"But how do you travel in time? What makes it go?" Martha questioned
"Oh, let's take the fun and mystery out of everything. Martha, you don't want to know. It just does. Hold on tight." The Doctor said
"that's code for he doesn't know, he tossed the manuel into a supernova" Morgana said slyly, and he glared
"that's a trade secret and it was wrong" he hissed back not truly angry
"Blimey. Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?" Martha groaned as she sat up from the floor
"Yes, and before my girl gets mouthy again, I failed it. Now, make the most of it. I promised you one trip and one trip only. Outside this door, brave new world." He said cheerily
"Where are we?" Martha asked
"Take a look. After you." He gestured and Martha grinned and quickly ran out, the other two following at a sedate pace
When they stepped out Morgana pulled a face and groaned "I'd forgotten the stench of the common rabble"
Martha quickly spun to her, her eyes lighting up "oh my gosh you've lived this before doesn't that make a paradox? And you said you were a lady? So, a member of the nobility? And wouldn't you stink just as much as this time?" she fired off
Morgana grinned back, pleased with her curiosity "yes, I have lived this before I'd peg it at the fifteen or sixteen hundreds and if there was to be an issue the Doctor would warn me and I'd duck out or I'd remember where I was, and yes I am a Lady, I'm a member of several nobilities around the world and in the supernatural world I am Queen and no I wouldn't, thank you, I am a Viking and we practised excellent hygiene routines, it was of paramount importance"
Martha beamed and looked around, having gotten distracted "Oh, you are kidding me. You are so kidding me. Oh, my God, we did it. We travelled in time. Where are we? No, sorry. I got to get used to this whole new language. When are we exactly?"
"Mind out." The Doctor warned as he pulled Martha back, Morgana hopping out the way as a man emptied his bucket from an upstairs window
"Gardez l'eau!" the man called, and Morgana groaned as she covered her nose
"Somewhere before the invention of the toilet, looks sixteen hundreds to me. Sorry about that." The Doctor said
"I've seen worse. I've worked the late-night shift A+E. But are we safe? I mean, can we move around and stuff? Are you okay?" she addressed Morgana
"heightened senses, I'll grow accustomed to it" she replied dismissively as Martha grimaced realising as bad as it smelt to her for Morgana it was probably a hundred times worse
The Doctor frowned "Of course we can. Why do you ask?"
"It's like in the films. You step on a butterfly; you change the future of the human race." Martha explained
"Tell you what then, don't step on any butterflies. What have butterflies ever done to you?" he demanded
"Just think of it this way whatever you're going to do, has already occurred so you're just sticking to the timeline but if you do something inordinately wrong, the Doctor will correct you," Morgana said
But then Martha asked, "What if, I don't know, what if I kill my grandfather?"
Morgana laughed
"Are you planning to?" he questioned eyeing her up
"No," Martha replied
"Well, then." He shrugged dismissing the topic
"And this is London?" Martha asked looking around in interest
"I think so. Round about 1599." The Doctor nodded
"ah, I believe I was in India around this time" Morgana frowned thoughtfully "Kol heard tale of great magics and dragged me along with him"
"Oh but hold on. Am I all right? I'm not going to get carted off as a slave, am I?" Martha asked and Morgana rose an eyebrow at her question
"Why would they do that?" the Doctor wondered his tone becoming exasperated
"Not exactly white, in case you haven't noticed." She said dryly
"you'll be fine besides I can compel people; you'll be perfectly safe" she reassured her "history is often portrayed differently than it actually happened"
"Neither of us are human. Just walk about like you own the place. Works for me. Besides, you'd be surprised. Elizabethan England, not so different from your time. Look over there. They've got recycling." He pointed at a man shovelling horse manure into a bucket "Water cooler moment." They started walking down the street as he gestured to two men who were talking at a water barrel
"And the world will be consumed by flame." A preacher called
"Global warming. Oh, yes, and entertainment. Popular entertainment for the masses. If I'm right, we're just down the river by Southwark, right next to" he pointed to in the direction of Southwark cathedral next to a view of the globe theatre, Morgana lighting up in interest
"Oh, yes, the Globe Theatre! Brand new. Just opened. Though, strictly speaking, it's not a globe, it's a tetradecagon. Fourteen sides. Containing the man himself." The Doctor said grinning at them, his brown eyes sparkling
"Whoa, you don't mean. Is Shakespeare in there?" Martha asked
"Oh, yes. Miss Jones, will you accompany me to the theatre?" he asked
"Mister Smith, I will," Martha replied teasingly
"Beloved, will you do the honour of accompanying a lowly Time Lord on a trip to the playhouse?" he turned to Morgana who beamed and hooked an arm with him
"Dearest one, I would be honoured to accompany one such as you" she replied sweetly
He smiled from ear to ear before telling Martha "When you get home, you can tell everyone you've seen Shakespeare."
"Then I could get sectioned." Martha laughed as she walked alongside them
They had made their way into the play- Morgana compelling those that questioned them before standing in front of the stage and eagerly watching the play.
"That's amazing! Just amazing. It's worth putting up with the smell. And those are men dressed as women, yeah?" Martha asked a wide smile on her face
"London never changes." The Doctor shrugged
"Where's Shakespeare? I want to see Shakespeare. Author! Author! Do people shout that? Do they shout Author?" she seemed worried that she'd done something wrong
"Author! Author!" a man called, and the crowd took up the chant
Morgana laughed "well, they've started you trendsetter" she nudged Martha playfully
"He's a bit different from his portraits," Martha said as she gazed at him
"Genius. He's a genius. The genius. The most human human there's ever been. Now we're going to hear him speak. Always he chooses the best words. New, beautiful, brilliant words." The Doctor said reverently
"Ah, shut your big fat mouths!" Shakespeare ordered
He pouted and muttered petulantly "Oh, well." Morgana started laughing, tapping her thumb on the back of his hand twice in consolation
Martha tried to console him "You should never meet your heroes."
