Hi everyone ! it is currently midnight and a few minutes and I am absolutely not tired while I still have class tomorrow. I'm on fire!
Here is a new chapter that I loved writing, it's one of my favorite episodes with the 10th doctor.
I do not know if I already told you, but I publish this story on other platforms such as Ao3 and wattpad or Quotev. and I will absolutely brag for the moment that my story is #4 in the DOCTORWHO category (yes written like that). I don't know if it will last a long time, but I am very happy that my story is so much read on wattpad as well as and Ao3, and people like it.
it's my baby and I'm proud of it. all the reviews I read motivate me even more. I won't say that it helps me to write, that would be a lie; being so passionate about Doctor Who helps me a lot (and having lots of free time for the moment, easy to find scripts to write episodes in addition to the series and a plot more of the one that already exists in Doctor Who [Now that's a big spoiler for you * wink *])
Anyway, thank you everyone for reading me ! and thank you Bored411 to be my bêta (sorry about the punctuation, Word seems to be against me about this [especially when I translate :/])
I leave you with this chapter, enjoy !
I was in my bath, enjoying the hot water mixed with skincare products listening to music from the video game 'The Witcher 3' when another music of a completely different style mixed with mine. I groaned at my wasted pleasure and I ended my time of care and rest. I grabbed the nearest towel to cover my body before removing any water that ran down my curves and rubbed my hair vigorously to remove the most moisture before brushing and leaving.
I rushed to get dressed. I took a red t-shirt with a very light black polo shirt before taking a black hooded vest and my frock coat. I have my faithful skinny black high waist pants and red vans too. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I let out an amused sniff. I felt like I was wearing a 12th Doctor cosplay. I rushed to retrieve an apple which I put in a pocket before heading to the empty console room.
A bit of annoyance floated in my mind before I hunted him immediately, it was not the moment nor the situation to be angry, I did not have to complain any more. I lived the craziest dreams of my fandom. The Doctor could go anywhere with anyone, I didn't have to be jealous, especially when I knew the Doctor would never love me like that.
Feelings aside, I finally opened the door of Tardis to go out. I was not greeted by gusts of wind and I was happy to wear a sweater; on the other hand, I was less happy with the weapon pointed at me.
"And who are you, miss?" Asked the man with gun, perched on a black horse. "And why are you wearing an outfit that is so strange and unsuitable for your gender?"
Wow, hello sexism. I'd forgotten how irritating the past could be, especially when it came to women and their outfits.
Bâtard de misogyne, I thought darkly.
"She's with me! This is my apprentice!" Exclaimed the Doctor with a Scottish accent as he went to fetch me. "Always late, a bit lazy that one."
Have I told you before, that I adored the Scottish accent? That and the northern accent and the typical English accent were my favorites. I don't know how I managed not to groan with pleasure at hearing the Scottish accent rolling over the Doctor's tongue as he spoke.
"Yes of course. This is completely normal; all good Doctors see each other in the company of an apprentice. Please come back here." Ordered a woman in the carriage a little further away.
The Doctor took me there with a hand behind my back.
"Lazy and late?" I hissed violently, glaring at him. "I'll show you what the lazy and late can do!"
"Now, now... Alvia, this is Queen Victoria, Empress of India and Protector of the Faith," said the Doctor, repeating what he had said to Rose.
I bowed my head respectfully. It was an honour to meet someone so important in history, even if she was not part of my history.
"Alvia Saxon, Your Majesty. It's an honour to meet you."
She was obviously less happy to meet me, because the slight smile she was wearing had disappeared and her eyes had cooled.
"A Frenchwoman on my lands? I hope you are not aiming to bewitch the minds of my subjects with your thoughts and revolutionary propaganda."
Yeah ... She absolutely didn't like me actually. I feel that this adventure was going to end badly for me.
"It would be to abuse the hospitality of my superior. I am only here to learn all the knowledge that can be offered to me by the Doctor." I replied coldly and with a forced smile.
"I hope so." Replied the Queen with the same tone.
"No offense, madam." The Doctor intervened suddenly. "May I ask you why your majesty is traveling by road when there is a train to Aberdeen?"
"A tree on the way," she replied without giving details.
"An accident?"
"I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned," she explained.
"An assassination attempt," guessed the Doctor seriously.
"What, seriously? There's people out to kill you?"
"Rose, she is part of Royalty, of course there are people who seek to end her life." I added quietly.
"And you know a lot about it, aren't you French?"
"It's only pure logic, Your Grace," I replied with false politeness.
The man on his horse who had pointed his gun at me shortly before came to us and informed us that the house of a nobleman was not far away.
"This Doctor and his timorous beastie and well as ... his French apprentice will come with us." Queen Victoria ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am." The captain obeyed. "We should move on; the night begins to fall."
"Indeed, and there are stories of wolves in the vicinity. Fanciful tales intended to scare the youngest, but good for the blood, I think. Drive on!"
The carriage restarted and we left the Tardis in the fields. I could see that Rose was happy with our situation and was smiling at the Doctor. For my part I was not as happy as Rose and the Doctor, mainly because of the hostility shown by the Queen. As we walked behind the carriage calmly, I put my hands in my pockets and took the opportunity to take out the apple just now. I had a craving and I needed strength to walk 15 km on foot.
On our way, Rose remarked that when we were talking about assassination, we immediately thought of Kennedy. It is true that he was the most recent to us. The Doctor told us that the Queen has had six assassination attempts to date, and they were both delighted to have met the Queen.
"I want to make her say 'I'm not amused'. I bet five quid that I can make her say it."
"Well, if I bet on that, it would be an abuse of my time travel privilege."
"Ten quid?" Rose tried
"Done," replied the Doctor quickly.
"What about you, Alvia? Do you want to take the bet?"
"I never take part in a bet ... It's against my education."
"You do not want to lose money, is that it?" Laughed the Doctor.
"Who said I had money?" I snickered, raising an eyebrow.
"So, no bet, Alvia?" Asked Rose.
