~revised~

Chapter V

Mira

It was a beautiful estate indeed. And even though she normally had a thing for these kinds of buildings, she couldn't quite appreciate it just now. She was still thinking about what the Doctor had said. Timelord. She really had never heard of them. And she had met a lot of alien species in her life. Apart from that that she had no doubts that if a species like this existed in her universe they would have crossed paths with them already. Humanity had been getting around too much and had mingled with cosmic events way to often to just overlook a lot like his.

Was he really able to see time? It had touched her more than she liked it right now. She really needed talk to him, tell him about the strange feeling she had when she thought about finding a way back home or not. About the sense of indecisiveness she was having. Maybe he even knew something about the things to come in this particular case? After all he just said he knew what would happen and what shouldn't. If not he probably might be able to give her some answers about time as such. There were a lot they had worked out in her universe, but it had left them with even more unanswered questions – not to mention her particular skills regarding that topic.

But, focusing again at the things at hand, something was wrong here at this house which had been introduced as Torchwood Estate. Seriously wrong. She could feel it. Like a wall of deceit and distrust surrounding the property. Was it meant to be that way? Or was it just because they had stumbled into events they shouldn't be a part of? She really needed to talk to the Doctor about that too. In private.

"She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It was her or the Elephant Man, so...," the Doctor explained Rose's nakedness once more, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Thinks he's funny but I'm so not amused,", Rose addressed the queen, making another attempt at winning her bet, making Mira smile.

She envied Rose somehow, but not in a bad way. Envied her youth and her light-heartedness. She almost couldn't remember when she herself had been like that. Had she ever been like that at all? Of course, she still could be childish like hell, most of all together with her old friend Gucky. But yet it was different. Childish, yes, but she had lost that innocent light-heartedness.

"What do you think, Ma'am?" Rose continued.

"It hardly matters. Shall we proceed?"

They were about to make it towards the house, with Rose whispering to the Doctor. "So close."

The Doctor on the other hand took interest in a small wooden box that was brought out of the carriage.

"What's in there, then?" he asked.

"Property of the Crown. You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir," Captain Reynold answered. From the frown on the Doctor's face one could clearly tell that he wasn't satisfied at all with that answer.

...

After that, the Queen was given a tour through the house on which they all followed to finally end up in a rather impressive observatory.

She had tried to tell the Doctor that something was going on, but to no avail. They hadn't been alone and every attempt she had made to whisper something to him had failed. He on the other hand most likely had noticed that there was something going on, but didn't bother to much.

She took a look around the room. The ceiling consisted of a huge glass-dome, letting in the soft evening light. A model of the solar system was standing in one corner and a few spheres were hanging from the beams supporting the dome, but the most impressive thing in there was a gigantic telescope.

"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour," the Queen said.

Mira just looked at the large telescope in amazement. It was really beautiful.

"All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession - he spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself," Sir Roberts said.

"I wish I'd met him, I like him. That thing's beautiful - can I um...?" the Doctor said, as thrilled as Mira felt about it.

"Help yourself."

All three of them were now examining the telescope. It was an excellent piece of handy-work, she had to admit.

"What did he model it on?" the Doctor asked.

"I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little... shall we say, eccentric. I wish now I'd spent more time with him. And listened to his stories," Sir Robert answered.

In the meantime, the Doctor had taken a look through it.

"It's a bit rubbish," he said, making her almost jump.

Excuse me, she though. Nevertheless, she took a look herself, standing next to him. Well... Rubbish was probably a bit harsh, but...

"How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top, that's stupid kind of a...," he suddenly stopped, before adding to Rose, more quietly: "Am I being rude again?" he said.

"Yep," Rose replied.

"But it really has a lot of prisms," Mira couldn't help herself but had to point it out as well.

She was still standing next to the Doctor, both of them peering into the refractor now.

