Hello and welcome to the fic! Thanks for stopping by, read and enjoy at your leisure, comment if you like. I'm not stellar at updating and writing is sporadic from me but we'll see how this goes, yes? :)

Some quick notes. I own nothing but my own mistakes, interpretations, and a case of procrastination. This was inspired by getting a hold of the 1st draft of the movie script and loving how it fleshed out some of the characters more and it has a map!! I have since drawn and updated the map to fit my imagination, I'll eventually getting around to posting it so you'll know what's being looked at and where. The story is bits from the movie and the script so certain parts might sound off if you haven't seen the script. I also have never read the original Alice tales so please forgive me my faults and share your ideas.

Novella over. On with ye!

xxx

Parry. Thrust. Duck, turn, thrust! Oh hell…!

Alice grunted as she fell hard onto her rear, a host of less than charitable thoughts storming her mind while her eyes glared at her adversary. Cocky and delighted, the young squire smiled down at her, walking a tight, slow circle while he waited for her to arise. Twice now she'd been dumped by this bloody upstart…Mally wouldn't let her live this down if she didn't get her head in the game!

She rolled to her feet, grateful for the moody coolness of the fall weather that let her practice in full armor instead of the looser and lighter leather armor. Not that it was any more comfortable but she felt it necessary to practice with the armor with reasonable frequency so she would understand the exact restrictions and precautions she may need to take. In her hand she gripped a practice sword, the blade a bit heavier than the vorpal sword. The true blade was feather-light but too precious to use in any other manner than its original purpose and even then, only the damn Oraculum would be able to tell what it could be used on.

"One more go, m'Lady, or you'll be turning in now?" her opponent asked with a charming smile.

She felt like slugging him. He was a heavy hitter, definitely a one-shot killer with little finesse and slow footwork. Alice had the benefit of speed but on this day, lacked the focus to use it effectively and she had been allowing herself to be worn down, her distracted mind forcing more effort into blocking rather than smooth parries that would put him off-kilter and at her mercy. Her arm was exhausted but distracted or not, she was not going to stand down. "Once again, good knave. With your leave that is?" she smiled sarcastically.

His eyes narrowed slightly above his smile and he took up stance once again, charging with gusto. Alice dodged his charge and deflected the back-swing of his sword, placing a foot back and lunging as he made the turn around. He stumbled slightly but caught his footing and smacked her blade aside, looking to close ranks but rushing past as she managed to twist away, smacking him smartly on the ass with the flat of her blade as he stomped by. "Yikes!" he yelped, laughing at her audacity and granting the third point to her. Sheathing his sword, he bowed deeply and with a faint blush. "Always a pleasure, Lady Alice! Please call if you have any further need of me!"

She smiled and nodded, quietly granting him leave and hoping she wasn't blushing. Such an offer had been extended from most of her sparring partners, ever since she had taken keener interest in swordplay and attended regular training sessions. Not that she took such offers up, certainly! It merely amused her as well as the Queen, giving them something to giggle girlishly about during private lunches and teas. Mirana had taken Alice on as an advisor while the young woman sorted out what she might do in Underland. Her legend as the Champion would precede her surely so getting work was not the problem…it was more what did Alice want to do? She had an idea for travel, to see the lands of Underland beyond Mirana's tranquil kingdom, however the Queen would not let her go unless she took either a full escort or learned to defend herself properly and even then took at least two guards. Alice had opted for the latter because it promised something new and, until then, forbidden in her world. Sword training invigorated her, made her feel all the more independent and able and certainly made her all the talk of the castle for more than one reason.

Walking while catching her breath, Alice sheathed the practice sword with the whisper of metal on leather and began to loose the armor bits off her person. Once she had allowed Thackery to help her and, after a severe scolding by the blacksmiths, kindly informed the Hare that he would no longer be allowed to assist. It had taken hours to find the grieve he had thrown out of the fourth story and only the master smith could bang out the dents in one of the forearm guards. Thackery wasn't exactly embarrassed or heartbroken about it either way, simply offered tea…which she promptly had to duck.