"We know for sure that you will win the bet. The Doctor is with us, anything and everything can happen."
"Oi, that's not true!" He said.
"Are you sure? Because 99% of the adventures, we end up running for our life and any bet is won."
"And the 1%?"
"It's in the Tardis."
"Indeed," conceded Rose with an amused smile. "But our life is better like that."
"It seems that you like to run and that you don't spit out your lungs every time you run 10 meters."
The Doctor burst out laughing, and we joined him quickly in this innocent and happy atmosphere.
When we finally arrived at the domain, the night was not far away, and the clouds were dark. The Torchwood mansion was stone and beautiful, albeit a bit dark for my tastes, but this was due to the rain that had clouded the stones and tiles. The ground was muddy, and I took great care not to slip and fall to the ground, especially since I was wearing converse whose soles had long been smoothed by running.
There was no one in the yard, and the house seemed empty as there was no sign of life or agitation. When the Queen finally came out of her carriage, the owner of the house came out, followed by a totally bald servant, whose air was slightly threatening.
The owner walked over to the Queen and bowed to her.
"Your Majesty." He greeted.
"Sir Robert." Saluted the Queen in return. "My apologies for the emergency. How is Lady Isobel doing?"
"She's… indisposed, I am afraid. She went to Edinburgh for the season, and she took the cook with her. The provisions in the kitchens are very low. I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if she wanted to continue to ride on." Sir Robert quickly apologized, as if he wanted the Queen to go.
But given that the bald men held his staff and his wife hostage with the alien version of a werewolf, it hardly surprised me of his reaction.
"Not at all! I have had enough of the carriage exercise, and this house is so charming, so rustic. This is my first visit to this house, my late husband spoke of it often: the Torchwood Estate."
At the name pronounced by the Queen, an unpleasant shiver went up my spine. Even if I wanted to prevent its creation, I could not do anything about it. Already Jack was already working there in Cardiff and Harriet Jones had already used their 'helpers' with Sycorax. The story had already been written, there was nothing I could do except to soften the Queen's anger and maybe save someone tonight.
"Now, will we go inside?" Asked the Queen, completely ignoring the slightly visible reluctance on Sir Robert's face. "And please excuse the naked girl as well as this French fox child."
The Doctor and Rose argued and tried to make the Queen say the words bet; while I remained silent and bowed my head slightly when Sir Robert looked at me. The Queen seemed to know about the bet that was previously ignored, making Rose groan with disappointment. The Queen then entered the house, followed by Sir Robert, who was under the dark surveillance of the bald butler. The Captain, who was on horseback, ordered that the Queen's belongings be taken out and put in safety, so one of the guards carefully moved a small brown box containing the Queen's diamond.
The Doctor dared to ask what was inside and his request was immediately rejected by Captain Reynolds who then ordered the rest of the guards to take their positions. As soon as all the guards started to get to their positions, we ended up going inside the mansion.
Sir Robert was chatting quietly with the Queen and he decided to show his father's work. So, we followed the man and the Queen in silence down the halls and stairs and finally arrived in an observatory room where there was a huge telescope which was—and I really thought so—magnificent.
"This, I presume, is the famous Endeavour."
"All my father's work. Built with his hands during his last years. It had become somewhat of an obsession. He spent all his money there, rather than taking care of the house or himself."
"I would have liked to meet him; I already like him." The Doctor commented with a smile on his lips. "This is beautiful, may I..."
"Help yourself," Robert authorized.
Rose and the Doctor stepped forward to observe the telescope and the wheel next door, but I showed restraint and stayed on the side of royalty. It was mainly because what I wanted to observe was too high for me ... It is unfair to build beauty that was much higher than I could reach. On the other hand, I went to silently observe the paintings that hung on the wall behind us, one of the paintings was the sketch of the telescope and I appreciated the beauty of the lines while the Doctor was rude in everyone's eyes.
"And the imagination of this must be applauded."
"Hmm, thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty." Rose tried again. "Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful? You could easily not be amused, right?"
"What's the problem with the fanciful, Rose?" I asked, turning to her, but crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows. "Imagination and fantasy can create what no one could have imagined before and can take a step closer to the immensity of the infinite."
I dared to approach the telescope and stroke the cold metal with my fingertips. My eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement as a mischievous smile reached my lips.
"This device allows you to probe infinite space and discover even more mystery, what could be finer?"
Rose's smile disappeared to be replaced by an annoyed look, while the Doctor looked at me with tenderness.
"I would not have said better, child. And I would not have imagined that in the depths of your rebellious and revolutionary soul was an artist's soul." Added the Queen.
"The world is full of surprises, is it not?" I retorted softly, the smile becoming tense and forced.
"Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath, steeped in astronomy and sciences, also interested in folklore and fairy tales." Congratulated Queen Victoria, observing with admiration the astronomical apparatus.
"Star and magic." Added the Doctor. "I appreciate him more and more."
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company." Said the Queen, approaching Rose and myself. "Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe-Coburg."
"That's Bavaria." Added the Doctor to our ears.
And the Doctor seemed to be closer to me than to Rose, as his words and his breath warmed my ear, making me blush gently.
"When Albert knew about your local wolves, he was transported."
"Wolves?" I asked with interest. "Dare I ask if they are normal wolves?"
"It's just a story," Sir Robert hesitated, looking at his very uncomfortable bald butler. "But if you insist... It's said that... "
"Excuse me, sir." The butler cut him off. "Perhaps her Majesty and her court could retreat to their apartments. It is almost dark."
"Of course. Yes, of course."
"And then supper. And… could we find clothes for Miss Tyler?" Asked the Queen, turning slightly towards the blonde. "I am tired of her nakedness."
And before Rose can try to make his comment, I pinched rather badly her bare arm. She hissed heavily in pain, drawing the Queen's attention before turning to Sir Robert and continuing to speak.
I missed catching a Rose slap, but the Doctor grabbed Rose's wrist and mumbled for us to behave. As soon as the Queen had finished speaking and Sir Robert nodded and bowed. The Queen left the room, quickly followed by us.
