Alice looked at the Hatter as he chatted freely. It had been 3 years since she had slain the Jabberwocky, and she was so glad to be back in Underland. Although she had explored continents unknown, Alice had ached for Underland, and she had ached for him. The Hatter had changed slightly since she had last seen him. His frizzy red hair had almost gone back to his soft red curls, and his eyes that once had black circles under them, were chipper. The only things that didn't change, and that Alice suspected would never change, were his muchness and his clothing. The Hatter's clothing was still very whimsical, but that's why Alice loved him. During her adventures she had missed the small bit of insanity he had brought to her life.

"Alice?"

"Hmm?" said Alice as she was pulled from her thoughts.

"I had asked you a question my dear."

"Oh, I am so sorry. I was lost in thought again."

"Ah, that is what I had missed about you. Your thoughts always had the most wonderful adventures. In fact just last week, I was sitting down and I thought to myself my, what wonderful thoughts Alice has, I wonder if she will be coming back soon. Of course everyone told me you were gone and I would sit for days just thinking, pondering, questioning, deterring-"

"Hatter!"

"Yes?" he asked softly.

"The question?" she said raising an eyebrow. The Hatter was a scattered person by nature but she had never seen him act so… fidgety.

"Ahh, yes. Well I wondering... if possibly you might like to join me for, well really accompany me... as my umm. Oh what's the right word...? Ah! Date. To the ball tomorrow."

Alice looked at him for a moment. His eyes glistened with hope, and his smile was so inviting. If one were to glance at him they would see a confident man, but looking closer you could see the slight shake of his hands. The Hatter was very nervous indeed.

"Yes. I would much like to accompany you as your date." she said as she smiled.

The Hatter looked as if he were about to burst. "Fantastic! I will begin the preparations. Don`t fret my dear you shall have the most lovely dress."

Alice tried to interject but he was going off on a whirlwind. Most of the words were foreign to Alice since she had never really cared for society's view of fashion, but she enjoyed watching him jostle about as he walked towards the White Queens Palace. Alice though, had no business in the castle today, and decided to take a walk.

Alice had plenty to think about, after all tonight was the night she would confess her feelings to The Hatter. At the stroke of eleven Alice was going to confess all those secrets in her heart. Alice walked for a couple more minutes, enjoying the scenery until she came to a very familiar place. Alice was standing on the terrace where Absolum had declared her "Alice at Last". The columns that held up the pavilion, to a wondering eye, looked much the same. They stood proud and the marble glistened in the light. However if one were to look closer they would see the small cracks that plagued the column.

"Underland has changed," she thought to herself.

Ever since The Red Queen and Stane were banished, peace had returned to Underland. The Red Queens palace was cleaned out and has become a living quarters for the servants that waited upon her, as an apology for the years of torment. Yes, Underland has once again become a place of peace and prosperity.

"Well," Alice thought "Maybe not peace."

Alice was about to start walking to the forest when a fanfare drew her attention to the front of the palace. She watched as a white and gold carriage barreled down the pathway that led to the front doors. Alice wasn't usually one to meddle in the affairs of royalty but, Alice was intrigued by this carriage. She turned on her heel and went towards the throne room. As she walked in she noticed The White Queen turn her way and smile.

"Ah, Alice just in time."

"Who's the visitor your Highness?" Alice asked as she bowed to the ground. Although she was now the "Princess" of Underland, much to her dismay, she still bowed to the Queen.

The Queen smiled warmly at her, much like a mothers smile and said "It's one of the Lords of Underland. He's coming to the ball as a guest of mine.

Alice tilted her head slightly confused. "I didn't know there were Lords of Underland."

"Yes, we have many Lords. You see, my palace is in the center of Underland, and so to make sure everything else in Underland is fairly divided, we have The Four Lords. Lord Gringall of the North, Lord Meerrywraith of the South, Lord Lindall of the East, and Elwood is the Lord of the West. Then the Four Lords have many dignitaries that they have chosen to help them govern their sections." finished the Queen proudly.

Alice was going to say something when the doors opened to reveal Lord Elwood. He wasn't like anything she has expected. To be honest, she thought he was going to be some potbellied, unshaven old man. Most of the Lords up top were money grabbing, balding old men who had nothing better to do than sit on their bottoms and debate about possible trade routes.

"Ah, but this is Underland," she thought "Nothing here is normal."

Lord Elwood looked to be about Alice's age, and was very tall. Possible 6'3, 6'6 at the most. His coal black hair reached his waist and he had crystal blue eyes. Alice didn't like him. There was something evil in those eyes, and she didn't trust that smile.

"Ah, my dear Mirwana. "Said Elwood as his arms opened wide in a grand gesture.

"Jonathan! "Said The Queen as she ran to greet him. Alice watched as they embraced and studied him closer. He had a scar on his hand that disappeared beneath the cuffs of his shirt, and if she looked closely she could see a strange sort of ring on his finger.

