This Perilous Grace (Three, Jo Grant, the Master) (2/2)
Title: This Perilous Grace
Author: lost_spook
Recipient: starbells
Rating: All Ages
Character(s): Third Doctor, Jo Grant, the Master
Warnings (if any): None.
Summary: Jo and the Doctor arrive in Camelot, but that was only a myth, wasn't it?
Notes: Written for starbells from the prompt: 01. Three and Jo arrive at a medieval castle with King Arthur, The Nights of the Round Table...ect. Delgado Master causes some sort of trouble. No aliens besides the Doctor and the Master. No extreme gore, slash, or het. PG. Angst, Action, Fluff.
Part One
Part Two: Witchery in the Western Hills
*
Guinevere, Enid and Lynette arrived back in the outer courtyard at the same moment as Sir Geraint.
“Your majesty,” he said, as he dismounted and came over to help her do the same.
She said, “What do you do here?”
“I come bearing the news of our victory and to send out more men to watch the pathways - the rogues have gone into hiding in the forest. What of you, my lady?”
She gave a rueful smile. “Foolishly, we rode out after you. We have seen some of your rogues, and the Lady Jo - the Lady Blanchfleur, I should say - has been taken from us.”
“Then I shall send out a messenger to inform Sir Dinadan. Furthermore, I shall ride back myself and see if I can see any sign of her.”
Guinevere smiled. “Thank you, Sir Geraint. I shall then go and inform my lord of your news in turn.”
*
Lady Morgan caught hold of the messenger lad by the shoulder. “What are you about? What did I hear Sir Geraint command of you?”
“I am to tell Sir Dinadan of the fate that has befallen his lady,” he informed her, earnest with his important news.
She frowned. “Ride out there, through the forest and drag him away from the battle? No, better to send one who is at hand already. Go, boy, tell Sir Melegaunce of this.”
“But Sir Geraint, my lady -.”
She faced him. “Which of us is in the king's confidence? Would you defy me?”
“No, my lady,” he said and ran in the direction she indicated.
Morgan smiled as he went and then continued to the stables, in pursuance of her own quest.
*
The Doctor did not accompany Gawain inside. He rode back to tell the returning knights that they were welcome in the fort as a grateful lord wished to offer his thanks.
He met Bedwyr and gave him the news, but even as the young knight, out of breath, but still gracious, thanked him for it, he glimpsed a figure moving away through the trees.
Merlin.
And if there was one person he needed to talk to about this impossible situation, it was Arthur's advisor, magician or not.
*
The Master received the news of Jo's abduction with some interest and very little concern. From what he knew of Miss Grant, it was only to be expected. He was intrigued by Lady Morgan's part in this. Evidently, she must have assumed he could turn the knowledge to his advantage.
He decided first to uncover what exactly had happened out on the road at the same time as he deciphered the enigmatic queen's intentions.
It should not be difficult and doubtless, it would annoy the Doctor, something he liked to do at every opportunity that arose.
*
Jo's abductor, once he had reached a weathered and battered small fort a mile or so away from the spot where she had fallen, had revealed himself as only a teenage boy, dark-haired, his face red and sweating from wearing the helmet.
“Are you all right?” he asked, eventually.
She looked at him. “Yes, thank you. Why did you drag me off like that?”
“St Cumber's men!” he said, his eyes widening a little. She could hear the edge of fear in his voice. “They like to prey around the edges of Camelot as a defiance to the king. You'll be safe out of their way here.”
She said, “But I need to get back to Camelot. I can't stay here.”
“Oh, you can't go back, not yet,” he said, shaking his head in alarm. “They might still be out there and they'll be ready to kill after Arthur's men robbed them of their prize.”
Jo sighed. “Oh, well, if I must I must. Is this your castle or should you introduce me to someone?”
“My father,” he said. “He'll be angry, but don't mind him. I'm Alan, by the way.”
*
The Doctor left his horse with Bedwyr and followed Merlin on foot. He had definite questions now and he would very much like a word with the one person he hoped might have the answers.
However, he was not sure how he would react so he kept at a distance, also very wishing to know where Merlin was heading. Last night, Sir Geraint had mentioned a cave and he would like to see that.
He had a feeling it might explain a great deal.
*
Jo was sitting in a room far smaller and less grand than those of Camelot. The furniture was scratched and worn and there were odd things that looked like the remnant of some sort of technology to her eyes - something with coloured buttons was displayed on the wall, as if it were a picture and a black, metal box with holes in was being used as a small table.
As she got up to survey the odd 'picture' more closely, a man who was as dark as Alan and resembled him enough to surely be the father he had mentioned, entered. “Ah, our unwilling guest. May I apologise for my son's behaviour?”
“He did rescue me,” she said fairly. “I think I'd have been trampled on if someone hadn't dragged me out of the way.”
He smiled. “Well, I am Venn Forster; this is my holding and you have met my troublesome elder son and no doubt before we can safely return you, you will meet my even more tiresome younger son, Eric.”
“Oh,” said Jo.
He said, “From Camelot, eh? You must think this place pretty poor in comparison.”
“I wouldn't be so rude,” she said. “And I'm not from Camelot. I'm a visitor.”
Forster nodded. “Ah. And your name, lady?”
“Blanchfleur,” she said, instinctively giving the alias, although she did not feel in any sort of danger here. “Your son said you often had trouble from these people. I'd have thought being so near to Camelot -.”
He said, “Yes. True. But Farrar of Burning Sea holds lands to the north and he is in alliance with some of Arthur's enemies. It gives St Cumber the nerve to try these little raids so close to the King's court. He has somewhere to run to. A few more and the king will be forced to act against Farrar one way or the other. After that, we may get a little peace.”
“I'm sure he'll do something,” she agreed.
He shrugged. “Well, it is better since he came. His rule is spreading outwards, despite these criminals who persist in their attacks. I'll be sending Alan along to Camelot in a few months more. He shall learn their ways and we will be formally under the king's protection. Even as it is, we have been able to grow crops and bring them to harvest these last few years. Before Arthur's coming, that was a battle in itself. Some villain would spoil it for nothing more than spite or hoping to starve us out and see us move on - leaving the fort for them, you understand. Or they'd steal the harvest from the barns. And there's a chance of learning. Yes, something needed to be done before we destroyed ourselves in petty rivalry.”
“I see,” said Jo, thoughtfully. She didn't understand this any more, but she had a feeling that they could not be in the past. The Doctor would know when she told him.
A woman entered, crossing to Forster. “More than that,” she said. “It gives us all hope and we were losing that. Now we all have a reason to do more than build our own walls thicker and higher and scavenge where we could.”
“My wife,” he said, with a brief smile. “Alice.”
She smiled at Jo. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you,” said Jo. She bit her lip, knowing she should use this chance to find out more. “When you say before Arthur came - where did he come from?”
They looked at each other. “I don't know,” he said. “Somewhere further west. He came up here with that fellow Merlin and a group of others and rebuilt Maygrew's old ruin into what you see now. The work they got done - that's why they say Merlin's a magician, but we don't hold to such superstitious talk.”
“No one travels very far these days,” she added, “so we know little more. But if Arthur's rule can stretch out to all the island, if they can deal with these rough gangs, then maybe we shall all travel about, even beyond the sea, as our people used to without fear for their lives.”
Frankly, thought Jo, it was very interesting, but it was still as puzzling as all the rest. And everything seemed much, much too real for anyone to be having a joke at their expense.
*
The Doctor trailed Merlin through the forest until he came to a clearing where there was a small house.
Merlin entered the side door and disappeared down a series of steps.
“A cave?” wondered the Doctor and crept nearer.
Some minutes later, the king's mentor re-emerged, glanced about him and headed off in the other direction.
Now, to follow Merlin or to look in the cave?
The Doctor hesitated a bare instant before hastening down the steps, in search of answers at last.
