Jess tried the door first. She felt a little dumb for having missed the obvious answer, but it was in fact, locked. It would have been too easy, she knew, to have just walked out of the room and out of the castle, yet Jess couldn't help the wave of disappointment that rolled over her. Rose didn't look happy, but she didn't look surprised either and it made Jess think that it was rare that anything was that easy when one was travelling with the Doctor.

Rose checked the window. Their headaches had finally subsided to the point that they were little more than a dull nuisance and the light no longer shut down their brains. Unfortunately they were high up- far higher than Jess had realised the building even went. Their bedsheets likely weren't sturdy or long enough to get them down safely. Not to mention the guards, wielding the same high-tech weapons they had been holding earlier, who were patrolling on a tight interval while servants scurried like ants below them.

Clearly the window wasn't an option either.

In their search of the room they found another door, covered by a large curtain that had looked like part of the bed. Jess had momentarily gotten her hopes up, only for them to be completely squashed by the sight of what she thought was a bathroom (though she wasn't entirely sure).

So, they started scheming.

The first issue was that neither of them had any idea how long they'd been knocked out. It could have been mere minutes or days, they had no clue. Both of them were hungry but not starving, so Jess was hopeful it had been a few hours rather than a whole day. But, indications aside, they didn't know how long they'd been there or how long they had until this supposed wedding.

Jess also wasn't good with remembering where she'd been or how to get anywhere, but thankfully Rose seemed to have a much better grasp on the town.

"If we can get out, I can get us back to the TARDIS." Rose said quietly. "I remember how we came, not to mention I can practically see the whole city from the window"

Jess just nodded. They had no idea really, how much technology was on the planet. The room looked like something out of a medieval fairytale, but the weapons the guards held and some of the wares seemed more technologically advanced so they had no idea if anyone was listening in. Rose said she doubted it, but Jess had no clue and wasn't willing to risk their plan being overheard if they could help it.

"Problem is," Jess said, "Getting out of the castle. Neither of us saw it on our way in and the door was locked. There isn't a great way out."

Rose's mouth pinched. "I know. 'S not ideal but we'll figure it out. They'll have to feed us eventually, won't they? And they certainly won't marry us here."

Jess nodded "With that ass I'd imagine it'll be a huge fucking public affair. And I doubt they'll starve us."

"Or let us get married looking like this." Rose wrinkled her nose as she gestured between them.

"Is that an insult Tyler?" Jess shot back automatically. She was joking, of course. She and her siblings said shit like this all the time, but she kinda doubted Rose would take it very well especially since they'd just worked through their shit like three hours ago and-

Rose's pinched expression eased and a snort escaped her mouth. She roled her eyse too, but the tension fell out of Jess's shoulders. Good, that was good. "Your humor is terrible Moore," Rose said, "and I said us. We look like wrecks. They'll make us shower at least. The king is an arrogant bastard, no way he wants us looking shabby."

"As long as we don't look better than him" Jess grumbled, "So what, we make a run for it when they open the door?"

Rose shrugged "I was thinking we try and grab the keys- I assume someone will have keys, then leave in the night."

"That's probably less likely to get us drugged." Jess conceded "Or shot. So what, we just.. Wait?"

"I don't see what else we can do. There is no way out except that damn locked door." Rose said, glaring at the door as if it would unlock itself.

If only.

The King strolled into the room, flanked by guards and looking every bit the arrogant boy-prince.

Jess had seen his kind at Stanford in the boys who had used Daddy's money to get in then sauntered around like they owned the school. It didn't matter if they got drunk off their ass every night and barely passed their classes, no, they had a cush six-figure job at daddy's company waiting the second they got their diploma.

Jess hated people like that.

She'd had to work for everything she got. Her scholarship was good, but she would still have a shit ton of student debt when she got out. Sam had to work even harder to get and maintain his full ride- especially with what she knew about his childhood.

Neither of them had been handed a damn thing in their life and everything they ever got was hard-earned.

Comparatively, it was obvious this King had never worked a day in his life, not really.

And now she and Rose were supposed to marry him?

No thanks.

Rose seemed to have a similar distaste based on her borderline murderous expression (which, considering what Rose had told Jess, Jess didn't doubt that Rose probably had to work just as hard as Sam had).

"My beautiful brides," the King crooned, stepping towards them. Jess had to consciously keep herself from flinching away. "Hello darlings, are you excited for the wedding?"

Jess tried not to gag. Was this man serious right now? He apparently didn't want an answer, only to hear himself talk (which was good because she doubted that she nor Rose would do very well at keeping their mouths shut given half an opportunity) and continued to chatter. "I know I am. The wedding will be the best one of the century, no, of the millenium! The town has been working so hard to prepare for tonight."

"Tonight?" Rose exclaimed, the color draining from her face. "The wedding is tonight?"

No. No! This- this ruined everything. They were banking on at least one night to escape and a bumbling maid, not the king himself coming.

"Of course!" the King said. "We have been preparing all day. I could not wait a moment longer to marry my two brides of prophecy. "

"You... you don't even know our names." Rose snapped, "We can't be married so quickly!"

The king waved his hand dismissively (though there was something in his eyes, something in the lines of his face that made him look tired. Just… tired. Not that Jess gave a damn. She didn't want to marry the bastard, period). "Not to worry, there will be plenty of time for that after the wedding! This is a fate-blessed union, it will work out no matter silly things like our names and how many children I will have with each of you."

Jess' heart was in her throat. If she married him they'd never both be able to get away, not if he planned to impregnate them. She felt like throwing up but couldn't. And God, wouldn't her mom be pissed if she ever found out, that her daughter had gotten married without her and in such a non-traditional-

That was it.

"But it can't be blessed if we have it tonight." Jess said, shaking her head violently. "No, no we can't have it tonight- you've ruined it!"

"What are you talking about my sweet darling," the King said, "I have ruined nothing, no I am fulfilling a prophecy."

