Within the next few hours, the ceremony was arranged, River getting changed into a black dress.
She ran into the King in the hall. He looked like a boiling kettle, trying to keep a lid on it for the sake of his wife.
She could tell he was mad already, but she couldn't pass up an opportunity to mess with him. "Did you remember flowers, my love?" She asked as she linked her arm in his so they could walk together to the chapel.
He huffed. "No one told me anything about flowers."
"Dear, flowers are a part of any funeral." She crossed her arms, "I knew I shouldn't have let you plan this."
"It will be just fine without them." He insisted.
She put on an upset face.
He looked at her, then glared at the floor. "Ugh, fine. I'll send someone to get them from the gardens, but they will be damp."
"That's fine." She kissed his cheek, "And have you prepared what you will say?"
He muttered something. She glared at the side of his head for a brief moment, then pressed a hand to her side, wincing.
He coughed, straightening his robes. "Yes. I have."
Her smile returned, "Thank you."
He sighed, "I must go make final touches."
She nodded, "Shall I come with you?"
"No, go find your seat. Comfort the staff."
She nodded, kissing him deeply, "Thank you for doing this for me."
"Of course." He murmured.
She walked to the chapel, sitting where she was told and speaking with the staff around her. Many were openly crying now, taking comfort in River's kindness. She made sure each one of them had a handkerchief and spoke to as many as possible, trying to console them.
It was an odd thing to do, even for her, but she knew that this was probably the first time these servants had been treated with kindness in the castle. She also knew that if she wanted to be the one to deliver the Crown, she had to set the example of a good queen.
Every head that wore the Crown had been powerful, but fair ruler and she realized that that commonality needed to start with her, even if she wasn't in the history books.
Marcus was by her side, for the most part, making sure (by order of the King) that none of the conversations were getting too stressful for her. He also took the opportunity to thank her for saving his neck.
"We're partners, remember? You watch out for me and I watch out for you." River smiled in response.
"I really do appreciate it. I'm sorry it caused you trouble with the heir."
She shook her head, "It was bound to happen at one point. If it hadn't happened with you, it would have with something else."
He smiled, one of the only people to offer the friendly gesture regularly. "I must repay you."
"Perhaps some time in the future, but not tonight. Tonight is about the boy."
"Jacob." He sighed. "A good friend, but lost now."
"I lost a son..." She whispered, "There is no pain in the universe that can compare to that loss." It was the first time she had ever spoken about William with someone outside of her family.
"I'm sorry." Marcus murmured sympathetically.
She shook her head, "It was several years ago and something I've learned to live with."
"Yes, death makes companions of us all. Still... it must be rather difficult to bear another child with the possibility of losing that one, too."
"I've had plenty of nightmares." She whispered, smoothing a hand across her middle, "It's almost enough to make you not want to have any more children, just to avoid the risk of losing them."
"My sister had similar emotions when she lost her children."
"How did she deal with it?" River asked, looking up at him, a flicker of genuine heartache flashing in her eyes.
"Well..." He thought. "It took her many years. They were killed in a village raid, so she felt she couldn't protect them. She traveled for many months. She tried to isolate herself to avoid any reminder, but when she finally reached out again it helped her. She started helping people to rebuild trust in herself. She cares for orphaned children now."
River nodded, staring at her lap, thinking about her husband, their lost son, and the pain that they often still hid from each other.
"Perhaps you could meet one day. I'm sure you'd be good friends."
"I would like that very much." She took a minute to recollect herself, "Please, don't tell the King what I shared with you. He doesn't know and...I'd rather it stay that way."
"Of course. I can't think of why it'd come up in a conversation." He nodded.
She waited another few minutes before getting up to look for the King once again, wondering what was taking him so long.
It took some asking around before someone told her that he was in the room that was usually locked and guarded. River frowned, trying to go up to the door to knock on it.
"Come in." Said the King from inside.
She opened the door, walking inside. There were a number of stairs to go down, leading to a hall of rooms known as the vaults. Sound carried easily, River's footsteps echoing.