What he found there robbed him of his breath. He had had his suspicions, but to see this here -. He stared about him with new interest and then stopped, noticing a young man lying in the corner.
“Now, let's have a look at you,” he murmured, and set to work.
*
Jo, growing bored, went out walking in the courtyard, contemplating climbing up to a point where she could see out. Maybe the Doctor would be coming in search of her.
Instead, she was greeted with the surprising sight of the Master entering through the gates.
“What are you doing here?” Jo demanded, managing to get more disgust into a simple question than should have been humanely possible.
The Master smiled. “Unlikely as it may seem, I am here to rescue you - your knight in shining armour, if you wish.”
“Oh, really?”
“Indeed. Having heard that you had been abducted and were in mortal peril, I thought it my duty to come to your aid. Who could do otherwise?”
“I don't believe that for a second!”
He said, “No, I suppose you might not. Well, surely you will understand that I am currently in need of some noble act with which to regain the King's trust. As the Doctor is off hunting the Holy Grail or whatever it happens to be, we may as well help each other. I will return you to Camelot and you will restore my tattered reputation.”
“Help you get back into the King's good books and plot more trouble against him and the Doctor? I don't think so!”
He sighed. “I knew this would be trying, but I didn't imagine it would be this difficult. Do you propose to remain a prisoner here until the Doctor comes charging up to rescue you?”
“That's where you're mistaken,” said Jo triumphantly. “I'm not a prisoner. They're treating me very well and they're sorry about the mistake they made - and I'm learning some very interesting things. I don't need rescuing, for your information. You can get back on your jolly old horse and go away - the sooner, the better, in my opinion.”
He frowned. “You cannot be serious, Miss Grant. And I didn't come here by such a primitive means of transport.”
“Well, I'm certainly not getting in your TARDIS. Honestly, how stupid do you think I am?”
He considered. “I shall assume that you don't want me to answer that question, as we could be here some time. However, if it interests you that much, I walked. It isn't far - less than an hour.”
“Oh no,” said Jo. “A nice little walk with you in the dark, gloomy forest? I know when I'm well off, thank you very much!”
The Master folded his arms. “A deadlock. Hmm.”
“Well, go find someone else to rescue,” she instructed him.
“Lady Blanchfleur? Sir Melegaunce?”
They both turned to see a young, blond knight riding into the yard. He dismounted and bowed to both. “Lady Blanchfleur, Sir Dinadan that you know as the Doctor has sent me to bring you to him.”
“Ooh, I knew you were up to no good,” she told the Master.
He said, “I assure you, I had no knowledge of this. Indeed, had I, I would most certainly not be at this benighted place trying to persuade you to return to Camelot with me. The Doctor has proved as cunning as ever. I should have known.”
“I am Peredur,” the newcomer announced and then kissed Jo squarely on the mouth and smiled at her with a cheerful innocence that robbed the gesture of any offence. “Sir Dinadan sent me in search of you and Sir Geraint directed me towards this place. I thought to try the first holding I saw - and lo, here you are!”
She pushed him away, her eyebrows rising. “What was that for?”
“My mother told me that was how I was to greet a woman,” he informed her. “Either that or to take a trinket from her.”
Jo surveyed him with curiosity. “Go round kissing girls or stealing from them? Well, I hate to say a word against your mother, but I think some people around here would probably cut your head off for that sort of behaviour.”
“Oh,” he said, a puzzled look crossing his sunny face. “Then you had best tell me how to go on while I return you to Sir Dinadan.”
She smiled. “I think I'd better. And you've got a horse, I see,” she added pointedly.
“How fickle,” commented the Master, heading out of the gates before them.
Jo caught hold of Peredur's arm as he seemed about to leave again immediately. “Wait. I need to say my goodbyes or they'll think something has happened.”
*
Jo had always been too busy with doing the unexpected (like learning how to pick locks and other tricks of escapology) to fantasise about being rescued by a prince or knight in shining armour who would ride off with her into the sunset. Had she been, she would have been rewarded with discovering that the reality was far more uncomfortable than she could have believed.
As she wasn't given to such things, she spent most of the journey hanging on for dear life and giving Sir Peredur (who seemed particularly clueless) helpful advice.
“So, really, you talk to a woman just as you would to a man. Well,” she added, reflecting, “in some cases you might have to be more polite.”
He listened intently. “I see.”
“I don't mean start fighting them or challenging them to a duel,” Jo continued. “That isn't sensible. You only do that with other knights if you can't help it. You never hurt a woman on purpose.”
He absorbed this. “That accords with my own wishes.”
“I'm glad to hear it,” said Jo. “Where did you come from?”
He said, “I have been not myself for some long time past.”
“Oh. What have you been?”
He sighed. “I know not. Nothing, perhaps.”
“Nothing?”
He turned briefly to smile at her. “Never fear. Sir Dinadan is waiting for you in Merlin's Cave and he has the explanations.”
“He usually does,” she said. “You must know what happened to you, though. Sir Peredur?”
He shook his head. “I am at a loss. All is new again to me.”
“And you're one of Arthur's knights?”
“I believe I am. I am to travel to his court to enquire after my Mother. She is lost to me and may have perished.”
Jo bit her lip. “Sorry. Even if she did give you very strange advice.”
“I wonder now if she was lost all along,” he agreed with sudden solemnity.
*
The Doctor came walking up to meet them, smiling at Jo. Once Peredur had helped her down from his mount, she hugged him.
“You're all right?” he asked, studying her with concern.
She nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. I wasn't in any danger, not really. It was all a misunderstanding - and I found out some interesting things about the people who don't live in Camelot!”
“Good,” he said. “Because I believe I've solved the mystery of those that do. I think you had best follow me down here and see for yourself. As I suspected, Merlin holds most of the answers to this riddle.”
Jo took his hand. “Okay.”
“Peredur, stay out here and keep watch, will you, there's a good chap.”
He bowed. “It is a pleasure to serve the Lady Blanchfleur and good Sir Dinadan.”
“Where did you get him from?” asked Jo in an undertone as he led her down a flight of stone steps.
He smiled widely. “You're about to find out.”
*
“We've found our Holy Grail,” said the Doctor. “Not a cup or cauldron of any sort, but oddly appropriate in its own way. Here, Jo.”
Her mouth fell open as she stepped down into cellar-cum-cave. “But - is it a spaceship?”
“Not quite, but I think I finally understand where we are and what's going on.”
Jo said, “Well, what then? I can see there's all sort of machines down here, but what does it all mean? Where and when are we?”
“In the future. I'm not sure exactly when - Earth was hit by several catastrophic disasters and recovered again during its later history. This is one of them. And someone before it happened - whether for their own illegal purposes or in order to create what they believed would be a hope for the future - left this here.”
“And what is it?”
He said, “A workshop more than anything else - a laboratory.”
“Even I could have worked that much out, Doctor.”
He said, “Or a nursery of sorts. The good people of Camelot were built or grown here - carefully designed down to the last detail and then educated by Merlin, who must have also engineered quite a few events to aid that purpose.”
Jo frowned. “But they seemed so real.”
“They are,” he returned, facing her. “Every bit as much as you and me, Jo. It's always been against the law for one human to meddle this much in the make-up of another, but they're quite real, I assure you. Until now, that was what was puzzling me.”
She wrinkled her nose, thinking it through. “Someone sort of programmed them to be like this?”
“Not really - it's a lot more complex than that. We're in the far future and studies into DNA and genetics have progressed well beyond your time, but even then they were talking of test-tube babies and cloning sheep.”
Jo nodded wisely, although whether she really understood he could never say.
“It's not a spaceship and they're not clones or aliens or robots. Everything about this is perfectly human. Someone's been breaking the law, whether for their own ends or because they genuinely thought it might be the one bright spot of hope for the future of this place, I don't know. Ensure the people involved have the right characteristics and so on - but there must have been something a little more. That must be where Merlin came in. Someone had to ensure that each was woken or grown at the right time. And the memories needed -. Yes, Merlin must be something else again.”
