The Doctor had told her not to wander off… Donna Noble was beginning to wish she had listened to him…

“Just what we need Donna.”

 The Doctor exclaimed loudly as an excited Donna pulled open the TARDIS doors and found herself in the middle of… a field. It was cold, grey, damp and very muddy as Donna inspected her new trainers. The landscape reminded Donna suspiciously of North Wales even though she’d seen the TARDIS monitor and knew she was on another planet. The smile expired on her lips but the Doctor hadn’t noticed as he breezily continued.

 “…Recharge the old batteries hey? After our spot of bother with the tragically confused Vespiform.” The Doctor paused glancing at Donna as he mischeviously gulped down his words. “Who accidentally drowned.”

 Donna turned abruptly to face the Doctor, her whole demeanor defensive.

 “What did you just say Doctor?…Is that supposed to be some kind of a dig?…”

 “Oh Sometimes you Humans really don’t get me at all…” The Doctor replied, striking his brow with mock tones of self-pity.

 “Oi! Watch it…Somebody had to stop him…I didn’t see you doing much…” Donna paused, her face softened as she smiled at the Doctor. “...Space Man… Anyway where’s the beach? You promised me a beach Doctor.”

 “Did I?” The Doctor feigned all innocence. “I just thought we’d go on a little detour first. I’ll take you to… let me see… Karras Don Kazra Don Slava later.”

 “Where?”

 “If you love beaches wait ’til you see Kazra. It’s got intelligent sand, dries you off when you’ve been for a swim and the most breath taking cliff top views…The whole planet is one massive beach…You just have just watch out for the sand…During part of the year it’s turns into a malevolent  flesh eating entity but other than that it’s perfectly safe.” The Doctor took a deep breath.

 “Right…sounds really great apart from the flesh eating sand bit.” Donna smiled and marvelled at all the information the Doctor’s brilliant mind contained…Not that she’d ever tell him that! “Okay you win…But I’m going to get my boots.” There was a crinkled look of disgust as she stared at the ground. “I’m not walking through this without them.”

 “Not exactly a country gal are you Donna?” The Doctor shouted after his companion. Resigned to waiting the Doctor folded his arms and leaned against the TARDIS doors.

 Five minutes later, a happier, more suitably attired Donna emerged through the blue doors. After her initial disappointment at not finding a beach, Donna’s excitement had returned, she would never get used to the sheer wonder of landing on another world.

 “So where are we Doctor?”

 The Doctor always enjoyed this part as he clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm infectious.

 “The Eye of Orion…one of my favourite planets in the Universe.” Right on cue an orange sun suddenly emerged from behind the clouds illuminating the whole of the land, everything suddenly looked more spectacular than it did before. Donna could see snow-capped mountains, forests, the silvery sea and little furry creatures that looked like a cross between a fox and a squirrel.

 “Beautiful… I feel so relaxed. Nice one Doctor.”

 The Doctor looked at his friend and smiled at her uncharacteristic serenity.

 “Not only is it one of the most peaceful planets in the cosmos. Nothing ever happens here.” The Doctor sniffed his nose in contemplation “…Well most of the time.” The Doctor took a deep breath, stretching as he raised his head aloft. “But it’s the constant bombardment of positive energy which makes you feel so great.”

 “Where are all the people?”

 “It’s an ancient civilization…There aren’t many natives left. But there are pockets round and about. This is the touristy part. I think I might retire here one day.”

Donna laughed.

 “You’re kidding me! The Doctor retire. Do Time Lords retire?”

 “Nah…not really. It’s just nice to get away from it all once in a while.” The Doctor smiled but Donna could see the momentary burden in his eyes as she took his hand.

 “C’mon then…Take me on a tour. I’m well up for this. Only don’t march off too quickly…Your legs are a lot longer than mine.”

 “Right then Donna Noble… The rough guide tour of the Eye of Orion it is!” The Doctor grinned pulling Donna up an incredibly steep hill…

 Donna had given up wearing a wrist watch long ago but it felt like they’d been out most of the day on the earth-like Eye of Orion. The Doctor had shown Donna some truly amazing sights, if only she’d brought a camera to keep the memory alive forever. Though the Doctor was never one to do things by half as they kept walking further and further. Donna regretted not bringing a packed lunch as her stomach started to rumble and as they moved deeper through the densely populated wood she was beginning to think the Doctor was horribly lost or a man possessed. Then just as there seemed no end to the overlapping branches Donna followed the Doctor into a sunlit circular clearing where a stone obelisk stood. Donna peered over his shoulder as the Doctor took a cloth out of his pocket and began clearing away the plant life which had grown over the words and then Donna realised it was a memorial as she read the inscription.

