Hatter sat at the head of the table. He sighed.
It was a normal day. Well, as normal as any day can get in Underland..... or Wonderland as she would have called it.
He gently moved his thumb in circles over the tea cup. He took a sip every now and then.
The table was deserted. No one had come to his tea parties for months.
"You're still waiting...... Aren't you?" said a sweet voice behind him belonging to the White Queen.
"She's terribly late for tea," Hatter whispered and sipped some more tea.
"May I?" the White Queen asked politely.
Hatter half smiled,"Yes" he replied. She poured herself some tea and took a seat.
"Tarrant. What would you do if she never came back?" she asked before taking a sip of tea.
"She promised," he said sternly, he clutched the tea cup hard enough his knuckles turned pink.
He wanted to yell and say how dare she say that to him but he restrained himself. After all, she was the queen and his friend." Hatter I'm worried about you. Deeply worried. We're all worried. You haven't really left this table for months. I mean, you come out here from the moment you wake up to the moment it is so dark outside you can't even see the table," she said desperately.
"I'm fine," he said forcing a smile.
"Hatter you're falling apart. I just hate to see you like this. You're my best friend."
"Thank you for your time but she promised she would come back. I believe her." he said.
" Is that really what you want to do with your life? Just wait here for eternity?"
"I'd wait forever for her." She sighed and handed him a small mirror.
"I am definitely not one to judge by appearances but you used to look so full of life. I can only imagine what you are going through."
He looked into the mirror. He stared at the stranger staring back at him.
His eyes were golden orange with deep purple black shadows under them. His orange hair was limp and barely curly. He felt and an aching empty pain in his chest. It felt like cold stabbing knives twisting in his chest.
He winced or was that just his usual expression?
Pain?
He handed the mirror back to Mirana. "Perhaps you are right but you can't help me no one can. Only she can."
"Hatter don't say that. We can try to fix your broken heart. "
" Soon I'll go completely mad. But thats okay I am the mad hatter after all," he said with a weak smile. What a sad smile it was.
"Hatter we want to invite you to a banquet at my castle to celebrate Frabjous day," she said," One year that I have been back in power and one year Underland isn't ruled by my sister," she smiled.
Hatter gave her a stern face," Yes and one year since Alice slayed the Jabberwocky and left me to my own maddening thoughts. Why would i want to celebrate that?" he snapped.
The White Queen frowned, her expression hurt. "I'm sorry Mirana. Its just painful. and--" he was about to back out but he hadn't spent time with her or his friends in several months.
He felt guilt seeping in. He touched her hand, "But I'll go if it makes everyone happy."
She smiled, "Excellent!" she said overjoyed, "Marvelous, Fantastic! Wonderful I'll come get you at around 13 o' clock sharp? "she said happily.
He forced a smile, "Of course, Mirana." he said softly.
"Well I must be off. Preparations and what not, I am so happy you are attending!! Mally and Ches and the boys will be absolutely thrilled!!" she said and with that a white carriage came up behind her out of nowhere and she stepped in waving goodbye to the Hatter.
He smiled and waved back weakly. As soon as she was out of sight he regretted accepting her invitation. Frabjous Day anniversary. Alice leaving anniversary.
He felt a tear roll down his cheek he quickly swiped it away with the back of his hand. It was quite odd. He had been holding back tears all year after she'd gone.
This was the first tear to escape his eye. He put on a smile for no one in particular, "Well then I hope I'm not too much of a stranger to my friends," he said again for no one in particular.
He sipped his tea quietly and thought of what tomorrow would bring.
(Next day)
"Well Hatter you look dashing," Mirana smiled as she motioned Hatter into the carriage.
" Your eyes are looking better," she said softly.
Hatter smiled slightly. They both knew she was lying and he didn't look or feel any better. She was all smiles.
"What if they don't like me?" Hatter asked nervously.
"Who?" she asked.
"My friends. what if they don't like me?" he said. " Oh don't be silly! Why would they dislike you?" she said and patted his back as they got off the carriage and went into the castle's big ballroom.
As soon as Hatter walked in, music stopped and everyone turned to look at him. His eyes bulged out in nervousness. He laughed nervously.
"Why did the music stop? Go on everybody enjoy the party," the White Queen said with a smile trying to get people to stop staring.
The music resumed and for the most part people returned to their business.
Hatter grabbed a cup of tea of a table and sipped it to calm his nerves.
They approached Mally, the twins, Ches, Bayard, the white Rabbit and the March Hare. Hatter cleared his throat and smiled," Hello" said Hatter. They all looked at him in shock.
Ches was the first to open his big mouth. "Oh, Hatter I haven't seen you in ages! I hear you practically live at that tea table of yours," said Ches. "You heard right," Hatter said softly and sipped his tea. Ches was having a rather moody day and he seemed to want to dump it all on Hatter.
"I haven't seen you at any of my tea parties," Hatter said softly.
"It's not a party, my old friend. It's a scavenger hunt. Find Hatter's dear Alice. The prize? Fix Hatter's broken heart," Ches was all smiles as usual.
All of a sudden Hatter threw the tea cup at Ches. "Shut up You Stupid Cat!!!" he said and stormed out.
He walked out all the way to his tea table. He sat down in his chair. He was shaking violently trying with all his strength to not give into tears. But he couldn't hold it any longer.
He sobbed. Sobbed pitifully. He put his head on the table. He felt a crowd gather around. A crowd containing the White Queen, Mally, Ches, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the March Hare, the White Rabbit, and Bayard.
He looked up swiping at his tears with the back of his hand. He forced a smile," Hello everyone, I'm sorry about that. Just some mood swings I suppose." he said softly smiling through the obvious tears.
It was just a sad sight to see him try to hide it. Mirana winced. "Please Hatter you don't have to hide it from us. We know how much you love her and how much it hurts," Mirana put her arms around him.
"No. You have no idea. It feels like there's a hole in your chest. Like you are starving. That aching pain you get in your stomach except in your chest. You have no idea how much she means to me. I can't even begin to describe it," he said softly.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as Mirana hugged him. "I want her back."
"Hatter it seems she might not coming back." Hatter nodded.
"I know. I've been in denial. I love her. I'll always love her. I was a fool for her. Well, not anymore," Hatter began to laugh maniacally.
"He finally cracked,"whispered the White Rabbit to the March Hare. The March Hare nodded in agreement.
"Alice Kingsley is dead for me," he smiled.
PLEASE REVIEW AND PLEASE BE NICE I'M NEW TO FANFICS THIS IS MY FIRST ONE :)
