Two Worlds, One Family
by Ms. Moonstar
A/N: Sorry it took me an extra week to get this chapter written, I was trying to work out some of the technical bugs of time travel. LOL.
Thank you for the continued watches for this story. Please review and tell me what you think. Thanks!
The whirring gasps of the TARDIS landing in the middle of the forest kicked up fallen leaves as it settle between a set of trees. The Doctor and River cautiously slipped out the door, Amy and Rory soon followed, leaves crunching under their feet.
"Uh, Doctor," Amy looked around, "Why did we land the TARDIS in the middle of a wood?"
The Time Lord whirled and with smile said, "These people are very peculiar about who enters their town, wouldn't want to cause a stir with the old girl!"
The pace of his footfalls began to increase with excitement like a kid entering Disney Land, "C'mon!"
The two married couples trudged up a small hill that overlooked what appeared to be a small town. And small it was, for there were a some closely built homes and businesses made of logs and thatched roofs. Men and women were dressed in what appeared to be, to Amy, the most modest kind of clothes she'd seen in her travel with the Doctor. Men were dressed in felt hats dark coats, a ruff, doublet, trousers that were like shorts but puffy, stockings, and something that looked like Pilgrim shoes. The women wore coifs and petticoat dresses, looking grim as they went about their business.
"I have a feeling we're not in the right place, about 100 years too late." Rory commented as he observed what was happening below.
The Doctor looked at his watch, "1692," He licked his finger and lifted into the air, " Massachusetts, America."
"1692? Isn't that during the Salem Witch Trials?" River asked, not looking as alarmed as Amy and Rory where looking.
"Great, you brought us to one of the most terrible human travesties in history? Thanks Doctor." Amy sniffed.
"I didn't aim for here Amy," The TimeLord retorted somewhat annoyed, "The TARDIS felt that we needed to be here, so we'll make the best of it." He looked over his companions, first of all, we'll need to change clothes."
Amy scoffed, "Why should we do that, when we go through history wearin' our own?"
"Because Amy," River replied, "This is a very volatile time in history. This is just before the Witch trials began and we don't want to accidentally start it off too soon or in the wrong way."
"Good point," Rory added, "Rather not get put on trial and hung because I'm wearing shorts."
The Doctor and his companions strode into town, hoping to blend in with the clothes that they now were all wearing, but not escaping the gaping looks from the townspeople. The Doctor simply smiled and nodded in greeting to the men and women whom they passed, while the Ponds looked on nervously.
"I have a feeling we're not really welcome here, Doctor." Rory hissed in the Doctor's ear, which he duly ignored.
Amy tripped in her shoes for about the fifth time in 10 minutes and huffed, "I hate these shoes! How did they were 'em back then?"
"Know how you feel, mother. I'm sure the Doctor will tell you that this dress doesn't flatter me at all." She added with a wink at him that earned a small smile.
"I know how to cheer us all up, how about some dinner?" he looked at his watch again, "It's about that time."
"Sounds good to me, Doctor." River chirped, not at all bothered by the scornful looks by people who had stopped to look at them.
The Doctor stopped a woman who was holding a basket, "Excuse me, is there an inn around here somewhere where we can get something to eat?"
The woman, who had to be no more than 18, looked rather astonished at being spoken to so suddenly, but her tone was friendly as she pointed down the street. "There's a boarding house down the road that's owned by the Palmers."
"Much obliged, Miss." He replied, tipping his hat in respect.
They strolled down the street, avoiding the carts, animals, and people that were traversing the main thoroughfare until they reached a rather elaborate two story wood home, with intricate shudders on all the windows.
"You sure this is the place?" Rory asked.
"Yup. The more affluent people of the settlement established homes that could be used as board houses back in this era." The Doctor explained while climbing the few wood steps to the porch and calmly went through the door, followed close by his companions.
The room they entered wasn't huge, but it was big enough to fit several people, somewhat dark with some sunlight from the diamond shaped windows and the firelight filling it. The main area was filled with one long plain wood table and chairs, and in a corner was a rocker. There was an open door that no doubt lead to the kitchen.
"Hello?" The Doctor called out, "Helllooo?"
A rather tall but plain looking woman with green eyes and flaxen hair came in from what appeared to be the kitchen, looking happy to have guests.
"Good day, how may I help you?"
"Ah, good day." The Doctor said, strolling forward and offering his hand. This seemed to confuse the woman who looked from his hand to his face with a perplexed expression.
Somewhat disappointed at his attempt to be friendly failing, The Doctor tipped his hat again, "I'm the Doctor, and this is my wife, "Goody Melody. And these are my friends, Rory Williams and his wife, Goody Amy." he said, turning to introduce each of them. "We're new to town and were wondering if we could have a meal."
"Certainly, my good man, my ladies. Please have a seat. Will you be staying with us for the night?"
"Yes," River answered, "If it's no trouble."
"No trouble at all, m'lady." Mrs. Sanders replied politely.
They ate a hearty dinner of stew and biscuits, followed by a scrumptious apple pie.
"I had no idea they ate this well in this era," Amy whispered as she ate the last of her dessert.
"Well, food was plentiful here, at least in the spring and summer, and the fall as well." The Doctor explained.
When they had finished their meal, the two couples agreed that they'd like to explore the town a little longer before sunset.
