Chapter Five

The trees gave way to a large grassy area while the Doctor swung Rose's hand back and forth and the hills spread out around them.

"Where are we going?" Rose asked.

"According to the map, we have to go this way," the Doctor said when he stopped and looked at who was standing at the top of the large hill.

"Who's that?"

The Doctor walked closer when several gray wolves came down the hill and circled around them. The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver as the wolves sniffed the air and growled, showing them their sharp teeth.

"You are far from home," Yanna said as she walked down the hill and the wolves looked back at her.

Yanna was tall with a thin, flawless body and had long white hair and blue eyes. She wore tan fur boots, tight tan trousers, a bronze bra covering her breasts and a white fur cape was draped over her shoulders.

"Yanna," the Doctor said, nodding his head and Yanna walked closer and titled her head.

"Do I know you?"

"I'm the Doctor."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What do you want!?"

"We are just traveling through. Now move these things before someone gets hurt," the Doctor said and Yanna walked closer as the wolves parted, looking into his eyes.

"No one just passes through here, Doctor. Now, I suggest you run."

"You shouldn't threaten me, Little Hunter."

"I do as a please!"

"It's a really bad idea to anger me."

"Are you trying to intimidate me? I am the hunter and you are nothing, but prey. So, as I stated before, run!" Yanna said as she walked away and the wolves moved closer. She kept walking up the hill when the Doctor sighed and Rose looked at him,

"Do we run?" Rose asked when the Doctor took Rose's hand and turned. They ran as the wolves followed and the growling echoed around them. They ran over the hills and by the bushes when they came to a stream and the Doctor looked around. Seeing the wooden bridge, he ran then crossed the bridge when they stopped and he turned around. Rose panted as the Doctor looked at the wolves on the other side of the bridge and he frowned, looking angry.

"Why di-did they stop?"

"We crossed over the line. Yanna's kingdom ends at the bridge," the Doctor said and took the map out. He placed the black rimmed glasses on when he looked at the map, looked around then placed the black rimmed glasses and map away. "We have to go that way."

Rose nodded as they walked along the path and the sun started going down behind the trees.

The trees encircled them as they walked along and Rose held onto the Doctor's hand. He didn't want to admit that he liked having her hand in his and softly smiled. The sky was growing dark when he saw a cave and walked closer. He scanned it with the sonic screwdriver when they went inside and Rose sat on a rock. The Doctor went outside as he gathered some sticks and walked inside. He made a fire circle when he removed a box of waterproof matches, lit a match to start a fire then placed the box away and Rose sat near him. The Doctor smiled when he placed an arm around her and she snuggled closer.

"One more day and we'll be at the river," the Doctor said as she nodded and looked at the fire.

"I can't imagine what it's like for Jareth. I mean being so far away from your child," Rose said.

"Guess the same thing Jackie's going through," the Doctor whispered, looking at the ground. He was stunned when she lifted his chin up and swept some hair from his eyes.

"Well, you aren't forcing me to go with you, you know. I'm a big girl and I want to be with you."

"I just don't want to come between you two."

"You're not. I know that you'll always bring me back to her."

"Yep," the Doctor said as she snuggled closer, placing her head on his shoulder. He looked at the fire as the flames flickered on the wood and he sighed, placing his head against her head.

Yanna screamed as she was sucked into the crystal and Mirror picked it up. He walked to the shelf when he placed the crystal on the holder and walked to the throne. Mirror sat down as he swung his left leg over the arm of the throne and flicked a crystal into his right hand. He watched as the crystal showed Rose and the Doctor sleeping and Mirror's eyes went dark.

"You will never make it. I will see to that!" Mirror snarled and tossed the crystal against the wall.

They walked along as the sun sparkled on the leaves and the birds sang in the trees. The Doctor bent down when he picked a flower and handed it to Rose. Shyly smiling, she took it and placed it in her hair, making him smile back. They walked along when something moved behind the trees and they stopped. The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver as he pointed at the trees when something came out from behind the trees and they looked at it.

"What is that?" Rose asked.

Ludo was large creature with long shaggy reddish brown fur, yellow eyes and two horns curled on the sides of his head.

"Ludo!" the Doctor said with wide eyes and placed the sonic screwdriver away. Ludo moved closer when he sniffed the air then a low growl filled the air.

"Dok-tur!" Ludo grumbled, picking the Doctor up and wrapped the large arms around him.

"Air!" the Doctor gasped as Ludo let him down and the Doctor patted the soft thick fur. "Rose Tyler, this is Ludo!"

"Hi," Rose said when Ludo walked closer and sniffed her. He picked her up then wrapped the large arms around her and her face became buried in the soft thick fur. "Dofta!"

"Let her down," the Doctor said as Ludo let Rose down and she panted.

"He's a g-good hugger!"

"Yes, he is! Now, let's go. The river is that way," the Doctor said, pointing to the left and Ludo titled its head.

"Ri-va!" Ludo grumbled as he pointed to the right and the Doctor took the map out. He looked at the map when he sighed and put it away.

"He's right," the Doctor said as they headed down the path and Ludo followed them.

"Um, Doctor, he's following us," Rose said.

"Yes, he is."

"Why?"

"Maybe he wants to help. Does that bother you?"

"No."

"Then let's keep going."

Rose nodded as they walked down the path and the sunlight sparkled off the leaves.

Sir Didymus and Ambrosius waited at the bank of river near a large fallen tree and Sir Didymus looked around. He sat up straighter when the Doctor and Rose appeared and walked closer.

"Ah, there you are!" Sir Didymus said then saw Ludo and his tail wagged back and forth. "And you brought Brave Ludo with you!"

"You know him?" Rose asked.

"They're Sarah's friends," the Doctor said.

"Oh!"

"Well, come on!" the Doctor said as they headed for the tree and Rose held the Doctor's hand. They walked to the tree when the Doctor saw the thick patches of slippery moss then looked at Sir Didymus. "Sir Didymus, you and Ambrosius go first."

"On our way," Sir Didymus said, but Ambrosius didn't move. "Come now, Old Boy. On you go."

Ambrosius whimpered as the Doctor and Rose watched them moved across the tree and Ambrosius shook.

"Easy, Ambrosius, it's not that far," Sir Didymus said as they came to the other side and he patted Ambrosius' head.

"Alright, Rose, let's go," the Doctor said as he got onto the tree and reached down for her. She climbed up next to him when they headed across the tree and the water roared below them. They were careful around the moss when the tree started shaking and the Doctor looked behind them.

"Ludo, no, wait until we're across!" the Doctor shouted as Ludo started to climb onto the tree and the tree rocked back and forth. Rose tried to keep her balance while the Doctor waved his arms in circles then fell off the tree. He hit the water when Rose gasped and Ludo moaned.

"Doctor!" Rose shouted as the water started carrying the Doctor downstream and she dived into the water, swimming after him.