“Alien?”
“No, no. I said, all of this is an entirely human affair.” He surveyed the equipment in the chamber. “I ought to be horrified. No one has the right to engineer other lives quite so extensively, but at the same time -.”
Jo hugged herself. “Those people outside of Camelot - they feel Arthur is the best hope they had. If some mad scientist hadn't done this and left it here to be activated after the disaster-.”
“Oh, I'm sure someone would have thought of something,” he told her with a bright smile. “You humans may be petty and destructive and hopelessly parochial, but you do have an inventiveness and an endurance that seems to see you through.”
Jo bit back laughter at the very back-handed compliment. “Well, thank you, Doctor.”
“Still,” he said. “It's been done now. The only thing we can do is dismantle everything now that I've woken Peredur.”
“Destroy it all?”
He took her hand. “What do you suppose the Master is doing hanging round here? We're far enough in the future for this technology to be advanced, even for us Time Lords. Can you imagine what he might do with this?”
“I'd rather not. You're right.”
He hesitated. “It might be as well to find Merlin first. He went off somewhere, but I was intrigued by the cave.”
“And where did Peredur come from?”
He said. “He was still here, waiting to be awakened. I disturbed him and he seemed eager to be helpful, so I thought he could fetch you.”
“Oh. I don't remember a Peredur.”
He shrugged. “More commonly Perceval. I think someone felt they were being 'accurate' in the knights they included - you'll note no Lancelot, for instance.”
“I did wonder about that. Will it end like the story?”
He said, “Who knows? I doubt it. These are real people and their lives aren't set in the pattern of an old cycle of legends. There's no certainty of Camlann here, but no guarantees that Arthur won't die in battle tomorrow.”
Jo followed him out. “So in a funny way, it is all true, then? Arthur might have existed in some way, back in history - and he really does come to the rescue in Britain's darkest hour. The once and future king.”
“If you must put it like that. I'd like to find Merlin. Someone or something must have engineered this - and the only possible candidate -.”
“-Is Merlin.”
“Quite.”
*
“Sir Dinadan,” said Peredur, returning to the entrance to meet them. “You wished to see Merlin?”
He lifted his head. “I most certainly do.”
“Alas, I fear the Lady Morgan has brought him to his death.”
They both exchanged an alarmed glance.
“How?” asked the Doctor.
Peredur coloured. “I was keeping watch as you asked and I saw Merlin approach and was about to come in search of you. However, Lady Morgan called him and since you also warned against her, I hung back and thus I saw her strike him down. I know not precisely how, for she had no weapon, but there is no life left in him.”
“Good grief,” said the Doctor. “Why didn't you try to stop her?”
He widened his eyes. “Lady Blanchfleur told me that it was even more improper to hurt a lady than to greet her with a kiss or take a token from her. My own instincts were in accord.”
“Sorry,” said Jo.
The Doctor had his hand to his chin. “No, don't. This is an unexpected turn of events.”
“Well, Merlin always gets tricked by some enchantress, doesn't he?” asked Jo.
He strode forward. “But this isn't the legend - certain events have been engineered, others might be very probable given the situation and characteristics, but this-. Peredur, where did she go?”
“Well, once I saw what she had done, I made her my captive,” he said. “I left her by the body and she swore to wait until I had fetched you.”
“Peredur,” said Jo. “Honestly!”
He said, “She gave me her word. It would be dishonourable of me not to accept it.”
“I really don't know how you're going to last for two seconds around here,” she told him.
*
They found Merlin lying on the ground, at the edge of the forest and, improbably, Morgan Le Fay still there waiting for them.
“Madam,” said the Doctor. “What is the meaning of this?”
She raised her head. “You have seen his cave of tricks. Do you not know?”
“You've seen the chamber here?” he asked.
She nodded. “Of course. I grew up here with my sisters, before Arthur was born. We were the first. But I still have no understanding of it, beyond what he told me when he needed help. Elaine and Morgause never had any interest, but I did. And as I grew and Camelot came into being, I came to see that Merlin was not like the rest of us.”
“You still shouldn't have killed him,” accused Jo, her hands on her hips.
Morgan continued to look at the Doctor. “I must explain this to you, for I will need your help to finish this.”
“I may not be prepared to help you.”
She smiled. “You want Sir Melegaunce banished from Camelot, do you not? Listen, and you will see how it can be done.”
“You said Merlin was not like the rest of you,” he said, side-stepping the question. “What did you mean by that?”
She said, “He was not the wise man my brother thought him. He had vast knowledge and great power, but he had no wit, no wisdom behind it. And as we have grown and changed, he has remained unchanged, unaged. And I remembered seeing him down here many years ago. He tied himself to the walls - I am unsure quite what that meant, but it was his way of resting. He never once slept in a bed.”
“Go on.”
“It seems strange to say it, but I do not believe he was a man,” she said. “The things down in that room are strange creations - machines, I believe. And such was he also.”
The Doctor knelt by Merlin's body, examining him carefully, before he nodded. “Very observant of you, madam. I was beginning to wonder myself.”
“Sir Melegaunce knew what he was and he had the knowledge to destroy him,” she said. “I let him believe what he chose of me, although why he should be so sure that I would betray my brother, I know not.”
Jo bit her lip and glanced over to the Doctor, who was getting to his feet again.
“You worked with the Master - I mean, Sir Melegaunce - in order to defeat Merlin? But why? If he was the guiding force behind Camelot and your brother's trusted advisor?”
She held her head up high, a light in her eyes. “Is it not plain? He did not change. He set us on this path, but while we changed and grew and all around us altered daily, he did not. And his narrow thinking was trusted too much by my brother. He could not go against Merlin, who gave him everything - the throne, his followers, even his bride. Even more worrying, since, if my belief was truth, he would outlast us all. So I seized my chance.”
“And you killed him,” said the Doctor softly. “You destroyed Merlin because he was not human - an android?”
She still held his gaze. “He had no respect for his own kind. There was once another such, the Lady Nimue, but he destroyed her. I saw him - that he did not know. He broke her apart piece by shining metal piece.”
“I saw the remains,” said the Doctor. “Of course. One would be too much of a risk to leave one such alone in a situation like this. He must have developed a fault and cannibalised her for the parts. But you can't possibly explain this to the king. He'll blame you for murder, you do realise that?”
Morgan smiled. “That does not matter, not in the end. Arthur will be hurt, but I shall blame Sir Melegaunce for his part in giving me Merlin's secret and once he is banished, I shall return to the north and continue our battle there. My brother will forgive me in the end. He does not hold grudges long. But even if not, someone had to take this upon themselves.”
“You're a brave woman,” he said. “And you're absolutely right. I only wish I'd had a chance to ask him a few questions before you so expertly de-activated him. The Master unfortunately is technically quite brilliant.”
Jo had been following this slowly, Peredur with even more difficulty. “What did you want us to do to help you? You seem to have everything nicely under control.”
“I do not want to have removed Merlin and yet leave that mischief-maker Melegaunce at court,” she said. “If you would corroborate my story as regards him, I believe that would help in ensuring his banishment.”
The Doctor took Jo's hand and she laughed, leaning against his shoulder. That would not be a problem.
“I think,” said Peredur, frowning in concentration, “that I may be newer than I thought; newer than any other.”
The other three turned to look at him.
“Yes,” said the Doctor. “I rather think you might be. Don't worry about it, though, there's a good chap. I have a feeling you'll do splendidly.”
“My past is a dream,” he continued.
Morgan dusted down her skirt. “It isn't the past that we need to worry over. What you do now is of far more import.”
“Yes,” he agreed, brightening, the sunshine back in his face. “I think I agree. And I am learning very quickly. Merlin taught me things in dreams, Sir Dinadan is full of wise advice and the Lady Blanchfleur has told me the proper way to behave to a woman-.”
