"Fairfarren Alice," Hatter whispered to the grey sky as the last trace of Underland's champion disappeared in a shimmering cloud of smoke. Everyone would surely miss their beloved champion, but none as much as he. Alice was much more than a Champion to him, she was brave, beautiful, witty, kind, mad, and mostly his Alice. And his Alice was gone. Even with her parting promise to return one day, there was no guarantee that her promise would ever come to light. The last of the victory cheers faded and remaining chess soldiers and all of the Red Queen's remaining Card guards began their journey back to Marmoreal. Eventually all that remained were Alice's close friends. They had all felt the loss of their dear friend but even they could see how hard this would be on their beloved hatter.
"Tarrant..." Mirana called gently. Tarrant turned, his face blank of all emotion though his eyes gave him away. The usual emerald green was replaced by a rather depressing grayish blue. Mirana's heart broke at seeing her friend so upset. Silence ensued and it soon became obvious that Tarrant would not utter a word to anyone. For a moment and only for a fleeting moment, Tarrant smiled his gaped toothed grin at where Alice had stood but soon resumed his blank demeanor.
"Tarrant, please. I know this may hurt but I assure you, you are not the only one who will feel this pain. Let us help you." The Queen's plea seemed to fall on deaf ears as the Hatter turned to face everyone, a sad smile on his normally cheery face.
"Majesty, your hurt is much different than mine. None of you can imagine the pain, that agony, torment, torture, hu-"
Mally jumped down from her perch on Bayard's head and promptly drove her sword into Tarrant's foot, "Ow! Thank you, I'm fine." Tarrant squeaked. The relief that followed was almost tangible. Mirana beckoned for Tarrant to ride the Bandersnatch. Seeing as he could not refuse his Queen, Tarrant climbed upon the back of the beast and made his way back to Marmoreal. Underland was safe. The Red Queen and the Knave of Hearts were gone and the Jabberwocky was dead, but Alice was also gone. To Tarrant the world was a little less colorful without his Alice.
~2 years later after saving Underland once again~
The mirror appeared before Alice and Tarrant knew that he would be losing the thing he held most dear once again. He had gained a family but he would lose his lady love, though Alice would never know how much he cared for her. "Hatter? I fear I may never see you agian," Alice whispered the fear evident in her voice. Tears began to fall from her beautiful blue eyes and Tarrant's heart broke. He took her hand in his and lead her to stand before the mirror. Her small hand was warm in his. it felt so right that it hurt. How it would kill him to let her go again. Gently, he pulled her to a stop just before the mirror and before he could stop himself, he pulled his Alice into his embrace like he had wanted to do countless times before. Tarrant let his hand cradle the back of her head while the other wrapped around her waist. Alice nestled herself against him quietly let out a tiny sob. Tarrant had to bite his lip to stop himself from whispering sweet nothings to her in hopes of comfort. Finally, they broke away from each other albeit reluctantly. They locked eyes for a moment and Tarrant took his chance to whisper his goodbye, "In the garden of memory, in the palace of dreams...That is where you and I shall meet, dear Alice. Fairfarren, my Alice." Alice looked at him in a way he would have never expected. She looked at him with undeniable love.
"Fairfarren my friends, my father always told me to think of six impossible things before breakfast but saying goodbye to you all is far more impossible than anything I could ever imagine, especially you Tarrant Hightopp." Tarrant had to blink back his tears. Alice had done him a great service two times before and now she had done it again. In her own way she had told him that she loved him and had never once dreamed that she would ever have to say goodbye. To everyone else in the room it had been a heartfelt farewell from the best of friends, but to them it was lovers saying goodbye for what would hopefully be that last time.
Each of Alice's came up to say their own goodbye. Chessur with his smile, the Tweedles with their habit of sentence finishing, Mally and Bayard bowing their heads nobly, Thackery shouting something about being late for tea, McTwip saying to try not to be late and even Mirana with her graceful way's gave into her emotions and gave Alice a fierce hug reminding that she would always be welcome in her court and Underland. With one final glance behind her Alice stepped through the looking glass and vanished.
