stroked her dog; the Doctor was at her side even before she had screamed his name. "Oh Rassilon, Doctor…I think it hit his lung."
His fingers were ever so very light as he skimmed the bloody area, examining the dog carefully with his stethoscope already in his ears. "No, it missed. Barely. Let's get him back into the TARDIS."
Astrid nodded quickly, letting the Doctor gather her beloved dog into his arms and make his way carefully into his ship and then the medical bay. She could trust him to do the best he could. Now that Julian was safe and would live, she had a different agenda. Her face was a mask of pure righteous fury as she rounded on the red-clothed soldiers. Her voice was deep, filled with anger and made several of the men shiver slightly in fear. "Who shot my dog?" Her English accent had completely disappeared in her rage.
One of the soldiers, much younger than the rest, flinched visibly and Astrid's gaze darted to him. With a strong, dangerous gait, she advanced on the boy that couldn't be eighteen years old. "Do you like shooting innocent animals? He's a puppy! What the hell did he ever do to you?" Rose, dressed in a pair of cut-off overalls and a purple t-shirt, came up to her friend's side and put her hand on Astrid's shoulder, trying to calm her down. Astrid shook her off. "He was playing! What gave you the right to shoot him?"
The young man's voice was shaky in the face of such fury. "W-w-we're the guard of Her Majesty."
"And a dog is a threat to the woman? The Queen has dogs too! Do you shoot THEM? Or is it just stray dogs that offend your delicate sensibilities?" Astrid had been advancing on the boy, her very posture full of righteous anger. When she was within a few feet of the soldier, she felt arms wrap around her. The Doctor.
His voice was calm and soothing as he held her close to his chest. "It's alright, Star. Julian will be fine. The boy missed anything major, probably because of the fabric and speed. It'll be all right. Shhh…Julian'll be alright." With his words, coupled with his close comforting presence and the smell of him that permeated her senses, she deflated.
The Doctor held her, waiting for tears, but she just turned in his arms to hold him to her closely. She didn't cry, she just held him, and let him hold her. At the moment, it was what she needed most. No one spoke for several minutes, letting the woman's apparent husband sooth her. He was doing a remarkable job for such a tiny spitfire. Finally, it was the Doctor himself that broke the silence. "Want to tell me why Julian was running with a dress?"
Astrid laughed softly into his suit jacket and came up to give him a small smile, though he could easily see it was forced. Now that she was calm, her British London accent was back to echo his own. "Was making it for Rose. He decided to play tug-of-war and I lost my grip." She drew out of his arms and went to the blue blood-splattered dress in the grass. "Sorry, Rose. I don't think it's salvageable."
Rose, the wonderful friend that she was, drew Astrid into a big hug as well. "That's alright. It's the thought that counts, right?" Astrid nodded reluctantly. Then her brain—and her rational logic—kicked in. She looked up at the captain of the guard. "He said 'Her Majesty's guard' didn't he?"
The captain nodded, raising his eyebrows at the forthcoming reaction. "Which means I made an interesting spectacle of myself within her hearing range. Great. Bet that was a wonderful first impression. I'm so sorry, James. I know you wanted to make a good impression with her."
The Doctor's eyebrows reached his forehead in record time at the name she addressed him with, but he recovered almost instantly. The captain also raised his eyebrows. "Will you identify yourself now, sir?"
The Doctor was excellent at making things up on the spot. He also decided to go back to faking a rather good Scottish accent. "I'm Doctor James McCrimmon from the township of Balamory. I have my credentials, if I may?" The captain nodded and the Doctor reached into his pocket for the psychic paper. He flashed it to them all, "As you can see, a doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself."
A woman's voice came from a previously unnoticed carriage. "Let them approach."
The captain raised his voice to be heard behind him. "I don't think that's wise, ma'am."
"Let them approach." Her voice was insistent.
The Doctor gestured toward the carriage and the captain had no choice but to let them come near. The captain did remain insistent though. He did regret the actions of the junior officer, but there was nothing to do now. "You will approach the carriage, and show all due deference."
The Doctor gave the gun-toting individual a one-fingered salute and the three of them went to the door of the carriage. One of the footmen opened the door to reveal an older woman in tailor-made black velvet clothing with white lace at the collar and a white lacy headdress. "Star, Rose, might I introduce Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Empress of India and Defender of the Faith."
Rose and Astrid curtseyed—Star with more grace than the blond, but it might have been due to the dress or extensive practice in the SCA—and Rose said with amazement. "Rose Tyler, ma'am. And my apologies for being so naked." She laughed a bit nervously.
"I've had five daughters. It's nothing to me. But you, Doctor, show me these credentials." She took the psychic paper offered and the woman studied it with interest. "Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my protector." That explained why the brunette woman had known the Queen was coming this way. "Your lady could have avoided such a horrible event if you had spoken sooner. I am sorry, Mrs. Star for the mistake. I hope he recovers quickly."
Astrid curtseyed again, blushing hotly. "I'm sorry for my outburst, Your Majesty."
"Nonsense. After my own Sharp's death a few months before, I know exactly how you feel. The boy deserved the scolding." The fact that the Queen's statement was probably more scolding than Astrid's since she was the queen, had nothing to do with her comment at all. Of course not. Isn't like the woman has sixty years of experience or anything.
