A/N Rose gets the first unforeseen surprise, with a few still to follow...

Chapter 14

As had become the custom, Rose woke with the first light of dawn the next morning, knowing she and the Doctor would soon depart the castle to resume their work on the TARDIS. As had also become the custom, he was already up when she woke. He sat cross-legged on the floor beside the bed, dark-rimmed glasses balanced on the end of his nose, and posture hunched over in focused concentration as he worked on a small but integral component of the TARDIS. He had brought it back with him the evening before so that he could continue his work from their chamber.

Rose inwardly sighed at the waking sight. If ever someone could be termed a workaholic. Though she had managed to convince the Doctor to take a break and relax for a bit the day before, she knew there would be no getting him to give himself rest for any length of time until the repairs were complete.

Well, back to it, then, Rose determined with a deep breath of resolve as she greeted him for the morning and slipped into the bathing chamber to get dressed in her usual jeans and ready for the day.

As the Doctor waited for her, he was both glad to be getting another early start, yet feeling a little guilty for the work pace Rose was keeping along with his. He would just have to make it up to her once the TARDIS was operational again, he decided. Maybe their next destination could be a leisure planet. Maybe a bit of relaxation on the tranquil lavender beaches of Crystalina. Maybe more...swimming. The Doctor shook that rather distracting thought from his head and focused back on his work.

After freshening up and having a shared breakfast together in their chamber, they headed out of the castle to resume their daylong work on the recuperating TARDIS.

The Doctor and Rose were just preparing to leave through the main gate when King Zerin approached the two of them in the outer courtyard. He had anticipated their departure and had come to find Rose before she left.

"Your Majesty," Rose greeted with a sunny smile as he came near.

"Hello. Lovely morning," the Doctor remarked pleasantly, but hoped to keep moving.

"Indeed. It is a very lovely morning," Zerin replied as the three met and briefly stopped. He then turned his eyes to Rose, getting down to the reason for coming to speak with them. "And I was wondering, Rose, if you would like to accompany me this morning on a ride through the hillside. You gave me such a pleasant time yesterday with your company and showed me that moments of enjoyment can still be taken. I was hoping you would allow me to return the kindness."

Rose glanced at the Doctor, then back to Zerin. "Oh, well, that's very kind of you, and I appreciate the offer very much. But the Doctor and I really do need to keep working on repairs."

A part of the Doctor was undeniably pleased by her reply. That twinge of an emotion he had felt the day before at the lake, the one he still refused to name as jealousy, was niggling uncomfortably at him again. But he quickly buried it in the same way he always handled that small number of dangerous emotions he refused to name or acknowledge. The Doctor then felt another pang of guilt in thinking of all the work Rose had been helping him in day and night without complaint. And even though she had turned down the offer, he knew Rose would still most likely enjoy taking a ride through the scenic hillside, and she deserved a little enjoyment after all they had been through recently.

It was that thought which made the Doctor speak up to release her of repair duties, even if it took a bit of magnanimous effort. "Why don't you go ahead and join him, Rose. If everything continues to go to plan, we won't be here that much longer, so you might as well see the sights while you can. Plus, there really isn't that much we can do today anyway until the drive circuits realign themselves. I want to keep a check on the process, of course, but there's no need for you to miss a chance for a ride because of it."

Despite this reasoning, Rose was still hesitant to just shirk any help she might be able to give and indulge in a morning of leisure while the Doctor kept working. "Well I..."

"It would give me great pleasure if you would accept, Rose," Zerin implored. "And I'm certain you would enjoy it."

Feeling a little obligated since they were continuing to enjoy the King's hospitality, she finally consented. "Well...okay, then. But Doctor, I'll meet you at the TARDIS later, yeah?"

The Doctor smiled, hoping it didn't appear too tight. "I'll see you then." He glanced briefly once more at Zerin, then turned and headed back out toward the main gate.

"I've taken the liberty of having one of my finest steeds saddled just for you," Zerin said with a smile as a royal stable hand approached, leading two of the large black animals.

