PARENTHOOD

Chapter Sixty One

By the time they landed, Namid was ready, having changed out of her nightdress into a white t-shirts and jean shorts. She put her ET on her bed in her room but kept her jellies on. Meanwhile, the Doctor was still with Zod mentally promising Sokanon and Chaska that he would make up for their not coming along with something fun after they were through.

Can we go to the circus, Daddy? Sokanon thought to him.

Or a funfair? Chaska thought.

We might. I'll see what the TARDIS can find when I have a spare moment, the Doctor thought to them.

The skimmer landed on a wide concrete landing pad on top of a large palace that was reminiscent of old Bavarian castles. The fact that the castle looked like something out of a fairy tale made the landing pad look out of place but the Doctor wasn't about to complain if it meant going directly into the palace itself. He looked around when the door behind him opened and Alan, Doc, Rain and Namid came out. Zod did a double take. Doc had on a black pinstripe suit with a white shirt and black tie and Alan was dressed in a maroon t-shirt and black trousers so the princess would have no trouble telling them apart. Rain was dressed in a pink shirt and blue jeans. Zod looked at the Doctor.

"What are they doing here?"

"They are coming with us. My daughter wishes to talk to the princess and ask her why she would want to burn alive someone like her."

He narrowed his eyes when he saw the fear in Zod's eyes. Like lightning, he reached out and grabbed his neck while Doc and Alan moved closer to the guards to keep them in check.

"I knew it; you're acting on your own. She has no idea you did this, does she?" he snarled at him.

The Doctor got his answer from the fear in his eyes even though Zod said nothing.

"I started wondering why the princess would order something like this especially since she was so kind to me the last time I saw her."

"What happened between you and her was legally binding, she's of age and it's time for you to marry her."

"O-ho-ho no, it's not, it's time for you to answer for what you've done," the Doctor said. "And you are going to answer for this, starting with telling her Royal Highness exactly what you've been doing behind her back! Now move!"

He let go of Zod and Alan and Doc shoved the guards into place behind them, pretending to hold them at bay with their sonic screwdrivers. The Doctor barked at them to move and the three captives moved to the side where Zod lowered the landing ramp to the concrete. By the time they went down it, several more guards had assembled on the landing pad.

"I'm the Doctor, part of a diplomatic mission from New Gallifrey," he told the new guards. "I wish to see the princess as soon as possible."

The guards hurried away while the Doctor, his family and the captives waited patiently.

Nelak, can you do me a favor? The Doctor thought to him while they waited.

Yeah? Nelak thought back.

Call home and see if someone can get a hold of Xashon and explain what's happened. I have a feeling she'll need to get involved since this involves Thelopian's advisor turning rogue and acting on his own.

Gotcha. You lot okay?

We're fine, so far. We'll let you know if we need your help, he thought to him.

He cut off contact with his brother-in-law just as one of the guards came back.

"Her Highness will see you immediately in her throne room. Please follow me," he said to them.

"Good," the Doctor said as they walked with him to the door that led into one of the towers.

There was a steep flight of stairs leading down from the tower and the Doctor and Rain helped their daughter down them while Doc and Alan kept their eyes on Zod and the guards.

"I see you have your favorite jellies on," the Doctor said to her as they went down.

"Mm-hmm, they're comfortable," Namid replied.

"Well, glad you like them. I thought they'd look cute on ya and whadda know? They do? I'm brilliant!"

Namid giggled at that as Rain tousled her hair. Alan glanced behind him.

"Where are my ultra-cool jellie sandals?" he said to him.

"In the '80's, go get em," the Doctor said.

Rain snickered when Alan stuck his tongue out at him and turned his head back around. As they reached the last step and came out of the tower, the Doctor was glad another guard was leading them since he could tell Zod was minutes away from bolting and hiding for cover. He began to wonder if the whole policy of burning defects was his idea as well and his fist balled up as the desire to hit him began to take hold in his brain.

After walking through a beautiful stone castle filled with antique wooden furniture and detailed tapestries, the guard stopped them outside a ten foot wooden door with carved images of mythological creatures on it. He opened the door and slipped inside. Seconds after he did, the Doctor noticed Zod start to run away and with a smirk, he grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and held him there until the guard returned.

"Enter," he said to them as he opened both doors wide.

They walked into a large stone throne room. More tapestries on the walls depicted heroes slaying dragon-like creatures or lizard men and one over a golden throne had a large crest. The crest was a shield that had a flower that resembled a poppy on it while on either side of it were the heads of a unicorn and a deer. Sitting in the throne was a young nineteen year old girl with long blonde hair that was so light it was near white, her skin was pale and milky and her eyes were an unnaturally bright blue. She had slim aristocratic hands that had several rings on them with purple and green gems and she was wearing a shimmering white dress and a robe that was bright red, trimmed in white fur and had the crest on the back of it. On her feet were dainty white satin slippers and her feet were resting on a small pillow of the same color and material as her shoes. She frowned as she looked on Zod and the two guards and then her confused gaze shifted to the Doctor and his family.

