Sorry for the delay. Had the last chapter ready for some time, but you know how it is. Alien invasions, the flu and burnt toast... Well here it is at last. Thank you for sticking with the story.
Rose hugged Méroon tightly when they said their goodbyes.
"You take good care of yourself.", Rose muttered softly.
"Of course I will.", Méroon assured her, letting Rose go rather reluctantly.
The whole council and the people from the vicinity had come to see them off. Even Taleena gave a rare smile, although this proved to be near acrobatics for her face and made her look slightly ill.
Rose and the Doctor went back to the Tardis. The hill was still there, although the vegetation had changed significantly. It now looked a lot like a little country garden, stretched over miles and miles. Hundreds of different flowers were huddled together in little groups, now and then low wooden gates stood rather haphazardly in front of them.
"You don't like the jungle?", the Doctor asked while he tipped a low-hanging flower with his finger, making it swing.
"I'm not that familiar with it. I think Kowlas had to make do with what he found in my head. Biology isn't really my strong side. But this looks rather like the book my grandmother used to have. She always wanted to have a garden one day. Never even could afford a house of course, but she had this book "Classic English Gardens". I leafed through it every time I came to visit."
The Doctor opened the door of the TARDIS and stepped through. Rose hopped in after him. Suddenly the Doctor turned, a grave impression on his face.
"You don't think it is weird, that there are a lot of people on this planet, that didn't exist before and now exist, though in what way neither of us can imagine?"
Rose crossed her arms: "Doctor, for someone who has travelled the universe far and wide, you are quite narrow minded."
"Narrow minded?", the Doctor exclaimed.
"Yes, narrow minded", repeated Rose. " They were my friends, I brought them back. Those I did not know were brought back by their friends. I think it is a rather wonderful way to make everybody happy. And now Kowlas is accessible to all, so all this council business has become much more democratic."
"Face it, Doctor", Rose said rather loudly, as the Doctor was about to give her a piece of his mind. "We don't understand how it works, but apparently it works. Why do you have to analyse everything?"
The Doctor grunted. He seemed to try to think of something to say.
"I still don't see why you couldn't just have left them the pyramid for their council. Of course it reminded them of the Rani, but it had style nevertheless."
"Well, why couldn't I give them something new.?", Rose asked, while the Doctor switched the switches and turned the crank handle. "Anyway, how can you go wrong with Buckingham-Palace?"