"You've got excellent taste, I'll give you that. Oh, that's a wig." He teased before carrying on
"I know what you're all saying. Loves Labour's Lost, that's a funny ending, isn't it? It just stops. Will the boys get the girls? Well, don't get your hose in a tangle, you'll find out soon. Yeah, yeah. All in good time. You don't rush a genius." He chided them before he made a funny movement and said blankly "When? Tomorrow night. The premiere of my brand new play. A sequel, no less, and I call it Loves Labour's Won."
"I'm not an expert, but I've never heard of Loves Labour's Won." Martha pointed out
The Doctor nodded "Exactly. The lost play. It doesn't exist, only in rumours. It's mentioned in lists of his plays but never ever turns up. And no one knows why."
"Have you got a mini-disc or something? We can tape it. We can flog it. Sell it when we get home and make a mint." Martha said
"No." the Doctor chided
"That would be bad." Martha guessed
"Yeah, yeah." He agreed
"Well, how come it disappeared in the first place?" Martha asked
"Well, I was just going to give you a quick little trip in the Tardis, but I suppose we could stay a bit longer." his free hand reached up and tugged his left earlobe
"oh, fun!" Morgana said happily "mysteries are such fun!"
They had gone to the elephant, a pub that Shakespeare was known to frequent, the Doctor striding up the stairs and into Shakespeare's room
"Hello! Excuse me, not interrupting, am I? Mister Shakespeare, isn't it?" he asked
"Oh, no. No, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs. No, you can't have yourself sketched with me. And please don't ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove-"he spotted Martha "Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me. You two get sewing on them costumes. Off you go."
"Come on, lads. I think our William's found his new muse." a woman said smirking slyly
"Sweet lady." He breathed, he glanced quickly over at Morgana and tried a charming grin but she was too busy looking over at her brother
"Hello, Finn" Morgana greeted happily looking at her littlest big brother who jerked and stared at her "where is your wife?"
"she's going over the ship" he replied, "what are you wearing?"
"ah, yes she's going through a pirate phase is she not? and these are clothes little bear" she replied as he stood, his form towering over her and she moved over to hug him tightly
The Doctor had walked over with her before he took a seat, pulling Morgana onto his lap.
"who is he? Is he an intended" Finn frowned "sister, you have not told me anything of a suitor?"
"ah, it's complicated sweet one, but this is the Doctor, he is my paramour" Morgana replied and then hissed in annoyed realisation "I'm going to have to put a block on your memory"
"what why?" he questioned
"because you meet him later but don't know of him, my apologies Fee, it is my error" Morgana groaned rubbing her forehead with her hand
"I understand, sister mine, you take too much upon yourself" he replied while the Doctor decided not to intervene, focusing more on Martha and Shakespeare flirting but he did play with her hair. He had a fascination with her hair.
"and you are always wanting to take too much of my responsibilities and duties" she replied fondly, her dutiful little brother, his loyalty knew no bounds
"Always for you" he replied earnestly, he and Sage were usually off on their own adventures so she was happy to spend time with him.
"Such unusual clothes. So, fitted." Shakespeare complimented
"Er, verily, forsooth, egads." Martha tried and Morgana laughed at the bemused looks Finn and Shakespeare tossed her
"No, no, don't do that. Don't." the Doctor warned before pulling out his psychic paper and showing it to Shakespeare "I'm Sir Doctor of Tardis and this is my companion, Miss Martha Jones."
"I have told you of my sister, the Lady Morgana Mikaelson" Finn gestured deferentially to her and she smiled at him
"I have heard many tales of you, Lady Mikaelson I would be pleased to hear them for your own ripe lips and that bit of paper. It's blank." Shakespeare flirted lightly with Morgana before addressing The Doctor, she sent Finn a quick questioning look and he shrugged before taking a drink. Her little brother always of such few words.
"Oh, that's very clever. That proves it. Absolute genius." The Doctor raved, his hand resting on Morgana's hip
"No, it says so right there. Sir Doctor, Martha Jones. It says so." Martha said looking at the paper
"And I say it's blank," Shakespeare said
"you're both right" Morgana soothed as Finn took the paper squinting at it
"is it like a compulsion?" he asked her, and she nodded, satisfied he handed it back to the Doctor
"Psychic paper. Er, long story. Oh, I hate starting from scratch." The Doctor complained tucking it back into his pocket
She smacked his arm and leant in to whisper in Martha's ear "it essentially tells you what he wants you to know- a little like hypnosis but he'll ridiculously overexplain it, some people can see through it, Shakespeare due to his intelligence, myself because I know how compulsions work and they don't on me"
Martha nodded in understanding and leant back in interest "and that's your brother? He looks like a pirate, a handsome one"
Morgana laughed happily "yes, my little brother he should be roughly oh six hundred and twenty-three? Feel free to look but he's very happily married"
"How does marriage work? Seeing as how you can't do 'till death do us part" Martha asked in curiosity
"well, we can, normal vampires can die with just a wooden stake or sunlight, for me and my siblings it's more complicated but marriage works the same really, it's between the two individuals Finn and Sage are the closest to soulmates I've ever seen right now they've been together for five hundred years? In your time they'd been together almost a thousand. Some decide to split after several centuries or are open or polyamorous but with heightened emotions... love becomes pure devotion" she shrugged lightly but Martha's eyes were still bright with excitement and inquiry "I'll answer more later I promise"
"Psychic? Never heard that before and words are my trade. Who are you exactly? More's the point, who is your delicious blackamoor lady?" Shakespeare questioned
"What did you say?" Martha demanded offended
"Oops. Isn't that a word we use nowadays? An Ethiop girl? A swarth? A Queen of Afric?" Shakespeare asked and Morgana winced, knowing he wasn't truly meaning to offend but well twenty-first-century perspectives don't particularly work out in the past.
Martha looked around the room, seeing unsurprised faces before she said, "I can't believe I'm hearing this."
"Its political correctness gone mad. Er, Martha's from a far-off land. Freedonia." The Doctor covered up and Morgana rolled her eyes while Finn gazed sceptically, he had been walking this earth for a long time and had never heard of such a place but he kept quiet seeing his sister going with it.
