"The moments in your life always have those tiny, insignificant details that reveal so much more than meets the eye."
River Song waited patiently against a brick wall of a deserted alleyway. People around the village were already in their homes, calling out to their children to come in before the sun set.
The darkness of the night was welcoming for her, closing her eyes momentarily only to take in the atmosphere around her. Her blonde curls bounced up a little here and there, awaiting the arrival of The Doctor.
It had been almost six years since she last saw The Doctor. Since the death of her father, River had become emotionally distraught and it wasn't any better when it came to her mother. She had tried countless times to make her happy, to bring that smile back making her mother who she was. Trying to reassure her that Rory would always be with them no matter what, but only the tears came and that broke her heart as she held her weeping mother.
When they had found out about the accident that claimed Rory's life, she was on an expedition in Rome; trying to uncover the dialect in some tablets that she had acquired. River could still remember that dreadful call that she never wished came to pass…
(Flashback)
Fully in concentration, River was looking through some documents that she had been given by Professor Maxwell. On their expedition, they had encountered some interesting sites that were covered with markings, some depicting that rituals took place on the night of the Sabbath, and sculptures of gargoyles at each entrance; looking down at them grotesquely with their tongues out.
Fixing her glasses, she re-read the information of their current findings and started to write down on her notepad, trying to see if she could uncover something. Suddenly, the phone began to ring.
Sighing, River set aside her documents and picked up the phone placing it close to her ear.
"Hello? This is Professor River Song. How can I help you?"
On the other end, there was only silence, the sound of crying in the background.
Startled, River shook her head and placed the phone back. "Who is this?"
"Melody", a voice that she instantly recognized as Amy spoke but what scared her was the softness of her tone instead of that brilliant, Scottish accent that was full of life and recklessness.
"Mummy, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly, standing up from her chair. "You sound troubled. Did something happen?"
On the other side of the phone, tears fell from the crook of her nose, tightening her grip on the handle. Amy was trying to stay strong but she was failing miserably. She could hear the cries of Rory's parents, breaking her heart in the process.
River was becoming impatient, a quality she had gained from her father; not knowing what was occurring.
"Mum" she asked again, a little more authority behind her voice as she held the handle tightly, "Talk to me. What's happened?"
"Melody, your father always loved you." Amy said, her voice breaking as she broke into sobs. "He adored every minute he held you as a baby and would be proud with all you've accomplished."
"What…What are talking about?" Dread was creeping slowly, feeling her body tremble as her own hazel eyes squinted. "For fuck's sake, tell me!"
With all the strength she could muster, her mother said the words that River never wanted to hear; that one sentence she couldn't come to acceptance with. It was impossible and at that moment, the River Song died only to be replaced with the broken Melody Pond.
"Your father…your father's dead."
Glass shattered all around her, all came to a deafening stop and her hand let go of the receiver, letting it drop slowly as it hit the wooden floor.
Amy could only sob against the phone, leaning herself against the peach wall of the kitchen. Raising a hand to her quivering lips, she sobbed letting the tears fall.
As for River, she had collapsed on her knees staring into nothingness as her own tears fell.
"Daddy…" she lamented, unbeknownst that she was screaming out to the heavens for her father to return, for all this to be a dream.
"Come back! Please come back! You can't be dead, Dad! COME BACK!"
(End of Flashback)
Snapping her eyes open, unshed tears formed at the painful memory, but she pushed them back even if she could feel that tiny knot in her throat. After the call, she could only remember returning to Leadworth to attend the funeral service. River had learned from her grandfather, since her own mother was in no condition to talk about the tragic events; that he had died in a car accident when he was coming back from work from the hospital. He wasn't specific about certain things but River knew in her heart that the pain wasn't compared as to when they found out.
"The paramedics say that before he passed, his last words were calling out to you and your mother, Mels" her grandfather said sorrowfully, drinking some cold water as wrinkles formed underneath his eyebrows.
Later that week, on the last day of the service, River had gotten the courage to say her last goodbye but when she reached the coffin, her heart broke into millions of pieces seeing her father lay there so peacefully with a black suit on and his hands folded at the front. Before she could say anything, she ran out the chapel and couldn't contain the rising anger at the fact, that out of all people, her father was chosen to be taken into Death's arms.