"No!" Jess exclaimed, praying to whoever was listening in this world. "You've brought bad luck on the union. See, the world we are from, if the groom looks upon his bride the day of the wedding before the ceremony, the union is doomed to fail! And here you are, looking at us hours before we will get married!"

Rose chimed in. "Yes! This is terrible luck, if we marry tonight, you will have destroyed your own prophecy."

It wasn't hard for Jess to make tears well up in her eyes. If she thought too hard about the reality of the situation she already wanted to cry. "It's doomed!"

The King looked aghast. "Your gods frown upon it?"

"They set a storm on my sister." Jess supplied.

"My best mate's marriage didn't last a week because of it." Rose cried, nodding vigorously. "We can't do it tonight."

The King was horrified and shook his head violently. "Of course not! We- we cannot risk angering your gods! A week, dear Tahara! No, no I will postpone the wedding!" he turned to his guards, "You all, go tell everyone that it is off until tomorrow evening. We must do this right! We cannot risk the wrath of any god."

And with that, his posse left with the same flurry of activity as it came in. Jess and Rose watched the door close with sinking hearts, the lock clicking feeling like a physical blow to Jess.

"Well," Jess said "At least we got a night out of it."

Rose groaned a flopped back onto the bed. "No thanks to me. I was in a total panic, couldn't even think straight. That was a good save."

Jess' responding laugh was a little hysterical. "If it makes you feel better those were real tears. I also almost barfed on his ugly royal shoes."

Rose huffed something that might have been a laugh as Jess lowered herself onto the other side of the bed. "This is a disaster. But at least we aren't being shot at."

Jess shrugged. "I might prefer being shot at over being married to and impregnated by some creepy alien king that believes in some weird ass prophecy."

Rose lifted her head up to look at Jess, "You know what, me too. I can at least run then, now we are just locked in this bloody building."

Jess groaned. "I know. Now... I don't think we can put the wedding off again. Did you see the way the guards glared at us? I think they didn't, but didn't want to piss him off."

"Might be," Rose said. "Doesn't really matter. We just need to be ready when our opportunity comes to escape."

A few hours later no one had come yet. Jess was hungry, considering she'd had little more than fruit in over twenty four hours and she was starting to worry that they'd actually be stuck in the room until time for the wedding.

Rose had been pacing back and forth, and Jessica hadn't been much better. She'd been trying to pick the lock with the stray pin in her hair but wasn't having much luck. The hole was tiny and she honestly had no clue how to pick a lock.

She wished she'd actually asked Sam to teach her after he'd picked the lock to their apartment rather than wait for the landlord or a locksmith (which admittedly would be expensive.). Jess snorted at the thought. Sam had been almost embarrassed by it then, but Jess thought it was cool. A by product of a shitty childhood maybe. Or maybe he just got bored. Either way he could probably pick it, her soon-to-be lawyer boyfriend.

"Oi, what's so funny over there?" Rose asked sharply.

Jess rolled her eyes and bit back a scathing response. She'd been repeating the mantra 'fighting won't help' for the last two hours. "I'm trying to pick the damn lock and am wishing Sam was here. He could pick a lock in no time flat."

Rose softened a little. The next words weren't quite so sharp. "Sam is a bit of a bad boy then?"

Jess really did laugh, despite the slight twinge of worry she felt. "Not hardly. He's got an interview for law school at Stanford on Monday, er, well, you know what I mean."

Rose allowed herself a small laugh and took a seat. "I do. Time travel can make tenses a bit confusing. So why does lawyer boy know how to pick a lock?"

"Not sure." Jess admitted, sticking the pin back in her hair. "He always gets a little embarrassed about it so I never pressed. Wasn't worth it. I know his childhood was unstable at best. He moved a lot and didn't really get along with his dad. I think it was worse than he told me, but up until a few days ago it was never an issue, but then his older brother showed up and they were going to see his dad or something."

Rose nodded. "What about you? I guess I don't know much about you either."

"That's sad, since we may be married soon." Jess half joked and it made Rose smile at least so she counted as a win. "I'm a nursing major. Junior year, just started nursing school. You already know I am a farm girl. I want to marry Sam, maybe do the kids thing later on, dunno. Definitely the dog thing. Not much else to tell, I guess. What about you, I only know a little."

Rose frowned, like she didn't like Jess's answer though Jess wasn't exactly sure what there was not to like about the short summary Jess had given. There really wasn't too much else to say, except her super personal stuff and she didn't imagine that's really what Rose wanted to hear right now. She could keep talking about Sam though. She could talk about him for a long time, whether she was happy or sad, if she let herself. It was kinda gross, according to their friends but she didn't mind.

But, she'd rather find out a little more about Rose, maybe get a better grasp on the British girl. Couldn't hurt and either way was better than fighting while they were stuck in the stupid cell of a room.

"Hmm, already told ya I didn't even get my A levels." Rose said. "Worked in a shop for the last several years, didn't do much cept go to work, hang out with Mickey and my friends. Just smiling through life."

Jess hummed quietly, "Mickey your ex?"

Rose grimaced. "Yeah, started dating him... Well, it doesn't matter why. I was happy enough. 'Sides, everyone expected us to get together and if I hadn't met the Doctor we'd probably have gotten married and lived in the estates just like my parents and his parents did."

Jess snorted, "I feel you there. People rarely left my hometown, let alone moved to California. God, my highschool boyfriend was so mad that I got into Stanford and even madder that I dared to actually go. I dumped his ass right there and then."

"My mum didn' take my break up with Micks well," Rose admitted. "She mighta been more upset about that than the whole alien space travel thing."

"Wow, she was that invested?" Jess asked, grimacing sympathetically. "I mean, half the town thought Kenneth and I were gonna get hitched but my mom said she'd kick my ass if I gave up my dream school for him. I prayed about it that night, which was unusual but obviously ended up going. "

Rose shrugged. "Mickey had a good job and was a hard worker. He was safe. My mum jus' wanted me t' be happy and safe. Mickey could provide those things for me. Sides, I known him for years."

