The Magic of Wonderland.
Rating: T
Pairing: Alice Kingsleigh/Tarrant Hightopp
Summary: One year has passed since Alice's return home. Somehow she's lost all her memories about Underland. And now her life is going to take a new turn. But a certain accident ruins all her plans and changes her life completely. Will she recall all her adventures in Wonderland? And how is she going to cope with a new challenge waiting for her?
Disclaimer: I don't own Alice in Wonderland. If I did, the Hatter would have kissed Alice on the balcony.
A/N: Well, this is my first fanfiction ever, so please be nice. Besides, English is my second language, therefore my spelling and grammar may be incorrect sometimes. Is there anybody who wants to be my beta?
Prologue.
The sky was reflecting warm colors of the sun which was setting down. Trees were swinging under the blow of the wind. Now you could see several faint stars. It was becoming darker with every minute. And dusk has finally fallen.
It was very silent there. It seemed like it was the best time to go outside far from your home and be alone at least for the time being. 'It is fun to lie on the grass and watch stars becoming brighter'.
There was a small residence in the suburbs of London. There was light in the windows and sometimes you could see shadows wandering inside the house. These people were preparing for the coming night.
Suddenly there was a crack and the back door was carefully opened. It was a girl and she was standing on the back porch now. She closed the door and silently tip-toed down on the ground. When she was there she ran as fast as she could. The wind was blowing in her face and she wanted to cry in happiness, for it was an amazing feeling. She felt free… almost.
In a minute she reached her destination. She was on the glade which she'd noticed long before. It was truly a beautiful place. Particularly at night.
She sighed and sat on the grass. The moon appeared in the sky. Everything was so peaceful. The only noises were from the wind and some night-insects. And somehow she felt no worry. She closed her eyes and lay on the back.
Her name was Alice and now she was smiling because of scent of flowers which reached her nostrils was really wonderful. Right now Alice felt a déjà-vu. The scent was so familiar. And for a moment she had a flash of memory: lots of cherry trees, their petals flying in the air under the warm wind. But Alice couldn't recall where she could have possibly had it from.
"Tomorrow. Itwill happen tomorrow," she whispered and felt tears streaming down her face, "I promised my mother and I never break promises!"
Something stung her heart and Alice felt something missing. She couldn't understand what it was, so she felt very uneasy now. It happens sometimes when you want to remember one thing, but you can't.
Alice sighed with irritation. 'What is troubling me so much? Why can't I recall this memory?'
So she was lying on the grass watching stars and thinking about her future. What is to happen to her? And most of all what will happen tomorrow? Of course, she knew. And it scared her even more.
Chapter 1: Storm.
The weather was awful. No, there was no rain, no strong wind and that was a problem. It was very hot, although thick clouds were covering the sky. No one could believe that the previous day had been just perfect.
A lonely carriage was driving on the road. There were two women in the carriage: Alice and her mother. They were heading for the wedding, which was held in the rich residence. Although Alice wasn't quite happy to go there. After all, it was her wedding.
"I'm afraid we'll have to hold the ceremony inside," her mother said, "It is very hot today so it will be difficult to us to stand in our corsets and stockings outside. And no, I won't allow you to not wear them."
"But why should I? I don't like them," Alice answered sadly.
Helen Kingsley just shook her head and said nothing.
Alice had decided to prepare for the ceremony in her fiancé's residence. She hadn't wanted to stay in her home, it had been too painful. So she carried her dress and other items with her to prepare for the wedding there, at Highmore residence.
When they stopped, Alice was the first one to come out of the carriage. She sighed and gasped, for the air was pretty hot. 'What has happened to the weather,' she thought.
"Here is the bride!" someone sang.
Alice turned and saw Mrs. Highmore, who was hurrying towards her.
"I'm happy to see you, Alice," the woman embraced her.
Alice embraced her back and smiled. 'There are some pleasant persons left in this world.'
They broke apart. And at that moment a single drop fell on the girl's shoulder. Alice looked up and another drop fell down on her cheek.
"It seems like we will have to hold the ceremony inside," Helen observed.
"You're right," Mrs. Highmore responded, "I have to go to tell servants about that. Oh, and Alice, Andrew is waiting for you. He will escort you to your room. Go, find him." And she went away.
Alice turned around trying to spot her fiancé. Finally she saw him and hesitantly moved towards him.
He noticed her as well and waved her to come closer.
"It's a big day," he said and smiled to her.
Alice nodded. "Will you escort me to my room? I must change and prepare for the… ceremony."
"Of course I will."
The rain was becoming more intense. So they had to hurry. Andrew escorted her to the room, and when she was going to come in, he grabbed her wrist, tugged to him closer and hugged the girl.
"Why are you so sad, Alice? You think you will be miserable? I promise I will do anything for you. I'll never, ever make you suffer. Our marriage won't be a burden to you. I promise, you will be happy with me. I love you." He kissed her forehead and released her.
"Thank you" Alice whispered, turned around and walked into the room, closing the door behind her.
Alice sank to the floor, her back against the closed door, and silently cried, hoping that no one heard her.
Alice was standing in front of the looking-glass in her wedding dress and silently watching her servant tying her hair into a bun. The servant left some of her locks hanging freely, but Alice didn't like it at all.