The Doctor smiled at the queen in thanks, even as Astrid blushed brighter. He decided to take the pressure off of her. Especially since everyone here now thought that the brunette was his wife. He couldn't say that it was a disagreeable idea, and disagreeing with the queen would be rather rude, wouldn't it? "If I may ask, why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
Queen Victoria's tone was very calm; she knew he was redirecting the conversation away from the pretty, embarrassed woman. "A tree on the line."
He frowned. "An accident?"
"I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned."
"An assassination attempt?"
Rose was shocked. "What, seriously? There's people out to kill ya?"
The queen was quick to assure her. "I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun."
Astrid added in her two-cents worth. "That's not precisely a good thing, ma'am." Her voice was full of concern. Then she gave a small laugh and a quick smile. "Though I suppose that is the reason for so many guards…with itchy trigger fingers." With her last remark, she shot a dark look over her shoulder at the young soldier, who dutifully flinched.
The captain of Her Majesty's guard spoke up from behind them, once again changing the subject. Though this time was to spare his man. He would be having his own words with the boy later. "Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence. We've sent word ahead. He'll shelter us for tonight, then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow."
Queen Victoria stated calmly with an authoritive air that brooked no argument, "This Doctor, his lady Star, and his…timorous beastie will come with us."
The captain nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We'd better get moving. It's almost nightfall."
She had a small smile. "Indeed, and there are stories of wolves in these parts." Astrid saw out of the corner of her eye the Doctor smile at the queen in pride. "Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!" The Queen of Great Britain and Ireland called out louder so that her driver could hear.
Rose got such a delighted grin on her face that Astrid smiled herself.
They were walking behind the carriage, the Doctor in the middle with Rose on his left and Astrid on his right. Rose was commenting on her own country, pricking Astrid's ears. "It's funny, though, 'cause you say assassination and you just think of Kennedy and stuff, not her."
The Doctor was quick to assure her. "1879? She's had, oh, six attempts on her life. And I'll tell you something else. We just met Queen Victoria."
"I know!" Rose laughed, beyond excited and gave his arm a whack. "I want her to say" she put on a very upper-class accent, "'we are not amused'. I bet you—"
"No." Astrid's voice punched through them and they both looked at her in surprise. "No bets about getting her to say anything. I wasn't funny on the show, and sure as heck wasn't funny while running for my life. Not this go 'round. Got it?"
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "We're going to be running for our lives?"
Astrid nodded reluctantly, ashamed to let that detail slip out. She got an interesting expression though and changed the subject. "You let them think I'm your wife." His face turned its own interesting shade of light pink. "Why?"
"It'd be rude to correct the queen."
The brunette woman wasn't fooled and gave him a hard look before shrugging. "Well, the queen's permission is the queen's command." She gloried in his open-mouthed shock, so much so that he stopped walking. Her laughter ran through the grasses surrounding them.
The Torchwood Estate. It was beautiful on the outside, gray bricks dotted with red to create a unique effect on the siding. A huge observatory with an equally big telescope could be easily seen from the road. The house and other structures were beautiful from the courtyard. The only downside was the mud. Lots and lots of mud. Even as a child I was usually clean…this is almost more than I can bear. I just got this dress!
The three of them stayed to the side and the carriage made its way closer to the household's doors. The footman that had opened the door of the carriage before did so again, and this time helped Queen Victoria down. She had a small smile as she looked upon the ground, enjoying what she saw.
Sir Robert himself came out of the house; bald men in butler's uniforms with extremely athletic builds were behind him. He came within a few feet of the queen and stopped. "Your Majesty." He bowed from the waist as a proper gentleman would.
Queen Victoria's voice was affectionate. "Sir Robert." Then got down to business. "My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?"
He was hesitant to come up with a believable lie. "She's…indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season, and she's taken the cook with her, the kitchens are barely stocked. I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on."
The Doctor noticed, of course, the obvious lie. The only reason the queen or the guards didn't notice the obvious hesitation is their own belief that no one would lie to the queen. Especially not a Knight of the Realm.
The queen was actually cheerful with her reply. "Not at all. I've had quite enough carriage exercise, and this is…charming, if rustic." She gave Sir Robert a reassuring smile. You know, considering what the queen could do if she wanted, this is a remarkable show of her generosity. She isn't forcing him to conform to her needs. Dad told me that one way British monarchs got rid of their competition was to stay at their houses for a week or month or so, forcing the family to have feasts every meal in her honor. This would quickly bankrupt the family and no more problems for the monarch. The principle works in reverse too, I suppose. Queen Victoria isn't trying to punish Sir Robert; she just needs a place to stay for the night. She knows that she gave no notice, and is being generous because of it. She likes him…I feel sorry that she will find out he's a traitor. Queen Victoria hadn't stopped talking in deference to Star's thoughts. "…shall we go inside?" She paused and saw Sir Robert's look as his gaze slid to Rose. "And please excuse the naked girl."
Rose blushed. "Sorry."
The Doctor was still using his Scottish accent. "She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London town. It was her or the Elephant Man, so…"
He grunted as Astrid rolled her eyes and hit his arm. "You're being rude, James."