"Either that, or you should put it up a mountain," she continued. "A really high one. Because, considering our height above the main sea level, the density of the atmosphere here and the atmospheric disturbances due to that, you won't ever get any sharp im-"

Whilst she had been speaking the Doctor was nodding in consent. She suddenly stopped as Rose cleared her throat, and both their heads flew around with a look of guilt on their faces, as if caught with their hands still in the cookie jar.

"But it's pretty! It's very... pretty," the Doctor hurried to say.

"Yes. It really is," Mira fell in, grinning awkwardly.

Oops. Did they already know about atmosphere? They still were believing in some ether-theory, weren't they? At least in her own universe at that time they clearly were.

"And the imagination of it should be applauded," the Queen said.

"Mm! Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty. Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful?" Rose was obviously starting another attempt. "You could easily... not be amused, or something...? No?"

"This device surveys the infinite work of God,", the Queen answered in all possible dignity.

The Doctor was just shaking his head at Rose with a slight smile.

"What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath. Steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales," the Queen continued.

"Stars and magic. I like him more and more," the Doctor replied cheerfully whilst observing the telescope further.

"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company," the Queen answered, before she said to Rose: "Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."

"That's Bavaria," Mira whispered to Rose, because she didn't seem to know that. "Germany."

"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported.", the Queen said to Roberts now.

"So, what's this wolf, then?", asked the Doctor seemingly interested.

"It's just a story," Sir Robert answered, trying to avoid the topic.

"Then tell it," the Doctor insisted.

There it was again as Sir Robert shot a quick glance at the men from the household staff. That feeling that they were hiding something.

"It's said that...," Sir Robert continued uncomfortably, before Mira had any chance to pull the Doctor aside.

"Excuse me, sir. Perhaps her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark," he was interrupted by the servant.

"Of course. Yes, of course," Sir Robert answered.

"And then supper. And... could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness.", the Queen said slightly annoyed, giving Rose another chance.

"It's not amusing, is it?" Rose said.

Although it was in vain as the Queen chose to ignore it. Mira just shook her head with a grin on her face. She really was persistent.

"Sir Robert, your wife must've left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven. And talk some more of this wolf. After all... there is a full moon tonight," the Queen said.

"So there is, Ma'am," he replied, bowed to the Queen. Immediately after that, they all left the room and headed straight for the dining room. No more chance to talk to the Doctor.


The Doctor

They were all sitting in the dining room around a large table. It was a nice, cosy room, dimly lit with candles and outside the great windows just darkness and the full moon.

All except for Rose. The man from the household staff had just excused her.

"Your companion begs an apology, Doctor. Her clothing has somewhat delayed her."

"Oh, that's all right. Save her a wee bit of ham," he replied airily.

"The feral child could probably eat it raw," Queen Victoria replied, causing Captain Reynolds to laugh – quite exaggeratedly.

"Very wise, Ma'am! Very witty!" he said

"Slightly witty, perhaps. I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited... I shall contain my wit in case I do you further injury," the Queen said, seemingly not very amused now.

But she carried herself well, he had to give her that.

"Yes, Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am," the Captain said, obviously embarrassed.

"So, maybe you might tell us now a bit about this island of Terrania. Where women are dressed rather unusually and seem to be so much into science," the Queen now turned to Mira.

He also turned to her as he waited for her to answer. He was interested in where she was from as well. And interested how she would tell it, considering the time they were at.

"As said, it is just a rather small island," she started, looking at the table in front of her. "There is mainly one big city, the city of Terrania. It is a beautiful city. A lot of high buildings and towers. Wide streets, even suspended high up in the air. All buildings are made of white stone with silver rooftops. In between them are a lot of parks with lakes and small streams. It is also called the White City. But when the sun sets it is bathed in red, glowing light, reflected by the rooftops and the white walls...," her voice trailed off, and for a moment he could see an incredibly forlorn expression on her face, before she gathered herself and looked at the Queen again.

