Alice looked down at the small glass vial in her hand.
"Will this send me home?"
"If that is what you wish." Came the White Queen, Mirana's, gentle reply.
"What I wish..." Alice looked at the contents of the vial, a swirling metallic purple, then raised it halfway to her lips. She was caught mid-gesture by the soft gaze of the Mad Hatter. His large expressive eyes seemed to have changed to a faint, weary blue-green.
"Fairfarren Alice..." he whispered softly.
"What I wish..." she repeated, looking again to the small vial in her hand. One sip would send her home, if that was what she wanted. Did she want that anymore? Suddenly she no longer felt so certain. Glancing up again she looked all around at those who had stood by her side during the battle. The White Queen with her soft, knowing smile, the White Rabbit nervously wringing his paws, the Cheshire Cat flicking his tail to and fro, the March Hare twitching spasmodically as he clutched at a soup ladle, the fearless Dormouse, the Tweedles with their identical round moon-like faces. Finally her eyes landed once again on the Hatter. He seemed so…lost. Looking at all of them made her heart feel like it was being squeezed in her chest.
"No." she whispered, resolutely putting the cork in the vial. "I-I don't think I'll go just yet…"
There was a beat of silence before everyone erupted in cheers.
"Wonderful." The White Queen said softly, enfolding her in a gentle hug. "Our Champion is welcome to call Underland home for as long as she so wishes."
Alice placed the vial of Jabberwocky blood into Mirana's delicate hand.
"Thank you, Queen Mirana."
"No, thank you Alice." She gave the vial to the White Rabbit who slipped it into a pocket of his waistcoat.
The Tweedles joyfully took her hands and led her to her mount, the Bandersnatch.
"We knew you'd stay." One of them bragged cheerfully.
"Contrariwise, she didn't say she was staying forever, did she?" the other volleyed.
"But you will?" the other entreated and they finished together: "Won't you?"
Alice laid a hand on the Bandersnatch's coarse, spiky fur. The huge animal leaned into her touch.
"I'm not so sure…"
"But you're not unsure either." They pointed out before tottering back to the White Queen.
Alice shook her head a little. "I wonder if I'll ever understand those two?"
Grabbing a double handful of fur, she hoisted herself up onto the Bandersnatch. As she absentmindedly scratched him behind one tattered ear she happened to notice the Hatter helping Mirana onto her horse. As if he could sense Alice's gaze, he turned and looked at her, smiling. His eyes were once again their familiar bright yellow-green. With a flourish he swept his hat off and gave her a low bow. Alice gave him a half-bow of her own from atop the Bandersnatch, the smile on her face mirroring his.
Before long they arrived back at the White Queen's castle, the trees whispered excitedly in the breeze at their return. Alice gave the Bandersnatch's fur a gentle tug and he stopped near the other's horses. She was whispering soothing words in his tattered ears when a familiar voice called to her.
"M'lady."
She looked to her right to see the Hatter with arms upraised to catch her when she dismounted, for the Bandersnatch was rather tall. Alice slid down the creature's side and into his arms; she stumbled a little and threw her arms about the Hatter to steady herself.
"Oh, sorry Hatter!" she exclaimed, catching her balance.
"Quite alright." He replied with a small smile. Alice thought his eyes had changed to a brilliant emerald green but when she looked again they were his usual joyful yellow-green. Perhaps it was only a trick of the light, or caused by her exhaustion. With the adrenaline from the battle quickly dissipating, her armor suddenly seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
As if reading her thoughts, the White Queen took one of her hands and led her toward the castle.
"I daresay our Champion should rest today, tomorrow we'll celebrate properly. I've had McTwisp run you a nice warm bath, come now," she gently propelled Alice indoors, "you remember the way to your room, don't you?"
Alice let herself be led to her room with one last glance over her shoulder at the Hatter; he gave her a little nod and a wave as she disappeared inside.
Within a few minutes she'd shed the heavy armor and slipped into the warm, fragrant bath, letting herself drift away. She must have dozed off because next thing she knew the water had become somewhat cold and the sun was throwing it's dying rays across the room. Slipping out of the bath, she wrapped a towel around herself before walking into the adjoining bedroom.
"What'll I wear now?" she mumbled softly, thinking how she'd either outgrown or shrunk out of nearly all of her clothes during her time in Underland. To her surprise a beautiful dress was spread out upon her bed and when she tried it on she found it fit perfectly. The dress was a pale sky blue and she couldn't help but notice that it was almost the exact same color as her eyes. There were spools of thread, ribbons, scissors, and the letter 'A' embroidered skillfully along the bottom. It seemed like extra attention had been paid to the 'A's; each one was elaborately wrapped in flower-covered vines. There was little question in her mind who had made it for her but the note on the bed erased all uncertainty. She ran her fingers over the curling script: For our Champion Alice, with warmest wishes, Tarrant Hightopp.
"Tarrant…"Alice said aloud softly, trying out the name on her tongue. She put on a nearby pair of boots, nearly identical to her old ones, and left her room to stroll the grounds as the sun set.
The full moon had risen sometime during her walk, bathing the castle grounds in pale moonlight. She felt so free here; completely unlike she'd felt in England. In Underland she was free to do as she pleased, be her own person, choose her own destiny. A little ways off in the distance she noticed a familiar top-hatted figure seated in the soft grass with his back against a tree, gazing at the moon. Alice took a tentative step in his direction when a grin appeared in the air, the rest of the Cheshire Cat quickly appearing along with it.
