Love Checks Fear

Author's Note: Well, this is my first story in quite some time. Please, please, please bear with me because I honestly have no idea what I'm getting myself into… and am rather afraid this will come down to crashing and burning. Since seeing the movie I've been so incredibly intrigued with the characters – primarily the depth of the Mad Hatter – but this is quite a task to take on, I must say. I adore reviews! Constructive criticism is most helpful! And requests or suggestions are more than welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own any dialogue, characters, settings, etc. from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," nor from Disney's animated "Alice in Wonderland," nor Disney's most recent 2010 film of "Alice in Wonderland." What very little creativity that remains is – surprisingly – mine.

Chapter 1

"And," the Red Queen went on, "hedgehogs! That way the game is far more fun to play than ever before."

The White Queen gave a very tight, closed-lip smile from the opposite end of the long, white dining table. "I'm so happy for you, Iracebeth. Truly I am."

"Yes, well," the Red Queen spoke after a sip of white wine. "My new home still lacks some things."

Mirana rolled her eyes.

"What—what she means to say," stuttered the short King of Hearts from Iracebeth's right. "Is that the gardens are still in need of roses… er, red roses, of course."

The White Queen nodded sympathetically to the small man before eyeing the elongated Knave shifting uncomfortably behind where the Red Queen sat.

"Tell me, dear sister," Iracebeth began too soon as her mouth still contained food. "With all the knights present in this room, why do you keep that ridiculous hatter at your side?"

The White Queen grimaced at her sister's insensitivity – speaking about people as if they were not in the room. "The knights are here to protect me. My hatter," she paused as she looked momentarily up at the man's face that was so clearly focused on the red sister, "is here to protect my hat."

Iracebeth narrowed her eyes angrily, clearly not amused of her sister's crown being called a hat. "You know that was always to be mine."

"Daddy didn't see you fit to take on such responsibility."

"But I'm the eldest! And I'm married!"

"Now, my dear," the King of Hearts said while his wife continued to point at him in effort to make the point to her sister. "I don't think there's any reason to get so--"

"Quiet!" Iracebeth snapped at the short man. She then turned back to her sister at the other end of the table. "I don't see that you have married yet."

Mirana spared but a second to eye the Hatter once more at her side before replying simply, "Yet."

The Red Queen began to chuckle. "What are you waiting for? Love?"

The White Queen looked past her sister at the poor king. "The right moment."

Iracebeth's eyes followed from the king to her white sister and back again. "And when, exactly, will that be?"

Mirana shrugged. "Not sure of exactness, but perhaps in a month's time or so when the court gathers."

The Red Queen stood up, furious; throwing down her white napkin. "Mirana, I'm tired of these games! Hand over that crown!"

"Now, my dear," the King of Hearts began in a timid voice. "You've already got a crown. And we are guests in this castle. Let's try not to forget that…"

"Keep your mouth shut!"

"There is no crown to be handed over to you, sister," Mirana strongly answered before pausing to give the small king a sad nod in acknowledgement. "With great apologies to my dear friend the King of Hearts," she turned then on her sister with a stern matter-of-fact tone, "Iracebeth, you married in haste and this is the result of that decision."

"But how was I supposed to know the Heartlands of Crims were not part of the Underland Kingdom?"

"Well, if you had followed through with your studies… such as geography…"

"Stop it! You're not, Daddy!" Iracebeth yelled. "You know how much I wanted to rule this kingdom!"

"Same as I. But you chose your path. And there is nothing you can do to undo that."

The Red Queen stamped her foot; fuming she looked down at the King of Hearts who had his chin in his hands and eyes completely set on the opposite end of the table. "Snap out of it!"

The king jumped out of his chair in fright. "Yes, my dear? What is it, my dear?"

Iracebeth stared at her sister. "We're leaving!"

With that announcement, the double-doors flew open and an escort of white knights led the Red Queen, her knave, and the King of Hearts out of the castle.