The TARDIS hauled itself wheezily out of the vortex and, protesting loudly, materialised in the stone built corridor.

Emma was first out of the doors. It was her turn again. She took in the gloomy stonework stretching into the distance.

"Oh no, not Tersurus again," she complained.

Beside her, The Doctor was locking the doors. "No, my darling, this isn't Tersurus. This is Peladon, a feudal planet I have visited on numerous occasions. I'm quite a favourite at the royal court."

"Good for you," Emma replied. "Looks a bit of a draughty place."

"It is," her fiancée confirmed. "Good thing I never brought Jamie here. He could easily have caught a chill."

"So, what now? Tea and scones with the King?"

"There was a Queen on the throne last time I was here."

Emma grinned. "Good. Girl power. I heartily approve."

The Doctor smiled in return. "Then we'll see if there is a garden party, shall we?" He extended his arm and Emma took it.

"Lead on, my dearest," she said with a giggle and they walked down the corridor.

***

Lennry was not a nice man. He hated everybody, he was rude and obnoxious and a bully. He was also the self appointed ruler of Peladon.

When Queen Thalira died her son, Harnon, became the rightful heir. But Lennry, his spiteful cousin, had other ideas.

Before a coronation could take place, Lennry had the prince regent imprisoned on trumped up charges of treason against the people of Peladon. Now, five years later, Lennry still ruled the planet through fear.

But Lennry was bored. The life of a tyrant wasn't much fun. He wanted to be amused. He wanted someone to make him laugh.

The latest candidate was turning cartwheels in the centre of the throne room. He did a telegraphed pratfall, landing on his bottom. He pulled a face, making out it hurt.

Lennry sighed. He watched, bored out of his mind, as the fool juggled three balls, all of which landed on his head.

"Guards!" yelled Lennry. Two pike bearing Ogrons entered the throne room. They crashed to attention.

"Sir," said one of the ape-like creatures.

"Take this idiot away and have him executed!" Lennry ordered.

"Yes, sir," the Ogron replied. They grabbed an arm each and dragged the fool out, kicking and screaming.

"And bring me someone who can make me laugh!"

***

The Doctor and Emma walked down another stone corridor. Flaming torches hung from wall-mounted brackets, casting spooky shadows over the passage.

"Admit it, we're lost," Emma said.

"Nonsense!" the Doctor declared. "I have an impeccable sense of direction and a perfect memory."

"You forgot our anniversary," she challenged.

The Doctor smiled slightly. "I did go back in time and get you an anniversary present before the event."

"That's cheating," Emma declared.

"What's the point of time travel if you can't use it to your advantage now and again?" he commented.

Emma was about to reply when they turned a corner. Opposite them was the open door to a large chamber.

The Doctor grinned. "The throne room. I told you I wasn't lost."

"Yeah, I believe you," Emma said. "Now, present me to the court, my darling."

***

Lennry looked up from his depression. Two people had entered the throne room. The man was medium height, with collar length dark hair and a flexible face, equally suited to smiling or frowning. He wore a velvet tailored jacket and a fancy patterned waistcoat over grey trousers.

The woman was dressed in much simpler clothes, a black skirt and jumper, with a red dress over the top.

"Are you the new entertainment?" the tyrant asked, hopefully.

Thinking it might get them out of trouble, Emma spoke up quickly. "Yes," she said.

"About time too," Lennry said. He waited. The two people just stood, looking back at him.

"Well? Get on with it!"

"What do you want us to do?" asked the Doctor.

"Entertain. Amuse. Make me laugh." He pointed to a basket in the corner. "The last fool left that lot behind. Something in there might help."

"What happened to the last fool?" asked Emma as she and the Doctor rummaged in the basket.

"He's in my dungeons, awaiting execution."

"How did he offend you?" the Doctor inquired, already fearing he knew the answer.

"He didn't make me laugh."

The Doctor and Emma turned from their forage in the basket. Both were wearing clowns red noses.

"I say, I say, I say, my dog has no nose."

"How does he smell?" asked Emma.

