"Remember, do not-"
"Change history," Anna completed, snapping her trunk shut. "I know. I'm not your average companion."
"Yeah, well, just to make sure," The Doctor muttered, fiddling with some oddity or another on the console.
"In all honesty Uncle Tom, I will probably find it a lot easier to leave history alone if you are not there as there will be no random alien excursions to deal with," Anna replied in a matter of fact voice, regarding The Doctor with her big brown eyes like a nurse would look upon her misbehaving charge. She ignored the Doctor's hurt glance in her direction. "Don't pout, you know it's true. And there is no way I'm running in this dress! Now, honest opinion, how do I look?"
She stood up straight and shook out the folds of her awkward garments. Anna had on a dark crimson damask day dress, low cut across her chest, nipped in at the waist and flowing out into a full, sweeping skirt, split at the front to reveal a gold and cream luxurious underskirt. The same intricate leaf design decorated the front panel of the dress in gold thread, and the ends of her full-cuffed sleeves. Her thick dark hair was coiled against the back of her head, half hidden by a matching read headdress perched just beyond her hairline.
The Doctor scrutinised her carefully. Anna raised an eyebrow.
"Bit low cut," he sniffed eventually. Anna rolled her eyes.
"It's 1528, Tudor Court of Henry VIII. This is the latest fashion, even considering they're all catholic or protestant. And might I remind you, you are my uncle not my dad," She sighed, then placed both hands on her hips and leant forward slightly "Can't breathe though. I suppose I'll have gotten used to a corset by the time you get back."
"I don't like this," The Doctor muttered, scuffing his toe against the metal grating. "You're only 16, you should still be at school..."
"Then take me back to Bannerman Road," Anna replied quietly. "Seeing as you won't do that the least I can do is make the most of my situation and have a bit of experiencing local culture, without you dragging me into trouble! We've already been through this! I may be 16, but do I act it? Ok I strop, but on average? Need I remind you who brokered peace between the humans and the Cheems?
"You..."
"I rest my case."
"But-"
"Please, just let me do this! I have my mobile and if I need you I have no doubt that you'll come running back. You want me to become independent, so let me! You're worse than a father!" Anna exclaimed in frustration. She took a deep breath, one hand on her abdomen.
"I know, I know," The Doctor turned around and inputted co-ordinates. "But I know that if anything happens to you I'll probably have half the universe on my back! And the next! I must say though, all the time periods possible and you choose this one!"
"Most of the trips we've had have been to the future unless you haven't noticed," Anna said firmly, fastening a cloak around her neck now she knew she was victorious. "And you still refuse to let me back to Bannerman Road. I've been to the Diamond Mall of the 51st century, the Kopperburg Museum in the 31st on Mendeleev, Winston Churchill is now a mutual friend. I want to experience history properly. Look, you have to go to this funeral whether you want to or not. The Brigadier was a good friend to you in UNIT. Stop trying to put it off. I am sure I am perfectly able to hold off the possible-non-existent advances of men in tights!"
"well...um...I know what Henry's like though, pretty girl like you he can't resist..."
"Anne Boleyn will be there, from what I've read, she's not one to let a waif like me steal her fella!"
"Alright. Don't drink. We seem to have more resistance to wine than humans, but we feel the effects worse so don't...overdrink..." He replied sulkily. Anna knew that she could wrap him round her finger as well as mum, Aunt Donna and River-in-the-future would be able to. She laughed airily.
"I'm in the period before water sanitisation was even dreamt of. The only safe drinks are ale and wine," She paused dramatically before continuing sarcastically "But of course I won't drink! I'll be a shrivelled wreck by the time you pick me up."
"Don't do that," he warned "They won't tolerate it. Independence in a woman is not appreciated."
"I know, getting it all out now!" she replied cheekily, pulling a pair of black gloves on. "Page! Take my trunk for me! Please"
The Doctor shrugged and grabbed her trunk, pushing it out of the door and into a cobbled courtyard.
"thanks Doc," Anna smiled. She adopted her upper class accent that she had used moving in the elite circles, in a world of cocktail parties and mixing with royalty, while back home. "That will be all, I thank you for your pains."