Jess nodded. "Kenneth was the same way. But I wanted to be somewhere bigger than Nowhere, Kansas. And I met Sam because I left him and pissed off half the town. I call it a win. And you met the Doctor, so I think you did well there too, at least better."

"Yeah, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even if we are apparently going to be married to this arrogant king." Rose said, her face twisting and suddenly Jess was harshly reminded of where she was and what she needed to be doing.

"We are not marrying this man." Jess said firmly. "It ain't happening. And God knows where the Doctor is, speaking of. He was knocked out and probably taken halfway across the planet."

Rose grimaced "Probably. I... I'm a bit worried about him, but if we escape then we can look for him. Can't do a thing for the idiot from this damn tower."

Jess sighed, "So what happens if we can't get out before the wedding?"

"We make a break for it?" Rose said "I... I dunno. Right now we need to try not to worry about that. Until someone else comes all we can do is rest and be ready to run for it when the time comes."

"Get up!"

Jess sat up with a gasp, as the door flew open and a purple lady marched in. She came up no farther than Jess's shoulder, but the glare on her face reminded Jess distinctly of Ms. Trunchbull from the Matilda movie.

She'd fallen asleep during the midst of their planning and Rose had too, from the equally startled look on her face. Behind the woman stood two other young ladies, both of whom were colors that Jess wasn't used to seeing on humans.

They weren't humans, though, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Rose's reminded her, they were aliens and these colors were normal to them. Probably. Jess forced herself to stop gaping and close her mouth as they strode into the room. The girl in the back, who was an interesting shade of blue, shut the door behind her and locked it with a key unlike anything Jess had ever seen.

Jess tried to watch where she stored the key, but was distracted when the purple lady grabbed her arm and yanked her off the bed in one firm pull. Jess yelped in a very undignified manner as she hit the cold stone floor. "Hey, what the fu-"

"I said get up! You ladies have a wedding today. Your wedding, to be precise. And the king has ordered you to look nothing but your best and from what we saw yesterday, well, this will be a long process." She said, as she managed to drag Jessica to her feet.

The lady may have been small and appeared to be somewhere around middle age, but she was strong and Jess grimaced under her grip. She swallowed hard. Had they slept through the night? Jess's dreams had been fraught with fear but she hadn't expected to sleep through the night.

She cast Rose a half-panicked look and Rose just shook her head, looking vaguely helpless. Ok. She didn't have a clue either. Were those drugs still in their system?

Either way, it didn't sound good and Jess was hungry, tired, and now she was pissed off. "Let go of me." Jess snapped. "I'm going to be your queen right? So let the fuck go of me."

Purple Lady glared "You aren't my queen yet, girl," but she let go of Jess's arm anyway. "We are here to get you ready. My name is Madam Giolor and these are ladies maids Ferioi and Kilana. They will be serving you today and will be your maids from now on. We have a lot to do today so we must get started. The two of you are filthy and nothing like royalty."

"Rude." Rose muttered as she slid off her side of the bed before anyone could yank her out. "But I suppose we could do with a shower. Being detained in the market and drugged didn't do anything for our appearances I'm afraid."

The purple lady Giolor narrowed her eyes. "Watch your mouth, girl," she glanced between the two of them "What are your names? I can't keep calling you both insolent girls."

Jess really didn't want to tell her her name, just to be spiteful. But Rose was already speaking "Rose. Rose Tyler."

Giolor nodded once then turned to Jess expectantly. Jess crossed her arms, determined not to break under the alien's glare but when Rose sent her an imploring look, Jess sighed "Jessica Moore" she grumbled. "And I'm hungry. Are you going to starve us?"

The purple lady pursed her lips, then turned to her two maids "You two get them started on the cleaning. I'll get them some food. Apparently they're a bit more fragile than us. Probably human sort. Can't have them fainting up there, gods know the King would have our head."

With that, she took the key from the blue girl- Ferioi- and swept from the room. The two maids turned towards them.

"I am your maid, Lady Jessica." Ferioi, said softly. "This is my friend Kilana. She will be your maid Lady Rose. She cannot speak, but is an excellent maid. Please forgive her shortcomings."

Jess and Rose exchanged a look. Something was... weird... there. Kilana had yet to look up from the floor. Her skin was a dark shade of green that looked nothing like Ferioi's. Other than that… Jess could see the resemblance.

"There is no shortcoming on her end to forgive." Rose said firmly and flashed a smile at Kilana who hesitantly returned it.

"Well," Jess said, "I'm calling dibs on the first shower- sorry Rose." Jess said, forcing a light tone in her voice.

Rose rolled her eyes but smiled. "Go ahead. I'm tired o' your complainin' anyway."

Jess headed for the bathroom (though she had no idea if she would be taking an actual shower, she would take a sponge bath at this point if it got the grime off of her) and Ferioi trailed after her, picking up one of the baskets of linens.

Jess entered the bathroom and looked around. Jess had stumbled in there at one point, the only time she awoke all night and found something toilet-like. She was hoping now that it hadn't been the bathtub.

"Ok, how do I shower?" Jess asked, turning to face the maid "I can do it myself, just not sure exactly what to do or how to do it."

"I'm afraid I don't know what a shower is." Ferioi admitted, looking down. "But I can run you some warm water to clean in?"

"A bath is fine." Jess said. "I can do it if you'll just show-"

"No, this is my job." Ferioi said firmly. "You just sit there while I get it run for you."

Ferioi headed thankfully towards a large basin that had been obscured by the door, rather than what Jess was now certain was the toilet. There wasn't really a place to sit, but she made do on the edge of a rough cup like shape, where a spotted mirror hung.

Ferioi bustled about for a moment, turning on water from some sort of tap that looked far too technological to be sprouting from the hewn walls of the castle. What was going on with this city?

Why was technology so advanced, yet so limited. It was like someone had given 18th century Scotland aliens, indoor plumbing, laser guns, and an insane king.

Oh wait, apparently Scotland had those too.

