OH MY GOD YOU GUYS! I FINALLY FINISHED IT! IT'S BEEN SITTING ON MY COMPUTER, GLARING AT ME FOR SO LONG AND I FINALLY FINISHED IT! I also went back and edited the past chapters, just in case you think that's all I was doing while not updating.
I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things now, though I can't promise any regular updates. I'm starting my second semester at a university and it's gonna kill me. Just like the last one tried to do. If I'm gonna update, it'll be before the halfway point in the semester. After that, I'll just be too swamped with papers and finals to do much of anything (which is exactly what happened last year). But I'm just so happy I got this chapter done. Even though its midnight now.
Remember: don't give up on this story. I'm gonna finish it. No matter how long it takes.
"For the last time, I'm not gonna wear any parachute pants," I told the TARDIS for what seemed like the thousandth time. "The Doctor isn't even gonna land in the 1970s. He's gonna miss and we're gonna end up in the 1870s." I scowled at the rack I had just finished looking through. Nothing on it seemed appropriate and comfortable to run in. I was going to meet The Queen for God's sake!
"Are there any suits that you think would work? Nothing too fancy or flimsy. I need something durable that can handle running for my life or away from some horrible monster, but also not too casual. It needs to look like I put a lot of effort when all I did was sit here and talk to a sentient time machine who picked my outfit for me."
The TARDIS whirred and hummed. The rack I had just finished with retracted, and a new one replaced it almost instantly. It was filled with different suits that ranged from a hundred years before my time to most likely several centuries in the future, judging from the wild and brightly designed style.
I sighed at the multitude of choices. Oh well . . . at least they were organized by time period.
Choosing to be simple and stay within my century, I gradually shifted suits around to make the choice easier. Bright colors and patterns were the first to go, quickly followed by the frilliest, overdone styles. Too much fabric, not enough breathing room, or running room. Soon enough, I had wheedled down my choices to the most "normal" suits styles. After very little consideration, the Classic fits were discarded, along with most of the Modern fits. They seemed a bit too baggy to me, especially since I was going to be seen alongside The Doctor in his Extreme Slim fit and I wanted to at least seem a bit in sync.
I had only a dozen different suits left to choose form but several more were discarded for their coloring. I wanted charcoal gray, not white, black, brown, or light grey; it would be a good balance to The Doctor's brown pinstriped suit.
Four left. Discard the Modern. Three Slim fit. One wasn't the right cut, pants too long for my legs and wait too narrow for my hips—gone. Two left. Both single-breasted with two buttons, but one had a notch lapel with side vents while the other had a peak lapel and a center vent.
The peak lapel was a bit too fashion forward for me and I hated center vents (On me. The Doctor pulled them off magnificiently), so there was only one other choice. Pulling the suit off the rack, I was relieved to see that it was a cotton-blend, not pure cotton or (god forbid) wool.
With my selection made, I put it on and was pleased to find that it was indeed very moveable. The fabric wasn't too stiff; the pants' waistline didn't cut into my stomach; and even the shirt (colored a pretty white and purple plaid) was so well tailored that the buttons didn't do that horrible gaping thing across my breasts like other button up shirts did, and the collar gently rested against the hollow of my throat instead of feeling like I was being slowly strangled. That prompted me to pick a deep purple tie to tuck into the waistcoat. However, I did decide to leave the jacket off and roll the shirt sleeves up to my elbows. Scotland was more of a humid climate, and I hated sweating.
I was fixing my hair in a half up, half down style when The Doctor spoke up.
"Dahlia? Are you done yet? You've been in there for hours!" The Doctor whined from the other side of the door.
I looked at the clock on the wall. It hadn't even been forty-five minutes. "'Hours', he says," I mocked, smoothing down my waistcoat one more time before putting on a sturdy but comfortable pair of dull black loafers.
The Doctor was leaning against the opposite wall, pouting. He perked up when I opened the door but tilted his head in confusion at my outfit. "Why're you wearing that?" He then held up his hands defensively as he backtracked, "Not that you don't look gorgeous in it, but . . . I thought we decided on Ian Dury at the Top Rank, Sheffield, England, Earth, 21st November, 1979. That's not exactly what you go to a concert in."
I gave him a dull look. "Like you have any room to talk about proper attire. You wear those suits wherever or whenever we go."
"Oi!" he pouted, pulling at his suit lapel. "My suits are timeless! They're stylish wherever we go. You like them . . . don't you?"
Oh, now he was upset. He looked like a kicked puppy, standing there and tugging at his suit. I sighed and walked closer to him. Pulling his hands away from his suit and putting them on my hips, I smoothed his jacket and stood on my tiptoes.
"I adore your suits, Doctor," I murmured, tracing my hands up and down his chest. "You looked so handsome in them, though, if I remember correctly . . ." My lips hovered over his. I could feel his breathing become heavy as he listened to me talk. "You look much better without them." I lightly kissed him, but pulled away when he tried to deepen it. I smirked at the high pitched whining noise he made when I did. "But that was a while ago, wasn't it? Maybe my memory's faded . . ."
"We could find out right now," The Doctor panted back. His eyes were glazed over, and he kept licking his lips.
Furrowing my eyebrows, I stared at him in confusion. "But then we'd miss the concert." And then I pulled away, internally smirking when I felt his hard on brush against my hip with the action.
The Doctor sputtered, stumbling to regain his composure and follow me down the hallway at the same time. "This is a time machine!" he said desperately. "We can go later! Not like 1979 is going anywhere!"
"How do you know it isn't?" I shot back.
"What?" he stammered.
Shrugging, I continued walking. "Stranger things have happened other than time periods going missing."
"B-but—!"
Upon entering the console room, I spun around to face The Doctor. "Later, Theta, but for now . . . impress me."
He pouted again, but then grinned widely, sprinting over to the TARDIS. I giggled and clung to part of the railing. The Doctor was excitedly pushing buttons and moving levers, muttering to himself all the while. Briefly, I wondered if I had given him a challenge that I shouldn't have, but the engines were already whirring to life. Too late now.
When the TARDIS landed, The Doctor stumbled, nearly falling over while he laughter. I snickered at his delighted behavior; it was good to see him so happy. Hell, it felt good to be this happy. I hadn't realized how tired I was of being serious and dealing with anger and gloomy topics.
The Doctor noticed my good mood. He bounded over to me, taking both my hands in his and pulling me toward the doors.
"Dahlia," he said excitedly. "There's so many places I can't wait to take you! So many time periods that I just know you'll love! China invades Vietnam, the first antigravity Olympics, swimming in the Yumeri Ocean, The Muppet Movie! Love that movie . . . Margaret Thatcher, Belladari O'Sharre, Freddari's Grand Orchestra, Skylab falls to Earth . . . with a little help from me."
I smiled fondly. "Of course it would be your fault that it fell."
"It was so not my fault!" he said indignantly. "I just helped it along, that's all."
My eyebrows raised up. "So it was on purpose then?"
"What? No! That-that's not what I meant—" he sputtered defensively, letting go of my hands to run his frantically through his hair. "It was an accident!"
I giggled. "I'm sure it was, Doctor."
He pouted. "It was!" Reaching for the door, he opened it. "It so was an . . ." Guns clicked as they prepared to fire. ". . . Accident," The Doctor finished. "1879, same difference."
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head and sighed. One could never be mentally prepared to face The Queen's guard, after all. "I didn't know a concert and a gun to the face were the same thing. Perhaps you should enlighten me about that the next time we get the chance."
The Doctor pulled a face at me, but the Captain began speaking. "You will explain your presence. And the strange dress of this girl."
The Doctor immediately perked up. "Are we in Scotland?" he asked, instantly melding into a Scottish accent. I fought a giggle down; I absolutely adored Ten's Scottish accent.
"How can you be ignorant of that?" the Captain demanded, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Running a hand through his hair, The Doctor said airily, "Oh, I'm-I'm dazed and confused. I've been chasing this . . . this wee strange child over hill and over dale. In't that right, ya . . . timorous beastie?"
I gave him a dull look. "While it is true I was forcing you to chase me around the countryside, I will not tolerate being called a timorous beastie, Doctor." A quirk of my mouth told him there was no real menace in the statement.
"Will you identify yourself, sir?" the Captain asked, though it sounded more like a demand.