We were allocated rooms, and I was resting happily on the bed which was deliciously mellow and comfortable when someone gently knocked on the door.
"It's open." I said.
It was the Doctor. He was no longer wearing his cloak and went to sit next to me on the bed.
"The Queen seems to have a grudge against you, right?"
"I think it's a national that she resents. I didn't know that the France-England relationship was so bad at this time. The French Revolution and Napoleon didn't fix things. It is an incredible chance that England became our ally in the twentieth century..."
"This rivalry will last a long time," confessed the Doctor. "And nothing will be able to stop it."
"Like America and Russia?" I asked with a hint of humor.
"Like America and Russia," the Doctor confirmed, chuckling lightly.
Someone knocked on the door again before entering, it was another bald butler.
"The dinner is almost ready," he said abruptly. " Please follow me."
And he turned quickly to the exit to take us there.
The Doctor and I shared a look before quickly joining the butler so as not to get lost in the mansion and not to miss dinner. When we arrived in the dining room, Queen Victoria, Captain Reynolds and Sir Robert were already there, only Rose was missing. We waited a bit before sitting down to eat before the main bald butler came to inform us that she was delayed by the change of clothes. She was more delayed by the chains that kept her in the cellar with the werewolf than by her outfit.
"Oh, everything's fine. As long as we save her a wee bit of ham," reassured the Doctor.
"The wild child might eat it on the bone." The Queen added with humor.
Reynolds laughed lightly, humiliating himself a bit in the eyes of the Queen, never having had the opportunity to have dinner with her. This situation was slightly embarrassing. And as the Queen scolded the Captain as my eyes fell on the wine that was served in our glasses. The butler arrived at my glass, but the Doctor put his hand on it.
"No wine for her, thank you. Just water."
"Very good sir. "
The man removed the bottle and went to fetch water; the Doctor leaned slightly towards me to whisper in my ear.
"No more alcohol, remember?"
"That's not fair ..." I mumbled, making a slight pout.
He chuckled for a moment, throwing me an amused and tender look. His hand was going to join mine to squeeze it gently as he turned to Sir Robert.
"Besides, we're all waiting for on Sir Robert! Come, Sir. You promised us a tale of nightmare."
"Indeed," said the Queen. "Since my husband's death, I have appreciated more and more supernatural fictions."
"You must miss him." Remarked the Doctor, turning the Queen's head.
"Very much," she replied as her stern attitude relaxed slightly as she thought of her late husband with sorrow. "Oh, completely." She added before a sweet smile settled on her lips. "And that's all the charm of ghost stories, isn't it? Not the fear and the thrill, that's for children; but the… hope of contact with the great beyond. We all want messages from that place. It's the great mystery of the Creator, not to have such consolation. The dead remain silent, and we must wait."
My mood had softened as I saw grief and sorrow invade the Queen during her little speech. I glanced to see the same emotions float in the dark eyes of the Doctor, and I intertwined my fingers with his in comfort. My thumb was rubbing circles on his skin as he stood solemn and was probably thinking of his own people and family. The idea of holding the Doctor in my arms to kiss his forehead or indeed his hand that I held to comfort him, comes to my mind; but I couldn't do it at the risk of offending the table and the Queen and appearing even more unseemly to everyone.
The Queen suddenly moved away from her moody mood and returned to the stories of wolves.
"Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There're chills in the air. The wind howls through the eaves. Tell us of monsters!"
Sir Robert started then, still uneasy as the butlers looked at him somberly.
"The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, howls roam through the valley. The next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and… devoured," said the noble.
"Oh, such stories are the work of thieves," the Captain announced, not believing what the noble was saying. "Steal a sheep and blame the wolf, simple as that."
"But sometimes a child goes missing," continued Sir Robert, ignoring Reynolds' intervention. "Once in a generation, a boy will vanish from his homestead. Never again did families see their children again..."
"Are there descriptions of the creature?" The Doctor asked with curiosity.
"Oh yes, Doctor. Drawings and wood carvings. And it's not merely a wolf, it's more than that. It's a man who becomes an animal..."
"A werewolf?" The Doctor guessed, leaning forward, intrigued.
I took a sip of the water, looking darkly at the bald man at the back of the room.
"My father didn't treat this story as a simple story, he said it was a fact. He claimed to have communed with the beast and knew his designs. I should have listened."
The bald man moved to the window by me, and everyone ignored him. My hand slid gently toward the knife which I hoped would be sharp and silver so I could defend myself later.
"His work was hindered, he made enemies," spoke the nobleman quickly. "There is a monastery in the glen of Saint Catherine. The brethren opposed my father's investigations."
The butler began to gently chant a litany of words that I recognized as Latin.
"Perhaps they thought his work ungodly," commented the Queen.
"That's what I thought, but now I wonder... What if there was a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet? What if they turned away from God and worshipped the wolf?" Sir Robert finished, glancing frantically from time to time at the bald man who was still chanting.
The Doctor's attention was in turn attracted by this man, and while silence reigned in the dining room, the words chanted by the man were distinct. He repeated again and again "Lupus Deus is."
"What if they were with us right now?" The Doctor added, looking at the father of the monastery, the truth suddenly falling.
The agitation and the fear won over all royalty and his guard, while Reynolds suddenly pointed his weapon and all spoke at the same time, even the Doctor.
I grabbed the knife, putting it in my pockets before grabbing the wrist of the Doctor and Sir Robert.
"Guide us, Sir Robert," I ordered suddenly.
And we ran out of the room towards the cellar as quickly as possible. The closer we got to the cries of the detainees came to our ears and the grunts of a creature. The Doctor thrust the wooden door with his foot and as soon as we entered the room, Rose who was still tied, shouted at us.
"Where the hell have you been?"
I didn't answer as well as the Doctor. My eyes had been on the werewolf who hadn't yet finished his transformation, but who seemed totally ready to tear us with his teeth and his claws. The Doctor complimented the beauty of the creature.
"Not the moment, Doctor!" I exclaimed as I came to the aid of the detainees by also pulling on their chains.