The Doctor gave a mock salute and grinned. "Call me if you need me, I'll come back straight away! And don't get into trouble."
"I would say likewise, but have you noticed? Trouble seems to magically find us. I swear we are magnets!" Anna said mock seriously.
"What are you doing for ID?" The Doctor began fussing again, stepping from the TARDIS entrance.
"I'll see you in a month," Anna grinned, turning to the stone castle before her. The Doctor gave her a brief hug before disappearing into the TARDIS, last minute advice being shouted through the door right up until She dematerialised.
"So, what do I do now," Anna murmured softly to herself. She had an alias, money, clothes and the small pearl-handled gun which River had given her "just in case". But Anna wasn't entirely sure what she was supposed to do right now. Did she wander up to the back door and knock? She was lacking in the correct Tudor etiquette for approaching the Royal Winter palace. Letters of introduction? Fine. What to drink and where? Sorted. Which door to go to? Not a clue.
The slim wooden door set in the rough-cut wooden wall flung open and a young man raced out, cap askew. He skidded to a stop when he saw Anna, turned on his heel and dashed back inside. The whole exchange lasted less than five seconds. Anna looked over her shoulder, half wondering if a big gap-toothed alien was behind her. Nope, nothing. It was her then.
A moment later, a shriek could be heard inside. Anna straightened her back even more- the corset seemed to it naturally enough anyway- and raising her chin enough to make her look well-bred. Good old Nanny Blackburn. Much despised, but a girl couldn't hope for a better elocution and etiquette teacher. She wished that she had been bought up in this universe, girls weren't expected to know girly things like how to walk with a book on your head and sew at the same time. Shame really, wasted knowledge.
The boy dashed out again and stood staring at her curiously under his eyelashes. A heaving panting sound followed him as a wide girthed, red faced woman waddled out, squeezing her bulk through the door.
"My apologies," Anna called, picked a fold of her skirt up to step across a suspicious looking puddle. "My journey was not as long as expected, I believe I am expected in but half an hour."
"Whose you?" the boy asked curiously, pushing his cap up onto the back of his head. He was about a year or two younger than she was, sweet looking with big brown eyes framed by pale lashes and pale freckled skin. The fat woman caught up with him, using a shovel of a hand to swipe him across the back of his head.
"Mind ye manners and get you to the Lady and tell 'er Lady Thyme's arrived," she said in a coarse voice to the boy. To Anna she said "I apologise for the boy MiLady, we didn't catch 'im young enuf. Sorry there were no one owt to greet yer, but no one 'eard the carriage arrive. Why have yer been dropped round 'ere at the stables and not at the front?"
"My groom and I were unsure, so he left me here and has gone over to the Green Garden stables with the carriage. He shall board there."
"O'course Milady, the front door though next time Ma'am, you'll get a welcome. Would yer rather walk frough the servants or go round ter the front and come in the acceptable way?"
"Whichever way is more appropriate I'm afraid," Anna smiled "It is my first time at court, I need to make the correct impression."
"Front then Milady. When the boy comes back he will take yer round on a horse or in the trap. I'll get someone to fetch yer trunk for yer," The servant bobbed her fat a bit in an attempt at a curtsey. Anna nodded in response.
...
Twenty awkward minutes later, Anna was being lifted onto a horse, perched sideways.
"I am dressed inappropriately for the ride," Anna panicked, she'd always hated side-saddle back home as she'd always had to wear a god-awful "habit" dress.
"Don't you worry Lady Thyme," The same boy from earlier, dressed now in a dark shirt and breeches, took hold of the bridle and began to walk the bay mare forward. "You'll be up there for no more than a quart of an hour."
"You speak well for a serving boy," Anna commented softly. "What's your name?"
"Charlie Milady," He smiled back at her. "Me mam taught me how to read and speak properly, she was a good woman my ma, but her pa threw her out as she married beneath her in his opinion. What we lacked in money we made up with love though."
"Sounds like the perfect household in my opinion," Anna smiled, "I was lucky enough to have both. I still do, my husband is a wonderful man."