"The Doctor? Where is he? My guard told me he wanted to see me but I don't see him here."

"That would be me, Highness," the Doctor said, stepping forward. "I've changed bodies since I last saw you."

Thelopian gazed at him and Rain raised her eyebrow when she saw the interest on her face.

"You look better than you did. I remember you as a little gnome who dressed badly."

The Doctor blushed as Namid laughed out loud which caused the rest of her family to chuckle at that. Thelopian noticed Namid for the first time and smiled at her.

"And who is she?"

"She is my daughter, Namid, and part of the reason why I'm here, Your Highness."

He paused, gauging her reaction, but he saw no outrage in her face at the fact that he had a daughter which confirmed in his mind that she knew nothing about what her advisor had done. He beckoned to Rain and mentally told her to bring Namid with her. Rain took her daughter's hand and came up beside him. The Doctor introduced them and introduced Alan and Doc, giving her a brief explanation for why they looked the same of him before he launched into an explanation of what Zod had done. As he talked, Thelopian slowly became angrier and angrier and the guard that had opened the door for them moved to stop him when it looked like he was going to leave. By the time he had finished, she was livid and Zod was pale as a ghost.

"Doctor, I can assure you that I had no hand in this," Thelopian said. "That marriage contract was not drawn up by me but by my father and even though I love him he always was an ambitious man. He thought a marriage between us would bring prestige to our kingdom, especially considering how much of a legend you are. He did bring the matter up about a year ago when I turned 18 and I told him that I had no wish to marry you since I didn't love you and I knew it was basically a political move on his part. I thought that wish had been conveyed to my advisor but apparently not," she added, narrowing her eyes at Zod.

"Your Highness, you are not the ruler, these are your father's wishes. He wanted to see you wed the Doctor."

"That was a long time ago, Zod, and as I just said, I told him upon reaching the age of adulthood that I wouldn't honor that silly contract. What you did was not only criminal; it was treason since my father agreed to my wish which means you went against my father. And Doctor, there is no such law saying that defective people have to be burned."

"Thank God for that," Rain muttered.

Thelopian glared at Zod who visibly cringed.

"What is the meaning of this? This so-called policy of burning defects?" she said to him.

"Your Highness, I thought that it would be the best way to dispose of a non-productive worker since I was bringing them back for slaves and..."

"Excuse me, Highness," Doc said, raising his hand.

"Yes...um...Doc?"

"Yeah, I happen to be a second father for Namid and I was wondering if I could ask your permission to do something."

"And that something would be?"

"May I approach the throne and whisper in the royal ear?"

"You may."

Doc hurried up to the throne. He leaned over into Thelopian's ear and whispered.

"Permission granted, Doc," Thelopian said when he finished.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Doc said with a bow.

The Doctor glanced at Rain as he casually strolled back towards them. As he passed by Zod, his fist suddenly flew out and connected with his jaw, sending him to the floor.

"That is for Namid and I've wanted to do that all bloody day!" he yelled at the stunned advisor as his adult family members laughed hysterically.

He turned and bowed to Thelopian.

"Thanks for your permission, Your Highness, I feel tons better now," he said to her before he strolled back to Alan who was bent over laughing.

He and his brother high fived each other as Zod struggled to his feet. While he was doing that, Thelopian struggled to keep from laughing. She glanced at the guard who had opened the door.

"Guard, seize my advisor, I'm placing him under arrest," she said.

The guard seized Zod as Thelopian looked at the other two guards.

"What about you? Are you an accessory to these crimes?" she asked them.

"We were under the impression that you ordered His Excellency to do this so we obeyed since we were afraid of punishment if we didn't," one of the guards said.

Thelopian blinked in amazement.

"Tell me, guard, does this sound like something I would normally order you to do?"

"No, Your Highness," the guard said sheepishly.

"Then tell me why you would go along with this horrible plan without questioning it?"

"We were under the impression that..."

Thelopian held up her hand, silencing him.

"I don't care. There will be an investigation into this, I assure you and your roles in it will be thoroughly examined. I give you my word, Doctor, that these crimes will not go unpunished."

"Thank you, Your Highness," the Doctor said. "That's all I care about is seeing justice done. I don't want any trouble between our two worlds and if you'll prosecute him and any other guilty people, I will be satisfied."

"I give you my word that we will and my father and mother can back me up on that," Thelopian said. "Now...um...could you wait here a moment, I'll be right back. Guard, keep an eye on these three in the meantime."

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard who was holding Zod said.

Thelopian got up and left through a secret door behind her throne while the Doctor shared a grin with his family and Alan pumped his fist in the air.

