Into the Silent Land (short story)

Into the Silent Land was the sixth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: Farewells. Written by Steven A. Roman, the story featured the Fourth Doctor and Romana II.

Summary
The Doctor finds himself in his dream garden. He is approached by his first incarnation, who wonders what he is doing here. The Fourth Doctor realises he shouldn't be here, because he hasn't regenerated yet, and wonders if his next regeneration is approaching.

As the TARDIS dematerialises, the Doctor wakes from his dream. He has been feeling his age lately.

The Doctor and Romana have arrived in Maine for the funeral of the Doctor's friend, Hannah Gites. Romana has noticed the Doctor's recent strange behaviour. She wonders if he's reaching the end of this incarnation, and the thought saddens her.

After the funeral, the Doctor introduces himself to Hannah's daughter, Giselle. She gives him a book that he had left behind on his last visit.

Back in the TARDIS, Romana asks the Doctor how he was friends with Hannah, and he replies that Hannah helped him with his roses. She also questions him on his new clothing. She is becoming worried about him.

In the dream garden, the Doctor again encounters his first incarnation, who tells him that the Second and Third Doctors also visited the garden and made additions to it. The First Doctor tells the Fourth that it's not his time yet, but that "the moment has been prepared for".

The Doctor finally tells Romana what has been bothering him: what will happen to him when he regenerates. She reminds him of all the good he has done, and it seems to cheer him up. He decides they need a holiday.

Characters

 * Fourth Doctor
 * Romana II
 * First Doctor
 * The Watcher
 * Giselle Gites

Continuity

 * The Doctor changes his brown coat with multi-coloured scarf to a burgundy coat with black and red scarf. (TV: The Leisure Hive)
 * The Second Doctor planted flowers in the garden when the Time Lords forced his regeneration. (TV: The War Games)
 * At the end of this story, the Doctor offers to take Romana to Brighton. (TV: The Leisure Hive)
 * The Doctor tells Romana about the planet where his face is carved on the mountain. (TV: The Face of Evil)