"Rich to I've heard," Charlie muttered. He looked up sharply. "I apologise for speaking out Milady, I will not bother you the rest of the journey."
The silence lasted a minute if that.
"I don't mind you know," Anna said softly "I married him because I loved him, and I still do. The money and title were a bonus that pacified my family."
"lucky for you. No woman would look my way. I should be the grandson of a Baronet but I'm not," he sighed. "The Tylers are an ordinary hard-working folk but they're my kind of folk. The folk you find up in this 'ere palace you'll be staying at. Too much gossiping and backstabbing in my opinion Milady, nah, honest folk me family are."
"You are a Tyler?" Anna repeated with a small smile. Maybe he was family... either way, she could manipulate this to her advantage!
"Begging your pardon Milady, stepping out of my place again, always doing that. I talk to much, that's my trouble."
"A worthy fault of mine too. One my mother has instructed me to curb for fear of getting myself into trouble," Anna laughed lightly. She pulled on the reins to stop the horse. "I should like to be friends with you Charlie Tyler."
The boy looked up at her, frowning. "You want to make a good impression and not have a bad reputation yes Milady?"
Anna nodded.
"Then you cannot be friends with a page." He said sternly, pulling the horse forward.
"But I don't see why I cannot be friends with a possible cousin," Anna replied back quietly. The horse stopped.
"Are you a Tyler Milady?"
"My grandmother is Irene Tyler, a working class woman who married the third son of the wealthy Lord Hathaway God-rest his soul. It was only-"
"I know of Irene, she is my father's Aunt," Charlie looked up at her sadly. "And that Lady Thyme is another reason not to talk to me, I am a blacksmiths son. It is not allowed or recognised that I am a wealthy woman's cousin."
"No-body need know cousin," Anna said softly, wondering at the stroke of luck which had bought this kid to her nor that what she had said was an actual link in this guys past. He could help her! "And I should like your help. I am new to court and don't know how the bell rings as it were. If I take you into my employ as a Thyme then you will be able to help and advise me. Who do you work for now?"
"The house Milady," Charlie answered. He looked affronted. "I do not need your help."
"You are a blacksmith?"
"yes"
"Good, my husband's estate is looking for a blacksmith, and the current blacksmith has only just stopped accompanying my Mother-in-law the Dowager Lady Thyme due to his age," Anna was unsure where all this was coming from. She didn't have an estate, a husband, a mother in law. She was talking tosh. He was probably some great-great-great times one hundred grandfather or something rather than a cousin! She would let him down when she left again.
"Then by all means Milady, speak to your husband, a blacksmith is a better position than a page, but I should not like to be companion."
"We shall talk when my husband arrives at court. I shall write to him directly."
"Hush now Milady, we are approaching the gates, if I am to advise you to your bearing, then do not be seen talking kindly with a page in confidence like you have been this walk. You must move within your own circle and I mine, they do not mix."
"I thank thee Charlie." Anna reached down, as Charlie lifted her down to the floor. "I do hope the ride has not made a difference to my attire!"
"You look most becoming my Lady," Charlie smiled. "Lady Carey is here to meet you. She is my mistress. I am under the Howard bearing."
Then, as if he was never there, Charlie was gone. Anna turned to the steps where a slim, pale girl with blonde hair was stood in a dark green and yellow dress. Anna approached her, a little nervously.
"Lady Thyme!" The new acquaintance cried, after an obligatory curtsey. "I am Lady Mary Carey, I do hope you do not mind sharing my quarters with me and my sister, but all of the other Ladys in waiting have bed pairs. And my sister and I have so much room, it seemed only fair. And our husbands are such good friends! A bed has been put into our room. It is practically unheard of for three women to share a room! Isn't it exciting to be the first?"
"Of course," Anna smiled, a little wrong-footed by the young woman's exuberance and talkativity. Anna took her offered arm and the pair began to cross the courtyard arm in arm. "And pray tell me your sisters name Lady Carey. I should not like to be a stranger to her when we meet for she will already know my name."
"Please call me Mary when we are alone, I should rather be friends than acquaintances," Mary beamed, scanning the courtyard with sky-blue eyes. "How long have you been in London?"
