A/N – Surprise! Our mountain retreat happens to have internet connection, so I can post this earlier than expected. Bad news is that hubby's been sick since we got here, so we're cutting our stay short.
Chocolate chip cookies all around to my reviewers! Your encouragement makes my day!
You know the drill from here. Don't own 'em. That's the BBC's privilege.
Hold On To Life
By
Lariel Romeniel
Chapter Five – Blessings and Banana Daiquiris
The Doctor grasped Rose's hand firmly to reassure her. "We come in peace, Keeper," he said calmly. The Keeper smiled.
"That I already knew, John Smith," he answered. "All those of evil intent are calcified into melkur as soon as they arrive on Traken. You come in peace, but you bring something that will change our world. I do not know what it is."
"Tremas told me…" Rose piped up, then stopped herself, flushing. The Keeper inclined his head toward her, and said, "Tremas is a very perceptive man, which is why I have selected him as a Consul. What did he tell you, child?"
She was blushing furiously. The Doctor looked at her in concern; whatever they'd talked about, Rose apparently considered it very personal.
"Tremas told me that your people are afraid to show feelings. Like love," she stammered, refusing to look towards the Doctor. "He said we could show those stuffy aristocrats a bit of warmth."
"Indeed?" the Keeper mused. "I have often wondered whether our courtly ways and customs have become stifling. Another reason I selected Tremas. Traken must change, and I intend him to be part of that change. And now I believe I understand why you are here, Time Lord. You also are an instrument of that change."
The Doctor gaped at him. "Keeper, you understand that I have not told anyone who I am," he said in a low tone. "I have good reasons for that."
The Keeper nodded. "Have no fears, Time Lord. While the Source has given me the knowledge of you and your TARDIS, that knowledge will not leave this chamber. No one can hear anything we have said. As far as my people know, you are John Smith and Lady Rose, guests of Consul Nominate Tremas. Who is now awaiting my Blessing and confirmation, I see."
The gates of the Keeper's chamber opened again. The Doctor and Rose bowed one more time and backed out. Tremas looked at them a little oddly. "Nothing to worry about, Tremas," the Doctor told him. "Just a little conversation with the Keeper. I think he's waiting for you."
The Doctor led Rose aside, out of the way. Tremas and Larana approached the chamber, with Nyssa toddling between them. They knelt before the Keeper. "People of Traken!" the Keeper announced. "It pleases me to welcome Tremas as one of my five true Consuls. May he long serve with wisdom and compassion. Lady Larana, share your wisdom with him for as long as you can. And may Nyssa bring you both joy. With this, I confirm Tremas, no longer Consul-Nominate, but now Consul in full, with all the rights, responsibilities and privileges of that office."
Tremas and his wife stood and turned to the applause of the crowd, then went to accept the congratulations of their new peers. Rose tugged at the Doctor's arm to get his attention. During the Blessing, she'd noticed the definite expression of the Doctor working out a puzzle. "Is everything all right?"
He jerked out of his reverie. "All right? Oh, yes, Rose. I think I just figured out something that's been bothering me for centuries." She tilted her head, indicating for him to continue. Glancing around, he took her hand and started walking her away from the crowd toward a sculpted fountain, which he then pretended to study as he went on in a murmur, "I'd wondered how the Keeper managed to materialize inside the TARDIS to invite me here before." He chuckled. "I had Adric searching with me through reams of dusty old time logs, trying to figure out whether I'd visited Traken before! Now I know what I didn't know then. I did!" He beamed at her. "Now, tell me about your talk with Tremas on the way over here. You seemed quite cozy."
"Oh, you think so?"
"Yeah."
"As it happens, we were talking about you. Now don't go getting all puffed up! Tremas says you're right about the par- par…" she huffed, and got it out, "particulate activity! He was very interested to know that you're a scientist."
"And he thinks that we can show the stuffy aristocrats a bit of warmth, eh?" he asked, watching her carefully. She blushed and averted her eyes. "Yeah. Just…'cause of the way we are."
"And what way is that?" he asked softly, knowing the answer but wanting to hear what she would say. She held up their entwined hands. "This. Doesn't seem to be too common here," she said, indicating the people surrounding them. He looked around and noticed that physical contact seemed to be very rare.
"They do seem like a cold lot, don't they? I know a way we can start warming them up! Banana daiquiris!"
Rose gave him a warning look. "You didn't!"
"Rose, I've told you before. Never go to a party without a banana!" With a flourish, he produced a banana from the pocket inside his coat. "Come on, Rose! The Keeper said I was bringing something to change this world. Banana daiquiris and the conga should just do it!"
With one of his madcap grins, he began to pull her back toward the crowd. Moving quickly, Rose reached out, plucked the banana out of his hand and tossed it over her shoulder into the fountain.
He stared after it like she'd broken his favorite toy.
"This world is not ready for congas and banana daiquiris," Rose told him firmly. She patted his coat front to make sure there were no more bananas in there. "Besides, you didn't bring nearly enough to share. That's bad manners. Come on." Now it was her turn to start pulling him back. With a sigh and a last backwards glance at the fountain, he followed.
They rejoined Tremas and Larana at the foot of the grand staircase, where they were just bidding their daughter and Kassia good night. In the sweet voice used by mothers around the universe, Larana said, "Nyssa, wave goodbye to our guests."
The Doctor waggled his fingers in front of the little girl, who caught them firmly. He chuckled as he tried to extract them. "Oh, you're a strong little one, aren't you? Stay that way, Nyssa. Stay that way always." Nyssa released his hand and put her two middle fingers into her mouth, laying her head on Kassia's shoulder.
"Sweet little thing is tired," Rose cooed. "Sleep well."
As Kassia left them, Larana turned to Rose. "Lady Rose, some of the other ladies here are quite keen to make your acquaintance. Please, walk with me."
Rose looked at the Doctor. "Go on, dearest," he urged. "I'll be just fine here with Tremas."
He watched the two women go off into the crowd. Next to the darkly dressed women of Traken, Rose glowed golden. But the Doctor noticed something else. Set against other women of her age and rank, Larana looked fragile, pale to the point of translucence. Tremas interrupted his scrutiny.
"John Smith..."
"Just John, please." Tremas nodded in assent.
"John. You do know you're a very lucky man. Rose is a treasure."
The Doctor smiled. "Nothing like her in a million star systems," he said. "Tremas, may I ask you a question?"
"Ask."
"Your wife. She doesn't look well."
Tremas glanced at him with a wistful expression. "She is not well, John. She is dying."
