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We stepped out, right into a circle of men and women with guns pointed at us.
"Oh, this is not good," The Doctor mumbled.
There was an awkward silence.
"Um, hello, everyone," the Doctor greeted awkwardly. "Well, I'm back."
None of the expressions changed. The group still stood stoically aiming their guns at The Doctor and me. I glanced at them each in turn.
The Doctor was right. They all looked pretty human, but were all unnaturally gorgeous. I turned my head and saw that the people were in a complete circle around us and the invisible Tardis. The person closest to me, a man, had short dark brown hair. His eyes were luminescent green and he studied me as I studied him. He was handsome, and they all were, in their own ways. He stood about the same height as the Doctor.
The woman next to him was a platinum blonde with sparkling purple eyes who was about a foot shorter than him. She was watching me and the Doctor with an emotionless stare that kind of creeped me out.
Beyond our circle, it was like a maze of tall hedges. I immediately thought of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was like a labyrinth you could never escape.
There must have been a signal, because the group turned on their heels and watched one direction as two women made their ways toward us.
One woman was old, probably about 70 in Earth years. She had silvery short hair and golden yellow irises that I could easily see from the distance. She wore a long-sleeved golden silk-looking shirt and black skirt. The first thing I thought was that she reminded me of a bumblebee.
The other woman looked about my age. She had curly red hair and dark blue eyes. She had an empowered look on her face that made me hate her immediately. This girl wore a slim purple dress that trailed around her feet as she walked. The bodice was way too low cut in my opinion.
The women approached and some of the guards split apart so the two could enter the circle. The older woman looked composed as she examined us, but the younger girl was eyeing the Doctor with intent. I was pretty sure the old lady was queen and the younger was the one who "fancied" the Doctor.
"You've come back?" the old woman said, "Does this mean you have the money you lost us?"
"Yeah, about that," the Doctor rubbed his neck, "I have no idea how you expected me to get that money. I don't see why you expected it from me anyway. Also, I didn't mean to come back here. I was aiming to land on the other side of the planet."
"It's still good to see you, never-the-less, Doctor," the young girl smiled flirtatiously. It made me want to gag.
"I suppose," the elder said disdainfully, "You will get it to us. And who is this?" She looked at me.
"This is Holly, Your Majesty," the Doctor informed, not even glancing at the young girl watching him, "I travel with her. Holly, this is Her Majesty, Queen Tylina. And this is Princess Trenilia."
"Do either of you planning on staying?" the queen asked, and I didn't know whether she implied they stay or leave.
"I was hoping to show Holly this wonderful planet, if it was okay," the Doctor said humbly, "Would that be permitted?"
"Only if you stay with us during your time here. I don't want you getting into too much trouble," the old woman actually cracked a smile. "It is almost time for dinner. You will eat with us."
"Of course, Your Majesty," the Doctor nodded.
Queen Tylina turned and began walking back where she'd come from. Trenilia gracefully followed after giving the Doctor another look. The guards walked in straight lines on either side of me and the Doctor as we followed the women.
I stayed close to the Doctor's side and took his hand.
"So is she mad at you about the money?" I whispered. "Why did she offer for us to stay with them?"
"It wasn't an offer, it was a command," the Doctor explained under his breath, "It was pretty obvious she didn't want us leaving. As far as I can tell, we're prisoners now."
We walked through the maze of hedges until there was a break in the walls of plants. We continued past rows and rows of flowers of all sorts. I looked ahead and saw where we would be staying. I was reminded of the mansion on "The Unicorn and the Wasp", except this was much much much bigger and bright white.
"Take them to the spare rooms," Queen Tylina commanded coolly, "They had better not be wearing those clothes when they come to dine."
We entered the huge mansion and the queen and princess went one way. One line of guards directed me up a staircase that I would've described as marble if that was a stone on this planet. I looked worriedly to the Doctor as he branched off from me at the top of the stairs.
"See you later, Holly," he called calmly, giving me a bit of confidence.