"He doesn't dress like a Lord," thought Alice. Elwood was dressed in a white silk, blouse that was tucked into beige pants and finished crisply at the knee high black boots. "He looks more like those pirates from the books dad used to read to me"

"And you must be Alice." said Elwood who was now inches away from Alice.

"Yes I am her. And you must be Elwood." she said grabbing the hand that he extended towards her. "I really need to stop wandering in my thoughts." she thought to herself. She had to keep everything she could from pulling her hand away. His hands were rough and calloused against hers. She let go as gracefully and dignified as she could.

"I must say it's an honor to meet you. And I see the rumors were true."

"What rumors?" said Alice who looked behind at the Queen, who was smiling... "More like smirking to me"

"That you are a beauty unrivaled by any other."

"Depends on who you talk to I suppose." said Alice bluntly. She didn't like him and refused to be complimented by him. "If you will excuse me your highness I must find The Hatter."

"Yes you may leave." Said The Queen as she moved gracefully towards Elwood. "She must do some sort of magic to be that graceful."

Alice wanted to run out of the throne room but restrained herself. She walked as calmly as she could but as soon as she hit the hall, she ran. Alice wanted to get as far away from Lord Elwood as possible. After she thought she was a safe distance away she started to slow her pace as she looked for The Hatter. She walked a while before she found him in his workshop gathering some sort of fabric and muttering to himself.

"Hatter, "she began, walking into the room. "I-"

"No! Alice leave! You can't see your dress before the party that's bad luck!" Alice laughed softly as The Hatter clamored to get in front of the scraps of material that were supposed to resemble the beginnings of her dress.

"Hatter, I think you're thinking of a wedding. And in a wedding its bad luck for the groom to see the dress."

"Oh, well that could be what I am thinning of. How was your trip above dear?" said The Hatter as he continued to busy himself with her dress. A snip here, and a snip there. He was working furiously and yet at the same time, it looked like a choreographed dance.

"They were wonderful. I went to so many places. Met so many people. But, I missed Underland terribly." "And you"

The Hatter was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, "Did you meet anyone special up there?" he asked quietly. Alice could almost feel the gloom radiating from him. His shoulders sagged slightly and the spark that was in his eyes disappeared a little bit.

"No. I already have someone in mind."

"What?!" Nearly yelled The Hatter.

"The one time my thoughts don't stay in my mind when I need them to." "Erm, well..."

"Do I know him? I need to make sure he's good enough for you." He said as he slipped slightly into his Scottish accent. "I need to make sure he's good enough for my Alice."

"Yes you know him." Alice was sweating slightly.

"Can you tell me who he is?" The Hatters accent was thicker now, she could see him slowly descend into that dark place.

Alice decided that she might as well tell him now. "Close your eyes and I'll show you who he is." She watched as the darkness left his eyes and his brightness returned.

"My dear Alice, I may be insane but I know that you cannot show me who is he if my eyes are closed."

"Trust me" she said, "You'll know."

"Alright." He said closing his eyes closely.

Alice closed the distance between them and took a deep breath.

"It's now or never" thought Alice. She reached up and touched his cheek gently. Taking his face in her hands she brought his lips to hers in a fast but, good enough to get the point across, kiss. Alice opened her eyes to see The Hatter looking at her. They looked at each other for quite a while before he removed her hands from his face. Alice turned away and started to leave, afraid that his silence meant rejection, when his hand grasped hers.

"Alice," he said softly "Don't leave."

"Why? It's obvious you don't like me back." Alice refused to cry, although she deeply wanted to. She turned to face him and for once in her life, she couldn't tell what The Hatter was thinking.

"Don't cry" The Hatter said as he stroked her back. "You're right though Alice. I don't like you."

Alice's face was one of pure hurt. The tears couldn't stop even if she wanted them too. One, two, three fell onto her cheeks. She tried to push The Hatter away from her so she could leave but he held her in a tight grip.

"Alice," he said as he stroked her hair, "I don't like you because my feelings for you go way past like. Alice Kingsley, I love you."

Alice looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Do you mean that?" she searched his face for even a snippet of a lie, but she couldn't find a single one. The Hatter looked at her with a warm smile, and eyes that meant what they were saying.

"With all the cup a tea could fill. Or is it the other way around... No matter." he said as he grabbed her chin. "Now, may we try that kiss again?"

Alice nodded her head as The Hatter brought his lips to hers. And it was if time had slowed down just for them. Their lips melted into each others as they kissed.

"Oh Alice," he said interrupting their kiss.

"Yes Hatter?"

"Call me Tarrant." he said as he kissed her again.

Alice wouldn't forget that kiss. But if she or The Hatter had been paying attention they would have noticed the figure outside her doorway that looked on with jealousy.

"Alice will be mine."