The Frazzled Ends

It was abnormally quiet, the sounds of the usual night creatures muted, or silent altogether. She walked on the long stone path that led to the gates of Marmoreal, her legs shaky, the effort it cost to stay upright tearing at her soul. The trees sighed a little as she passed them, their soft, pink petals falling at her feet in the hopes of easing her steps just a little. She squeezed her eyes shut for the briefest moment, and stopped moving altogether, as her emotions slowly percolated to the surface, bringing a grief so horrible that she had to bend over and vomit on the pristine white stones. A sob escaped her soft pink lips and she fell to her knees and clutched her stomach. And this is how Alice Kingsleigh returned to Underland, after being gone for a year and two months.

The White Queen was on the couch in her private sitting room, a small antechamber off her parlor in her private chambers, and reading a book that Tarrant had given her for her birthday. A small fire burned in the fireplace and brought warmth that was gratefully welcomed by the Queen, as her heart these days was troubled.

A small knock at the door startled her, and she turned towards the door. "Yes?"

The door opened and one of her ladies in waiting poked her head in. "I was wondering if you will be needing anything before I retire, your Majesty?"

Mirana smiled, weakly. "No, but if you would send for McTwisp I would be exceedingly grateful."

The Lady nodded. "Of course, your Majesty."

When the door was closed she returned to her book and gazed at the words, and then realized she had been looking at the same page for over an hour, so vexed was her mind. Mirana…Mirana…what is the matter with you?

Again, a quiet knock, only, this one was close to the floor. McTwisp opened the door and padded into the small room. He hopped onto the arm of the couch and stared at the fire. "It's midnight, my Queen, and once more am called into your chambers."

Mirana put the book down and turned towards her friend. "How many nights?"

"I don't know, maybe twenty—maybe more than that."

"Do you know what I did today?"

The rabbit's whiskers twitched. "No, but I'm sure you'll tell me."

"I sat with my advisors all day looking over plans for a new bridge at Witzend." The Queen turned around and slumped on her couch.

"So your day wasn't a complete waste?"

The Queen slowly turned her head and eyed the rabbit. "Nivens…"

"If you're expecting an apology you won't get it, my Queen." The rabbit hopped towards the fireplace to warm his paws. "You make me stay up with you for hours, and then expect me to put in a full day's work."

"As do I, my friend."

McTwisp eyed his Queen. "Yes, sorry, I know." Once his paws were warmed, he hopped onto the couch, and snuggled up to Mirana. "I wish you would tell me what troubles your heart, my Queen."

Mirana smiled down on the furry creature, secure next to her. "I just feel like I was meant for so much more than this."

"More than being a Queen?"

"No, no. I have always known that my destiny was to rule Underland, and take care of its people." She sat up abruptly. "Want to go to the cellars?"

The rabbit sat up as the Queen did. "Are you referring to the wine cellar? I'm sorry, my Queen, but I don't feel like watching you drink yourself into a stupor another night."

Mirana tilted her head. "I could order you to the cellars."

The rabbit's whiskers twitched again. "You wouldn't, would you? Why don't you ask Tarrant?"

The Queen looked to the fire. "Because he's a sullen drunk, and cries too easily, and I don't feel like taking care of him."

"You cry easily, too." McTwisp looked to Mirana, before hopping to the door. "Is there anything else, my Queen?"

"No."

"Shall I send tea?"

"No, I'll get if myself." She looked down the moment the words flew past her lips, and regretted the harshness to her tone. But the rabbit had already left.

She got up and wiped at her mouth with her sleeve, and put one foot out in front of her, and then another until she was moving forward again. She passed a chirping cricket, and was grateful for the sound of it, as it drowned the banter in her head, the self-recrimination of a dozen "if only's." If only I did this…If only I could have known… The voice persisted, and she wanted to bash her own head with a plank to silence the inner monologue. But it kept her moving, in the hopes that each step forward would be another step away from the unwelcomed thoughts. The trees leaned slightly towards her as she passed them, and lowered their branches in sympathy. Alice lowered her head and realized that somehow they knew, these magical trees in her Wonderland knew of what happened to her and were offering her their empathy. She wondered if the inhabitants of Marmoreal would be able to do the same, as she had no desire to recount to anyone the real reason for her abrupt return.