The girl guard, who I dubbed Blondie in my mind since I didn't know her name, was with me and the other half dozen guards. She led me to a doorway and into a large bedroom. The other guards stayed out in the hall. There were two girls cleaning up the room. They each couldn't have been over twenty.
"Her Majesty wants this girl dressed appropriately and made presentable to dine," Blondie ordered.
The two maids nodded silently and Blondie left. I was left standing on the fuzzy carpet for an awkward moment. One maid, a girl with light brown hair, walked off to a large wardrobe. The other, a dirty blonde came to me. She watched me with orange eyes.
"Hi," I greeted softly. "What's your name?"
"You will need to undress," she responded without looking me directly in the eye.
I, extremely uncomfortably and feeling a bit violated, stripped down to my undergarments. The brunette returned with clothes. I slipped into the light gown and then the blonde girl fitted a corset on me. I didn't make a sound in my discomfort. Then I was fitted in a light blue dress. The girls fixed any pieces of the dress that weren't perfect. It was fitted in the bodice and flowed down to my feet, inlaid with sparkling stones that glittered when I moved.
The brunette motioned for me to sit on a chair beside a table and mirror. I sat straight and she brought out a brush and other alien hair products.
"What's your name?" I asked her politely trying to start a conversation, "My name's Holly."
She didn't answer. She just ran the brush through my hair. The blonde brought out a makeup brush and I had to close my eyes. I felt the brunette braiding and twisting my hair while the blonde designed my face.
"You can open your eyes to put these on." There was a whisper of a voice.
I opened my eyes and the blonde was holding out pale blue shoes with an inch thick heel. I slipped them on my feet and stood up. The brunette silently motioned to the mirror and I looked at my reflection. I widened my eyes in surprise. They'd made me look beautiful. My hair was braided and pulled back from my face. They'd added color to my normally pale skin and swept in light blue eye shadow that emphasized my eyes.
"Wow," I whispered.
Then there was a sharp knock on the door and Blondie came back in. She looked me over to make sure I was acceptable. With a nod of approval, she walked out. The blonde pushed my arm gently to make me walk towards the door. I glanced back to the maids, but they had distracted themselves with cleaning again.
I left the bedroom and met a few guards in the hall. It was Blondie, and the male guard whom I'd studied out in the garden. I followed them nervously down the stairs, silently praying I didn't trip over my own feet.
We came to a tall bright door. The male guard opened the doors but didn't enter. Blondie walked in, but stepped off to the wall. I stepped in too. I was facing a long table. At the head was Queen Tylina and to her right was Trenilia. The Doctor was sitting across from the princess.
They all looked up when I entered, all with different expressions. Trenilia had a sneer, only barely masked by a thin layer of composure. The Doctor had wide eyes. The Queen was emotionless as she gestured for me to sit beside the Doctor. He was wearing a black suit and, obviously, a bowtie.
I sat down on the cushioned chair and looked at the spread laid out before us. It was hand sewn, I guessed. The plates were beautifully crafted and the silver shone.
"You look great," the Doctor murmured to me.
"Thanks, I see they couldn't rid you of the bowtie," I smiled and whispered back.
"Bowties are cool. How do I look?"
"Great."
"So, Doctor," the queen looked at him expectantly, "When do you plan on repaying me the five hundred thousand troks? You are going to repay it, right?"
"I honestly don't have any clue where to get the money," the Doctor said honestly, "I don't know where I would get half of it."
"Well, then it looks like you will be staying with us for a while," the queen decided and clapped her hands, "We are ready for the meal."
Unsettled by her decision, I just stared at my hands in my lap as servant brought out all sorts of fancy foods. I was first served a soup. I dipped my spoon in the liquid and stirred it around. The Doctor nudged my arm when I wasn't eating. I glanced up at him. He mimed drinking the soup and motioned to the princess. Trenilia was drinking the soup like this as if it was the most proper thing to do, which on this planet, it must be.
The Doctor lifted his own bowl and drank it quickly. I followed suit and found the strange taste to my liking. It wasn't anything similar to Earth soup.
