Lady of the Lake: Chapter 25 – Explanations and Experiments“Maybe we should go in. I would like to see inside the house I wonder if there is any food in there. Are you hungry? Do you want breakfast? Would you like some tea? I would dearly love a cup of chamomile tea right about now.”
Bors took her hand gently, “My love, you are babbling. Breakfast sounds nice, but all in good time. First, there is a tradition for the husband to carry his bride across the threshold.” And with those words Bors swiftly but lightly cradled his wife in his arms. “After all my love, this is our first home together”, said Bors as he carried Valerie into the house.
“Hmm... Carrying you was a lot easier before we went into the TARDIS. Perhaps all that inactivity aboard the TARDIS has not been good for me. I think I need to get back into training.”
“Perhaps there is another explanation” suggested Valerie once she was back on her feet. “I need a cup of tea. Would you like one too?” Before Bors could respond, Valerie strode off through the house in search of the kitchen.
Upon reaching the kitchen Valerie looked in dismay at the stove. “Bors, it is one of those electric stoves. I don’t know how to use it. Maybe I can search Google for instructions.” With quick steps Valerie marched out of the kitchen into the family area in search of a computer but couldn’t immediately see one. “That’s strange, the TARDIS told me that all I would ever need would be in this house. Perhaps it’s upstairs... or downstairs. I wonder what is in the basement.”
“Valerie stop!” said Bors taking her hand. “You are not making sense. That is very unlike you. What exactly did the TARDIS tell you that has got you so bothered? And how were you able to communicate with the TARDIS?”
“I heard her thoughts in my head. I believe it is called telepathy.”
“Is that another witch thing I need to know about?”
“No. It’s a TARDIS thing.”
“What did the TARDIS say that is upsetting you?”
“I am not upset.”
“Nervous then. You certainly seem ill at ease.” Said Bors holding Valerie’s hand in his. Her hands were cold.
“Maybe I am a little nervous.”
“Of me?”
“Heavens no!” replied Valerie startled. That was true. She was not nervous of her husband - just afraid of disappointing him.
“Then why?” Bors asked.
“Well, as I said earlier, there is something I want to tell you, but... but… um... But I, eh…” mumbled Valerie looking at her feet.
“Just tell me my love. I am your husband: do not be nervous around me. Since you have never been reticent to speak your mind before, do not start now.”
Taking a deep breath, Valerie began tentatively, “You are not less strong. I could feel the strength in your arms as you lifted and carried me across the threshold. The difference you felt is with me, not you. I think perhaps I may be heavier.”
“Why would you think that? You scarcely ate a thing on board.”
“Well... perhaps, because I am with child.”
“I... you... we... eh... I... eh... how?”
“In the usual way.”
“But we did not try for a baby. How did this happen?”
“The TARDIS manipulated us while we slept.”
“She did what! When?”
“She manipulated us into trying for a baby in our sleep. I cannot say for certain when, but perhaps the first or second night onboard... or both.”
“Well we were warned the TARDIS could do that. Are you sure?” Bors asked stroking her flustered face.
“Yes. The TARDIS told me that she made us try for a baby.”
“Did the TARDIS tell you why she did that?”
“She said that Time Lords and TARDISes are virtually extinct and she made a pact with her last remaining sisters to do what she could to make more Time Lords.”
“Does the TARDIS do this often?”
“Apparently the Doctor rarely travels with married companions these days, so the TARDIS has only done this once before. She said she could only start the process. She could not control whether our baby would actually have Time Lord DNA or not but she did whatever she could to lengthen the odds that our baby would. The TARDIS also said we should not be concerned because other factors were required before a person with Time Lord DNA could actually become a Time Lord. She said if the other events did not occur, simply having Time Lord DNA would not harm him in any way.”
“Him? We are expecting a son?” Bors said gathering Valerie in his arms.
“Yes. You do not mind, do you? I mean about us having a baby,” said Valerie cupping Bors’ head. “I would very much like to call him Lancelot.”
“I would be honoured to name him after my cousin. But how do you feel about having a baby so soon?” asked Bors.
“I am enormously thrilled. I know you wanted some time for us to be by ourselves but this is what I have always wanted.”
“My love, if you are truly happy then I am too. The joy in your eyes tells me we will have more children in time. And perhaps next time - TARDIS and magic rings aside - fate will allow us to choose when we have another child.”
“I think that is reasonable. And yes, I do want lots of children.”
“I heard you say that to Merlin. I am happy to oblige but let’s make it a joint decision?” said Bor stroking her cheek.
“Yes my love.”
“Can I please feel the baby?”
“I thought you were never going to ask.” Valerie chided gently. As he reached out his hand to feel her tummy, Bors’ throat tightened at the sight and thought of his wife, this beautiful woman standing before him carrying his child.
“I love you so much,” said Bors, his voice barely more than a whisper.
“And I love you so much.” Valerie replied softly, confident that she now knew the meaning of true love.
“Well now we have a deadline to work to,” said Bors. “We were supposed to clone Galahad first, then we could have our baby. I hope that it matters not if Galahad is not first.”
“But he still can be. With the help of the TARDIS, I have learned enough Science skill to be able to clone him. The Doctor has already given me the DNA sample. We can do that right now if you want?”
“Perhaps later. I want to have some time alone with you before we get overwhelmed by other responsibilities.”
“That sounds wonderful. Let us start with that and then have breakfast.” Exploring the ground floor, they found a bedroom and made the most of it.
Later, after a quick brunch of salad, they explored the rest of the house and found some interesting equipment in the large attic space on the third floor. “Look Bors, this is a Science Research Station which makes a clone from a sample. Are we ready to proceed now?”
“Yes”
Valerie was a little anxious. “The Doctor could only make one sample from the hair I gave him, so I hope this works.”
“Do you know what you are doing?”
“The TARDIS said to just follow the prompts on the screen.” Valerie pressed a few buttons on the machine, put the sample in the appropriate slot and calmly followed the instructions on the screen. However, no one could have been more astonished than Valerie, when a compartment slid open and the baby made from Galahad’s DNA lay there swaddled in a blue blanket blinking up at them.
“Welcome to the 20th century baby Galeas,” whispered Valerie picking up the little blue bundle.
Galeas gurgled as Valerie passed him to Bors. Bors choked back tears as he held his reborn cousin in his arms. Valerie then took Galeas to the nursery that they had discovered on the second floor. As Valerie snuggled, fed and changed Galeas, she could hear the melodic strains of a violin being expertly played.
After placing Galeas in his crib, she went downstairs to investigate and found Bors playing the violin with tears streaming down his cheeks. On seeing her, he put down his violin and wiped his tears.
“We have achieved the first part of our quest, my love.” Valerie said as she sighed deeply. “All this seemed so impossible when Merlin told us what we had to do, but we have done it.”
“Our success was mostly due to your tenacity. Because of you, my cousin is alive again to brighten this world.”
Valerie glowed at her husband’s praise. “I know you may think this is wildly chaotic but I would like to do one more thing.” Bors listened attentively as Valerie outlined her proposal. After carefully considering the idea, Bors gave his approval.
Valerie went back to the attic and later returned to the nursery.
