A Wonderland Wedding

Chapter One: Issuing Invitations

Alannah sat at the kitchen table, a piece of paper in front of her and the tip of her quill at her lips. She frowned, and then wrote for a few minutes. "Hmmm…"

"What are you working on?" Stayne came into the kitchen, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to the counter where the tea pot sat. He poured his tea, then grabbed a tart from the tray and sat across from her, peeking at what she was writing. "What are those names for?"

Alannah sighed. "The final list of guests for the wedding. It's in two weeks, you know."

Stayne chuckled. "Yes, I know. Michael reminds me of it every few hours when we're patrolling. I hope Arianna has had time to make her dress." He wiped his mouth. "Who do you have so far?"

Alannah consulted her paper. "Well, apart from the obvious, there's my father, Mrs. Kingsley, Lady Sotherby, Elizabeth Davison, and a few other people that I'm not telling you about. Oh, and maybe Lydia Keane, if she can make it."

Stayne grinned. "I hope she can, she was a nice change from the Overland girls we usually get, and she seemed to get along well with Arianna." He frowned. "You aren't thinking of inviting my parents, are you?"

Alannah shook her head in disgust. "Not a chance." She smiled. "Don't worry, love-the surprise is going to be a good one, I promise you."

Stayne grinned. "I'm sure it will be." He looked at the clock and sighed. "Pardon me while I wake our son."

He headed into Michael's bedroom, and Alannah bit back a guffaw when she heard a loud moan of "Daaaadd!"

Stayne's voice was stern. "Don't 'dad' me, young man. Up!"

"But Dad, it's not light out yet!" Michael whined, and Stayne chuckled.

"That's because your eyes are shut." He shook Michael's foot. "Come on, up!"

Michael cracked open one eye and stared blearily at his father. "We don't have patrol today, and my head hurts."

Stayne sighed and yanked the covers off. "Up! I don't care if your arm's about to fall off!"

Michael glared at him then slowly sat up, his head in his hands. "Ohhh…Dad?"

"Yes?"

Michael moaned. "Why didn't anyone tell me that drinking a whole bottle of brambleberry wine was a bad idea?"

Stayne shook his head. "When did you..?"

"Last night, after the Soldier's Feast. Well, me and Private Mitchell."

Stayne sighed. "Aha. Well, come on; let's see if your Mum has something for you." He hooked his hands under Michael's arms, pulling him upright and helping him walk out to the kitchen. "Alannah?"

"Yes?"

Stayne gave her a half smile. "It seems our son is suffering from the aftereffects of indulgence."

Alannah glared at Michael, who gave her a weak grin. "In other words, he's got a hangover. Second shelf, small green bottle, bright yellow liquid. Give him a dose of that and he'll be cured. By the way, what was he drinking?"

Stayne deposited Michael at the table and went to fetch the potion, answering over his shoulder. "Brambleberry wine. He and Private Mitchell shared a bottle after the Soldier's Feast."

Alannah gave Michael a look. "I see." Michael gulped, trying to avoid his mother's glare.

"Sorry Mum." He mumbled, and Alannah smiled.

"You're forgiven."

Stayne came forward and handed him a small cup filled with the hangover cure. Michael sniffed it, and then blanched. "Ugghh! Mum, can't you ever make potions that smell good?"

Alannah grinned. "Of course I can, but they're not the medicinal ones. Drink up, Michael!"

Michael sighed, then shut his eyes and gulped down the potion, coughing as it went down his throat. "Blech! I am never drinking again!"

Alannah and Stayne chuckled. Michael licked his lips, and then sighed. "That tasted absolutely vile, but it worked wonders. Thanks Mum."

"You're welcome. Now, I believe you both have things to do today, as do I. So get moving."

Michael frowned. "Can I have breakfast first?"

Alannah laughed. "Tea and tarts are on the counter. Help yourself. By the way, is there anyone you want to invite to your wedding?"

Michael froze, his hand hovering over the tea pot. "Ummm….I don't know. Josiah, I guess."

Alannah chuckled. "Considering he's going to be your brother in law, it would be rather slurvish not to invite him. Anyone else?"

Michael shook his head. "No."

Alannah nodded. "Alright." She turned at the sound of footsteps. "Morning, Katarina."

Katarina grinned at her. "Morning Mum. Those tarts smell delicious."

Michael grinned at her, his mouth full of crumbs. "Thrvrygd. Vkistllslp?"

Katarina chuckled. "Swallow first, and then speak."

Michael gulped down his tart. "I said, they're very good. Vicki still asleep?"

"No, I'm awake." Victoria walked out of the bedroom she shared with her sister. "I'm not about to let you two steal all the tarts."

Stayne chuckled. "Yes, stealing tarts is a bad thing. I can't think of anyone who would do that."

His wife and children were seized with the giggles.

After a very nice breakfast, Stayne and Michael left for the barracks, and Alannah turned to her daughters. "I have some things I want you two to do for me." They nodded, and Alannah addressed Katarina. "Do you know where Buxley-Batsaon is?"

Katarina nodded. "It's about seven miles north of Witzend, why?"

Alannah grinned. "Because I need you to take these there." She handed Katarina a small bundle. Katarina peeked inside.

"Envelopes?"

Alannah laughed. "Wedding invitations. I'll pack you a haversack so you can eat on the way."

Katarina grinned. She loved nothing more than to be able to ride for hours. "I'll get Kaspar ready right away."

Alannah smiled. "Good."

After Katarina had been kitted out and left, Alannah turned to Victoria. "How would you like to learn how to make cordials?"

Victoria's eyes widened in delight. "Yes, please! But…why am I learning?"

Alannah shrugged. "Well, you want to make a good Wedding Cordial, don't you?"

