Chapter Six: Tooth and Claw
[Fated Pair Bedroom]
The Doctor has just stepped out to let Rose know they're heading to see Ian Dury and the Blockheads; he's been raving about it all evening. The Alchemist has just wrapped up her cleaning routine and is now lounging in one of her satin robes, ready to pick out one of her usual outfits. Today, she's not in the mood to dress up for a punk concert.
The blue-paneled wardrobe door opens on its own, and she blinks and looks around inside. There's only one item of clothing in there, plus matching heels, and it is not her usual dress. It's not even something from 1979.
"We're not seeing Ian Dury and the Blockheads today, are we, Bluette?" the Alchemist asks forlornly.
'You did not.' she hears.
The Time Lady sighs, removes the massive gown from the wardrobe, and begins the monumental task of putting it on.
[TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM]
"What do you think of this? Will it do?" Rose asks, gesturing to her mini-dungarees after zipping closed her rucksack.
"In the late 1970s?" the Doctor scoffs, "You'd be better off in a bin bag," he walks around the console, "Hold on, listen to this," he turns to the music console and hits play, "Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Number One in 1979," he informs her with a grin and begins to dance, bopping his head to 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.'
Rose laughs, "You're a punk!"
"'It's good to be a lunatic,'" he sings.
"That's what you are! A big old punk with a bit of rockabilly thrown in," Rose says, gesturing around her as she follows him about the console.
"Would you like to see him? Ally doesn't want to get dressed up today, but oh well ."
Rose asks, "How'd you mean? In concert?"
Shrugging, the Time Lord continues to bop around the console, shifting levers and hitting buttons, "What else is a TARDIS for? I can take you to the Battle of Trafalgar, the first anti-gravity Olympics, Caesar crossing the Rubicon, or… Ian Dury at the Top Rank, Sheffield, England, Earth, 21st November 1979," he smiles, "What do you think?"
"Sheffield it is!" Rose grins, biting her tongue.
"Hold on tight," he replies and starts the TARDIS, sending them back through time.
The Doctor beats the song's rhythm on the console with his hammer, the TARDIS shaking wildly as they journey through the Vortex.
Rose calls out, holding tightly to the console, "Stop! Ally says she hates that!"
They come to an abrupt halt and are knocked back to the ground, laughing. The Doctor scrambles up and strides toward the door, with Rose trailing closely behind him.
'I'll meet you outside, love,' the Time Lord hears.
"Ally'll meet us outside," the Doctor tells Rose, "1979. Hell of a year!" he grabs his coat, throwing it on, " China invades Vietnam. The Muppet Movie! Love that film…" he nods, "Margaret Thatcher. Urgh, " he laughs, "Should have seen Ally chew her out!" he turns to the doors, coat on, "Skylab falls to Earth with a little help from us. Nearly took off my thumb…"
[Highlands]
"And I like my thumb," the Doctor continues as he closes the TARDIS door, "I need my thumb. I'm very attached to..." he trails off as rifles are cocked before him, "My thumb."
They are surrounded by Redcoats. The officer in charge, a Captain of the guard, sits astride a black horse, pointing a pistol at them.
The Doctor shrugs, raising his hands and prompting Rose to do the same, "1879... Same difference."
"You will explain your presence. And the nakedness of this girl," the Captain demands, priming his weapon.
"Are we in Scotland?" the Doctor asks in a Scottish accent.
"How can you be ignorant of that?"
The Time Lord smirks slightly, "Oh, I'm, I'm dazed and confused. I've been chasing this, this wee naked child over hill and over dale with my wife," he turns to Rose, "Isn't that right? Ya timorous beastie?"
"Ooch, aye!" Rose attempts to copy him, "I've been oot and aboot."
The Doctor grimaces, whispering, "No, don't do that."
"Hoots, mon," Rose tries again.
The Time Lord warns, "No, really don't. Really."
The Captain orders, "Will you identify yourself, sir?"
"I'm Doctor James McCrimmon, from the township of Balamory. I have my credentials, if I may..." he says as he gets out his psychic paper, nodding toward it and showing it off, "As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself."
"...And I am Dame Ally Starlight-McCrimmon, wife of this genius madman. I have my own credentials." the Alchemist says from behind them as she approaches, holding out her own psychic paper.
The Time Lord spins, his mouth agape in astonishment when he spots her. He realizes the TARDIS must have done something with her clothing this morning. She is draped in a breathtaking Victorian dress, intricately designed with deep green and black motifs.
An upper-class English accent comes from a carriage nearby and the Alchemist smirks; she knows that perfume.
"Let them approach," the voice says.
"I don't think that's wise, ma'am." the Captain warns her.
"Let them approach."
The Doctor gestures toward the carriage, and the Captain nods, "You will approach the carriage and show all due deference."
The Doctor casually salutes him with his finger as the trio walks to the carriage. A footman opens the door to reveal the Imperial Widow.
"Rose, Ally, might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria—Empress of India and Defender of the Faith," the Doctor introduces, and the Time Lady curtsies elegantly.
Rose offers a clumsy curtsey, trying to adjust her falling shoulder strap, "Rose Tyler, Ma'am," she says uncomfortably, "And my apologies for being so naked."
The Queen doesn't react, "I've had five daughters. It's nothing to me. But you, Doctor, Dame Starlight, show me these credentials."
The Time Lords hand her the psychic paper booklets, and she glances at them, her eyes widening, and back to the couple, "Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you, Doctor McCrimmon, have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my Protector!" she turns to the Alchemist, "And you are... I know who you are, but you know what I need to truly know ."
"Does it?" the Doctor asks before nodding, "Yes, it does. Good. Good. Then let me ask—why is Your Majesty traveling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
The Queen informs him, "A tree on the line."
"An accident?" he asks.
She purses her lips, "I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned."
"An assassination attempt?" the Doctor asks, concerned.
"Not the first, I'm afraid. I remember the first," the Alchemist states blandly.
Rose gapes, "What, seriously? There's people out to kill you?"
"I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun," the Queen informs them as she looks directly at the Alchemist, who quickly flashes her eyes at her as ordered.
"Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence," the Captain interrupts, "We've sent word ahead. He'll shelter us for tonight, then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow."
"This Doctor and his timorous beastie will come with us, and Dame Ally Starlight-McCrimmon will ride with me in my carriage." Queen Victoria orders.
"Yes, Ma'am. We'd better get moving—it's almost nightfall." the man confirms.
The Alchemist presses a soft kiss to her husband's cheek before allowing the Footman to assist her up the steps into the carriage, sitting opposite the Queen.
"Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!" the Queen orders.
The Footman shuts the door to the carriage before jumping onto the back.
The Doctor and Rose walk with the soldiers behind the carriage.
"It's funny, though, because you say assassination, and you just think of Kennedy and stuff. Not her," Rose says.
"1879? She's had, oh, six attempts on her life?" The Doctor recalls, "And I'll tell you something else. We just met Queen Victoria! ...Odd that she wanted to sit with Ally, though, I'll have to ask her about that later."
"I know!" Rose laughs.
The Time Lord caws, "What a laugh!"
"She was just sitting there." Rose gasps.
"Like a stamp." the Doctor responds knowingly.