The cage began to give way to the frenzied frenzy of the creature and luckily the chain gave way, allowing the escape of all those who had been detained. The Doctor led everyone out frantically and I did the same, not forgetting to catch the Doctor on the way. The Doctor closed the door and locked it with his sonic, which was useless since the creature would destroy the door. We ran down the hall as fast as we could, hearing the wolf screaming at the moon. The men who took care of the house took weapons and I did not even try to prevent them. If I intervened, I would only insult in addition to being demoted to a woman. God, that I hated the past for sexism and misogyny.
The Doctor spoke quickly to Rose at the same time as he released the chains and the blonde replied that the wolf wanted the power, the throne, the Queen. The sound of the door was heard as well as the grunt of the wolf and the Doctor went to see before running and catching Rose's hand, pulling her behind the men who were pointing their weapons. I somehow managed to sneak past both men and in pain I reached the side of the Doctor when the men fired suddenly, making my eardrums resonate painfully. The smell of gunpowder tickled my nose and the smoke made me cough. As soon as he had finished shooting, the Doctor indicated to join the Queen, but one of the men disagreed and was arrogant. He moved around the room, mocking the wolf before being caught by the same wolf and was torn by fangs and sharp claws.
I opened my mouth in horror, my eyes widening and my tears threatening to flow. The Doctor grabbed my shoulder as well as Rose's and pushed us to the exit as the wolf feasted on the other poor men. We quickly joined Sir Robert to go in search of the Queen. We found it as we headed for the stairs.
"Sir Robert, what's happening? I heard such terrible noises," asked the Queen anxiously as she walked down the steps.
"Your Majesty, we must leave. But is Father Angelo still there?"
"Captain Reynolds disposed of him."
"The front door is no longer an option," said the Doctor suddenly. "It was barricaded. Pardon me, Your Majesty, but you will have to leg it out of a window."
He gestured through a door and the Queen raised her chin to show her courage. We started again and found ourselves in another room on the floor.
"Excuse my manners, Ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress." Intervened the nobleman.
"A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh."
"This is not the time for all titles of nobility and the turns of phrases!" I exclaimed impatiently, gesturing with my hands.
Sir Robert suddenly climbed onto the windowsill, opened it and quickly pressed himself against the wall to dodge the bullets fired by the monks below outside. The Doctor cautiously advanced towards the window, eyes wide open.
"I presume the monks want us to stay inside."
"No kidding!" I hissed.
"Do they know who I am?" Asked the Queen indignantly.
"Clearly. They wouldn't have brought in a fucking werewolf just for one person. Not when his bite seems to transmit the virus." I announced blankly with frankness that outraged the Queen.
"Stop this stupid fantasy!" Growled the Queen. "There really isn't a wolf."
And to contradict the Queen's words, a long, howling wolf echoed through the house, making us return to the source of noise, alarmed. It was so close to us. The Doctor walked past, and we hurriedly left the room, returning to the corridor with the stairs, the wolf knocked on the door to tear it apart and pass through.
"Upstairs, now!" I barked suddenly, gesturing to the stairs.
"That's all?" Asked Rose
"Do you have silver bullets?" Added the Doctor.
"Not on me, no!"
"I have a knife!" I said, taking the silverware out of the meal and waving it gently between my fingers. "Sorry for taking it by the way, Sir Robert. But I think its use is reduced and I absolutely have neither the courage nor the desire to fight the wolf in close combat!"
"Good initiative, Alvia!" Congratulated the Doctor quickly, before taking the Queen's hand. "Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a steady run, good for the health!"
And the Doctor led the Queen up the stairs and climbed quickly followed by Rose, Sir Robert, and me. The door that held the wolf did not hold any longer and the sound of the wood creaking under the wolf's weight was heard as well as the steps it took and its grunts. When we got to the top floors, we ran down the hall looking for an open room. The wolf quickly approached us and as he seemed to be jumping on us, he was violently stopped by a well-placed bullet, fired by Captain Reynolds who had just appeared. The Captains ducked to the place where we stopped, out of breath.
"I'll keep this position. Keep running, for god's sake! Your Majesty, I went to look for the property and it was taken. The chest was empty"
"I have it," reassured the Queen. "It's safe."
The Captain nodded and advised the Queen to withdraw.
"Doctor, you stand as the protector of Her majesty. And you, Sir Robert. You're a traitor of the Crown," said Reynolds as he loads his weapon.
"Bullets can't stop him."
"They'll buy you time. Now, run!"
The Queen and Sir Robert were already running while Reynolds was at the end of the hall. We quickly followed the Doctor who went away, although I glanced at the Captain, who was going to die in the next second. I was torn between fleeing and saving the Captain. Reynolds turned suddenly as the wolf returned and he fell quickly to running. The Doctor shouted my name as he ran to me to take me by the hip and bring me into the room, safe; but I ducked under his arm as I ran to the captain and the wolf, wielding the knife in my hand.
I whistled heavily drawing the wolf's attention before he tore the captain and killed him. Time seemed to slow down all around me as I swung the blade toward the wolf and saw the wolf turn in the air before it pierced the wolf's flesh. The creature groaned in pain and seemed to retreat a few feet, which was enough for me to grab Reynolds' arm and pull him in the other direction. I quickly joined the Doctor and the rest, and he closed the door before it was barricaded by Sir Robert, Rose and Captain Reynolds.
I barely had time to breathe when I was grabbed and stuck to the Doctor's chest as he hugged me tightly. My whole body was shaking with effort and fear.
"Never do that again, never again." The Doctor whispered frantically to my ear.
"No promises..." I murmured in his chest, taking advantage of the comforting embrace.
Our embrace lasted not long, but long enough for Rose to glare at me outraged.
"You shouldn't have saved me, girl," the captain accused.
I turned to him.
"There is never enough men, and I doubt that Her Majesty wants to lose a faithful subject. Now, I saw a second door, is it locked?"
"Yes ..." replied Sir Robert in a whisper, before correcting himself quickly. " No!"