"Terrible!" the Doctor replied.

They both looked at Lennry for a reaction. Nothing. Not a flicker of a smile.

The Doctor sighed. This was going to be tougher than he thought.

"Knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

"Professor."

"Professor who?"

"No, Professor X."

Lennry didn't crack a smile. In fact, he scowled. "Guards!"

Two Ogrons, armoured and carrying pikes, clattered into the throne room.

"Yes, sir," said the first Ogron.

Lennry pointed at the Doctor. "Take this fool away and throw him in the dungeon."

"And the other?" asked the Ogron, looking at Emma.

"Leave her. She pleases me."

"Hey, I'm a happily engaged woman!" Emma declared.

"And I'm King of this entire planet," Lennry replied.

Emma smiled. "I always wanted a castle of my own," she said, turning her back on the Doctor as he was dragged away by the Ogrons.

***

Lennry's dungeon was, as the Doctor expected, quite full. Failed entertainers and others who had displeased the despot were grouped in a large room.

The Doctor scanned the faces of his new roommates. He spotted one he thought looked a little familiar.

"Harnon?" he asked, approaching the young man.

"Yes?" replied the deposed ruler. "Who are you?"

"I'm the Doctor. Last time I was on Peladon, I bounced you on my knee. Mind you, you were a baby at the time."

"Doctor?" Harnon said, squinting at the man before him. "I thought you had white hair."

The Doctor grinned. "I had, but that was a long time ago. Now, tell me how Lennry ended up on the throne in your place."

***

In the throne room, Lennry was leering at Emma. He patted a cushion beside the throne.

"Come and sit beside me." Emma did as she was told. "Now, tell me about yourself."

"Well, my name is Emma..."

"Okay, that's enough about you. Let's talk about me now."

***

The Doctor frowned. "So he had you imprisoned for defiling the temple of Aggedor," he stated.

Harnon nodded. "All I did was blow my nose during a ceremony. He charged me with high treason and had me thrown in here."

"And ever since, he's ruled Peladon with a rod of iron."

"That's right. I wish I could get out of here, Doctor. I'm sure the people of Peladon would rally behind me."

The Doctor smiled. "I might have a solution to that," he said, pulling his sonic screwdriver from his pocket.

***

Emma stifled a yawn. Lennry had been talking for what seemed like hours, all about his childhood and those difficult teenage years. How he had been bullied at school. She shuddered at the thought that puberty was just around the corner.

There was shouting from outside the throne room. Lennry bounded to his feet.

"Guards!" he yelled.

The doors opened, but instead of two Ogrons, the Doctor entered, Harnon at his shoulder and a squad of guards behind them.

"Take Lennry away and throw him in the dungeon," ordered Harnon.

"What's happening?" asked Lennry as the guards seized his arms.

"I'm retaking my throne, with the help of the Doctor," Harnon told him.

Lennry blanched. "You're the Doctor?"

The Doctor nodded. "I am he," he said, smiling.

Lennry looked at the guards beside him. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get me out of here, before he sets Aggedor on me!"

"What's an Aggedor?" asked Emma.

"Aggedor was the royal beast of Peladon, long since extinct," the Doctor said. "How are you, my sweet?"

"I'm fine," she replied, hugging him. "I knew if I kept him talking long enough, you would be along to save the day."

The Doctor shook hands with Harnon. "Well, the throne is yours now, young man. Use your power wisely and look after the planet for me, I've grown rather fond of it."

"You're not staying?" Harnon asked.

"We must be going. We have a wedding to organise. Good luck, Harnon."

"And to you, Doctor. Goodbye, Emma."

"Bye," she said, waving as they left the throne room.

They walked down the corridor, heading back for the TARDIS. Emma glanced back over her shoulder.

"Doctor!" she said, gripping his arm tightly.

"What is it, my dear?"

"This Aggedor creature. Would it be seven feet tall, covered in brown fur and with big teeth and a horn growing from its forehead?"

"Exactly! How did you know that, darling?"

Emma gulped. "Lucky guess. How far away is the TARDIS?"