"I want her to say, 'We are not amused,'" Rose smirks, "I bet you five quid I can make her say it."
He shakes his head, "Well if I gambled on that, it'd be an abuse of my privileges of a traveler in time."
She tries again, "Ten quid?"
"Ally'll kill me, but... Done," he replies.
[The Queen's Carriage]
"My Savior, it seems, has indeed come back as she said she might," Victoria says conspiratorily with a quirked smile, her queenly mask dropped.
"It seems I have," the Alchemist smiles softly, "Unplanned, admittedly, but hopefully I will not need to save you this time. ...Make sure you don't say 'we are not amused' today, hm?" she sighs, "Also, please don't inform them that we know each other until we part."
"I'll keep that advice in mind," Victoria nods, "That would be unfortunate, indeed. But one never knows when you must be saved when you're a Queen," she leans forward, "I never quite believed you. I must admit. I knew you had magic, you showed me then—but it's true! Your very self changes entirely, yet I see it's still you. Your kindness remains... It surrounds me like a blanket. It's so strong, my Starlight Protector,"
The Time Lady nods, "It's why I informed you when I did. I did desire to come back at some point, just not so late," she shrugs, "I can't tell you why I can do what I can. If you ever figure it out it will be on your own ability. Unlike many like me, it is easy to tell I am who I am even when I am forced to become another."
The Queen nods before looking closer into her eyes, "You're different though, much older now. Far older than myself, I can tell," she sighs, "You have faced much darkness and loss. Great loss and suffering. So much it brings me near to tears, my Starlight. Can you tell me an inch of truth?"
The Alchemist frowns, holding her hands out to her old friend who grasps them quickly and tightly, "Like you, I have lost ones I have loved deeply. I still have my soulmate. However, my people... they are gone," she blinks back tears, "My children... I know not. I must find hope that I have saved them, but I do not know. I faced much darkness in the loss of my people. Forced to experience horrors that no being ever should, and I withstood it all to get back to my husband and... I believe my children as well, but I am uncertain of that," she swallows hard, and the Queen squeezes her palms, "I do not know where they are. I can't remember if I saved them or not."
"Oh, my dear Starlight, your magic and heart are powerful; you must not doubt yourself. Find your magic as you taught me to and hold it tightly," she reminds her and tightens her hold on the Time Lady's hands again.
"You remembered that lesson well then and clearly figured out what it meant," the Alchemist whispers.
"Indeed I did. 'All Queens have magic, young Queen Victoria. You will find your own and learn how to use it wisely.' I most certainly did, Starlight."
"Excellent, I knew you were a quick study." the Alchemist smiles, "I am so terribly sorry for you losing your husband, your soulmate. I know your children have helped you through it, though, as they also love him, yes?"
The Queen smiles at her thoughtfulness, "They have, they have. I told Albert and all of my children and grandchildren, you know. I'm afraid it spurred Albert more into his interest in magic and fantasy!"
The Alchemist laughs, "Am I a bedtime story?"
"A storybook, actually," the Queens says proudly, "I wrote the passages myself and had a dear friend do the drawings. 'Dame Starlight the Protector of the Crown.'"
The Time Lady gasps, eyes wide, "Somehow, I am not surprised. Am I the favorite bedtime story?"
"I've had to have multiple copies ordered for each child; they're worn out so quickly. I believe you will always be the family's favorite bedtime story, my Starlight Savior," Queen Victoria tells her with a small smile.
"That, that makes me so happy I can't describe it in words, Magic Queen," she says as she pulls back a hand to wipe away the wetness in her eyes.
The Queen looks at her fondly, "Tell me of this husband of yours and this beastie, my friend."
The Alchemist gives her a wary look, "We'll start with my husband. He's the one to be least worried about…sort of. It seems danger follows him everywhere, but with the two of us combined, we are always able to stop it," she sighs heavily, "Unfortunately, he's rather rude and speaks before he thinks. And thinks while he speaks. If this occurs, I will smack his head multiple times; do not be alarmed when you see it. He's used to it, and in our lands, it is common," she frowns, "He's brilliant, but... he forgets himself at times... and when there's danger and loss of life, he has to laugh to get through it because he's so scared and upset. He cries at night afterward. We both have horrific nightmares. He's a very sensitive man."
"I can't say I will appreciate such reactions, my friend. You know well how I view the loss of life," the Queen reminds her.
"I do, and I am in agreement. Thus, at the end of whatever we may have to face, I stand by your decision. Use your magic to protect your people, Queen Victoria. This is your Queendom, not his or mine."
The Queen smiles and nods, "And of the naked girl? You seem wary of her. Why?"
The Time Lady raises a brow, "Your magic is very good now, isn't it? She is young, very young, and views these dangers we often face to be without consequence," she sighs, "It maddens me. I have not traveled with her for long, but I theorize she gains true enjoyment from the danger now. I do not think she always has felt this way, but it is as if she now sees the loss as part of a... I hate to phrase it as such, but, a game. It worries me greatly."
"And if such circumstances occur today and any loss of life follows..." The Queen trails off, genuinely concerned.
"Unlike my husband, who laughs to hide how hurt he is, I theorize she will find true amusement from it." The Alchemist confirms.
Queen Victoria nods, "I will confirm this theory of yours then if something does occur as you suspect it may. I will have hope and pray nothing will. However, I also know you will do all you can to protect myself and my people as Dame Ally Starlight, Protector of the Crown. It is wonderful to have a first name for you now, my dear old friend."
"It took some time to decide on one, Queen Victoria. I genuinely didn't have one to give you when we first met."
She earns a hearty laugh.
[Torchwood House Courtyard]
Sir Robert steps forward to greet Queen Victoria, his entourage of servants trailing behind him. The Alchemist observes them with a cautious gaze. The man exudes an air of anxiety, while his staff appear unusually robust for typical Victorian staff and carry an overwhelming scent of mistletoe.
'Something's wrong here, very wrong,' she calls out to her Bondmate.
"Your Majesty." Robert greets her with a deep bow.
"Sir Robert. My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?" the Queen asks as she gestures for him to rise.
'What do you mean,' the Doctor responds.
"She's indisposed, I'm afraid," Robert informs her, "She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her. The kitchens are barely stocked. I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on."
'He's lying, and those servants are trained in combat,' she replies warily.
The Doctor looks them over, 'They do look a bit strong.'
Victoria waves him off, "Oh, not at all. I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is charming, if rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside? And please excuse the naked girl."
'A bit?' the Time Lady grumbles back.
"Sorry," Rose grimaces.
"She's a feral child," the Doctor quickly says, "I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It was her or the Elephant Man, so..."
The Alchemist smacks the back of his head lightly to shut him up.
"Thinks he's funny, but I'm so not amused. What do you think, Ma'am?" Rose implores the Queen.
Victoria glances knowingly at the Alchemist and says, "It hardly matters. Shall we proceed?"
"So close," Rose whispers.
Queen Victoria walks inside with the Alchemist close behind her, eyeing the home for potential threats.
"Makerson and Ramsey, you will escort the property. Hurry up," the Captain orders.
Yes, sir," the soldiers reply as one retrieves a small locked box from the carriage and brings it inside the house.
"So what's in there, then?" The Doctor asks curiously.