She reached the front door and was welcomed by a sentry, a single White Knight who recognized her immediately. "Champion Alice Kingsleigh? I was not told to expect you on my watch!"

Alice wrapped her coat around her in an attempt to hide. "Do not worry, I did not know myself until tonight."

"I will announce you immediately!"

"No!"

The knight recoiled. "I'm sorry if I—"

Alice reached out and briefly touched his arm. "No, I will just make my way in without fanfare, if that is alright with you?"

"Of course, Lady Alice. You do not need my permission." He opened the large wooden doors, and Alice quietly entered Marmoreal.

The White Queen slowly made her way down the darkened corridors of her castle, nodding to the occasional guard that she passed, and found herself in her kitchen, where the night cook was brewing a large pot of tea.

He turned to her as she entered, and bowed at the waist. "Good evening, your Majesty. Your usual cup of tea?"

Mirana smiled. "Yes, if you wouldn't mind." She noticed that the cook was using the large pot for the tea, and not the night one. "Is there anyone else up at this hour?"

"Yes, my Queen. The Captains of your Knights are in the lower Meeting Hall with your usual Advisors." He poured the Queen's tea and then added a generous portion of whiskey.

The Queen nodded. "Ah, yes, I forgot—the Quarterly meeting." She secretly wondered

if she had made any promises to attend.

The cook looked up. "And they want food, at this hour! What's a cook to do?" He returned to his work and Mirana watched him for a moment.

"But I thought you liked the late night shift?"

"I'm sorry for complaining, your Majesty." He looked up suddenly. "May I get you anything else, my Queen?"

Mirana shook her head. "No, no thank you." She smiled at the man before taking her tea with her.

Alice appreciated the empty corridors, the silent halls, and just walked, not really sure where she was going. A few knights passed her, but they just smiled and nodded, as if her presence in Underland wasn't unusual. After awhile she halted at the doors to the great Throne Room. She tugged at the giant metal doors and they creaked as they opened, and Alice cringed on the inside, silently holding her breath, and hoping no one noticed.

It was dark except for the moonlight filtering through the clearstory windows. She entered and closed the doors behind her and then walked through the columned room, perhaps really seeing it for the first time. Her time in this room was brief on her second trip to Underland, and she barely remembered anything from it, as her vision at the time as taken by another image, one more delightful to behold. Alice made her way to the Armor of Underland and stopped to stare at it. There was a single large candle in front of it, burning a strange white light. She looked closer at the armor, and noticed that it looked the same way that it did after her battle with the Jabberwock. The cracks were evident.

Like the frazzled ends of my sanity…

And the blood that once covered it had long since caked and flaked away, leaving only a small dusting of its particles on the dented surface. She took the Vorpal sword from the outstretched hands and tested its weight. It did not seem as heavy as it did all those many months ago, as if the slaying of foul creature had unburdened it somehow. She shifted the blade in her hands and turned it many times until she had turned it so now the blade was touching her chest. Alice watched her hands move of their own accord, fascinated that they seemed to be trying to pull the blade into her.

"Alice!"

Alice's body jumped at the scream, and the sword fell from her hands and clanged loudly on the marble floor. She turned to see the White Queen, at the other end of the great Throne Room, a cup of tea in her hand.

Mirana gaped at the image before her, and, at first, thought herself in a dream. But the young woman had jumped when she screamed. The cup fell from her hand and splintered into pieces, and so did her heart at the vision before her—Alice, and yet not Alice, at least, not the Alice that she had remembered.

Mirana ran to her Champion, holding up her skirts as not to fall. When she reached Alice the girl just stood there—no greeting or cheerful smile in return. The Queen's smile vanished when she saw empty look in her Champion's eyes. "Alice?"