A man in expensive clothes and wearing a gold chain of office then burst into the room and Morgana stared in detached interest.
"Excuse me! Hold hard a moment. This is abominable behaviour. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mister Shakespeare. As Master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed." The Man said pompously
"Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'll send it round." Shakespeare tried to assuage
"I don't work to your schedule, you work to mine. The script, now!" he demanded
"I can't." Shakespeare denied
"Then tomorrow's performance is cancelled." The man said
"It's all go around here, isn't it?" Martha looked at them and Morgana smiled back, amusement shining in her green eyes
"I'm returning to my office for a banning order. If it's the last thing I do, Love's Labours Won will never be played." He declared before he left stomping down the stairs
"you know I am getting thirsty" Morgana drawled going to stand
"don't you dare" the Doctor rebuked tugging on her belt and causing her to fall back onto his lap, knowing her intentions "I'll help your thirst"
"I wasn't really going to do it, your far tastier" Morgana pouted, and he rose an eyebrow "I am thirsty but honestly, I don't know the last time he bathed" she scrunched her nose in disgust
"don't people use public bathhouses?" Martha asked
"usually a font for prostitution, most tasteless" Finn said causing Martha to jerk, his deep voice was always a shock to people, especially with how rarely he talked.
"Well then, mystery solved. That's Love's Labours Won over and done with. Thought it might be something more, you know, more mysterious." Martha complained to them in an undertone before a man's scream came from the street and then a woman's
"Help me!" the woman screamed
"FINN!" Morgana snapped out and he ran with them down the stairs and out into the elephant courtyard
The man from before started staggering back, water pouring out from his mouth
"It's that Lynley bloke," Martha said and Morgana wondered how she knew his name
"What's wrong with him? Leave it to me. I'm a doctor." The Doctor called as he rushed over to Lynley
"So am I, near enough." Martha hurried to help
"Finn, keep people back" she ordered as she started doing the same
Lynley collapsed and Martha fell to her knees next to him
"Got to get the heart going. Mister Lynley, come on. Can you hear me? You're going to be all right." Martha called as she started chest compressions and causing water to gush out the now dead man's mouth
"What the hell is that?" Martha demanded sitting back on her haunches
"I've never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water. He drowned and then, I don't know, like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow." He looked up to Morgana who nodded her head
"Good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humours. A natural if unfortunate demise. Call a constable and have him taken away." The Doctor addressed the women
"Yes, sir." She nodded
"I'll do it, ma'am." The serving girl from before offered
"Finn start compelling those that saw anything...unusual" she requested, and he nodded his tall form moving through the crowd as he caught people's eyes and started compelling.
"And why are you telling them that?" Martha asked
"This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages. If I tell them the truth, they'll panic and think it was witchcraft." He said
"Okay, what was it then?" Martha questioned
"Witchcraft, Morgana do you have any idea?" he turned to her she hummed and moved closer her magic reaching out and searching for any residue
"it looks like Voodoo" she answered pulling back "but it's nothing I've felt before, the magic it's...different" she frowned
"Different how?" the Doctor asked as Finn came back over
"it's almost alien" she frowned lightly "Finn the witches and covens around here any that hold grudges?"
"Not that I am aware of" he answered as they headed back inside
"Voodo is with the dolls and stuff?" Martha asked and Morgana hummed
"yes, I was capable but never an overachiever in that practice" she answered
"that's more Kol's custom when it comes to magic" Finn answered
"that it is little bear cub" Morgana answered fondly
'little bear cub' Martha mouthed as she eyed up the intimidating form of her younger brother, Morgana snickered in amusement
"I've ensured rooms for you tonight your room is across from mine, sister, there's only two beds so you and the Lady Jones can share a bed, I'm sure the Doctor will not try anything with a chaperone?" he looked intensely at The Doctor
"had no intention of it" The Doctor replied quickly while Martha snicked
"I bid you a good night then Shakespeare, Lady Jones, Doctor, sweet sister" Fin bid them goodnight at the landing, placing a kiss on his sister's cheek he headed into his room for the night
The now trio headed into Shakespeare's room deciding to try for more information before they retired for the night.
"Poor Lynley. So many strange events. Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?" Shakespeare turned to Martha
"Where a woman can do what she likes," Martha replied simply
"And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old? You and your brother Lady Mikaelson, your brother calls you a Queen, you have a bearing of one but a Queen of what? You three share eyes so old" Shakespeare questioned
"I do a lot of reading." The Doctor answered
"Mayhaps you'll find out, my good sir, from me or my brother who can tell?" Morgana replied mischievously
"A trite and evasive reply. Yeah, that's what I'd do. And you? You look at them like you're surprised they exist. They're as much of a puzzle to you as both of them are to me." Shakespeare pierced them with his clever blue eyes
"I think we should say goodnight," Martha said before standing and leaving the room
"I must work. I have a play to complete. But I'll get my answers tomorrow, Doctor, Morgana, and I'll discover more about you and why this constant performance of yours." He looked up at them through long lashes, his tone promising
"you're an exceedingly clever man, I have no doubt you will have us figured out" Morgana replied, not too bothered if he did, she briefly considered what he'd be like as a vampire before dismissing it, people like him- once in a century type- would always struggle with vampirism, to the already all-encompassing, to have that heightened once more was usually too much "I'd call you a genius but my paramour is in the room" she winked at the Doctor who smirked back, standing and offering her his hand
"All the world's a stage." The Doctor said and Morgana snickered
"Hmm. I might use that. Goodnight, Doctor, Morgana" he bid
"Goodnight, William" she replied
"Nighty night, Shakespeare." The Doctor said airily as they left the room
"He'll figure it out you know" she warned as they headed to their own room, where Martha had lit a candle and was relaxing on one bed, the two moved over to the other bed, The Doctor sitting up against the headboard as Morgana lounged next to him, turned towards Martha while half-laying on the Doctor's chest, whose fingers tangled with her hair.
