ladyofleithian | Chapter Fifteen: Into the Minotaur's Lair

In which Rose goes to meet with Rassilon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

It was one of those nights when the dreams returned to her again. Dreams of Gallifrey burning, dreams of Rassilon -- only this time, he was standing before a crowd of people, commanding them to kneel. In the dream, she saw Gallifrey, still burning, orbiting above Earth even as so many cried out in terror. In the dream, she could see ten billion ships on fire, the Dalek race burning at her hands along with the Time Lords. And she could hear Rassilon’s voice -- “Choose carefully, Rose. We are many, while the Master is but one.” And the Master pleading with her to shoot Rassilon, that Gallifrey could be hers --

It was then that Rose snapped awake. The dream couldn’t possibly occur -- and yet at the same time, Rassilon had returned. But what about the Master? Rassilon was cunning, yes, and he wouldn’t pass up any chance to make her do his will -- he was Rassilon, after all -- and yet why the Master? What did the Master have to do with any of this?

Rose groaned and rubbed her eyes clear of sleep. In all honesty, anything could be possible at this point. The best she could do was at least figure out what to do next --

It was then that Rose got the message from Tony. Groaning, rubbing her temples in exasperation, Rose turned to look at the projection of Tony. “What is it?”

“It’s Rassilon.” Tony’s face was pale. And considering Rassilon, Rose couldn’t blame him. What could Rassilon possibly want her for? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good, to say the least.

“What does he want me for?” she asked. At the very least, she had to know if it was anything serious.

“He, well...” Tony looked almost nervous. “He wants you to meet him in the Council chambers. For a meeting. He says it’s urgent for those part of the war effort.”

Great. At the very least, “part of the war effort” couldn’t possibly mean something calling her out on liberating the Weeping Angel camp. Unless...

Rose prayed inside that the Rani would be all right. Even if she was off-planet where Rassilon couldn’t find her, using the chameleon arch...who knew where she could be now? And what if Rassilon was persistent enough to reach her? She prayed that wherever the Rani was now, she would be all right.

“All right,” Rose said, “I’ll be there right away.”

“Good luck, Rose.” And Tony faded away. Rose sighed and got up, dressing in the Prydonian robes -- even now that she thought about it, it was practically the only chapterhouse left on Gallifrey. Rassilon had all but killed them all. It was best that she was on her best behavior for this during the meeting, if only to spare everyone else.

It was said that one word at the wrong time in the wrong place could change the course of history. And Rose knew that there was no place where that was more true than right now.

Taking a deep breath, smoothing out her long dark hair in front of the mirror, Rose observed herself if briefly. She had come a long way from the innocent, almost naive creature that she used to be. If anything, those eyes...they belonged almost to a stranger’s. Cold and hollow and almost bruised-looking on the lower eyelids. It was someone born in war -- a woman who had to become that way if only because if she didn’t, she would most likely break. Perhaps that was who she was now. Being strong for Romana’s sake.

Rose took a deep breath, turned away from the mirror, and opened the door. Never had the first step outside her room been more complicated. And yet...

Rose closed her eyes and took a step out her door -- one step closer, if not quite close enough, to the Council chambers.