The men took the most furniture to block the door where the wolf grumbled. The room became silent as we listened to the wolf leave with the most horrible noises. I wiped my forehead with the black sleeve of my frock coat and suddenly regretted having put on an extra layer. The Queen's hands trembled frantically as she stiffened in horror at the sound of the wolf and the wood.
When the noises subsided to silence, Rose finally spoke and asked a good question.
"I don't understand. What stopped the wolf?"
"A simple wooden door didn't stop this creature before." Nodded the man in red.
I made a gesture to the Queen to take a chair, and she took the invitation to sit down. Sir Robert and I slumped in the remaining seats. I ran my shaking hands over my face, ignoring the worried look of the Doctor.
"There is something in this room, but I don't know. Why can't it get in?" Said the Doctor, trying to understand the mystery.
"I'll tell you what..." Rose began.
"What?"
"Werewolf!"
"I know!"
Rose laughed half as the annoyance and anger rose inside me when I saw her carelessness and rudeness. The Doctor asked Rose if she was okay and the blonde answered positively. Sir Robert suddenly apologized to the Queen, saying that it was his fault, and that he had tried to get the Queen to leave by suggesting that something was wrong with the manor, but that no one seemed to understand.
"Did you not notice the strange staff?"
"Well, they were bald and athletic," commented the Doctor without empathy. "Your wife was gone, I thought you were happy."
The anger went up even more, it was not the moment to make such a comment.
"I'll tell you something, ma'am, I think you're not amused."
"ROSE!" I barked suddenly, startling everyone to their amazement, including the Doctor. "Do you think it's time to be funny?! People have died outside, and Captain Reynolds would have been in the same condition if I hadn't saved him!"
Rose had the decency to look sorry as I yelled at her.
"Can someone, please tell me, what, exactly is that creature?" The Queen suddenly ordered.
"You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's no more a lupine wavelength haemovariform," answered the Doctor easily.
I clapped a hand on my face. Of course, the Doctor would explain with details and not just say it simple.
"And should I trust you, Sir? You, who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?"
"Oh, right... Sorry, that is..." tried to explain the Doctor by scratching his head
"I'll not have it. No, sir. Neither you, nor this thing, none of that! This is not my world."
"Your Majesty," Captain Reynolds intervened. "With your permission, I could get rid of these people."
I quickly turned pale and moved quickly in front of the Doctor, hand in the air ready to protest.
"You can't do that! Without us, you would be dead!"
"Let's talk about you, girl! You who dare to invade my lands with your rebellious revolutionary culture against the monarchy, by wearing an inappropriate outfit for a young girl who should be decent and carrying a knife, in addition! Who do you think you are?!" Demanded the Queen furiously.
"Young girl who should be decent?! I'm anything but a decent girl!" I hissed in contempt. "My rebellious and revolutionary culture and my handling of the knife saved a life tonight, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it again if necessary..." I added with a wicked smile.
Captain Reynolds took a step forward, protecting the Queen with her body and the Doctor put a hand on my shoulder, ready to pull me back at the slightest problem.
"Is it a threat?" Asked the Captain dangerously, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare..." I added sardonically with a smirk that would make me look like a fox. "This is just a simple word, don't take it as a fatal omen."
The Doctor's hand pulled me back firmly.
"Alvia, that's enough." He scolded harshly.
My furious gaze fixed on the Captain as well as the Queen turned to meet the serious look of the Doctor. His attitude cooled my mood a little bit and my lips were pinched in a grimace of discontent and I moved to get away from all, fixing everyone with a silent glare.
Sitting against the edge of the cold, closed window, I watched the moon climb into the sky as well as the shaven monks who guarded the Torchwood property. My anger had finally diminished, even if traces remained in me like hot embers ready to rekindle a fire. I glanced from time to time at the Doctor who was watching the room in every nook and cranny looking for a clue to save us and eliminate the threat that was the werewolf.
The Doctor was a few feet away from me, eyeing the books in the library, with Rose at his side. The Queen sat in an armchair at the back of the room after the earlier incident with her guard next to her and Sir Robert sitting in a chair a little further away.
I watched a monk suddenly roll his shoulders before putting his plant collar around his neck.
"These monks..." I said suddenly.
Most of the heads turned to me.
"They stand guard outside with a gun and sort of necklace made from plants and the wolf didn't attack them..."
The Doctor rushed to the window, narrowing his eyes to try to get a look at the shape of the plants and guess what it was. He turned his head suddenly before quickly heading for the wood carvings that the doors had.
"Mistletoe," he said, putting a hand on the engravings to feel every detail. "Is it your father who ordered the engravings, Sir Robert?"
"No idea," he replied sheepishly.
"I wonder if…?" Deduced the Doctor, observing the engravings.
Then, he suddenly licked the wooden door.
"Viscum album, mistletoe oil." The Doctor discovered, backing away. "It covers the wall like a varnish. Oh! Your father was clever!"
"What does that do?" Rose asked.
"Mistletoe is powerful, filled with lectins and viscotoxins," replied the Doctor.
"And the wolf is allergic to it?" Rose guessed.
"Well, it thinks it is. The monks needed a way to control it, maybe they conditioned it to react to certain things," added the Doctor
"Conditioning means tortured ..." I mumbled without being heard by anyone.
"Nevertheless, that creature won't stop in his quest, Doctor, and we still need a weapon to defend ourselves," replied Sir Robert.
"Oh, your father didn't give you his brain, did he?" Insulted the Doctor.
"Being rude again," Rose said.
"Well, I mean that one," the Doctor said honestly, turning to the library. "You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world!"
He took out his glasses and put it on his nose. He was definitely hotter with it, even though he did not need it and put it for style.
"This room's the greatest arsenal we could have," he added, taking out a few books from the shelf before throwing them at Rose who caught them. "Alvia, come help us too. Arm yourself."
