The Dark Tower

Chapter 22 - Fate . . . and other words that rhyme

‘Hello!’ a muffled voice called from inside the old-fashioned blue police box. ‘Is it safe to come out?’

‘Yes!’ I called back. ‘Is that the Doctor?’

‘It might be. If it was, which one would you want it to be?’

‘Oooh, I’ll have the tenth one please.’

‘Is that David Tennant?’ Katy whispered.

‘I think so,’ and I was right, as the door tentatively opened and a red Converse clad foot felt its way through the mist, followed by the rest of the Doctor.

‘Hello,’ he said again. He smiled at us all, taking in the high-ceilinged room, me sitting on a dustbin, Gwaine with his sword still raised, and Merlin, Mordred and Katy tied together with invisible rope. ‘Are they your prisoners?’ he asked, waving at the trio with what I presumed was his sonic screwdriver.

‘No, just this one,’ I said, banging on the lid of the bin.

The Doctor levelled the sonic screwdriver in Katy’s direction, there was a whirring, and they were able to move freely.

‘So what’s in the bin?’ he asked.

‘Sauron’s brother Sorvad,’ I replied.

‘Can I have a look?’

‘I’m not sure it’s safe.’

‘I’ll make sure it is. I’m here to take him away.’

‘Excellent!’ I jumped down off the bin and carefully opened the lid. There, sitting on the bottom, the drain plunger stuck to his face just below his glowing blue eye, was Sorvad.

‘Well, well, well, what have we here?’ Sorvad looked sulkily up at the Doctor but didn’t reply. ‘Awww, you not talking to me?’

‘I’m just going to sit here and contemplate,’ he said at last.

‘Oh dear, that’s unfortunate,’ the Doctor said.

‘Don’t you start,’ I muttered.

The Doctor grinned. ‘Come on, old mate, we’re going to go now. Unless you need to uri-’

‘Doctor!’

‘Sorry, sorry, but it’s impossible to eradicate. Sorry! So, Sorvad? Now concentrate while I articulate your fate. It’s too late to deviate, so we will vacate and you can emigrate to Skaro where you can celebrate a new life. And a new reputation perhaps? Now, we mustn’t hesitate, it’s quite intricate to locate. Come, don’t be obstinate.’ Sorvad slowly nodded his acceptance. ‘Give me a hand,’ he said to Gwaine, and they pushed Sorvad still sitting in his bin, into the Tardis.

‘Right, we’ll be off,’ said the Doctor. ‘Oh, just one thing that might be a tiny bit important. The portals are going to be closing soon, and if you’re in more than one world, or story, well . . . things could get a bit odd.’

‘Odd?’ I asked. ‘Odd in what way?’

‘Oh, you know,’ he said vaguely. ‘Just being in one place at a time, only being one sort of magical creature at a time, that sort of thing. Best be where you want to be by midnight Sunday.’

‘Midnight Sunday where?’ I asked.

‘Wherever you are on Sunday at midnight,’ he answered helpfully. ‘Now, must fly.’

‘Doctor! Can you do us a favour?’ Gwaine asked.

‘Of course!’

‘Can you take this with you,’ and he handed the Doctor the Bracelet of Nybling.

‘Ooh, not seen one of these for a while. I might wear it myself! Not that I need to be any more lovable,’ and he twinkled us a smile and a wink. ‘Now say Goodbye to our friends, Sorvad. Or, I know, let’s call you . . . Davros from now on. Davros! Yes! You like that? I do!’

Sorvad sniffily looked away, but the Doctor waved cheerily and shut the door. There was another whooshing, groaning sound and the Tardis faded in and out of view before disappearing completely.

‘Will he be all right?’ Gwaine asked.

‘He’ll be fine,’ I said. ‘Until he gets into all that exterminate business.’

‘That what?’

‘Never mind. It’s all timey wimey stuff and I don’t understand it myself. So, are we done?’ I checked my ring and it had returned to blue. ‘I hope the elves are all right.’

‘Want me to go and check?’ Gwaine asked.

‘No, I’ll go,’ Merlin said. ‘I can take Aithusa. She can carry me now and she needs some exercise.’

He returned before dark to say that he’d managed to intercept the elves before the trap. They had dismantled it and were heading home. I was so tired after the stressful day that I begged an early night, Gwaine following me up the stairs to bed. I curled into his arms.

‘Can we go back to Camelot tomorrow?’ I asked.

‘Of course, sweetheart. We have a wedding to plan.’

‘And I have to spend a week with Mab.’

‘You do?’

‘I promised. And I think it wise not to upset her.’

‘You’re probably right. But a whole week? I don’t want to be apart from you for a moment.’

‘You’ll be fine. But tonight, it’s just you. And me. And no bracelet.’

‘Queen Mab, it’s Beth, I’ve come to stay

To spend a week, my thanks to pay.’

There was a tinkling laugh and Mab appeared.

‘Why Beth, tis lovely you are here

We’ve feasts and fun and splendid cheer

And while you spend your time with me

Your dress we’ll make, a delight to see.’

I looked at Mab in shocked delight.

‘My dress? But that would be divine.

A fairy gown, that is sublime!’

Her fairy hoards came and measured me straight away, and we looked at samples of the most gorgeous gauzy fabrics, discussing colours and designs until the sun had set and firefly fairies hovered around us, lighting our bower. Until we were disturbed by a messenger arriving to tell Mab that Katy was on her way from the Dark Tower looking for us. Firefly fairies were despatched to light her way and we set off to meet her.

 ‘It’s Merlin!’ she said, when she could finally catch her breath. ‘He’s disappeared!’