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| First Doctor | |
The Garden by bibliophile1887 [Reviews - 3]  | |
The garden was quiet in the evenings. The occupants had dispersed and the flowers and trees were left alone for another evening. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, creating intricate patterns that glowed on the garden floor. The Doctor sat near the wall, having watched the sun set. It was a beautiful sight indeed, but his thoughts were not on the glowing sky and streaks of clouds, nor on the stars that now sparkled above him.
Barbara was adamant about stopping the sacrifices, and the Doctor knew that Chesterton would agree with her. On the other hand, Chesterton was a scientist, although a primitive one, and he might be more likely to understand the Doctor’s view. Barbara just couldn’t change history. As much as she would like to, it just wasn’t….
The Doctor’s thoughts ground to a halt. The lengthening shadows in the garden began to move, and the Doctor realized that he wasn’t alone.
“Hello?” he called, his voice clear and strong.
“It is I,” the voice replied. Cameca stepped out from behind a tree and smiled demurely. “I saw you were deep in thought, and I did not wish to intrude.”
“Oh, my dear,” said the Doctor, standing. “No intrusion at all. I welcome your company.” He encouraged her with a genuine smile and open arms.
Cameca crossed the garden and sat. She smiled up at him for a moment before speaking. “What were you thinking of?”
The Doctor waved a hand. “Oh, unimportant things, my dear, unimportant things.” He tried to reassure her with a smile, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
“Your eyes look so distant. I think you are deeply troubled, sweet one.”
The Doctor took a deep breath and sat next to Cameca on the stone. “You are indeed very wise, Cameca. I imagine many of the young people come to you for advice.”
“They do. But I wish to help you, now.”
Reaching out a hand, the Doctor patted her arm. “I wish you could, my dear.”
“Let me?”
After a moment the Doctor spoke. “I’m afraid any advice I need will have to come from within myself.”
Cameca looked hurt.
“Don’t worry about me, my dear, I’ll be fine.”
“You are the servant of Yetaxa. Surely she can offer whatever sage wisdom you need.”
“Ah, it is Yetaxa that troubles me.”
Cameca paused before speaking. “If it is the gods that trouble you, it is the gods you should speak to.”
“Yes, indeed,” the Doctor said softly.
Silence fell over the garden as the moon rose higher in the sky. The Doctor stared up at the stars, lost in thought. It wasn’t as if changing history was impossible. On the contrary, it was frightfully easy, but one had to be very careful when doing so. It helped if you knew what you were doing, too. The Doctor wasn’t even sure he knew what he was doing, and therefore Barbara clearly had no idea.
What about Susan? She was off at that seminary being taught the rules of the Aztec civilization, and the Doctor had no doubt that Susan would have a few opinions of her own about their beliefs and customs. At least Susan ought to know better than to try to change things. But then, she was so very young when they left home.
The Doctor let out an involuntary sigh, and he felt Cameca’s hand on his. He smiled at her, and patted her hand in return.
Cameca stood. “I shall leave you with your thoughts and the gods.” She turned to leave.
The Doctor stood and grabbed her hand. “Please, stay.”
Cameca smiled. “I do not wish to intrude on your time.”
“I’ve already said you are no intrusion. I spend my time with people who are so very much younger than I. It is refreshing to sit with someone closer to my own age.” He smiled. The Doctor wasn’t about to tell her that he was still considerably older than her.
“Surely to spend so much time in the company of the gods, you would feel like a child?”
A small chuckle was the Doctor’s answer. “There are times, yes,” he admitted. “Please. Sit for a while longer?”
Resuming her seat, Cameca looked up at the stars. “The gods have favoured us with beauty this evening.”
The Doctor was smiling at her. “Yes, they have.”
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