One of the rooms near the end was slightly open and a light came from inside. It was a small and windowless room, lit by two wall candles. The only thing in there beside his majesty was a pedestal holding a pillow and a familiar crown.
River stopped as soon as she saw the Crown, her heartbeats quickening. She didn't know what to say, at a loss for words, wondering what he was doing with the Crown at this moment in time.
He turned to look at her. "Did you need something, wife?"
"I was just...seeing where you had gone off to." She murmured, "What are you doing down here?"
"Reminiscing." He said in the same tone.
She moved closer to him, wrapping her arm around his torso and pressing her cheek to his arm, "Are you alright?"
He sighed. "Yes. It was a long time ago." She pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
She knew that now wasn't the time to ask if she could have the Crown, "Do you need me to do anything?"
"Just continue to be wonderful." He smiled weakly.
She tried smiling back at him, thoughts of William still floating in the back of her mind. She held him a bit tighter, staring at the Crown.
"Come now. We have business."
She nodded, turning to go back up the stairs, "Have you finished all the preparations?"
"Yes, I have." He confirmed.
As they reached the top of the stairs, they were met with a group of very cross looking noble men. The King quickly put on an expression to match, stepping in front of River. "State your business."
"We have come to bring you to your senses and protest this abomination of an event." The supposed leader growled, glaring at the River.
The King shut the vault, glaring back harder. "The funeral will be happening whether you say so or not."
"Have you gone mad?" The man stared at him, "This sacred space is reserved for only the use of the high born. I will not stand by and let generations of tradition be tainted by the ideals of a woman who has too much control over you."
"My woman does not control me, this was my idea!" It wasn't of course, but taking credit for things was second nature to him. (That, and River had a talent for making him think he was acting of his free will.) "I am a high-born, as well as my wife, and we will be using our privileges in the chapel to do what we please, and I please to hold a wake for the boy who died tonight."
"Before you married this woman you never would have dreamed of hosting a service for a servant." The man snarled.
"I never had a need to! My marriage is coincidental, not causational."
"You had plenty of times to do this! I will not stand for this."
The other men circled around them, grabbing for River. The King pushed them away with an unforgiving force. "If you lay a finger on my wife you will be hanged! I do not care for your concerns, your words mean nothing! I am your superior, your rightful leader and what I say goes! How dare you accuse me and your queen of disgracing anything. You should be blessed to look upon us! You should be punished for speaking against us!"
"We are only doing what we think is best for you, my King. This woman somehow won your affections seemingly overnight and we fear that you are not thinking clearly."
"I will not apologize for not sharing the intimate details of my love life or for having one. Never question my judgment. If you want to keep your homes and lives I urge you to return to them. Now."
Several of the men backed off, slinking back to their houses. Only a few remained, "I promise you that you will regret this. Don't grow too attached to your heathenous Queen."
"And I promise I will have you hanged if any harm comes to her. Leave before I make you."
He hissed. "You wouldn't, you're too much of a coward." The man spat at his feet and turned to walk away.
The King had all his pent up fury from that day bursting out of him at the seams. He looked to the guards posted down the hall. "Seize this man!" The guards ran and grabbed the man, dragging him back to the King. "Put him in the dungeons immediately. Let him rot through the night and make his final peace with the Gods."
"You'll only be fueling the people's anger!" The man shouted as the guards dragged him away, "I am not afraid of death! I will be a martyr for the people! They will rise against you!"
"Vulture." The King muttered, watching the traitor disappear. "Pick his own bones before he picks mine. To claim loyalty and then this?"
River had her arms wrapped protectively around her middle, a mix of fury and fear on her face.
The King turned to her. "He will not harm you."
She nodded, though her expression or stance didn't change. She'd had no idea how much the people disliked her and she knew that it wouldn't be terribly difficult for any of them to harm her or the baby.
"My queen?" He put a hand on her cheek.
