Against all odds the Doctor had done it. Almost.

At least he had not run away. At least he had not left Jack behind.

Unfortunately, the Doctor was now wishing with all his heart that he had run away for one very good reason. Jack was now rolling around the floor in fits of laughter.

"I can't believe that you agreed to that!" Jack exclaimed as soon as he had got enough of a hold over his laughing fit to do so.

"Yes, well, it was me or you and if you'd had to do it we'd have already been thrown into the dungeon as fakes."

The Doctor was pouting and he knew it.

"I suppose you can ride a horse?" Jack asked.

"Of course I can I had a very nice white horse once. I'm not sure where it came from, or where it went for that matter. I lost it riding through a mirror trying to save Madame de Pompadour."

To anyone else this may have seemed odd but Jack, knowing the Doctor as he did, barely batted an eyelid.

"Well it is tomorrow so I'll leave you to get some sleep," he announced, getting up off the floor and going to his own rooms.

The Doctor lay still for once, dreading the next day. It was just like him to be pulled into a jousting tournament!

The next day dawned bright and warm. Arthur stepped sleepily over to his window. Normally, he would not be up at this hour, but there was a tournament.

He smiled as he remembered dinner the previous night. That newcomer, the Doctor. Arthur would never forget the man's face as he was challenged to prove that the knights of TARDIS were anywhere near as good as the knights of Camelot.

Arthur got the distinct impression that jousting was the last thing the Doctor wished to do, but after an obvious internal struggle he had agreed. Just at that moment, the prince was pulled unceremoniously from his thoughts as his incompetent servant came running through the door with his breakfast. Said servant almost tripped over his own feet, only just managing to steady himself on the ornate table. Again.

"Merlin, how many times do I have to tell you to knock?"

"I'm never going to remember so you might as well give it up." Merlin said smiling cheekily.

"Seriously, Merlin, after all the time I'd think you'd have it learned who exactly it is you're speaking to."

"Nope," Merlin popped the P and promptly walked out.

Arthur shook his head at the newly emptied doorway and sat down to eat his breakfast, seriously considering whether a quick spell in the stocks would improve his manservant's manner. Fortunately for Merlin he had more important things on his mind.

Arthur privately suspected that the Doctor, despite his reluctance to participate, was no stranger to using a lance. It would be an interesting match.

The Doctor was up as early as Arthur, although he was not quite so relaxed. He was pacing up and down the length of the room as Jack came in with two trays of breakfast.

"I thought you would need it," Jack said, indicating the Doctor's tray. Do you have any armour? I'm not sure where we can get any from."

"Oh, I'm sure they'll be some lying about TARDIS, I'll have to go and find it." The Doctor said, leaving his have eaten breakfast to go in search of it.

It didn't take him long to find some. He had been pretty sure where it was anyway. On his way back to the castle, armour in his arms, the Doctor saw the market. There just so happened to be a horse trader there.

He reached for a large purse of money that he had also taken from the TARDIS and bought the best one that he could see. After all, it wouldn't do to be stealing the King's horses and a knight must have a mount. The horse he bought happened to be a large black stallion, perfect for jousting with.

Satisfied, he took his armour, more comfortable clothes, and horse to the practice arena. The Doctor promptly got changed and, leaving his beloved suit behind, put his armour on.

As he walked out from the changing rooms he felt very stupid. There were two knights already on the field and they looked at him curiously but, head held high, he got on his horse and grabbed a lance from a nearby stand. Grudgingly he began to practice and thought that he was really doing quite well when one of the Knights challenged him. Pleased with his progress and never one to pass a chance to show off his various skills, the Doctor accepted.

The Doctor won all three matches much to the surprise of his opponents. By then, a crowd of Knights had gathered and they all looked very impressed. Many even complimented him on his skills! The Doctor was sure he was ready.

As tournament started. Both the Doctor and Arthur rose through the ranks and were favourites to be the finalists. Merlin and Jack watched eagerly from the sidelines. Each cheering their friend on.

The tournament had been a small one and by evening Arthur and the Doctor had both unhorsed all their opponents. They would fight the final.

It was, as Arthur had predicted, an interesting match. Arthur the won the first round and the Doctor the second. It all came down to the last. It was a very close match and both unhorsed each other.

It was declared a draw but the Doctor graciously conceded victory to Arthur, saying that he had fallen first.

During the feast afterwards, all the nobles attended, and many approached the Doctor with praise. All was going well, but the Time Lord was getting bored. There was no action.

Just as he had decided to move on, a great crack rocked the castle, knocking everyone to the ground and sending up a great panic.

Maybe he had better stay for a while after all.