I hummed and focused on the books at the bottom and at my waist. All except the Queen and her guard began searching for any clue in the books, speaking aloud. I kept silent, turning the pages quickly but carefully and keeping the books open to a certain page when a word, a title or an entire paragraph could help us. The unrelated books were quickly closed and crammed into several slightly wobbly piles.
I was turning the pages of a book when I found a familiar illustration.
"I found something!" I suddenly called, drawing the attention of the Doctor and Sir Robert. "In the year of our Lord, 1540, under the reign of King James the Fifth, an almighty fire did burn in the pit." I read.
"But that's the Glen of Saint Catherine, next to the monastery," remarked the noble
"And what you thought was a simple meteorite could have been a spaceship," I added, looking at him.
"But it was over a hundred years ago, why wait?" Asked Rose confused as she approached, books cradled in her arms.
"Maybe just only one cell survived," deducted the Doctor. "Adapting slowly to each generation, surviving through humans, host after host after host."
"Boys disappearing with each generation..." I breathed in horror.
"But why does it want the throne?" Asked the nobleman.
"That's what it wants," Rose intervened, remembering something. "He said 'the Empire of the Wolf'."
"Imagine it, the Victorian era accelerated… Starships and missiles fuelled by coal and driven by steam, leaving history devastated in its wake," said the Doctor, with foreboding.
The Queen stood up suddenly.
"Sir Robert, Captain Reynolds. If I have to die here..."
"Don't say that, Your Majesty..." the two men said at once.
"I would destroy myself rather than let this creature infect me, but it doesn't matter. I ask you to find a safe place for something far older and more precious than myself."
"Hardly the time to worry about your valuables." The Doctor emitted impolitely.
I hit the back of the Doctor's head and gave me a little "Oi!" Shaking my head in spite, sometimes his rudeness was just unbearable.
"Thank you for your opinion," the Queen added without losing face. "But there is nothing more valuable than this."
And the Queen pulled out of her bag a huge diamond that was the size of her palm. This diamond shone a thousand lights and I conceded that it was beautiful despite the fact that diamonds were not my favourite stone.
"Your Majesty, do you think it is a good idea to show them your property?" The Captain snapped.
Queen Victoria did not deign to give an answer. On the other hand, Rose and the Doctor were suddenly attracted to the diamond as he advanced slowly, eyes wide open in astonishment and disbelief at the sight of the stone.
"Is that the Koh-I-Noor?" Rose asked in a whisper, amazed, the books still in her arms.
"The most beautiful diamond in the world." The Doctor commented passionately.
I raised an eyebrow at the admiration they all showed for diamonds. How can you be so passionate about a diamond? Of course, it was the most expensive stone and the most solid, but it had no colors and it was so classic as stone. I mean, there was much more beautiful precious stones: amethyst, alexandrite, amber...
"It was given to me as spoils of war," said the Queen. "Perhaps its legend becomes true. It is said that whoever possesses it must surely die."
"Well, that's true anyway, if you wait long enough." The Doctor refuted before reaching out to hold the diamond. "May I …?"
The Queen's first instinct was to move the diamond out of the Doctor's reach as he reached out, then after a short pause the Queen gave the diamond to the Doctor. I closed the books and picked them up and put them on the desk. I wanted to tidy up the books as needed on the shelves, but now was not the time. Glancing at the Doctor, I saw that he had pushed his glasses to observe the diamond more closely. As I thought, he did not originally need glasses. The man could surely see colors that we humans were unable to detect, and he could notice the slightest details about a person, but he decided to wear glasses... Sometimes I did not understand him...
He discussed the price of the diamond, knowing that it cost about the wages of the planet for a whole week and they made a joke about Jackie, which I confessed without shame was a little truthful. I let out an amused snort when the Doctor suddenly turned his head towards me.
"What do you think of the diamond, Alvia? Beautiful, don't you think?"
"Meh," I said as a single answer, shrugging my shoulders and finishing placing the last books that were previously on the floor.
"Where is the wolf?" Captain Reynolds asked suddenly. "This silence doesn't bode well."
"It's too quiet," Sir Robert confirmed as he moved around the room.
I narrowed my eyes trying to remember the details of the episode. The inconvenience of having locked up my memories behind an armoured door in my own mind was that it was hard to be able to access it myself. I had defended too much of my own knowledge. Fortunately, with a little concentration, I managed to move in my mind and sneak between the chains and the heavy doors that kept my knowledge. Opening my eyes, which I did not know I had closed and moving my hands which had taken the pose of concentration like Sherlock in the series. I leaned against the desk, hands firmly gripping the wooden ledge while my gaze was fixed on the group with the diamond. My eyes slid to the ceiling before I raised my chin to silently observe the glass ceiling where the werewolf will appear.
While I silently observed the starry sky, I listened attentively to the words of the Doctor as well as those of the Queen.
"Why are you traveling with such a precious property?" Asked the Doctor, not taking his eyes off the diamond.
"My annual pilgrimage. I bring it to Hellier and Carew, the Royal Jeweller at Hazlehead. The stone needs recutting."
"Oh, but it's perfect." Rose lamented sadly.
"My late husband never thought so."
"Now there's a fact." The Doctor said, removing his glasses. "Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut down. The diamond used to be forty percent bigger than this, but he was never satisfied. Kept on cutting again and again."
"He always said the shine was not right," the Queen confessed with a touch of nostalgia. "But he died with this still unfinished."
Penny in the air.
As I looked at the ceiling as it seemed that a part was shaking and that the dust was falling. Had I dreamed it? I had a lot of suspicions that the wolf wasn't going to be long before appearing...
"Doctor?" I called quietly.
But he ignored my call as he repeated the last words of the Queen, connecting all the points between them. I saw him throw the diamond at the Queen, who was clearly shocked at this action, and spoke quickly and frantically then ashe was making his deductions aloud. The dust fell again while the ceiling was still shaking. The wolf was definitely there.
"A lot of things are unfinished in this house. His father's research and your husband, Ma'am. He came here and was looking for the perfect diamond. Hold on, hold on!" The Doctor frantically realized, ruffling his hair violently. "All these separate things, which are not separate at all, they're connected. Oh, my head, my head!"