"Property of the Crown," the Captain snaps, "You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir. The rest of you go to the rear of the house," he turns to his troupe, "Assume your designated positions."
"You heard the orders. Positions," a soldier repeats, "Sir," he nods to the Doctor.
The Time Lord gives a slight nod before stepping inside the household.
[Observatory]
"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour," Victoria notes, eyeing the elegant piece of machinery as they enter the Observatory.
A grand bronze telescope dominates the center of the room, all eyes on it.
Robert nods, "All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession. He spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself."
The Doctor smiles at him, "I wish I'd met him. I like him. That thing's beautiful," he gestures to it, "Can I?"
"Can we, actually?" the Alchemist asks softly.
"Help yourselves," Robert says with a nod.
The Doctor circles the object, taking in its form, while the Alchemist, from her vantage point, sharpens her enhanced vision to examine the intricate details before her. She can't help but recognize the exceptional quality of the craftsmanship.
"What did he model it on?" the Time Lord asks.
Robert shakes his head, "I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little, shall we say, eccentric. I wish now I'd spent more time with him and listened to his stories."
The Alchemist turns to him, "It's best not to dwell in the past like that and simply be glad of the time you had together as what he left behind for you. You were his greatest creation, after all."
Robert and the Queen smile at her for the remark as the Time Lady walks over to the Endeavor to look over it herself.
"It's a bit rubbish," the Doctor remarks, peering through the eyepiece, "How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top. That's stupid kind of…" he glances at his wife who is now standing beside him, "Am I being rude again?"
The Alchemist smacks the back of his head and earns an 'ow' for her efforts before she looks into the Endeavor herself.
"Yep," Rose says.
"But it's pretty! It's very pretty," the Doctor tries to correct himself as he walks around again.
The Alchemist hums as she pulls back, "And missing something, it's not a telescope, love. I believe it's an incomplete light chamber. The man was brilliant; you should be very proud of your father, Robert."
The Doctor jumps to quickly look again before pulling back and nodding at her in agreement.
"And the imagination of it should be applauded," Victoria compliments.
"Mmm. Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty," Rose comments, "Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful? You could easily not be amused, or something?" the Queen glares at her, "No?"
The Alchemist rolls her eyes. Victoria is highly fond of the sciences and, because of her, magic.
Queen Victoria practically scoffs, "This device surveys the infinite work of God. What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath, steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales."
"Stars and magic. I like him more and more." The Doctor says, nodding and winking at his wife, who smiles softly at him.
Victoria recalls fondly, "Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company. Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."
"That's Bavaria." the Doctor whispers to Rose, who nods.
"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported," Victoria says.
The Time Lord asks, "So, what's this wolf, then?"
"Yes, this is the second time we've heard of it," the Alchemist comments.
Robert waves them off, "It's just a story."
The Doctor raises his brows, "Then tell it."
"It's said that..." Robert starts before he's interrupted.
The Alchemist narrows her eyes at the interruption. The 'servant' became furious when he began to speak of the wolf.
"Excuse me, sir," the butler cuts in, "Perhaps Her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark."
"Of course," Robert rapidly nods, "Yes, of course."
"And then supper," the Queen states, "And could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness."
Rose tries again, "It's not amusing, is it?"
Remembering her friend's advice, Victoria understands precisely what's happening now.
"Sir Robert, your wife must have left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven, and talk some more of this wolf. After all, there is a full moon tonight."
"So there is, Ma'am," Robert says, sounding tense.
The Alchemist and the Doctor eye him with uncertainty as they're led from the room.
[Bedroom]
"You're going to forget the accent. You always forget to keep up the accent," the Time Lady reminds him after she shuts the door.
The Doctor's flopped on the bed on his back.
He scoffs, accent dropped, "No, I won't!"
"You just did, idiot," she reminds him.
"Well, we're alone," the Doctor defends.
She agrees; it's fair enough for him to do so.
"What do you think is going on here?" he asks.
"Something's up with those bald servants. Don't they look like... monks? Bald-headed strong monks, and they smell of determination and, weirdly enough, Viscum album."
The Doctor sits up, "Oil of mistletoe? What are they doing, making mistletoe hangers to sell?"
The Alchemist shoots him a look, and he huffs, pouting at her lack of laughter.
"Robert also smells of fear and worry. He's terrified of them... and for someone else?" the Alchemist wonders, "The mistletoe is messing with my nose. By his microexpressions and vocal changes, I can tell he's concerned for Queen Victoria herself. I've been guarding her silently, just in case. I'm faster than her men, after all. Granted, she can protect herself. They won't try anything yet, at least."
"Protect herself? Maybe it's something to do with that wolf story..."
The Time Lady begins to pace, "She's done it before, trust me. The monk did interrupt him when he started... and it's a full moon. What if it's not a story?"
"Werewolf?" he asks incredulously.
"Not from here, at least," she shrugs, "But we do know that someone prevented the Queen from taking the train, forcing her to stop here," she hums in thought, "Alien? That thing is a light chamber at that... perhaps for moonlight," the Alchemist says, listing out her reasoning.
The Doctor moves to the foot of the bed, observing his wife intently. He's always enjoyed seeing her piece together a theory.
"Lupine wavelength haemovariform?" he suggests.
That gives her pause. "They can survive as base molecules," she turns to her Bondmate, "They don't need much, just need to transfer to a host. Depending on which one depends on how long it takes to reform into a true Lupine under moonlight again," she twists the ends of her hair, "Which is the only way to remove it from the host in the first place, you need to flood it with its own power; hence a light chamber... Robert's father would be a true genius to work that one out."
"So there's potential to that?" the Doctor asks, worried.
"A lot of potential, yes. And they tend to be very, very vicious, love."
[Dining room]
"Your companion begs an apology, Doctor, my Lady. Her clothing has somewhat delayed her," the butler informs them.
The Doctor shrugs it off, "Oh, that's alright. Save her a wee bit of ham."
The Alchemist frowns. She can smell a hint of Rose's scent on the butler. He must have knocked her out and carried her somewhere.
Victoria comments, "The feral child could probably eat it raw."
'He's lying and I can smell Rose's perfume on him slightly over his shoulder. He must have knocked her out and taken her somewhere. Keep up the act for now; we need more information,' the Time Lady calls out.
"Very wise, Ma'am. Very witty," the Captain laughs.
The Doctor spares his wife a worried glance, nodding minutely.
"Slightly witty, perhaps," Victoria dryly replies, "I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited. I shall contain my wit in case I do you further injury."
"Yes, Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am," the Captain says, thoroughly chastised.
The Alchemist holds in a laugh; that's her being witty.
"Besides, we're all waiting on Sir Robert. Come, sir. You promised us a tale of nightmares," the Doctor recalls.
The Queen nods, "Indeed. Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction."
"You must miss him," the Time Lord says gently, grasping his wife's hand tightly.
"Very much," the Queen sighs, "Oh, completely. Although your kind wife reminded me that my children and grandchildren keep him with me while we traveled here," she smiles at the Alchemist, "And that's also the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills, that's just for children, but the hope of some contact with the great beyond," she nods, "We all want some message from that place. It's the Creator's greatest mystery that we're allowed no such consolation. The dead stay silent, and we must wait," she turns to Robert, "Come. Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters."