And now she was to be queen of the hellscape and birth its heirs. A strangled giggle that bordered on hysterical escaped Jess, startling her almost as much as Ferioi who jumped about three feet in the air.

"Are you alright my lady?" Ferioi asked, whirling around.

Jess ran a hand over her face, suddenly exhausted again, despite having just woken up. "No, as a matter of fact I am not. I am billions of miles from home, I was drugged and kidnapped and now I'm getting married to a stranger who keeps talking about getting me pregnant despite the fact he doesn't even know my name."

Ferioi's eyes blew wide. "You cannot speak of the King that way!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch "It can- it could get you killed."

The last part came out as little more than a whisper. " Please my lady, watch your words."

Jess took a deep breath. "I'm not going to be quiet here. I have rights, you know-"

"Not really." Ferioi said softly, "You don't live here- you aren't even a citizen until you marry him. You really have none."

It wasn't this girl's fault. She looked no older than Jessica's younger brother Waylan who was only fifteen. She probably didn't have much more choice in the matter than Jess herself did. She deflated.

"Sorry, it's just been a long week."

"Aye, I understand Lady Jess. But we need to get started. Lady Rose still needs to be cleaned."

Jess repressed a sigh and heaved herself off the rough counter. "Turn around." Jess said to Ferioi. "Or better yet, please leave the room. I'm not shy but I don't really want to be watched while I'm scrubbing dirt off of well, my entire body."

"I'm sorry miss." Ferioi said, giving an apologetic smile, "but I can't leave you, I'll get in trouble if I do. I don't mind turning around but I've been tasked to make sure you're clean and that means I'll have to scrub you."

Jess gaped. "Scrub me? I can clean myself, I'm a capable adult, thanks."

Ferioi furrowed her brow. "Clean yourself? Are you a servant then? Even most common folk have at least one servant to help them bathe!"

"I'm not from this planet," Jess reminded her with a frown. "Where I'm from you don't get cleaned by another person unless you're a little kid, very sick, or very old."

Ferioi narrowed her eyes and took a step towards Jess with purpose. "That may be so, but I have to follow my orders you see, so I'll help you undress and-"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Jess said, taking a step back into the counter. "I will take my own clothes off, but fine! Gees you can help clean me. Jeesh!"

Ferioi looked a bit smug and Jess certainly did not pout or glare as she stripped out of her shirt and jeans and then her undergarments. She tossed them in a pile on the counter when she was done.

"Come on then." Ferioi said, motioning to the tub, not even blushing at Jess's naked body. "I have been doing this for years, nothing I haven't seen before."

Jess crossed her arms over her chest, mostly out of habit and a facsimile of modesty, before crossing the room and getting into the basin. At least the water was pleasantly warm.

Jess sank down into it, arms still crossed. That's when Ferioi's comment registered "Hey," she said softly. "How old are you?"

Ferioi was rummaging through the linen bag. She hummed quietly as the produced several bottles that were not labeled. "I have seen 17 cycles of the seasons," Ferioi said, "so I am still considered a child and will be until my 20th cycle. Not that it much matters. Maids do a grown woman's work as soon as they are able. I've been helping royals, mostly young ladies or elderly ladies clean since I was 12 cycles."

"You have been doing this your whole life?" Jess asked with a deep frown. "Did you even get a choice in it? Did you even go to school?"

"That's not important," Ferioi said far too quickly. "I don't mind the work. My mother was a maid and Kilana's father, a cook. We came to this planet when Kilana and I were quite young, and that was the only work to be found. For two single parents Mum said it was better than our old planet and honest work nonetheless. None of us needed education really. Besides, I know how to read and write, and some arithmetic, which is as much as I need. This is the life I was born to live."

"You can't be serious!" Jess exclaimed, surging upwards. Ferioi might have been scrawny but when her hand made contact with Jess' shoulder she found herself being forced to sink back down into the water.

"Of course I am serious. Why wouldn't I be?" Ferioi said as she gently tilted Jess' head back to wet her hair. It was awkward, these intimate actions approached in such a clinical way.

"Everyone deserves an education! Everyone deserves a choice as to what they are going to spend the rest of their lives doing! If you want to be a maid, fine! If you want to marry the king, as long as both parties consent, fine! But you all can't just be expected to be stuck in whatever role you're assigned!"

Ferioi didn't answer for several long moments as she lathered up and rinsed Jess' hair out with surprising efficiency. Jess spoke through gritted teeth, "Are you just going to ignore me?"

Jess heard the small maid swallow hard but didn't answer. She tossed a rag into the tub, but no soap. "You can scrub yourself, just stop talking like that."

Jess frowned, but did as she was told. Despite the lack of body soap, the hot water did wonders for removing the grime. However, it was still incredibly strange to be bathing with another person who wasn't Sam with her. In no time, she was out of the tub and wearing the robe-like gown Ferioi had offered.

"You never answered me," Jess accused lightly, trying to contain her anger.

"'S not proper for me to speculate on such things. 'Tis a crime really, and very dangerous. It is dangerous for even you to speak in such ways."

"What ways?" Jess probed, taking a step towards Ferioi, though not in a threatening manner. "I'm just speaking my mind."

"Criticising the king." Ferioi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Punishments for such crimes... You don't want to know what they entail, Lady Jess."

"That's barbaric!" Jess cried, "To not even let you-"

"Watch your words." Ferioi snapped, the first time Jess had heard any real heat form the servant "And your tone. Those are treasonous remarks even if you are the future queen!"

Jess fixed her with a stare. "Are you going to tell on me?" Jess snapped. "If so, go ahead. It might be preferable to this."

Ferioi paled. "I ought to," she said, trying to look threatening, despite how her voice wavered. "I ought to report you so the king's officials can punish you as he sees fit, like all traitors."

"But you won't," Jess said softly, sure of it as she was standing there. "You won't give me up. Why?"

Ferioi looked away, shuffling her feet slightly. "I've seen what they do... '' she said, her voice little more than a whisper as a shudder wracked her thin body.

