The Arrival
Less than five minutes later, the TARDIS had arrived on Ariva Lykos. She had not been able to get there via conventional methods – according to the Databank, the planet had no Space-time coordinates. The Doctor and Romana had only been able to get there by transmitting a telepathic signal, which an external force had homed in on. This act had brought them to an area near an apparently ancient building. When the pair of Time Lords stepped out, they were greeted by a group of strangers – a group which was predominantly female – situated in a wild environment of jungle, where the only artificial feature was a Temple.
"Greetings, strangers," one of them spoke after a long pause. "Who are you, and what brings you to Ariva Lykos?" Though none of their faces were indicating that either Romana or the Doctor should speak, it was clear that the question was intended for Romana. Consequently, she answered for both of them.
"My name is Romanadvoratrelundar," she told them with a warm smile – she could sense a strange, yet somehow familiar aura around them. "This..." Romana indicated her fellow Time Lord, "...is the Doctor."
The remainder of the group behind the one who had spoken began to whisper. Romana caught phrases like; "He's the Doctor?" – "Why is he here?" – And some such as these. "Looks like you're well-known around these parts, Doctor," Romana told him in a sotto voice. He just shrugged.
The leader of the group hushed the whisperers. "Our Visionary told us that one day, a Time Lord known as the Doctor would come, in the wake of the Missing Cub," she told the two Time Lords. She then focused on Romana, raising her hands to the Time Lady's head. "Contact..."
"Contact," replied Romana. At once, she saw the memories pertaining to the other Time Lady, and gasped when she saw the Bad Wolf's face – for she now knew that these people were the Crimson Pack that Dalek Caan spoke of. The Crimson Cub broke off the contact, speaking only a few moments later.
"Welcome, Sister Cub," she greeted Romana with a smile. "We were starting to wonder if you were ever going to appear. What kept you?"
"External intervention on the part of the White Guardian," Romana replied.
"And an individual named 'Caan,' I believe?" her Sister Cub inquired, eyebrow perked in a manner rather reminiscent of Romana's first incarnation.
"Indeed. According to him, it was the only way they could be sure that I would find my Match," Romana told her.
"The Doctor is your Match?" the Sister Cub asked for confirmation, to which Romana nodded. "Very well...but you have not completed your Union."
"Excuse me," the Doctor spoke up at this point in an inquiring tone. "Sorry to but in – but what exactly is a Union?"
"The bond between a Crimson Cub and her Match," replied the Crimson Cub. "The bond between yourself and Romanadvoratrelundar-"
"Romana," the Time Lady told her with a smile. "It'll save a lot of Time. By the way, what's your name?"
"Angekatrina," the now-identified Angekatrina answered. She then turned back to the Doctor. "As I was saying, Doctor, the bond between you and Romana has not been completed...and the act of completion is too sacred for description. You will understand once you have undergone the Union Ritual."
"When is that?" Romana asked her Sister Cub.
"One Lykan week from now," replied Angekatrina. "Thirty Earth hours in a Lykan day, six Lykan days in a week, five weeks in a month, thirteen months to a year."
"390 days to a year," the Doctor surmised. "And we turn up where for the Ritual?"
"At the Temple," Angekatrina informed them. She then turned to Romana to whisper into her ear. "Make sure Pretty-Boy is appropriately dressed – it can be from any planet's dress sense – but that suit is too casual. And get him out of those ridiculous sandshoes." They both giggled in mischief.
"Oi! Don't knock my Converse trainers! They're not sandshoes!" the Doctor snipped childishly. They just laughed harder as they chorused; "Yes they are!" He groaned at the thought of having to lose his trainers...but he somehow knew that he wouldn't have any say in the matter – this week was for Romana. Well...any week could be for Romana, but this was one that had to be...