Ch 34

The page boy had been waiting anxiously down the hall for River, puffing up his chest when she finally approached.

"Did you do as I asked?" River asked quietly.

He nodded. "The man is talking nonsense and keeps asking for you."

She sighed, "I'll see to it that he's put in his place. Tell no one of this, and I'll give you a handsome reward for your troubles." She smiled, "If anyone asks, I went to the village to see the midwife."

He nodded again and lead her to the servants quarters. She followed him, giving him a few gold coins as a reward once they arrived, the halls that they traveled through were empty. She opened the door to the room the Doctor had been locked in, relocking it behind her before turning around.

He was tied up in a chair, looking very miffed, but also pleased to see her. "River!"

She walked over to him, untying the bonds, "You need to go home, now."

"Wot? Why? River, can you please untie me and explain what's going on? People keep telling me I have no right to be here and that you're the queen." He said all in one breath.

"Doctor," She knelt down in front of him, touching his cheek. "I may have told a bit of a lie and I'll gladly explain it when you're out of danger. Now please, before you get us both killed, go back to the TARDIS."

"River I'm not leaving y-" He stopped, face falling. "Are those... what's on your neck." There was obviously a lot more hurt in his tone now.

"Please..." She murmured, "I'll explain later, but I promise it's not what you think it is. Now I need you to leave before you get us both killed."

"Give me at least something, please." He searched her face, not giving in.

"I can't explain this without having to explain everything else." She whispered, "I just need you to trust me now, can you do that?"

"You have hickeys on your neck from someone else and people here who say you're married to someone. I'm going to need a little more than your word." He managed.

"Well, I didn't have sex with anyone if that's what you're implying. Explaining it now would only put me in danger, so if you'd rather be informed than have me be safe then I'll explain." She was trying to be gentle.

"I... I want to you be safe." He muttered. "You'd be safe if you left with me now. How do you intend to get out of here? "

"I can't leave now. I have to stay, and I'll have no trouble leaving if I do. It's you that I'm worried about. I should never have asked you to come with me." She kept her voice very very low so only he could hear, "Please, Doctor. Just this once, trust me and leave."

He stared us at her, thinking maybe she was being threatened. "If I was in danger, would you leave me if I asked it of you?"

"Only if my presence was the thing putting you in danger."

He finally gave a small, sad nod. "They took my things."

"I'll get them back for you and bring them with me when I come home." She whispered, kissing him softly, "I love you." She pulled her vortex manipulator out of the folds of her skirt. "Use this and go back to the flat."

She went to the door, making sure the coast was clear as the VM wasn't very quiet. Luckily the halls were clear and she gave him the signal that he could go. "I'll be back before dinner, promise." She blew him a kiss, and left the room, not wanting to risk getting caught a moment longer.

In the halls, the pager boy ran into her again, though it wasn't by accident. "Your majesty, the King is searching for you. You must run to the town before he knows you're still here."

"Oh, thank you!" River breathed, fastening her pace.

Running into the village, she slipped into the midwife's home as discreetly as possible. The midwife had made an agreement long ago with River; she always went along with her schemes even if she didn't know what they were about.

Currently, the midwife was stalling several guards and the King at the door. River slipped through the back door, fixing herself as she listened to the midwife thank the King yet again for the honor of being the royal midwife.

Getting ready to put on another act, River grabbed a handkerchief off the table, dabbing at her eyes as she stood for the King when he finally barged in. "Oh! Your highness." River curtsied, "I wasn't expecting you to come so soon."

He looked her up and down. "Is there any new about the heir?"

"He's in perfect health according to our lovely midwife." She added a sniffle to the end of her statement, dabbing at her eyes again and giving him a sad smile.

"Why are you so tearful, wife. That is good news." He frowned.

She shook her head, "Of course it is. I'm very pleased. My tears have nothing to do with our child, and you shouldn't trouble yourself with them."

"I will trouble myself with what I want. Explain yourself." He insisted.

"I simply feel horrible for making you so cross with me. All I want is to be a good wife for you. I often fear that I don't deserve you." She turned her face away from him, trying to imitate crying.

He pondered over this a bit, The King was not easily forgiving, but he did often soak up any groveling and River's tears, in particular, seemed to hit some sort of soft spot. "You had much too much freedom in your previous marriage, you are still adjusting to a proper and more civilized place." He seemed to think this counted as accepting her apology.

"I do hope this won't change how you feel about me." She looked up at him, eyes sparkling with tears she'd forced.

"No," He shook his head. "You've clearly seen your wrongs. And what man and wife don't have a row now and then?"

"Oh, thank you, darling." She murmured, kissed his hand, kneeling for him.

He chest puffed up for a moment before he realized and shook his head. "Do not kneel, wife. That is for the people to do."

"Of course darling."

She was about to stand when a kick from Terra sent her back to her knees. Her hand flew to her belly in surprise. Both the King and the midwife looked worried, the latter going to River's side. "I'm alright." She murmured, though accepted the help up.

"Is there a problem?" The King demanded as the midwife made River sit down.

"No, darling. I'm fine." River tried to assure, glancing at the midwife.

"Sir, I recommend you return to the castle. I was not finished with my examination."

River stretched her hand out to her husband, "I'll see you soon."

He squeezed her hand looking over the two with concern before leaving.

They waited and watched the door shut. "You don't have to do this." River told the midwife.

"It won't be your head if something happens to the little one." The midwife had never actually examined her before, and River was a bit nervous about it.

She started feeling along the swell of River's middle, fingers gently prodding. "Have you been feeling anything unusual?"

"Not at all." She murmured.

"She's pressing into your ribs, I'd suspect at least some discomfort." The midwife said in the same tone. "Is that why you stumbled?"