"I'm Doctor James McCrimmon," The Doctor immediately said. "From the . . . Township of Balamory. Eh . . . I have my credentials, if I may . . ." He gestured to the pocket that held his psychic paper.
The Captain nodded his consent, and The Doctor and I both lowered our arms to our sides. The Doctor pulled out the psychic paper from his pocket and showed it to the Captain. "As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself," he explained.
A woman's voice called out from the carriage. "Let them approach."
The Captain frowned, obviously still suspicious. "I don't think that's wise, ma'am."
"Let them approach," the woman commanded.
The Captain made a sour face, frowning at The Doctor when he gestured toward the carriage. Clearing his throat, the Captain said, "You will approach the carriage and show all due deference."
The Doctor gave a silly gesture of acknowledgement before we both approached the carriage. We stopped a respectable distance from the carriage and waited patiently. A footman dutifully opened the carriage door to reveal Queen Victoria herself.
As The Queen studied us both, The Doctor reeled in his awe and shock to begin speaking. "Dahlia, might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria. Empress of India and Defender of the Faith."
I smiled and bowed (curtsying wouldn't do much good in a suit). "Dahlia Tombew, ma'am. It's truly an honor and a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I also apologize for my strange state of dress."
Queen Victoria hummed thoughtfully. "Yes, it is quite strange. What decision led you to choose the dress of a man rather than your proper dress, Miss Tombew?"
My mouth quirked up at the corners. "Safety, ma'am, and easier to move, if I have the freedom to add."
Her mouth twitched pleasantly. "Very good, miss. I myself have employed such matters before. It is good to meet another who understands its advantages," she said. Then, she looked to The Doctor. "Now you, Doctor . . . show me these credentials." The Doctor immediately handed her the psychic paper, which she took and examined. "Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my protector."
"Does it?" The Doctor asked curiously, peering at the paper himself as he took it back. "Yes, it does! Good! Good! Um . . . then let me ask—why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
"A tree on the line," she answered simply.
"An accident?" The Doctor questioned.
I snorted. "I doubt it. It would be quite a coincidence for a tree to land on the line right when she's traveling a great distance. Besides, going by train would be expected. It's safer for The Queen to use a different route."
"Quite right, Miss Tombew. I am The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned. A coincidence such as that could not be taken lightly," Queen Victoria said.
"An assassination attempt?" The Doctor asked in surprise.
"I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun," she said, confirming The Doctor's thoughts.
The Captain strode up to the carriage on his horse. "Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence. We'll send word ahead; he'll shelter us for tonight. Then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow."
"The Doctor and Miss Tombew will accompany us," The Queen said.
The Captain nodded at her statement. "Yes, ma'am. We'd better get moving—it's almost nightfall."
"Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!" The Queen ordered.
The Doctor closed the carriage's door, and we stepped back as it continued forward. We waited to bring up the rear of the traveling party.
"Let's see . . . 1879— so, she's had . . . oo . . . six attempts on her life? And I'll tell you something else . . ." he grinned. "We just met Queen Victoria!"
I giggled. "I know! It's so awesome! The magnificent Queen Victoria! I can't believe it!"
Grinning, The Doctor bumped my shoulder with his (or tried to. He was too tall to do it properly). "So," he drawled, "what type of adventures do we get up to on this trip?"
I smirked. "You'll have to wait and find out for yourself, Doctor. I'm not saying anything other than there'll be a lot of running. Oh, and if you think something's off, something is definitely off. Trust your gut."
He pouted. "Aw, that's all? Ya can't tell me a little more? Just a tiny bit?" He held up his fingers that were pinched together so much that there was only a sliver of space between them to emphasis his point.
"Nope," I answered, popping the 'p' and grinning at The Doctor's huffy response. "Don't worry, Doctor. You won't have to wait long for the action to start."
When we approached the Torchwood estate, I took the time to take in the beauty of it. It truly was a marvelous place. Though the presence of the bald men standing in front definitely spoiled it.
The carriage stopped, and a different footman from earlier opened the door to assist The Queen's exit.
A fidgety Sir Robert approached The Queen, bowing to her. "Your Majesty."
"Sir Robert. My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?" The Queen greeted.
Sir Robert cleared his throat. "She's . . . indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her. The kitchens are barely stocked . . . I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on," he said, fidgeting with his hands.
The Doctor raised his eyebrows, watching Sir Robert closely. He looked down at me for a hint. I tilted my head toward the bald men and stared intensely at The Doctor. He glanced toward the menacing men and frowned, then gave a slight nod of understanding.
The Queen didn't seem to notice anything amiss, though, and cheerfully replied, "Oh, not at all! I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is . . . charming. If rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside?" She didn't seem to notice Sir Robert's hesitance. "Oh, and please excuse the girl's strange dress."
Inclining my head toward Sir Robert, I gave a slight shrug as a form of apology, and then slapped a hand over The Doctor's mouth to keep him from speaking. When he pouted, I gave him a dull look. "You're not calling me a beastie again. Not if I can help it."
"Shall we proceed?" The Queen asked. Sir Robert nodded his assent, taking the lead of the group moving into the house.
The Captain addressed two soldiers, "Makerson and Ramsey, you will escort the Property. Hurry up."
Both soldiers nodded, immediately replying with, "Yes, sir." One of the two took a small wooden box from the carriage and began carrying it into the Torchwood house.
The Doctor eyed the box curiously. "What's in there, then?"
"Property of the Crown," the Captain answered tersely. "You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir."
The Doctor pulled a face but then looked down at me for assistance. With a small smile, I raised my eyebrows and nodded ever so slightly. The Doctor beamed back before turning to watch the two soldiers enter the house.
"The rest of you go to the rear of the house. Assume your designated positions," the Captain ordered.
A soldier turned to us, saying, "You heard the orders. Positions, sir."
The Doctor nodded, and then we were quickly following The Queen and Sir Robert into the house.
We stayed a few paces behind the group as we all entered the observatory. Not crowding the others, but close enough to take part in the conversation. I was attempting to keep my attention on the bald men but was taken off-guard by the sight of the enormous telescope in the center of the room.
"This, I take it," The Queen said, "is the famous Endeavour."
On television, the structure had been beautiful; in real life, it was more magnificent than I could ever imagine. It completely took my breath away. Soon, I found myself eagerly examining as much of it as I could from my position at The Doctor's side.
Sir Robert nodded in response to The Queen's statement. "All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession—he spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself."
The Doctor smiled and pulled his glasses out of his pocket to slip them on his face. "I wish I'd met him, I like him. That thing's beautiful—can we um . . ?" He motioned toward the Endeavour.
"Help yourself."
I followed after The Doctor happily, practically skipping to the opposite side The Doctor had taken interest in. I circled it like a buzzard. The work was exceptional, almost completely foreign of Earth. Each separate piece of metal was lovingly crafted into the next; all smooth lines and carefully blunted edges. Oh what I would give to take it on the TARDIS with us. It would look so perfectly gorgeous in the Cargiterm Maze.
"What did he model it on?" The Doctor asked, leaning back to stare up at its peak.
"I know nothing about it," Sir Robert said. "To be honest, most of us thought him a little . . . shall we say, eccentric." That got a happy laugh out of The Doctor. "I wish now I'd spent more time with him. And listened to his stories," Sir Robert continued, sending a meaningful glance to The Queen.
"It's a bit rubbish," The Doctor blurted out. Sighing, I sent a dull look to him as he looked through the telescope. "How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top, that's stupid kind of a—" I walked over to him and gently gripped his shoulder. He immediately stopped speaking and turned to me. "Am I being rude again?" I nodded and patted his shoulder. "But it's pretty! It's very . . . pretty."
"Sir Robert," I said, taking my own turn to stare through the spyglass. "Did your father craft each of the pieces himself? Or did he ask another to accomplish the task?" I glanced around the room. "There doesn't seem to be any equipment here . . ."
"He did actually! Some of the bulkier pieces that didn't need as much precision. The more delicate sections were commissioned by a metalworker. The equipment my father used has been moved to the room that was supposed to be his workshop. He preferred working right next to the Endeavour, rather than move from room to room," Sir Robert answered.
I ran my hands along the base. "Beautiful piece of work. It's amazing he accomplished such a task."