The Doctor said, “Peredur, we need to hurry back to Camelot and stop the Master causing any more trouble. But thank you for the compliments.”
*
“Well, well,” said the Master, walking into the clearing before they could leave, followed closely by Arthur, Bedwyr and Kay and what seemed like half the court. “I find you here with a stranger, the Lady Morgan and a dead body. What have you to say for yourself now, Doctor?”
Sir Peredur strode forward. “I am no stranger, am I? I am Peredur, son of Acheflour.”
“Peredur?” said Culhwch, drawing forward. “I had heard no word from your mother for many long years. My lord Arthur, Sir Peredur is our kinsman.”
He bowed before his king. “My story is uncertain until this day, but what has passed here this last hour I do know.”
“Speak on,” said Arthur.
Morgan held up a hand and moved forward, passing in front of Culhwch and Peredur, to reach her half-brother. “Wait. I do not chose to have tales told against me by any man. You shall learn the truth from my own mouth.”
“Morgan, what is the meaning of your words?” he said, a cloud passing over his face. “Merlin lies dead. Tell me this is none of your doing, sister!”
She got to her knees. “My lord Arthur. I tricked him and I killed him, but it was not I alone.”
“Who has drawn you astray?” he demanded.
She lowered her gaze, hiding the slightest of smiles that crossed her face for a moment. “Sir Melegaunce. I have been much in his confidence these past few days, as you know very well. He knew the trick that would destroy Merlin and persuaded me to use it - for your sake, brother.”
“That's a lie,” burst out the Master, as everyone turned to look at him. “My lord Arthur, I'm afraid -.”
Sir Peredur shook his head. “That is what happened. We saw her kill Merlin, but she has already made this confession once in our hearing. I would not lie.”
Arthur drew back from his sister. He surveyed her unwillingly. “You have betrayed us all and destroyed the man to whom we owed everything.”
“Your majesty,” said the Doctor, entering into the debate now. “If I might be so bold as to speak, may I stand as the Lady Morgan's champion in this matter? I know Sir Melegaunce of old and this crime is to be laid at his door. He has whispered evil accusations against Merlin to your sister - told her that Merlin was plotting against you and who knows what else. She acted in the genuine belief that it would help you.”
His enemy folded his arms and attempted an easy laugh. “Your majesty, no matter what this treacherous knight says, I was bringing you here to save your mentor, not acting against you.”
“I know that,” he answered, “but their testimony is against you. The evidence of my own eyes and ears during your time at Camelot is against you. You wished both Merlin and my sister dead or banished, did you not? Did you think me a fool, Sir Melegaunce?”
He drew himself up to his full height. “Then I demand the right to fight for my honour! I challenge Sir Dinadan to a duel. I shall prove him a liar and the Lady Morgan the only villain here when I win.”
“Dear me, what arrogance,” said the Doctor. “Yes, your majesty, I accept. I'm not afraid of this paltry fellow, I can assure you.”
Jo clutched at his arm. “Oh, do be careful!”
“Sir Dinadan, I spoke first,” said Peredur, intervening. “It is my battle, do you not think?”
He removed his cape. “Absolutely not, Peredur. Know your enemy - it's a wise saying. Reflect on it while you hold my coat, will you?”
*
The Doctor and the Master faced each other in the clearing, the spectators keeping back, although Peredur found he had to hang on to Jo as well as the Doctor's cape, or she would have sprung forward to intervene and injured herself, no doubt.
“Well, here we are again,” mused the Doctor. “Bit of a bore, isn't it?”
The Master made no answer, making the first attack and their duel began in earnest, the two more evenly matched than they would like to admit, and the clash of steel on steel disturbed the peacefulness of the scene.
Jo put her hands over her eyes. “I can't watch!”
*
“You fought well,” said Gawain afterwards. “For all your white words, you showed your skill with the sword as I've seen few others do. That knave Melegaunce was not far behind you.”
Bedwyr nodded. “I hardly dared breath as I watched.”
The Doctor retrieved his cape from Peredur, but Jo got to him first with a hug, resulting in an odd tangle between Time Lord, cape, knight and assistant. “Really? I always thought he was rather pedestrian.”
“'Twas a cowardly end,” added Peredur, finally working out that it might help if he let go of both Jo and the cape. “And where did he flee to?”
He said. “His ship, no doubt. It'll have been hidden somewhere in the castle.”
“Culhwch and Geraint have gone after him. If they catch him, they will strike him down for it.”
The Doctor glanced back to where Arthur was talking to his youngest half-sister. Even at this distance, no one had any doubt what was being said. She would be banished to the north until he could trust her again, if he ever could.
“I wish we could explain,” said Jo.
He shook his head. “No. Best not in this case. She was right - and her plan has worked. Don't spoil it.”
*
They returned with the royal party to Camelot (after a word to Peredur to see the cottage was destroyed) but Jo wasn't surprised when the Doctor pulled her away from the evening's feast.
“To the TARDIS?” she said, once they were safely out in the corridor.
He nodded.
“Okay.”
They both turned to see that Peredur had followed them. “Sir Dinadan. Lady Blanchfleur. Are you leaving us?”
Jo said, “Yes. I'm afraid so. We don't belong here, you know.”
“I'll just check the old girl's where we left her - wouldn't put it past the Master to try something,” muttered the Doctor, heading off up the corridor.
“Farewell, then,” said Peredur, bowing to them both. Then he gave a grin and kissed her on the mouth again.
She coloured and glared at him. “I told you not to go around doing things like that!”
“You also advised me to act upon my own decisions. It seemed right to say farewell as first we met.”
Jo said, narrowing her eyes, “Did it? You're learning quickly, aren't you?”
“Am I?” he said. “Lady Blanchfleur, must you return to your own land?”
She smiled widely in response, laughter in her large, brown eyes. “Oh, I must. The lord of the United Kingdoms of Herefordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire would get quite cross with Sir Dinadan if he returned without me.”
“Then I wish you a good journey.”
She accepted this with dignity. “Thank you, Sir Peredur.”
*
The Doctor entered the hallway where they had left the TARDIS.
“Sir Dinadan,” said a voice behind him and he turned to see the king.
He paused, surprised for once. “Your majesty. I was just - ah - retrieving something from my -.”
“You are collecting your belongings and taking your leave of us,” he finished for him. “You are not a prisoner, Sir Dinadan - or Doctor. You are free to go wherever you choose. I only wish you a safe journey back to your own land. Although it is sooner than I would like. My heart is sorrowed to see you depart so swiftly.”
He hated goodbyes. He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, that's very nice of you, your majesty, but we do have things to be getting back to.”
“Even though I am in need of an advisor?” he asked, with a glint of humour in his eyes.
The Doctor laughed, unable to help himself. “Thank you, my lord, but I'm afraid it's quite out of the question. It would be an honour, but let us say I have pledged my allegiance elsewhere.”
“Ah, to this lord of your own kingdom -.”
It was an effort to bite back the No, not to him, that rose instantly to his lips. Insulting his 'king' would not recommend him to Arthur and the Doctor had learned never to entirely trust royalty, no matter who they were. “Yes.”
“I thought you would say as much,” he told him. “You are a man of honour. May I thank you for your act of compassion towards my unfortunate sister earlier? Had you not intervened on her behalf-.”
He shrugged. “Well, quite. And, truly, your majesty, you may blame Sir Melegaunce. He's nothing but a trouble-maker, wherever he goes.”
*
“Well,” said Jo chirpily, “let's get back to our very own Camelot.”
The Doctor frowned. “Don't be ridiculous, Jo,” he said. “Honestly!”
Jo only grinned back. She still thought it was true, in a funny sort of way.
***
Notes:
The names adopted by the Master, the Doctor and Jo refer to these mythical characters:
Melegaunce (or Melwas) - a knight who abducted Guinevere.
Dinadan - a knight in the Tristan tales who disliked fighting for its own sake.