Jess' anger didn't vanish but the hot edge did fade at the pure terror on Ferioi's face.

"What happened?" Jess asked gently, stepping closer to put a hand on the girl's shoulder. She flinched away and Jess let her arm drop. "Ferioi.."

The servant clenched her jaw and looked away. "Kilana wasn't always speechless, you know."

The admission was soft, but it seemed to echo in the quiet of the bath chamber. It felt like a blow to Jess' gut and it was all she could do not to heave.

"They cut out her tongue?" Jess whispered, unable to hide the horror in her tone. "That's… that's barbaric!"

"I know," Ferioi said, "And- and it's my fault! She's my best friend. We're practically sisters. I shouldn't have let her mouth off. But it was too late and -"

Ferioi drew in a breath and let it out slowly. Her voice was far more even when she spoke again. "Kilana's punishment was horrible, but it is not the worst by far. At least she can still work. Some people... Well, some people make the dead ones look lucky. Besides, it never used to be this way. Not before this king and curse."

Jess couldn't help but shiver. "And is it the King himself who doles out these punishments?"

Ferioi shrugged. "I...I am not sure my lady. I've never been brave enough to ask. I don't think it is, but Kilana never told me THe looks his advisors give though.. I try not to ask the others either. Consorting with traitors and the like doesn't do you any favors around here- cripple or not."

Jess' heart broke for this girl- this child (because God, she was still a child despite how much growing up she had had to do at such a young age)- who had suffered so greatly and for Kilana.

"I'm so so sorry," Jess said softly. "I-I wish there was something I could do for you." She did, but had no idea what it could be. She was leaving, somehow, even though she and Rose hadn't had much chance to plan exactly but they would not be staying in the town or with the King, who no one seemed to name. She didn't see how she could help them, short of taking them with them but they would never go. Unhappy as Ferioi was, she still seemed to be too scared to go. Even if they would slow them down, she would take them, but where. Were there other planets? Would it even be fair to rip them away from everything they had ever known?

"Marry the king." Ferioi said, suddenly gripping Jess' arm. "Marry him and fulfill the prophecy. Break the curse."

Jess stared at the girl, whose eyes were shining with something that was dangerously close to hope and Jess' heart broke.

"Come on." Jess said instead. "Rose needs her bath too."

When they reentered the room, Gloria had returned with a tray full of food and Rose was finishing what appeared to be a sandwich at rapid speed.

Before they could even speak Kilana was practically dragging Rose into the bathroom. Jess didn't mind. She suddenly forgot about everything when presented with the food. She hadn't eaten in ages and the aroma of the sandwiches and soups was amazing. She didn't recognize most of the things in it, but she was so hungry that she didn't care enough to ask or worry about it.

If they were going to kill before the wedding her they probably would have done it by now.

Giloro left again at some point while Jess was stuffing her face (in a very unladylike manner, much to everyone's dismay) but Jess wasn't paying attention to the how or why of it.

When she finished she used the sleeve of the grey robe to wipe her mouth. "Alright Ferioi, what now?"

Ferioi, who still looked rather pale (it was a strange look on someone whose skin was such an abstract color given how very human the expression was) and Jess couldn't help but note that when Ferioi picked up a towel to fold it, her hands were trembling slightly.

That didn't stop Ferioi from shooting Jess a flat look. "Did you not listen to Mistress Glioro? You are to get dry and put on the dressing gown. We will then start on brushing and untangling your hair."

Jess touched her hair light and grimaced. "Yeah, that will be a job. And hey, I thought this was a dressing gown..."

Ferioi rolled her eyes- Jess was sure of it- but when the servant turned around with a simple grey gown, much longer than what Jess was wearing her face was nothing but neutral servant "No, Lady Jess, that is a bathing gown. Very improper to wear for long periods of time, I might add." The tone Ferioi used was one of a parent scolding their child for doing something stupid or missing something obvious.

Jess pushed herself up off the edge of the bed where she had been sitting. "That seems unnecessary, but fine. Suit me up Feri. Can I call you Feri?"

"You can call me whatever you like, Lady Jess."

Jess frowned, "No, this is about what you want, ok?"

Ferioi shuffled. "That's... That's fine. No one has had a nickname for me, since, well-" her face paled and a dazed look passed over her face. "Never mind. Let's get you dressed."

Jess' heart broke for Feri. It was Kilana most likely, a name only her best friend had called her and now Kilana couldn't even speak. Jess forced a smile, her nurse smile, and nodded. "Ok, let's do it."

Jess slipped out of the robe, still feeling self conscious, despite everything that Feri had already seen. She dressed quickly in what seemed to be a longer, more ornate robe and let Feri guide her to a seat.

"I have a partner, you know." Jess said suddenly, not sure why she felt so compelled to do so "His name is Sam, and I love him very much."

Feri paused, the half folded rope dangling from her hands as she looked at Jess quizzically "What sort of partner?"

"A life partner." Jess said. "A lover."

Feri's mouth tightened. "Are you married? The King.. he will be most displeased if you are bound to another. Our laws will not recognize it of course, and you will still be married, but he would be very, very upset."

"Why would he be upset?" Jess asked innocently, deftly avoid the question. "If it isn't legally binding..."

"You are to be one of his two wives." Feri said, making a face "Why would he be happy there is another who has shared your bed and heart besides him?"

"He has taken me from that however, and taken Rose from hers as well."

Feri shook her head. "It would be in your best interest to not bring that up. The King is a good man or was. But you are the women of the prophecy, he is sure. He cannot risk anything."

"You said he is sure. Do you believe it?" Jess asked softly. "What does the prophecy even say, for that matter? No one has really explained it to us despite us supposedly being the ones that it revolves around."

Feri finished folding the robe and dropped it into the linen basket before answering. "Two maidens fair, from a far off place, will struggle in pain, but will bring about the golden days. To marry the King and break the spell, will cure the world, a true tale I tell."

Jess gaped a moment. "Who on earth came up with that?"