"And the imagination of it should be applauded," The Queen added. "This device surveys the infinite work of God." She looked at Sir Robert. "What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath. Steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales."
The Doctor smiled at me and took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb along my knuckles. "Stars and magic. I like him more and more." He then moved away to continue to examine the telescope, slowly letting my hand fall from his.
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company," The Queen said to me. "Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."
The Doctor was immediately at my side again, leaning down to whisper "That's Bavaria" in my ear. I shivered when his warm breath flowed over my ear and neck.
"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported," The Queen said, turning back to Sir Robert.
The Doctor turned away from the Endeavour immediately, completely fixating on Sir Robert instead. "So, what's this wolf, then?"
"It's just a story," Sir Robert said. He nervously glanced at the bald men lurking at the edges of the room.
"Then tell it," The Doctor urged eagerly.
Sir Robert swallowed thickly and shifted in placed. Finally, he began speaking in a troubled tone, "It's said that—"
A bald man interrupted him, narrowing his eyes at Sir Robert. "Excuse me, sir. Perhaps her Majesty's party could retire to their rooms. It's almost dark."
"Of course. Yes, of course," Sir Robert breathed out shakily.
"And then supper," The Queen stated. "And . . . could we find some clothes for Miss Tombew? I don't believe caution is needed in this setting. Sir Robert, your wife must've left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven. And talk some more of this wolf. After all . . . there is a full moon tonight."
"So there is, ma'am," Sir Robert said, bowing as The Queen left the room.
"Right this way, miss," Sir Robert said, motioning for me to follow him down a hallway.
The Doctor stopped in place. A bald man had been about to take him down a different hall. "Right! Mind if I tag along?" he asked cheerfully. "Don't want Dahlia to get nervous in a big place, ya know?"
Sir Robert frowned. "It's quite all right, sir. She'll just be having a quick change and will be down to join us soon."
I watched The Doctor's smile turn strained. He was about to start arguing. Couldn't have that. "Doctor, it's fine," I said, walking over to him and cupping his cheek. "If I'm late, come find me," I murmured, too low for anyone else to hear. "And be ready to run."
His face was tense when I pulled away. There was a tick in his jaw that I pretended to ignore. His eyes were furious with thought and half-started plans, and he kept searching my face for some other clue as to what he should be preparing for, but I don't give anything away. My expression is loose, at ease, with my mouth curled in the slightest of smiles.
The Doctor finally nods and pulls away. He watches as Sir Robert and I walk down the hall.
Sir Robert left me at a random door; I promised to be down as soon as I could, though he was already leaving and not listening to a word I said.
Oh well, I thought, entering the room. Might as well get this over with.
I didn't bother searching through the other wardrobes. Perhaps if I was quick enough, the maid and I could escape before the bald men came for us.
Flinging open the last wardrobe, I stared down at the cowering maid with a soft expression. "Hey," I whispered. Kneeling down to her level, I continued, "Hey, it's all right. Are you hurt?" She shook her head. Poor thing. She looked like a scared baby animal with her wide eyes and heaving chest. "Come on," I murmured, holding out a hand to her. "Come out of there and tell me what happened. I won't let anything hurt you."
She hesitates for a few minute seconds before gripping my outstretched hand and standing shakily. She still huddled in on herself, eyes darting side to side to examine the room for threats.
"What's your name?" I asked, keeping my voice even and perfectly calm as I steered her toward the bed.
She nearly collapsed onto the bed as she answered. "Flora."
"Flora," I said, settling down beside her. I took her hands in mind and stroked them soothingly. "Tell me what happened."
"They came through the house. The incitements, they took the Steward and the Master. And my Lady," Flora said fearfully, clenching her hands even as I stroked them.
I pursed my lips and leaned in closer to the terrified girl. "Flora, you have to listen to me. I understand that you're scared, but you have to listen." When I had her attention, I spoke again, "We're going to go downstairs, all right? I have a friend down there who can help. Once we tell him what happened, me and him will take care of it, okay?"
"Oh, but miss, I can't!" Flora interjected, jerking her hands away to fist them in her skirt.
"Yes, you can. I'll be right with you, I promise. I'll protect you. Nothing bad will happen to you if I can help it," I said. "You understand?"
The girl nodded shakily but didn't stand with me.
I held out a hand to her. "Come on. We should hurry."
Finally, Flora took my hand and stood beside me. Her hand felt clammy. I tugged her to the door and opened it, peering outside while Flora huddled close to me.
"Let's go," I whispered, tugging her out of the room and down the hall. Peering around the corner, I immediately saw the guards lying unconscious on the floor.
"Oh, miss, I did warn you!" Flora cried out, cowering close to wall while I kneeled next to one of the men.
Though I was sure he was just unconscious, I felt his pulse just to be sure. "It's all right, they're just unconscious. We need to hurry. The monks are probably patrolling—" I looked over my shoulder just in time to see one of the monks grab Flora. She attempted to struggle but was easily overpowered.
Another monk appeared and lurched forward to grab me. I dodged and kicked him in the side, knocking him over. Scrambling to stand, I didn't see another monk came up behind me. He wrapped one arm around my waist and clamped the other over my mouth, effectively stopping the scream I was about to let out.
The monks seemed to be taking no chances, because as soon as I began struggling, I was knocked unconscious.
I woke up in chains, surrounded by whimpering maids. Groaning, I sat up and rubbed the back of my head where a knot had formed. "Fuck," I hissed, pulling my head away to inspect it. No blood. That was a relief.
"Don't make a sound," a woman to my left said.
I turned to her. Lady Isobel. Of course. I had almost forgotten she would be down here with us.
"They said if we scream or shout, then he will slaughter us," Lady Isobel continued. She eyed the Host kneeling in the cage fearfully. "He's nothing like us. That creature is not mortal."
The Host raised its head, staring at us with pitch black eyes. Lady Isobel and the household staff cowered closer to the wall; their chains clinked softly with the movement.
Rubbing my eyes to try and stave off the headache that was forming, I stood in order to better address the Host. Taking a few steps forward, I ignored Lady Isobel when she attempted to grasp at my pant leg, whispering a terrified, "Don't, child."
I dusted my pants off as best as I could and shot Lady Isobel a bored look over my shoulder. "How 'bout a bit of hush for a moment, okay? Let me handle this. You guys just sit there and . . . chill." I waved my hand at them in a gesture that was supposed to be placating but probably came off as apathetic.
"So," I drawled, "Are you gonna tell me your name and species or do I have to guess?"
"Don't enrage him," a man asked, I presumed that he was the groundskeeper or the cook.
I rolled my shoulder to loosen the tightness in them. "You're not from Earth, so where are you from? What planet? Solar system? At least a galaxy? Anything would be helpful at this point."
"Oooh . . . intelligence . . ." the Host cooed. It tilted its head to the side and gave me a calculating smile.
My lips twitched in an attempt to turn into a sneer at the Host's playful tone. "Where are you from?" I demanded, almost putting my hands on my hips but remembered the chains at the last moment so I crossed them behind my back instead.
The Host's smile turned sickly sweet. "This body . . . ten miles away . . . a weakling, heartsick boy. Stolen away at night by the brethren for my cultivation. I carved out his soul and sat in his heart." Its tongue curled around the words with a reptilian grace that turned its teeth into pearly knives.
I gave the creature a dull look. "I highly doubt even you are capable of that. And I didn't mean the body. I meant the beast inside."
"So far from home," it said, its voice so low it was nearly whispering.
"I know you are. We both are," I replied coldly. "Though . . . I'm not here to take Queen Victoria as a host, unlike you."
The Host's eyes widened in delighted surprise. "Such knowledge!" It moved closer to the bars of the cage, nearly pressing its face against them. Lady Isobel and the household staff let out whimpers at the sudden movement, but I didn't budge. The Host stared at me. "Look! Inside your eyes! You've seen it, too! The Wolf! There is something of the Wolf about you."
I raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "I didn't just see the Wolf. Bad Wolf and I are the same." I was abruptly overtaken by a wave of fury. Charging forward as far as the chains would allow me, I sneered and bared my teeth at the Host. "And if you had seen me, you would've cowered at my feet. I was a god. You're nothing but a lost mutt. Don't compare us."