Sir Robert got an interesting look on his face, almost like nostalgia himself. Oh yeah. The reason he's committing treason is because they have his wife. Poor guy. They made their way into the house, following the queen.
Behind them, Captain Reynolds—took me long enough to remember his name—called out for two soldiers to 'escort the property' and the Doctor made a glance around but Astrid tugged him onward. "You'll find out later, come on." He raised an eyebrow at her character shift and nodded. She was getting more comfortable all of a sudden. It was almost as if she didn't care about the fear anymore. She was always more free to be herself between 'episodes' as she called them, but more tense and fearful during them. That shift hadn't happened this time. This time, maybe the incident with Julian and her anger was enough for her not to feel the need to retreat into herself. Now, she was much more forceful. She knew what was going to happen, like usual, but there was a difference to her…more self-assured. Perhaps it had happened during the six months she had already lived? Or maybe this 'episode' wasn't as bad as others. He would find out soon enough, he supposed.
They were invited into the Observatory, which held the magnificent telescope. There was also a mini-planetary model of all the known planets at the time, running around in circles. The glass roof let in the light perfectly. Sir Robert entered first, then the queen, then the three of them, and finally the monks still disguised as household staff.
Queen Victoria's voice allowed her small excitement at the revelation. "This, I take it, is the famous endeavor."
Sir Robert acknowledged the remark. "All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. It became something of an obsession. He spent his money on this, rather than caring for the house or himself."
The Doctor couldn't help but to smile. "I wish I'd met him. I like him. That thing's beautiful, can I…" he made a hesitant gesture toward the telescope.
"Help yourself."
The Doctor eagerly moved forward to examine it more closely, Rose by his side. "What did he model it on?"
"I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little, shall we say, eccentric."
The Doctor laughed, as well as Astrid. The brunette woman gave a small smile at Sir Robert. "My father was thought to be eccentric as well." She watched the Doctor as she continued speaking somewhat absently. "I found it more that others didn't understand him. There was so much going on in his mind that he couldn't explain, that they couldn't believe or interpret. He was so different from the rest of society…" her voice trailed off as she blinked and blushed slightly. The queen was giving her a knowing look, but Sir Robert was just confused.
The Doctor frowned and spoke up. "It's a bit rubbish." Rose turned, grinning. Astrid gave a small laugh from her spot beside the queen and gestured to the Doctor as if in explanation. "How many prisms has it got? Way too many! The magnification's gone right over the top. That's a stupid kind of—"
"Being rude again, James." When Astrid's voice came, they could all hear her amusement.
He quickly inputted. "But it's pretty! It's very…pretty." He stroked the light chamber.
Queen Victoria moved passed Astrid and toward the Doctor. "And the imagination of it should be applauded." She looked at the telescope with an expression of fondness; her eyes had a wistful feeling of memory. "This device surveys the infinite work of God. Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath." Astrid's head shot up in shock. I forgot that she said that. She would really think an applied mathematician was so amazing? I wonder what she would think if I told her I was a polymath? Huh. Doubt she would believe me. "Steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales."
The Doctor was well into pride. "Stars and magic. I like him more and more." He wandered around to examine the telescope more closely.
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company. Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe-Coburg." The Doctor leaned down to whisper in her ear. Queen Victoria noticed and turned her attention to Sir Robert. "When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported."
The Doctor's interest was piqued. "So what's this wolf, then?"
Sir Robert was dismissive. "It's just a story."
Astrid intervened for the man, knowing it wouldn't be told in front of the 'butler' and in daylight anyway. "Why don't we wait for supper? The full moon should make a wonderful backdrop for the tale."
The knight seemed grateful, but the queen missed it even though the Doctor didn't. Queen Victoria gave a very blank look over her shoulder at Rose. "And perhaps some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness." She faced the head of house again. "Sir Robert, your wife must've left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven, and talk more of this wolf. After all…" the queen gave Astrid a very small smile. "…there is a full moon tonight."
He nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He gave a bow at the waist and the queen left the room.
Astrid pulled Rose to one side almost immediately. "I need you to remember…there is always a weak point in a chain. Got it?" The blond nodded in confusion. "I'm going to stay with the Doctor. Be careful!" Star whispered fiercely as Rose was led away by one of the monk-butlers.
Astrid sat on the Doctor's right, across from the queen and Captain Reynolds. Sir Robert sat at the head of the table. They were all waiting patiently for Rose, but the food had already come and they were still eating. It was actually quite good for monks. Though they have to make their own food instead of servants. Father Angelo came through, balancing a glass of something on a tray. "Your companion begs an apology, Doctor. Her clothing has somewhat delayed her." Because you kidnapped her and chained her up in the cellar.
The Doctor was still keeping up his Scottish accent. "Oh, that's all right. Save her a wee bit of ham."
Queen Victoria gave a small grin. "The feral child could probably eat it raw."
Captain Reynolds forced a laugh, knowing it was supposed to be a joke. "Very wise, ma'am. Very witty."
The queen stared at him appraisingly, no longer amused. "Slightly witty, perhaps. I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited. I shall contain my wit in case I do you further injury."
His reply was very meek and apologetic. "Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am."