She closed her eyes, taking a shaking breath. He pulled her against him, figuring words would be too difficult. She hugged him tightly, burying her face into his shoulder, wishing the Doctor was there.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I was only doing what I thought was right."
"It is and that man will hang." He murmured. He was mostly motivated to do the funeral out of spite at this point.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, "So much for the calm environment the midwife requested." She breathed.
He looked alarmed. "Do you need to lie down again? Do you feel alright?"
"I'm fine." She assured him, kissing his cheek, "Let's go to the ceremony."
He nodded, offering an arm. She took his arm, walking beside him though she continued to look around as if someone was going to attack them at any moment. They made it safely to the chapel, taking their seats by Marcus.
River continued to fidget, looking around the room every three minutes. The King held her hand firmly as the workers took turns speaking about the stable boy and looking at the flowers lining the wooden casket.
"You did a lovely job." River murmured to the King, giving him a very small smile.
"Thank you." He squeezed her hand.
When it was his turn to say something, he got up and stood where the other speakers had stood. Most of his words weren't genuine and everyone knew it, but they were surprised at his effort. He declared that the wake would last until the rain stopped and anyone was welcome to grieve freely until then.
River was somewhat touched by the effort he gave and the compassion he showed. When he returned to her, she thanked him again. "We can leave now if you'd like."
"I wouldn't mind retiring early." He agreed.
Marcus followed them out, particularly alert tonight. Many of the servants stopped to bow and thank the King as they left.
"Commander," The King addressed Marcus, "I would like you to stand watch in front of the royal chambers tonight."
The man nodded, "Is there any particular reason to be on special alert tonight?"
"Noble John has made a threat to the queen and I. He has been jailed, but I'm weary of his followers."
"I will personally guard the door and position the best guards along the hall as reinforcements." He bowed.
"Thank you." Phillip murmured, probably one of the first time he'd actually said the words. "Come, queen, to bed."
She followed him into their room, bolting the door behind them. She got changed into her nightgown, though started pacing the room.
"Wife, why do you act caged? Come to bed." He urged.
"I won't be able to sleep." She shook her head.
"You need your rest. Lie down at the least." He went over to her, running his hands over her shoulders.
She bit her lip, "I cannot just lay in bed when my life and the life of my child has been threatened."
"There are guards all over the halls. You will be safe." He insisted.
"What about the window? Or what if they overpower the guards?" She shook her head.
"We are three floors off the ground and I'm sure we'll wake if the guards have trouble. I will be here to protect you."
She buried her head in her hands, letting out a dry sob for effect. She was worried, of course, but the hysteria was an act. "I don't want to be here anymore. I don't feel safe here."
"You will be leaving in the morning, my queen. Surely you can make it through the night."
She sighed, taking a shaking breath, "Fine, but I cannot sleep tonight. I'll sleep on the carriage ride tomorrow."
"Very well, but lie with me, please."
"I'll feel too vulnerable laying down." She shook her head.
"Well... sit, then." He gestured to one of their chairs.
She sighed, sitting. He moved to sit adjacent to her.
"Are you not going to sleep?"
"With my wife up worrying? I will be good company."
"But darling, you have a kingdom to run."
He shrugged. "It'll be fine."
She smiled weakly, sitting back and trying to think about something else. He stayed up with her for hours, trying to talk about random things. He did, however, fall asleep in his chair eventually. River nearly fell asleep as well, though noises kept causing her to jump.
Marcus knocked and brought her tea in the early hours of the morning, updating her that everything was fine. She thanked him, taking the tea hesitantly.
He looked at the King. "He cares for you quite a lot."
She looked at the man as well, "You think so?"
"He hasn't been so considerate to us in years."
"I think he's just shaken from what happened yesterday."
"Yes... perhaps it was the storm." The rain had lightened up, though not stopped.
She nodded, standing and walking over to the sleeping King to wake him.
He snorted and stirred, jerking awake. "Huh?"
"My love, I must get ready to leave." She touched his cheek.
He frowned, "Already?"