"You burnt like the sun, but all I require is the moon," the Host near-whispered, craning its head to give a yearning stare out the window at the rising moon.
Enough talking. I whirled around and returned to my original place in the line of prisoners. "All right, everyone, it's time to get out of here!" I said, drawing the attention of the terrified group. "I want all of you to grip a part of the chain and, on my count, pull with as much force as you can! Understood?" That only got a few nods, do I barked, "Understood?!" The rest of the maids nodded, gripping the chain and standing to get better leverage.
The cellar doors flew open, flooding the room with moonlight. The maids shrieked, toppling back towards the wall. The Host let out a soft crooning sound as it pressed its face against the bars of its cage. Its blissful smile made my skin break out in goosebumps.
"Moonlight . . ." the Host said breathily and tossed its cloak away. It briefly spread its arms to enjoy the gust of wind that came through the cellar doors before grasping at the bars again.
"Don't look at it!" I shouted, renewing my grip on the chains. "If you don't want to die, then listen to me!" The maids obeyed, but Lady Isobel hadn't budged. Her stare was completely focused on the Host's transformation. "Lady Isobel! That means you, too! I'm not dying because you want to sit around all day! Now get off your ass and pull!" The terrified woman gave a jerky nod and stood, taking her own section of the chain in hand. "On my count!" I shouted. "One! Two! Pull!" We pulled on the chain, but it didn't move. "Again! Pull!"
I must have moved too quickly because something in my lower chest popped. I doubled over, coughing and gasping for breath. When I managed to open my eyes again, I was watching a cloud of gold dust drift from my mouth and disappear into the air.
That's not good.
But I didn't have time to think about that. I had the obvious problem of the Host transforming mere feet away. So, I shook off the feeling of dread that had overtaken me and renewed my efforts on the chain. "Pull!" I ordered again, thankfully not huffing up anymore gold dust. I could hear the base of the chains creaking. "That's it! Just a little more! Come on!" My arms burned with the effort of the repeated pulling, but I couldn't stop.
"Pull! One! Two! Pull!" The chain pulled free from the wall just when the Host finished its transformation. I nearly collapsed as a dense pain spider-webbed from my sternum outwards, twisting my insides and reaching up to burn through my lungs and upper chest. Flora caught me before I fell, desperately asking if I was all right even while watching the Host flex its new claws.
The locked door leading back into the estate suddenly crashed open, and The Doctor came rushing inside the cellar, followed by Sir Robert.
"Get out!" Sir Robert shouted, ushering the maids and his wife out of the room.
Clutching at my aching chest and leaning on Flora for support, I glared at The Doctor. "'Bout time you got here!"
"Dahlia!" he shouted, his face twisted with alarm and worry. He was at my side in a second, taking my weight from Flora so the maid could run from the room. "What's wrong? What's happening? Dahlia, are you—" He cut himself off when he caught sight of the Host in its cage. His mouth fell open and his eyes lit up with wonder and a sort of horrified glee.
"Doctor!" I shouted.
The Doctor immediately came back to his senses, helping me towards the door while the Wolf began tearing apart its cage. We exited the room as quickly as possible, and The Doctor soniced the door locked. I leaned against the wall to regain my strength, taking deep breaths as the pain in my chest slowly disappeared.
"Dahlia, are you hurt?" The Doctor asked, hovering closely to me.
Laughing breathlessly, I said, "No, besides, we have bigger things to worry about, Doctor."
The Wolf chose that moment to howl. The sound echoed throughout the house.
"Come on," I said, taking his hand and running down the hall to join the others in the next room.
Everyone was in the midst of panicking. The maids were huddling together, helping each other with the chains on their wrists. The men had gathered up any guns they could find and were waiting for orders. Sir Robert and Lady Isobel were embracing and murmuring words of comfort between them. The Doctor tugged me to one side and began using the sonic to remove the shackles on my wrists.
"You sure you're all right? You didn't look so good for a minute there," The Doctor commented, watching me closely even as he worked.
"I'm fine. Just overdid myself a bit, that's all. Nothing to worry about," I replied easily. The pain had gone by now; all that was leftover was the feeling of being a bit short of breath. I cut off The Doctor when he looked like he was about to rebuke that statement. "No arguing. Alien Wolf. Talk."
Beaming at me, The Doctor started rambling a mile a minute, "It could be any form of light modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths—did it say what it wanted?"
The chains clattered to the floor. "Oh, just the usual—it's gonna bite The Queen and take over the British Empire. Same old, same old."
The Doctor didn't get a chance to reply. A banging sound echoed down the corridor from the cellar. The Doctor released my wrists to venture down the hallway to investigate; I followed a few steps behind.
"You know," I said conversationally, "sometimes your unending curiosity comes at the worst of times."
He sent me a sour look over his shoulder, and that was the moment the Wolf broke down the door.
"Shit!" I shouted.
The Doctor and I turned around so quickly we almost slipped on the wooden floor. We charged down the hall and ducked behind the gun line just in time for the men to open fire. The Wolf snarled and whined when the bullets made contact, but I only got a few seconds to look. The smoke from the guns obscured my view as the men fired time and time again. When it finally cleared, the Wolf had disappeared.
Adrenaline made me the first to speak. "Okay, everyone listen up!" The maids and men startled, their wide eyes snapping to me. "Lady Isobel, take the women to go to the kitchens. It's possible you might be able to get out through there." The Doctor was watching me with a look of pleased surprise, but I decided to ignore him in favor of addressing the group of men who were clutching their guns protectively to their chests. "You all go with them. Protect them if you're able. I won't have any pointless deaths here—"
"We'll be doin' no such thing, Miss," a large man interrupted. "The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault."
I glared at him. "Well it's not from Earth so—"
"Now I don't know where you're from, girl, but around here such nonsense is severely punished—"
"I. Am. Talking!" I shouted, storming over to get in the man's face to growl, "Get. In. The. Kitchens. Now."
The Doctor stepped forward, wrapping a hand around my shoulder, and frowned at the stubborn fool. "Listen to her! Guns are no good against the Wolf!"
The man sneered back at me and backed away from us, saying, "And I'm telling you, sir, that I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall."
I swiped at the man's jacket when he walked to the hall but my fingers only skimmed the fabric. The Doctor pulled me back against his chest; I could feel the thudding of his hearts accelerate.
The man looked down the hallway—barely a second or two—before turning back to us triumphantly. "Must've crawled away to die—"
The Wolf curled down from one of the rafters and grabbed him off the ground. The man had to weigh close to two hundred pounds yet to the Wolf that was nothing. The man's screams bounced off the walls even as the Wolf drug him up into the rafters.
The Doctor drug me away from the scene; I stumbled backwards form the force, trying to keep my eyes on where the Wolf had last been and not fall at the same time. People were scrambling around us and screaming and shouting, filling the room with chaos.
"There's nothing we can do!" The Doctor shouted. He pulled me towards the stairs and allowed me to regain my footing. "Do as Dahlia says! Into the kitchen! Sir Robert—"
Sir Robert kissed his wife one last time before shoving her toward the kitchens and nodding. "I'm with you, Doctor."
The Doctor soniced the door shut behind Sir Robert. I stood by him, trying to calm my heart as I thought up a plan; I patted the laser screwdriver in my pocket. I came prepared this time.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Sir Robert called out in the direction of the stairs, gripping the banister tightly.
The Queen was quickly making her way down the stairs. "Sir Robert! What's happening? I heard such terrible noises."
The Doctor briefly clasped my shoulder before moving away to inspect another hallway. I stayed by the door to listen for the Wolf and watch The Queen.
Sir Robert stared guiltily at The Queen. "Your Majesty—we've got to get out. But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?"
Queen Victoria tensed, and I watched her look away briefly before regaining her composure. "Captain Reynolds disposed of him," she finally answered.
The Doctor returned, slipping his hand into mine and gesturing to a door with the free hand. "The front door's no good, it's been boarded shut. Pardon me, Your Majesty—you'll have to leg it out of a window."
The Queen, with her head held high, turned and regally strode through the doorway. I followed closely, tugging The Doctor behind me, with Sir Robert bringing up the rear. When we came to the door, Sir Robert went to the front of our group.
"Excuse my manners, ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress," he said with a slight downward inclination of his head.
The Queen nodded her agreement. "A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh."