Feri shrugged, "I believe it was the old prophetess right before she died. Seeing the future is a tricky thing, of course, and that made it vague. We don't know what the curse it, but we assume it will cure the king."

Jess sat back in her chair thoughtfully and pushed a wet strand of hair from her face. "What makes you all think it is us?"

Feri turned away sharply. "The king believes it, so the people do."

"You don't."

"I do. I believe it. Just... The king wasn't always like this- obsessed with the prophecy. But a curse came to pass. That is why we cannot speak his name." Feri said sharply. Her voice was soft next, and pleasing. "Do not ask me to say such things again, please Lady Jess, I beg of you. Marry him and get this done with."

Jess shook her head slightly. What was happening here? Magic wasn't real!

"What is the King's name?" Jess asked. "That's another thing, why is he only 'the King' not King Harvey or whatever?"

Feri looked down. "We no longer call him his name, as he has asked us not to. I am... Unsure what it is." her face clouded over like she was trying to remember something. "I supposed I knew it once, but I can no longer recall."

Jess pursed her lips. "Strange."

Feri shrugged. "It is the curse. The curse also prevents us from trading, It is the reason our technology is… flawed at best."

Jess wanted to press, but then the door opened and a clean Rose was ushered out by Kilana who was smiling and gesturing wildly.

Jess had accepted after two hours that there was no way they were being left alone long enough to escape. And Mistress Giloro took the keys every time she left. So even if Jess thought she could convince Feri (which probably wouldn't happen) to give them over, the maid couldn't. They were well and truly trapped.

And they were being watched. Jess cast a glance at Rose, who was sitting in the other chair as their maids (Holy fuck, they had been assigned maids? What sort of planet were they living on! Oh, right, not earth, What the fuck what-) started to style their hair. It was to be worked in the traditional way that the King had requested.

Rose looked more relaxed than Jess felt, but when she met Jess's eye the stress was evident. How the hell were they supposed to get out of there?

The rest of the day passed all too fast, and they had no time to plan, no time to even speak with one another that wasn't monitored by the watchful eyes of their maids. Jess was pretty sure, like... 70% sure that Feri wouldn't tell, but planning treason- probably high treason or some shit- directly in front of them would be pushing their luck.

Not that they had any luck.

It must not have been a new practice to put people's hair up for the maids because they had it done in record time. Soon she and Rose were both wearing long, flowing purple robe-like outer clothes, wth simple tunics and trousers under them. The under clothes may have been subtle, but the robe was anything but.

Jess had called it purple and it was, but that was hard to decipher beneath the gold trimming and the jewels that studded it. The stupid thing felt like it weighed eight hundred pounds.

The day was fast fading at this point and they still had no plan. Damn it all.

"Wait." Rose said suddenly, as the maids started to get out the jewelry. There are two crowns, or tiara, or something that looked like a headpiece, a large necklace, and other odd pieces Jess had no hope of recognizing. "Wait, wait, hold on!"

Kilana made a rapid sign with her hands that apparently Rose had figured out well enough to understand. It apparently meant go on, because Rose started talking.

"On our planet, it is customary for a bride's friends to help her put on her jewelry and veil. Will you allow us to do so now? It is a custom that I had always looked forward to."

Jess nodded, picking up on where Rose was going. "It is one of our most intimate and important traditions." Jess bit her lip. "Please let us have this?"

Feri looked like she wanted to protest- and that she might but Kilana was already smiling, motioning them towards the bathroom with one hand. Feri pursed her lips but put the jewelry back in the bag and handed it to Jess. "Be quick," she said. "It's almost time to go. And leave the door open."

Rose shot them a blinding smile and Jess nodded. When they reached the bathroom Rose took the bag. "Let me choose for you."

She pulled out one of the head pieces and placed it on Jess' head.

"Can't talk, but I have a plan," Rose murmured quietly in Jess's ear as she made a show of straightening it. "Just be ready to run..."

Jess nodded slightly. She didn't know what the plan could be, but Rose... she trusted Rose with this. If she had a plan, Jess would go along with it. She just wished she knew what it was.

They were escorted out of the tower with an entourage of guards so thick that they couldn't even see the town around them. Their maids trailed behind the entourage as Feri had explained they would. They were thankfully not separated and Jess took comfort in taking Rose's offered hand in her own as they walked. It was easy to hide in the folds of their flowing robes and gave Jess the courage she desperately needed not to cry. They would get out of this.

If Rose said she had a plan, she had a plan.

The town was loud. Despite being mostly blocked by the guards, Jess could tell that crowds lined the streets, cheering. Beneath her feet, she was starting to tread on strange petals and other small objects that might have been seeds which the crowd was throwing for them.

Jess glanced over at Rose but Rose was staring straight ahead. Her expression wasn't blank, not really. But Jess had no idea if the snippets of feelings showing through were from fear, anger, or some other emotion Jess couldn't identify.

The guards lead them to a dais where an official in a strange outfit stood next to the nameless king.

Jess gave Rose's hand one last squeeze and dropped it moving to grip her flowers. Whatever the hell Rose's plan was, she better be enacting it fast. The guards didn't part until they reached the steps.

They then dispersed around the edges of the dais, keeping the crowds back. Jess swallowed hard. Even if they were to run, she had no idea how they would get through the crowds of adoring citizens.

Jess gripped the flowers they had given her tighter, so that no one could see the shaking of her hands.

She wouldn't let the bastard see her scared.

There were two spots open, where they would obviously stand. Their maids then grabbed their skirts from behind and lifted the trains as they approached their designated spots. Jess felt bile rise in her throat as she passed the flowers to her maid, Rose doing the same, while Feri sent Jess a look that screamed, "Don't mess this up".

Jess hated to let her down, but not nearly as much as she hated to marry an alien.

They took their places across from the King, who looked deceptively human. He was handsome, in his own way, Jess thought distantly. His cheekbones were high but his eyes were a strange color and he looked thinner than Jess remembered. Now that he was no longer leering over them like a tyrant she could see he wasn't particularly strongly built or terrifying himself. No, it was the guards, the anger, and the sheer insanity that had been radiating off of him earlier that had been intimidating.