"Why can't I go there with loose hair?" Alice asked annoyingly.
The servant gaped at her. "Why, Miss, your hair is absolutely stunning and beautiful. But you should follow the rules. It's improper to appear on your own wedding with loose hair! Besides, you should wear a corset and stockings."
Alice dramatically turned face to face with the servant. "But I feel so constrained in them! I just want to feel free!"
"Miss Kingsleigh, you are getting married. You will be anything but free now."
The girl sighed and once again turned towards the looking-glass. Oh, how she hated all this idea of marriage. She didn't love Andrew. But she had to marry him. The idea to expand the trading company hadn't worked. So Alice had returned home from her voyage to China in half a year. Everything had been fine at first, but several weeks ago some ill-wisher had accused her family of not paying him debts. Even though there had never been any debts, her family hadn't been able to convince the judge (Alice suspected that that person had had good relations with the judge). They hadn't succeeded in winning the case. The only way to have enough money had been to be married to a rich man. And luckily Andrew Highmore, Alice's friend since childhood, had proposed to her. Alice had cried a lot, but still accepted the offer. She liked Andrew. But he was her friend, nothing more. Although he has been seemingly in love with her for a long time.
Andrew wasn't that bad. He was of medium-height, had fine body, brown hair and hazel eyes (but a bit darker than Alice's). Many girls had crush on him. Maybe even Alice could call him handsome. But she wouldn't do that. He was a friend to her, after all, despite their current status as to-be-soon-married.
But Alice knew that she had to do it. After all, the marriage would save her family. And she didn't believe that she would ever love someone. She was twenty, and has never experienced those feelings to anyone.
"You are ready, Miss," the servant said, adjusting one last strand of her hair. "I will tell your mother, that they can start the ceremony. Good luck, Miss Kingsleigh."
"Yes," Alice whispered watching herself in the mirror.
The servant left. Alice threw a glance towards the door and turned to face her reflection again. There was a woman. Mature woman was eyeing her from the glass. But there was something missing in her eyes.
'Muchness,' the word suddenly appeared in her mind. It was a strange word, but Alice could swear that she had heard it… once. 'Perhaps, in a dream?' She shook her head. 'No. I must stop it. I dream up strange creatures, strange words and strange places. I'm getting married. That's the end of childhood.' She felt something stung her heart, but she ignored it.
She looked out the window. It was raining heavily; sometimes you could see lighting and thunder. The wind was so strong that the trees in the garden were swaying like the grass. There was an old tall tree outside that was swaying and creaking profusely.
Someone knocked at the door.
"Alice? Are you here?"
"Yes," Alice answered.
Her mother opened the door and came into the room. She spotted her daughter standing in fromt of the mirror and approached her.
"You're gorgeous," she smiled, "Please, Alice, don't be sad about it. I know how you feel. But we must do it. Besides, Andrew is a handsome young man, who truly loves you. He will care about you. You won't be miserable."
Alice turned to the mirror again. But now she noticed something strange. For a moment there was flash of green in the glass. It looked as if there was a pair of glowing eyes. Alice shook her head and looked at her mother. But obviously her mother didn't notice it. Then the girl looked in the mirror again, but there was nothing in it. 'Illusions? Curiouser and curiouser. I'm almost twenty one, and I'm already going mad. Great.
Something caught her eye again. But now it wasn't flash of light in the mirror. It was a blue butterfly, which was sitting on the frame of the glass. 'How'd it get there?'
"Alice. The ceremony begins in five minutes. Brace yourself and go down. I will wait you in the foyer." And Helen left the room.
The girl came closer to the mirror and thoroughly examined the blue butterfly. It was sitting motionlessly and watching the girl back. Only sometimes it was slightly moving the wings.
"How did you get there?" Alice asked.
She raised her hand towards the butterfly and the insect obediently crawled on her finger. The girl brought the butterfly to her eyes and the actions of the insect surprised her. The butterfly was actually frowning at her. 'But butterflies don't frown at anyone. They just can't. Put it out of your mind!'
Suddenly the butterfly took off her hand and headed towards the mirror's frame. The insect sat onto it and continued watching the girl from the frame.
Alice smiled, turned to the right and headed towards the sofa not far from the looking-glass. She sat onto it and buried her face in her palms. Oh, how she wanted to cry. But nothing is ever accomplished with tears.
Someone knocked at the door. She raised her head and stared at the newcomer.
"Alice?"
She abruptly stood on her feet. "Andrew?"
"Why you're still here? I thought you'd changed your mind and run away." He moved towards her.
"Andrew. It's a bad sign to see the bride before the ceremony."
"I don't care. Besides, the ceremony has already begun. I can see you now."
Alice took a step back. Suddenly there was a bright light outside the window. They watched the lighting struck the old tree. Instantly, it began to burn. There was a loud creak and the old tree began to fall towards the house. Alice ran out of the way and in a moment the tree fell through the roof right into her room.
It fell, burning profusely, right between her and Andrew. Now Alice had no way to escape.
"Alice!"
A/N: Well, I hope it wasn't that bad. Please tell me what you think.