Nivens crossed her path as she walked and graciously commented on her sword play's progression. "The castle is abuzz with it! They're all terribly impressed that you had little skill in sword play at all when you faced down the Jabberwocky and whisper about how much more glorious the battle would have been today!"

"I find little glory in battle, Nivens." Alice's face wrinkled in displeasure. "As for the Jabberwocky, I did nothing more than Absolem told me to do."

"Which was?!" he asked nervously.

She smiled as their paths diverted. "I just held on and let the sword do the work."

Armor loosened, it took only a few minutes to slip out of it all when she was back at her chambers, each piece being placed carefully on a stand designated for that purpose. Granted it would need to be returned to the armory but for just then, Alice allowed herself the time to view it privately. When not borrowed for practice, it would be moved out to the court hall when there were formal events as the suit was nearly as iconic as Alice herself and kept morale high. For Alice, it was a reminder of what she did and what was possible in Underland if she only believed in herself.

Free of the scale mail and plating, she considered her wardrobe, at length choosing an outfit similar to when she'd first arrived at the castle. The thick embroidered white linen was soft on her legs while the shirt was pure silk and a bold deep green color. Over that she wore another layer of white linen, the long and light coat making the stripe of green down her front all the more showy. It was a deviously casual outfit for her location but over her time there, Alice had learned that the Court of Underland was a quirky and unusual thing…once she saw a lord dressed in pompous finery escorting his lady while she was dressed in no more than her bathing suit! The Queen didn't seem to mind if her subjects dressed in their finest or their rags, she would see them all the same. Though she did pose more for her lords and ladies…Alice wondered if the woman's arms ever grew exhausted.

Not that Alice didn't enjoy dressing up. Such a thing had been a part of her upbringing from birth and it was a perilously hard habit to kick…especially when the dressmakers had worked incredibly hard to produce a number of divine dresses upon the news that she would be staying in Underland. And of course with the dresses came matching if not out-showing hats. Her eyes looked up within the chamber that held her clothing and above the gowns, dresses, and drawers were boxes…boxes upon boxes in fact, each one containing a hat.

It brought a smile to her face and made her wonder if the creator of said hats was in the castle that day. Mirana had been attempting to coax the Hatter into the palace and over the last thee years had celebrated small successes. He had been reluctant to leave the spot where he'd killed Time but steadily, he was doing more and more work out of the palace, the Queen having started her coaxing by giving Thackery his own kitchen. The Hare, without live targets, could be quite the productive chef and he delighted in his personal haven. This, of course, meant that Mally dropped by to test his cooking and make sure the cracked Hare had a steady supply of tea, which in turn forced the Hatter to visit the palace if he wanted to visit his friends. Next was a very generous workshop where the Hatter was welcome to turn his trade without feeling crowded out by seamstresses and tailors. There had been times where Alice had to bring food to the man for he would be locked away, entranced by his work and having no thought for Time, dead or alive, or for his stomach. Some nights she had even dawdled and fallen asleep on a cleared away divan or other soft space while she watched him work.

The day granted her a few hours before dinner and she decided to visit if the Hatter was in. Path set, she drew on a pair of soft slippers and left her chambers.

xxx

He stared. Stared at it intently.

And some days felt it staring just as intently back.

He closed one eye, then the other…then realized he couldn't see so opened them both once more only to find that small column of violet still staring back at him. His brows furrowed and he made faces to see if it would react but his opponent remained blank. One more face, this one of frustrated confusion, and he turned from the vial, scratching the back of his neck and reaching for his coat.

Suddenly enraged, he turned and pointed a finger at the object, eyes burning an aggressive orange as the full force of his brogue rolled forth. "You there! Keep starin' at me head like tha' an' yu'll find yerself buried fer th' flowers to drink!"

It remained impassive to his momentary rage and he resisted the impulse to throw it against the wall. Alice, he told himself. Alice gave him the vial for a reason…it was surely not to destroy it. The lass could more than handle that on her own after taming a bloody Bandersnatch and slaying the Jabberywocky! The problem was…he couldn't figure out the WHY. And the vial refused to tell him, sat there mocking him with its silence when clearly it had the answer! Didn't it…? Surely it would know its own purpose!