"Doctor," I called again as a shadow spread across the window.
"Not now, Alvia! What if this house ... It's a trap for you, isn't it, Ma'am?"
"Obviously."
"At least, that's what the wolf intended. But! What if there's a trap in the trap?"
"Explain yourself, Doctor."
"Doctor, I think you should listen to me," I implored with a slight trembling in the voice as the ceiling shade grew bigger and bigger.
Everyone listened to the Doctor and did not seem to care, even Captain Reynolds.
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories? They dared to imagine all this was true and organized themselves against it. Laying the real trap not for you… but for the wolf."
"DOCTOR!" I screamed suddenly as I saw the wolf appear.
"What?!" He asks with a hint of annoyance.
And the penny drops.
I just pointed at the ceiling for a few seconds before rushing to a door to clear the way.
"That wolf there ..." said the Doctor.
Thanks to Captain Reynolds' military reflex and my lead, the door was released earlier, and we were able to escape before the window broke. And as the Doctor was about to close the door, his idea was taken up by the Captain, who looked solemn.
"I'm saving you time, RUN!" He ordered, shutting himself out with the wolf.
"NO!" I exclaimed before going to gesture to the man in the red outfit.
But I don't do much anymore because the Doctor grabbed my wrist and pulled me in his run, while our heavy running steps hammered the dark wood. I heard with horror and sorrow the screams of pain of Reynolds who had just given his life to save time. And the door that had held the wolf didn't last long because a few seconds after the end of the choking howls, there was the sound of destroyed wood. We were running towards the observatory, the wolf's footsteps getting louder as it got closer. My ribs hurt and as I saw the shadow of the wolf grow behind the Doctor's back. Rose screamed our names and I closed my eyes when I saw the shadow of the huge jaw and felt the warm, smelly breath of the wolf. The fangs that would rip my flesh with disconcerting ease never came—my heels slammed against the ground as the sound of a spilled liquid and a groan of pain was heard.
Opening my eyes, I saw Sir Robert's wife and his chambermaids, the Doctor had backed away to see where the wolf was and immediately came back to urge us to run and take shelter in the observatory. The couple kissed and we were back in the race. Sir Robert walked by to lead us into the specific room, and we climbed the stairs again. In addition to my aching ribs, my legs cried out for mercy and my lungs prayed for air.
Finally arriving at the observatory, the Doctor notes that the doors have not been covered with oil.
"Your father wanted the wolf to go inside! I just need time, is there a way to barricade the door?!"
"We'll do it!" Indicated Sir Robert and myself.
"A rope or anything would do the trick!" Continued the Doctor, seeming to ignore me.
"Doctor! I said we would do it; I'll give you time."
"What? No! You stay here, Alvia!" The Doctor hissed in panic as he understood what I had just said.
"I make my own decisions!" I hissed coldly.
"Not when it comes to risking your life!" He exclaimed.
"There's no more time to debate, get to work!" I finished, ending the conversation.
And before the Doctor could catch me, I pulled Sir Robert out of the observatory and closed the doors before leaning on them. Sir Robert grabbed the two sabers from the wall and gave me one.
"Do you know how to use it?" He asked, gripping the handle of the weapon firmly.
"First lesson: Stick them with the pointy end." I added with a slight hint of humor.
My fingers wrapped themselves around the rough, yet smooth handle. My muscles tensed to make the slightest movement and I placed my foot in a good position to move quickly, while my ears caught the grunt of the wolf, which was becoming stronger and cleaner. A bead of sweat ran from my temple and rolled down my neck and I did everything to keep my calm and concentrate. As soon as the wolf was in my field of vision, I suddenly thought it was a very bad idea, but it was too late to go back. Let me be brave.
"I've committed treason for you. My wife will remember me with honour!" Sir Robert monopolized as he walked towards the wolf, ready to swing his blade.
Sir Robert barely had time to make a single cut before the wolf was ready to devour the man. But I managed to push the wolf back a little bit by swinging the tip of my sword right at his chest. Then Sir Robert followed up with a deadly dance against the wolf. It is with incredible luck that we manage to counter and survive the chaotic and unpredictable attacks of the creature. But luck did not last long and Sir Robert was violently sidelined as he took a scratch and smoothly hit the wall and fell to the floor like a rag doll. I was now alone in front of the wolf and I prayed for time itself to be able to survive.
The wolf growled at me, folding back on himself, ready to pounce on me to devour me. And deep inside me, the fury flowed through my veins as a wicked and evil smile grew on my lips—a smile that showed my canines and made them shine in the light of moons and candles. The doors were behind me and I had no idea if they were ready in the observatory.
"Allez viens, viens voir maman… " I murmured mockingly in my native language. "Allez viens, viens je t'attend…"
The wolf threw himself at me and I ducked under his attack, barely missing the fangs and claws of the beast as he dipped directly into the wooden doors which he initially aimed at my body. The doors dislodge under its weight and the violence of the impact and a few seconds later a beam of light striked the creature. And while I guess it was the work of the machine designed to kill the wolf, I ran to Sir Robert's still body, crouched down and dropped the blade to plunge my fingers to his neck and fumble for the search. A pulse. It was with joy and relief that I saw that the man had survived and that he was only stunned and probably had a concussion. Sighing in relief, I backed away until my back hit the wall and my legs gave way and I slid against the floor—the muscles and my forces completely giving up.
I breathed deeply and dared to close my eyes when I heard someone running towards me. Hands grabbed my cheeks, and I opened my eyes to see the Doctor crouching in front of me, eyes filled with fear, worry and relief.
"Are you okay?!" He asked quickly. "Did the wolf bite you?!"
"He hasn't had the opportunity, Doctor."
He breathed with relief and pulled me into a strong embrace. His arms wrapped around my waist and my shoulders while my hands went behind his back, his head against mine.
"Never do that again, Alvia..." the Doctor implored in my ear.