I rolled my eyes, and The Doctor grunted in annoyance. "Yeah, any chance you could hurry up?" he added impatiently, briefly looking over his shoulder in case we had been followed.
Sir Robert didn't hesitate any longer. He opened the window and attempted to climb out but had to quickly scramble back inside when the monks outside began firing at us. We ducked down behind the wooden ledge beneath the window.
When the shots stopped, The Doctor leaned towards the window to peer outside. "I reckon the monkey boys want us to stay inside."
"Do they know who I am?" The Queen demanded angrily from where we were crouched against the wall.
"Oh yeah, they definitely do," I piped up. "The Wolf wants you inside so it can bite you."
The Queen turned to me with an annoyed look. She scoffed, "Now, stop this talk. There can't be an actual wolf."
Right on cue, the Wolf's howl echoed throughout the entire house. We darted out of our crouched positions and ran back to the other room.
"So," I said, "we can't go out through the window. The cellar's a no-go. What's left?"
"We run," The Doctor said simply. He turned to The Queen and began demonstrating by running in place. "Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a vigorous jog. Good for the health. Come on!" He grabbed her hand and lead her up the stairs. Sir Robert and I followed close behind, our footsteps thudding against the wooden staircase like a stampede of animals.
The stairs came too soon for me. I found that out as my chest seized up on one deep breath. A coughing fit nearly caused me to stumble, but Sir Robert was quick to catch me. He helped me regain my footing without either of us stopping.
At the top of the stairs, we kept running. The Wolf was right behind us. I could hear the clack of its claws on the floor and smell its hot, wet breath as it breathed. The corridors seemed to go on forever, and the weakness in my chest was beginning to leach down into my legs.
Keep going, keep going. You can't slow down. It's right behind you, I thought desperately but even my thoughts were gasping. Where's Captain Reynolds? He's supposed to be—
Sir Robert had just rounded the next corner when Captain Reynolds appeared, gun readied. But something was wrong. His eyes were wide, and he kept moving the gun . . .
The Wolf was too close. He couldn't get a shot in without hitting me.
A burst of speed came from nowhere. I moved forward just in time to feel the Wolf's claws skim my back.
Captain Reynolds began firing. I heard the Wolf shriek as they connected, but couldn't find it in myself to pay any attention. I was too busy trying to stop. The wall helped with that problem.
I hadn't managed to stop, but I had managed to turn just enough so that my shoulder hit the wall instead of my hands or face. Hissing in pain and gagging in an attempt to regain my breath, I slid down to the floor with a hand clutching my chest.
"Dahlia!" The Doctor shouted, rushing to kneel at my side. The sonic screwdriver whirred to life as he began scanning me. "Are you hurt? Please, please, be all right, oh, Dahlia, please—"
"Doctor," I gasped. "Doctor, just, just let me breathe. I . . . need a . . . second . . . that's all . . ."
"It didn't hurt you, did it?" he asked softly, backing off just enough to give me some air.
I shook my head weakly. "No. No, it just skimmed."
He gave me a strained smile and pressed a kiss to my temple. "Good . . . that's . . . good."
Captain Reynolds returned, carefully reloading his gun as he spoke. "I'll take this position and hold it. You keep moving, for God's sake! Your Majesty—I went to look for the property, it was taken. The chest was empty."
Holding a hand to her chest, Queen Victoria replied, "I have it. It's safe."
"Then remove yourself, ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's Protector. And you, Sir Robert—you're a traitor to the crown," Captain Reynolds said, cocking his gun.
"Shut up," I spat, reaching out to The Doctor so he could help me up. I wasn't gasping anymore, and the weakness in my chest and legs had nearly vanished. The sudden chest pains had disappeared, as well. I didn't know why I wasn't feeling any aftershocks, but I wasn't about to question it.
"Excuse me, miss?" Reynolds demanded. He quickly glanced away from the corridor to look at me.
"We aren't leaving you here. Bullets won't stop it. All you'll be doing is giving it something else to chew on," I said, shoving away from the wall.
"Then I will die in service to Her Majesty!"
I rolled me eyes. "Too fucking bad. Go with them. I'll stay."
"What?!" The Doctor, Sir Robert, and Captain Reynolds shouted.
The Doctor gripped me tightly by the shoulders. "Dahlia, I don't know what's gotten into your head, but I'm not leaving you here!" he said furiously.
"You're not leaving me behind! I'm staying to slow down the Wolf!"
"You were just gasping for breath a few seconds ago!" Captain Reynolds interjected.
Throwing him a dull look over The Doctor's shoulder, I replied," Exactly. And what does that say about your chances? Besides, I have a plan."
"Dahlia," The Doctor muttered desperately, forcing my attention back to him. "Don't make me leave you here. Please. I . . . I can't do it."
Smiling brightly, I cradled The Doctor's face in my hands and placed a brief kiss on his mouth. "You're not leaving me. I'm staying." I pulled out of his grip and moved to where Captain Reynolds was standing, still keeping eye contact. "Keep the door open for me, okay?" He swallowed thickly before nodding. "Good, now go!"
The Wolf had regained its strength and was carefully moving down the corridor towards us. Captain Reynolds, The Queen, and Sir Robert took off; however, The Doctor lingered. The agony on his face caused my gut to twist, but I refused to cave.
"Go!" I ordered again, readying my hand to slip into my pocket for the laser screwdriver.
He finally nodded and rushed to join the others.
The laser was in my hand and readied the second he wasn't looking.
Pressing myself against the wall, I took a deep breath to steel my nerves. "Setting eleven," I murmured. The laser clicked as a reply. "Okay, then. No need to keep The Doctor waiting."
The Wolf was only a few feet away. I could hear it breathing.
Just a bit closer. My thumb rolled over the laser's trigger. Just a bit . . . Now!
I twisted around the corner, the arm with the laser outstretched. The Wolf snarled at me; I forced myself not to move. The Wolf leaped towards me, and I fired. A molten hot beam of energy skimmed the Wolf's chest and underbelly and connected with one of its hind legs.
The Wolf howled in agony and twisted itself midair to get out of the laser's path. I lunged in the opposite direction as the Wolf crashed into the corner of the hallway. The laser clattered out of my grip, briefly singeing the ceiling and walls before dying out. The Wolf shrieked and whined in pain. As it twisted in on itself, I scrambled to my feet and rushed to where the laser screwdriver had landed.
The Wolf was still rolling around in agony. I could end this now.
Readying the laser, I turned around.
"Dahlia!"
I jerked and look over my shoulder. The Doctor was standing outside the library; his face was a mixture of shock and horror.
"For fuck's safe!" I hissed, shoving the laser in my pocket and running towards the library while the Wolf continued to fumble on the floor. I nearly slammed right into The Doctor's chest, but he caught me and used my momentum to lift me off the ground and physically carry me inside the library.
Sir Robert and Captain Reynolds slammed the doors shut. The Doctor briefly left my side to help the other two men barricade the doors with any furniture they could find. The men suddenly pulled away from the doors; however, The Doctor hovered closer than the other two dared.
"Wait a minute, shh, shh, wait a minute . . ." he whispered, holding up a hand to hush us. He silently maneuvered over the furniture to press his head against the door. "It's stopped." He climbed on a chair to get a better position and began listening again. "It's gone," he informed us, turning around.
But we could still hear the Wolf padding around the room.
Clutching a hand to my chest to steady my breaths, I breathed, "The other doors . . ."
Sir Robert was the first to move, quickly followed by The Doctor and Captain Reynolds. They barricaded the doors and scrambled away to listen as the Wolf sniffed on the other side of the doors. After several long and tense moments, the Wolf slowly padded away, a noticeable limp in its step.
Captain Reynolds frowned and slowly stepped closer to the center of the room. "What could possibly stop the wolf from getting in?" he looked around as he spoke.
"Something inside this room," The Doctor replied. He, too, was giving every detail of the room a hard stare, even as he returned to my side.
Sir Robert silently collapsed into a chair, cradling his face in his hands.
"What is it?" The Doctor asked in confusion. "Why can't it get in?"
He looked at me for an answer, but I didn't give him one. I simply shrugged, or I attempted to. The Doctor had swept me up in an almost suffocating hug.
"I thought I was going to lose you," he confessed from where his face was buried in my hair.