Astrid's quiet voice broke in, soft and gentle. She didn't want to overstep her bounds, so tried to carefully phrase her answer. "I know that following James all day; it makes me more relaxed if I can be myself sometimes. Without worrying who he's going to offend next." The Doctor began to look offended himself, but she gave him a very fond smile, which he returned easily. There was a look beginning in the depths of his eyes that she couldn't quite interpret. It only had showed up lately, and it was unlike the look where he was holding himself back. This look only came out when he looked at her, and only every once in a while. It was quite odd. I should ask Rose about it later.
Queen Victoria nodded slightly at the comment, and the look. To her experienced eyes, it was very easy to see what lay there. She could also see that they couldn't see it themselves yet. They would in time, though.
The Doctor visibly shook himself from gazing into Astrid's eyes and he deliberately placed his napkin next to his plate. "Besides, we're all waiting on Sir Robert. Come, sir. You promised us a tale of nightmares."
The queen smiled somewhat sadly. "Indeed. Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction."
"You must miss him."
She glanced sharply at the Doctor. "Very much." Her thoughts swirled in her eyes and she became momentarily lost in their depths. "Oh, completely." She perked up slightly, forcing herself to be cheerful. "And that's the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills, that's just for children, but the hope of some contact with the great beyond."
The Doctor blinked at this revelation, staring at her intensely.
Astrid's heart clenched painfully. This house, the telescope, the library that was to come. They all reminded her of her father. Queen Victoria's comment reminded her that she would never get a chance to see him again. Some days were easier than others.
Queen Victoria noticed the devastated expression on the girl's face and tried to reassure her while at the same time explain to the Doctor. "We all want some message from that place. It's the Creator's greatest mystery that we're allowed no such consolation. They dead stay silent, and we must wait." She gave a small shrug, brining herself out of her thoughts and pointed the conversation onto more interesting matters. "Come, begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters."
Sir Robert nodded and reluctantly began his tale. "The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. Next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and…devoured." Rassilon, what he must think about when he says that. Traitor he may be to the Crown…but I can't really blame him.
Captain Reynolds chose this time to interject his own unwanted opinion. "Oh, tales like this just disguise the work of thieves. Steal a sheep and blame a wolf, simple as that."
Queen Victoria wanted his opinion as much as Astrid did. They both gave the man a small glare.
Sir Robert insisted, "But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation, a boy will vanish from his homestead."
The Doctor was curious, noticed the two women's irritation with the captain, and redirected the conversation. "Are their descriptions of the creature?"
"Oh, yes, Doctor." Sir Robert nodded assuredly. "Drawings and woodcarvings. And it's not merely a wolf, it's more than that. This is a man who becomes an animal."
The Doctor leaned forward, now very interested and intrigued. "A werewolf?"
Astrid shook her head with a small smile, looking at her plate to hide her laugh.
Sir Robert continued. "My father didn't treat it as a story. He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast, to have learned its purpose." Astrid noticed that Father Angelo had been caught by the image of the full moon in the window behind Sir Robert. "I should've listened." The poor knight glanced at Father Angelo and began to speak really quickly. "His work was hindered. He made enemies. There's a monastery in the Glen of Saint Catherine. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations."
Queen Victoria tried to offer an explanation to the obviously worried man. "Perhaps they thought his work ungodly."
"That's what I thought, but now I wonder. What if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet?" The Doctor finally noticed that the 'butler' was at the window, and now chanting. "What if they turned from God and worshipped the wolf?"
The Doctor connected the dots Sir Roberts was drawing. "And what if they were with us right now?"
Astrid shook her head. "Took you long enough. You know, sometimes you really are quite dense. How can you be so intelligent and miss the little things? He's been chanting 'Wolf is God' for five minutes."
The Doctor's eyebrows rose. "You speak Latin?"
Astrid groaned. "Of all the things to catch of what I was saying and you pick the one least important."
By this time, everyone was on their feet. Queen Victoria demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"
Captain Reynolds pointed a gun at their host. "Explain yourself, sir."
Sir Robert tried to explain, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife."
The Doctor had figured out the point Astrid had tried to make and was shouting at Father Angelo. "Rose, where's Rose? Where is she?" In his concern, his Scottish accent disappeared. The monk ignored him completely. "Sir Robert, come on!" He ran out of the room, Robert on his heels.
Captain Reynolds moved around the table to point his gun at Father Angelo. "Tell me, sir. I demand to know your intention!" The monk didn't pause in his chanting. "What is it that you want?"
That got the monk's attention. He stopped chanting and turned around to face the captain. His eyes drifted to the queen. "The throne." Even as he wrenched the gun out of the captain's hand and slammed his right forearm into the captain's elbow, putting the guard on the ground, then hitting him in the head with his knee, Astrid had moved as well, coming up in front of and to one side of the queen.
Her voice wasn't kind, wasn't gentle, and wasn't calm. It was brimming with anger. "You hurt my best friend. It would be a really bad idea to mess with me. I'm the only daughter of a very over-protective father. I can kick your ass from here to Sunday." She paused a moment. "Even in a dress."