Rose warily eyed the intimidating beast being offered. She had ridden a horse once or twice in her time, but this was quite different. Anything that had a face like a lion was inherently unsettling when standing face-to-face with it. "I...dunno if I'd...be very good at riding one of these. Maybe we could just take a walk instead," she suggested, her cautious eyes still fixed on the beast's fearsome black ones.

"Are you frightened of them?" Zerin queried, stroking his own down the long, sleek mane.

"Just a little, yeah," Rose admitted. "Can't help it...with a face like...that," she chuckled nervously.

"There is nothing to be frightened of, Rose. I assure you. They are quite docile. Though they look similar, they are nothing like the Black Beasts of War, ridden only in battle."

Rose glanced at him, uneasily imagining how fearsome an animal such as that must be. "Well that sounds...beastly."

He nodded grimly. "Indeed. They devour any rider who is not upon one of their own."

"That's...horrible," Rose gasped.

"War usually is," he replied solemnly.

Rose regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "The people of Zobulan have not known very much of peace, have they?"

"No," he answered thickly. His dark countenance then lifted. "Though I believe that will forever change one day."

Rose gave a half smile, then looked back at the animal in front of her as she walked around to the side with resolved determination. "Well, there's only one way to overcome a fear, I s'pose." She placed her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself up.

"Ah, well done!" Zerin beamed, mounting his own. "They are trained well and will follow even the slightest guidance. You will find that riding them is quite simple."

"Well, after you, then," Rose said, her hands tightly clutching the reins.

She followed a little behind him as he moved out, then gained more confidence and increased the pace of her trot to match his. They rode out the gate together, but quickly turned off the main route to head northward along an unspoiled path leading toward the lush, distant hills.

Rose quickly got the hang of riding and found it really was quite simple. Growing even more at ease, Rose nudged her animal to put on a little more speed and increased to a steady gallop.

"You're doing wonderfully, Rose," Zerin called out as he galloped along beside her. "You're a natural rider."

Rose threw him a grin, her hair flying back in the wind as the scenery alongside passed by at a brisk pace.

They finally slowed to a leisurely trot once they reached an open meadow, and Zerin suggested they stop and stroll for a while. They both dismounted, and the two animals contentedly began munching the deep green grass that blanketed the landscape, swaying in the gentle breeze that swept down the valley.

"It really is quite lovely here," Rose remarked appreciatively as she surveyed their lush surroundings, passing by a grove of golden trees.

"I'm very pleased that you think so, Rose," he said with a small smile. "Especially considering all the worlds you have seen in which to compare it to. I have an estate in the far northern region also. I rarely have the opportunity to lodge there, but it is in a secluded and very beautiful area as well. One of my favorite places of solitude." He lifted his eyes to the rolling hills. "Though marred from past wars, there is still much beauty to be found here."

She studied him for a minute with curiosity as she considered this place and its people. "No one here seems overly surprised by the thought of people from other worlds," she noted.

"Should we be?"

She shrugged. "It's just...I dunno. I suppose I sometimes compare other places with Earth, that's my home, by the way. And even though different, some things about this place sort of remind me of what Earth was like in the distant past. And they wouldn't have just taken, well, aliens in stride. I know you said you've already had a few travelers from time to time before, but still..."

Zerin had been wondering just how to lead into all this, and was glad this topic gave him an inroad. "We have been told of the existence of people from beyond our realm since ancient times. And as you pointed out, there have been a few travelers that have come along from time to time as well – some with strange and exotic features that did not resemble our people in the least, or so I've heard from those stories originating before my time."

"I can imagine," Rose said with a chuckle, having encountered quite a few 'strange and exotic' creatures herself.

He paused. "I do not think, however, that any visitors we have received have ever been quite like you. But as I said, while the occurrence of receiving outside visitors is not usual, it is not unheard of, either. It is something which is anticipated, actually, considering what has been foretold." With that last statement he looked at Rose carefully to gauge her reaction, but she simply continued with the topic of travel in general.

"Are you curious about what's out there?" Rose questioned wistfully. "Do you think your people will ever strive to explore it?"

He smiled wanly. "We have more than enough to focus on in our own realm without concerning ourselves with other worlds. But perhaps, in time. Who knows of the many things that may change for this world?"

They strolled along in silence for several more minutes, Zerin noticeably deep in thought, his gaze downward.