Without it, he looked like a tired young man.

His chin was still raised in a haughty lilt and Jess had little sympathy for the bastard who kidnapped her, but despite this could recognise that for someone who wasn't much older than her the lines ran deep in his face. That, and without the gleam of fucking insanity in his eyes, he didn't look quite so much like a jackass.

Still didn't mean she wanted to marry him though. And it didn't make her feel any less like throwing up, standing on the platform. The official started to drone on, but Jess tuned it out almost instantly. She was trying to scan the crowds from where she could see, hoping the Doctor would pop out, and some little irrational part of her (that she knew good and well was just a romantic fool) hoped to see Sam.

Sam, sweet Sam, who would kick this King's ass, swanning her away from here, taking her home so that she would marry him instead of this dude. But, Sam was on Earth. Looking for his dad, or maybe he was halfway home, wondering why she wasn't returning his calls, urging Dean to drive faster to check on her.

And she wouldn't be there.

Sure, the Doctor had a time machine, but if they'd killed him (a thought that Jess had hardly let herself think) or if it was years until she escaped, he would know. There could be no going back and it would devastate everyone, not just Sam.

Jess was ripped from her spiraling thoughts by the official asking if there were any objections from the Gods or the people as to why they couldn't get married.

Maybe if she puked they'd have to stop the wedding, objections or not, Jess thought hysterically. Maybe it could buy them time-

"I object."

The gasps that rippled throughout the crowd were nothing compared to the one Jess let out.

Rose. Rose had an objection, tilting her chin high and stubborn. She had crossed her arms and Jess felt faint. They were going to die because of this stupid fucking plan.

"Oh my God this was your plan?" Jess whispered harshly from the corner of her mouth. "This was- oh my God!"

Rose just cast her a look that screamed shut up, so Jess snapped her jaw shut, mostly on instinct because holy shit this was a terrible plan.

"You cannot object!" the King exclaimed, looking halfway… was that fear on the King's face? "She can't object, can she?"

"I can do whatever I want." Rose said haughtily. "Because marrying us, either of us, would be a mistake. See we aren't the girls of the prophecy."

Somehow the gasps of the crowd grew louder and Jess felt a little better. Maybe Rose wasn't just straight up objecting and hoping for the best.

"How would you two know-" the official said, but Rose cut him off.

"And we know who they really are. They are our maids, the ones standing right here behind us. Ferioi and Kilana are the two women of the prophecy."

"How could this be!" the King exclaimed "Are you sure? How would you even know?"

"This isn't true!" the official butted in," I-I am the keeper of the prophecy and of the court I- I know who the girls are and the ones from the prophecy must be from far off places. They are from here. You insolent girl, you two are the only maidens this planet has seen from elsewhere in years! It-it must be you two!"

"Oh shut it, Jimision is it?" Rose snapped, rolling her eyes. Jess was catching on, finally, and had found her voice, somewhere.

"Yeah, see, these two weren't actually born on this planet. They came here as children. One of the last families to move here I'd say. Bet you didn't pay them a bit of attention or know that because in your eyes they are only maids."

The official blubbered. Jess had no idea why he would need to know that, he was just spitballing off of Rose, who gave her a tiny grin.

"If you had paid attention to them, you may know that both of them have suffered, probably more than either of us have." Rose said, giving the man a wolflike smile that Jess was glad wasn't aimed at her. "See, Kilana's tongue was cut out a few years ago-" Gasps rippled across the crowd and even the guards started to shift uncomfortably and Jess noted that the official paled. God, that meant this was probably the bastard that had done it or at least ordered it done.

"Because she wasn't affected by the curse like everyone else. It wasn't really a curse, it was a drug- and she just so happened to be immune. Her friend is immune too, just kept her mouth shut about it after you had Kilana's tongue ripped out. She's also just a better actor."

Jimision, who was a strange shade of green now (and Jess meant that quite literally as his previous strange shade of green had gotten even stranger) scoffed and tried to look like he wasn't sweating profusely. "I never! These women are completely crazy! Insolent! They must- I never! Please, King, please believe me."

The King's face was hard and suddenly he looked like a ruler, not just a boy prince. "These are serious accusations. How do I know that you two- who have fought the union at every turn mind- can be trusted over my long time advisor and friend."

Jess was struck with a realization. "We can't prove it," she said. "But they can. These two girls... I would bet anything that this poison causes missing gaps in memory, large chunks. Only filled in by one man."

Rose nodded. "That would be true. Kilana can't speak, but she is very good at writing you know."

Jimision paled. "Treason! Guards seize them!" the guards started towards them and Jess' heart leapt into her throat. No! They were so close!

The King held a hand up. "Wait. Give them their chance."

"Feri," Jess called, "Kilana, come prove it. I would be anything you remember the King's real name, don't you."

Kilana looked nervous but smiled brightly and nodded. Feri looked horrified. She was rooted to the spot, and Jess could see her trembling.

Jess took a step towards them, and grasped Feri's hands. "Feri, you can do this," she said softly "You know that you are the only ones who can break the curse. That this isn't even a real curse. Please."

Kilana tapped Feri's shoulder and made a few rapid hand gestures then. Feri's wide grey eyes were brimming with tears. "I-I can't. Please, don't ask these things of me. I have- I have to protect Kilana."

"You can't save them by hiding it anymore," Rose chined in, stepping closer so that she could take Feri's hand. "You must be Kilana's voice."

"And your own," Jess said gently. "You can do this. You told me I had to do it- You have to do this. Please, for all of our lives."

Feri was crying now and Kilana was bouncing on the balls of her feet, making a sign that Jess was pretty sure meant please.

"Okay," Ferioi said after a moment, "Okay, I will."

Jess released her hand and stepped back. Rose was beside her in a moment and the two girls were standing hand in hand in front of the king and the oficial who looked like he was ready to burst at any moment.

