Lady of the Lake: Chapter 23 – A Strange FeelingIn the morning Valerie woke early feeling strangely elated although uncharacteristically lightheaded when she rose to use the bathroom.
Yesterday Valerie had learned the function of the shower and eagerly stepped into its spray. She turned the water on warm then hot – an unimagined luxury in the dark ages - and was both energised and fascinated by the feel of the hot water falling on her skin.
Returning to the bedroom, Valerie found Bors still sleeping soundly. Quietly, she opened the dresser to change her clothes but the dresser had a new outfit for her. She rather liked the new look and couldn’t wait to show it off to her husband who slumbered peacefully on.
For a moment, Valerie considered jumping back into bed to cuddle into her husband and wake him with a kiss. But she knew where those actions might lead and remembering the Doctor’s caution, thought it prudent not to give in to her inclination. Wanting a baby with Bors so much, Valerie knew she would be tempted to ignore the Doctor’s advice. But as the Doctor specifically did not want it to happen on board his TARDIS, and not knowing exactly what Time Lord DNA was, then Valerie thought she should refrain from actions that could result in the very thing the Doctor was hoping to prevent. Valerie thought Time Lord DNA must be some strange futuristic affliction to be avoided at all cost.
Unsure when Bors would wake, Valerie thought it wise to leave the bedroom and remove further temptation. Valerie was hungry, although not as hungry as they had been yesterday, but the mere thought of food seemed mildly disturbing. Valerie decided instead to get a head start on her studies and went to the library.
Aware of her confusion at the Doctor’s chatter last evening, Valerie chose to study the translation dictionary and began learning new phrases and terms. Discovering many of the new English words had Latin roots, Valerie read through the text at an easy pace.
When Bors joined her in the library some time later, he was astonished to find that Valerie was able to read the paper books and was easily making her way through book after book. “Good morning my love, you should have woken me. We have too much to learn to idle away hours in slumber,” he said picking up a book she had discarded, ‘
Science Volume I: Chew the Fact’. “You are reading the paper books already?”
“Yes. It’s easy. Most of the words have Latin roots while other words are derived from the languages of Gaul and a few words from the Visigoths and the tribes to the north. The spelling and grammar are slightly different but I can understand enough to get by. When you are ready, read that book and you can have this one when I’ve finished.”
“What are you reading now?”
“
Science Volume II: Quantum Genetics. Oh and I now know what DNA is. You’ll find all this fascinating.” Bors began to read the book when the Doctor walked in.
“Good morning Valerie and Bors. I trust you slept well?” he asked.
“Thank you, yes,” replied Bors and Valerie almost in unison.
“I see that you are now able to read the paper books. That is excellent progress. Are you hungry?”
“Yes” replied Bors. Valerie did not respond but as she stood up she felt very lightheaded and decided that she would just have a light breakfast. She thought maybe she had been concentrating too long. As they followed the Doctor back along the corridors toward the kitchen, Valerie began to feel unwell. As they approached the kitchen the aroma of the coffee the Doctor had prepared had Valerie wondering if breakfast was such a good idea.
Valerie initially picked at her breakfast but soon gave up. Bors asked, “Are you unwell? You look rather pale.”
“I am well, I think. I just don’t feel so hungry. I am keen to get back to that book.” As he ate his breakfast, Bors continued to be concerned for his wife. Perhaps time travel was not agreeable to her. He found the travel remarkably smooth. He expected the journey to be similar to a sea voyage, since Merlin referred to the TARDIS as a ship, but Bors could discern no noticeable movement.
As he had the previous day, the Doctor escorted his guests back to the library then excused himself and left them to their own devices. Valerie and Bors returned to their reading. On finishing her book Valerie stood to get the next book but as she did so, her head spun alarmingly and Bors leapt up from the couch to catch her from falling.
“I am sorry, I am not well. I think I shall take a nap” said Valerie unsure why she felt so ill. She had never been sick a day in her life and found this bout of poor health irritating, especially as she was making such good progress on the science skill.
“I think I should accompany you” said Bors, worried about Valerie.
“That will not be necessary. You need to catch up on your reading.”
Valerie returned to the bedchamber and took a brief nap.
On awaking, she felt a great deal better. She conjured an apple to eat and then followed it with a cool shower. Valerie returned to the library and Bors looked up. “How do you feel now?” he asked.
“Much better. Have you caught up with me on the science book yet?”
“No. I have only just begun reading the second volume.”
“Then I shall begin volume III.”
Bors cautioned. “Perhaps you should take on an easier task until you are perfectly well again?”
“I am perfectly well now. I want to do this. I hope I can master this skill by this evening. Then we will be able to bring back Galahad and maybe try for a baby of our own as soon as we get to Dragon Valley.” Valerie suggested.
“That would be wonderful but it sounds wildly chaotic. I know this sounds selfish but I would like to have you to myself for a little while first, after all, we are newlyweds. Perhaps we should not overcomplicate things until we find our feet in that strange new world,” Bors counselled.
“I have waited far too long to have a baby of my own. I can multitask. Besides, I have a feeling that nature has a way of taking its own course.” Valerie began looking for the other book to resume her reading.
While Bors was immersed in his book Valerie touched her flat tummy. She had a strange feeling that she knew what the TARDIS had done for her and she could hold her excitement inside for one more day until they reached Dragon Valley.
Valerie found the book she needed and settled back to her reading. A smile played over her lips as she wondered why the TARDIS had given nature a helping hand. But Valerie was not about to reveal her secret – this would be between her and the TARDIS... for a while at least...