In those last moments, as they saw his coffin being lowered into the soil of his grave, Amy had pushed besides everyone attempting to jump in, but River pulled her back; wrapping her arms tightly around her waist, crying for their loss together as the grave keepers started to cover his grave.
That was four years ago. River had come to accept her father's death during that time, knowing he was in a better place. Away from the suffering, the dangers that roamed each corner. Nevertheless, it had been two years in a half since she last saw her mother. By the time she had left, Amy had reassured her that she was coping with his death but that left her completely skeptical, knowing how irrational her mother could be to a certain situation. She knew who Amelia Pond was and her capabilities.
Sighing again, she brushed aside her natural curly hair gazing up at the horizon of the night sky, stars twinkling as they came out one by one and the moon leaving its whispering light into the shadows.
Her anticipation to see the Doctor again was doubtful. River hadn't seen the man in almost three years after Rory's death and when he had found out about the tragic event, he tried consoling River as she cried in his arms. Amy was happy for her daughter, watching her eyes sparkle with love at the sight of her companion but it broke her heart knowing she couldn't do the same anymore.
The wind blew slightly and River hugged herself tightly, wearing a yellow, pea coat that brought out her hair and a red shirt underneath. Also, she wore a grey, long skirt that passed her knees and some dark brown boots with high heels on the back. The woman sure did love her high heels.
All of a sudden, she felt a strong energy surround the alleyway and a grin formed on her face.
"Oh Doctor."
The whirring sound of the TARDIS started to fill the alleyway as it appeared, flashing before the blue box came to a stop.
River cocked an eyebrow noticing fumes coming out of the corners of the door.
"What has this fool has gotten himself into this time, I wonder?" she murmured to herself and suddenly, the door bursted open to reveal The Doctor panting. Sweat was falling down the sides of his face. The Doctor seemed to be fazed, looking left to right until he caught sight of his wife walking toward him.
"Honey, I'm home." He pushed aside the door and opened his arms in welcome.
"And what sort of time do you call this?" River asked, reaching up to him as she poked him in the chest.
"Oh, you know me. The Raggedy man going back and forth in time, trying to save the universe from going "whoosh." He made a gesture with his hands, representing the planet exploding, his green-gray eyes going wide.
River chuckled softly, throwing aside her golden curls. "Not surprising."
"Shut up."
River brought out her devilish smirk as she leaned closer to him. The Doctor was becoming nervous, backing away from her.
"What are you doing? Too scared of getting affectionate with me?"
The Time Lord looked at her for a moment before grabbing both her wrists with his own. Staring deep into his eyes, her heart fluttered at the intensity of his gaze. He was so ancient but there was something so addicting, irresistible about him that made her love him even more.
He hadn't changed a bit except for his hair which was scattered like the day they got married. He still wore the tweed jacket and the straps underneath along with a light blue buttoned shirt and his brown pants. No matter how he dressed...it never got old.
"Melody, Melody, Melody." He shook his head as his dark hair fell slightly upon his face. "This isn't exactly the safest place to be doing this right now." He lowered his lips close to her cheek, his lips brushing softly against her skin leaving goose bumps in the process. "I called you out here tonight to take you on our honeymoon."
River leaned back, staring at him with stunned eyes. She could feel her heart pulsing and before she knew, her lips were on his. The Doctor still felt awkward kissing her, knowing the feel of love but it was difficult to feel when he had endured so much loss and pain. He really did care for River, knowing that she was the only companion he ever wanted at his side; the one who could help him stop this world from dying.
His hands were awkwardly touching her shoulders and as she pulled back, she licked her lips staring at him once more.
"Something wrong?" she asked, still hurt at the fact that he still wasn't as opened when it came to his emotions. Every time they kissed, she could only taste the despair and longing of something he lost long ago, trying to resurface.
There was a long pause as they stared at one another. It didn't take long before the silence was broken.
"No River. Not at all." He said softly, placing a soft kiss on her lips as he grabbed her hand with his.
