Ok. So I am writing this new story. This long story. And I was going to wait til I was all done before I showed anyone but I really think I am off the characters so far...or off on something. So I need some feedback. I usually don't mind the lurking but I am asking ya to come out of the woodwork and review for me on these first chapters so I can get a grip and get writing this story. Right now I am a little stuck and I am only on chapter 2...

Title: The Black King
Characters: Alice/Tarrant centric but all of Underland could be in attendance.
Chapters: 1/13
Timeline: 5 years for Alice but just over 2 years Underland time after the end of Burton's movie.
Rating: M for later chapters
Summary: After finally taking the throne, the Black King has a new goal – the return of Underland's champion and her sworn allegiance to him alone, at any cost.

The Black King
Chapter 1

It was on an ordinary Thursday evening, two years and nine months after the wonderful horrible Frabjous day, that any hope of Alice returning left him. He sat in front of his now barely used workbench and strained to remember when the world had become so muted. Hues of black, white and gray now encompassed his reality and he did not want to exist in such a drab place. Clutching at the rough black stone in his hand, Tarrant closed his eyes and tried desperately to think about the beginning. If he could discover where the blackness had come from, perhaps he could unwind it and regain all his colors.

Truly the seed for his madness had started back, so very long ago, when a blond creature had wandered into his tea party claiming she needed to get home. Many had whispered his madness had formed from the different dyes and chemicals he used to make his hats. Many said it was in his family line, all of his clan had been a touch mad with brilliance. Many had even claimed that it was the simple fact of his birthplace, that all Outlanders were mad. But he knew, just knew, it was the blur of a blue dress, sparkling smile and stubborn eyes that had set everything in motion.

Yet his madness had shifted on the Frabjous day. The face of his Alice sized champion had been before him, all shiny armor and locks of blond hair, speaking words of loss and leaving. Queen Mirana had allowed the words to become actions, helped the girl along even, with that damned Jabberwocky blood. And as the only being he had ever cared so intensely for had faded from his vision, a loneliness encompassed him that none who remained on the battlefield could shake. It was only after traveling to his birthplace, visiting distant relations and being comfortable in his own voice again that the loneliness started to seep from him and warmth began to return.

After several soothing months among the gathered clans, for it had been the Glaetic gathering when he had returned to Outerland and everyone traveled to the border towns during this time to trade and barter wares, Tarrant had joyfully decided to return to court and resume his position as the White Queen's Hatter. He tried to convince his mind that it wasn't entirely because of his need to conduct a vigilant watch for more smudges of blue and wisps of blond. And, truthfully, it wasn't entirely about the missing champion. He did miss his friends in Underland, the busy politeness of Malmoreal and the happy colors in his Queen's laugh.

Upon declaring his decision to his clan, he had been given a black stone from the village cleric. At the time he had thought it odd, Arrin and his fathers before him had never approved of clan interaction with Underland. Tarrant's clan elders had been the only ones who believed that there was worth in forming a connection between Outer and Under lands. Many of his own family had been banned from returning to Outerland because of their strong ties to Queen Mirana. Yet after his clan's dark demise, he had instantly been welcomed back to Outerland without hesitation.

"Use thee stone to keep ye ties with yur past strong." Arrin had spoke with thick accent as he tackled the Underland language. Nodding, hoping it a sign of acceptance that he was retuning to the white Queen, Tarrant had bid fairfarren to all and made his way back. Mirana had welcomed him with a grand feast and he resumed his post, creating hats for all and keeping busy enough not to notice that his own madness was shifting yet again.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to remember details of the past. Hats for court, hats for friends, a year passed, another after that. Constant watching for Alice, always hoping she was safe and happy, perhaps even thinking of him and Underland. Surely she would return soon, before he knew it she would be there. No one had noticed the black specks that began to appear in his eyes right away for they were all too busy celebrating the Whittleshins day. It had been over two years since Mirana had taken the throne again and the streets had been alive with singing and dancing...

Gasping, Tarrant gripped the black stone even more tightly as he discovered an important memory. It had been the Whittleshins day when the idea wound its way into his head. Everything else had faded slightly then, making his path ever so clear…concise…cunning.
Over the following months there were times when he had tried to shake the idea away as it continued to grow and events took place almost magically to further it along. He would spend hours worriedly look at his reflection and try to force some color into the blackening orbs that used to be so full of expression. The feeling of losing against the madness within was not a pleasant one, but what could one do with a lack of champions about? So the idea grew and grew until it felt much too crowded in his mind for both him and the idea to exist.

And then the dreams had started. He was doing terrible things he couldn't control. Wild rumors flew from his mouth about Mirana's health and mental well being. He was making deals with court riff raff promising power and possessions that he did not posses. Terrible dreams of lies and takeovers, whispers of a Black King taking over for an ailing White Queen.