"Nah, he won't" the Doctor replied cheekily and she huffed playfully
"It's not exactly five stars, is it?" Martha commented
"Oh, it'll do. I've seen worse." The Doctor replied
"you once slept in a dumpster Dearest" Morgana replied, her eyes half-closing in delight at having her hair played with
"I haven't even got a toothbrush." Martha pointed out
"Oh. Er." He used his free hand to dig in his pockets, pulling out a toothbrush and a mint "Contains Venusian spearmint." He tossed the brush to Martha "open your mouth sweetheart"
Obeying she did so, fully trusting and he placed the mint on her tongue, she started sucking it and smiled when her mouth was cleaned, she grinned when she finished showing sparkling white teeth
"Thanks, Dear heart" she said, and he looked pleased with himself
"So, magic and stuff. That's a surprise. It's all a little bit Harry Potter." Martha said and Morgana laughed
"Magic is a bit like Harry Potter but there's no quidditch, potions, charms, transfiguration all that's real but there's not a magical school it's all within bloodlines and covens and they're fiercely protective of the magic they know. Witches tote the importance of oneness and community but they're awfully judgy, self-centred and defensive along with a dash of narcissism. I could enchant a broomstick I suppose but I've never felt the urge" Morgana mused, and Martha looked at her in interest
"Wait till you read book seven. Oh, I cried." The Doctor said and Morgana smiled remembering the memory of the two lounging in the library and him finding out what happened and crying, it was a sweet memory.
"But is it real, though? I mean, witches, black magic and all that, it's real?" Martha asked
"yes, it is but this energy it's different nothing like I've seen before and I've been around a long time" Morgana frowned frustrated she didn't know, this was supposed to be HER area of expertise
The Doctor hummed soothingly "There's such a thing as psychic energy, but a human couldn't channel it like that. Not without a generator the size of Taunton and I think we'd have spotted that. No, there's something I'm missing, Martha. Something really close, staring me right in the face and I can't see it. Rose'd know. A friend of mine, Rose. Right now, she'd say exactly the right thing. Still, can't be helped. You're a novice, never mind. I'll take you back home tomorrow." The Doctor said
"Great," Martha grunted turning and blowing the candle out
"Dýrr at var yfir linerinn" Morgana spoke lowly to The Doctor to not disturb Martha
He grunted "já ek veit ek skulu eigi hafsegðumkr at en ek var ódr ek munu segða Fyrirgef mik"
"góð hon gerði eigi makligr slíkr, ek munu munu bliðr til fylgjagð þinn reiði" she said slyly
"ek Ást er þú mæli þinn móðir tungþúr eru slíkr a erta" he groaned in response kissing her deeply before they settled into sleep
They heard a scream later in the night, waking them up and they ran out the room, Finn joining them with a sword in hand as they burst into Shakespeare's room
"What? What was that?" Shakespeare asked as he jerked up from his slumped position on the desk, Martha going to the window while Finn checked on Dolly shaking his head when Morgana glance at him, the Doctor crouched beside him
"Her heart gave out. She died of fright." The Doctor concluded
"Doctor?" Martha said catching his attention
"What did you see?" the Doctor asked
"A witch," Martha replied simply
"and not the good-looking kind like me," Morgana said, "what kind of self-respecting witch cackles?"
"you have done so, sister" Finn pointed out and she tossed him a glare
"that, sweet one, was maniacal laughter over my domination of enemies and their future evisceration" she defended herself as the sun started to rise and a cockerel crowed.
"Oh, sweet Dolly Bailey. She sat out three bouts of the plague in this place when we all ran like rats. But what could have scared her so? She had such enormous spirit." Shakespeare mourned
"she had such spirit" Finn agreed quietly her body having been removed as he had called a coroner
"Rage, rage against the dying of the light." The Doctor mused
"I might use that." Shakespeare perked up slightly
"You can't. It's someone else's." the Doctor denied
"are you doing that to impress him?" Morgana whispered in his ear
"no" he denied far too quickly his ears tinting red
"you have a crush" she revelled, not feeling a true threat from him
"who wouldn't?" he quietly demanded "and it's purely academic" he assured worried that she'd kill the man
"relax dearest, so long as I'm your number one?" she questioned
"one and only" he promised, and Finn's distrustful gaze turned slightly approving, not that either noticed.
"But the thing is, Lynley drowned on dry land, Dolly died of fright, and they were both connected to you." Martha pointed out
"You're accusing me?" Shakespeare demanded
She shook her head explaining herself "No, but I saw a witch, big as you like, flying, cackling away, and you've written about witches."
"I have? When was that?" he asked frowning in confusion
"Not, not quite yet." The Doctor muttered
"Peter Streete spoke of witches," Shakespeare said
"who is he?" Morgana asked
He explained "Our builder. He sketched the plans to the Globe."
"The architect. Hold on. The architect! The architect! The Globe! Come on!" he shouted and ran off, dragging Morgana with him the others chasing their heels, they quickly headed to the globe, the Doctor rushing in and looking about.
"The columns there, right? Fourteen sides. I've always wondered, but I never asked. Tell me, Will. Why fourteen sides?" he asked
"It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that's all. Said it carried the sound well." Shakespeare said
"Fourteen. Why does that ring a bell? Fourteen." The Doctor repeated
"There's fourteen lines in a sonnet," Martha said
"So, there is. Good point. Words and shapes following the same design. Fourteen lines, fourteen sides, fourteen facets. Oh, my head. Tetradecagon. Think, think, think! Words, letters, numbers, lines!" he cried
"Fourteen means freedom" Morgana interjected "its meanings are Freedom, Self-determination, Curiosity, Wit, Conscientiousness...I do wonder who that sums up" she finished slightly sarcastically staring at Shakespeare intensely
"This is just a theatre." He defended himself uncomfortable
The Doctor nodded but disagreed "Oh yeah, but a theatre's magic, isn't it? You should know. Stand on this stage, say the right words with the right emphasis a the right time. Oh, you can make men weep, or cry with joy. Change them. You can change people's minds just with words in this place. But if you exaggerate that."
"It's like your police box. Small wooden box with all that power inside." Martha said and The Doctor and Morgana beamed at her
"Oh. Oh, Martha Jones, I like you. Tell you what, though. Peter Streete would know. Can I talk to him?" the Doctor asked urgently
He shook his head, shrugging "You won't get an answer. A month after finishing this place, lost his mind."
