By the time they reached the Sky Djinn planet, a sense of nervousness had overtaken the crew. Even the Doctor himself had misgivings about the upcoming proceedings. Would the king and queen believe their son over him and the crew-mates? Would the prince's father punish him at all?
The Doctor looked over to Amy and Rory, who seemed to be watching the huge screen in front of them as the planet grew closer. It took a tap on their shoulders for the pair to rouse them from their stupor as the Doctor said gently, "It's time to go, Amy, Rory."
Jack patted their shoulders, reassuring them with a kind word, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
Amy and Rory each squeeze the hand of Alex. All the while both bit their lips. His companions nodded and followed him out of the spaceship, glancing first at each other, then to the child that had become so close to them.
Samor stood handcuffed and was walking with two guards on either side of him who also seemed to be passing tense stares at each other.
Kotens who strode next to the Doctor and Jack spoke up. "I've already spoke to Their Majesties about the situation. They are fully informed about what has happened. We're to proceed to the throne room immediately."
The Doctor wasn't surprised as his companions at the royal decor that they saw everywhere in the room as the entered it. There were heavy fabric tapestries that looked like those on Earth. They were turquoise in color, but splashed with alien text. In two throne seats that looked much like upgraded Captains' chairs were the royal heads of the planet. The male was what could pass as middle aged on Earth. He wore a high collared military uniform of black and silver, and his silver blond hair smoothed back. His blue eyes shooting a piercing gaze at the enitre group. The woman had dressed in a form fitting magenta gown that extenuated her slender form. She had more blond hair then her husband's own hair. Her expression was one rough with disappointment and shame.
The Doctor bowed, and his companions awkwardly followed suit. "Your Majesties, I'm the Doctor," There was a gasp from the Queen and some quiet whispering between the royals.
"You are the Doctor? The one from Gallifrey?" The Queen inquired. When the Doctor answered in the affirmative, there was more whispering between them. "We have heard of your exploits. Please, come closer, along with your friends."
The Doctor gestured at them and calmly announced, "These are my friends Amelia and Rory Pond."
"Willams!" Rory hissed between his teeth. Both bowed awkwardly to the royals, not daring to take their eyes away from the royals for fear of incurring disapproval.
"This other fellow is Captain Jack Harkness. And this child's name is Alex. You may be able to recognize him, he's one of your race after all."
The Queen stood, and sauntered to the child's side. She kneeled in front of him and took the boy's chin in her hands to look into his eyes. Much to their surprise, Alex did not shy away.
"Indeed!" The Queen gasped, and stepped a few feet back. "But he looks like a mortal of Earth, like those three. And he is deaf and mute." She inclined her head at Amy, Rory and Jack.
" That's why I must speak to Your Majesties. It concerns the conduct of your son, Prince Samor." The Doctor added seriously.
The Doctor gave a detailed report over what had happened in the past few days confirmed by the crew.
The Queen could do nothing but look gobsmacked at her own son.
"What do you have to say for yourself, boy?!" thundered the King, who smack the end of his staff onto the ground so hard that it nearly cracked the pearl white tiles underneath it.
Samor's face remained placid as he spoke, "Only that I did it to retain my honor as the second prince of this planet."
"HONOR?!" The king bellowed, "You would call the murder of an officer and attempted murders of civilians for your hurt pride honor? You have no other defense other than this?" When Samor didn't speak, his father continued now half standing. "To hide behind these crimes with that excuse is dispensable!
Before they spoke, there was the familiar wheezing sound behind them as the TARDIS blinked into existence.
When the door opened, the curly head of River Song popped out from behind it. She took in her surroundings, then spotted The Doctor.
"River," The Doctor whispered, and within a few steps drew near enough to embrace her. His hazel eyes filled with tears as he spoke. "I-River..."
"Who is this?" The king demanded, interrupting their reunion. "And what is that box?"
River stepped forward confidently, " River Song, archeologist. I'm Amy and Rory's daughter. And-" she kissed The Doctor on his cheek, "The Doctor's wife. That's the Doctor's TARDIS; it travels anywhere in time and space."
The two royals' eyebrows rose with some surprise, but it was the king who cleared his throat. "And I take it that you can attest to the charges against my son?"
River nodded solemnly, "I can, as he tried to enact revenge against the Doctor by trying to kill me. He tampered with the control system of the TARDIS and caused it to fall...with me still in it."
The king rapped the staff onto the ground once more, "I have heard enough. I hereby sentence you, Samor to the dungeons until this I investigate into the events further. Guards!" He called the official royal guards who took the prisoner by the chains and led him out of the throne room.
When the room was the silent again, The King spoke again. "You here that were part of my son's crew are hereby promoted to officers or may retire with full commission if you so wish." He looked at the Doctor and his companions. "What is it that you wish?"
"I-We wish to adopt Alex as our child." Amy blurted out, then followed with, "Your majesties."
The royals' eyebrows rose with surprise. The red-head spurred on, "Me and my husband- (at this The Doctor cleared his throat). "And the Doctor saved him. We've taught him how to communicate and he's just-" she paused, "We have both become close to him as if he were our own child."
The King and Queen both seemed to consider this. "And have you the resolve to care for a child that is not of your own species?" The queen now asked.
"He was living in 17th century America when we found him. I don't think it will be much harder for him to live with us. His parents are dead...and he needs someone. We don't want him to end up in an orphanage and ostracized for the rest of his life." Rory spoke up.
"What is this America she speaks of-?" The king wondered aloud, then spoke directly to the couple again. "And you will facilitate his disabilities for the rest of your natural lives?"
"We will," Amy and Rory confirmed in unison.
"And you will not speak of his origin to any other humans?" The King continued.
"We won't. But if he asks about his past, I think it would be only right to tell him, wouldn't it?" Rory asked.
There was a pause, "Indeed," the King affirmed wisely. He and the queen then stood. "I hereby decree that you Rory Pond, and you, Amelia Pond shall take charge of the child. We shall have an envoy arrive to check on the boy every few years."
The faces of the couple erupted with delight, while there was a round of applause from the entire room as the couple were patted on the back and congratulated by the others.
When the cacophony died down, Rory (followed by Amy) bowed their heads to the monarchs, "Thank you, your majesties. We'll take care good care of him."
The Doctor was smiling as well, but his face had suddenly gone slightly gray and looked drawn, while beads of sweat had begun to cling to his forehead.
Rory instinctively went to the Doctor's side, placing his hands on the Time Lord's shoulders.
"M'fine, Rory." The Doctor said breathlessly, but Rory had already began to take his pulse.
"No you're not, Doctor. You're pale and diaphoretic and your pulse is way too high." Rory argued.
The Doctor didn't speak any further. He swayed and swooped to the ground as Rory and Jack rushed to catch him.
TBC..
A/N: I know it's been a long time, but I thank you for your patience. Next chapter will be the final segment of this story.