"Why do you say she?" River asked, looking at the woman.

"You're carrying low. I've helped enough women through this to have a sense of what's what. I doubt you'll be wanting to let your husband know that, however."

"I'd rather that stay between us." She murmured, wincing when Terra moved higher up. Terra seemed to be trying to avoid the hand of the midwife, sharing River's distrust.

"Are we almost done?" River asked, worried that the woman was going to try and listen to her heartbeats.

"She's rather big for how far you are." The midwife frowned, though was judging by human gestation which was longer and produced smaller babies.

"Well, she's healthy."

"I'm worried it could cause problems with the birth."

River shook her head. "Well, you can't stop her from growing."

"I'm afraid not, I'm just knowing what to prepare for."

"Are we finished now?"

"Are you in a rush?" She countered.

"No." She shifted.

The midwife sighed and got up, going over to her medicine box. "You shouldn't travel so much in your condition."

"I have daughters in another kingdom that I have to visit."

"Send a page boy and let them know you can't make it until after this one is born." She insisted.

Terra settled lower now that she wasn't being poked anymore.

"I'm not due for several months yet, surely I can make a few more trips."

"If you must, I cannot recommend more than one."

River huffed, "Fine. Now are we quite through?" She was very anxious to go.

"I'd rather have a listen to the heartbeat, but if you're so insistent..."

"Yes, I quite like to go-ah!" River tried to stand but immediately sat back down.

The midwife went quickly over to her. "Your majesty?"

"I'm fine." She insisted.

"No, tell me."

"I want my husband," River whispered, closing her eyes.

"He's not allowed in here while I'm doing examinations."

"He's the king, he can be wherever he bloody pleases." She snapped.

The midwife shrank a little. "Shall I send for him?"

"Yes, you'd better do that." She hissed.

She quickly retreated from the house, off to go get the King.

River leaned back, relaxing and trying to formulate a plan. She had faked the pain, of course, to buy herself time. She needed to get the crown, and she wasn't going to give up and abandon her mission.

Terra kicked lightly against River's spine. Mum!

What is it, dear? River sighed, rubbing her back in discomfort.

Pretty. She hummed, relaying an image of the crown which River had unknowingly shared with Terra.

River smiled, Yes, it is. Another moment of thought went by when an idea dawned on her. Can you help Mummy with something?

Help! Terra echoed excitedly, thinking this would mean bonding and hopefully winning over more of her mum's affection.

River put a hand to her side, happy her daughter was so willing. I need you to do lots of kicking and wiggling for as long as you can when I say go. Can you do that for me?

She hesitated, fearing she might hurt River.

It's alright, if it's too much for me, I'll ask you to stop.

Her hesitation eased into a confirmation, agreeing to go along with her instructions.

Thank you, my love.

Terra started practicing a little, experimenting in which directions she could stretch while they waited for the midwife and King to return. As soon as River heard the midwife opening the door, she gave Terra the signal to go.

The King rushed to River's side and Terra started kicking quite hard, determined to do a good job. River immediately grabbed his hand, the pain that spread across her face much more real than if she hadn't asked for her daughter's help.

"Midwife, I demand you to tell me what is wrong!" The King practically shouted.

"Darling, please don't shout." River flinched, as the midwife jumped and ran to River's side to finish the examination.

"The babe is restless and her belly is tight. I fear her time will come too early."

"I want to go home." River whispered, turning to the King, tensing at once of Terra's most recent movements, "I want to go back to the castle."

"My love, my queen. You must allow this woman to help you or you and our son will be in peril." It was the most concern the King had shown in the duration of River's scheme.

She squeezed his hands, "Alright, but I want to know what she's going to do."

"There are some medications that might help, but I can't guarantee anything."

Terra delivered a firm blow towards River's pelvis. River gasped, clutching the spot where the baby had kicked, "I don't want possibilities, I want guarantees!" River groaned, "My love, I need a moment alone to speak with you."

The midwife took her medicine box into the other room, not wanting to be yelled at again.

"I want another midwife." River whispered once the other woman was gone, "I want someone who actually knows what she's doing."

"She is the best midwife in the land." He frowned.

"But she doesn't know how to help me. She has expressed judgment on our son's size and hasn't even bothered to listen to his heart beat yet. I have remained in correspondence with my previous midwife, Clara, whom you have met, and I happened to know that she has left my former kingdom and is staying in a port no more than an hours ride from here in search of work. She was very knowledge when it came to dealing complications with my twins, and I know she will know what to do now."

"Your pain worries me greatly. Is there time to fetch her and return before it is too late?" He placed his hand over River belly and Terra kicked at him, not liking his unfamiliarity.

"I believe so." She placed her hand over his, "But I must request that you fetch her. You're riding skills are better than anyone else and I know you will get her to me swiftly."

"Of course my love. Anything to keep you safe."

She kissed him deeply, "Bring me back to the castle first?" She asked softly.

"Can you walk?" He asked.

"I think s-ah!" She winced as Terra gave her another whack.

Getting tired.

"Are you sure?" He wasn't convinced.

She shook her head. Rest now, my sweet. Mummy's very proud of you.

Terra settled, bubbling at River's pride for her.

"I don't think I can walk."

"Then you must give me the information about the woman you need and remain here."

"No, I refuse to stay here another moment." River needed to get back to the castle in order to contact Clara and actually get her to the town she was supposedly in.

"You informed me you couldn't walk." He reminded.

"Then you need to call one of the guards to carry me back. You cannot leave your queen in the place of common people when she is in such discomfort."

He got up quickly and fetched the guard outside who had accompanied him here. They came back in a few moments later, the guard scooping River up with strangely familiar ease.