The Doctor smiles gently at his Bondmate for their words to the Queen, oblivious to their past connection, and receives a warm grin in return.
"The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. The next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and devoured," Robert begins.
The Captain scoffs, "Tales like this just disguise the work of thieves. Steal a sheep and blame a wolf, simple as that."
Robert continues, "But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation, a boy will vanish from his homestead."
"Are there descriptions of the creature?" the Alchemist asks.
"Oh, yes, Dame Starlight. Drawings and wood carvings. And it's not merely a wolf. It's more than that. This is a man who becomes an animal."
The Doctor glances at his Bondmate, "A werewolf?"
The full moon shines brilliantly in the night sky, shining down on the grounds below, its beams casting shadows through the window.
"My father didn't treat it as a story," Robert informs them. "He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast, to have learned its purpose. I should have listened. His work was hindered. He made enemies. There's a monastery in the Glen of Saint Catherine. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations."
The butler stares into the moonlit sky and begins to chant, "Lupus Deus est," drawing the attention of the Time Lords.
Victoria nods, "Perhaps they thought his work ungodly."
"That's what I thought," Robert sighs, "But now I wonder. What if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet? What if they turned from God and worshiped the wolf?"
"And what if they were with us right now?" The Doctor asks, turning towards the butler.
"What is the meaning of this?" Victoria's voice rises above the turmoil in the room, everyone leaping to their feet while the monk persists with his chanting.
"Explain yourself, Sir Robert!" Reynolds orders, aiming his pistol at Robert.
"What's happening!?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife," Robert admits.
The Alchemist frowns, "They think the wolf is a god. Direct translation: god wolf."
The Queen turns to her, and the Time Lady mouths, 'Use it if need be.'
Victoria nods and tilts her head toward the door, urging her to leave.
"Where's Rose?" the Doctor asks, "Where is she?"
The Alchemist turns to the fearful homeowner as the Time Lords rush out of the room, "Sir Robert, with us, now!"
He quickly follows while Captain Reynolds keeps his revolver trained on the chanting monk.
[Cellar]
The Alchemist breaks her way into the cellar door with a quick roundhouse kick. The Doctor and Robert run through.
"Where the hell have you two been!?" Rose demands.
"Don't worry, we saved you a wee bit of ham," the Doctor mutters until he sees the occupant of the crate, "Oh, that's beautiful."
Robert shouts. "Come on, go! Get out!"
The werewolf bursts free from its confines, crashing onto the ground before the Time Lords. The Alchemist pulls up the Vortex, and the Lupine steps backward in fear while she steps forward.
"That's right, I'm the Alpha here," the Time Lady growls lowly.
"Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!" the Doctor calls.
Rose implores, "Come on!"
The Doctor gazes in awe at the wolf and his wife circling one another until she pushes her husband toward the door, prompting him to duck just in time as the creature hurls a chunk of wood in his direction.
He rushes out, dragging his Bondmate by the hand, and the Alchemist locks the door with her sonic, pulling the Vortex back in.
[Gun room]
The Steward hands out the contents of the gun cupboard to the men.
The Alchemist strides towards him, "Those guns won't work on it; you need to attack in a Five-Star strategy. Do you know what that is?"
"What does a woman know of war?" He scoffs, "Arms, and you five. Ready, everyone?"
"As the named Royal Protector of this realm, far more than you!" she shouts, "One of you must take aim at each of his feet, arms, and head, shooting every two seconds, one step back in retreat every time, it's the only thing that may keep you alive! That is an order!"
The Steward nods warily before turning to Lady Isobel, "Take the girls. Get them out through the kitchen."
"I can't leave you," Isobel denies, turning to her husband, "What will you do?"
Robert kisses her cheek, "I must defend Her Majesty. Now, don't think of me. Just go."
Isobel orders the women, "All of you, at my side. Come on!"
The Doctor and the Alchemist are removing the shackles with their sonic screwdrivers.
"It could be any form of light-modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths, likely a lupine. Ally and I were discussing it earlier. Did it say what it wanted?" the Doctor asks Rose.
Rose shakes her head, "The Queen, the Crown, the throne—you name it."
A loud crash echoes as something breaks through the wooden door. The Doctor steps outside to investigate and spots the werewolf lurking at the far end of the corridor. He quickly retreats, rushing back inside to grab Rose and pull her away from danger.
"Fire! Fire!" the Alchemist cries, "Five-Star formation only! Watch your shots! They won't pierce his flesh, only keep him back!"
The gunfire fades away, leaving only a haze of smoke in the air, while the wolf remains unseen.
"Alright, you men. We should retreat upstairs. Come with us," the Doctor orders.
The Steward shakes his head, "I'll not retreat. The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault."
"I told you! Those bullets will not pierce!" the Alchemist snaps.
The Doctor shouts, "We're telling you, come upstairs! Stay alive!"
"And I'm telling you, sir, ma'am, I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall," the man informs them. He strides into the corridor, glancing back, he scoffs, "It must have crawled away to die."
The Steward is lifted toward the ceiling, and The Alchemist senses it then—something dark crawling in her mind and slams it down in the bond.
"There's nothing we can do!" the Doctor cries.
He urges the others to follow him, but the men stay back, shooting at the creature.
The Time Lady swallows nervously, grateful that her husband remains oblivious, at least for now. But as the chilling sounds of snarling and flesh tearing fill the air, her relief begins to fade, and the darkness grows.
Rose watches in awe before the Alchemist grips her arm tightly in rage and drags her bodily down the corridor, letting go only when she begins to run on her own, following the Time Lords and Robert.
[Staircase]
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty!" Robert shouts upon seeing her.
"Sir Robert? What's happening?" Queen Victoria asks as she descends the stairs, "I heard such terrible noises."
The Alchemist raises an eyebrow knowingly, looking toward Victoria's hand and purse. She can smell the splatter of human blood and gunpowder residue on her fingertips. The Queen casts a brief look in her direction before returning her attention to Robert, fully aware that her friend will remain silent about it.
"Your Majesty, we've got to get out," Robert implores, looking around, "But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?"
The Queen shakes her head, "Captain Reynolds disposed of him."
Sighing, the Time Lady rolls her eyes, knowing that Victoria means she disposed of him and he's disposing of the body.
"The front door's no good; it's been boarded shut," the Doctor interrupts, rushing over to them, "Pardon me, Your Majesty. You'll have to leg it out of a window," he says and earns a smack and glare from his wife.
"Don't be rude to the Queen, Doctor," she admonishes.
[Drawing room]
Robert turns to the Queen, "Excuse my manners, Ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress."
She nods, "A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh."
"Yeah, any chance you could hurry up?" the Doctor asks, regaining his London accent in his annoyance.
Robert opens the window wide, and the monks outside unleash a barrage of gunfire. The Alchemist swiftly draws the Queen to her side, protecting her from the onslaught.
"Are you alright?" she whispers in her ear and earns a nod of ascent.
"I reckon the monkey boys want us to stay inside," the Doctor mutters from under the window.
Queen Victoria rages, "Do they know who I am!?"
"Yeah, that's why they want you," Rose nods, "The wolf's lined you up for a, uh, biting."