"Thank heavens it was only him," the Doctor said in a low voice to Rain. "Saves a diplomatic mission. I'll have to tell Nelak to tell the others not to bother Xashon after all. She has enough on her plate without this."

The door opened and Thelopian came back in.

"Doctor, could you bring your daughter here?" she asked as she sat down.

Doc and Alan moved up to guard Rain as the Doctor took Namid's hand and led her around the guards to the throne.

"She's pretty. Is she your only daughter?"

"No, I have several daughters and two sons," the Doctor said. "She's here because she was wanting to ask if you had a hand in her being burned alive but I s'pose she has her answer now."

"I'm glad you aren't bad like some people," Namid said.

"I love children, Namid. I'm appalled that someone tried to burn you. You seem like a very sweet little girl and I'm sorry for what happened. I wanted to give you a gift as a token of friendship because I'd like to be friends with you. Is that okay?"

"Yes, I'd like to be friends," Namid said as the Doctor smiled.

"Um...you might have to explain what this is since she can't see," Thelopian said to the Doctor.

"I can do more than that. Our race is telepathic and we can show each other images of things. If I can see her gift, I can telepathically show her what it looks like."

"Oh good, I was worried about that. But, I hope you like this, Namid. I was given this when I was about your age and I thought you might like it."

Namid held out her hand and Thelopian put a white box into it. The box had gold around the edges and opened at the top with a lid.

"It's a music box. I was trying to think what would please a blind girl and I thought you'd like the music it makes but I'm glad your father can show you the inside of it."

"Daddy's showing me it now. Thank you."

"Open the lid, Mi-mi, and I'll show you the inside," the Doctor said.

Namid put her hand at the top and opened the lid. Music tinkled and the Doctor saw pink lining inside and a little solid gold replica of the castle. Namid gasped and ooed when he showed her what it looked like.

"Thank you," Namid said.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it."

Namid handed it to her father. Once he took it, she turned back to Thelopian and held open her arms for a hug. Thelopian laughed and gladly hugged her as her family smiled.

"You're welcome here, Namid, and so is your family," Thelopian said.

"Ooo, thank you. Um...do you want your ring back? My sister has it but Daddy can make her give it back."

"Ring? What ring?"

"The engagement ring that was sent to me."

"I sent no ring."

She eyed Zod who gulped.

"What ri...wait, Doctor describe the ring," Thelopian said, looking at him.

He described the ring and Thelopian glared at Zod.

"So you're the one who stole the ring my father gave me last year!" she said as Alan let out an "Oooo" under his breath. "So you're a thief as well as a kidnapper and would be murderer?"

"He also installed a tracking device in it. That's how he found me," the Doctor said.

"Guard, put him in a cell and put the two guards under house arrest. I've lost all patience with these clowns!" Thelopian said.

"Buh-bye," Alan said as the guard marched the captives past him.

"I s'pose then you'll want the ring back," the Doctor said.

"Is your other daughter here?"

"Yes, she's in my TARDIS."

"Oh, please bring her here and anyone else in your TARDIS. I'd like to meet them. Don't worry, I'll give your daughter something as well to make up for giving the ring back."

"Thank you because I'm sure she'll be disappointed. She likes the ring," the Doctor said. "Alan, Doc, one of you wanna go get the others?"

"I will," Alan said.

"And if you don't mind, my parents will be back tonight. Will you stay and dine with us as my guests? I want him to hear this personally," Thelopian asked.

The Doctor glanced back at Rain and Doc who nodded.

"It would be an honor, Highness," he said.

"Please call me Thelopian. I'm not ruling the land yet, for god's sake," she said, rolling her eyes.

Alan returned about twenty minutes later with the rest of the family and Namor and the Doctor made introductions. Sokanon handed the ring back to her and Thelopian excused herself. She returned and gave her a diamond child-sized tiara that she had worn as a child.

"Thank you, wow!" Sokanon said as everyone laughed.

Thelopian smiled at Chaska.

"Being a girl, I don't have many boy gifts so I decided to give you a credit stick worth 500 credits that you can use to buy whatever you want," she said, handing it to him.

"Thank you," Chaska said, taking it.

"I didn't want your son to be left out of this."

"Yes, because trust me, the boy will whinge if you do."

"Be quiet, Uncle Alan," Chaska said as the Doctor and the others laughed.

Thelopian went past them and summoned two guards.

"Guards, these are my guests, please take them to the guest wing and make them comfortable. Get them something to eat and drink if they wish it and guard them."

The guards bowed and beckoned to everyone. Rain took Namid's hand and everyone followed the guards as they went out the door.

Back                         Home                              Doctor Who Main Page                          Next

Your Name or Alias:      Your E-mail (optional):

Please type your review below. Only positive reviews and constructive criticism will be posted.