KITG: here is the epilogue to Guardians. The next installment will be called "Guardian to Gallifrey" I'll give you a little prequel in here. So here is the last bit.

Epilogue

The wind blew through the orchard, heavy laden with petals and the scent of apples. Above birds called and circled in their dance of life. He basked in the bright sunlight, letting the warmth permeate his very being. Around him he could hear the laughter of the orphans. They had arrived at the large manor; Mizariah had run to the door all excitement. Her grandmother had answered and nearly fainted. Seems Mizariah was the spitting image of her mother. Her grandfather had come running round to see what the commotion was. Turns out he was a Doctor, and a quick DNA test later proved that she was related to them. After that they were ecstatic. She had been lost to them for so long with her mother.

Galen stood back and let them get on with it; the other orphans clung to him in fear. Tim had a death grip on his robe.

"Mokie"

"Hum?" he kneeled down so he could look at Tim.

"Is Miz going to leave us?" the little one asked, his lip quivering

"No little one. You just watch. You may be surprised" he looked up with a smile as he saw Mizariah walking up with her grandparents.

"Hey everyone. These are my grandparents."

"Hello" came the reply from many scared mouths

"Mizariah tells us you are all alone. Well we are alone as well. And have such a big home. Would you like to stay with us?" Galen stepped back with a smile, as the children stood gob smacked a moment. Then cried out with glee as they ran to their new family.

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The grandparents made a big dinner that they ate out under the summer sun, which led Galen to stand in the orchard while the kids played. Ironic now, they played and still he was with trees. He never really had such an affinity with them before. But seems now he would be near one. The Doctor, Jack and Rose were messing about, but Galen could see the need to leave in the Doctors eyes, to return to Gallifrey. Finally the evening came and the time to leave. He heard Mizariah approach him, could feel her fear and sorrow.

"Galen" he turned, lowering the hood he had put up out of habit.

"What happened to Mokie?" he asked with a smile.

"I know you have to go, but promise me you'll visit" he looked at her. And then looked back to the sky. He did not intend to live after he had restored Gallifrey. He was so tired, and had no desire to be anyone's pet anymore. Time Lords included.

"I knew it" Galen snapped his head back to look at her; she had tears running from her eyes. "Once you've helped him out, you're…….You're going to let yourself die aren't you?" she sobbed, Galen looked up to see everyone was looking at them. He met the shocked blue of the Doctors. Seems he hadn't even entertained the thought that when Galen had fulfilled his promise he would lay down and die.

"You don't have to die, it wasn't your fault! It was them, who ever they were! Please…" she looked straight at him "please Galen, this could be your home."

"Please Mokie, don't go" all the children were round him now. He kneeled down before them. They all grabbed hold of him, Mizariah with her arms around his neck and he hugged her close as he was lost beneath the sobbing children.

"You don't need me to look after you anymore. You can look after yourselves." He replied.

"Please Galen…." Mizariah pleaded once more. Galen sighed. Would it be so hard to continue living? And he knew now that now the Doctor knew his intention he would not be able to die easy.

"I promise" he said finally, Mizariah stepped back to look at him.

"How can I believe you?" he looked at her a moment. Then from around his neck he brought the seal of his family. A dragon silhouetted in a red sun.

"I swear by the blood of my race, and the seal of my people that I will come and check up on you all. And also with this, you will be able to call me ok?" she looked doubtful a moment. Then she turned to the Doctor.

"Doctor, will he keep it?" Galen looked to the Doctor.

"He will, for that is what he swore upon to my people. That pledge is not to be taken lightly." She turned back to Galen and kissed him on the cheek as she placed the pendent round her neck.

"Take care Mokie."

"I will" he started to walk towards the Doctor, Who was now stood before the TARDIS.

Jack, Rose, The Doctor and with a final look to the kids, Galen walked into the TARDIS.

The groaning wheeze that heralded the TARDIS departure started up as the light atop began to flash. And with a final wave the children bid farewell to their protector.

KITG: well that is the end to guardians of the Time lords. Look out for the next in the series. "Guardian To Gallifrey" to give you an idea what to look forward to. Here's the taster.

Cold clinical room, sterile and imposing as her eyes opened. Here and there she could see the strange Gallifreyian text. The signs an posters proclaiming things she knew not. Was she still upon Gallifrey? She looked down at the prick of pain to see one of the Doctors race injecting her. Where was the Doctor? Where was she?

"Doctor?" she called out but the man just looked on as if she was some sort of prize, something to study

Rose's vision blurred as he moved out of her view, to return with something she did not like the look of. As darkness descended and the fear increased she heard him talk.

"Now primitive ape. How is it you wielded the Time-Vortex? Lets us see what you are made of"………….