"Stop this talk!" Victoria demands, "There can't be an actual wolf."
The wolf lets out a loud howl.
"Unfortunately, there's an actual wolf, although I do believe we can take care of it, your Majesty," the Alchemist politely informs her.
The Time Lady's hand is grabbed by her husband, and the group rushes from the room and down the corridor as the wolf slams against a door.
[Corridor]
"What do we do?" Rose pants.
"We run!" he replies.
"Is that it?"
"You got any silver bullets?" he sarcastically asks.
Rose pats her dungarees, "Not on me, no."
"There is a time and a place!" the Alchemist shouts.
The Doctor winces, "There we are then, we run," he turns to the Queen, "Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a rigorous jog," he jogs in place as a demonstration, "Good for the health."
"Come on!" the Alchemist cries, dropping her husband's hold and taking the Queen's hand, picking up the pace.
[Staircase]
They sprint up the staircase, and just as they arrive at the top, the wolf bursts through the door below. The werewolf smashes its way up the stairs below and follows them.
[Library corridor]
"Come on! Come on!" the Time Lord shouts.
They turn down a corridor, and the Alchemist's head tilts as she hears more movement approaching. She gently pushes the Queen towards her Bondmate, who takes her hand instead, and the Time Lady focuses on getting her timing right.
The werewolf is nearly upon them when Reynolds appears. The Alchemist spins and pulls up her skirts, kicking the wolf backward as the Captain turns and shoots. Reeling backward, the wolf falls behind as the others dash around the corner.
Dropping to a knee, the Alchemist leaps back up and rushes back after the group, Reynolds at her side.
The Captain stops and turns, "I'll take this position and hold it!" he cries, "You keep moving, for God's sake! Your Majesty, I went to look for the property, and it was taken. The chest was empty."
"I have it," the Queen informs him, "It's safe,"
"Then remove yourself, Ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's Protector. And you, Sir Robert, you're a traitor to the crown!" Reynolds growls as he primes his gun.
The Doctor shakes his head, "Bullets can't stop it!"
"They'll buy you time! Now run!" the man shouts.
The Alchemist stays hidden behind him, 'Teacher, if I pull him back after his death, will the death of the lupine waveform cover his recovery?'
'Yes, our Chosen, you are wise,' she hears.
Reynolds empties his revolver at the werewolf before it pounces and rips him apart.
Rose watches in awe again, not noticing the Alchemist's golden cyan glare behind her.
"Rose!" the Doctor shouts and drags her inside the library.
The Lupin Wavelength gone, the Alchemist waves her hand, and Reynolds reforms on the ground.
"What, but there was... it was about to..." he gasps.
Her eyes died down to their typical glow; she helps the Captain to his feet.
"It's alright, Reynolds; my name is Dame Ally Starlight, the Protector of the Crown. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
He sighs and nods quickly, "You're magic. The royal children say you're magic."
"Yeah, we go with that," she whispers before clearing her throat, "Reynolds, I need you to go find a safe room for yourself, anywhere but here, alright?" she nods to him, "Anywhere. You need to stay alive now. I can keep her Majesty safe, you know this," she informs him.
"I do, I'll go now," Reynolds says.
"Good, move quietly," she advises, and he nods, rushing away.
Her eyes glow again, and she jumps into the library.
[Library]
"Barricade the door!" Robert orders as they rush into the room.
He and the Doctor quickly get to work, using chains and wood to block the entrance.
"Wait a minute. Shush, shush, wait a minute," the Doctor whispers, and all goes silent beyond one lonely, distant howl, "It's stopped. It's gone," he says, confused.
Rose whispers, "Listen."
There are footsteps and growls from outside the walls as it walks away.
"Is this the only door?" The Time Lord softly asks, turning to Sir Robert.
"Yes," he nods before realizing, "No!"
The Doctor and Robert quickly barricade the other door.
Rose orders, "Shush," as the noises continue outside the walls before fading.
"I don't understand. What's stopping it?" Rose asks.
"Something inside this room. What is it? Why can't it get in? The Doctor responds before panic sets in when he notices his wife isn't there, "Ally! Where's the Alchemist? Alchemist!?"
The Alchemist appears in the far corner of the room, facing the wall with eyes aglow, and quickly shuts them, pulling the Vortex in. She's unnoticed by everyone but the Doctor and the Queen who both breathe out, relieved.
The Doctor rushes over, pulling her into his arms and checking her over for any wounds before embracing her tightly.
'Are you alright?' he asks silently.
"I'm fine," she mutters into his shoulder, and he lets her go.
The Alchemist approaches the Queen, positioning herself beside her to assess her condition.
"Are you alright, your Majesty? Are you hurt?" she whispers.
The woman sighs, "Just my heart."
"That's enough," she informs her, "I saved Reynolds; we'll find him later, alright? Just focus on the now," the Time Lady whispers in the Queen's ear.
The Queen glances up at her, sighing in relief before she nods and turns her attention to the rest of the room.
"I'll tell you what, though..." Rose begins to say.
The Doctor looks at her, finally getting his breath back, "What?"
"Werewolf!" she grins.
"Yeah... I know. You alright?" he asks Rose.
The young human smiles at him happily, "I'm okay, yeah!"
Robert approaches the Queen and the Alchemist, saying, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. It's all my fault. I should have sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong. I thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?"
"Yes," the Alchemist sighs, "I noticed immediately."
"Well, they were bald, athletic…" the Doctor shrugs, "Your wife's away. I just thought you were happy."
"I'll tell you what, though, Ma'am, I bet you're not amused now," Rose grins.
Both Victoria and the Alchemist glare darkly at the girl.
Victoria snaps, "Do you think this is funny?"
"No, Ma'am! I'm sorry," Rose says, looking down.
"What, exactly, I pray tell me, someone, please. What exactly is that creature?" Victoria asks.
'Don't,' the Alchemist calls out but goes ignored.
The Doctor rubs at his hair, "You'd call it a werewolf, but technically, it's a more of a lupine wavelength haemovariform."
"And should I trust you, sir? You who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?" the Queen asks him, rageful.
'Idiot,' he hears.
"Oh right, sorry, that's..." he trails off, unable to find an excuse.
"I'll not have it," the Queen shakes her head, "No, sir. Not you or that girl… not that thing… none of it. This is not my world."
"It reeks of mistletoe in here," the Alchemist remarks, trying to get them to focus again.
The Time Lords look around and the Doctor eyes a carving of mistletoe on the door, "Mistletoe... Sir Robert, did your father put that there?"
"I don't know. I suppose," Sir Robert mutters.
"It's on the other door, too," the Alchemist points out, "No, a carving wouldn't be enough, not just wood from it..."
"I wonder..." the Doctor mutters before he licks the woodwork, making the humans grimace, "Viscum album, the oil of the mistletoe. It's been worked into the wood like a varnish. How clever was your dad? I love him," he grins, "Powerful stuff, mistletoe. Bursting with lectins and viscotoxins."
"And the wolf's allergic to it?" Rose asks
"Well, it thinks it is. The monkey monk monks need a way of controlling the wolf, maybe they trained it to react against certain things."