When Ferioi speaks again her voice is no longer a frightened whisper, it is strong and clear- the voice of a queen. "My name is Ferioi Galant. This is my best friend Kalana Evirant. We know the name of the King. She cannot speak- that was taken from her. "

Feri swallowed hard. "No one remembers, least of all the King, but I knew him as a child. We were... friends. The three of us. Now only I can speak of it. A time when we all know the King as a prince. As Prince Striliand. Now he is King Striliand."

Jimision paled. "No," he muttered. "She is wrong- that isn't-"

"Be quiet," the King roared, suddenly far more angry than Jess had seen him. Jess flinched, wishing that she could sink into the crowd, rather than stand on the dais while all this went down. She glanced at Rose, who looked rather happy, considering the fact they were still stuck on the dais and had yet to see the Doctor. "I-I remember."

Official Jimision gasped. "No! Sire, you can't remember! That is impossible."

"What, as impossible as ordering the water supply for the city be drugged." Rose shouted, her tone icy. Jess suppressed a smirk. The asshat deserved everything coming to him, if that was true. And she'd bet anything he had something to do with their kidnapping. "And keeping the antidote for yourself only. As impossible as inventing a prophecy to keep the King under your thumb, or making him seem insane so that when he died without an heir, you could take over?"

Jimision shook his head. "Preposterous! I would never do such a thing!"

"But you did." Feri snapped "You did! I remember it happening! You killed the priestess first- my mother saw you and you got rid of her, but not before she told me. I tried to tell Striliand, but before I could you had poisoned the water and invented a curse. No one could remember his name, or anything from the last few years, throwing our technology back years. You destroyed lives, and when Kilana and I realized what you'd done, she was braver than I and spoke up. And you ripped out her tongue out for it."

"You... you killed my father," the King said. He said it quietly so that no one but the people on the platform could hear. The crowd was rather rowdy now anyway, yelling and shuffling, trying to understand what was going on. Jess gathered that they suddenly all remembered too, from the looks on their faces and their shouting. Jess was mostly relieved that she was no longer marrying the prince, though he did seem far more stable now that he had earlier.

The King- Striliand- seemed to tremble as he gave the order. "Guards! Seize him! Remove him from my sight! The rest of you try to disperse the crowds." He turned to the girls as the guards seized a fuming Jimision from the stage, sticking him with a dart. Jess couldn't help but feel a sharp pang of satisfaction at that. Bastard. The guards started trying to push the crowds back but they weren't having much luck. They were still loud and confused, not that Jess blamed them. She wasn't sure what was going on either.

"We.. We have much to discuss," the King said. "I- We truly do, but for now-"

"I object! Stop the wedding! Stop it now!" someone yelled loudly- somehow managing to project over the crowd as they pushed towards the guards. "Stop!"

Jess knew that voice. She knew it. Her heart soared in relief and a weight was lifted off her shoulders. During the confusion they wanted to interrupt and ask, but clearly the Doctor was alive and alright. And making one hell of an entrance. She ignored the King's look of confusion as she bust out laughing (if it was a bit hysteric, because holy shit she'd had a wild few days, so be it. Leave her alone). Rose joined her a moment later, as the Doctor pushed through the guards, pointing his sonic around, looking disheveled and dirty. "I said stop the wedding- wait, what's happening?" He had finally seen Rose and Jess (Jess was still laughing, trying not to look like a fool, but oh my God, he had either the best timing in the world, or the worst. Jess wasn't sure).

The guards grabbed him but the King held up a hand. "Wait!" he said. "Leave him."

The guards frowned but released the Doctor who shook himself, looking rather offended at being manhandled. He glanced warily at them before stepping forward to address the King. "Thanks for not having me banished again. Rose! Jess! Are you two alright?"

"Fine, Doctor," Rose called. "We were just about to leave, right, Striliand?"

Jess glanced back at the King. He was going to let them leave, right? He would have no reason to keep them now that he had his prophecy girls, though the prophecy wasn't even real-

The King smiled- a real smile, Jess noted. The crazed look in his eyes was gone. Somehow, remembering had broken whatever poison or mind control his advisor had put him under.

"Of course. You two... I am so sorry. I was... I haven't been myself for a long time. I didn't mean to take you from him. And I am sorry for the grief I caused you, doctor. These two women saved my life and my people, from myself, and I am grateful. Thank you."

The Doctor was confused, that much was obvious, but seemed to recognise he wasn't going to get any answers here. "Rose is brilliant, isn't she," he agreed amiably instead. "Jess too for that matter." But his curiosity got the better of him and he made another vain attempt to find out what was going on. "What is happening here?"

Rose laughed, brushing off the Doctor's question. "We were glad that we could help."

"Is there anything I can do for you? To repay you? Or some remedy I can offer?"

("Still confused," the Doctor whined. Everyone ignored him.)

"Just let us go. Treat your people well. Prosper." Rose said with a grin. "I just want to sleep in my own bed."

"Oh!'' Jess said, "All of that, but also, make sure the bastard official of yours gets what he deserves."

"He will," the King said sincerely, though there was a sharp edge to his words. "Not to worry. And if there is nothing else I can do, please take the jewels then, as a repayment. And a guard will escort you to the gates. I cannot thank you enough."

"You're welcome," Jess said, then looked at the Doctor (who was still pouting a bit over being left out) and Rose. "I'm ready to leave, how about you?"

"Oh my God, so ready," Rose said and hopped off the dais with the help of the Doctor. She grinned at him (the Doctor was staring at her like she was the most precious thing ever) and Jess shook her head. They were so in love it was almost enough to make Jess squeal. Almost. ... "Let's get out of here."

"I still want to know what happened," the Doctor added as they muddled through the crowds, even as the guard tried to part them.

"We will tell you all about it later, I promise," Rose responded.

"Yeah, it's a hell of a story and I think we're all going to need a drink before telling it," Jess said. As they crested the hill just outside the gates, Jess could see the TARDIS and something in her chest eased.

They were going to be alright.