River was unconvinced but before she could utter anything, the Doctor dragged her inside the TARDIS and an air of welcome surrounded her. Everything was still the same except for the fumes coming out of the control panel.
"What did you do to the poor girl?" she asked shocked, unloosening her hand from his as she walked up to the control panel.
"Let's just say this hasn't been our day" he sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Might've put in the wrong coordinates when I was trying to visit Churchill. Miss the bloke. Of course, landed on top of Mount Everest…drastically cold. Felt like my fingers would break. Almost ruined my jacket…" He checked on his jacket for the thirtieth time in a row, trying to make sure there were no burns or scratches on it.
River was trying really hard to keep it in, but a few moments later she bursted out laughing; clutching the sides of her waist. The Doctor's expression changed to that of annoyance.
"Yes, laugh you mad woman. That cheers me up, makes it all the better."
While River was still in her fit of laughter, the Doctor brushed aside some of his hair, taking off his jacket. Setting aside on the rail, he started pushing levers and writing destination codes.
"So where to my lovely River? He asked ecstatically, a silly grin on his face. "To Paris, Tokyo, London… You-"
He stopped mid-sentence. Clutching onto his head, he could feel his mind racing almost a million times per second, a voice calling out to him.
River's laughter abruptly stopped when she noticed the troublesome look on his face, his entire body trembling.
It felt like his skull was splitting in two, the unrelenting burning sensation making his body paralyzed.
"Doctor? Doctor, what's wrong?" she cried out, helping him down so he wouldn't hit his head. River's eyes widened when she saw his eyes squinting violently.
"Doctor…DOCTOR!"
Those screams sounded similar…
"Rory…please! Someone help me! Rory! Anyone!"
Rory?
Blurry images started to come into place…
Hands violently pinning that of a women's form…
Velvet hair flying everywhere…
Hazel eyes filled with tears…
"HELP ME!"
Green-gray eyes snapped open, his irises pulsing a vibrant blue in the outlines of his pupils.
River placed a hand underneath his chin, turning it to look at her. Her eyes were filled with terror seeing him in this state. "Doctor, are you ok?"
The Time Lord's two hearts were pounding furiously against his chest. Hate was rising from his very core and as he lowered her hand to stand up, he looked down at her.
"We might have to delay our honeymoon for another time." He remarked sternly, changing the coordinates of the TARDIS.
"Can you explain to me what just happened?" River's voice rose, her eyes narrowing.
The Doctor finished pushing a few of the levers before turning to look at her. What she saw made her heart dig deep inside and hide from the ferocious glare he had.
"Your mother is in danger," he stated gravely. "Grave danger. We must return to Leadworth immediately."
Her eyes extended in fear, but then that cruel part of her came out into the open. A need to see blood was overwhelming her senses appalled that someone would hurt her mother. Her hand tightened around her gun, grabbing on to the rail. It was going to be a bumpy ride.
The Doctor pushed a few buttons, putting the destination toward Leadworth and with one final pull from the lever; the TARDIS spinned through the time vortex.
"We're coming, Amelia." he said, holding on to the rail as it flipped upside down. "We're coming."
A gypsy woman was playing her flute on top of a hill, a folk sound coming from the instrument.
In front of her, another woman hid behind her purple, crochet veil placing cards upon a mantelpiece beneath them.
Her hands shook, carefully placing them upside down.
The young gypsy woman finished the song with one last note, echoing through the forest before she placed it beside her. Her blue eyes stared at the upside down cards, revealing so much about someone. The psyche…the spiritual and emotional realms…
The woman behind the veil raised a finger up in the air, feeling the wind's flow. Once she felt the appropriate timing, she spoke.
"Ethra, I see an obscure future for our people" the woman spoke and the girl listened intently, her brown braids falling beside her face. "An evil presence is yet to come."
"Evil presence? What ever do you mean?" the woman asked before she was silenced.
"Raise the first card."
Ethra placed a hand on the left side card and turned it. Her eyes widened to see what it was.