"It really sounds beautiful indeed," the Queen answered politely interested and with a hint of well covered disbelief. Not covered well enough for him, though. "You are planing on returning there?" she added.

"I... Yes. Of course. It is my home."

He felt a sudden rush of compassion for her. He knew exactly what it meant to long for something, something that was gone forever. It didn't matter if it all was technically still there as she would never see it again. Neither that place called Terrania, nor any of her friends or family. She herself might still have hope, but he was almost certain that she would never make it back. The universes were practically sealed of. It was just a strange and almost impossible coincidence that had brought her here in the first place. He really had to talk to her about that. It wasn't about giving up. It was merely about facing the facts.

"Anyway," Mira said and turned to Sir Robert as the silence was about to grow awkward, "Sir Robert! You promised us a tale of nightmares."

"Indeed. Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction," the Queen fell in.

"You must miss him," the Doctor suddenly couldn't help himself saying and looked intensely at the Queen. That dinner turned out to be rather intense, something he hadn't expected at all. Now here he was. Sitting at that table with all these humans who had experienced so much loss and grief of their own. They were so different from him and yet he felt so united with them in these feelings.

"Very much," the Queen answered sadly and remained silent for a moment as if thinking about someone. "Oh, completely. And that's the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills, that's just for children, but the... hope of some contact with the great beyond. We all want some message from that place... it's the Creator's greatest mystery that we are allowed no such consolation. The dead stay silent. And we must wait."

The Queen shook herself out of her brooding mood and he caught Mira's gaze for a moment. Her facial expression had completely changed. There was a sudden softness and tenderness in her features and a deep, all-embracing sadness in her eyes. Almost as if it was a reflection of his own pain. He knew that this most likely wasn't the case, because she had told him that she couldn't sense his emotions. But instead everyone else's at this table, which was probably more than enough right now. And he also wondered how many people she had lost in her life. Who she was thinking of right now.

"Come! Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters!" the Queen finally broke the silence that had threatened to overwhelm them all.

"The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. The next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and... devoured," he started telling, until he was interrupted by Reynolds.

"Tales like this just disguise the work of thieves. Steal a sheep and blame a wolf, simple as that."

The Queen shot him an irritated glance.

"But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation. A boy will vanish from his homestead," Robert continued.

"Are there descriptions of the creature?" the Doctor asked.

There had always been a hint of truth in every tale, and now he was quite intrigued.

"Oh yes, Doctor. Drawings and woodcarvings. And it's not merely a wolf. It's more than that. This is a man who becomes an animal."

"A werewolf?" the Doctor asked.

"My father didn't treat it as a story. He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast - to have learned its purpose." After a short pause he added regretfully, "I should've listened." He now seemed somehow nervous. "His work was hindered - he made enemies. There's a Monastery in the Glen of Saint Catherine. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations."

"Perhaps they thought his work ungodly," the Queen said.

"That's what I thought. But now I wonder... what if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet? What if they turned from God and worshipped the wolf?"

The Doctor was only halfway listening now. The weird wiry man from the household staff was standing by the window and chanting in Latin – lupus deus est – over and over again. Then it finally dawned on him.

"And what if they were with us right now?" he asked.

Suddenly chaos broke out, as if everyone just realised what was going on. Or at least that there was something going on at all.


Mira

There it was. The thing she had tried to tell the Doctor about all along.

"What is the meaning of this?",the Queen demanded to know, whilst Reynolds suddenly pointed a gun at Robert.

"Explain yourself, Sir Robert!" he shouted.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife," Robert tried to explain himself, but was suddenly interrupted by the Doctor.

"Rose! Where's Rose? Where is she?!" he was now shouting as well.

The weird man from the household staff still continued his chanting. The Doctor didn't seem to care, for he took the hand of Sir Robert and dragged him out of the room. All of a sudden, Mira was left with this strange man, Reynolds and the Queen. For a brief moment she considered following the Doctor, but then decided against it. The situation in here was about to escalate, and maybe she could still prevent that.