Blanchefleur - lover of Perceval/Peredur.
Author: lost_spook
Recipient: starbells
Rating: All Ages
Character(s): Third Doctor, Jo Grant, the Master
Warnings (if any): None.
Summary: Jo and the Doctor arrive in Camelot, but that was only a myth, wasn't it?
Notes: Written for starbells from the prompt: 01. Three and Jo arrive at a medieval castle with King Arthur, The Nights of the Round Table...ect. Delgado Master causes some sort of trouble. No aliens besides the Doctor and the Master. No extreme gore, slash, or het. PG. Angst, Action, Fluff.
Part One
Part Two: Witchery in the Western Hills
*
Guinevere, Enid and Lynette arrived back in the outer courtyard at the same moment as Sir Geraint.
“Your majesty,” he said, as he dismounted and came over to help her do the same.
She said, “What do you do here?”
“I come bearing the news of our victory and to send out more men to watch the pathways - the rogues have gone into hiding in the forest. What of you, my lady?”
She gave a rueful smile. “Foolishly, we rode out after you. We have seen some of your rogues, and the Lady Jo - the Lady Blanchfleur, I should say - has been taken from us.”
“Then I shall send out a messenger to inform Sir Dinadan. Furthermore, I shall ride back myself and see if I can see any sign of her.”
Guinevere smiled. “Thank you, Sir Geraint. I shall then go and inform my lord of your news in turn.”
*
Lady Morgan caught hold of the messenger lad by the shoulder. “What are you about? What did I hear Sir Geraint command of you?”
“I am to tell Sir Dinadan of the fate that has befallen his lady,” he informed her, earnest with his important news.
She frowned. “Ride out there, through the forest and drag him away from the battle? No, better to send one who is at hand already. Go, boy, tell Sir Melegaunce of this.”
“But Sir Geraint, my lady -.”
She faced him. “Which of us is in the king's confidence? Would you defy me?”
“No, my lady,” he said and ran in the direction she indicated.
Morgan smiled as he went and then continued to the stables, in pursuance of her own quest.
*
The Doctor did not accompany Gawain inside. He rode back to tell the returning knights that they were welcome in the fort as a grateful lord wished to offer his thanks.
He met Bedwyr and gave him the news, but even as the young knight, out of breath, but still gracious, thanked him for it, he glimpsed a figure moving away through the trees.
Merlin.
And if there was one person he needed to talk to about this impossible situation, it was Arthur's advisor, magician or not.
*
The Master received the news of Jo's abduction with some interest and very little concern. From what he knew of Miss Grant, it was only to be expected. He was intrigued by Lady Morgan's part in this. Evidently, she must have assumed he could turn the knowledge to his advantage.
He decided first to uncover what exactly had happened out on the road at the same time as he deciphered the enigmatic queen's intentions.
It should not be difficult and doubtless, it would annoy the Doctor, something he liked to do at every opportunity that arose.
*
Jo's abductor, once he had reached a weathered and battered small fort a mile or so away from the spot where she had fallen, had revealed himself as only a teenage boy, dark-haired, his face red and sweating from wearing the helmet.
“Are you all right?” he asked, eventually.
She looked at him. “Yes, thank you. Why did you drag me off like that?”
“St Cumber's men!” he said, his eyes widening a little. She could hear the edge of fear in his voice. “They like to prey around the edges of Camelot as a defiance to the king. You'll be safe out of their way here.”
She said, “But I need to get back to Camelot. I can't stay here.”
“Oh, you can't go back, not yet,” he said, shaking his head in alarm. “They might still be out there and they'll be ready to kill after Arthur's men robbed them of their prize.”
Jo sighed. “Oh, well, if I must I must. Is this your castle or should you introduce me to someone?”
“My father,” he said. “He'll be angry, but don't mind him. I'm Alan, by the way.”
*
The Doctor left his horse with Bedwyr and followed Merlin on foot. He had definite questions now and he would very much like a word with the one person he hoped might have the answers.
However, he was not sure how he would react so he kept at a distance, also very wishing to know where Merlin was heading. Last night, Sir Geraint had mentioned a cave and he would like to see that.
He had a feeling it might explain a great deal.
*
Jo was sitting in a room far smaller and less grand than those of Camelot. The furniture was scratched and worn and there were odd things that looked like the remnant of some sort of technology to her eyes - something with coloured buttons was displayed on the wall, as if it were a picture and a black, metal box with holes in was being used as a small table.
As she got up to survey the odd 'picture' more closely, a man who was as dark as Alan and resembled him enough to surely be the father he had mentioned, entered. “Ah, our unwilling guest. May I apologise for my son's behaviour?”
“He did rescue me,” she said fairly. “I think I'd have been trampled on if someone hadn't dragged me out of the way.”
He smiled. “Well, I am Venn Forster; this is my holding and you have met my troublesome elder son and no doubt before we can safely return you, you will meet my even more tiresome younger son, Eric.”
“Oh,” said Jo.
He said, “From Camelot, eh? You must think this place pretty poor in comparison.”
“I wouldn't be so rude,” she said. “And I'm not from Camelot. I'm a visitor.”
Forster nodded. “Ah. And your name, lady?”
“Blanchfleur,” she said, instinctively giving the alias, although she did not feel in any sort of danger here. “Your son said you often had trouble from these people. I'd have thought being so near to Camelot -.”
He said, “Yes. True. But Farrar of Burning Sea holds lands to the north and he is in alliance with some of Arthur's enemies. It gives St Cumber the nerve to try these little raids so close to the King's court. He has somewhere to run to. A few more and the king will be forced to act against Farrar one way or the other. After that, we may get a little peace.”
“I'm sure he'll do something,” she agreed.
He shrugged. “Well, it is better since he came. His rule is spreading outwards, despite these criminals who persist in their attacks. I'll be sending Alan along to Camelot in a few months more. He shall learn their ways and we will be formally under the king's protection. Even as it is, we have been able to grow crops and bring them to harvest these last few years. Before Arthur's coming, that was a battle in itself. Some villain would spoil it for nothing more than spite or hoping to starve us out and see us move on - leaving the fort for them, you understand. Or they'd steal the harvest from the barns. And there's a chance of learning. Yes, something needed to be done before we destroyed ourselves in petty rivalry.”
“I see,” said Jo, thoughtfully. She didn't understand this any more, but she had a feeling that they could not be in the past. The Doctor would know when she told him.
A woman entered, crossing to Forster. “More than that,” she said. “It gives us all hope and we were losing that. Now we all have a reason to do more than build our own walls thicker and higher and scavenge where we could.”
“My wife,” he said, with a brief smile. “Alice.”
She smiled at Jo. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you,” said Jo. She bit her lip, knowing she should use this chance to find out more. “When you say before Arthur came - where did he come from?”
They looked at each other. “I don't know,” he said. “Somewhere further west. He came up here with that fellow Merlin and a group of others and rebuilt Maygrew's old ruin into what you see now. The work they got done - that's why they say Merlin's a magician, but we don't hold to such superstitious talk.”
“No one travels very far these days,” she added, “so we know little more. But if Arthur's rule can stretch out to all the island, if they can deal with these rough gangs, then maybe we shall all travel about, even beyond the sea, as our people used to without fear for their lives.”
Frankly, thought Jo, it was very interesting, but it was still as puzzling as all the rest. And everything seemed much, much too real for anyone to be having a joke at their expense.
*
The Doctor trailed Merlin through the forest until he came to a clearing where there was a small house.
Merlin entered the side door and disappeared down a series of steps.
“A cave?” wondered the Doctor and crept nearer.
Some minutes later, the king's mentor re-emerged, glanced about him and headed off in the other direction.
Now, to follow Merlin or to look in the cave?
The Doctor hesitated a bare instant before hastening down the steps, in search of answers at last.
What he found there robbed him of his breath. He had had his suspicions, but to see this here -. He stared about him with new interest and then stopped, noticing a young man lying in the corner.