"No, it actually is, sort of," the Alchemist cuts in, "It's a similar enough chemical compound to what it is allergic to. This stuff doesn't do nearly as much damage as the other thing."
The Doctor nods, understanding the point she's trying to convey without saying it.
"Nevertheless, that creature won't give up, Doctor, Dame Starlight, and we still don't possess an actual weapon," Sir Robert says.
"Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?" The Doctor rolls his eyes.
"Being rude again," Rose says.
"Good. I meant that one. You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have," he tosses a book to Rose, "Arm yourself."
The Alchemist frowns, wondering if he listened to anything she had said in the bedroom or if he's just forgotten in the heat of the moment again.
"You have fun. I already know this part, but you've obviously forgotten it, love," the Alchemist rolls her eyes.
As time passes, the Doctor, Rose, and Robert hurriedly sift through the pages of the books, their voices rising as they read aloud, desperately searching for any clue that might offer assistance. The Alchemist sits beside the Queen, her senses spread out, keeping track of the women in the kitchen and the wolf on the prowl.
Rose murmurs, "Biology… zoology. There might be something on wolves in here."
"Hold on, what about this? A book on mistletoe," the Doctor mumbles, reading.
"A book on magic," the companion says next.
Robert shakes his head, "Some form of explosive."
The Doctor nods, "Hmm, that's the sort of thing."
Rose continues, "Wolfsbane, what about that?"
The Time Lord points to a passage in another book, "Look what your old dad found. Something fell to Earth."
"A spaceship?" she asks, walking over.
"A shooting star," Robert corrects as he takes the book, "'In the Year of our Lord 1540, under the reign of King James the Fifth, an almighty fire did burn in the pit.' That's the Glen of Saint Catherine just by the monastery."
"But that's over three hundred years ago. What's it been waiting for?"
"Maybe just a single cell survived," the Doctor mumbles, "Adapting slowly down the generations, it survived through the humans, host after host after…" he groans in recollection then, turning to his wife.
"I did tell you, didn't I? It takes a while for them to reform," the Alchemist says.
"What do you mean?" Victoria asks her in a whisper.
"He sometimes forgets to think," she whispers back conspiratorially and earns a nod of understanding.
Robert shakes his head, "But why does it want the throne?"
The companion replies, "That's what it wants. It said so. The... the Empire of the Wolf."
Sighing, the Time Lord says, "Imagine it. The Victorian Age accelerated. Starships and missiles fueled by coal and driven by steam… leaving history devastated in its wake."
"Dame Starlight, Sir Robert, If I am to die here," the Queen calls out, standing.
Robert shakes his head desperately, "Don't say that, Your Majesty."
"You know very well I will never allow that to happen," the Alchemist reminds her, standing as well.
"I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me," Victoria vehemently denies, "But that's no matter. I ask only that you find some place of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself."
"Hardly the time to worry about your valuables," the Doctor scoffs as she opens her handbag.
"Hush, Doctor," the Time Lady hisses.
The Queen glares at him, "Thank you for your opinion, but there is nothing more valuable than this."
She removes a fine white 105.6-carat diamond from her purse.
Rose gapes, "Is that the Koh-I-Noor?"
"Oh, yes. The greatest diamond in the world," the Doctor nods, stepping closer.
The Queen declares, "Given to me as the spoils of war. Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die."
"Well, that's true of anything if you wait long enough. Can I?" he asks, holding out his hand.
Victoria shakes her head in denial and hands it to the Alchemist, who looks it over carefully, thinking.
The Doctor takes another step forward to look at it, putting his specs on, "That is so beautiful, but my wife's more so."
Victoria quirks a bit of a smile at that but notices Rose's narrowed eyes and frown.
"I don't think I'm nearly as shiny as this, love," the Alchemist mutters.
"Agree to disagree," he replies.
Rose interrupts, "How much is that worth?"
"They say the wages of the entire planet for a whole week," the Doctor nods towards it.
"Good job my mum's not here," she smirks, "She'd be fighting the wolf off with her bare hands for that thing."
"And she'd win," he quips.
The Alchemist rolls her eyes, "Time and place."
"Where is the wolf? I don't trust this silence," Robert asks.
The Alchemist mumbles, "It's closing in on us; it'll be here shortly. We should really leave in about two minutes."
The Doctor hears her and nods.
"Why do you travel with it?" the Time Lady asks.
"My annual pilgrimage. I'm taking it to Helier and Carew, the Royal Jewellers at Hazelhead. The stone needs recutting," the Queen explains.
Rose denies, "Oh, but it's perfect."
"My late husband never thought so."
"Now, there's a fact," the Doctor nods, slipping his specs back off and pocketing them, "Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut down. It used to be forty percent bigger than this. But he was never happy. Kept on cutting and cutting."
"He always said the shine was not quite right," the Queens mutters sadly, "But he died with it still unfinished."
"Unfinished... Oh, yes," the Doctor begins to realize.
"No, it's finished now, your Majesty. You finished it last year, and now it's ready," the Alchemist says, handing it back to her.
"Yes, Ally!" the Doctor grins, his eyes wide at her brilliance, "There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research, and your husband, Ma'am, he came here and he sought the perfect diamond. Hold on, hold on. All these separate things, they're not separate at all; they're connected," he pulls at his hair, "How do you do this all the time, Ally?"
"Easily," the Alchemist quips.
The Doctor groans, "Oh, my head, my head," he turns to the Queen, "What if this house... it's a trap for you. Is that right, Ma'am?"
"Obviously," the Queen states.
"That too," the Time Lady quips again.
This earns a look from Victoria but she smirks at her.
"At least, that's what the wolf intended," the Time Lord nods, "But, what if there's a trap inside the trap?"
The Queen orders, "Explain yourself, Doctor."
"Perhaps on the way out..." the Alchemist begins but is interrupted.
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories?" the Doctor speaks over her, "They dared to imagine all this was true, and they planned against it, laying the real trap not for you—but for the wolf!"
"That wolf there, perchance?" the Alchemist sighs and rolls her eyes toward the ceiling.
Plaster dust drifts down from above. They gaze upward at the domed skylight, where shadows of the wolf dance across its surface.
"Out! Out! Out!" the Doctor cries as the skylight's glass begins to crack.
The Alchemist charges at the door, slamming her shoulder into it and breaking through the barricade. The group rushes into the corridor just as the wolf's massive form crashes through the shattered glass dome. The Lupine Waveform hits the ground and immediately takes off in pursuit.
[Library corridor]
The Time Lady takes in every action happening around her. She hears the women finishing their work in the kitchen with the mistletoe and gently begins to rush Victoria forward.
"Your Majesty!" Robert shouts and helps her along as well as the Time Lord slams shut the doors, locking them.
The Doctor orders, "Gotta get to the observatory!"
They sprint down the hallway, rounding a corner with the werewolf closely pursuing them.
Rose lags behind, glancing nervously around her. The werewolf closes in, ready to leap. A terrified scream escapes her lips just as the Alchemist pulls her back, and a splash of liquid is hurled at the creature. The beast recoils in response and bounds away.
The Doctor catches sight of his Bondmate's moves and rushes over to her.
'You're not hurt?' he asks, and she shakes her head in response, making him sigh in relief.
"Good shot." the Time Lord compliments Isobel.