He blinked several times in quick succession as the haze around his mind cleared. He was slightly alarmed to find himself holding the vial he wasn't going to destroy! Quickly, he placed it back upon the mantle and stepped back, soulful green eyes blinking more as he gathered his coat and brushed aside the confusion with a laugh. He fled the chambers with undue haste, not wanting to tempt his luck with the vial again. The tiny thing was actually a turning point for him. The Queen wished him to be in-residence of the palace and had tempted him with all manner of lovely things however that tiny vial, holding the most foul violet blood of all Underland, had been gifted to him by Alice herself.

Memory made him smile…recalling her carefully pressing the vial into his palm and closing his fingers around it, unmindful of any stains, thimbles, or bandages. "Keep it safe" she had said, and this he would do. Hightopps were creatures of honor and though he didn't understand her wish to keep the blood around, he would hold it for her as she had requested. It was the reason he was here. Alice wanted him here, had given him a task to make him stay. So stay he would.

xxx

For about ten minutes, Alice had to patiently listen and feign compassion while the doorknobs whined their complaints. The white of the paint was too white, oak was so heavy to move, the Hare had pulled them both rabidly when they refused to answer a silly riddle, fall made the wood swell and shrink so quickly…the complaints of doorknobs were amazing to her still. Never would she have imagined them to have such a storehouse of woes! At length, however, they had graciously offered admittance and she'd been very careful to be extra-gentle in turning them.

From there, she'd left the doors open, the knobs chatting in quiet squeaks to each other as the Champion made her way around the room, marveling all over again at the mass of creativity contained in one space. One entire wall was nothing but bolts and stacks of cloth, drawers of buttons, and plush pads stuffed to brimming with pins so they looked like unearthly hedgehogs. She idled at the pins, smiling as she browsed the multitude. There were a great variety of them and a few handfuls that were of a plain, boring variety. Most of these were smaller than the ones tucked away in the man's hat. Those were a particular breed…as unusual as their bearer and oversized to the point where it didn't seem possible that they would actually be useful in hat making.

She had wondered about them at times but her thoughts rarely stayed there. The Hatter was constantly changing and her mind had a hard time focusing on just one aspect of him. One had to take him in as a whole rather than like him for particular bits…and Alice certainly delighted in his whole-ness. A long pin with an ornate cat twisted about the end of it came away in her hand and she twirled it about, strolling towards the windows of the far wall and watching the late afternoon light glimmer off its golden surface.

"A Lady of discerning tastes…though we knew that, didn't we?"

"Afternoon Chess." She smiled, not looking away from the pin as she greeted the purr.

A swirl of mist curled around her ankles and calves, twisting its way up her body before rubbing under her chin and gathering before her to form the slippery Cheshire cat. His eternal grin curled and a paw gently touched the molded end of the pin. "Cats have always been creatures of myth in Underland, you know…bringing luck or misfortune, changing sides depending on who you ask."

"And what has drawn their slurvish nature oot from th' shadows."

Chess sighed and his great eyes rolled. "Really Tarrant, must you sulk about like a child?"

Alice turned to see a somewhat irate Hatter in the doorway…the man's eyes a vibrant yellow with dark shadows spreading from his eyes. She wondered what the pair were fighting about lately and while his eyes were always of great interest to her, today her own eyes were drawn further south by a swath of overly bright color and she giggled, effectively shattering the tableau. "Oh Hatter, really…that fair blue is certainly not of your house!"

Tarrant's eyes warmed at her laughter and he laughed to hide nerves as he glanced down at himself. Mindlessly, he'd dressed himself in a pale blue tartan kilt before leaving his rooms. He remembered working on it a few days back but he'd chucked it aside in a momentary fit…not able to recall just when he'd finished it or why he was making it in that color. "Oh my, yes, yes you're quite right, my dear!" He pulled at the material, quirking a brow at her. "It seems like the color would fit you more, Champion. Such a calm blue is certainly not a Hightopp color!"

"Perhaps you should give her the kilt now?" Cheshire smirked more than smiled.

It had the desired effect, Alice's cheeks flaming a bit in embarrassment and slight alarm as Tarrant glared at the feline. "Dear, I should think not! I certainly do not wish to have that question answered right now!"