"Tell me, sir. I demand to know your intention!" Reynolds shouted at the man from the household staff, but he just kept on chanting.

"What is it you want?" he tried it again, now pointing his gun at him.

Not good.

She could sense his nervousness, how confused he was. Now the weird man stopped chanting and turned to Reynolds. "The throne," he said, and out of nowhere, he wrenched Reynolds gun aside and knocked him out. He didn't even bother to to pick up the weapon. For a moment, no one moved.

Seriously? You did not just stand there within his reach, not expecting that he would assault you, she thought. Beginners mistake.

She looked down at poor Reynolds and the over to the Queen.

"With all due respect, Ma'am, but you really should choose your guards more carefully," she remarked dryly.

The Queen looked at her with an incomprehensible expression, then asked the man: "I take it, sir, that you halted my train to bring me here?"

"We have waited so long for one of your journeys to coincide with the moon," he answered, totally not feeling threatened at all by the presence of the two women in an almost offensive way.

"Then you have waited in vain. After six attempts on my life..."

"Yeah, after that you really should have known better when it comes to your guards," Mira repeated herself.

She finally had enough. There really wasn't time for that, and now the Queen was even searching for something in her purse, finally coming up with a gun.

Not really.

In a sudden and fluent movement Mira herself charged at the man. He didn't see it coming. He reacted really fast after realising what was going on, she had to give him that, but that didn't help him. She turned around the arm he had lifted to hit her, causing him to yell in pain. After a quick blow to his neck he collapsed unconscious on the floor.

The Queen still had the gun in her hand, now pointing it at the unconscious man lying to her feet. Mira's head was spinning as she tried to figure out the situation. Was that supposed to happen? The Queen killing this man? And what if she saved him now? He was taken out, there was no need for doing any further harm. It could still be corrected, but that would now be cold blooded murder. And she just couldn't let that happen, no matter what. Above all, they had already intervened too much.

"Put the gun away, Ma'am," she said quietly to the Queen.

"Who do you think you are, child?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. I won't let you murder this man."

"He was trying to assassi..."

"Maybe. You don't know that. Besides, he is not a threat right now. That would be murder. Have you ever killed with your own hands? A defenceless man for that?" Mira replied, looking directly into the Queen's eyes. "Trust me, you don't want to live with that," she continued as the Queen remained silent, the gun slightly shaking in her hand. "Now put the gun away. And then we'll get out of here. I will protect you, I promise."

After another moment of thought the Queen finally obeyed.

"I have seen what you are capable of. I think it really doesn't matter who you are right now," she said, just for the sake of saying anything at all and to get a little control over the situation back. Mira sighed in relief. She knew she could be quite convincing, a thing she had from her father. Or maybe it was due to all her years of experience, or a bit of both. Though it was definitely easer when people knew who she was.

"Good. Then let's go and search for the Doctor."

And Rose.

"I have to get something first," the Queen said, as she had put the gun back into her purse.

"What? I don't think..."

"It is important," the Queen said relentlessly.

"Fine."

She felt that she couldn't convince the Queen, so she gave in. No need for further discussions.

For a moment she considered taking the gun that the monk had taken from Reynolds, but decided against it. It was an old thing, she wasn't sure if she was able to hit anything with it, because the energy-weapons she was used to didn't recoil. Plus, that old thing didn't have that much ammunition. Instead she went for a sword that was in a weapon-rack on the wall. It wasn't merely decoration despite the fact that its sharpest days were clearly over. It was well balanced, not too heavy, the grip was long enough so that she could hold it with both hands, and even a relatively blunt sword could inflict more than enough damage.

She shot a last glance at Reynold and the monk. There was no time to separate them, or even to shackle them. So she could just hope that the monk would either wake up after Reynold or at least not kill him if waking up first.


So, that was Chapter V. I hoped you liked it as much as I liked writing it. The scene at dinner was one of my favourite scenes in this episode :-)