Rose turned to him again. "Is...something wrong, Your Majesty?" she questioned, noting how quiet he had become.

He shook his head. "No. No nothing is wrong. And please, call me Zerin, at least when we are alone. But as I said, nothing is wrong. I'm just...contemplating an important matter that is on my mind. Something that has been on my mind a great deal recently."

"Well, maybe it'd help to talk about it," Rose prompted. She had gotten him to lighten up a little at the lake. Maybe she could do the same for him now.

He nodded, still looking downward as he walked beside her, trying to find the right words. This wasn't the sort of thing he had ever done before, and certainly not under such exceptional circumstances. "Actually, that's why I asked you to join me this morning, Rose. There is something important that I would like to discuss with you."

Rose considered how taken everyone had seemed with her and the Doctor upon their arrival and the generous amount of hospitality shown to them, so she had begun to suspect that maybe these people were going to ask for assistance in advancing their own technology, or maybe they were eager to learn more about the worlds beyond their own – perhaps even ask to see a glimpse of the wonders of the universe once the TARDIS was functioning again. Zerin didn't seem to express that interest when she'd brought up the subject, though; so she was curious about just what was on his mind.

Rose tilted her head quizzically. "Go on, then."

He turned fully towards her as they both stopped walking. His eyes searched hers anxiously. "Rose, are you aware of just how remarkable you are?" She opened her mouth to object but he cut her off. "No, you are. You really have no idea."

Rose shook her head. "I know the Doctor and I seem...unique because we're not from here. But really, Zerin, there are so many different worlds out there. You just can't imagine. Trust me, I'm not so special."

His eyes and voice carried intensity as he replied. "But of all the people spanning all the distant worlds, you are the one here now, with me." He reached for her hand, and Rose's eyes flicked down to it, then back up to his. "Rose, all I ask right now is that you just give me the opportunity to speak this and that you will hear this through. Alright?"

She nodded and he took a breath. "Do you remember what Eilam said about the ancient telling of a woman from a distant land, neither Jezrian nor Krendorian, whose union with a favored King would bring a new lineage and lasting peace to the realm?"

Oh no... Rose stared back at him, the hard-to-believe pieces finally beginning to click into place. "Zerin, you...you don't possibly think that..."

He reached for her other hand, clasping them both. "Yes, Rose. That woman is you. I admit I hesitated at first in my certainty, but upon giving this full thought there is no longer any doubt in my mind."

"So w-what, are you...you...proposing?" she asked, gobsmacked.

He smiled tentatively. "That's exactly what I'm doing. Though I will admit I am not well versed in the best way of going about doing this. And I...I don't know what is considered customary in your world for asking something such as this. Whatever is your custom, though, just say the word and I will do it. I want this done right for you."

Well, she certainly wasn't going to ask him to get down on one knee. Rose gently pulled her hands free from his. She shook her head. "Zerin, I...I just can't. I'm sorry. This is just so..." Rose paused and drew a deep breath, trying to think of how to reason with him in this. "Do you honestly believe, even if I actually said yes, that a marriage between the two of us could somehow bring lasting peace? And even if we did...," Rose blushed slightly. "Even if we did create some new royal bloodline – a new race between us – you really think that would easily solve everything and there would be no more fighting over the kingdom? Your own people would no doubt accept it, I get that; but what about the Jezrians? You think they would just accept this, too, and there would be no more fighting to put one of their own on the throne?"

"Yes," he answered with conviction. "Because both races of people have been awaiting this for generations. And if you doubt you are the one, remember you have spoken yourself of all the worlds you have seen. You have great knowledge, as was foretold, and that would give you needed insight and wisdom to rule as Zobulan's Queen. While I am not boastful enough to claim that I am the most favored King Zobulan has ever known, I have found great favor in the eyes of the Jezrians. And if a new race, one that was not simply Krendorian, were to then branch out from here, this would be embraced as our world's long-awaited destiny."

Rose took in another deep breath. She felt more than a little awkward even discussing this aspect with him, but considering the circumstances and what was being suggested, it was something that needed to be said in dissuasion. "And what makes you think we'd even be...compatible in that way? You know...for...producing an heir?"