The next platter set before me was a meat of some sort. I cut off a piece and ate it cautiously. I peered at the Doctor as he ate quickly, finishing his meat in minutes. I wondered if there was a reason for him eating so quickly, or if was habit. He had eaten at a normal pace and the Texas Roadhouse.
When the meal was finished, servants dressed in green took up the dishes. Queen Tylina dismissed us to leave and the Doctor stood. I got up and followed him out. He stood at the bottom of the staircase. He turned to me and whispered quickly in my ear.
"If you get the chance, get back to the Tardis tonight, understood? Just stay in the Tardis and if I don't show up…" he paused and slipped the Tardis key into my hand, "She'll take you home after a little while. It's in her programming."
I nodded silently. It scared me that he was assuming he didn't get out of here. I gripped the key tightly.
"Wonderful." He smiled, clearly faking it, "Some adventure, huh?"
"Yeah," I chuckled half-heartedly, "Some adventure."
Then Blondie and my other guard interrupted us.
"You are going with Viktor," Blondie informed me stiffly. "The Queen says you are to go to your room and not leave until morning. Doctor, the same to you."
"See you in the morning, Holly," The Doctor hugged me and walked off up the stairs.
I watched him get distracted by the frame design of a picture in the hall. He was studying it as I passed to go to my own room following Viktor. The Doctor glanced at me from his spot in front of the picture. His serious gaze said he wasn't actually there to study the picture. He nodded to get me the message and I nodded back. I would try to escape tonight.
Viktor waited outside my door when I entered my bedroom. The two maids were there again, and probably had been there the whole time. The brunette pulled out a night-gown from the wardrobe and they redressed me. The blonde scrubbed the make-up from my face and the brunette undid my hair. Then they fixed my bed and left. I glimpsed Viktor still standing by the door.
I really was a prisoner. How was I going to escape with a guard?
I sat on the bed and examined the room. It was a big room, the table and mirror on one wall and the huge wardrobe on the other. The wall across my bed had a large window looking out on the gardens. The wall my bed was on had another door. I peered in and saw a large bathroom. There was a bath tub, ten times the average size, a toilet and a sink in the glossy counter with a mirror.
I left the bathroom and looked out the window. The gardens started directly below the window, one story down. I even recognized the path that we'd taken to get here. There was a figure standing on one path holding a gun, passing. They must be guarding the Tardis.
"Well isn't that just great," I muttered. "There is no way out!"
I sighed loudly and stalked in a circle. I glanced at my reflection. My skin seemed healthier than it did, and the bruises were gone. So that one good thing came out of this. I turned from the mirror again and sat on the bed.
I wondered where the Doctor was. He did not sound confident when telling me to get out. Did he expect to stay here? But if he bothered to tell me, then there must be a way out. How does the girl usually escape the tower she's trapped in? Out the window. I flitted back to the window. Turning the heavy brass, or some metal, latch, I pushed the glass open. The curtains were actually one long cloth, draped over a long golden rod above the window. I stretched up to it, but was too short.
I dragged the chair as carefully as I could over to the window and balanced on it. I was just able to lift the rod and get it down. I set the rod on the bed and stretched out the curtain. Glancing down to the ground outside my window, I determined that it was slightly too short. I'd have to freefall a little ways. I carefully placed the rod back in place and studied the curtain.
I tied it to the bedpost when it dawned on me that the gown I was wearing would not assist my escape in any way. I searched the wardrobe for something more appropriate. I found a silky black long-sleeve shirt and slim black pants. I found black slip-ons too. I changed quickly and stuck the key in my new pocket. Then I pulled my hair up in a ponytail.
I yanked on the curtain to make sure the knot was stable. Then I was about to throw the curtain out when there was a knock on my door. I cursed in my mind. I undid the knot and draped the curtain back in place. The knock sounded again. I quickly went to the door.
I opened the door a crack and peered out. It was Viktor.
"Hello?" I asked, keeping my voice even. "What do you want?"
"I'm to inform you that if you are in need of anything, you are to ask me," Viktor informed.
"Way to be all formal," I muttered, then louder, "Okay good to know. Good bye."