Queen Victoria placed a hand on the girl's elbow nearest her and Astrid stopped talking. The queen gazed at the man calmly as she came to stand slightly in front of the brunette. "I take it, sir, that you halted my train to bring me here."
The idiot actually answered her. He actually didn't want the queen dead, so she was safer than Astrid. "We have waited so long for one of your journeys to coincide with the moon."
"Then you have waited in vain. After six attempts on my life…" Queen Victoria produced a small gun from her handbag and pointed it at him, her hand shaking visibly. "…I am hardly unprepared."
Father Angelo smirked meanly. "Oh, I don't think so, woman."
This gave the queen an edge. It made her angry. Her hand steadied as she glared at the monk. "The correct form of address is 'Your Majesty'." And then she pulled the trigger.
Astrid stayed close to the queen, knowing full well that she was the target. Queen Victoria let her easily, she liked the younger woman. Astrid watched as the queen took out a box and commented absently, "I've always preferred opals, myself."
The queen gave her a surprised look, then looked down at the ground when the both of them heard multiple gunshots. They turned to the stairs, going down when they heard Sir Robert call out for Queen Victoria. She answered him immediately, "Sir Robert, what's happening? We heard such terrible noises."
He tried to tell her calmly the situation. "Your Majesty, we've got to get out. But what of Father Angelo, is he still here?"
The queen glanced at Astrid, but the brunette was looking worriedly for the Doctor, who had dashed off. "Captain Reynolds disposed of him." She said finally.
Astrid's face lit up when the Doctor came running back into the room. "Front door's no good. It's been boarded shut. Pardon me, Your Majesty, you'll have to leg it out of a window."
Star immediately shook her head. "No, the monks are outside with the guard's guns. They won't let us leave that way."
The queen was indignant. "Do they know who I am?"
Rose nodded. "Yeah, that's why they want ya. The wolf's lined you up for a…a biting." Not if I can help it.
"Now, stop this talk. There can't be an actual wolf." On cue, a howling rang through the house.
Astrid looked back up the stairs. "We need to get to the library, as fast as possible."
The Doctor nodded in understanding, though he didn't know why the library was safe right now, it didn't matter. "Your Majesty, as a doctor, I recommend a vigorous jog." He ran in place as demonstration. "Good for the health. Come on!" He reached out and grabbed the queen's hand and led her from the room. Astrid and Rose joined hands as well as they ran right after him, Sir Robert bringing up the rear. They ran as fast as they could up the stairs, they could all hear the wolf following. "Come on! Come on!" The Doctor yelled out.
Having reached the top of the stairs, they ran through the corridors, the wolf close on their tails. It is nearly upon them; ready to pounce when Captain Reynolds suddenly appeared holding a gun. He shoots and the wolf reeled backwards down the corridor.
The captain ducked behind the corridor where they others stood, out of breath. "I'll take this position and hold it. You keep moving, for God's sake. Your Majesty, I went to look for the property and it was taken. The chest was empty."
She was out of breath, but assured him. "I have it. It's safe."
"Then remove yourself, ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's protector. And you, Sir Robert. You're a traitor to the Crown." The captain cocked his gun.
The Doctor frowned and surged forward, hoping to change the man's mind. "Bullet's can't stop it."
"They'll buy you time. Now, run!" He positioned himself at the end of the corridor, gun held ready. Queen Victoria and Sir Robert had already started running in the opposite direction, followed by the Doctor, and finally by Rose who stared at Captain Reynolds in dismay for a few seconds. The Doctor, Astrid, Sir Robert and Queen Victoria ran into the library. Rose stopped outside the door and watched as Captain Reynolds shot at the werewolf as it bounded down the corridor towards him, pounced upon him and then ripped him apart. Rose was frozen in horror and cannot move.
"Rose!" Astrid yelled at her, grabbed her wrist from the doorway and pulled harshly. Rose snapped out of it and both girls began to pile the entrance with chairs, small tables, and other bits of wood. "Sir Robert, where is the other entrance?"
The man's eyes widened in horror at the realization and he ran to the other side of the room and began to stack more chairs and wood to block that door as well, the Doctor right beside him helping. Sir Robert sat in one of the chairs for good measure, his head in his hands.
Rose gestured for them all to be quiet. They listened intently as the snuffling and growling moved off and away. They all breathed in deep relief. The blond was confused. "What's stopping it? Astrid?"
The queen was shocked as she looked in the sorrowful eyes of the brunette. "It's the mistletoe. Robert's father used the oil as a varnish for the room. The monks outside are wearing a wreath of the stuff. We have a little time."
Rose needed to laugh. "I'll tell you what though."
The Doctor immediately turned his attention to her. "What?"
"Werewolf."
"I know!" He grinned and they hugged each other in relief.
Astrid stared at the two of them from her vantage point beside the queen. She spoke softly. "They don't mean to be disrespectful. It's just…when you have a job like us…where you are in life-or-death situations all the time…if you don't laugh you have to cry. The two of them laugh when they can." The queen looked at her sad face, Astrid turned to face the queen once again. "I ran out of tears a while ago."
Sir Robert's voice was just as sad as Astrid's. "I'm sorry, ma'am." The queen turned to look at his defeated form. "It's all my fault. I should've sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong. I thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?"