Alice looked up into the eyes of her Queen and knew for the first time since her arrival that she was indeed back in Underland. She started to reach out but then withdrew her hand abruptly. "Your Majesty." Her tone was flat.

Mirana noticed that Alice was wrapped in a coat that was obviously too big for her. "Are you alright, Alice?"

Alice withdrew her eyes and stared at the floor. "I…I don't want to talk at the moment."

The Queen continued to stare and a million questions flitted about her. Why was Alice here, in the middle of the night, and looking so defeated? "What can I do for you, my Champion?"

Alice's head snapped up, and for the briefest moment a feral intensity emanated from her. "I am not a Champion!"

Mirana recoiled, and took a step back. "I'm sorry…Alice, what has happened to you?"

"What has happened to me?" Alice repeated the words but said nothing beyond them. And then, in a move so fast, she reached to the floor and grabbed the Vorpal sword and held it out in front of her, as if driving at an enemy. "Don't you dare touch me!"

And now the Queen was frightened, but not for herself, but for Alice, because she looked like she was about to break. Without thinking she lunged forward and pushed the blade aside, tackling Alice as she did, causing them to fall on the hard cold floor. Alice fell hard and her head impacted on the marble floor, sending her unconscious immediately.

Mirana landed on her side, her skirts absorbing most of the hard blow, and her crown went scraping across the floor. She grunted and then pulled Alice towards her. She sat up, a bit shaken, and then hurriedly shouted, hoping that someone would hear her.

"Help, help! Someone, please help me!"

Alice drifted slowly from the unconscious realm to the waking world and opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as she did. The first thing she noticed was that she was lying on a bed and that the back of her head hurt, but not unbearably so. She groaned a bit and then turned her head from side to side, noticing that the White Queen was sitting next to the bed and that she appeared to be asleep. Alice groaned again and ran a hand over her face.

Mirana looked up from her chair and looked at her Champion, still wrapped in the large coat. "How are you feeling?"

Alice turned her head again and regarded the Queen. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

The Queen nodded slowly. "I had you brought to the Champion's bedroom—is that alright with you?"

Alice turned her head and stared at the ceiling, and then felt—a twinge of regret—that in her carelessness she had unhinged the Queen. She looked down at herself and noticed that she was still wrapped in the large coat. She looked back at the Queen, her eyes trying to convey a sense of gratitude, that her condition had not been—violated. They held each other's gaze, a communication passing between them from the heart, and not words.

But Alice broke the gaze and felt the—desecration keenly. "May I have a bath, your—my Queen?"

Mirana's head fell and the tears flowed unbidden, a chasm had been breached, a connection, though small, sealed. "Yes, of course. Anything you need is yours."

Alice sat up but then reeled, and Mirana was at her side at an instant. Alice leaned against the older woman and let her vision return to her. "Did I hit my head on something?"

Mirana remained stilled, and did not attempt to touch her Champion, as she did not feel that Alice wanted to be. "You hit your head in the Throne Room, I had a knight bring you here." Alice continued to lean into her body and she inhaled the sweet perfume that was Alice. "I didn't leave your side…I wanted to make sure your woke up."

Alice closed her eyes and leaned all her weight on the Queen, and felt a small twinge in her heart again, but she slammed it back to the recesses of her being. "Please, point me in the direction of the bath."

The Queen turned her head towards the other end of the room. "Over behind that door." When Alice got up she grieved the loss of the Queen's warmth.

"Thank you, my Queen." Alice staggered towards the door yet felt dizzy again, and soon felt the steady arm of the Queen, as she wrapped it around her and led her to the door.

Alice tried to smile, but just couldn't. "May I be alone?"

"Anything, Alice, alright?" Mirana looked down on the smaller woman and tried to express with her eyes what her voice could not, her love.

But Alice did not meet her gaze and quietly went through the door without looking back.

