Chapter Two
Aragorn frowned at the man who called himself the Doctor, now seated in the steward's throne, legs carelessly crossed right over left. Aragorn had waved away his guards, holding one back just long enough to ask for him to send Gandalf to the hall. As he turned back to his guest, his eyes caught sight of something that shocked him. In the confusion of the Doctor entering the hall he had neglected to realise that where this man's blue box was positioned happened to be exactly where the guards station on the outside of the door usual stood. In fact as he looked closer, he could see splintered bits of wood sticking out from underneath the box, which could only mean that it had somehow fallen on top of the station. Glancing at the Doctor and keeping one hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case, he began his interrogation.
"How did that box get there? On top of the guard station I mean," he asked politely but with enough seriousness in his voice to indicate it would be pointless lying. The Doctor gazed at him for a moment then scratched his chin, almost as if deciding whether or not to tell the truth.
"Well, it's a time machine. I press buttons and twiddle knobs and it makes varying noises and it appears in a new place." The Doctor sighed. "Look, to explain it properly would mean redefining the world as you know it, and quite frankly I can't be bothered to do so." Aragorn stared into the Doctor's eyes and realised he was telling the truth.
"Very well", he said. "I believe you." He finished with a nod. Just then, a knock on the side door echoed from across the room.
"Come," said Aragorn, raising his voice slightly. The door opened and in walked Gandalf, his white robes emitting a constant yet subtle glow and his light smile warmed Aragorn as always. His eyes flickered across the room and alighted on the Doctor and his smile became a grin. He paused several steps from the Doctor and Aragorn. At first the laugh that was slowly making its way up his throat was inaudible to the two others in the room but before long it was echoing off the vaulted ceiling and tears of joy were creeping from the corners of his eyes. The Doctor had joined in somewhere along the way and then they crossed the rooms and gripped each other on the shoulders before embracing.
"Gandalf the White!" exclaimed the Doctor. His grin was enormous and a mischievous fire danced in his eyes.
"My dear Doctor," came the reply. "I bow to you." Gandalf inclined his head in a mini bow.
"Ah, cut it out you mad old fool," said the Doctor coyly, though the look on his face showed betrayed his delight. Aragorn stood for a moment before clearing his throat to get their attention.
"You know this man Gandalf, this Doctor?" he asked. He was astonished, as Gandalf had never even mentioned him in passing.
"Of course I know him. He helped me out of a rather sticky situation several years ago now. He saved me from the clutches of the last dark lord, Morgoth, or what was left of him. Unfortunately the Doctor died and regenerated in that one," he answered. "What incarnation are you now Doctor?" he asked, turning to the Time Lord.
"This is my eleventh body my good man. You happened to witness my eighth regeneration so I've regenerated twice since I last saw you." He smiled at the beaming Gandalf and the bemused Aragorn. He sighed.
"Right, I suppose I better start explaining. Take a seat. It's gonna take a long time." With that, he spun on the spot and flopped down in the steward's throne.