“Now, let's have a look at you,” he murmured, and set to work.
*
Jo, growing bored, went out walking in the courtyard, contemplating climbing up to a point where she could see out. Maybe the Doctor would be coming in search of her.
Instead, she was greeted with the surprising sight of the Master entering through the gates.
“What are you doing here?” Jo demanded, managing to get more disgust into a simple question than should have been humanely possible.
The Master smiled. “Unlikely as it may seem, I am here to rescue you - your knight in shining armour, if you wish.”
“Oh, really?”
“Indeed. Having heard that you had been abducted and were in mortal peril, I thought it my duty to come to your aid. Who could do otherwise?”
“I don't believe that for a second!”
He said, “No, I suppose you might not. Well, surely you will understand that I am currently in need of some noble act with which to regain the King's trust. As the Doctor is off hunting the Holy Grail or whatever it happens to be, we may as well help each other. I will return you to Camelot and you will restore my tattered reputation.”
“Help you get back into the King's good books and plot more trouble against him and the Doctor? I don't think so!”
He sighed. “I knew this would be trying, but I didn't imagine it would be this difficult. Do you propose to remain a prisoner here until the Doctor comes charging up to rescue you?”
“That's where you're mistaken,” said Jo triumphantly. “I'm not a prisoner. They're treating me very well and they're sorry about the mistake they made - and I'm learning some very interesting things. I don't need rescuing, for your information. You can get back on your jolly old horse and go away - the sooner, the better, in my opinion.”
He frowned. “You cannot be serious, Miss Grant. And I didn't come here by such a primitive means of transport.”
“Well, I'm certainly not getting in your TARDIS. Honestly, how stupid do you think I am?”
He considered. “I shall assume that you don't want me to answer that question, as we could be here some time. However, if it interests you that much, I walked. It isn't far - less than an hour.”
“Oh no,” said Jo. “A nice little walk with you in the dark, gloomy forest? I know when I'm well off, thank you very much!”
The Master folded his arms. “A deadlock. Hmm.”
“Well, go find someone else to rescue,” she instructed him.
“Lady Blanchfleur? Sir Melegaunce?”
They both turned to see a young, blond knight riding into the yard. He dismounted and bowed to both. “Lady Blanchfleur, Sir Dinadan that you know as the Doctor has sent me to bring you to him.”
“Ooh, I knew you were up to no good,” she told the Master.
He said, “I assure you, I had no knowledge of this. Indeed, had I, I would most certainly not be at this benighted place trying to persuade you to return to Camelot with me. The Doctor has proved as cunning as ever. I should have known.”
“I am Peredur,” the newcomer announced and then kissed Jo squarely on the mouth and smiled at her with a cheerful innocence that robbed the gesture of any offence. “Sir Dinadan sent me in search of you and Sir Geraint directed me towards this place. I thought to try the first holding I saw - and lo, here you are!”
She pushed him away, her eyebrows rising. “What was that for?”
“My mother told me that was how I was to greet a woman,” he informed her. “Either that or to take a trinket from her.”
Jo surveyed him with curiosity. “Go round kissing girls or stealing from them? Well, I hate to say a word against your mother, but I think some people around here would probably cut your head off for that sort of behaviour.”
“Oh,” he said, a puzzled look crossing his sunny face. “Then you had best tell me how to go on while I return you to Sir Dinadan.”
She smiled. “I think I'd better. And you've got a horse, I see,” she added pointedly.
“How fickle,” commented the Master, heading out of the gates before them.
Jo caught hold of Peredur's arm as he seemed about to leave again immediately. “Wait. I need to say my goodbyes or they'll think something has happened.”
*
Jo had always been too busy with doing the unexpected (like learning how to pick locks and other tricks of escapology) to fantasise about being rescued by a prince or knight in shining armour who would ride off with her into the sunset. Had she been, she would have been rewarded with discovering that the reality was far more uncomfortable than she could have believed.
As she wasn't given to such things, she spent most of the journey hanging on for dear life and giving Sir Peredur (who seemed particularly clueless) helpful advice.
“So, really, you talk to a woman just as you would to a man. Well,” she added, reflecting, “in some cases you might have to be more polite.”
He listened intently. “I see.”
“I don't mean start fighting them or challenging them to a duel,” Jo continued. “That isn't sensible. You only do that with other knights if you can't help it. You never hurt a woman on purpose.”
He absorbed this. “That accords with my own wishes.”
“I'm glad to hear it,” said Jo. “Where did you come from?”
He said, “I have been not myself for some long time past.”
“Oh. What have you been?”
He sighed. “I know not. Nothing, perhaps.”
“Nothing?”
He turned briefly to smile at her. “Never fear. Sir Dinadan is waiting for you in Merlin's Cave and he has the explanations.”
“He usually does,” she said. “You must know what happened to you, though. Sir Peredur?”
He shook his head. “I am at a loss. All is new again to me.”
“And you're one of Arthur's knights?”
“I believe I am. I am to travel to his court to enquire after my Mother. She is lost to me and may have perished.”
Jo bit her lip. “Sorry. Even if she did give you very strange advice.”
“I wonder now if she was lost all along,” he agreed with sudden solemnity.
*
The Doctor came walking up to meet them, smiling at Jo. Once Peredur had helped her down from his mount, she hugged him.
“You're all right?” he asked, studying her with concern.
She nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. I wasn't in any danger, not really. It was all a misunderstanding - and I found out some interesting things about the people who don't live in Camelot!”
“Good,” he said. “Because I believe I've solved the mystery of those that do. I think you had best follow me down here and see for yourself. As I suspected, Merlin holds most of the answers to this riddle.”
Jo took his hand. “Okay.”
“Peredur, stay out here and keep watch, will you, there's a good chap.”
He bowed. “It is a pleasure to serve the Lady Blanchfleur and good Sir Dinadan.”
“Where did you get him from?” asked Jo in an undertone as he led her down a flight of stone steps.
He smiled widely. “You're about to find out.”
*
“We've found our Holy Grail,” said the Doctor. “Not a cup or cauldron of any sort, but oddly appropriate in its own way. Here, Jo.”
Her mouth fell open as she stepped down into cellar-cum-cave. “But - is it a spaceship?”
“Not quite, but I think I finally understand where we are and what's going on.”
Jo said, “Well, what then? I can see there's all sort of machines down here, but what does it all mean? Where and when are we?”
“In the future. I'm not sure exactly when - Earth was hit by several catastrophic disasters and recovered again during its later history. This is one of them. And someone before it happened - whether for their own illegal purposes or in order to create what they believed would be a hope for the future - left this here.”
“And what is it?”
He said, “A workshop more than anything else - a laboratory.”
“Even I could have worked that much out, Doctor.”
He said, “Or a nursery of sorts. The good people of Camelot were built or grown here - carefully designed down to the last detail and then educated by Merlin, who must have also engineered quite a few events to aid that purpose.”
Jo frowned. “But they seemed so real.”
“They are,” he returned, facing her. “Every bit as much as you and me, Jo. It's always been against the law for one human to meddle this much in the make-up of another, but they're quite real, I assure you. Until now, that was what was puzzling me.”
She wrinkled her nose, thinking it through. “Someone sort of programmed them to be like this?”
“Not really - it's a lot more complex than that. We're in the far future and studies into DNA and genetics have progressed well beyond your time, but even then they were talking of test-tube babies and cloning sheep.”
Jo nodded wisely, although whether she really understood he could never say.
“It's not a spaceship and they're not clones or aliens or robots. Everything about this is perfectly human. Someone's been breaking the law, whether for their own ends or because they genuinely thought it might be the one bright spot of hope for the future of this place, I don't know. Ensure the people involved have the right characteristics and so on - but there must have been something a little more. That must be where Merlin came in. Someone had to ensure that each was woken or grown at the right time. And the memories needed -. Yes, Merlin must be something else again.”
