Chapter Five

The interior of the Great Hall was cool and dimly lit with candles on stands and hanging from chandeliers. Tapestries and paintings adorned the walls and strangely gave it a homely feel.

Lords, ladies, knights and servants were milling about, some leisurely and others with purpose. The servants were carrying a variety of platters containing bread, fruits and cooked meats. Others carried pitchers of mead and wine.

It was lunchtime at Camelot.

"Come my friends, let us retire to the dining hall," Patrice said, ushering them through a set of doors into a long room with an equally long table running down the centre. Along the far wall were a series of tables that held the platters that had been carried in by the servants. It looked like it was a running buffet where people helped themselves to anything that was on offer.

Patrice picked up some plates and offered one to Rose and the Doctor. They picked up forks and selected some slices of meat. They cut some cheese, spooned some pickles, and picked up some slices of bread.

"Oh my God, this tastes absolutely gorgeous Doctor," Rose said, sampling a slice of cheese and pickles on a slice of bread.

"Ah! There's the King and Queen now. Come, I'll introduce you," Patrice said as Arthur entered the dining hall.

"My Liege, m'Lady" he said as he approached the King. "Pray may I introduce my new acquaintances?" He turned and held out his arm as the Doctor and Rose approached.

Arthur had changed out of his armour and was now wearing black trousers, a white linen shirt and a black jacket. Guinevere wore an off-the-shoulder emerald green gown intricately embroidered with gold thread.

The King smiled as they approached. He recognised them from the marketplace when he had ridden past.

"Sir Doctor of Tardis, Lord of Gallifrey," Patrice announced.

The Doctor followed protocol and bowed low. "My Lord, my Lady. 'Tis an honour."

"And Lady Rose of the Powell estate," he continued.

Rose curtsied and shyly looked at the floor. "My Lord, my Lady" she said simply.

Arthur reached for her hand and put it to his lips. "My Lady. 'Tis always a pleasure when such a beautiful countenance adorns my home," he said with sincerity.

Rose blushed slightly as she looked into his eyes. "Why thank you Sire." Guinevere smiled at her. She knew how good her husband was at flirting. People skills were very important when you were a King.

"Come, sit with us while we have luncheon, you can tell me what brings you to Camelot." The Doctor and Rose grinned at each other as they headed for the table.

Arthur and Guinevere sat at the head of the table with the Doctor and Rose to the Kings right. Patrice sat next to Rose and other knights and lords sat at various positions at the table.

"We enjoy travelling and exploring," the Doctor was telling the King. "Meeting interesting people and having the odd adventure."

Arthur was biting into a tomato. "Mmmm. Your title is 'Lord of Gallifrey'; I don't believe I have come across that name before Doctor."

"An obscure island in the Aegean Sea, Sire. It produces fine scholars and people of learning," the Doctor told the gathering.

Guinevere placed her goblet on the table, having taken a sip of the fruity red wine. "And you Rose, you are from the Powell estate?"

"Yes m'lady, a small estate in the east of London," Rose replied, also sipping the delicious wine.

"I wager you have some tales to tell of your travels," Patrice said, smiling at Rose.

"Hah! Thou knowest only a fraction of the truth in that statement," Rose laughed.

"Pray tell, how didst thou two meet?" Guinevere asked with a warm smile. She could see that there was a fondness and devotion between them.

The Doctor and Rose smiled at each other, remembering the basement of Henrik's department store.

"'Twas in London," the Doctor began. "Rose was accosted by a band of vagabonds. I stepped in, took her hand and we ran to safety. We have been travelling together ever since."

Rose reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"And you mentioned the odd adventure," Arthur said popping a slice of meat into his mouth. "Pray, regale us with a tale of daring do."

The Doctor began the tale of their latest adventure, the demon of Krop Tor.

"Krop Tor is a small, desolate island in the Baltic sea, off the coast of Estonia, with a deep opal mine that produces the finest gems," he began. "The miners tunnelled deeper than they should and released a demon that had been imprisoned there centuries before."

He adapted the tale to suit the medieval period. He described the characters and their role in the tale. He described Captain Zack, Ida, Toby and Danny, and the deaths of Scooti and Jefferson.

"While sending Rose to safety with the miners onboard their small boat, I descended into the depths of the mine with Ida as my guide, to face the beast." He stopped to drink mead from his tankard. He looked down the table and smiled, everyone was on the edge of their seat, hanging on his every word. When you didn't have radio, television or the internet, travellers tales were prime-time entertainment.

"I outwitted the beast and tricked it into sealing itself behind a rock fall; I barely escaped with my life." The diners breathed a sigh of relief.

"The beast however had outwitted me and had possessed the soul of Toby and was on the very ship that Rose was supposed to find safety!" People gasped.

"However, the beast was not prepared for Rose, who being pure of heart, saw the demon for what he was and wielding a crossbow was able to slay the beast." People cheered.

Rose took up the narrative, knowing not to mention aliens, spaceships or planets. "However, before the demon drew its last breath it called up a whirlpool that drew the small boat towards it and threatened to drown us all!" More gasps. "When all looked lost and as we fell into despair, the Doctors ship appeared, riding the current. A rope was cast and secured, and the weight of the Doctors ship pulled the small boat clear of the whirlpool." The assembled diners cheered and applauded, raising their glasses in a toast to the Doctor and Rose.

"Bravo Doctor, a splendid tale," Arthur said as he selected some grapes as a dessert. "If thou wouldst consent to join us this evening for dinner, we would be delighted to hear more of your adventures."

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "Welllll, I knowest not. We did not intend to dally for long." He gave a quick glance and a wink at Rose. Staying on is exactly what he was hoping for.

Guinevere spoke up. "Do not fret over your journey. Pray accept our offer of hospitality. We have rooms for guests and the servants will supply you with clothing for dinner."

"You are too kind m'lady. Of course we accept your offer of hospitality," the Doctor said with a nod and a smile.

Arthur clapped his hands together. "Splendid Doctor. Pray, feel free to explore Camelot at your leisure. If you or Rose require anything, the servants are at your disposal."

Everyone had finished eating and drinking, standing and bowing as Arthur and Guinevere rose from their chairs. They nodded in return as they left the dining hall.

The diners formed into small groups and cliques and chatted or discussed business. The Doctor and Rose strolled arm-in-arm towards the door, while various people approached and praised their exciting tale.

Patrice introduced them to Sir Gareth, Sir Kay, Sir Agravain and Sir Bedivere. They also met various merchants and craftsmen who were at Camelot by royal appointment.

"Patrice, do you recognise that fellow by the door? I feel that I should know him," the Doctor said, having spotted the mysterious stranger again.

Patrice looked to the door as the stranger, realising he'd been rumbled, started to leave.

"I believe he is with the retinue of King Mark of Cornwall who arrived two days previously," Patrice said.