"There you are dear," he said in his low, purring voice "and where are you off to?"
She tipped her head toward the tree. "To see the Hatter."
"Ah," the cat replied, turning to look in the direction she had indicated. "Poor Tarrant…" he gave a sigh.
"Beg pardon?"
"He's never been the same since that day…"
"His family…" Alice began.
"All murdered by the Red Queen's army." He finished for her, eyes downcast in remembrance before they returned to her own bright blue ones. "I imagine today was somewhat of a bittersweet victory, though the Red Queen has been overthrown no number of battles can bring back any member of the Hightopp clan." He considered for a moment more, "Go along Alice dear, I'm sure he could use the company. And your presence always seems to delight him, unlike mine."
The cat began to disappear from the tip of his tail, leaving only the grin.
"Goodnight Chessur."
"Goodnight dear, dear Alice." His voice rang in the air even though his grin had since dissipated.
With renewed determination she walked to the tree where the Hatter sat, his gaze fixed on the shining moon.
"May I join you, Hatter?"
He indicated the spot next to him but did not look away from the sky. After some time in silence, he finally spoke.
"They say the moon is mad, you know. He chases the sun endlessly, longing to shine as she does…"
"Maybe he's just lonely." Alice whispered, following his gaze skyward.
"Yes, there is madness in loneliness, I suppose…" came the soft reply.
"There is madness in joy too, Hatter."
"And in sorrow, Alice."
"And in love." She replied without thinking, glad the darkness hid her blush. Quickly she changed the subject. "The stars here are quite beautiful."
She watched as the stars slowly danced across the sky like lazy fireflies, new constellations slipping in and out of existence.
"Yes, they are. If you're very quiet you can hear them singing to the moon."
Alice strained her ears in the silence and she thought she could hear a sweet, melancholy melody drifting across the night. She turned to the Hatter and he finally looked away from the moon to her face.
"Are they lonely too?" she inquired innocently.
He gave her a wry smile. "Perhaps."
She cleared her throat. "Thank you for the dress, it's beautiful." She smoothed the skirt out around her, her fingers lingering over the delicate embroidery.
"Yes," the Hatter mumbled, looking into her eyes, again in this light his eyes seemed that sparkling emerald green. "Beautiful."
She smiled and he returned it somewhat shyly.
"You're very welcome, Alice. My specialty may be hats, but every now and then…" he gave a little shrug with one shoulder.
"Hatter, why is a raven like a writing desk?"
His smile broadened, green eyes sparkling. "I haven't the slightest idea."
To her surprise he took off his hat and playfully placed it atop her head. "Not the slightest idea." He repeated.
The hat, being quite too large for Alice, slipped down over her eyes. She giggled and the Hatter tipped the hat back to uncover her face.
"Ah, there you are my dear, haven't been into the pishsalver have you?"
"Nope," she replied, still laughing. "Still a right proper Alice size."
"Good." He reached forward and softly cupped her cheek before gently removing his hat and placing it back atop his head.
Her skin tingled where his hand had rested.
"You…" he began then looked away from her back up to the moon. "You'll stay won't you?"
Cautiously she slipped her hand into his, glancing over to gauge his expression. He continued to stare skyward but gently squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles over her soft skin.
"Hatter I-" he turned to look at her, his eyes shining in the night like stars. They seemed so full of hope and longing, that pale blue green color had returned. Alice felt a strange fluttering that started somewhere in her stomach and settled somewhere in her heart. "Tarrant." She barely whispered.
At the sound of his name, he seemed to soften, eyes flashing emerald in the darkness.
"Yes Alice?"
"Would…would you walk me back?"
He stood, dusting himself off before offering a hand to Alice. She took it and he gently pulled her up to her feet.
"Gladly." He replied and held her hand gently, giving it a light squeeze, which she returned before cautiously lacing her fingers through his.
Hand in hand they strolled leisurely back to the castle and the night around them seemed to sigh contentedly.
"Here you are." Tarrant said with a little bow once they'd reached her room.
"Thank you very much." She gave him a warm smile, which he returned.
"Goodnight." He said softly, a half-smile on his face, suddenly he seemed so weary and worn out.
"Goodnight." Alice replied then hesitated but a moment before throwing her arms about him in a tight hug. Back home this would have been extremely improper but she couldn't help it when the Hatter looked so lonesome. Tentatively he hugged her back for a moment before letting her go, somewhat reluctantly. "Sweet dreams Hatter."
His voice seemed lost for a moment, "You as well." He started to walk away but turned back. "Would you care to have tea with me in the morning? I'm just down the hall…"
That strange fluttery feeling was back for a moment. "I'd love to."
The sweetest smile lit up his face before he walked off to his room, leaving her there quite unsure of just what she was feeling. Eventually she wandered into her room where a lovely white nightgown was spread out on her bed. She picked it up and as she did so something small thudded softly to the floor. When she picked it up she found that it was the bottle of Jabberwocky blood. A note was tied to the neck of the vial: Home, if that is what you wish. Alice set the bottle on the nightstand next to her bed and changed into the nightgown. Alice slipped into bed and it seemed she'd fallen asleep before her head was halfway to the pillow.