Victoria gaped at her mother in happy shock. "You…you mean that…I…I'm making the Wedding Cordial?"

Alannah grinned. "I mean exactly that. You're shaping up to be a fine potions maker, love."

Victoria frowned. "I can't figure out the medicinal potions, though."

Alannah hugged her. "Well, don't worry. You don't have to know everything." She grinned. "Now, let's get started on the cordial lessons!"

Katarina slowed Kaspar to a walk as she entered the town of Buxley-Batsaon, a small village consisting mainly of black smiths, swords makers, and retired soldiers. It was here that all the swords and weapons used by the Red and White Armies had been made, and rumor had it that the Vorpal Sword was forged in one of its small sword smithies. During the War, the village had remained neutral, and after Mirana was returned to the throne the village and its people continued on as they always had.

A blacksmith, his hands covered in soot, walked up to Katarina, a friendly smile on his face. "Can I help you, lass?"

Katarina nodded. "Yes Sir, could you please direct me to the Bierce residence?"

"Course I could, Miss. It's just down the road, second house on the left. If he's not home, then Lady Bierce should be."

Katarina gave him a friendly smile. "Thank you sir."

She found the house quite easily and dismounted Kaspar, throwing his reins across his neck.

She walked up the short drive and knocked politely at the door. It was opened a few moments later by a plump, pleasant looking woman with brown hair streaked with grey, and dark blue eyes. She smiled at Katarina. "Yes?"

"Lady Bierce?"

The woman nodded, and Katarina smiled and handed her two envelopes. "These are for you and your husband, from Marmoreal."

"Oh! Thank you, Miss…"

"Katarina Stayne, Ma'am."

Lady Bierce smiled. "That's a lovely name."

"Thank you Ma'am."

After Katarina left, Lady Bierce tore open her envelope, gasping in happy surprise at the contents.

'You are cordially invited to the wedding of Arianna Helen Hightopp to Michael Stayne to be held on the twenty third of Bealtaine at three o clock in the Main Garden of Marmoreal. (Weather permitting) Ceremony will be held in the Palace Ballroom if it is rainy. There will be a small reception after for friends and family.

You may bring one guest (not including family members)'

Katarina returned home, flopping onto the couch with a sigh. "Any more invitations you want delivered, Mum?"

Alannah chuckled. "No, the rest will have to be delivered a bit differently."

Katarina sighed in relief. "Good. By the way, what smells so good?"

Victoria grinned. "My newest invention. Strawberry peach ginger cordial. Want to try some?"

"Of course!"

Meanwhile, somewhere on the Crimson Sea…

"Captain Sullivan?"

Elias Sullivan looked up from his log. "Yes, Rogers?"

His First Mate, Erik Rogers, spoke in a confused tone. "Sir, this envelope just…well…dropped onto the deck. It's quite a fancy one."

Elias frowned. "Let me see it." Rogers handed him the envelope, and Elias grinned when he recognized his daughter's handwriting. He slit the envelope open with his pen knife, and then grinned wider at the contents. "Rogers, tell Brown to alter course for Underland right away!"

"Yes sir, might I ask why?"

Elias laughed. "My grandson is getting married! Now, hurry up and tell Brown to alter course!"

Rogers saluted and ran out of the cabin. Elias re read the invitation, smiling. It had been almost three years since he had seen his family, and now his grandson was getting married-and to quite the lovely young lady, as well. He had met Arianna Hightopp many times when she was a child, and had been quite taken with her, and quite amused with the fact that she and Michael were thick as thieves.

'And now they're getting married.'

He reflected on that happy thought as the Golden Bird flew through the waves.

At the Kingsley Estate, London, Overland…

Helen Kingsley was in the parlor having tea with an old friend, Lady Martha Devons, when a manservant entered, holding an envelope in his hands. "Madam, you have received something from Underland."

Helen blinked. "Are you sure, Josef?"

Josef cracked a smile. "Quite sure, Madam-it came in through the fireplace in your room. Bessie found it and brought it to me."

Helen grinned. "Well, in that case, may I see it?" Josef handed her the envelope, and Helen carefully opened it. "Oh! Oh this is wonderful!" She then noticed that there was something else in the envelope, and pulled out a small vial filled with a dark red liquid. There was a small piece of paper tied to it. Helen unrolled the paper.

'Helen-I know I gave you some more transport potion during your last visit here-and by the way, thank you for bringing those Overland books with you-but this is a special version. It allows two people to be transported here at once, without one having to drink the potion. Simply take a sip and hold hands. (If you do not have anyone to bring along, you may use the regular potion.)

Your friend always,

Alannah.'

Helen grinned to herself. She did have someone in mind, and she was looking forward to surprising her daughters with her guest.

Somewhere in modern London, Overland…

"Lydia! Mail for you!"

Lydia's mother walked into the house, handing her a heavy yellow envelope. "It's a bit heavy."

Lydia Keane frowned, turning the envelope over in her hands. "Looks old." She slit it open, pulling out the contents-a small glass vial filled with bright lavender liquid and what appeared to be a wedding invitation. Lydia scanned the contents, and then grinned widely.

She had never forgotten her brief and extremely fun time in Underland, nor had she forgotten how much she had liked spending time with the Stayne and Hightopp children. It was interesting to learn about their lives, and in return they listened in fascination as she told them what London in the twenty first century was like.

She noticed another piece of paper in the envelope, and unfolded it.

'Dear Lydia:

The transport potion I enclosed for you is quite special. It will allow you to come here to Underland for the wedding, spend as much time here as you please, and when you return to your London not a moment would have gone by. I had to ask Time for a favor, but he likes me and was glad to give me the ingredient I needed. I know that Michael and Arianna would be happy to see you-and so would everyone else.

Yours truly,

Lady Alannah Stayne.'

The time for the wedding was fast approaching.