I went to shut the door but he held it open.
"If there is anything you need," he repeated. "Water, food, a stun gun, one of the maids."
I opened my mouth to answer, but then comprehended all he had said.
"A stun gun?" I repeated in quiet alarm.
"To, let's say, get rid of a guard so you can get to your time machine," he said calmly.
"Wait, are you on my side?" I asked.
"So to speak, I might be," he said quietly.
I examined his green eyes for any sign of lying, but either he was telling the truth, or a really good actor.
"But why?" I asked through the crack in the door. I didn't dare let him see I'd changed in case he was lying.
"Because I don't believe keeping you here is right." Viktor responded almost silently, in case another guard showed up.
"You'd help me escape?" I asked with wide eyes.
"I can help a little. For instance, there is a window below your room. I would not suggest climbing down, or someone may see you."
"Good to know," I mumbled.
"You're best chance at getting out is through the window of a room down the hall. It doesn't have windows below it," Viktor suggested.
"How do I know I can trust you," I asked suspiciously.
"What will it take?" he asked.
I paused to think. "Go get the Doctor."
"Sadly, I can't. Juniper is guarding him and she is all in for the Queen imprisoning you both," Viktor said grimly.
"Who?" I frowned as I heard the unfamiliar name.
"The blonde female who was with us," Viktor said slowly, waiting for recognition.
"Oh, that one," I remembered. So Blondie's name was Juniper. "So there's no way to, I don't know, distract her so you can get the Doctor?"
"Juniper is trained never to leave the post, no matter what I say." Viktor admitted, "But you have to trust I want to help you."
"And the Doctor?"
"If that's what it takes. If you don't get out soon, you'll be stuck here until," Viktor didn't continue. "Just change into something more reliable for escape and stay quiet. Okay?"
"I still don't trust you," I said slowly.
"Then don't. Just stay quiet and the room you can escape from is down the hall. You go straight left for five doors and the sixth door should be painted green. That door is an empty room. The window leads into the Royal Gardens. You'll have to find your time machine on your own from there, but I'll see what I can do. I can't do anything for the Doctor, though. I'm sorry."
"But I can't go without him!" My voice escalated and Viktor clamped his hand over my mouth.
"You have to get out before it's too late. Just," he reached to his belt and removed a small black shape. "If any one of the guards near your time machine see you, press this and point it at them."
Viktor showed me the stun gun and I slipped my hand out to retrieve it. I slipped it in my pocket.
"You need to get out soon. If you're caught, not only will you get taken back here, you'll get a different guard. I'll probably be prisoner for treason, or killed. You may end up with a guard who doesn't believe as I do. Just don't get caught. Understood?"
"I guess," I spoke, unsure of why he would risk his life to get me out.
Viktor froze and clicked the door shut as I heard footsteps. I held my breath and pressed an ear to the door to listen. The footsteps got louder and stopped outside.
"Have you had any trouble with the girl?" I heard Blondie, no, Juniper, ask.
"No, but shouldn't you be guarding the Doctor?" Viktor asked, "Her Majesty would be upset to know you deserted your post."
"I'm having another guard replace me so I can check on you."
"I don't need to be baby-sat," Viktor responded, half muttered.
"Clearly you do if that is how you respond to your superiors," Juniper said stiffly. "Maybe I should tell Her Majesty that you are unfit to guard the prisoner."
"There is no need for that, Juniper," Viktor responded coolly.
"Then open the door so I can check on the girl," Juniper commanded and I jumped back from the door.
I looked around quickly and dashed into the bathroom. I shut the door and leaned against the wall. I heard the bedroom door open and Juniper walked in.
"Where is she?" Juniper asked coldly.
"I'm in here," I called. "This is a really shiny bathroom."
I could almost hear Juniper roll her eyes as she left in a huff. The door shut and I came out of the bathroom. I peered out the bedroom door again and Viktor glanced at me.
"She won't come back for at least an hour now. This is your chance," he whispered.
He pushed the door open a crack more and I slipped out. He shut the door and looked me over.