"I believe what has been foretold," he answered simply. "I do not believe it would be possible for this union to be a fruitless one." He then paused. "Rose, I realize this is extremely sudden and unexpected for you, but all I am asking right now is that you at least consider it."

Rose blew out a heavy breath. "I...I am considering it – considering just how impossible it all is. And that's why I know there are just so many reasons why I couldn't possibly say yes to this."

"Why?" he questioned genuinely. "What other reasons? Please, tell me."

Rose tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear nervously, this whole conversation feeling awkward. This certainly hadn't turned out to be the simple outing she had anticipated. "Well...well for one thing, aside from the fact that I think the whole 'Ancient Legend' thing is barmy, this isn't even my home."

"But I thought you spent all of your time traveling as it was," he countered. "You would not be leaving behind a permanent home to stay here, would you?"

"Well...the TARDIS is my home now. And besides, I do have my mum back on my home world. Back on Earth. I couldn't just stay here permanently and never see her again."

"But once your means of travel has been repaired, couldn't she be brought here to stay?" he reasoned. "She would, of course, be fully welcome and highly respected."

Rose laughed slightly at the thought. "My mum's not gonna just give up...well...um...what little bit she does have to come live in a...a palace as a...well...Queen Mother." Rose chewed her lip in reconsideration. "Blimey. Well, yeah...yeah I s'pose she would, actually. She'd probably flip at the chance." Rose shook herself out of the whimsical yet outlandish thought of herself and her mum as royalty. "But that's not the only thing I have to consider."

"What else?" he prompted, his eyes imploring her to let him know her other hesitations so he could ease them.

She looked back at him gently. "The most important one of all. I don't love you. And I don't think you could possibly have come to love me in this short amount of time, either. A marriage for the sake of fulfilling a...a legend is not the reason I ever planned for gettin' married." She looked him steadily on. "Zerin, do you think you even love me?"

"I...have a very, very deep admiration for you. You are beautiful, kind, wise and enchanting. And I believe that love is something that can grow over time."

Rose shook her head. She looked back into his eyes and questioned softly. "And what about Shadarra?"

His gaze broke from hers. The sureness he had seemed to project instantly faltered at the mention of the woman's name. His voice was quiet as he responded. "What does she have to do with this?"

"Possibly quite a lot. Do you love her?"

He breathed in deeply, his voice weighted with the burdens of his reign. "Love, Rose...that is something Kings are rarely afforded. My love is for Zobulan."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Rose countered gently. "And what kind of...of a marriage do you think you could possibly have with me or anyone else if your feelings for her are–"

"You would have my fidelity, Rose. I promise you that."

"But you love Shadarra. I can see it."

His jaw tightened. "Shadarra and I could never have such a union. It just would not..." He trailed off to silence and looked away. After a moment he turned his gaze back on her, his next question more a statement of realization. "You love the Doctor, don't you?"

Now it was Rose whose eyes fell away. She knew the answer to this question. She had also never been in the position to go so far as to say it out loud. "I...it's just...complicated."

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned Rose fully towards him and bent to catch her downward gaze. "I think we understand each other much more than you realize, Rose. Perhaps more than any two others could. And I have truly come to believe this was meant to be. I certainly don't expect your answer right at this moment, though. All I ask is that you consider this. Will you make me that promise, at least?"

Rose worried her bottom lip between her teeth. He was obviously one hundred percent genuine in his feelings about this. Considering the importance to him, Rose decided she could at least make him feel like her final answer of 'No' had come with proper consideration beforehand. "I...alright. I'll think about it." She then hastily added, "But I can tell you right now that nothin's gonna change."

He smiled then. "Oh, but I am a hopeful man, Rose."

She shook her head but couldn't help in letting a slight smile peek through. "You're barmy, 's what you are."

"Are you disrespecting the King?" he asked sternly, though his eyes still reflected a smile.

She lifted her chin. "What? Reconsidering me as wife material so soon?"

Zerin's smile grew larger. "Not at all. I love a woman with spirit."

Rose snorted. She couldn't help but laugh at the outlandishness of the entire thing. Her thoughts then drifted to the Doctor. Just what might his reaction to all this be?