"The Cry of Adera" she muttered under her breath. "This means that there is a lot more to come. A danger imposes on our village. Something has been seeking and has finally found it."
The woman shook her head, pointing at the next card.
Doing the same for the second card on the right, she looked at it for a moment.
"Swords of the Charlatan. A hero will come to help us and guide us through this rising threat. Death is inevitable."
The woman behind the veil placed a finger on her lips and whispered, "Close your eyes. Let nature speak with you. See what they see…"
Ethra did as told and closed her blue eyes.
Whispers echoed through the forest around her and an image started taking shape…
Flames burning through the grass…
Hands clasping to one another…
Blood shedding…
High-pitched shrieks resonated through the air…
A cry of anguish…
A man in a tweed jacket with green-gray eyes running through shattered glass…
A woman with auburn-gold hair on top of a cliff…
Waves brushing aside the sidelines of an empty beach…
Whispers…
Passion, hands stroking flesh…
Blurred images of consummation…
Someone's silhouette drowning…
Satanic cackles that tore through the heavens…
Loss…
Anger…
Fury…
Green-gray eyes blackened with the wrath of a thousand wars…
Ethra's blue eyes opened slowly to see the woman across from her. The mysterious woman placed a hand underneath her veil and pulled it up. Golden eyes stared back at her with the wisdom of someone who has lived almost a century. She was about the same age as Ethra but the woman knew of her abilities. Her chocolate hair fell in waves and as she placed her own two hands on the last cards, she turned them.
Ethra felt her heart thud against her chest.
"Nadia…"
Nadia shook her head and directed her attention at the cards.
The gypsy woman picked up the last cards and a look of sadness reflected on her eyes.
"Thorns of Requiem. The hero will fall in love with someone forbidden, someone out of his reach. The realization will come too late in his eyes, but that love will flourish like a river, intensifying each day till he can't take it. His amity will guide him and once they come to grips, they will become one."
Turning her attention to the other card, a tear spilled down her cheek.
"The Song of Mary." She said it so quietly that it made her heart break. "The war will begin, new allies will come to his aid and enemies will come back with a vengeance and through that, there will be loss. There will be blood spilt on the lands of Jureti. But the one loss he can't avoid will bring the storm and bring the wrath of a thousand wars."
Nadia closed her eyes for a moment before re-opening them again.
"Ethra, our land will soon be at war. Our people will be in danger. This is why I have showed you this tonight. I want you to search for the one they call "The Doctor". He is our only salvation."
"But…but the cards! They speak of something…of a loss?" her eyes were filled with fear but Nadia intertwined her fingers with hers.
"That loss is what the Doctor will become" Nadia said calmly, "It's the only way to save her. Greta must be protected at all cost. She must not be captured. She's unaware of our world but you must do everything in your power, to protect her with your life for if they do, our universe will cease to exist and Lilith would have won."
Ethra shook her head in understanding. "Nadia, this Doctor…why him?"
Nadia leaned back and her golden eyes reflected against the flames of the fire.
"The Doctor has lived a millennia, encountering dangers that we humans could never defeat. He has saved countless lives and races…he is the One. I feel allies will come to his aid and fight in this war for it has a lot of unanswered questions. I only pray that I am right."
"There's something I need to ask you", Ethra seemed in question for a moment, trying to process what to say. "I saw a man with green-gray eyes and this woman…What relation does that have?'
Nadia's eyes closed. "Ethra, what you saw is a premonition. A future yet to come. A Time Lord can rewrite time but us…we know what is to come. It cannot be changed."
"What cannot be changed?"
Her golden eyes stared at the flames as she spoke in a low voice. "This terrible war…death…the suffering…"
Ethra waited for her to finish her sentence but as Nadia finished speaking, a revelation was uncovered.
"But most importantly of all, the Doctor's heart will awaken once more…" Looking up at her assistant's blue orbs, she had unshed tears forming.
"Love will consume his heart and he shall foresee what he has never had. The Doctor and the girl, Amelia Pond, will become one."
My fourth chapter is complete. I hope you enjoy and please leave your criticism. Love it or hate it...doesn't matter. Till chapter five my friends! :D