Alice leaned heavily on the door once it was closed and finally let the coat fall from her shoulders. Then she looked down at the tattered state her clothes were in. Her shirt ripped, buttons missing, her skirt ripped as well and the blood—a small cry escaped her lips at the sight of the blood. It brought back the memory, the horror, and she pushed herself off the door and stumbled a few steps before falling on her knees and letting out a piercing wail.

The door slammed open and Mirana rushed into the room, falling at Alice's side, her eyes raking over her Champion. She noticed the state of Alice's clothes and the blood on her skirt and her heart broke. "Please, Alice, tell me what happened?"

Her Champion continued to cry as she supported herself on her hands. Her body wracked with its sobs, and she had to struggle to breath. "Go away!"

Mirana recoiled again, but did not give up her resolve. "No, I want to help you!"

"I don't need it!"

"Yes, you do!" The Queen wiped at her own tears and looked imploringly at her Champion. "I cannot watch you suffer like this."

In her grief—and madness—Alice lost control, and wildly backhanded the Queen, sending her head whipping to the side. She lost her balance and landed on the floor. But the action had the opposite effect on her, and Alice's vision cleared, and she knew what she had done and regretted it. "No, no, no…I'm so sorry, Mirana!"

The White Queen lifted her hand and wiped a small spot of blood of her lip. She looked up, the hurt evident. "Alice—what happened to you?"

And Alice fell into her Queen's arms and wept bitter tears. She wept for lost innocence, and for the sense of failure that led to it. They held each other for what seemed like hours as Alice poured out her grief and her Queen rode it out with her. After awhile Alice calmed and she took in several deep breaths.

Alice sat up and looked at the Queen. "I think I'm ready to tell you what happened."

Mirana nodded. "When you are ready, Alice."

"I was raped."

Any and all color drained out of Mirana's face, and her hands clutched at the fabric of her dress in an effort to support herself. "What?"

Alice took one of the Queen's hands into her own. "I was raped, on the day I returned to London from China." Alice looked up and her eyes went wide on the expression on the Queen's face.

The Queen jerked her hand away and rose to her feet, a strange look on her face. Alice backed away from her. Mirana's head fell for an instant as her hands balled into fists, then she whipped her head and screamed at the top of her voice. She staggered forwards and grabbed some bottles of soap and threw them against a wall, their glass shattering and bouncing back to cut her on several places. She stormed forward some more and heaved a large wooden table on its side and then kicked it, sending it across the floor, all the while screaming incoherently.

Alice rose immediately and tottered after the Queen. She grabbed her by her shoulders and attempted to turn her around, but Mirana was out of her mind in grief, and tried to push her Champion aside. The action sent them both flying, and they fell into the steaming bath. Both broke the surface at the same time, and the reality of being in the water sobered them both, and they just stared at one another. Finally, they drew together and held on tight, the tears flowed again, but this time there was the strong embrace of the other to anchor them to reality.

After a long while, Alice looked up and used the back of her hand to wipe her nose. "Will you help me with these clothes, my Queen, I don't have any strength left in me."

The White Queen nodded, and then unbuttoned Alice's shirt. She removed it and noticed the beginning of bruising on her breasts. Her hands remained steady as she unhooked Alice's skirt. She helped her Champion to kick it off and then tossed it on the ledge along with her torn blouse. Alice wasn't wearing any underclothes and Mirana could see the blood coming off her Champion's thighs, and diluting into the bath water.

Alice turned around and searched for a bottle of soap, and then glanced back at the Queen. "Is there any more soap?"

Mirana nodded, then turned around. "Will you help me with the clasps, Alice?"

Alice went to the Queen and unhooked the clasps of her dress. Then Mirana struggled out of the soggy material as she made her way over to the side of the large bath. She stepped up out of it then went in search for an unbroken bottle of soap. There was one in the corner, and she scooped it up and stepped back down into the steaming water.

Alice sighed deeply and looked like she was about to faint, so the Queen went over to her and wrapped an arm around her waist and supported her. "Do you need some help, Alice?"