The distraction worked and pulled the eyes of both males back towards her. "Which question would tha' be?" Tarrant asked with only a slight growl.

Her blush died off as she held command of the moment, deliberately lowering her chin and regarding the Hatter from behind lowered lashes. "What does a Scotsman wear beneath his kilt?"

There was a flash of color to Tarrant's eyes and a rush of voices in his consciousness, a flood of responses that set his mind spinning, amplified as Chess laughed before vanishing with a sweep of his tail. Tarrant's heart began to race and surely he was rambling for nothing made sense and he could feel the edge approaching, creeping up like a freight train--

"TARRANT!!"

The rush withdrew so quickly that the sudden silence was staggering. He reeled slightly, grounded by the hands on his cheeks and the concern in warm brown eyes. "I…I'm fine…" he rasped, blinking hard and finding his balance again. "Fine…"

Alice watched him quietly for another moment or two before smiling. "My, what a little teasing does to you! I thought Scotsman were a stouter breed!" she jibbed lightly, hoping…

And being rewarded as he smiled, eyes narrowing and warming. "Oh it's stoutness you seek is it lass?" He stepped forward and she, still holding his face, was forced to step back. "You shou' know tha' Hightopps are a stubbornly hardy clan an' we dunot run from challenges!"

She'd been stepping back with each step he took forward, energized by the return of his spirit. Her body responded to his challenge on a subconscious level, the tension fast and thick in the air as it was whenever emotions ran high. Such games had grown common between them as the days in Underland went on and she relished each moment. Stopping, she smiled and stroked his cheeks, the pale skin having colored a bit over the last three years as though in response to Underland's own recent rebirth. Her eyes sparkled with mirth and she let her fingers trail off his jaw line, the digits skillfully weaving the feline hat pin into his lapel. "Not that he doesn't already watch from everywhere but I hear cats bring the most unusual luck."

He frowned down at the pin, seriously considering tossing it out of spite. But a calm breath and a smile from Alice convinced him that it wouldn't be so terrible. It was a good pin after all…even if it did have that damnable cat as a motif. "As you say, m'lady." He reached up and patted her hand over the pin, rewarded ten-fold with a brilliant smile from Alice.

"Good! Come then, show me what you've been working on aside from kilts woven from the sky!" she giggled, dancing around him and stepping lightly over to one of the many sketches that adorned his desks.

Tarrant turned and watched her move, enjoying the calm he felt around her. Things seemed to fall into order more so around her…at least as much order as Underland had.

xxx

The subject at the evening meal was Alice's swordplay (a topic of growing fervor as of late) and it was good that she was not yet tired of the subject herself since the ladies in attendance demanded a lesson right there and then! Alice had given in to the impulse and hopped onto the table, her skirts lifted cautiously as she gave a brief showing, having to duck a cup made airborne by Mally, who then slathered the Hare's nose with butter. To everyone's amusement, Thackery hummed and seemed to melt to the floor.

Tarrant gallantly stood and helped her down from the table, which made her smile and then him in turn. As she regained her seat, she tried to not feel floored (again), that her actions hadn't drawn immediate shock and disapproval, more so the nobles had merely applauded and began to chatter excitedly about it. Mirana took her constant surprise in stride and marveled when Alice would explain exactly why it was a surprise.

The pair surprised one another and challenged modes of thinking, Alice finding that despite her wild imagination, it was nothing compared to the possibilities that lay before her and Mirana was a huge aid in broadening her horizons. Of course, once that had included her full introduction to butterfingers and Alice had yet to forgive the Queen for that one…even if the food was delicious. It made her wish that she had the ability to draw in dishes from Overland…she would delight in serving the Queen oysters of a different kind.

"Everyone is in fine form tonight." Mirana smiled happily, requesting a roll and catching it as it was tossed at her head. Thackery howled and danced a jig in his chair when she waved at him. Mally ran up and down the table chatting up the nobles and keeping an eye towards the Hatter. For his part he entertained the ladies to either side of him, Alice to his left and a newly married Lady to his right.

"Indeed. Even Thackery has a new coat at last!" Alice clapped as he finished his jig, the Hare proceeding to listen to his meal as it critiqued his dance.