"It was mistletoe!" Flora cheers.
Robert sees his wife, "Isobel!" he kisses her quickly, "Now, get back downstairs."
Isobel begs, "Keep yourself safe."
He nods, kissing her one last time, "Now go," he demands.
She rushes to the maids, "Girls, come with me. Down the back stairs, back to the kitchens. Quickly!"
As they run, Robert looks back toward his wife forlornly.
"Come on!" the Doctor shouts as he passes.
"The observatory's this way!" Robert informs the group, leading them up the central staircase.
The wolf, wholly recovered, sets off in pursuit once more, following them while the Doctor rushes to open the doors of the Observatory.
[Outside the Observatory]
The women run inside ahead, with the Doctor ushering them in, the Queen leading the way, but the Alchemist pauses to listen closely beyond the door.
"No mistletoe in these doors because your father wanted the wolf to get inside. We just need time," the Doctor turns to Sir Robert, "Is there any way of barricading this?"
Robert says, "Just do your work, and I'll defend it."
He shakes his head, "If we could bind them shut with rope or something..."
"I said I'd find you time, Sir," Robert cuts him off, "Now get inside."
The Doctor sighs before clapping him on the shoulder, "Good man."
[Observatory]
"Your Majesty, the diamond," the Doctor calls, holding his hand out.
"For what purpose?" she demands.
The Alchemist turns slightly, "The purpose your husband spent all those years having it recut for, your Majesty."
[Outside the Observatory]
Robert takes a sword from a display on the wall and stands ready as the werewolf comes up the stairs.
[Observatory]
The Alchemist takes position by the doors at the wall, and Victoria hands over the diamond to the Doctor after sparing her a glance.
"Rose!" the Time Lord calls out.
He summons her to the Light Chamber, and they go to the control wheels and start raising the machine.
"Lift it. Come on," he orders, voice hard.
Rose rolls her eyes, "Is this the right time for stargazing?"
"Yes, it is," he says.
[Outside the Observatory]
The Lupine Waveform approaches Sir Robert, growling.
"I committed treason for you, but now my wife will remember me with honor!" Robert yells and goes to strike it.
[Observatory]
Victoria holds up her jet cross and prays for her country, her people, and her family.
Rose groans with the weight of it, "You said this thing doesn't work."
"It doesn't work as a telescope because that's not what it is!" the Doctor shouts, "It's a light chamber! Ally realized it when she first looked at it, remember? It magnifies the light rays like a weapon. We've just got to power it up."
The companion scoffs, "It won't work. There's no electricity…" she gasps, "Moonlight… But the wolf needs moonlight. It's made by moonlight."
He reminds her urgently, "You're seventy percent water, but you can still drown. Come on! Come on!"
The Alchemist perfectly times her move, yanking Sir Robert through the door and slamming him against the back wall just as the wolf lunges forward to strike.
"You good, Sir Robert?" she asks him softly and she receives a weary nod as he sags against the wall.
The moon shines down into the lens and bounces between the prisms, magnifying as it goes.
A werewolf bursts through the door, lunging at Queen Victoria, while the Alchemist swiftly moves in, hurling the creature across the room with a fierce growl of her own.
The Doctor positions the diamond in the path of the light streaming onto the floor. It refracts upward, ensnaring the werewolf in its radiant beam, elevating it off the ground, and suspending it. The creature transforms back into a young man, hovering as if crucified in the air.
"Make it brighter," the man begs, "Let me go."
The Time Lord swiftly adjusts the magnification on the eyepiece. The man transforms back into a wolf, releasing a final howl before disappearing into the night.
The Alchemist stands before Victoria as she worriedly looks at a small scratch on her wrist.
"Your Majesty? Did it bite you?" the Doctor asks, closing in on the pair.
She covers it up, "No, it's, it's a cut, that's all."
He reminds her gently, "If that thing bit you…"
"It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart. It's nothing."
"Let me see," he orders, hand out and reaching.
She pulls back and glares at him, "It is nothing!"
The Alchemist tilts her head and mouths, "I'll come to you later tonight to heal you."
Victoria sighs in relief, leaning back against the wall as she closes her eyes.
[Bedroom]
"I'll be back in a bit, Theta. I just need to take a walk to clear my head... it was... a lot today," the Alchemist tells her husband.
He frowns, "Do you want me to come with you?"
"I'll be fine," she shakes her head, "I just need some alone time. Might be a few hours, though."
The Doctor nods, still concerned, as he sits on the edge of the bed.
The Time Lady silently leaves the room, carefully closing the door behind her, and follows the scent of Queen Victoria to a different hall.
[Queen's Current Quarters]
"Good evening," she greets the guard, who looks at her warily.
He eyes her up and down, "The Queen is not to be disturbed. She's in the middle of prayers."
"She's waiting on me, actually. Dame Ally Starlight the Protector of the Crown, sir."
"Ah, yes, I was informed. Thank you for arriving hastily, Dame Starlight," he sighs with relief.
He taps lightly on the door and announces to the Queen her arrival. After a brief pause, they hear a soft "Enter," prompting him to swing the door open for her.
The Time Lady nods to him in thanks as he bows respectfully to her and closes it behind her.
The room is shrouded in darkness, illuminated solely by a single flickering candle on the bedside. Despite the dim light, she can see and hear everything clearly, which is not necessarily a blessing. With a heavy sigh, she observes the Queen, who is weeping uncontrollably, her emotions radiating fear, concern, and deep agony. Without hesitation, the Alchemist strides to her side and sits beside her.
"Magic Queen, I'm here, I'm here for you, I can help you. I can use my magic to take it away, alright?" she whispers.
Queen Victoria, tears still streaming down her face, sits upright against her pillows, gazing at her while gently cradling her injured wrist with one hand.
"Oh, my dear, dear friend," the Alchemist sighs, "I promise this will not hurt you any longer, and you and your family will be safe from this horrible creature. I've sworn to protect you, always."
Victoria silently nods at her and extends her wrist into the hand offered by the Time Lady.
"Now, I'm going to show you some more magic that you have never seen before," the Alchemist says softly, "It's rather impressive if I do say so myself," she smiles, "My eyes will glow like the magnificent universe. You could say they're all full of starlight then, hm?" the Queen gives her a quirked lip, "Afterward, I'm going to pull the infection from you with my magic and heal your skin like it never even happened. It may tingle—it probably will tingle, actually."
The Alchemist pulls the Vortex into her, causing her eyes to shimmer with the swirling hues of the cosmos. Queen Victoria gasps in surprise, her gaze darting between the enchanting eyes and her wounded wrist as the Time Lady reverses time on her injury.
Once the healing is finished, she engages her hand preceptors to confirm that she has returned to her full humanity; indeed, she has. A smile spreads across her face as she internally flicks them off and draws the Vortex back within.
"You're all better; the Royal line is safe. No werewolves; that's a promise made by the Protector of the Crown," the Alchemist tells her as she tucks the older Queen's long gray hair behind her ear.
"Thank you!" Victoria cries, "Thank you, my Starlight Savior."
The Alchemist shakes her head, "You need not ever thank me for such a thing. I'm only doing what is right. This is something that should have never, ever happened to you."