"I know how much you hate when I leave, but I'll be safer in the other kingdom than I am here." She reasoned.
He sighed and nodded. "And if you leave now in the early morning you will be safer." He stood. "I will purge the kingdom of threats to you while you're gone."
"We'll miss you while we're gone." She whispered, bringing his hand to rest on her belly.
He smiled tiredly. "Do get some rest on your way."
"I will, I promise." She smiled back.
"Return to me whole and happy."
"I will tell our little prince stories of you each day to ensure he doesn't forget his father."
"I have no worries." He kissed her.
"I must get dressed, and then will you see me out?"
"Of course."
River got ready for the day, eager to get home to be with the Doctor and her children.
The carriage was prepared and meals for her travel made. Soon the King was walking down with her to the stables. It was still drizzling.
River climbed into the carriage, "I shall give my girls you best wishes."
The King didn't comment on that, giving her another kiss. "Safe travels."
"Stay safe, my king." She squeezed his hand.
Marcus sat on the coach seat, holding the reins of the ready horses. The King closed the door River drew back the curtain on the window, blowing him one last kiss and pressing her hand to the glass.
He waved back as the transport started moving away. River leaned back and sighed, looking forward to getting out of her uncomfortable dress and into normal clothes.
As per their usual agreement, Marcus stopped the coach a little ways into the forest, getting down from his seat to open the door for River.
"Thank you." She smiled, getting out of the carriage. "I'll see you in a few weeks time."
He handed her the bag the servants packed. "Safe journeys." He said, getting back up to take the reins. He always had to ride the whole journey there, just to make sure passing towns could vogue that the carriage went by.
She watched him go before going to the TARDIS which had been cloaked just a few feet off the path.
The ship welcomed her and had a pair of pajamas waiting on the jump seat. The Doctor was under the impression that she was in the other room putting the girls to sleep while he brushed his teeth. She would be getting a well earned night of rest going home.
River gladly wriggled out of her dress and put the pajamas on, hiding her bags and the dress in the wardrobe. She then piloted the TARDIS back to the flat, going up the stairs to tuck the girls in as if nothing had happened.
They gave her sleepy kisses, murmuring their excitement about the play they were in, which was going to be performed in a matter of days.
"I know, my loves. I can't wait to see it." She smiled, touching Freya's soft curls. "Get some rest now."
"Will my baby brother come?" Freya asked.
"Yes, of course, Arthur will be there." She nodded, "I should go check on him now. Get some rest."
"Night night, Mummy." She snuggled into her blankets.
"Goodnight, love." River quietly left the room, going to check on Arthur.
The boy had been put to bed hours ago but was fussing in his sleep. River leaned over the crib, gently touching his stomach to calm him. He whined, but slowly stopped kicking.
"Hush now, my darling." She whispered. He took a minute to still, unconsciously sending a warm feeling or two through the mental connection. She smiled, leaning down and giving him a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving him to sleep.
The Doctor was waiting in bed, reading by lamplight. "What are you reading?" River asked, crawling into bed and picking up her blue book.
"Just some Agatha Cristie. Very clever woman. Great garden, could use some work on her bridge playing."
She hummed, already a bit distracted by her diary.
He put a bookmark in, looking up at her. "Kids asleep okay?"
"Mmmhmm." She hummed, scribbling away, not really hearing his question.
"River?" He put his book down on the nightstand. "You alright?"
"Yeah." She finally looked up, "Just jotting down some notes."
"Something happen today that I missed?" He asked. It had been a fairly relaxed day.
She shook her head, "No, no I was just doing a bit of reading earlier and I found some information I thought was interesting."
He smiled softly and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Brilliant wife, never far from her studies."
She laughed, "Stop it."
"Never." He kissed her again, now purposely trying to distract her from her notes.
"You're terrible." She laughed, his distraction starting to work.
He scooted over to her space, peppering her face with kisses. "And you love it."
She giggled, her diary falling to the floor, now forgotten. "That I do."