The Doctor showed his ignorance. "Well, they were bald, athletic. Your wife's away, I just thought you were happy."
Astrid shook her head. "You miss some of the most obvious clues; it's really amazing your IQ is so high." He glared at her, but his eyes softened as she continued. "The only reason I didn't insist is that the wolf was already on the premises. It would have changed in the cellar no matter what, and there were at least twenty people chained in the cellar with it."
The queen was now angry. "You knew?"
Astrid nodded reluctantly. "I knew."
Very angry. "You said nothing."
"What could I say? That a werewolf was on the property intent on taking over the British Empire by biting you? You wouldn't believe me! I've been through this before." The Doctor's eyes widened in realization at what she must have tried the last time, though it didn't sound like it unless you knew what she was talking about. "No one believes me until it's too late, and more people are dead. All I can do is try to prepare as best I can. Speaking of…" she dug around in her pockets up to her elbow and when she came up, she was clutching handfuls of mistletoe. Quickly and efficiently—years of making clover necklaces comes in handy at the oddest of times—she made two mistletoe wreaths and offered them to Queen Victoria and Sir Robert. "It's not much, but it might help. Over your head, like a necklace."
The Doctor didn't like the way that the queen was staring at his girlfriend and directed the attention onto him. He scratched his head absently. "You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's more of a lupine-wavelength haemovariform."
"And I should trust you, sir? You, who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?" She demanded of him.
"Oh…right…sorry."
"I'll not have it. No, sir. Not you, not that thing, none of it. This is not my world." Join the club. Daddy…I miss you so much!
Sir Robert spoke next, hoping to help the girl that he realized had given his wife a chance at survival. "We need a weapon."
The Doctor groaned in annoyance. "Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?"
Rose spoke up. "Being rude again."
"Good. I meant that one." He moved to the book shelves lining every wall. "You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world." He put on his brainy-specs. "This room's the greatest arsenal we could have." He pulled a book off the shelf and tossed it to Rose. "Arm yourself."
Astrid looked at him questioningly. "Is now really the best time to figure out something yourself?"
His eyes widened at what she was suggesting. "Alright, my Star. What can you tell us?"
"In 1540, a 'shooting star' fell out of the sky into the Glen of Saint Catherine. Only a single cell survived the crash, slowly adapting through the children the monks stole."
Sir Robert was confused, and really surprised that this girl could know such things. "Why does it want the throne?"
Rose spoke up, "That's what it wants. It said so, the Empire of the Wolf."
The Doctor got a feeling in the pit of his stomach, one of foreboding. "Imagine it, the Victorian Age accelerated. Starships and missiles fuelled by coal and driven by steam, leaving history devastated in its wake."
Queen Victoria spoke from her position by Astrid. "Sir Robert!" He looked at her. "If I am to die here…"
"Don't say that, Your Majesty."
"…I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me. But that's no matter. I ask only that you find some place of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself." She opened her bag and reached inside.
The Doctor called from his spot, "Hardly the time to worry about your valuables."
The queen gives him a very blank look. Astrid thought that he had lost all respect in her mind. "Thank you for your opinion, but there is nothing more valuable than this." She took the Koh-I-Noor from her handbag."
Both Rose and the Doctor were amazed at the diamond. The blond especially. "Is that the Koh-I-Noor?"
Astrid nodded as the Doctor answered. "Oh, yes. The greatest diamond in the world." Rose and the Doctor slowly shuffled forward for a closer look. Astrid just watched the two of them, shaking her head slightly.
The queen saw this and registered the expression. The girl really didn't like diamonds, no matter what the size. That was very interesting. "Given to me as the spoils of war. Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die."
"Well, that's true of anything if you wait long enough. May I…?" The Doctor commented dryly before holding out his hand for the diamond, this time he waited for the queen to place it in his palm instead of just snatching it.
He pushed his glasses down his nose to examine it more closely. "That is so beautiful."
Rose was curious. "How much is that worth?"
"They say, the wages of the entire planet for a whole week."
Rose peered at it intently. "Good job my mum's not here. She'd be fighting the wolf off with her bare hands for that thing."
"She'd win." He gave a small smile as Rose laughed.
Astrid leaned back on a bookshelf and waited; her mind wandering. She knew this scene. He watched it many time, and then lived it. Her thoughts drifted to what she could have done differently, if she did this or that, could she have saved more people? What if she had somehow finally gotten the queen to realize the danger? What if she had told Captain Reynolds? What if? What if? What if?
She was jolted out of her thoughts when she heard the Doctor cry out in realization. Her head shot up to look at him. He was talking very quickly, working it out even as he said it. "There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research and you husband, ma'am." He pointed at the queen decisively, as he began to pace. "He came here and he sought the perfect diamond. Hold on, hold on" he ruffled his hair violently in his eagerness to figure it out. "All these separate things, they're connected. Oh, my head, my head!" He grabbed the top of his head as he paced in a very small space, walking as quickly as he was talking. He finally rounded on the queen, gesturing to her expressively. "What if this house… It's a trap for you. Is that right, ma'am?"
"Obviously." Straight to the point.
"At least, that's what the wolf intended, but what if there's a trap inside the trap?" His eyes were a little bit crazy as he had caught onto the idea.