A breath of air wheezed out of my lungs as I chuckled. I returned the hug with an acknowledging hum. "Oh please, like something as simple as an alien werewolf would be able to take me out."
"I was so scared, Dahlia, so so scared," he continued. He pulled away to look me in the eyes. "Please, please don't ever do something like that again. I don't think I could ever move on if I lost you. Please? For me?"
My heart clenched. Don't think about it. Don't think about it. "Doctor, I can't promise you that, and you know it." He gave me the most pitiful stare. "Just like you can't promise me you won't do something exactly like what I just did. It's not how we live, and it would be wrong to ask us to make promises we can't keep." I cradled his face so he would look me in the eye again instead of staring at the ground. "But we can promise to not take risks we aren't sure of. Okay?"
He smiled. "That's enough for me."
I smiled back and pecked him on the lips. "Me, too."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Sir Robert spoke up. The Doctor and I pulled out of our embrace (finally remembering that that sort of intimacy wasn't allowed for unmarried couples). Sir Robert drug his hands away from his face as he met The Queen's stare. "It's all my fault. I should've sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong, I . . . thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?"
The Doctor shrugged, saying, "Well, they were bald, athletic . . . your wife's away, I just thought you were happy."
Huffing, I rolled my eyes at the joke, though my mouth did twitch in amusement (against my better judgement).
"Do you think this is funny?" Queen Victoria snapped at us. The Doctor visibly winced, and I cringed at her disapproving tone. She continued, spitting out an almost order, "What, exactly, I pray someone please—what exactly is that creature?"
Scratching his head, The Doctor awkwardly answered, "You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's a more of a lupine wavelength haemovariform . . ."
Wow, what a crystal clear description, I thought dully, nearly giving into the urge to snort when he finished talking.
"And should I trust you, sir?" The Queen asked sharply. "You who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?"
The Doctor floundered for a second as he processed what The Queen had just said. "Oh . . . right, sorry—"
"And you, Miss Tombew—" I snapped to attention when Her Majesty addressed me, looking at her with wide, shocked eyes. "What House do you hail from?"
Furrowing my brows and frowning, I said, "Um, no House, ma'am, I'm not a noble."
"I shall not hear any lies!" The Queen glared at me. "Do not take me for a fool, Miss Tombew. Your actions give you away. You give orders to men and expect those orders to be followed. You hold yourself with a dignity and grace afforded to only those who have been raised in the upper-class. Why, if I was a more dimwitted woman I would mistake you for one of my court! Come on, out with it! What House? Howard? Spencer-Churchill? Lennox? Rumor has it that one of their daughters has recently, shall we say, eloped with a rather eccentric scoundrel." She eyed The Doctor with satisfaction as his mouth slowly dropped open before looking back to me where I was struggling to breathe (the air had rushed from my lungs when she began speaking). "Seeing as you're here—in Scotland—I can safely assume that this is correct? Though I don't see a ring of any kind . . ."
I finally managed to gather enough breath to speak. "Your Majesty, I apologize if any of my actions have made you . . . perceive me as nobility—and as flattering as that is—it isn't true. I'm not a noble, and The Doctor and I haven't eloped—"
"I dunno," The Doctor piped up quietly from behind me. "Jackie thought I had certainly swept you off after those first few adventures . . ."
Whirling around, I smacked his arm and hissed, "You are not helping!"
He raised his hands in a placating manner, pouting after closing his mouth. Huffing, I turned back to The Queen, who look ever so slightly amused.
"Ma'am, I apologize again . . ."
"No matter," she interrupted. "Though I must ask . . . why would a young woman of your caliber choose a life such as this?"
"Choose?" I echoed slowly. I licked my lips as I thought of how to respond. "I . . . this sort of life . . . it's rare that one gets to choose whether or not they're a part of this sort of life. I didn't . . . choose this, at first that is . . . it kind of crashed into my life and drug me in kicking and screaming? And then I chose it."
The Queen scoffed, her face steeling immediately. "I'll not have it. Not you or The Doctor . . . not that thing . . . none of it. This is not my world."
My eyebrows shot upwards as far as they could go. "Sorry to disappoint you, Your Majesty, but . . . you don't get much of a choice. Once this life chooses you, you have to accept it. At least to a certain degree."
"Oh? And why should I bend to your rules?"
A slightly delirious giggle burst out of me. "Maybe because a werewolf is trying to bite you and make you its Host?"
The Queen looked like she wanted to reply to that statement, but The Doctor spoke up first.
He had perched himself on one of the chairs barricading the first set of doors. "Mistletoe . . ." he muttered, tracing one of the carvings on the door. "Sir Robert, did your father put that there?"
Sir Robert shrugged and said, "I don't know . . . I suppose . . ."
The Doctor frowned and leaned closer to the carving. He glanced at me briefly as I walked over to his roost before looking back at the carving and saying, "On the other door, too . . . a carving wouldn't be enough . . . I wonder . . ." He licked the carving.
I grimaced. "Why do you have to lick everything?" I said in disgust.
With a sudden glee, The Doctor looked down at me, wiggling his eyebrows and catching his tongue between his teeth coquettishly. Gaping, I flushed in embarrassment at both his bold flirtation and the heat that had spread through my body because of the act. I turned away from The Doctor (choosing to face the wall rather than his suddenly lustful gaze) and crossed my arms over my chest. I tried to fight the burning heat in my cheeks but only succeeded in forcing it to coil much lower.
"Viscum album, the oil of the mistletoe—it's been worked into the wood like a varnish! How clever was your dad? I love him," The Doctor continued, his grin widening. "Powerful stuff, mistletoe. Bursting with lectins and viscotoxins."
"And how exactly does that help us?" Captain Reynolds asked.
"The Wolf's allergic to it," I answered, looking over my shoulder at him. Then I shrugged. "At least it thinks it is."
The Doctor nodded in agreement. "The monkey monk monks need a way of controlling the wolf, maybe they trained it to react against certain things."
"Nevertheless," Sir Robert interjected, "That creature won't give up, Doctor, and we still don't possess an actual weapon."
The Doctor smiled widely. "Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?"
"Rude," I admonished.
He nodded satisfactorily. "Good, I meant that one," he said, walking over to a set of bookshelves. "You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world." He took out those glasses he didn't actually need and put them on. "This room's the greatest arsenal we could have." He pulled a book off the shelf and tossed it to me. Fumbling, I caught it and sent him a sour look. "Arm yourself," The Doctor finished.
The Doctor, Sir Robert, and Captain Reynolds immediately swarmed the bookshelves, flipping through books so fast I wasn't even sure that they were even comprehending what they were reading. I was standing slightly off to the side, watching with a disconnected fascination. I was supposedly "helping", but the men wouldn't move out of the way so I could scour the shelves myself. When I had attempted to remove The Doctor from his newest perch on a ladder in front of the shelves, he had merely tossed me a random book without even looking at the cover.
I caught the book, scoffing immediately when I read the title—Terrance Hill's Guide to Economics. Like that would be useful. I dropped the book on the closest table and returned to hovering by the men.
"If you all would just move, I could probably find what we're looking for in minimum time," I offered and was, of course, ignored.
The men were talking erratically. They were swapping theories and phrases in such a high quantity that their words blurred together into an undiscernible jumble.
Huffing, I put my hands on my hips and glared up at The Doctor, who had just tossed away a book to pick up another. He ignored my glare. Instead, he focused on flipping through the book until something caught his eye. He jumped down from the ladder and walked over to the table, setting the book down after shoving mine out of the way.
"Look what your old dad found. Something fell to Earth," he said. His left hand was braced on the table while his right hand pointed to the illustration of an object falling to Earth from the sky.
I squirmed under The Doctor left arm to get a good look at the picture. Captain Reynolds and Sir Robert crowded around his right side. "Most likely a ship," I said, though the illustration didn't help with identifying the object. It looked like a giant rock.
"A shooting star," Sir Robert attempted to correct me. I gave him a dull look as he began reading the description on the opposite page. "'In the year of our Lord, 1540, under the reign of King James the Fifth, an almighty fire did burn in the pit.' That's the Glen of Saint Catherine just by the Monastery."
"But that would be three hundred years ago. Why wait so long?" Captain Reynolds questioned, frowning at the book.