"But a day, I set of from Hampshire yesterday afternoon and rode through most of the night. My husband did not want to me stay at an inn alone," Anna wasn't sure where all of this was coming from either, it was just natural. Now she just had to remember to make it consistent. Funny thing was it felt as if that all had happened. "I did not know I was coming to court until the day before yesterday."
"We wives must do as we are bid," Mary forced a laugh. Anna glanced sideways at her. There was a forced smile and the bitter look in her eye.
"What has your husband forbidden you from doing Lady Mary?" Anna asked quietly. Mary started and looked across to her new companion. She seemed to be battling between revealing all and retaining her pride. Suddenly, her eyes caught on to something over Anna's shoulder. Once again, Anna fought the desire to rush around and shoot whatever it was coming towards her. She took a deep breath to calm herself and looked over her shoulder. Another slim woman was approaching, her hair dark making her skin seem even paler with regular features and small round eyes framed by lashes as dark as her raven hair. Without mascara too, Anna thought bitterly.
"Anne!" Mary smiled, extending a hand to the newcomer. She turned to Anna, "Lady Anne Thyme, might I present to you my sister, confidante and best friend, Anne Boleyn. My dear Anne, our new bedfellow, Lady Anne Thyme"
Anna stared at Anne Boleyn in shock. This was going to be a LOT more interesting than she first thought!
...
Anna peeked around the door to her chambers clad only in a nightgown and cap bearing a candle before her. She had noticed an office when the Boleyn sisters had taken her to their chambers, a private mans room. She wanted to take a look.
Of course, she did have an ulterior motive in coming to a strange time period, alone, against River's advice given the current hunting situation. She wanted to force her hunters to show their hand early in the game. If she was alone, they were more likely to attack. In the tudor period, they were more likely to stand out and for her to notice them. Of course, this worked the other way, she was going to stick out too, so they would recognise their target...
Not that Uncle Tom knew any of this, or about how she had stayed with his future spouse while in the 51st century. Nor what was uncovered there. She knew she shouldn't have to worry about turquoise nails here, not unless someone suddenly decided that the teal dye for clothes would make an excellent hand stain. Which was highly unlikely.
The door seemed further away than she had at first thought. The corridors were cold and Anna soon regretted not taking the shawl from the chair as she left. She hear a noise down the corridor ahead as it curved around. Someone moving towards her.
Anna blew out her candle quickly and slipped behind one of the big hanging wall tapestries which hid secluded alcoves (the girls had pointed them out to her earlier), hoping that she wouldn't be noticed at all.
It seemed rather too convenient for her that the footsteps stopped practically outside her hideaway so she could hear the whole conversation. Two guys, one still in the up-and-down boy years and the other a man with a seedy voice.
"You say there is a new girl in the court boy?" asked seedy.
"yessir, arrived just today. She is bedding with the Ladies Carey and Boleyn on the door down the hall from here. I have bought you as you desired. But with three women in the chamber and a door that locks from the inside, I fear you must have to wait to see her, till she is presented at court tomorrow morning Milord," the youth replied.
There was a sharp sigh.
"Yes, it was a foolish endeavour," he paused "Is she married?"
"She's Young Lord Thyme's Lady, he has apparently called her to Court to meet her when he returns from his business in Calais. Very close they are so I've heard."
"So you think she will have influence?"
"Over her Lord, certainly. Over the King, once he's seen her. She's a real beauty and could make her husband a very rich man should his fancy be diverted from Mistress Boleyn..."
"And we all desire the Howards to lose their control here in court... Yes, I shall see... When is Thyme due back from France?"
"Shortly, but I believe his Lady would be the best to answer that..."
"Do you think she'll do it?"
"Hard to say, she has only been here hours. Study her character for herself when you get the chance and I shall as well."
"Are you giving me orders, boy?"
"No Milord! Just offering advice, thats all Milord, honest!"
"Here is a coin for thy pains, now take me back to my chambers."
And with that, the footsteps receded down the corridor again.
Seems a pointless place to have a conversation Anna mused, suspicious.
She carefully crept from her hiding place and back to her bed again where she pondered the words till dawn.