I took a deep breath, breathing in his smell and the smell of his suit before I turned my head slightly towards him and hummed softly. It was neither an assertion nor a refusal. Moments later, the Doctor withdrew from the reluctant embrace as Rose and the Queen came to join us. The monarch saw Sir Robert's body in horror and went to make her own deductions before I intervened.
"He's alive Your Majesty, unconscious but alive."
The tension in her shoulders eased and she thanked me warmly.
"Then I must thank you for saving me and saving Sir Robert," she said thankfully.
I took what she gave me, nodding before talking again.
"There are still monks outside, we must also warn the rest of the manor that the threat is gone."
And as soon as I finished speaking, a few guards, accompanied by Sir Robert's wife and two maids, rushed towards us. Lady Isobel, seeing her husband on the ground, froze.
"Your Majesty!" Exclaimed one of the guards. "We are terribly sorry and horrified to hear what is going on, the monks are gone, but where is the creature?"
"The Doctor and his companions took care of it. There is nothing more to fear. I recommend that you take Sir Robert to the nearest doctor, he should receive treatment as soon as possible. His unconscious state may be reassuring but it can be just as alarming."
The guards obeyed the Queen and took Sir Robert away, followed by Lady Isobel. Only one guard remained, as did the maid.
"As for you," she said, turning to me and the Doctor. "Rest and enjoy the rest of the night and the morning. You are summoned tomorrow after lunch."
The Doctor tilted his head slightly.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
And the Queen leaves with her guard and one of the two maids. The one who remained, began to smile while looking at Rose.
"Thank you very much," thanked the young woman.
"I told you so, Flora. That everything would go well!" Rose commented with a tired, satisfied smile.
"Let me show you to your rooms, getting lost in the mansion is the last thing you want," chuckled the brunette gently.
We smiled, the three of us tired and followed her as she led us to our rooms. It was with joy that I got rid of my shoes and my jacket, waistcoat and pants. And I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the cushion, enjoying a dreamless sleep.
The next day, in spite of the pain in our muscles and the tiredness visible on our faces, the Doctor, Rose and myself rejoint the Queen in a large room where were all the guards and servants as well as the masters of the house waited. After a discussion with the Queen, she wanted to meet the Doctor and Rose. I received no title because I refused them—the French part of my being was indignant at the idea of receiving a title when the monarchy had long been abandoned in my country.
Rose and the Doctor were bowed while Queen Victoria dubbed the Doctor first, saber in hand and hand bandaged.
"By the powers invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee: Sir Doctor of TARDIS." The Queen said before touching Rose's shoulders with the tips of the blade. "By the powers invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee: Dame Rose of the Powell Estate. You may stand."
The Doctor thanked the Queen warmly as Rose made a comment about her friends who would not believe that fact. Just as few believe in the fact that she traveled in time and space without evidence—evidence she was very reluctant to give, wanting to keep the Doctor's secret for herself.
"Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving messages from the great beyond. I think your husband cut this diamond to save your life. He protects you even now, madam, even from beyond the grave..."
"Indeed. You must also think on this: that I am not amused."
As the Doctor moaned and Rose looked jubilant, as I rolled their eyes at their expressions. Now was not the time to celebrate their bets.
"Not remotely amused. And henceforth, I banish you."
It took the doctor a few seconds to understand the Queen's statement.
"I'm sorry?"
"I rewarded you, Sir Doctor, and now you are exiled from the Empire never to return. You three."
I blinked silently, why am I included? Why?!
"I don't know what you are or where you come from, but I know that you consort with stars and magic and think it fun. But your world is full of terror, blasphemy and death, and I will not allow it! You will leave these 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."
The Queen stepped away angrily.
"Leave my world, and never return," she ordered.
Rose and the Doctor nodded muttering as I moved my head when Queen Victoria's glare fell on me. I gave the Doctor the coat he had asked me to keep during the dubbing and we walked silently towards the exit. As the Doctor and Rose walked towards the courtyard, Sir Robert, his head bandaged, ran with his wife to me, calling me. I stopped at the door with a glance at the duo who did not seem to want to stop.
"Thank you, Alvia Saxon for helping to save my husband," Lady Isobel began.
A sweet smile grew on my lips.
"It's nothing, and it was the right thing to do."
"The Queen told us of her desire to create an Institute against phenomena like those of last night and made you and your companions, enemy number one," informed the nobleman, glancing behind him to see if we were being listened to. "But, know one thing Alvia, the Torchwood Institute will be forever in your debt and if one day you should find a refuge, we would be happy to have you here," he added solemnly.
I thanked the couple and said goodbye to them before leaving to join Rose and the Doctor who had finally understood that I was not with them. I took a last look at the couple who ran the Torchwood estate and joined the duo to return to the Tardis, who was alone in the Scottish countryside.
During our walk, we managed to find a farmer who kindly agreed to lead us all the way until we found the TARDIS.
From then on, we walked quietly, headwind, to return inside the magnificent time vessel.
"You know, funny thing about Queen Victoria is that she did suffer from a blood mutation," continued the Doctor in his story about Queen Victoria. "It is historic, she was haemophiliac. Called it 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!"
"What, you're saying that's a wolf bite?" Asked Rose.
The Doctor answered quietly and the two theorized on the possibility that the English Royal family could be, at present, werewolves. During this time, I reflected again and again on what Sir Robert had said to me on the doorstep of the Torchwood Manor. The Queen had the idea to create Torchwood and we were the priority enemies of the institute. So far nothing very shocking. But the fact that Robert had said that Torchwood would always be indebted to me and that Torchwood would welcome me if I needed it—that was terrifying. After that, maybe Torchwood had never looked for me during the time I lived with Jackie though that didn't make me believe they wouldn't have noticed. They noticed a lot of things.
The Doctor and Rose could still be ignorant of Torchwood and enjoy the joy of travel. He could ignore the first pressings of the coming storm that threatened to tear into our lives, but now... I was warned, and I would meticulously watch the progress of the storm so that the day when everything broke out, I would be ready. Because I would be. I wouldn't let Torchwood destroy the life I had built in this world.