"Why? What happened?" Martha questioned
"Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled." Shakespeare explained
"Where is he now?" the Doctor asked
"Bedlam." He responded
"What's Bedlam?" Martha wondered
"Bethlem Hospital. The madhouse." Finn rumbled
"We're going to go there. Right now. Come on." The Doctor said
"Wait! I'm coming with you. I want to witness this at first hand." Shakespeare said as two young men entered "Ralph, the last scene as promised. Copy it, hand it round, learn it, speak it. Back before curtain up. And remember, kid, project. Eyes and teeth. You never know, the Queen might turn up. As if. She never does." He said to them
"So, tell me of Freedonia, where women can be doctors, writers, actors," Shakespeare said as Finn led them down Southwark, towards bedlam
"This country's ruled by a woman," Martha replied
"Ah, she's royal. That's God's business. Though you are a royal beauty." He flirted wrapping an arm around her waist and moving closer, Morgana laughed
"Whoa, Nelly. I know for a fact you've got a wife in the country." Martha said
"But Martha, this is Town, Morgana is a beauty as well, but I think if I tried the Doctor would have my head" he teased
"I would have worse than that. Come on. We can all have a good flirt later." The Doctor said
"Is that a promise, Doctor?" Shakespeare asked as he swiped his eyes over the Doctor's form
"try it and I'll be your enemy" Morgana warned lightly knowing he didn't really mean it, that he was just playing.
"Oh, fifty-seven academics just punched the air. Now move!" the Doctor ordered realising they'd come to a standstill, Finn patiently waiting or perhaps not, the man looked as if he'd been carved from stone.
"Are we done now?" Finn rumbled, raising an eyebrow
"yes, bear cub" Morgana replied, and he nodded heading off again
They made their way into bedlam, the screams already seeming overwhelming to Martha who seemed disgusted, Finn kept his reserve a calmly demanded a keeper to attend them
"Does my Lord Doctor wish some entertainment while he waits? I'd whip these madmen. They'll put on a good show for you and the ladies. Mad dog in Bedlam." The keeper said eagerly
"No, I don't!" he spat angrily
"Well, wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the ladies" the keeper mumbled shuffling off
"So, this is what you call a hospital, yeah? Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?" Martha demanded
"Oh, it's all so different in Freedonia." Shakespeare rolled his eyes
"it's a different time, Martha, this is the best they can do" Morgana replied
"But you're clever. Do you honestly think this place is any good?" Martha questioned horrified
Shakespeare responded quietly; his eyes sad "I've been mad. I've lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. It serves its purpose."
"Mad in what way?" Martha probed
"You lost your son." The Doctor said in understanding
"My only boy. The Black Death took him. I wasn't even there." He said mournfully </p>
<p>"I didn't know. I'm sorry." Martha apologised
"My condolences" Morgana offered as the three in the room shared a mutual understanding "to lose your child is horrible" Finn moved closer his presence a soothing balm to her grief
He smiled slightly at her "It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be. Oh, that's quite good." He perked up
"You should write that down." The Doctor suggested
"Maybe not. A bit pretentious?" Shakespeare considered
"This way, my lord!" The Keeper called and they followed his voice to Peter's cell the keeper opening the cell as a hunched figure clad in rags had his back to them
"They can be dangerous, my lord. Don't know their own strength." The keeper warned
"I think it helps if you don't whip them. Now get out!" the Doctor snapped and the keeper left the Doctor moved closer to him calling softly
"Peter? Peter Streete?"
"He's the same as he was. You'll get nothing out of him." Shakespeare shook his head staring at his friend sadly
"Peter?" the Doctor reached out and touched Peter's shoulder who raised his head, staring blankly straight ahead the Doctor gently placed his fingers on Peter's temples, and reached out telepathically, soothing his mind
"Peter, I'm the Doctor. Go into the past. One year ago. Let your mind go back. Back to when everything was fine and shining. Everything that happened in this year since happened to somebody else. It was just a story. A Winter's Tale. Let go. That's it. That's it, just let go." He laid him gently on his back on his cot
"Tell me the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches." The Doctor soothed
Peter started babbling "Witches spoke to Peter. In the night, they whispered. They whispered. Got Peter to build the Globe to their design. Their design! The fourteen walls. Always fourteen. When the work was done, they snapped poor Peter's wits."
"Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city? Peter, tell me. You've got to tell me, where were they?" the Doctor probed smoothly his voice low and compelling
"All Hallows Street," Peter replied
"Too many words." An old voice broke in and they spun noticing the apparent witch who looked far more like a hag, with long, stringy, greasy hair, hooked nose, warts and wrinkled gaunt skin.
"What the hell?" Martha questioned and Morgana quickly pushed her behind herself as she eyed up the witch
"you are one ugly witch bitch" Morgana sneered at her
"Just one touch of the heart." The witch sneered moving closer to Peter
"No!" The Doctor called being too late so Morgana spoke
"Finn!" Morgana snapped out and her bear cub obeyed- so used to her expectations and desires he had already moved and the witch put her hand on Finn's chest causing him to collapse onto the dirty cell floor, grey skin and blackened veins.
"Witch! I'm seeing a witch!" Shakespeare exclaimed his eyes wide with shock
"Now, who would be next, hmm? Just one touch. Oh, oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals." She cackled
"bring it" Morgana snarled at the witch "I'm bloody SICK of being mocked like this! First, a vampire who drinks with a STRAW and now a HAG pretending to be a witch? One of Jörð chosen?"
"Let us out! Let us out!" Martha shouted as she rattled the bars
"That's not going to work. The whole building's shouting that." The Doctor shook his head
"Who will die first, hmm?" the witch asked as she stepped over her brother's body, Peter having been forgotten as he rocked back and forth on the cot
"Well, if you're looking for volunteers." The Doctor offered, stepping up beside Morgana
"No! Don't!" Martha demanded
"you touch him I will rip your heart out" Morgana warned grabbing the Doctor and nigh on tossing him into Shakespeare's arms.
