Prologue

"The blood of the Jabberwocky," Mirana said, holding a vial of putrid-looking violet liquid. "You have our everlasting gratitude, for your efforts on our behalf." She handed it to Alice.

"Will this take me home?" The much more muchier Alice asked, frowning.

"If that is what you choose." Mirana smiled, stroking her dear Champion's cheek. She turned to see to the rest of her subjects.

Alice inspected the vial carefully, before flicking open the lid, and raising the vial to her lips.

A voice startled her. "You could stay."

She turned to see the Hatter behind her. She grinned. "What an idea. A crazy, mad, wonderful idea!"

The Hatter showed a smile. Alice's faded. "But my mother, my sister, what will they think has become of me?"

Hatter smiled even wider. "They won't really notice, will they? They'll presume you just ran away from the proposal, and began a new life elsewhere. You could even write a letter to them."

Alice smiled at the idea, gazing thoughtfully and the little glass tube. "But where would I stay? I have no home here in Underland, and I have very few clothes, save for the Champion's garments that Mirana gave me. But they aren't very suitable for everyday wear."

Hatter gazed into her eyes and kissed her. "You can stay in the castle, with the Queen, the Tweedles, Thackery, and… Me?"

The girl blushed right up to the roots of her curly blonde hair. "I'd very much like that, Hatter."

"Call me Tarrant, Alice, for that is my name."

Alice smiled, and he took her hand as they all made their way back to the White Queen's Castle. The vial of Jabberwocky blood lay forgotten on a shelf in her new chambers...