LIFE IS BUT A DREAM
Chapter 1: On The Way To Marmoreal
Alice tried to keep her eyes open, even as the gentle sway of the bandersnatch attempted to lull her into a deep sleep. It was amazing that such a terrible and frightening beast could be so tamed, and gentle. At least with her, if no one else.
It did take a little bit of persuasion on her part, for it, or would that be him, to allow her ridding companion to join her upon his back, for the return journey to the kingdom of Marmoreal, where the White Queen's castle resided.
This time, instead of ridding boldly astride the back of the bandersnatch, as she had earlier, as the champion of the White Queen, when she had gone to face the seemingly impossible task of battling the Jabberwocky, she now rode side-saddle, if without the actual saddle.
Side-saddle was the way a girl of good home and upbringing should, according to society, although she was never clear about who in society had made that decision, but she suspected it could be the same person that determined all good girls must wear corsets. But good girls would not ride upon the back of a bandersnatch, nor anything else, with legs dangling over the side, tucked neatly into the warm body of her ridding companion, who was shockingly not her husband, nor any related male member of her family, with her head resting upon said gentlemen's shoulder.
Especially not dressed in silver armor, and a sword sheathed at her waist.
Alice could only imagine the shock upon the face of her mother and sister, embarrassed at the latest odd behavior of the youngest member of the family. Each one would most likely box her ear, and send her to her room to contemplate her actions. They would then worry if she had gone round the bend, and have to retire early to bed, due to the head-ache she had induced.
Dear Aunt Imogene would still be waiting for her prince, completely unaware of what had happened.
Faith and Fiona Chattaway would run and tell everyone they knew, and just as many they did not, as they embellished the story so greatly, that it would be upon a talking dragon she rode, naked, singing an off-key tune.
Although, in Wonderland, she could only imagine, that perhaps that was possible.
Lady Ascot would most likely have a fit of anxiety, collapsing into the arms of her husband, and Lord Ascot, well, he was a bit harder to read, but she would think, he would be glad she would not be joining his family, and poor Hamish, the scandal would most likely upset his delicate digestion so much, it would cause a terrible blockage.
The mere thought of that caused her to wrinkle her nose, and consider it good that she would not be his wife.
But her papa, her very dear papa, should he see her in this state, would laugh and congratulate her on her bold and brave victory. She could almost hear his voice, that's my brave girl, show the world what you are made of, be fearless and strong, my mad, dear little Alice.
Alice rather thought that he would love Wonderland, and all the creatures that resided within it. She blinked back the tears that came to her eyes.
Shifting her position slightly, the arm that held her tightened a bit, and his bandaged and thimble covered fingers clutched her waist, as she stared over the his shoulder, orange hair brushing her cheek, to look at the army that followed, lead by Queen Mirana. Her army now greater, since the Red Queen's forces had joined her own, after the death of the Jabberwocky.
The Red Queen, Iracebeth, and her dreadful Knave were chained together and banished to the deserts of the Outlands, to be shunned by all. No two deserved each other more than they did.
The bandersnatch leapt over a small stream, causing Alice to slip, and she reached up to grab whatever was available, which just happen to be the strand of colorful thread spools her companion draped across his shoulder and chest. His arm tightened it's grip even more, keeping her steady and in place.
"Terribly sorry, Hatter." She said, looking into his bright green eyes, and letting go of the thread spools.
"Sorry, terrible, not so terribly terrible, and I'd much rather you did, instead of falling. Falling would most definitely be terribly terrible, worse than sorry." He answered, as only he could, with a wide grin.
Alice smiled, glad to see that he seemed a bit more light-hearted than he had before the battle. Glad to see that at the moment, those unnaturally green eyes seemed clear.
Although no expert of green eyes, she could not imagine that anyone in her world, or Wonderland, had eyes like the Hatter. His eyes changed, depending on his mood, from bright green to a terrible, almost glowing yellow, when his anger was aroused. Even his face seemed to darken, becoming something terrifying to behold.
Luckily, he could be brought back from that darkness, with a touch or word, at least if it were she or Mallymkum.
Mally, who currently rode upon the Hatter's top hat, keeping watch for any danger. Such a brave and fierce little door mouse, willing to fight for her friend and companion. She and Mally were still far from friends themselves, but they both considered Hatter their friend, and had gained respect for the each other.
Perhaps friendship would come in time.
Time, what a curious thing it was, running differently here than in her world. A world she had to make a decision regarding; there or here? For safely in her gauntlet, was a small vial, filled with the glowing lavender blood of the Jabberwocky.
The White Queen had given it to her, shortly after the Jabberwocky's death, and Alice had every intention of drinking it. As she had told Hatter, she had many questions that needed answers, but something in his face, and the way he told her, that she could stay, questioned what had seemed absolute.
Which is how she came to be in her current position, with the Jabberwocky blood, that with just the tiniest of sips, would return her to the world she was born to, and lived.
A world that was familiar to her; where she would be expected to behave according to society's demands, suppressing her nature and maybe even crushing it in time, as she bent to it will. Where, maybe her adventures in Wonderland, or as she now knew it to be called, Underland, would become foggy and faint and possibly forgotten, despite her saying she would not forget.
But did she want to return to that world, was now her current and predominant unanswered question, and that question ran round and round in her head. The White Queen said it would be her decision, to go or to stay, but Hatter, well, he seemed to want her to stay.
But would she, and could she?
It was too much to think of, and all the rush from the fear, and exhilaration, was gone from her, leaving her drained and tired, and sore. Fighting a Jabberwocky had been no easy task. So, she decided, that now was not the time to think, but to sleep.
Difficult questions could wait until later.
Just before her eyes closed, her last waking sight was the Hatter looking down at her, a most unusual and strange look upon his pale face, as he whispered, "Alice, my dear girl."
To be continued…
The novels Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol are considered public domain, but since this story is inspired by Tim Burton's interpretation on the original characters, I sadly cannot lay claim to his vision, although they are the inspirations for my story.
Tim Burton owns his vision/version of the characters, I am just borrowing. He only gave Disney the privilege of presenting his creation.
This is of course, only a product of fan love, and I have used several sources for my story, the movie, the novel based on the movie, and the Visual Guide to the movie (thanks to my friend, who gave them to me as a belated birthday gift…I guess waiting 5 months was worth it…that, and my whining that you didn't care!, lol!...not the movie, not yet, just the books), and one of the discarded early drafts of the movie that had more of a romance to it, but was discarded (off with that person's head!), that was posted online.
Hope you enjoyed my beginnings of a story.