“Alien?”
“No, no. I said, all of this is an entirely human affair.” He surveyed the equipment in the chamber. “I ought to be horrified. No one has the right to engineer other lives quite so extensively, but at the same time -.”
Jo hugged herself. “Those people outside of Camelot - they feel Arthur is the best hope they had. If some mad scientist hadn't done this and left it here to be activated after the disaster-.”
“Oh, I'm sure someone would have thought of something,” he told her with a bright smile. “You humans may be petty and destructive and hopelessly parochial, but you do have an inventiveness and an endurance that seems to see you through.”
Jo bit back laughter at the very back-handed compliment. “Well, thank you, Doctor.”
“Still,” he said. “It's been done now. The only thing we can do is dismantle everything now that I've woken Peredur.”
“Destroy it all?”
He took her hand. “What do you suppose the Master is doing hanging round here? We're far enough in the future for this technology to be advanced, even for us Time Lords. Can you imagine what he might do with this?”
“I'd rather not. You're right.”
He hesitated. “It might be as well to find Merlin first. He went off somewhere, but I was intrigued by the cave.”
“And where did Peredur come from?”
He said. “He was still here, waiting to be awakened. I disturbed him and he seemed eager to be helpful, so I thought he could fetch you.”
“Oh. I don't remember a Peredur.”
He shrugged. “More commonly Perceval. I think someone felt they were being 'accurate' in the knights they included - you'll note no Lancelot, for instance.”
“I did wonder about that. Will it end like the story?”
He said, “Who knows? I doubt it. These are real people and their lives aren't set in the pattern of an old cycle of legends. There's no certainty of Camlann here, but no guarantees that Arthur won't die in battle tomorrow.”
Jo followed him out. “So in a funny way, it is all true, then? Arthur might have existed in some way, back in history - and he really does come to the rescue in Britain's darkest hour. The once and future king.”
“If you must put it like that. I'd like to find Merlin. Someone or something must have engineered this - and the only possible candidate -.”
“-Is Merlin.”
“Quite.”
*
“Sir Dinadan,” said Peredur, returning to the entrance to meet them. “You wished to see Merlin?”
He lifted his head. “I most certainly do.”
“Alas, I fear the Lady Morgan has brought him to his death.”
They both exchanged an alarmed glance.
“How?” asked the Doctor.
Peredur coloured. “I was keeping watch as you asked and I saw Merlin approach and was about to come in search of you. However, Lady Morgan called him and since you also warned against her, I hung back and thus I saw her strike him down. I know not precisely how, for she had no weapon, but there is no life left in him.”
“Good grief,” said the Doctor. “Why didn't you try to stop her?”
He widened his eyes. “Lady Blanchfleur told me that it was even more improper to hurt a lady than to greet her with a kiss or take a token from her. My own instincts were in accord.”
“Sorry,” said Jo.
The Doctor had his hand to his chin. “No, don't. This is an unexpected turn of events.”
“Well, Merlin always gets tricked by some enchantress, doesn't he?” asked Jo.
He strode forward. “But this isn't the legend - certain events have been engineered, others might be very probable given the situation and characteristics, but this-. Peredur, where did she go?”
“Well, once I saw what she had done, I made her my captive,” he said. “I left her by the body and she swore to wait until I had fetched you.”
“Peredur,” said Jo. “Honestly!”
He said, “She gave me her word. It would be dishonourable of me not to accept it.”
“I really don't know how you're going to last for two seconds around here,” she told him.
*
They found Merlin lying on the ground, at the edge of the forest and, improbably, Morgan Le Fay still there waiting for them.
“Madam,” said the Doctor. “What is the meaning of this?”
She raised her head. “You have seen his cave of tricks. Do you not know?”
“You've seen the chamber here?” he asked.
She nodded. “Of course. I grew up here with my sisters, before Arthur was born. We were the first. But I still have no understanding of it, beyond what he told me when he needed help. Elaine and Morgause never had any interest, but I did. And as I grew and Camelot came into being, I came to see that Merlin was not like the rest of us.”
“You still shouldn't have killed him,” accused Jo, her hands on her hips.
Morgan continued to look at the Doctor. “I must explain this to you, for I will need your help to finish this.”
“I may not be prepared to help you.”
She smiled. “You want Sir Melegaunce banished from Camelot, do you not? Listen, and you will see how it can be done.”
“You said Merlin was not like the rest of you,” he said, side-stepping the question. “What did you mean by that?”
She said, “He was not the wise man my brother thought him. He had vast knowledge and great power, but he had no wit, no wisdom behind it. And as we have grown and changed, he has remained unchanged, unaged. And I remembered seeing him down here many years ago. He tied himself to the walls - I am unsure quite what that meant, but it was his way of resting. He never once slept in a bed.”
“Go on.”
“It seems strange to say it, but I do not believe he was a man,” she said. “The things down in that room are strange creations - machines, I believe. And such was he also.”
The Doctor knelt by Merlin's body, examining him carefully, before he nodded. “Very observant of you, madam. I was beginning to wonder myself.”
“Sir Melegaunce knew what he was and he had the knowledge to destroy him,” she said. “I let him believe what he chose of me, although why he should be so sure that I would betray my brother, I know not.”
Jo bit her lip and glanced over to the Doctor, who was getting to his feet again.
“You worked with the Master - I mean, Sir Melegaunce - in order to defeat Merlin? But why? If he was the guiding force behind Camelot and your brother's trusted advisor?”
She held her head up high, a light in her eyes. “Is it not plain? He did not change. He set us on this path, but while we changed and grew and all around us altered daily, he did not. And his narrow thinking was trusted too much by my brother. He could not go against Merlin, who gave him everything - the throne, his followers, even his bride. Even more worrying, since, if my belief was truth, he would outlast us all. So I seized my chance.”
“And you killed him,” said the Doctor softly. “You destroyed Merlin because he was not human - an android?”
She still held his gaze. “He had no respect for his own kind. There was once another such, the Lady Nimue, but he destroyed her. I saw him - that he did not know. He broke her apart piece by shining metal piece.”
“I saw the remains,” said the Doctor. “Of course. One would be too much of a risk to leave one such alone in a situation like this. He must have developed a fault and cannibalised her for the parts. But you can't possibly explain this to the king. He'll blame you for murder, you do realise that?”
Morgan smiled. “That does not matter, not in the end. Arthur will be hurt, but I shall blame Sir Melegaunce for his part in giving me Merlin's secret and once he is banished, I shall return to the north and continue our battle there. My brother will forgive me in the end. He does not hold grudges long. But even if not, someone had to take this upon themselves.”
“You're a brave woman,” he said. “And you're absolutely right. I only wish I'd had a chance to ask him a few questions before you so expertly de-activated him. The Master unfortunately is technically quite brilliant.”
Jo had been following this slowly, Peredur with even more difficulty. “What did you want us to do to help you? You seem to have everything nicely under control.”
“I do not want to have removed Merlin and yet leave that mischief-maker Melegaunce at court,” she said. “If you would corroborate my story as regards him, I believe that would help in ensuring his banishment.”
The Doctor took Jo's hand and she laughed, leaning against his shoulder. That would not be a problem.
“I think,” said Peredur, frowning in concentration, “that I may be newer than I thought; newer than any other.”
The other three turned to look at him.
“Yes,” said the Doctor. “I rather think you might be. Don't worry about it, though, there's a good chap. I have a feeling you'll do splendidly.”
“My past is a dream,” he continued.
Morgan dusted down her skirt. “It isn't the past that we need to worry over. What you do now is of far more import.”
“Yes,” he agreed, brightening, the sunshine back in his face. “I think I agree. And I am learning very quickly. Merlin taught me things in dreams, Sir Dinadan is full of wise advice and the Lady Blanchfleur has told me the proper way to behave to a woman-.”