Her Champion looked up. "Please."

Alice held the bottle while Mirana uncorked it. Then Mirana took it and poured the soap all over her Champions body. When she was done she realized she didn't have a cleaning cloth and looked warily into Alice's eyes. "Do you mind if I use my hand?"

Alice whimpered. "No, please, help me to be clean."

Mirana ran her soapy hand slowly and gently over her Champion's body, cleaning her and trying to convey comfort. When her hand dipped to Alice's thighs she looked up, silently asking for permission.

Alice nodded then closed her eyes, and allowed her Queen to touch her in her intimate places. Her breath hitched when the queen's hand stopped and she looked down into Mirana's concerned eyes. "What is it, my Queen?"

"I don't want to touch you between your legs." The Queen berated herself for the blush she knew was on her face.

"Clean me, please." Alice's gentle admonition calmed Mirana's nerves.

Mirana dipped her hand and spread Alice's legs further apart, then she used her gentlest touch and ran her whole hand over the young woman's folds and over her backside, all the while trying to keep her tears at bay. When she was done Alice was practically asleep. Mirana reached down and ran her arm under Alice's knees and then lifted her in her arms. She used all her strength to get the girl out of the water and into the bed, drying her off first.

The Queen, weary from the day's events, looked down and pulled the covers over her Champion's body. She shook her head and then pulled a large overstuffed armchair over to the side of the bed and collapsed onto it. She rested her head in her hand and tried to will away the sleep she knew was coming, but succumbed to it anyway.

Alice awoke and almost convinced herself that her memories were just dreams, the dreams of unbalanced girl teetering on the edge of reality. But when she opened her eyes she knew she was in Marmoreal and looked over to her sleeping Queen who was sitting next to her bed. She sat up slowly and worked out the kinks to her sore muscles, groaning as they seemed to rebel. As the moan escaped her lips the Queen's head snapped up, and she appeared to be in a stupor.

Mirana looked about wildly, and then her eyes fell on her Champion, sitting up in the bed and watching her. "I sorry if I startled you."

Alice smiled weakly. "I think I was the one who startled you." She looked down for a moment, and then steeled herself for the coming questions.

Mirana saw that look. "Do you wish to talk about it?"

Alice looked down again, the weariness of her body gone, but the heaviness in her heart still deep. "Will you promise me something?"

"Of course, Alice. Anything, just ask."

"Don't tell anyone, please. I'm not ready yet."

Mirana looked surprised. "You didn't need to as that, Alice. I won't tell a soul."

Alice nodded. "Oh, yes, I do know that. I'm sorry, but I'm not quite myself."

"It is perfectly understandable, my love." Mirana caught herself, but it was too late, the words already spoken. "I meant to say, 'my dear'."

Alice didn't turn away this time, but now shyly looked upon her Queen. She knew, had known since the moment she met her that Mirana had formed a special affection for her, and had relished in the knowledge. "Don't berate yourself so, my Queen." She did look down, when the Queen looked at her with an unbearable love. "I would kiss you but I'm not feeling up to it."

The Queen sighed away her self-recrimination and waited for Alice to continue, but she stayed silent. "Perhaps you would feel better in the sunlight? Would you like to walk, Alice?"

Alice sighed. "I don't want anyone to know I'm here, yet. I'm not ready to face the world—and all their questions."

"Nobody is allowed in my private garden, Alice. We could go there, and perhaps have something to eat?"

Alice looked up. "I am famished."

Mirana stood and wrapped a blanket around her. "I'll return to my chamber and arrange everything. I'll come back for you in thirty minutes—oh, there are clothes in the closet."

True to her word, Mirana did arrange everything, and told a royal knight if anyone was to disturb her, they should be arrested on the spot. Alice sat in a comfortable chair under an awning of branches, the warm breeze filtering into her heart and soul. She stole a glance to her right and watched as the White Queen lazily rolled a glass of wine in her hands and looked out onto her garden. She turned away and was grateful for the silence. A low table was before her, spread out with her favourite foods plus wine and tea. Alice was grateful for that, too, and finally reached forward and grabbed an apple, as her stomach was noticeably growling. She munched on it and felt the deep pangs of her hunger.