"I will thank you anyway, and you will accept it as I am a Queen, and that is my magic,"
"Fair enough," the Alchemist chuckles, "I accept. Now, do you have words for me?"
The Queen nods, "Your theory rings true. Your husband is clearly hiding his hurt, although I cannot abide that; he needs to find his way back to your way of doing things," she frowns, "However, that child... she is wrong. Very wrong. There is darkness seeding in her heart," she shakes her head in disgust, "I saw her as she watched my Captain be torn apart. The very one you saved with your magic. She was... amazed! Such twisted thoughts are being spun within her. She laughs heartily in the face of such monstrosities while both of you worry in your own way," she looks at the Time Lady closely, gently touching her hand, "You must also watch for your relationship, my friend. I see how true your husband and yourself love one another but she desires him in a devil's way."
"I've noticed that as well and intend on informing him of all that I have seen," the Alchemist nods, "It is more than a small issue for certain," she sighs, "I fear for that girl. That she may be too far gone but... we will do our best to help her at the very least. It's all we can do at this point, is it not?" she shakes her head, "My husband and I are bound beyond more than just love. We will never simply separate for some child's interest."
"Something is hurting you as well and has been for some time, my Starlight, but it is worse now. I see it. What is wrong?" Victoria asks.
She bites her lip and exhales softly, glancing down at her lap until the Queen gently lifts her chin, compelling her to meet her gaze.
"What you dealt with left deep scars, and they are rising to the surface, aren't they, my friend? I have seen and heard of this in other royals and some of my people. They wish for death themselves. Are you... hiding this from your husband?"
"Yes, that's what it has become, and yes, I am," the Alchemist admits tearfully, "I would never leave him, I could never leave him, but I don't know how to stop it."
Victoria sighs, weary, "I do not intend to lose my friend and savior. As a Queen I order you to inform your husband of this, all of this, and then visit me on my Birthday. Every Birthday henceforth so that you and my family may meet."
The Alchemist nods, "That's a big ask, telling him of this pain, but I cannot deny the orders of a Magic Queen," she smiles slightly, "Also, of course, I would love to come for all of your future birthdays and to meet your family. It would be a great honor."
[Drawing room]
It's morning. In the presence of the whole household, the Alchemist, the Doctor, and Rose kneel before Queen Victoria, who is armed with a sword but without the Captain present, as the Alchemist requested.
Victoria aligns the sword on each of their shoulders, individually calling out, "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Lady Ally Starlight Protector of the Crown of The Order of the Garter," she turns to the Time Lord, "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Sir Doctor of TARDIS," lastly, Rose, "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Rose of the Powell Estate," she frowns, "You may stand."
The Alchemist looks at the Queen and offers her a knowing nod, one she receives in return.
The Time Lord smiles and stands, "Many thanks, Ma'am."
"Thanks. They're never going to believe this back home," Rose beams.
"Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving no message from the great beyond. I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now, Ma'am, from beyond the grave," the Doctor says kindly.
The Queen tilts her head up, "Indeed. Then you may think on this also. That I am not amused."
"Yes!" Rose exclaims.
The Doctor ignores the remark, sensing the Alchemist's fury intensifying. He casts a quick look in her direction; her expression is devoid of feeling, and he realizes that this is a troubling indication of her mental state and their situation.
"Not remotely amused. And henceforth, I banish you, Doctor and Rose Tyler," Victoria orders.
The Timelord blinks heavily at that, gaping, "I'm sorry?"
"I have rewarded you, Sir Doctor, and now you are exiled from this empire, never to return," the Queen glares, "I don't know what you are or where you're from, although it may be from the same magical world as my Savior of Starlight," she turns to the Alchemist, nodding, "She is good and kind. But I know that you also consort with stars and magic and disguise your agony as fun. Lead yourself back to her side and listen to her warnings once again. Your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death, and I will not allow it," her eyes turn cold, "You, however, Rose Tyler, are far worse. You see this darkness and truly enjoy the blood and horror. Find fascination in the agony of others," she steps back, "You will leave these shores, and you will reflect, I hope, on how you came to stray so far from all that is good and how much longer you may survive this terrible life without the help of your Starlight to guide you. Now leave my world, take the child away, and never return."
[Highlands]
They caught a ride on the back of a farmer's cart, making the ten-mile trek back to the TARDIS, which they had left in the middle of a field.
"Whoa!" the man calls, slowing the cart.
The Doctor and Rose hop down from the rear of the cart while the Alchemist, who has been seated at the front with the driver, Dougal, springs off as well. Throughout the journey, she has remained mostly quiet, responding to Dougal's inquiries only now and then while brushing aside her Bondmate's concerns that filter into her mind.
"Cheers, Dougal!" the Time Lord waves.
"Walk on," he orders, and the cart moves forward with a smack of the reigns.
The Doctor continues his conversation with Rose, "No, but the funny thing is, Queen Victoria did actually suffer a mutation of the blood. It's historical record. She was hemophiliac. They used to call it the Royal Disease. But it's always been a mystery because she didn't inherit it. Her mum didn't have it; her dad didn't have it. It came from nowhere!"
Rose gapes, "What, and you're saying that's a wolf bite?"
"Well, maybe hemophilia is just a Victorian euphemism," the Doctor says, although in truth hopes to be wrong.
"For werewolf?" she asks.
The Time Lord sighs, "Could be."
"Queen Victoria's a werewolf? Maybe that's why she said all that about me, huh?" Rose grins.
"Could be," the Doctor frowns, "And her children had the Royal Disease. Maybe she gave them a quick nip."
Rose pauses at the TARDIS, "So, the Royal Family are werewolves?"
The Time Lady swings the doors wide after using her key to unlock them, shooting a fierce glare into the ship's interior. The TARDIS hums along with her frustration and the Vortex literally howls in her mind in suggestion.
"Well, maybe not yet," the Doctor shrugs, "I mean, a single wolf cell could take a hundred years to mature. Might be ready by, oh, early 21st century?"
Rose laughs it off, "Nah, that's just ridiculous! Mind you… Princess Anne."
The Doctor hums, eyeing his wife, "I'll say no more."
"And if you think about it, they're very private. They plan everything in advance. They could schedule themselves around the moon. We'd never know. And they like hunting!"
The Doctor and Rose go inside the TARDIS, following the silent Alchemist.
"...They love blood sports. Oh my God, they're werewolves!" the companion cries, shutting the doors.
The TARDIS dematerializes.
[Courtyard]
Victoria looks to the pair, "What will you do? Will you stay here?"
"I don't think we could," Robert shakes his head, "I'd sell it, or I'd pull this place down."
"Although we may not speak of these events in public, they will not be forgotten, I promise you that. The sacrifice of my men, the ingenuity of your father, they will live on," Victoria commands.
"But how?" Isobel asks.
The Queen raises her chin high, "I saw last night that Great Britain has enemies beyond imagination, and we must defend our borders on all sides. I propose an Institute to investigate these strange happenings and to fight them. I would call it Torchwood. The Torchwood Institute. And if this Doctor and Rose Tyler should return, she, especially, should beware... because Torchwood will be waiting."
"And of Dame Lady Starlight?" Robert asks worriedly.
The Queen shakes her head, "She will always be welcome, always. She's coming to my next Birthday, in fact."