"You were prepared for this," he commented quietly. "Remember, sixth door, it's green."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Just don't get caught. That will be thanks enough."
I slipped silently down the hallway, silently pleading to blend in and stay invisible. I carefully crept down passed five colorful doors. Then I reached one that, even in the dark, I saw was green. I gently nudged the door open. It was black inside. I was too afraid to turn the light on, so I snuck in using the light coming from the window.
I carefully unlatched the window and swung it open. I glanced down the wall and saw that there was no window beneath mine. Viktor was truthful after all. There was a small brick-like ledge running along the length of the building. It was about as wide as my hand was long, but I would be able to balance on it. I crawled out the window and landed on the little surface. My head was still high enough to peek into the room.
I looked around outside. All the rooms within my vision were dark but the one on my other side and my original room six down. I slid along the strip of surface I had so I could get to the other lit room. I didn't hear anything from in the room.
I peeked in the room from the edge of the window. It looked similar to mine. On the bed, was the Doctor. I bit my lip to keep from exclaiming. He was sprawled on the sheets with his hands behind his head staring up at the ceiling. He didn't look happy, sad, angry, or anything, just passive and waiting.
I was going to call out, or get his attention, but then the door opened and I quickly ducked from the window. I pressed my ear to the wall in hopes of hearing who had entered.
"Hello, Doctor," a woman's voice. Trenilia's voice.
I peered in the room an inch and saw her standing in the doorway. The Doctor sat up with his back to me.
"Hello, Trenilia," he greeted emotionlessly.
"Oh, you don't sound very happy, Doctor," she said with a hint of sadness. "You should be happy. Anoraleece Trolip is a wonderful place to be held captive. And I'm here with you."
"Should that be a reason for me to be happy?" the Doctor asked.
"Silly Doctor," she laughed good-naturedly, "You don't understand how good this is for you. I can easily change my mother's mind about your punishments. Don't you see?" Trenilia stepped into the room and shut the door behind her.
She took a couple steps closer to the bed and he rolled off away from her fluidly. I did not like the look in her eye. The Doctor was backing away from her too. His back was still to me. Trenilia walked around the bed.
"I can help you, Doctor," she soothed, "My mother wants to sell you for ransom. I can change her mind. You could instead stay here, with me."
"I think I'll pass," the Doctor responded, keeping his distance from her. "I have to leave. Places to go, things to see. I have to show Holly the universe."
"Oh, you don't need to do anything for that girl." Trenilia waved of the thought of me. "I can have her disposed of."
"No, I won't allow it," the Doctor's voice hardened.
"Oh, but you don't have a choice." Trenilia purred. "You can stay here and be with me, or get shipped off to the highest bidder."
The Doctor slipped away again and I saw his face and Trenilia's back was to me.
"I think I'd rather take the highest bidder," the Doctor said.
Trenilia shook her head slowly. She stepped again and the Doctor was backed against the wall.
"Why do you even have the Earth girl anyway?" Trenilia pondered. "She isn't even very pretty."
The princess was beginning to irritate me. I wasn't even technically here and she was taking blows at my image.
"You're wrong, Trenilia." The Doctor answered.
"Of course I'm not, Doctor. Why do you have her? Is she like a pet? Something to keep you entertained when you aren't running from aliens trying to kill you?"
"No," the Doctor spoke through his teeth. I saw his eyes narrow. "Why are you so concerned about her? Do you think she is competition?"
"Is she, Doctor? Should I be worried about that?" Trenilia asked calmly. Even I strained to hear his response to this. Was I honestly Trenilia's competition for the Doctor? Then the Doctor responded.
"Competition would be implying I would ever choose to be with you, which is clear to everyone but you, that I wouldn't ever choose to be with you."
"So you like the human?" Trenilia asked.
"Yes, she's a fantastic person. If I didn't like her I would've never asked her to be my companion. I'd be mad not to like Holly."
"But do you love her?" Trenilia tilted her head somewhat innocently. "Do you love that girl, Doctor?"
Oh...cliffhanger...
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