Welcome all! Please read and review my chapter. I want to be able to continue this story, but I want your opinion. So thank you in advance and read on.
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own any of these characters. All of the Alice in Wonderland characters belong to Lewis Carroll, Tim Burton, Disney and probably a few other people that I don't know.
Mad World
Time was a fickle thing in Underland. He didn't like people to be late and once you were, you were on Time's bad side.
Time was also kind of emotional. When the young Alice left Underland and returned home, Time decided to stop. It waited for her just as the Hatter had.
When she returned 13 years later (in Aboveland time) Time was so pleased that it sped up joyously. Although, this brought the Frabjous day faster, to Alice's dismay.
Once she had slain the Jabberwocky, Alice elected to return to the Abovelands. While Time had been too excited to realize she had gone, he'd gradually learned of her absence and that Frabjous day seemed to last a lifetime.
But Tarrant HIghtopp did not continue to Futterwacken. He was heartbroken as Alice Kingsleigh, now the right proper size and champion of Underland, disappeared from him.
That first night, that wasn't really a night at all, you could hear the miserable screams of Iracebeth of Crims as she and her fellow exile, Ilsosovic Stayne were driven to the Outlands. Mirana of Marmoreal, who had just been restored to the throne recalled her former court members back to her stunningly white castle.
"Mr. Hightopp, I would be extremely honored if you would once more be my hatter," the White Queen said.
"Do you know why a raven is like a writing desk?" he asked sadly.
Mirana looked to the Cheshire Cat, who looked at the Dormouse, who in turn looked at all of them and shrugged.
"Perhaps, Mr. Hightopp, perhaps that is something that can be pondered in the library at the castle," she said, looking at the headless Jabberwocky.
"Your majesty, I would prefer to just go back to my house," the Hatter said quietly. "I should like some tea."
"We have tea at Marmoreal," she said sweetly.
The Hatter's eyes flashed gold for a moment as he fought the emotions running through him. Controlling them, he spoke with a hushed Scottish accent.
"I should like to take tea at my home. With my teapots, teacups, saucers, sugar…"
"Hatter," the Dormouse said attempting to bring the Hatter back to them.
"I'm fine," he squeaked.
It was useless to argue with the Hatter once he'd set his mind.
"Then, of course, you are free to go, if that is what you choose," Mirana said.
"Thank you, your majesty," he bowed, hat in his hand.
Time was a funny thing in the Uplands too, but not nearly as fickle. Unlike in Underland, Time could not be stopped, no matter what one did to try to freeze it.
Alice Kingsleigh was turning twenty-one on this particular day. Two years had gone by since she had returned from Wonderland. Alice had travelled around the world and yet it still felt like something was missing.
She was sitting quietly in her room trying to calm her worried mind. More and more, her mind was wandering to being troubled and worried. And the worst thing was, it was like that all the time.
Alice sighed deeply and a blue butterfly caught her eye.
"Hello, Absolem."
"Good evening, Alice," he replied. "Might I ask what caused the deep sigh?"
"You'll just think I'm being stupid," she replied matter-of-factly.
"That might be true, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to me."
Alice hesitated.
"It's just…I'm always surrounded by people and I feel so much more lonely than I did before. There's no one to talk to here, at least, no one I want to talk to anymore."
The butterfly huffed.
"Except you, Absolem," she said quickly. "Tell me about Wonderland," she said in a desperate way. "How is everyone?"
"The Queen is well, even the trees are pleased with her return to the throne," Absolem began.
He continued to talk about the others of Wonderland for probably half an hour without stopping and Alice not interrupting.
"That's everyone, I believe," he finished.
"What about the Hatter?" she asked.
"Oh, of course, Tarrant. Well, I couldn't possibly tell you one single thing about the Hatter. Mr. Hightopp has been missing in action since you left," Absolem said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean what I said and I said what I meant," Absolem replied. "No one has heard from Tarrant in quite some time," Absolem repeated.
"Has anyone gone to check on him?" Alice asked.
"I am not sure of that question's response. I have not checked myself as I spend much of my time travelling between Underland and this horrid world," Absolem replied.
"Someone should check on him!" Alice said. "Doesn't anyone care?"
"You certainly don't, you stupid girl," he said, fluttering his wings in her face. "He asked you to stay and you rejected him."
"I didn't reject him!" she said loudly. She was getting frustrated with the blue butterfly. "I had to come back here and finish things for myself and my family."
"You are utterly ridiculous, girl," Absolem replied. "I have half a mind to quit coming here. That trip and down the rabbit hole is a disaster anyway…" he said beginning to flutter away.
"No!" she yelled. "I'm sorry, please don't go. You're all I have left of Wonderland," she said sadly.
"ALICE!" a voiced called from outside her door. "The guests are arriving!"
It was her sister, Margaret.
"I'll be right down. One minute, please," Alice replied.
"No, now, Alice! It is your party," Margaret argued.
"I'll be back, Absolem," she whispered. "These parties are terribly dreadful."
"This one might be a little different," Absolem said ominously.
Alice gave him a confused look before crossing the room and unlocking the door. She wrenched it open and her sister was still there, waiting for her.
"Alice, who were you talking to?" she asked.
"No one, Margaret," Alice replied snidely.
"Goodness, Alice, you don't have to have an attitude about it," Margaret said. "The guests are here for you."
"I'm sorry, Margaret," she said, pulling her in for an apologetic hug. "I'm just not feeling myself tonight.
The two women linked arms and Margaret led the birthday girl into the parlor where the party had begun.
"Happy Birthday!" the small crowd yelled.
Alice blushed and smiled. She hated being fussed over and this night was already proving to be one of the least enjoyable days in her life.
If only something exciting would happen…
A/N: Please review! I do love reviews!