Mrs. Sanders was surprised to see her guests leaving, as she came from the kitchen, "Departing so soon, my good people?"
"No," The Doctor re-assured her, "We'd like to...ah...requisition some supplies before day's end. Thank you for the meal." The Doctor lied, putting down some silver coins. It seemed to work, as the woman nodded.
"Your are welcome. I look forward to your return and you meeting my husband."
An hour before sunset, the Doctor and his companions wandered the streets of the small Puritan town, much to the annoyance of Amy.
"Doctor, there's nothin' here but lots of houses, roads, and animals." She whinged, "can we go back, now?"
"Amy, we're meant to be here, and we have to find out why." The Doctor returned, not bothering to look at her.
"Well if anything, these clothes keep you warm for the chilly weather." Rory muttered.
The four of them heard shouting down a small alley and followed it until a small boy that was not more than four years old appeared out the one side into the fading sunlight.
The child had scruffy honey colored hair and a dirty face. The child was wearing dirty, soiled rags and was frighteningly pale and emaciated. He looked frightened at the grown ups in front of him as he skidded to a stop. He turned and began to run in the opposite direction, when the small crowd of shouting people charged forward.
"Stop him!" One man, that was wearing an apron that signified that he was a baker, "That little brat has stolen some bread!"
Without hesitation, Amy stepped in front to shield him and threw her one arm out.
"Oi!" She called out the the crowd, "Leave 'im alone. Can't you see he's hungry? Or did you not notice how skinny he is?"
The people stopped suddenly, gobsmacked at her impertinence.
"That child has stolen my bread!" The baker shouted even louder now.
"Yeah, I heard you the first time, moron." Amy snipped, rolling her eyes.
"I've got an idea. Here Amy." The Doctor threw her a fresh apple from his coat, which she caught in her hands. Bending down, she stretched out her hand with the apple in it for him to take.
The child hesitated, looking first at her, and then the food in her hand, wondering if it were a trick. With one swoop, he grabbed in from her hand and held it to his chest, bracing himself as though he were going to be hurt. When it did not come, the child looked up to the woman who had saved him.
"Go on, that is for you." She said gently, nodding towards the food. When he made no movement to eat, she and her companions looked a little confused.
"He does not hear, foolish woman!" sneered another portly looking man with a pinched face.
"Gettin' that. You can shut up now before I kick you in the shins." she hissed, leading River to chuckle quietly.
She took the apple from his hand (much to his fright) and took a bite of it, smiling as she ate in an attempt for the child to trust her. When she returned it to him, he took a small bite from the uneaten side. It was a small one, but when he tasted the freshness an juiciness of the fruit, the boy took even bigger bites looking delighted at such a treat. It hadn't taken long before he'd finished it. The child looked sad, but Amy bent down and embraced him. At first, he tensed, but soon relaxed and allowed himself a small show of affection that seemed to be absent.
River was so touched by the display that she found tears welling up. Even the Doctor looked at her with a mix of pride and almost a little guilt.
"That's my Amy, " Rory said softly, " Dragon skin on the outside, heart of a lioness on the inside."
"I'm still here, if couldn't tell." The fire-haired woman quipped, but smiled at her husband.
"Where is this child's parents?" The Doctor asked innocently, hoping to get an answer without riling the crowd.
"They died of the smallpox." One older woman that looked rather cross answered.
"And you all didn't take him in when they did?" Amy asked, both shocked and angry.
"The child is plagued. He has..." One man started but looked a little hesitant, "visions. Ungodly ones."
"Visions?" The Doctor repeated, glancing at the unassuming child.
"Do you think he's-" Rory began but the Doctor cut him off mid-sentence.
"Not here, Rory." Whispered the Time Lord.
Amy stood now, giving a withering look to the people standing around them. "So you all decided to make this boy suffer just because he's a child who has more needs than your own? All of you should be ashamed."
"Watch your tongue, woman, or you'll find yourself in the pillory." warned an ugly, cleft chinned man.
A moment later, the boy froze, his pupils becoming huge and his body limp.
"Lord!" One of the villagers gasped, "He's having a vision!"
The Doctor and his companions were all in shock, when the boy sat on the ground and started to draw in the dusty road. What they saw made their hearts skip. He had drawn bread with a circle in the middle.
"That's right," River whispered to the Doctor, "The trials begin because an unknown outbreak of disease from bread."
"The child tells of the misfortune yet to befall us!" wailed another person, "He must be cleansed of them!"
"And you think that's going to stop the bad things from happening?" retorted River.
"You are in league with that demon child. You must also be punished!" A strong male voice demanded.
"Look," The Doctor began, putting his hand up in hopes of calming the Puritans, "We are just strangers passing through your charming town," he tired to be as cheerful as possible. The roar of the crowd got louder, making him tense.
"I guess there's no reasoning with them." The Doctor said, "Run. Run!"
Rory scooped up the little boy and ran behind River and the Doctor, Amy a few inches behind him.
"Back to the TARDIS, hurry!" The Doctor yelled while they all huffed traversing up the hill once again with the villagers on their heels.
Luckily, the four of them made it inside, the hum of the time machine sounding as they disappeared before the people of the town could comprehend where the four strangers had gone.
TBC...