"The poor dear is so difficult to fit when he won't sit still." Mirana giggled. "Tell me, Alice, with your training coming along, have you thought more on where you would like to go? If nothing else I should like to prepare you as best I can."

Alice chewed thoughtfully for a moment, finding that it was the best way to keep herself from rambling. She had been partaking of the large library and its many maps, coming closer to an idea that she was almost ready to act upon. Mirana had insisted that Alice partake of the histories and take up lessons about Underland but Alice had taken it further and engaged in her own studies of business and travel. Her thoughtful silence was a new development over the past year and she found that it worked well to help her solve her problems…though babbling still took precedence at times. She swallowed and sipped at her wine, her eyes flicking briefly to her right when the Lady to the other side of Tarrent laughed brightly at whatever he muttered to her. She cleared her throat and took another sip of wine, missing the amused look on the Queen's face. "I should like, I think, to travel West through Snud and follow the Tugley Wood until the breach in Grampus Bluffs. From there I would head North through Witzend and follow the border of Iplam and Crims until I reach the Crimson Sea."

"Through Iplam and Witzend, did you say?"

Alice and Mirana looked to Tarrant, who blinked interested green eyes their way. It may have been imagination (oh the tangents that thought could bring in Underland!) but Alice thought she saw a mix of fear and anger in his gaze. Both were fleeting if there at all and she prompted him when the silence stretched. "Hatter?"

He blinked and shook his head. "Oh, um…yes, sorry. You'll be traveling through Witzend on your journey, m'lady? And Iplam as well I thought I heard."

"Currently it is a part of her plans, or so she has said." Mirana coaxed, noting that the new wife to Tarrent's right seemed a bit miffed that she was so suddenly ignored. She fought off a smile. "Our Champion has expressed a great desire to see how the land fares away from Marmoreal and Crims. Such marvelous ideas in her head, I can hardly wait to see what she plans!"

"Alone?!" he squeaked, eyes flaring yellow for a moment.

"Of course not, dear Hatter." Alice assured swiftly, placing a hand over the fist he'd formed. That fork would have to be unbent. "The Queen is sending an escort with me, two of her finest guards will accompany me once I feel able enough to defend myself."

The news didn't seem to lessen whatever demon was wrestling within him for his pupils contracted sharply and he looked away on the pretense of taking an usually large drag of wine. Mirana looked on with concern when even Alice's touch didn't seem to tame the tension within him. "Tarrant, my dear Hatter, does this news upset you? Is the guard too light do you think?" For her it certainly was but Alice was stubborn. "I had suggested additional but our Champion is quite confident."

Light?! Too light?! Of bloody course it was too light! What sort of Queen sent her Champion into the virtually unknown with naught but newly acquired skills with a blade?! His jaw clenched, he could feel the waves roiling within, ready to consume him when suddenly they receded…ushered back by the gentle pressure of slim fingers worming between his clenched ones. He gasped softly in surprise, looking at his hand clasping Alice's as though it were a new creature that would begin to sing and dance. Perhaps it would…his mind had generated stranger fantasies…

"Tarrant…"

The soft voice was concerned and questioning and he met worried brown eyes for the second time that day. His own warmed to a darker shade of green and he smiled weakly. "Forgive me…I…sometimes there are too many words and…" Mirana nodded and smiled to show she held no ill will. "I…" He carefully patted Alice's hand with his free one, working his own free as he heard whispers down the table. Alice was blushing as though she realized what she was doing and their hands parted swiftly. "In all honesty I do feel the guard should be increased." He raised a hand to forestall Alice's complaint. "Perhaps by just one member…I've always felt more comfortable with oddities, you see…"

Mirana laughed and Alice smiled so Tarrent relaxed. After regaining her composure, Mirana smiled whole-heartedly at him, the smile that all the kingdom loved. "My dear Hatter, should you think of a candidate suitable for this role of the odd guard, you have but to speak his name and he shall go with."

Tarrant smiled charmingly but said no more on the subject, merely sipping calmly at his wine and snickering as Alice quietly fumed at their oblique take-over of her previously well-ordered plans.

xxx

"Really! The two of you…I swear it seems that a conspiracy is at work!"