The Doctor said, “Peredur, we need to hurry back to Camelot and stop the Master causing any more trouble. But thank you for the compliments.”
*
“Well, well,” said the Master, walking into the clearing before they could leave, followed closely by Arthur, Bedwyr and Kay and what seemed like half the court. “I find you here with a stranger, the Lady Morgan and a dead body. What have you to say for yourself now, Doctor?”
Sir Peredur strode forward. “I am no stranger, am I? I am Peredur, son of Acheflour.”
“Peredur?” said Culhwch, drawing forward. “I had heard no word from your mother for many long years. My lord Arthur, Sir Peredur is our kinsman.”
He bowed before his king. “My story is uncertain until this day, but what has passed here this last hour I do know.”
“Speak on,” said Arthur.
Morgan held up a hand and moved forward, passing in front of Culhwch and Peredur, to reach her half-brother. “Wait. I do not chose to have tales told against me by any man. You shall learn the truth from my own mouth.”
“Morgan, what is the meaning of your words?” he said, a cloud passing over his face. “Merlin lies dead. Tell me this is none of your doing, sister!”
She got to her knees. “My lord Arthur. I tricked him and I killed him, but it was not I alone.”
“Who has drawn you astray?” he demanded.
She lowered her gaze, hiding the slightest of smiles that crossed her face for a moment. “Sir Melegaunce. I have been much in his confidence these past few days, as you know very well. He knew the trick that would destroy Merlin and persuaded me to use it - for your sake, brother.”
“That's a lie,” burst out the Master, as everyone turned to look at him. “My lord Arthur, I'm afraid -.”
Sir Peredur shook his head. “That is what happened. We saw her kill Merlin, but she has already made this confession once in our hearing. I would not lie.”
Arthur drew back from his sister. He surveyed her unwillingly. “You have betrayed us all and destroyed the man to whom we owed everything.”
“Your majesty,” said the Doctor, entering into the debate now. “If I might be so bold as to speak, may I stand as the Lady Morgan's champion in this matter? I know Sir Melegaunce of old and this crime is to be laid at his door. He has whispered evil accusations against Merlin to your sister - told her that Merlin was plotting against you and who knows what else. She acted in the genuine belief that it would help you.”
His enemy folded his arms and attempted an easy laugh. “Your majesty, no matter what this treacherous knight says, I was bringing you here to save your mentor, not acting against you.”
“I know that,” he answered, “but their testimony is against you. The evidence of my own eyes and ears during your time at Camelot is against you. You wished both Merlin and my sister dead or banished, did you not? Did you think me a fool, Sir Melegaunce?”
He drew himself up to his full height. “Then I demand the right to fight for my honour! I challenge Sir Dinadan to a duel. I shall prove him a liar and the Lady Morgan the only villain here when I win.”
“Dear me, what arrogance,” said the Doctor. “Yes, your majesty, I accept. I'm not afraid of this paltry fellow, I can assure you.”
Jo clutched at his arm. “Oh, do be careful!”
“Sir Dinadan, I spoke first,” said Peredur, intervening. “It is my battle, do you not think?”
He removed his cape. “Absolutely not, Peredur. Know your enemy - it's a wise saying. Reflect on it while you hold my coat, will you?”
*
The Doctor and the Master faced each other in the clearing, the spectators keeping back, although Peredur found he had to hang on to Jo as well as the Doctor's cape, or she would have sprung forward to intervene and injured herself, no doubt.
“Well, here we are again,” mused the Doctor. “Bit of a bore, isn't it?”
The Master made no answer, making the first attack and their duel began in earnest, the two more evenly matched than they would like to admit, and the clash of steel on steel disturbed the peacefulness of the scene.
Jo put her hands over her eyes. “I can't watch!”
*
“You fought well,” said Gawain afterwards. “For all your white words, you showed your skill with the sword as I've seen few others do. That knave Melegaunce was not far behind you.”
Bedwyr nodded. “I hardly dared breath as I watched.”
The Doctor retrieved his cape from Peredur, but Jo got to him first with a hug, resulting in an odd tangle between Time Lord, cape, knight and assistant. “Really? I always thought he was rather pedestrian.”
“'Twas a cowardly end,” added Peredur, finally working out that it might help if he let go of both Jo and the cape. “And where did he flee to?”
He said. “His ship, no doubt. It'll have been hidden somewhere in the castle.”
“Culhwch and Geraint have gone after him. If they catch him, they will strike him down for it.”
The Doctor glanced back to where Arthur was talking to his youngest half-sister. Even at this distance, no one had any doubt what was being said. She would be banished to the north until he could trust her again, if he ever could.
“I wish we could explain,” said Jo.
He shook his head. “No. Best not in this case. She was right - and her plan has worked. Don't spoil it.”
*
They returned with the royal party to Camelot (after a word to Peredur to see the cottage was destroyed) but Jo wasn't surprised when the Doctor pulled her away from the evening's feast.
“To the TARDIS?” she said, once they were safely out in the corridor.
He nodded.
“Okay.”
They both turned to see that Peredur had followed them. “Sir Dinadan. Lady Blanchfleur. Are you leaving us?”
Jo said, “Yes. I'm afraid so. We don't belong here, you know.”
“I'll just check the old girl's where we left her - wouldn't put it past the Master to try something,” muttered the Doctor, heading off up the corridor.
“Farewell, then,” said Peredur, bowing to them both. Then he gave a grin and kissed her on the mouth again.
She coloured and glared at him. “I told you not to go around doing things like that!”
“You also advised me to act upon my own decisions. It seemed right to say farewell as first we met.”
Jo said, narrowing her eyes, “Did it? You're learning quickly, aren't you?”
“Am I?” he said. “Lady Blanchfleur, must you return to your own land?”
She smiled widely in response, laughter in her large, brown eyes. “Oh, I must. The lord of the United Kingdoms of Herefordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire would get quite cross with Sir Dinadan if he returned without me.”
“Then I wish you a good journey.”
She accepted this with dignity. “Thank you, Sir Peredur.”
*
The Doctor entered the hallway where they had left the TARDIS.
“Sir Dinadan,” said a voice behind him and he turned to see the king.
He paused, surprised for once. “Your majesty. I was just - ah - retrieving something from my -.”
“You are collecting your belongings and taking your leave of us,” he finished for him. “You are not a prisoner, Sir Dinadan - or Doctor. You are free to go wherever you choose. I only wish you a safe journey back to your own land. Although it is sooner than I would like. My heart is sorrowed to see you depart so swiftly.”
He hated goodbyes. He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, that's very nice of you, your majesty, but we do have things to be getting back to.”
“Even though I am in need of an advisor?” he asked, with a glint of humour in his eyes.
The Doctor laughed, unable to help himself. “Thank you, my lord, but I'm afraid it's quite out of the question. It would be an honour, but let us say I have pledged my allegiance elsewhere.”
“Ah, to this lord of your own kingdom -.”
It was an effort to bite back the No, not to him, that rose instantly to his lips. Insulting his 'king' would not recommend him to Arthur and the Doctor had learned never to entirely trust royalty, no matter who they were. “Yes.”
“I thought you would say as much,” he told him. “You are a man of honour. May I thank you for your act of compassion towards my unfortunate sister earlier? Had you not intervened on her behalf-.”
He shrugged. “Well, quite. And, truly, your majesty, you may blame Sir Melegaunce. He's nothing but a trouble-maker, wherever he goes.”
*
“Well,” said Jo chirpily, “let's get back to our very own Camelot.”
The Doctor frowned. “Don't be ridiculous, Jo,” he said. “Honestly!”
Jo only grinned back. She still thought it was true, in a funny sort of way.
***
Notes:
The names adopted by the Master, the Doctor and Jo refer to these mythical characters:
Melegaunce (or Melwas) - a knight who abducted Guinevere.
Dinadan - a knight in the Tristan tales who disliked fighting for its own sake.
Blanchefleur - lover of Perceval/Peredur.