"Doctor, can you stop her?" Shakespeare asked nervously as he righted the Doctor, the trio hiding behind Morgana, who was unconcerned to the immediate danger presented to her
"No mortal has power over me." The witch replied arrogantly
"Oh, but there's a power in words. If I can find the right one. If I can just know you." The Doctor retorted
"None on Earth has knowledge of us." She bragged
"Then it's a good thing I'm here. Now think, think, think. Humanoid female, uses shapes and words to channel energy. Ah! Fourteen! That's it! Fourteen!" he shouted
"Dearest please hurry I would so hate getting these clothes dirty" Morgana interjected
"Creature, I name you Carrionite!" he declared, and she screamed and vanished in a slow flash of light
"What did you do?" Martha wondered
"I named her. The power of a name. That's old magic." The Doctor said rubbing his earlobe
"But Morgana said it wasn't her type of magic" Martha pointed out and Morgana nodded
"Well, it's just a different sort of science. You lot, you chose mathematics. Given the right string of numbers, the right equation, you can split the atom. Carrionites use words instead." He explained
"Use them for what?" Shakespeare asked tentatively
"The end of the world." He replied grimly
At that moment Finn gasped back to life sitting up, causing Martha to scream and Shakespeare to look at him with widened eyes
"oh, welcome back to the living brother, excellent timing very dramatic" she complimented crouching next to him and offering her wrist which he quickly pierced with his fangs and drunk deeply before pulling back
"I thank you sister" he rumbled back climbing to his feet and brushing straw off his clothing, irritated his nice clothing had gotten dirtied
"getting your clothes dirty?" the Doctor asked her, raising an eyebrow
"why do you think I had Finn get killed first? the cell floor is dirty" she complained gesturing to the floor and then her tight skinny jeans, loose red top and leather jacket, looking perfectly at ease despite the sky-high heels and the cobbled stone beneath.
"you had your brother killed over clothing?" Martha questioned her looking as if she thought her crazy
"these are designer!" she defended herself "plus it's only temporary"
"I didn't realise you were channelling our younger sister," Finn said dryly he was very carefully ignoring the clothing she was wearing, knowing if he said anything negative she just might toss him into the Thames to prove a point. That no one told her what to do.
"cheeky brat," Morgana said but her tone was fond
"witches and men who resurrect themselves" Shakespeare muttered to himself "perhaps it is I, who should be in bedlam"
"oh, that reminds me, Finn I want you to send word to the witch compound have them come and sort Peter Steele, out won't you?" she ordered, and he nodded
"How will I remember if you block my memory?" he questioned
"I'll add in a bit of compulsion and have Shakespeare remind you" she glanced over at him and the man nodded his acceptance in a daze.
"you think he can be healed?" Martha asked as they left
"hmm, he had his wits snapped by magic maybe they can be healed with magic" Morgana replied "he doesn't deserve to suffer, he's done no wrong"
They had headed back to Shakespeare's room using it as their base of operations as the Doctor began pacing, Morgana watching him carefully.
"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe. Nobody was sure if they were real or legend." He rambled
"Well, I'm going for real." Shakespeare voted as he came around to the idea
"seconded," Finn said, as he polished his sword, wanting to focus his hands on something and have it ready in case of a fight
"But what do they want?" Martha asked
"A new empire on Earth. A world of bones and blood and witchcraft." The Doctor mused
"well while I'm all for world domination and overthrowing the patriarchy and general anarchy, they're not coming onto my territory" Morgana snapped "they wouldn't want that sort of turf war" she had fought hard for what she had and she was not about to give it up to anyone
"But how?" Martha questioned
"I'm looking at the man with the words." The Doctor said staring intently at Shakespeare
"Me? But I've done nothing." He defended himself
"but your potential is infinite" Morgana pointed out her head tilted in consideration to Shakespeare
"Hold on, though. What were you doing last night, when that Carrionite was in the room?" Martha questioned
"Finishing the play." He responded
"What happens on the last page?" the Doctor interrogated trying to figure it out
"The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought-provoking as usual. Except for those last few lines. Funny thing is, I don't actually remember writing them." He frowned thoughtfully as if trying to recall a lost memory
"That's it. They used you. They gave you the final words like a spell, like a code. Love's Labours Won. It's a weapon. The right combination of words, spoken at the right place, with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing!" Shakespeare went to open his mouth "And yes, you can have that."
He was then given a horribly inaccurate map and pointed to one of the few marked streets
"All Hallows Street. There it is. Martha, we'll track them down. Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play." He ordered
"Finn, go with him and assist," she said, she shuddered to think what would happen to history if he died
"Of course, sister" he replied, ever the dutiful solider
Shakespeare nodded his head in determination "I'll do it. All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing."
"Oh, don't complain," Martha said
He laughed and grinned "I'm not. It's marvellous. Good luck, Doctor."
"Good luck, Shakespeare. Once more unto the breach." The Doctor quoted
"look after him, Finn" Morgana said, and he nodded solemnly
"I like that. Wait a minute, that's one of mine." He said in realisation
The Doctor poked his head back around the door "Oh, just shift!" he ordered but pulled a face as his girlfriend called
"I told you so!" he pulled back and chased after her, his long legs easily catching up.
"All Hallows Street, but which house?" he asked as they went down all hallows street
"The thing is, though am I missing something here? The world didn't end in 1599. It just didn't. Look at me. I'm living proof." Martha gestured to herself
"Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux? I know. Back to the Future. It's like Back to the Future." The Doctor said
"The film?" she asked
"No, the novelisation." He drawled sarcastically and Morgana snickered "Yes, the film. Marty McFly goes back and changes history."
"And he starts fading away. Oh my God, am I going to fade?" Martha demanded in horror
"You and the entire future of the human race. It ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it. But which house?" he looked around
"Dearest" Morgana called as the door creaked open from the house in front of them, she was not impressed
"Ah. Make that witch house." The Doctor joked
"That was terrible" Morgana snorted
"you still laughed" he replied happily as the three headed in
"I take it we're expected." The Doctor snarked as they walked into her room filled with ingredients, cauldrons and other tools and implements for their brand of witchcraft.