Mirana glanced at Alice before taking a sip of her wine. "You'll like this—its sweet and soulful." She swatted away a Rocking Horse fly, which tried to take a drink.

Alice tossed the core of the apple away and grabbed a plate of bread, jams, and cheeses. "I think I'll stick to tea for the moment. I don't want to lose my wits."

"That is good." The Queen continued to look out on her gardens, and the fountain at its center. She put down her glass and picked up a tart and nibbled on it slowly.

Alice spread out jam on a piece of bread then ate it. After awhile she looked over at the Queen. "Thank you, Mirana."

The Queen turned her head and smiled. "For what?"

"For the quiet, and your wonderful generosity. You have tended to my heart and…and…" Alice couldn't finish her statement, as her heart felt her grief again. "I…I need to talk about it. Keeping it in is killing me."

Mirana put down her food and then moved her chair so that she was facing Alice. "Then tell me, my sweet girl."

Alice put down her plate and then took up her cup of tea. "Two days ago the ship arrived in London." She took a large swallow and then paused for a moment. "It felt so good to be home, yet I was already restless to do something else. Margaret was so impatient for me to see her new baby and mother was beside herself with worry again. Fretting over me as if I was an infant." She sat back in her chair and sighed. "Please, don't think that I'm ungrateful for my family, I'm really not."

"I never thought that you were, Alice." Mirana picked up her tart again.

"Lord Ascot was having a party celebrating my return and it never occurred to me not to go. I knew that mother was scheming to introduce me to as many young men as she could; some things never change. We arrived early and everyone was dressed up for the evening—all those pretentious young Lords and Ladies. Then mother introduced Alistair Ascot to me—Hamish's cousin—and they looked so much alike that I thought it was Hamish at first.

"He followed me throughout the night, and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. I tried to get mother's attention but she was busy and then I couldn't find Margaret. He was annoying, but not creepy so I just ignored him. That was my first mistake—taking his boyish charms for what they were." Alice's voice trailed off and she remained silent for several moments.

The Queen leaned forward in her chair and took Alice's hand. "You don't have to do this, my Champion."

Alice looked up, and a lone tear slowly fell from her eye. "No…I need to, Mirana." She looked over to a chaise that was on the other side of the patio. "Can we go sit there? I…I need…"

Mirana leaned in closer. "What is it? What do you need?"

"I need you to hold me."

The Queen blushed and then took Alice's hands and brought her to her feet. "Come." She led her Champion to the chaise and sat down, bringing Alice down with her. She leaned back on the soft couch and pulled her Champion into her warm embrace.

Alice rested her head on her Queen's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Thank you." She sighed and wound her arm around Mirana's waist, tucking in her legs. "He took me to the veranda and asked me all these questions about Hong Kong and I really thought he was interested. He even told me he was considering taking up a situation with Lord Ascot. But—he was biding his time, I know it now. The next thing I remember was waking up in the cellar. It was dark, and a man was on top of me and…and…"

The White Queen closed her eyes and pulled Alice even closer. "Shh… you do not need to say more if you don't want to." She felt Alice's sobs, and pressed her lips to her Champion's cheek, offering Alice her love and compassion.

Alice cried, wrapped in her Queen's arms, and felt truly safe for the first time in her life. After many long minutes she quieted and her body stopped moving. She used her sleeve to wipe at her nose. "It was horrible. He must have hit me in the head because when I woke up again I was alone, my dress torn, my body violated."

The Queen pondered Alice's words, all the while trying to work out the situation in her head. "So you were having a conversation with this young man in the veranda and the next thing you realized you were in a cellar?"

"Yes."

"And it was dark? Could you see his face?"

Alice turned her head and looked up at the Queen. "No, I couldn't." She sat up. "What are you thinking?"