Tarrant watched Alice storm ahead of him while he politely escorted her back to her quarters for the night. Her uffishness was proving amusing and his giggles threatened to escape though a look into her flashing eyes let him know that it would be a bad, very bad thing. Having changed back into trousers after the kilt debacle, he jammed his hands into his pockets in an almost boyish manner, his spirits high despite the topic of her fervor. Without the giggles, it was oddly enough his lisp that conveyed his amusement. "It's only a matter of concern you know…can't have our Champion wandering off without protection! Underworld is still a dangerous land, even without the Jabberwocky!"

She glared back over her shoulder, eyes narrowing. "What is the point of training me in swordplay if no one thinks I can defend myself?!"

He stopped short to avoid running into her and laughed nervously, hands emerging from his pockets and fingers twisting round one another. "Alice, m'lady…it is not that I do not trust your skills with the sword…but…"

She waited almost impatiently, arms crossed and feet set at a stubborn stance, though they could not be seen for her dress. "I may prick myself on some thorn perhaps?" she snipped, truly irked with everyone's over-attentive care. Honestly, one did enjoy being cared for but coddled was another story entirely!

"Wh-what will critique you with every pass but never speak a word?" he stammered, snatching fragments of thoughts to bridge the way to his intended words.

"A reflection." Alice responded, softening slightly when she realized the Hatter was a bit nervous.

Her answer brought a brief smile to his face before he calmed enough to speak. "It is more that I do not trust them…t-to guard you appropriately that is." The surprise in her eyes and uncrossing of her arms encouraged him into rambling. "Of course, that is I would like to see you safe and sound, without a scratch while you're questing for the Queen, Queen quests, vest, scratch, sword, sav--."

"Hatter," she smiled, waiting until he had composed himself. "I do believe that is a reason that I can live with. However…" she turned and began walking which left him to catch up dutifully. "…you must tell me the name of this knight that you think will offer such protection and not annoy me further into madness." Her tease was said with an affectionate smile.

"Ah, well that is the problem. You see, I hadn't a knight in mind…in fact he's not even ranked among the Lords of the castle."

"Truly?" she pondered this riddle until they paused before the doors to her quarters and even then, held her chin and frowned. "Well whoever it is must also be within the Queen's trust and if he is not a Knight…" She noted Tarrant's slight shift in posture and smiled. "Ah yes of course! Thackery!"

"Thackery?!" he balked, deflating with such a comical expression that Alice had no recourse except to laugh. Realizing she was playing with him, he grinned and crossed his arms. "You, m'lady, are trouble! I should fear more for the knights accompanying you than for your safety!"

"Oh come now, am I so unbearable?" she smiled winningly at him, tugging at his cuff.

"With that smile," his arms unfolded in a graceful shrug. "I fear all of Underland is doomed to fall under your spell."

"Ah yes…" she rolled her eyes in a highly casual manner. "Another thing to handle while traveling…the affections of my protectors." She shook her head and moved on before she could risk expounding on that issue. "I am thinking correctly that you are offering your services, yes good Hatter?"

His eyes seemed to warm to a darker shade and his smile was broad. "Indeed, m'lady. Verily, I offer to champion the Queen's Champion…if you'll have me of course." He offered a shallow, polite bow.

She smiled but looked uncertain. "Tarrant…the last time I saw you wield a weapon was the Frabjous Day and then it was still a short battle. Only one other time have I seen you take up arms…are you sure you are fit for such a task?"

He regarded her with an odd expression for a moment, as though confused by her doubts. When he spoke, his brogue rumbled softly through his words. "Ah and now it is you that doubts my skills. If it pleases you, I c'n offer a demonstration of all sword skills I possess."

"Tonight?" she breathed, blushing faintly at the innuendo created but meeting his eye dead-on.

A strange buzz tickled at the back of Tarrant's mind but he ignored it with practiced ease. "If you like…though I dare say that tomorrow may be best. You'll need a full night of sleep t'keep up with me, m'lady."

His smile made the returned innuendo all the worse and Alice reigned herself in before the game became wholly improper! "Well then I shall bid you a good night, my good Hatter. Shall we plan for your demonstration sometime after breakfast then?"