"NO!" Tarrant yelled, pulling himself from the memories and dreams remembered. Shaking with anger and fear, he could feel the tears falling from his now black eyes. Palm tingling, he looked down at the black stone that now glistened in his hand, winking up at him. Hurtling it across the room, he was so tired of fighting, so tired of the horrors that were behind his lids. What he wouldn't give to curl up and have a restful dream...one of summer days and long tea tables and Alice. What would it matter if he fell into a long slumber? It was really the idea's world now. He had no place with his wild colors and broad grin. So he curled up inside and decided to sleep awhile, for in his dreams she might occasionally still appear.

On Friday morning a new monarch took rule over Underland. The Black King's cold gaze swept over the individuals of his court, appraising their loyalty. A sharp crack resounded as he snapped his fingers together and the twitchy rabbit, whom he was seriously considering locking away, meekly jumped to his side.

"Your Majesty?"

"Bring me Iracebeth of Crims" The silence that followed was long and heavy before the trembling wretch on his left blinked rapidly and asked again.

"Your Majesty?" the rabbit tugged at his black tunic with the green crown sewn on the front. "That is quite...impossible..."

"Make it possible." Tarrant snarled at the flinching ball of white fluff and narrowed his eyes, wondering why the vile thing hadn't moved to complete his request yet.

"But, but...but your majesty...I can not...no one can but...but"

Impatient with the stuttering creature, the King reached down and lifted the rabbit by the back of his neck.

"But WHAT?"

"The White Queen..." McTwisp gulped and squirmed in the King's painfully tight grasp. "she banished her, only she can bring her to you."

"There now, that wasn't so hard was it?" Smiling, Tarrant slowly placed McTwisp on the floor and patted his head forcefully. "Now be a good bunny and twitch down to the dungeon to retrieve our guest."

McTwisp bowed and ran from the room, avoiding the eyes of everyone present. He had never been humiliated so publicly, even during the worst rants the Red Queen had thrown. Blinking away stinging tears, he scurried toward the stairs that led to the lower levels. It was not a happy task, bringing the former Queen to the chamber of her once trusted Hatter. McTwisp couldn't quite remember the moment where it has all gone wrong, it happened so quickly. One day there were rumors of the Queen's health, the next of her sanity and suddenly there was a vote of no confidence and the Black King took the throne. Sighing, he looked up at the guard as he wound down the last flight of stairs.

"The King would like to hold audience with the former Queen." The big brute simply looked at the rabbit and grunted, moving to unlock the first set of doors that led to the dungeons. Mirana was being held in the first level, but McTwisp knew of other friends who were locked away further down, some even in the third realm of cells. Shuddering, he followed the jailer to Mirana's cell and held back a gasp as he took in her appearance. So much had changed overnight. Her once glowing white gown was a drab grey along with the tone of her skin, more ashen now than the brilliant pearl complexion he was used to seeing. Shaking his head sadly, he moved into the cell to address his Queen.

"You have been summoned my lady."

Slowly she lifted her gaze from her feet to McTwisp, dried tears staining her cheeks.

"Very well." She rose and moved slowly towards the door of her prison, her demeanor no longer graceful and serene. She seemed a ghost of the monarch she once was. Quietly they made their way back to the stairs and up toward the throne room. Truly there wasn't much to say. Every word McTwisp could think of fell short of the deep devotion he had to her, the overwhelming gloom that had fallen over her kingdom, or the anger that arose when he thought of her treatment.

Nodding to the herald as they neared the large, ornate, and now very black double doors that led to the throne room, McTwisp gazed up at Mirana as she placed a polite smile upon her face.

"All tribulations make us stronger McTwisp." she whispered, although if it was meant to reassure him or herself that everything would be all right he could not tell. As the doors swung open and the former Queen was announced, all eyes of the court turned towards the pair. McTwisp new that the vote of no confidence had barely passed and there were only half of the courtiers present as there had been only yesterday. The minority that opposed the Queens removal were down in the third realm.

He decided to stay alongside his Queen as she was paraded shamelessly in front of her traitors. He had not been granted the voice to vote, not being a member of court, but he could stand up for Mirana this way. Slowly they both walked to where the Black King sat, an amused smile on his lips but his eyes wicked and dark.

"Ahhh, Mirana. What a lovely shade of grey you have adopted." snickers were heard around the room and McTwisp swallowed his anger. If he were to be carted off now, there would be no one to stand with her.

"Why thank you Hatter, but I must say, I rather liked your brilliance. This black scheme you have does not suite you." her voice was polite but sharp and McTwisp felt a glow of pride at her ability to still fight back.

"I think you will find it's suites me quite well." As if to prove his point, his eyes turned even a deeper shade of midnight. "And if ye shuld ever call me by tha name again, I'll have yur 'ead." Looking satisfied, the King smiled cruelly and leaned forward. "Now. Fetch me your sister."