"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time." She replied
"Death won't touch him, he's mine" Morgana snapped out at the serving girl
"Right then, it's my turn. I know how to do this. I name thee Carrionite!" Martha said but slumped when nothing happened, she glanced at the Doctor "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?"
"The power of a name works only once. Observe. I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones." Martha collapsed back into the Doctors arms
"that's it" Morgana snapped but felt her brain imploding, with a cry of pain she collapsed to her knees as her mind worked to fix itself only for the aneurysm to occur again.
"What have you done?" he demanded
"Only sleeping, alas. For her, a simple pain spell, it should have killed her by now. It's curious. The name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time. And as for you, Sir Doctor. Fascinating. There is no name. Why would a man hide his title in such despair? Oh, but look. There's still one word with the power that aches." She tilted her head at him curious
"The naming won't work on me." The Doctor said
"the man with no name, trailing stardust in his wake, in love once again, with his precious Morrigan" she tried
"Oh, big mistake. Because that name keeps me fighting. The Carrionites vanished. Where did you go?" he demanded infuriated with her, he could see Morgana fighting against the pain, trying to be helpful
"The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness." She told him flicking her wrist causing Morgana to groan, her forehead pressed against the floorboards
The Doctor tried to get the attention of Morgana, concern thrumming through him "And how did you escape?"
"New words. New and glittering, from a mind like no other." She smirked
"Shakespeare." The Doctor realised
"His son perished. The grief of a genius. Grief without measure. Madness enough to allow us entrance." She reverently spoke
"How many of you?" the Doctor demanded
"Just the three. But the play tonight shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence. And from this world, we will lead the universe back into the old ways of blood and magic." Her tone was malicious
"Hmm. Busy schedule. But first, you've got to get past my Morgana and me." He said dismissive of her
"Oh, that should be a pleasure, considering my enemy has such a handsome shape." She said seductively stepping closer to him and he snorted in derision
"Now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not going to work on me, not from you, the one that holds that power over me is currently being tortured by you which does not endear me to you" he snapped out his eyes dark with rage
"Oh, we'll see." She teased and yanked some hairs from his head, dancing back
"What did you do?" he demanded panicked, Morgana forced her eyes open and stumbled to her feet
"Souvenir." She teased
"Well, give it back." He said and Morgana flitted forward launching herself at the blond shape only for her to fly out the window backwards, hovering over the ground, she groaned and collapsed to her knees again as the pain doubled as punishment
"fucking harlot" Morgana hissed
"Well, that's just cheating." He complained his eyes kept flickering to Morgana
"Behold, Doctor. Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets." She declared as Martha slowly woke up
"Now, you might call that magic. I'd call that a DNA replication module." The Doctor said
"What use is your science now?" she questioned as she stabbed the doll, the Doctor screamed and fell to the floor as she flew away
"Oh my God, Doctor. Don't worry, I've got you. Hold on, mister. Two hearts?" Martha questioned as Morgana groaned, the pain slowly rescinding
The Doctor replied his face scrunched in pain "You're making a habit of this. Ah! I've only got one heart working. How do you people cope? I've got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest! Dah! Other side. Now, on the back, on the back. Left a bit. Dah, lovely. There we go. Badda booma! Well, what are you standing there for? Come one! The Globe!" he moved quickly over to Morgana holding out his hand which she took
"you okay? I'm sorry I had to get information" he apologised sincerely, his thumb running over her cheek before tapping twice
"I am fine Dear Heart but she's a dead witch bitch" she replied
"I promise, they'll get what they deserve" he swore
They were quickly running through the streets before Martha shouted in realisation
"We're going the wrong way!"
"No, we're not!" he stopped and looked around "We're going the wrong way!"
"that's what she said dearest," Morgana said but he quickly tugged them back in the right direction
They broke into the backstage of the globe theatre running in Shakespeare and Finn a storm was raging over the building. The audience panicked and started running wild, but the doors slammed shut to keep them trapped inside. They found Shakespeare and Finn waking up.
"Stop the play. I think that was it. Yeah, I said, stop the play!" the Doctor snarked
"I hit my head," Shakespeare argued
"My neck was snapped" Finn defended himself looking down at his feet
"are you okay?" Morgana asked and Finn nodded his head
"Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald. I think that's my cue!" the Doctor said
"Now begins the millennium of blood!" the carrionites called together
The Doctor ran out onto the stage, followed by Martha and Shakespeare.
The Doctor ran out onto the stage followed by the others as the blonde carrionite called "The Doctor. He lives. Then watch this world become a blasted heath! They come. They come!" she held up a crystal ball out into the red light, causing bat-like creatures to fly into the theatre, they start circling before flying up into the sky
"Come on, Will! History needs you!" the Doctor encouraged
"But what can I do?" Shakespeare asked in shock
"Reverse it!" the Doctor ordered
"How am I supposed to do that?" he demanded
"The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith, the one true genius. The only man clever enough to do it." He motivated
"But what words? I have none ready!" Shakespeare panicked
"You're William Shakespeare!" Morgana called
"But these Carrionite phrases, the need such precision." He responded
"Trust yourself. When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they, like magic. Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm. Words that last forever. That's what you do, Will. You choose perfect words. Do it. Improvise." He instructed
He centred himself and started "Close up this din of hateful, dire decay, decomposition of your witches' plot. You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not!"