 “For those Brave Civilizations’ who Fought and Died in the Last Great Time War. Their Sacrifice will never be Forgotten.”

 “It’s been a long time since I came here, wasn’t sure I’d remember the way.” The Doctor spoke in subdued voice.

 “You should have said….We could have bought a wreath or something.” Donna suddenly felt very small as she stood alongside the last Time Lord, who had fought and lost so much in the War, whilst the human race and other species had no knowledge that such a War had taken place.

 “I didn’t know I even wanted to be here Donna…I don’t know…It’s like some force was guiding me to this place. There are powers here beyond my comprehension…This is an ancient planet …One of the few planets left that make me feel young.” The Doctor gave Donna one of his reassuring smiles; then closed his eyes for a moment’s reflection which was interrupted by the loud sound of a stomach rumbling. Donna blushed.

“Sorry.”

 Seeing the humour in the moment the pair of them had a little laugh.

 “Come on Donna lets go back to the TARDIS. I forget that Humans need regular meals. I just don’t need to eat on a daily basis.”

 “You’re not kidding…Look at the size of you… Skinny boy.” Donna grinned back at the Doctor. “Hang on a minute.” Donna’s expression turned solemn as she removed a sparkling icicle style brooch she was wearing, it was a piece of costume jewelry she’d pick up from a flea market in Camden but she walked past the Doctor and placed it at the foot of the memorial. “I know it’s not much Doctor. I just want to pay my respects as one of the few who knows of the Time War, a small token from planet Earth.”

 The Doctor replied with a simple. “Thank you.”

 And after a lovely moment between them he hoped he could find a quick way out of the forest before Donna started getting annoyed with him! But that was before Donna saw something moving through the trees…

 “Look Doctor!” It was a mass of light floating through the air, moving towards them then darting away. “What is it?”

 The Doctor held up his sonic screwdriver. “I have no idea Donna. I’m not registering any life forms; I’m getting zilch …Nothing. It‘s best if we stay back.”

 “I think it wants us to follow it.”

 Donna was drawn to the light in a manner which concerned the Doctor, he went to take hold of his friend’s arm to pull her away but it was too late, Donna had gone after the retreating light.  

 “Donna! Where are you going? Don’t go wandering off impulsively…That’s what I normally do.”

 The Doctor’s voice recalled Donna to her senses, she turned and they started running towards each other, but something wanted them separated. The mass of light suddenly flared violently, a wave of energy which knocked the Doctor off his feet and when he opened his eyes Donna was gone and the pathway ahead was an impenetrable wall of thorns. In a rush of panic he jumped up quickly waving his sonic screwdriver, crying out.

 “Donna!” 

 But there was no reply. It was crushingly silent in the forest as the Doctor began pacing frantically, trying to work out what had just happened.

 Donna opened her eyes slowly…The light was so strong.

 “Doctor…Where are you?” Donna kept calling his name but there was no reply.

 The Doctor had told her not to wander off…Donna Noble was beginning to wish she had listened to him. But she hadn’t been able to help herself; she had heard a voice in her head calling out to her. Donna was sure she was still in the forest; she could see a hazy outline of trees.

 “This is the last time I go for a walk in the woods.” Donna grumbled to herself.

 It was like she was trapped in some sort of force field, impulsively she put her hand through the wall of light, she couldn’t see anything on the other side but maybe she could just walk through…

 “I wouldn’t do that if I were you!”

 Donna jumped out of her skin, the voice was deep and commanding.

 “Not when you’re somewhere in between Reality and Dream. No one can see you.”

 Donna gasped, an ethereal being of light stood before her, its skin was translucent, and its features androgynous. All of a sudden the light grew dim.

 “Is that better?” It asked, as Donna saw the creature transform into a youthful fair haired female.

 “What have you done with the Doctor?!” Donna was trying to stay calm, but she could feel the panic and anger rising inside her. “He’s safe Donna Noble…I just needed him out of the way. The Doctor must not know I’m here…The others must not know. This is the only place I can break through. I haven’t got much time left in this Reality.”

 “Okay Lady Galadriel …Or is it the Angel Gabriel? I’ve had it up to here. How do you know my name? And what do you want with me?…‘Cause when the Doctor finds out…” Donna folded her arms defiant; she wasn’t putting up with anymore nonsense.

 “Galadriel…I like that.” The stranger smiled to herself. “You ephemerals have such imagination…And fascinating minds. Galadriel…Not quite, but like the Elves my race is immortal. We left this Reality a long time ago after the Last Great Time War but some of us return when we can. The Doctor has his companions but I know there are times when he still feels alone but there are those of us who watch over the last Time Lord when we can and brave Donna Noble I have been watching you as well…”

 “What?…Why would you want to watch me lady…I’m no one special.” Donna was finding this a surreal experience but believed this powerful being meant no harm even if she wouldn’t answer her questions.