Queen Victoria didn't understand, and having all his attention on her was a little intimidating. "Explain yourself, Doctor." But he was a very smart man, and she would use her resources.
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories. They dared to imagine all this was true, and they planned against it. Laying the real trap not for you, but for the wolf." On cue, a fine sprinkling of dust fell from the ceiling and they all looked up. Standing on the glass skylight dome over their heads was the wolf, looking down on them and growling. "That wolf there…" The dome began to crack ominously and the Doctor and Rose ran with Astrid and Sir Robert to the door, ripping apart the barricade. Queen Victoria right on their heels. "Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!"
As the wolf crashed through the ceiling, smashing into a desk and scattering books every which-a-way, they all ran into the corridor. I thought I had given us time! Crap! When all of them were out of the library, the Doctor closed the doors on it.
The Doctor called out to them as they ran down the corridor. "We've got to get to the observatory!" They careened around a corner, the werewolf close behind. Rose turned around and was transfixed by the wolf. Just as the wolf is about to be upon her, she screamed and Lady Isobel threw a pan of mistletoe water onto the wolf. Rose screamed again, but the werewolf bounded back down the corridor away from them. Thank you Isobel! "Good shot!"
The Doctor followed the wolf a little way down the corridor, but Astrid was right on his heels. As soon as he was within range, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward her. "Look at pretty wolf later, running now!" He acknowledged her with a nod and they turned together to run again. Lady Isobel was already gone with the other girls, back down into the kitchens.
Sir Robert called out, "The observatory's this way." He pointed down the hall and they got to do more of the running thing right up the staircase. Astrid knew the wolf would recover quickly and be right on their heels. She urged them all faster.
When they arrived at the observatory, the Doctor was in the lead. "No mistletoe on these doors, your father wanted the wolf to get inside. I just need time. Is there any way of barricading this?"
The girls had moved passed him to enter the room, but Sir Robert had stayed outside. "Just do your work and I'll defend it."
The Doctor didn't seem to notice what the Knight of the Realm had said. "If we could bind them shut with rope or something…"
Sir Robert interrupted him, saying with solid determination, "I said I'll find you time, sir. Now, get inside." Both Rose and Queen Victoria were shocked at his pronouncement, but Astrid was just sad.
The Doctor too, understood what Sir Robert was doing. "Good man." The knight closed the doors and took up a position of defense. Rassilon, please guide his spirit and those of the dead this night.
Astrid nodded decisively as the Doctor got the diamond from the queen, she took command and directed Rose to start turning the VERY heavy wheel. Rose was sarcastic despite the dire circumstances. "Is this really the right time for stargazing?"
Astrid gave a heaving laugh as they both pushed, the Doctor moving to join their effort. "Perfect time!" Now comes the other thing I thought of last time. Rassilon, I hope this works! She heard Sir Robert speak and glanced at the Doctor. "I need to let go, you have it?" He grunted with effort and nodded.
Astrid moved around the room, her mind using her background in mathematics at lightning speeds—faster than usual if she bothered to think about it, but she was a bit occupied at the moment—as she tried to find the optimal angle and tipping point. On the edge of her consciousness, she heard the Doctor explain things to Rose and saw the queen hold up her cross. Everything has to be so balanced. Time! I need time. Give me the time…milliseconds matter…when, when, when, whenwhenwhenwhenwhen…NOW! Every fiber of her being suddenly became like a lightning rod as it just fell into place and she dived. Astrid used her foot as a fulcrum and a nearby chair as a lever to hurl herself toward the queen at the exact time the wolf came crashing into the room, pushing Queen Victoria out of the way of the range of the creature.
The Doctor came through and as Astrid was picking herself up off the queen—and the floor—he threw the Koh-I-Noor on the ground in the perfect position to place the beam of moonlight onto the wolf advancing on the two downed women. The wolf was lifted off of the floor and hung there, caught in the wash of moonlight. Even as they watch, and Astrid helps the queen to her feet, the wolf regained human form and whispered, "Make it brighter. Let me go." The Doctor moved solemnly to a dial and increased the beam. With a final howl, the creature vanished and the light shut off.
Rose sighed in relief, as did the queen. Queen Victoria didn't exactly like the fact she ahd been shoved to the floor, but understood the necessity, especially since she saw the long scratch on Astrid's right arm.
Star looked down at her arm and her eyes widened. Oh shit. The universe really hates me, doesn't it? Now I'm going to be killed by a werewolf. Really? Seriously? How is my karma this bad? She moved her sleeve to cover the injury and with her eyes asked the queen not to say anything.
The Doctor came over and noticed the blood on the Queen's sleeve…Star's blood. His voice was very concerned. "Your Majesty? Did it bite you?"
"No, it's…" she saw the pleading in the brunette girl's eyes and made her own decision. "It's a cut."
He wasn't going to give up easily, though. "If that thing bit you…"
"It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart." She assured him.
He stepped close, hand out. "Let me see."
She jerked backwards so that he couldn't see that she wasn't hurt at all and insisted. "It is nothing."
Astrid's blue eyes held much thanks as she looked at the queen from behind the Doctor.