He pulled her close. "You know what I love?"
"What do you love?" She smiled.
"You." He hummed, tapping her nose and then kissing the spot.
"Can you show me how much?" She murmured.
"If it's alright with you." He looked at her with gentle eyes, waiting for permission, unlike a certain king.
"Please." She purred.
"Then it would be my pleasure." He murmured, quickly jumping back into their flirtatious banter. He moved close, nipping her earlobe. "Or rather, yours."
She shivered, eyes darkening, "All mine?"
"All yours." He echoed, pressing a proper kiss to her lips. She hummed into the kiss, pulling him closer.
They were about as close as their bodies would allow with River's bump in between them, his hands tangling in her hair.
"Don't wake the children." She breathed.
He started moving down her neck, leaving a hot trail. "Between us, I think you're the one who has to watch her volume." He teased.
"Is that a challenge, husband?" She closed her eyes, tilting her head back.
"Indubitably, wife." He hummed, kissing her collar.
She giggled, "Well, then, I accept."
He pushed her night top from her shoulders, kissing each one then trailing lower down her sternum.
"You're so gentle." She murmured.
"You said yesterday that you were a bit sore." He hummed.
She nodded, "Well you're very sweet to take that into consideration."
"You know I always do." He replied, not thinking his ministrations were any new as he moved delicately to her chest.
It didn't take much to work her up, all of River's desire resurfacing. The doctor strategically worked both of them out of their clothes as his hands and mouth excited her body.
"Doctor..." She whimpered.
He had scooted down the bed, by this point, her legs draped over his shoulders. He was giving her thighs butterfly kisses, amusedly watching her skin twitch from the tickling and anticipation. "Yes, dear?"
"I love you." She breathed. "So, so much."
He smiled at her around her belly. "I love you, too."
"I can tell." She laughed softly.
"Is it that obvious?" He asked innocently.
"I'm afraid it is." She grinned, "I am pregnant for the fourth time."
"In my defense, I couldn't have known the girls would be twins." He lowered his head, breath hot against her.
She gasped, fingers tightening around the sheets, "That's your excuse?"
"Well," He hummed, "There's a certain activity that comes with making babies that is rather pleasurable for the both of us." Though the words were on the factual side, they were said slowly and punctuated with a kiss to her sensitive flesh.
She bit her lip, trying not to make any noise. "I see..."
He hummed, starting to do more than just kiss there. She squeaked, biting her tongue in an effort to stay silent as he worked his mouth over her sex.
While he started slow, he still had their challenge in mind. He interrupted broad strokes of his tongue with a few more precise sensations, knowing the quick changes could elicit noise. She would gasp every time his movements varied, putting in a great deal of effort not to make any other noise besides that.
He made sure to keep steady speeds, wanting to indulge in a longer session today.
"Th-this isn't fair." She groaned. He hummed in a request for her to elaborate, the tone sending vibrations through her. "I'm going to lose because you're doing this..."
"I can do worse and you know it." He smirked.
"I don't think I do." She grinned.
He looked at her eyes devilishly for a moment before focusing back on his task. He pushed two fingers into her slick core, using his hand to up his ante.
She gasped, her back arching, "C-Cheater."
"Like you're any fairer." He murmured against her.
"I want you." She whimpered. He grinned, slowing the movements of his tongue.
He started moving back up her body. Once he was close enough, she flipped them, pinning him beneath her, "My turn."
He watched her with dark eyes, wiggling under her weight. She leaned in, starting by gently nipping at his neck before moving down, kissing and sucking at his pulse points.
His reactions weren't that varied from what her's had been, mostly just changes in breath. She kissed and nipped her way down his body, stopping at his waist. His arousal was blatantly obvious, his hands twitching at his sides.
She smirked, continuing her movements along his left hip and thigh. His anticipation only grew, though he stayed quiet knowing after all the teasing he'd done to her he very well deserved this.
Once she had reached the bottom of his thigh, she switched to the other. He tried not to whine, skin twitching. She laughed, nipping at the skin near the dip of his thigh. His hips jerked on their own accord.