Eyes a warm green, he tipped his hat to her. "You have but to summon me, Alice. As always. May your dreams be sweet."

"May your night be peaceful." she returned, meaning it whole-heartedly.

Without warning he swept her up in a hug, something she was starting to expect on a random basis. It wasn't done often but when he did, she felt immeasurably better about things if she were upset or all the happier if she were content. She returned the embrace as best as she could with her arms somewhat trapped before she was gently set down again, where she smiled at her friend and slipped into her room.

When the door clicked closed, Tarrant turned and began to stride down the hallway, his thoughts towards the next morning…and a weapon that had remained polished and sharp since Horunvendush Day.

xxx

In the warming air of the morning, the dragonflies remained curled within the shadows of the palace, chirruping and chittering at passerbys. A few flitted from shade to shade, looking for spots that were perfectly warm and cool to keep their tiny bodies temperate. One even danced around Mirana, becoming so bold as to perch on her shoulder and squeak loudly. The Queen lifted a pale hand and used the back of a finger to caress the long, scaled underbody of the creature, who chirped and resumed his search for the perfect place.

Alice watched the interaction with quiet awe. No creature seemed beyond Mirana's effect…even the Bandersnatch rumbled in affection when she approached despite its snapping at all but Alice. "I think I will never tire of seeing that. People pay amazing amounts to see such skills in the Otherland and even then, those who can interact with animals in such ways do not ever fully trust the creatures."

"Ah, and there is the problem, don't you think?" Mirana grinned. "You cannot expect to receive trust without first giving it!"

"How do you know they will not bite?" Alice countered, stretching her arms and tying her long locks back with a leather thong. "I saw a man once who boldly sauntered about a lion that had all its fangs ready for bear! Everyone feared he would be made the lion's lunch."

"Silly man…why not simply ask the lion if he might enjoy making show? Lions do make fantastic actors, you know."

There it was again. Alice laughed and shook her head, once more side-swiped by the knowledge of where she was. Animals can talk. A slow sigh drained from her while she pulled on the leather jerkin she would be wearing today. The late morning air was just as cool as yesterday however she didn't feel the need for either plate or mail for this session. Her doubts had been voiced in a handful of small comments while Mirana had waited with her for Tarrant's arrival and she had a feeling that the Queen caught each whisper.

The training area was arena-style, the dirt compacted down over an age to form a solid, flat surface on which to practice…though it made for a bitter landing. The arena was round with stone seating and some days could be over-filled with all the soldiers as they held their own tournaments for personal glory and gain. A much more formal arena was located on the other side of the palace for official games and the glory of royalty. More than a few times, Alice had been invited to the unofficial games and while she had watched once or twice, she had yet to participate…though she had a feeling that her opponents would not fight her with how they treated her! A Champion and Icon, certainly…but Alice was still a woman and a beautiful woman with the Queen's favor…the soldiers didn't dare harm her!

Mirana watched while Alice sauntered about, swinging her sword without actually working her arm. She debated with herself since she had inside knowledge of the Hightopp bloodline and its many skills and quirks but knew that Alice learned best when she learned for herself. Those questions and doubts would have to be banished by Tarrant himself, which made Mirana hesitate. Should she stay? It was a potentially dangerous gamble to leave Alice with the Hatter alone when a fight was involved. "You doubt that Tarrant can fulfill the role of a guard, Alice?"

She hadn't said as much, not directly anyway, and sighed as she turned to Mirana. "I don't doubt that he is a passionate man, fully willing to carry out what he swears to do. I simply don't know what sort of skills he has in fighting. The first time I saw him fighting, it was against three red guards. The odds were certainly off and he was not brandishing a blade…the fight was brief at best. The second and last time was the Frabjous Day and then, I had a Jabberwocky hungry for my head so I couldn't spare a moment to watch him fight. For all I know, he could have been swinging Thackery around by the ears!"

The words were born of nervousness so Mirana let the small insult slide without rebuke. "I can assure you that was not the case." She paused, spying the topic of their conversation on the approach and looking…well…very, very different!