Astrid was the last to leave the small library. They were getting all the pieces together for a knighting the next morning. She stood, the last to go, staring at the queen. "Ma'am? Now that you know…know that I know something of the future…would you listen if I told you something else?"
Queen Victoria was surprised, but slowly nodded.
Astrid slowly said, hesitatingly. She had thought long and hard about this, wondering if she should tell. Finally, she decided that she wouldn't live too much longer, and if she could, this was one hurt she wanted to prevent. They were alone, so she spoke as freely as she could. "Your Majesty, a very long time from now. Hundreds of years in the future, there will come a time when the sky burns and the children cry."
The queen was staring at her intently, committing as much as she could to memory. She now understood how much knowledge this girl held, and how much she couldn't tell because, well, who would believe her? But she had experienced it herself, knew it was accurate. She could at least listen.
"The countries will all build ships to save themselves, but Great Britain will be one of the last…honestly, I don't know why." Astrid shook her head before continuing. "The point is that a miracle will come. A creature from beyond the stars will come because of the children. If nothing is done, your descendant will bind the creature and torture it, building a city around it to carry their people off." Queen Victoria's eyes widened in horror at the accusation, but the girl was trying to help her understand. "They will think it's necessary, so that the creature will do what they want."
"How can I prevent this if it is so far ahead in the future?"
Astrid nodded. "I'm not sure you can, but I can hope. I won't…I won't live much longer, Your Majesty. I was dying before I ever stepped foot in this house." The queen's eyes became slightly compassionate, understanding. "I just want to help my Doctor as much as I can before I have to go. Maybe if I tell you this story, about your own childrens-childrens-children, you can help. Perhaps if you tell the story to your own children, and they pass it along on down the line, that when the time does come, they will remember." Her eyes were distant, gazing off in hope. "Maybe the creature will not have to suffer, if they remember the story and remember that the creature came because of the children. That it volunteered to help them escape the burning sky. That they don't have to hurt it."
Astrid got to her feet, and curtseyed. "I know that sometimes the Doctor and Rose make jokes and give all kinds of wrong impressions. I do know that, more than most. But both of their hearts are in the right places. They think of others before themselves. They try to save as many as they can and they give chances. They have sacrificed so much. The Doctor's entire family, friends, loved ones…all of them are dead, ma'am. He chose others over himself, and had to stand by and watch as so many died so that he could save an infinite amount more. They have both gone through so much…" Her eyes were distant and glazed before she shook herself out of it. She gave a half-hearted smile to the queen and moved to leave.
"What did you lose?"
Astrid froze; her hand on the door. "Everything." Then she pushed it open and left, running from the memories of her past.
The next day found the three of them kneeling on the carpet, guards and maids all around…those that had survived. Everyone who had survived was there. The queen had a sword and started with the Doctor. Laying it first on one shoulder and then the other as she intoned evenly "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Sir Doctor of TARDIS." Next was Rose. "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Rose of the Powell Estate." Finally, Astrid. Not quite sure how this works. I haven't been born yet and I'm an American citizen..even if she still thinks I'm married to the Doctor. Can she knight me? Oh, who cares, this is really cool! "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Star of TARDIS." She let the sword point rest on the floor—which made Astrid shudder at the dulling of the blade, but now REALLY wasn't the best time to bring something like this up. "You may stand."
The three of them got to their feet, both the Doctor and Rose saying thanks. Astrid was just confused, but said her own thanks. The Doctor covered any error she might have given by commenting to the queen, "Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving a message from the great beyond. I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now, ma'am, from beyond the grave."
The Queen of Great Britain and Ireland nodded severely. "Indeed." She paused for a moment, gazing at the brunette girl who had revealed so much the night before, and saw in her eyes acceptance. Astrid would accept whatever the queen said next. It was enough. "I have rewarded you, Sir Doctor. I don't know what you are or where you're from, but I know that you consort with stars and magic and think it fun. Your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death and I will not allow it! You will leave these shores and you will reflect, I hope, on how you managed to stray so far from all that is good." Her old eyes looked at Astrid in sympathy before the anger returned and she turned back to the Doctor. "And how much longer you will survive this terrible life." She wouldn't banish them, which was her first thought…but only because of the Lady Star. That woman, who seemed to know the future and sometimes she could see the weight that knowledge had on her shoulders and could sympathize with the power, was the one who held the Doctor back. The one who steadied him and refocused him. She was just as important as the man himself. She wouldn't banish the Doctor until Lady Star died; not until his leash broke. If she ever saw him again, and saw him without the brunette woman, she would banish him then.
Rose and the Doctor walked ahead of her, chatting amongst themselves. Convincing themselves that the queen had been bitten and then been infected by the werewolf. That the royal family themselves were werewolves.
Astir was behind them, barely within earshot. She couldn't stop looking at her right arm. After they had finally been able to get some sleep—the Doctor sleeping above the covers fully dressed while she was in a nightshift under them—Astrid had awoken to find that there was a long red scar down her right arm. Within a few hours, it had faded to pink. Now, walking back to the TARDIS, it was barely noticeable.
Does this mean that I don't have to worry about it…or that I have to worry about it more than the vortex in my system? I really need a break.
Well, what do you think? Review are love!