"Now who's cheating?"
She smiled deviously, her hand starting to stroke his length slowly. "It's not cheating."
"And what would you call it, wife?" He looked down at her, breath heavy.
"I'd call it giving myself a fair and necessary advantage." She squeezed.
He moaned, before shutting himself up. "Necessary, hm?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Only because I'm pregnant."
"Hadn't noticed, dear." He teased.
She huffed, increasing her speed. "Oh please."
He grinned. "I suppose you'll be blaming me for that one, yeah?"
"How did you guess?"
"Well, there's this certain look you get when- yes, that's the one." He said, looking at her.
"I don't have a look." She scoffed.
"Yes, you do." He chirped. "A sort of annoyed "you ridiculous man" frown."
She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile, "Shut up."
"Make me." He hummed.
She crept up to his lips, kissing him deeply. He happily submitted to her, mouth moving in time with hers. She smiled against his lips as she settled herself over him.
As it was, both of them ended up losing their challenge, though the kids remained asleep so it didn't matter all too much.
River fell against him, breathless and glistening once they had finished, "You're terrible." She teased.
"Is that what you call terrible?" He laughed airily. "You were calling it the opposite a minute ago."
She smiled, "Well, I suppose you're not that bad. Decent. At least in my top twenty."
"I'll have to try harder next time." He mused.
"You will." She nuzzled his collar.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "You're wonderful, you know that?"
"At sex or just in general?" She smirked.
"I meant in general, but I suppose that covers sex, too."
"Well, I think you've mentioned that once or twice. It just so happens that I think you're rather wonderful as well." She smiled.
"A moment ago I was terrible." He tisked, smiling. "Make up your mind."
"Oh, hush." She pecked his cheek, getting up to get dressed.
He moved to get his pajamas back on as well before getting back under the covers. She crawled back onto the bed, lying beside him, "I think you've woken Terra."
"Have I?" He placed a hand over her middle.
She nodded, placing her hand on his. He felt their daughter move in reaction to his hands, smiling. "You know, something?"
"What?" She looked over at him.
"I think she's going to be just amazing."
She bit her lip, "Why do you think that?"
"She's our child." He kissed her temple. "Our children are always amazing."
She nodded, "Yes, that's true."
"I bet they get that from their mother." He hummed.
"Well, I'm convinced they get it from their father." She smiled.
He chuckled. "Perhaps we're both right."
"Perhaps." She squeezed his hand.
"I love you." He smiled.
"I love you too." She whispered, nuzzling his neck.
Despite River's current apprehension towards her daughter, they would soon work together to win the crown from the King.
For several weeks after she'd finally gotten it, the Crown remained in River's possession, kept in the room that was to be Terra's nursery on the TARDIS.
The weekend before the baby was born, River crept out of bed one last time, feeling that it was finally time to set the Crown on its rightful path.
She silently piloted the TARDIS to meet Sir Vrurd, though she found herself sitting in the console room once the ship landed, staring at the object in her hands. The Golden Crown of Terra. Terra.
For the longest time River had thought the bootstrap paradox of the Crown's name had to do with it's Earthen origin, but perhaps that wasn't the case. By all technicality, she was the one who was to -already had- give the Crown its title. She couldn't change the name now, but its meaning could certainly go any direction.
Terra. This would be named for her daughter who indeed truly won the Crown. Without her daughter's help, River probably still would have been stuck with King Philip. The universe might never know the truth, but that hardly mattered now.
Before finally getting up to hand over the Crown, River wrote a small note to accompany it in the language of the Heolc people: The Golden Crown of Terra. A crown only for the kindest and most just of rulers. May it bring great guidance to those that wear it.
With those few, simple words, she set out. The Doctor was right, their daughter hadn't even been born yet and she was already leaving a huge impact on history. And who knows, maybe one day Terra would get to wear the crown that had been named after her. After all, she was going to be amazing.