"Fairfarren, my love." whispered Tarrant to the mirror. Though his sadness would soon overtake him, Tarrant knew that his Alice would be back one day. She always came back.
The smell of the sea had been Alice's only comfort these last few weeks since her return from Underland. The harsh winds and responsibility of being a captain had kept her mind off of her wayward adventures in Underland with all her friends and... Tarrant. Oh, how she missed him. Each day was a trial for her. The need to run into the Ascot's garden and jump down the rabbit hole or disappear through the looking glass. To run back to him. Alice groaned and rubbed her temples. Tarrant Hightopp, had reeked havoc on her thoughts and dreams ever since she stepped back into London. In the garden of memory and the palace of dreams...that is where you and I shall meet, dear Alice. His words rang through her mind and how true they were. There wasn't a day that she didn't think of Tarrant, nor a night she didn't dream that he was standing there with his arms wide open calling her home to him and every night she said the same thing, "It's just a dream..."
"What's just a dream?" A voice mused from behind her. Alice let out a yelp and whipped around to face the person that had disturbed her thoughts. John Harcourt smiled sheepishly at her as if to apologize. He had joined her after putting Hamish down for being a selfish bastard. Alice smiled back though it didn't reach her eyes. The wind blew her golden curls about her face in a gentle manner, Alice turned her face to the wind letting it blow her hair back into place.
"Nothing Harcourt, at least nothing you should concern yourself with." Though it may have sounded cold to John, Alice had meant nothing by it, in fact to her it sounded as if she had finally admitted her defeat. Silence hung between the two young people the sound of waves filling the ever growing gap. After what seemed like a long while, Mr. Harcourt cleared his throat. When Alice did nothing he took it as his signal to continue.
"Alice... Your mother has asked me to speak to you about a certain matter regarding yours and the companies future. You see...well, allow me to be blunt?" Alice simply nodded her head already having an idea of what was to come. John nodded and continued, " Well, your mother has asked me to ask for your hand in marriage. And before you can say anything I just want you to know this was not my idea, though I am fairly pleased that it has come to light." James folded his arms behind his back and rocked onto his heels. Alice looked at him and then the sea, then back at him. Hysterical laughter bubbled from her lips and soon Alice found herself unable to breath.
"John, as sure as I am that this was my mother's idea, I know and as you have even made clear to me that you are more than please with the prospect of being my husband but as you should have expected, I will not marry you." Alice was finally able to chock out after she was able to calm herself. Once more the silence began evident besides the sound of sailors working and waves slapping the sides of the Wonder. The skies were beginning to grey with the expectation of rain later on, but lucky for them, they will have made port by then. Just then a sailor called out that they were close to the docks and Alice took great comfort knowing that she would be able to see her dear sister and niece again. She would have to take care of her mother and her hair brained ideas first.
"Mother. We need to talk." the captains quarters were tidy as was her mother's request. Tea cups and such were still sitting on the small table at the left side of the room where Alice and her mother had taken tea earlier. Her mother was perched on the edge of the bed they shared working on her needle point. "Mother please!" Alice took a few long strides across the room. Helen looked up at her seemingly agitated daughter easily guessing the source. John Harcourt.
"My dear, what troubles you?" feigning ignorance would only do the trick for so long. The sound of boots tapping the wooden floors was the only thing t be heard for a while before Alice spoke up.
"John. Why would you tell that foolish boy to propose," Alice tried in vain to keep the chill out of her voice. Helen thought for a moment before stating quiet matter of factly " Because my dear, you need a husband even if you don't love them. People will begin to talk." A sudden thought occurred to Alice. She did love someone, so much that it hurt her. He had asked her not to leave but she had. She had left him all on his own. Alice had to go back to him. Alice looked at her mother tears beginning to come to her eyes.
"But Mother, I do love someone and I left him. I need to go back to Tarrant." Alice rushed for the door not totally sure where she was going but her feet kept going. Her mother called after her demanding to know who this Tarrant man was. Soon Alice found herself next to the wheel. A small blue butterfly lingered just above it before flying over the railing of the ship and into the waves below. "Absolem." Alice breathed. With a running start Alice dove over the edge into the waves. The last thing she heard was her mothers frantic cries.