I traced the illustration with a finger. "Most likely only a single cell survived, or at the very least very few. It needed to grow, adapt. That's why it's been using humans. It needs a Host to survive."
"But why does it want the throne?" Sir Robert asked.
Giving him an unimpressed look, I said, "That's a bit obvious. The British Empire is the most powerful force in the world at this point in time. The supremacy of its navy and armies hasn't been rivaled by any other country. It completely dominates world trade, and effectively controls many countries' economies. All the Wolf has to do is bite The Queen, and she's a Host. Job done. Why wouldn't the Wolf want the throne?"
"Imagine it . . ." The Doctor muttered. "The Victorian Age accelerated . . . starships and missiles fueled by coal and driven by steam . . . leaving history devastated in its wake . . ."
"Sir Robert! Captain Reynolds!" The Queen's outburst caused us all to look up. She was standing from where she had previously been sitting on the other side of the room. The summoned men immediately rushed to answer The Queen's call.
The Doctor looked down at me and snorted. I muffled my giggle behind my hand.
"If I am to die here . . ." The Queen continued.
"Don't say that, Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty, please . . !" Sir Robert and Captain Reynolds rushed to speak at the same time.
The Queen held her head high, stating simply, "I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me. But that's no matter. I ask only that you find some place of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself." She opened her bag and reached inside.
The Doctor rolled his eyes again. "Hardly the time to worry about your valuables," he huffed.
The Queen regarded him stiffly. "Thank you for your opinion. But there is nothing more valuable than this," she said, pulling a large, glistening diamond out of her bag.
The Doctor inhaled sharply and said, "That's the Koh-I-Noor. The greatest diamond in the world." He took my hand and led me closer to The Queen for a better look.
Given to me as the spoils of war," The Queen explained proudly. "Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die."
The Doctor shrugged dismissively. "Well, that's true of anything if you own it long enough. Can I . . ?" He held out his hand to take the gem. Queen Victoria hesitated for a moment but handed the diamond over. Sliding his glasses down his nose, he peered at the diamond. "It's so beautiful."
"If you're into diamonds," I said, standing on my toes to inspect the diamond.
"Oh?" The Doctor asked. He gave me a curious look.
The Queen smiled. "You sound like my youngest daughter. She believes diamonds are boring and plain. Refuses to wear them. She prefers garnets. What about you?"
I smiled back. "Opals are my favorite."
Still twirling the diamond in the light, The Doctor said, "I'll have to keep that in mind."
I rolled my eyes and asked, "How much is it worth exactly?"
"They say . . . the wages of the entire planet for a whole week," The Doctor answered.
I hummed softly. "What century? This one? Or does it account for inflation?"
"Where is the Wolf?" Sir Robert suddenly asked. He glanced around the room.
"Yes, I don't trust this silence," Captain Reynolds agreed. The two men wandered off; assumedly to inspect the rest of the room.
The Doctor either hadn't heard either of them or he was ignoring them. "Why do you travel with it?"
"My annual pilgrimage," Queen Victoria clarified. "I'm taking it to Helier and Carew, the Royal Jewellers at Hazelhead. The stone needs re-cutting."
"I don't see why. It looks good to me," I said.
With a sad smile, The Queen replied, "My late husband never thought so."
The Doctor removed his glasses and looked at me. "Now, there's a fact—Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut down. It used to be forty percent bigger than this. But he was never happy. Kept on cutting and cutting." He gave the diamond another fascinated stare.
I watched The Queen's expression become far away, like part of her wasn't in the present anymore. "He always said . . ." she added quietly, "the shine was not quite right. But he died with it still unfinished."
"Unfinished . . ." The Doctor echoed. His eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. "Oh, yes!" He tossed the Koh-I-Noor back to Queen Victoria, who was startled by the action but caught the diamond anyway. The Doctor began speaking quickly, a fire in his eyes. "There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research—your husband, ma'am, he came here and he sought the perfect diamond—hold on, hold on—" He roughly ran his fingers through his hair. I admired the wild shape it now took as The Doctor continued speaking. "All these separate things, they're not separate at all, they're connected! Oh, my head, my head! What if—this house, it's a trap for you—is that right, ma'am?"
"Obviously," she agreed.
The Doctor practically bounced place. "At least, that's what the wolf intended. But! What if there's a trap inside the trap?"
The Queen was obviously confused, but I was grinning. The Doctor's energy was wearing off on me, and I couldn't help but vibrate with the need to spout out everything I knew. Luckily, The Queen was already staring The Doctor down, demanding answers. "Explain yourself, Doctor."
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories. They dared to imagine all this was true. And they planned against it. Laying the real trap not for you . . . but for the wolf." The Doctor stopped speaking when a dusting of plaster fell from the ceiling. We all looked upwards in horror. The Wolf was walking across the glass dome, snarling at us. "That Wolf there . . ." The Doctor muttered.
The glass began to crack under the Wolf's weight.
"Out! Out! Out!" The Doctor shouted.
We all rushed to the closet set of doors and began shoving the makeshift barricade out of the way. The Wolf crashed through the glass and into the room right when we ran from the room. The Doctor was the last out, locking the door behind him.
Our group continued running; not even faltering when the library doors were smashed open. The Doctor refused to release my hand, even when it was highly probable that I would run faster without him tugging me along. The pain in my chest was gone and my breathing was even. There wasn't any reason I shouldn't be able to keep up now.
At least for now.
The Wolf was close but not as close as it could've been. I could hear its heaving breathing and claws clicking on the wooden floor, but there was a noticeable limp in its stride. I let myself have a moment of victory.
"Gotta get to the observatory!" The Doctor said when we rounded the corner.
Lady Isobel seemed to come out of nowhere. Brandishing a full pot of water, she waited until I was out of the way to toss the water on the incoming Wolf. The Wolf let out a startled howl and immediately retreated back down the hall.
"Good shot!" The Doctor shouted.
"It was mistletoe!" Lady Isobel said with an unsteady smile.
The Doctor wandered over to the corner to search for any sign of the Wolf. Without letting go of my hand. So, I was pulled along, though I mainly paid attention to the reunion between Lady Isobel and Sir Robert.
"Isobel!" Sir Robert cried out, rushing forward to envelope her in a hug. They shared a kiss before he was pulling away from her. "Get back downstairs."
"Keep yourself safe," she pleaded to him.
They kissed again before parting. Lady Isobel turned to the other girls who had come with her.
"Girls, come with me. Down the back stairs, back to the kitchen. Quickly!" she said, gathering up her skirt in her hands and leaving after giving her husband a lingering stare.
My gut turned sourly at the thought of this being the last time they see each other. My expression hardened. Not if I can help it.
The Doctor took my hand again. "Come on!" he said. And our group was off again.
"The observatory's this way!" Sir Robert shouted, moving to the front of the group to lead the way.
One more dash up a spiral staircase and down a hallway and we were at the observatory. The Doctor was through the doors first which meant I was obviously right behind him. Then, The Queen who was followed by Captain Reynolds and Sir Robert.
"No mistletoe on these doors, your father wanted the wolf to get inside!" The Doctor exclaimed, releasing my hand. "Get inside! I just need time! Is there any way of barricading this?" He spun as he searched the room for something movable but heavy enough to block the doors.
"Just do your work and I'll defend it," Sir Robert said, moving into the doorway.
The Doctor continued to flit around the room, not hearing Sir Robert. "If we could bind them shut with rope or something!"
Clenching his jaw and standing tall, Sir Robert repeated, "I said I'd find you time, sir. Now get inside."
The Queen and Captain Reynolds gaped at the man. They obviously hadn't excepted such bravery from a "traitor to The Crown."
I huffed and marched up to the fool. "Like hell you are! Move, I'll do it." I would keep the doors open but move farther down the hall. That way I could get a clean shot at the Wolf but also had somewhere to go if something went wrong.
"No, Miss!" Sir Robert objected. He attempted to block my exit, giving me a desperate stare.
"Oh, don't argue with me!" I scoffed. "Captain Reynolds tried to argue with me and you saw where that got him. Now, let me handle this." I moved around him and reached for my pocket. This time I won't miss.
Sir Robert caught my arm, stopping me in the doorway. Sighing in irritation, I turned to look at him but froze when I met his eyes.
They were glassed over and faded, as if Sir Robert wasn't really the one interacting with me anymore.
