Doctor Who: The Boy Who Remembered (Fan Fic)

Chapter 5: Dragons, Knights & Kings That Should Not Be

A silent tension clung to the air. None spoke as the first knight unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards the invading strangers. The Doctor and his companion had raised their hands in the air, which they were quite sure had always been the universal sign of surrender. Stepping down from his destrier the head of the three approached, his gaze poised by steel and sword. Benjamin knew little of the history of knights, only that their allegiance to whomever they pledged their blade stood above all other considerations; or at least, when it came to the honorable ones. There was some part of him that knew he should have been afraid but standing beside the Doctor he could not help feeling as if he already had a plan.

"Well?" declared the knight. "Speak! What strange manner of dress is this you wear? From what lands do you hail foreign invaders?"

Benjamin was surprised to find he was still dressed in his pajamas, "I thought you said the Tardis had a perception filter?"

"Yes well, perhaps I forgot to switch it on," clarified the Doctor.

"So what? We just look like a couple of crazies walking around old England!"

The Doctor shot the boy a look of condemnation, "Beg your pardon! I'll have you know I'm dressed quite sharp. I've got a rather regal looking scarf, a fine pair of trousers, even left the runners back onboard. I think I look rather sophisticated thank you very much."

The knight had heard enough of their banter, "Silence! Speak or be cut down where you stand."

"Very well, now don't go doing anything hasty. Hasty decision making is always bad. I'm just going to reach inside my pocket...."

A slow moving hand reached down, the Doctor's gaze remaining fixed upon the vigilant knight. The others remained motionless atop their mounts, their hands resting upon the hilts of their swords and their nerves remaining uneasy, just as the strangers from the blue police box. A moment later a folded piece of paper was withdrawn and handed to the Templar. The tension in his shoulders did not relax as his blade remained ready to strike. Only after a second inspection did the knight finally sheath his weapon and returned the document.

"My sincerest apologies," he began. "We did not receive word of your impending arrival. On behalf of His Majesty, England welcomes you."

The boy had quickly grabbed the paper from the Doctor's hand and read it aloud, "Under the authority of His Majesty King Philip Augustus of France, Sire Doctor of Tardis, Lord of Gallifrey, Duke of Kasterborous. What is this?"

"Psychic paper," whispered the Doctor. "Comes in handy every now and then."

A moment later the knight's visor was flipped up as he bowed his head before introducing himself, "I am Sire William Marshall."

"Wait," pondered young Benjamin. "The William Marshall, as in knight-errand of...."

"Quiet! No need to get ahead of ourselves. Get it?" abruptly cut off the Doctor. "You'll have to excuse him. The boy was only recently appointed to his position. This is my attendant, Squire French."

The boy could feel his nerves racing as the knight bowed his head, "It is an honor. Now, the King will have our heads if we don't see you immediately to court. No doubt he will be expecting you upon hearing word of your arrival."

"Before we pop off to the castle and what not, just for curiosities sake," question the Doctor as his hand stroked his absent facial hairs. "What year is it? Who sits the throne?"