"No! Words of power!" the witch cried
"Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points" he looked over at the Doctor
"Seven six one three nine oh!" the Doctor called
"Seven six one three nine oh! Banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee" he paused trying to find the word
"Expelliarmus!" Martha shouted
"Expelliarmus!" the Doctor repeated
"Expelliarmus!" Shakespeare said triumphantly
"Good old JK!" the Doctor called gleefully watching as they screamed
"The deep darkness! They are consumed!" the Carrionites shouted as they are sucked into a tornado, along with all the pages of the play
"Love's Labours Won. There it goes." The Doctor said as the sky cleared with a flash and bang, there was a pause and then the audience started clapping
"They think it was all special effects?" Martha asked,
"would you rather they think it actual witchcraft?" Finn retorted and Martha shook her head
"Your effect is special indeed." Shakespeare flirted and Morgana laughed
"It's not your best line," Martha responded and Morgana headed upstairs with the Doctor who picked up the crystal, the witches inside scratching at the glass to get out
"And I say, a heart for a hart and a dear for a deer." Shakespeare joked the next day and Morgana laughed from where she was sat, Finn on her left, Shakespeare on her right and Martha on his other side
"I don't get it." Martha shook her head
"it's wordplay" Morgana explained to Martha before turning to Finn "are you ready for the spell?" she asked, and he nodded
"nimirum usque ad hanc memoriam ianua invocavi centum annos" she chanted quickly and also lacing in a compulsion to have Peter Steele helped "there by the time the sun rises tomorrow you won't remember"
"thank you, sister, I will sort out Peter later today" Finn replied and she was thankful as the Doctor entered wearing a small stiff ruff and carrying an animal skull as she eyed him up
"Good props store back there. I'm not sure about this though. Reminds me of a Sycorax, don't you think sweetheart?" he asked her
"yes, it does," she said "I like the ruff, very on-trend"
"isn't it just?" he replied
"Sycorax. Nice word. I'll have that off you as well." Shakespeare said shamelessly and Morgana laughed
"I should be on ten percent." He complained, "How's your head?"
"Still aching." He replied
"Here, I got you this." The Doctor offered, taking off the ruff and placing it on Shakespeare "Neck brace. Wear that for a few days till it's better, although you might want to keep it. It suits you."
"What about the play?" Martha wondered
"Gone. I looked all over. Every single copy of Love's Labours Won went up in the sky." He informed them
"My lost masterpiece," Shakespeare said mournfully
"You could write it up again." Martha tried to cheer him up
"Yeah, better not, Will. There's still power in those words. Maybe it should best stay forgotten." The Doctor said pulling a face
"Oh, but I've got new ideas. Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons, in memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet." Shakespeare said with nostalgia
"Hamnet?" Martha asked thinking of the play Hamlet
"That's him." Shakespeare nodded
"Hamnet?" she repeated
"What's wrong with that?" he demanded
The Doctor coughed and interjected "Anyway, time we were off. I've got a nice attic in the Tardis where this lot can scream for all eternity, and I've got to take Martha back to Freedonia."
"You mean travel on through time and space," Shakespeare said </p>
<p>"You what?" the Doctor asked having been caught flat-footed
"You're from another world like the Carrionites, and Martha is from the future, Finn is a vampire, Morgana is some mixture of the supernatural. It's not hard to work out." He said smugly
"That's incredible. You are incredible." The Doctor gushed
"I told you he'd work it out" Morgana taunted him "and I'm the Queen of the supernatural, part vampire, wolf, witch" she informed him and he nodded satisfied he got an answer.
"We're alike in many ways, Doctor. I am pleased to have met you Morgana you are as fun as your brother says and the praises, he lavishes on you are well deserved. Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my Dark Lady. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate."
"I can do better," the Doctor said
"go on then" Morgana teased "love poems are ever so important to Vikings"
He turned to her with a sparkle in his eyes, taking her hand he placed a kiss on her knuckles "Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori"
She giggled and blushed, peeking up at him coyly from underneath her lashes
"Will!" an actor from last night called
"Will, you'll never believe it. She's here! She's turned up!" another actor gushed
"We're the talk of the town. She heard about it last night. She wants us to perform it again." The first one gossiped eagerly
"Who?" Martha asked
"Her Majesty. She's here." He said
"Queen Elizabeth the First!" The Doctor realised happily as the elderly Queen Elizabeth entered with two pikemen
"Doctor? Morgana?" Elizabeth said
"What?" the Doctor questioned
"My sworn enemy, what you are still doing with him Lady Mikaelson I don't know" she sniffed
"What?" the Doctor questioned glancing between them baffled
"oh, you know me Eliza, can't resist" Morgana grinned wildly
"Off with his head!" she ordered
"What?" the Doctor repeated shocked
"Never mind what, just run! See you, Will, and thanks." Martha called
"Stop that pernicious Doctor," Elizabeth demanded,
"bye, Finn!" Morgana called as they ran off, Shakespeare laughing as Finn stared after his sister as they ran into the streets of Southwark, running to the safety of the TARDIS.
"Stop in the name of the Queen!" a pikeman yelled
"What have you done to upset her?" Martha asked
"How should I know? Haven't even met her yet. That's time travel for you. Still, can't wait to find out. Or find out how you get close to her" The Doctor said as he unlocked the TARDIS Martha going in
"That's something to look forward to. Ooo!" he grabbed Morgana and tossed her in, sliding in himself and slamming the door shut, Morgana heard a thud
"did he just shoot the TARDIS?" she demanded"she'll be fine!" the Doctor called back as he set the TARDIS to dematerialise
1) I DON'T OWN ANYTHING
2) Translations
Dýrr at var yfir linerinn- Dear that was over the line
já ek veit ek skulu eigi hafsegðumkr at en ek var ódr ek munu segða Fyrirgef mik- yes I know I should not have said that but I was angry I will say sorry
góð hon gerði eigi makligr slíkr, ek munu munu bliðr til fylgjagð þinn reiði- good she did not deserve such, I will be happy to help your anger
ek Ást er þú mæli þinn móðir tungþúr eru slíkr a erta- I love when you speak your mother tongue you are such a tease
nimirum usque ad hanc memoriam ianua invocavi centum annos- place this memory behind the door not to be unlocked until called upon a hundred years hence
Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori- Love conquers all; let us too yield to love
Jörð- Jörð is the personification of earth and a goddess in Norse mythology and I used it as a way to reference mother nature
I had an attempt at rhyming for the Doctor I dunno how good it was
Please vote and comment it would mean a lot! and we got a Finn adventure! I really want to add a solo with Niklaus but none of the episodes seem to match with him at the moment, Nik will probably be in Vincent