"Sir Robert?" I asked cautiously.
"You have done so much today . . ." he murmured. His voice was different, too; it was lighter, softer, and had an almost wispy quality to it. "Many people are alive because of you. I appreciate all that you've done, but I cannot be saved." He clasped my hand between both of his. "We cannot deny The Wolf's call. My death was sealed long ago." With a smile, the strangeness faded from his expression. He released my hand and looked over my shoulder.
Long arms wrapped around my waist. "Good man," The Doctor said sincerely, right before lifting me off the ground and further into the observatory. Away from the doors. Away from Sir Robert.
Sir Robert gave me another smile right before closing the doors.
After setting me down, The Doctor ran over to The Queen. "Your Majesty, the diamond," he said, hold his hand out.
"For what purpose?" she demanded.
"The purpose it was designed for," he answered.
The Queen didn't take long to consider what The Doctor was saying. She handed over the diamond without comment. Tensely, Captain Reynolds left her side to stand in front of the doors with his pistol drawn.
The Doctor rushed back to the telescope, calling out to me, "Dahlia!"
I jolted out of my daze. "Right! We—we have to . . . to get the prisms into the right position." I half stumbled over to the mechanism needed to activate the telescope. Taking hold of one of the grips on the wheel, I began pushing upwards as The Doctor pulled downwards on the other side. We hadn't been working for long when we heard the Wolf's snarls from the hall. Sir Robert's voice was muffled through the doors, but I knew what he said. My stomach roiled when the Wolf roared.
Sir Robert's screams made me redouble my efforts.
I allowed myself a brief look over my shoulder. Captain Reynolds was standing tall in front of the doors. His hands were barely quivering. The Queen had stepped closer to the center of the room and was holding the cross around her neck up high. I thought she would begin praying. Instead, she began speaking, her voice quivering.
"Doctor! You said the device wouldn't work!"
"It doesn't work as a telescope because that's not what it is! It's a light chamber! It magnifies the light rays like a weapon. We've just got to power it up!" he shouted, grunting with the effort of forcing the cogs and gears to move.
"It weaponizes the moonlight against the Wolf!" I further explained.
"You're seventy percent water but you can still drown. Come on!" he barked. Light was finally starting to filter through. "Come on!"
The scope finally slid into position. Moonlight reflected off the prisms and powered up the machine. The light concentrated until it lit up the floor just under the end of the telescope.
The Wolf crashed through the doors. Captain Reynolds fired off several shots, but the bullets did nothing. The man was easily tossed aside; he crashed into the wall and slid limply to the floor. The Wolf stalked towards The Queen on its hind legs, teeth bared.
The Doctor lunged, tossing the Koh-I-Noor into the beam of light; the diamond reflected the light immediately. The Wolf was forced into the air when the beam of light hit its chest. It hung there for several before being forced back into the Host's human form.
The man looked down at The Doctor. "Make it brighter. Let me go," he begged softly.
The Doctor's eyes fell, his demeanor immediately turning sorrowful, but he still walked over to the telescope and flipped the switch that would brighten the light.
As the light intensified, the Wolf howled on last time before fading out of existence, taking the moonlight with it.
And just like that, the tension in the room released. The Queen looked like she was about to collapse as she cradled her hand to her chest. The Doctor rushed over to where Captain Reynolds was still unconscious, examining him with his sonic screwdriver.
The soft whirring sound of the sonic comforted me. Soon, I was scooping up the Koh-I-Noor and hovering a few feet behind The Queen. "Your Majesty?" I questioned. "Did it bite you?"
She shook her head, her eyes still completely focused on the cut. "No, it's . . . it's a cut."
"Ma'am? Are you sure?" I shuffled slightly closer to her.
The Doctor stood from his crouched position. "Captain Reynolds will be fine after several hours of rest. I would prefer to move him to a bed, but he's all right for now," he said, walking over to rejoin us. "Now, what's this talk about a cut?"
Queen Victoria smiled and said serenely, "That's all it is, just a cut."
"If that thing bit you . . ." The Doctor continued in a deeper, more serious tone.
She cut him off, "It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart."
The Doctor's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and he held out his hand for her own. "Let me see."
She pulled her hand even closer to her chest to hide it from his view. "It is nothing."
Still very much suspicious, The Doctor let The Queen be; instead, he transferred his concern onto me.
I let him fuss over me. There was no harm in it, and if the action made him feel better, then why not indulge him? He scanned me with the sonic, muttering to himself about stubborn monarchs and rolling his eyes. I smiled at the familiarity of his actions.
This was definitely a better day I expected.
When morning came, everyone still alive (which was most of them, I was proud to note) crowded into a large sitting room. The Doctor and I kneeled in front of Queen Victoria, who held a shining sword in her hands.
I was jittery with nervous excitement. Even though I knew we would be banished as soon as we were knighted, I could barely contain my enthusiasm. We're about to be knighted! By Queen Victoria! Oh my God I'm gonna throw up!
The Doctor responded to my anxious energy by sending me a wide smile and a wink before composing himself again (or attempting to). I was just trying to keep the vomit in my stomach.
"By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee: Sir Doctor of TARDIS," The Queen said, touching the sword to his right shoulder and then to his left. My heart lurched when she looked at me. She repeated the action with me, reciting, "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee: Dame Dahlia of TARDIS." When I had told The Queen that my home was the TARDIS, this ridiculously dopey grin had overcome The Doctor's face. I had made sure to memorize the image; I never wanted to forget it.
We stood when The Queen allowed us to. "Many thanks, ma'am," The Doctor said.
I nodded and smiled. "It's truly an honor, ma'am."
"Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving a message from the great beyond—I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now ma'am, even from beyond the grave," The Doctor added with beaming grin.
"Indeed," The Queen said. "Then you may think on this, also: that I am not amused." I raised my eyebrows in surprise. That was a surprise. I had never expected her to say it without Rose's pestering. "Not remotely amused," she continued. Here it comes. "And henceforth . . . I banish you."
The Doctor was taken aback, but I ducked my head down in an attempt to hide my growing smile (a few giggles still managed to slip out though).
"I'm sorry . . ?" The Doctor asked, his face screwing up in confusion.
With barely controlled fury, Queen Victoria spoke, "I rewarded you, Sir Doctor. And now you are exiled from this empire, never to return. I don't know what you are, the two of you, or where you're from, but I know that you consort with stars—and magi— and think it fun. But your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death and I will not allow it! You will leave this shores and you will reflect, I hope, on how you managed to stray so far from all that is good. And how much longer you will survive this . . . terrible life." She stepped back, away from us, and commanded, "Now leave my world. And never return."
The Doctor helped me off the back of the farmer's cart when it stopped. "Cheers, Dougal!" he called to the farmer. Entwining his fingers with mine, The Doctor continued what he had been saying, "You know, the funny thing is, Queen Victoria did actually suffer a mutation of the blood! It's historical record haemophiliac. It used to be called the Royal Disease! But it's always been a mystery because she didn't inherit it. Her mum didn't have it her dad didn't have it—it came from nowhere!" I giggled at his enthusiasm, pulling his attention away from his thoughts. "And you knew the entire time! Oh . . ." he paused and frowned. "I'm sorry about Sir Robert. I know you wanted to save him."
I tucked myself into his side. "No, no, it's all right. Sir Robert made the choice to sacrifice himself. I won't be bitter about it, especially since nearly everyone lived anyway."
He kissed the top of my head and smiled. "That's my girl. Don't let it get you down. You did so much good back there . . . even though I was sure you were trying to send me into cardiac arrest."
"Oh shut up," I scoffed. I smacked his chest just for good measure.
The Doctor's expression froze for a second. I started to ask what was wrong, but The Doctor was sweeping me up into a fierce kiss. He pulled away after kissing me breathless; a cocky smirk was pulling at the corners of his mouth.
"I just remember," he purred, leaning in close to me, "we never got to finish our little . . . activity yesterday morning."
I burst out into giggles and darted away from him. "Then you'll have to catch me!"
He began chasing me immediately, laughing along with me, even when I slipped just out of the way of his grasping hands and into the TARDIS.
Oh yes, today had been a good day.
One last thing to say: It's good to be back! I can't wait to write the next chapter. It might not be soon, but keep on the lookout.