"I just want to be sure, Alice." She pulled her Champion to her again, but Alice shifted her body, and ended up straddling the Queen's lap.

Alice wound her arms around Mirana' neck and closed her eyes, relishing the closeness. "I've missed you…"

"And I, you." Mirana pulled Alice to her. "You can stay here as long as you need to."

"Thank you." Alice sighed rather loudly and pulled from the Queen's embrace to look down upon her. "I…have always regretted leaving you, even though I had to. There was no one in my world that showed me the respect you did. Even though you desired me to slay the Jabberwock you never pressured me to, or constantly reminded me of it like Tarrant did. And I knew back then that you loved me, but still gave me a choice to make my own decisions. I love you for that, and so much more." She slowly leaned down to kiss her Queen but Mirana placed a finger on her lips.

The Queen smiled at the confused look on Alice's face. "I want to kiss you, too. Actually, I want to do so much more than that. I want you naked on top of me and below me…but, I want you to give us some time, my love. You are still in shock, and pain, and I want us to make love with no demons between us."

Alice smiled. "I love you, Mirana." She let her head fall back and she let out a groan. "You are right."

Mirana lifted her hand and caressed Alice's cheek. "How are you feeling? Are you in pain?"

"Yes." She looked at her Queen. "Can I finish eating?"

Mirana chuckled, "Of course, Alice. Go on." She helped the girl to her feet and then sat back down. She watched as her Champion sat in front of the low table and began to eat, but her smile slowly faded. It was obvious that there was more that her Champion wanted to say, but hadn't, and she was acting like there was nothing wrong, even though there was. Mirana had seen such behaviour before, when the Jabberwock ravaged the land and its people. Some of the people had acted like this and eventually went insane, because they kept the horror to themselves, and did not unburden their hearts or minds.

The Queen got up and sat beside her Champion and filled a small plate with food. "How long would you like to wait before we make your presence known?"

Alice put down her fork and looked ahead. "I don't know, but certainly not today." She looked shyly at her Queen. "Is that alright with you?"

Mirana smiled at her. "Of course, Alice. It is entirely up to you to decide, not me." She started to peel an orange. "But we can't keep you hidden in the Champion's bedroom—or any bedroom, for that matter. The cleaning staff will find out to be sure."

Alice cringed. "I…I can't do that, stay in a room and never leave it—that would drive me bonkers, push me around the bend."

Mirana thought as she ate her orange. "Well, on the other side of the great lawns, on the other side of a small lake is an old cottage that my parents had built—it was their honeymoon cottage."

Alice stole a quick glance at her Queen. "Oh? Are you proposing?"

"No, give me a month." The Queen chuckled. "Would you like to stay there? You can stay there as long as you need to."

"On one condition."

"What is that?"

"That you stay there with me."

Mirana finished her orange and then wiped her hands. When she was finished she turned Alice to face her and gently held her hands. "I can't do that, my Champion." When Alice started to protest she put a finger to her lips again. "I have a kingdom to rule, Alice. I will need the mornings and early afternoons to take care of its business. But, I can give you the late afternoons and evenings. I will be there every day, I promise."

A few tears fell down Alice's cheeks. "Thank you…"

"But there is one thing that I must insist upon."

"Oh?"

"Someone must know that you are here, purely for your safety, Alice. If I should be delayed or cannot come to you someone must know and tell you. There is only one that I would trust with this—Chessur." The Queen held on as Alice attempted to let go of her hands.

"That cat? Why him, why not the hatter?"

"Because, my dear, poor Tarrant—though a brave and trustworthy soul—is beset my his own madness at times. His profession has condemned him to a future of hopelessness. He is unreliable, Alice."

Alice settled down. "Okay, if you think it best."

"Yes, I believe it is for the best." The Queen reached forward and pulled her Champion into a right hug. "You will be alright, Alice."

And Mirana soothed her Champion for a long while, giving her all of her love and devotion. Alice, in turn, held onto her Queen dearly, as if her life depended on this very touch.