 The stranger did not have time for small talk.

 “Nothing lasts forever Donna Noble… I have seen your future I cannot stop what will happen for everything must come to pass. The darkness must be stopped and though I cannot change your fate brave child, I bring you a small consolation.” The mysterious figure moved in close to Donna and whispered into her ear. “I can keep your memories safe. Somewhere in between Reality and Dream.” Donna opened her mouth to speak but the stranger placed her hands gently upon Donna’s face, her finger tips made contact with Donna’s temples. “Of course when you wake you can never remember any of this…But in your dreams Donna Noble you will run with the Doctor forever… And one day there may be a way back.” The stranger smiled sadly, a tear rolled down her cheek as Donna collapsed unconscious into her arms…

 Only a moment had passed and the Doctor was trying to work out where that surge of power had come from, in his opinion it was nothing that belonged to the Eye of Orion. Was it anything he’d seen before? Why had it taken Donna? Although no sooner had Donna disappeared and the improbable wall appeared, there was another almighty surge of blinding light which knocked the Doctor off his feet.

 “Not again! I’ve had enough of this.” The Doctor cried and when he opened his eyes the wall had gone and Donna was sitting high up, perched on a branch of a Silver Thumb tree. “Donna!” The relief was palpable in the Doctor’s voice. “Are you hurt?”

 “No I’m okay Doctor.” Donna was very happy to see the Doctor again; she had no recollection of what had just happened, as far as both of them were concerned only seconds had passed. The Doctor frowned, looking puzzled.

 “Donna…What are you doing up there?”

 “Oh you know…I thought I’d climb up here so I could do a spot of Orion bird watching.” Donna’s voice was laced with heavy sarcasm as she shouted. “How do I know? There was this blinding light…”

 “It must be something to do with those power surges.” The Doctor interrupted. “Are you stuck?”

 The moment the question left the Doctor’s mouth he regretted it. Donna took a sharp intake of breath.

 “What does it look like… Dumbo!” The Doctor placed a hand in front of his mouth to hide his obvious delight. “Err would you be so good as to help me down Doctor…When you’ve finished laughing…If it’s not too much trouble?”

 Donna was starving, stuck up a tree and the Doctor was lapping up every minute but then she couldn’t help but see how ludicrous the situation was and started to laugh herself; you could never stay annoyed with the Doctor for too long. The sound of laughter echoed through the ancient forest which had been silent for centuries.

 “I’ll have you down in a jiffy…I knew this portable Venusian ladder would come in handy one day.”

 The Doctor grinned as he removed a piece of ordinary looking rope from inside his jacket, approaching the Silver Thumb tree…. Ten minutes later and Donna was back on solid ground.  

 “There we are…Safely down…No broken bones.” The Doctor spoke in his best bedside manner as he started running his sonic screwdriver around Donna and himself seeing if he could detect anything. “No residual energy…no trace of interference. Did you see anything in the light?” Donna shook her head. “Oh well whatever was here has gone now. How strange… I’ll have to let that one go I guess, come on let’s get out of here.”

 Donna took hold of the Doctor’s hand as helped her down a steep incline.

 “Good! These woods are starting to freak me out.”

 “There be old magic in these woods.” The Doctor joked but he couldn’t help looking back over his shoulder, the hairs on the back of neck were standing on end.

 The wind had picked up and it was blowing through the trees but even still he felt there was something there in the forest watching them leave. Time Lords were sensitive to movements in Time and he believed Donna had been gone longer than a few seconds. There weren’t many races left in the Universe who could stop Time and bend it to their will. “I wonder.” The Doctor thought to himself… Although the Doctor would have to leave his cogitating until another day as the TARDIS suddenly loomed into view. The Doctor had one last look at his surroundings and hoped he would return to the Eye of Orion again someday. Donna smiled warmly at the Doctor.  

 “Despite the exploding light and the tree incident… thanks for bringing me here Doctor. I can’t wait to tell Gramps about this place when I next see him.”

The Doctor smiled back at Donna, he’d already begun mentally working out the coordinates to take her to the promised beach but something strange happened as he followed her back into the TARDIS. The Doctor could feel a slight charge of electricity coming from the inside breast pocket of his jacket. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out his psychic paper, someone was using it to contact him for help. Who could that possibly be? And what did it mean? Although the Doctor loved a good mystery and was excited at the prospect of a new adventure… Kazra would have to wait, not that he was going to tell Donna that just yet…The Doctor wasn’t that brave!