Seeing the Queen distracted, Alice turned to follow her line of sight and felt her jaw unhinge slightly. Tarrant was on the approach, bearing the claymore he'd brought to the Frabjous Day, however the Hatter was completely different from that day. Gone were the bright trappings and the kilt and sporran, no merrily colored jacket covered him, and even his trademark hat was missing for the moment. She dared to think that the Hatter looked almost frighteningly normal…such that he would pass in Overland! The wild hair had been pulled back, draw into a gentlemanly tail at the base of his skull…though the affect was ruined slightly by the nearly explosive pattern as the tail's curls spun out behind his neck. His pants were a solid, dark green color while his shirt was an off-white, covered by a quilted doublet of bright red. Tiny glints of light revealed fine gold threading along the seams. The clashing doublet was perhaps the only thing that kept Alice from demanding if he was feeling well.

Mirana nodded to Tarrant's gracious bow. "No hat today, good Hatter?"

He grinned and indicated the claymore. "It merely awaits my return. It was rather upset with me after my treatment of it on Frabjous Day, you see, so when I mentioned the demonstration today…"

She laughed softly. "Indeed however I am sure it understands that there was more at stake than a bit of dirt." Discreetly, she nudged Alice.

It was enough to bright the young woman back to the present and her cheeks blushed. "Good morning, good Hatter."

Green eyes shifted and pinned her before Tarrant bowed once more. "A fine morning it is, m'lady. You seem ready for the day." His eyes browsed her training outfit, from boots to hair tie and Alice felt him taking measure of her…quite literally. Mad or not, the man had excellent spatial and structural reasoning and it showed when he smiled, apparently pleased with the numbers he reached. "The armorers have fitted you well."

She blushed but smiled. "Thank you, I quite agree. These are most comfortable. Do you not wish some armor of your own?"

He laughed. "Nay, these articles will tide me over well however I am grateful for your concern. Will you be watching the proceedings, my Queen?"

Drawn in, Mirana noticed that Tarrant was watching her somewhat eagerly. Perhaps he held the same hesitations that she did. "As this is a match in good fun, I would certainly enjoy a demonstration, my dear Hatter. It has been quite some time since I have seen you take to a weapon."

His smile was enigmatic then and Alice was left to ponder the unsaid before they took up their places, her bearing sword and shield (both of standard fare as the shield remained with the Vorpal sword) and he drawing the claymore. She began to take stock of him, putting aside the shock of his outfit and all doubts of his skills to measure her opponent, as a rather determined White Knave had insisted and finally managed to get her to do regularly. The blade was impressive and long, well-kept as far as she could tell. It would give him reach but it was certainly a two-handed weapon and would limit his motion somewhat. His legs were longer than her own and would also help give him reach…not to mention she had seen him move in strange and unpredictable ways before. She would need to be very alert.

He watched her study himself and allowed her the time to do so as it also gave the Queen a moment to clear the field. For his part, he decided he would need to cut the White Knave a bit of slack. Alice surveyed him like a true opponent, which made him feel better about the impending clash. Tarrant had not attended her practices for purely personal reasons, knowing that any ache to her, accidental or otherwise, would risk sending him into a fury and practices were all about getting hurt and learning how to not get hurt. Looking over her, he saw that her balance was very well centered and planned to take her shield away first to see if her balance remained as even. Next, while her eyes were quick to take him in, they were also moving too quickly, flickering nervously back towards the claymore in his hand. Possibly the blade's reach bothered her…should he let her close ranks on him? He had ways of dealing with close fights as well…

Sharply, he cut the line of thought off and closed his eyes for a moment, knowing they would have revealed too much. This was not the Horunvendush Day, Alice was not a red enemy, there was no one to kill here…no need to be vicious. He took a breath and slowly released it as he opened his eyes, smiled, and nodded towards Alice. "When you are ready, m'lady."

Alice attacked without further preamble.

Tarrant immediately brought his blade up and deflected the fast swing of her arm, surprised at the strength behind the blow. It must have shown on his face for her caught sight of a smirk on her lips as she passed him, readying for the next motion, which he decided would be hers, putting himself in a defensive stance. "Fast, Champion…very fast."

She feigned a lunge and came round for his left side, he barely getting an arm out in time to slap the blow away and send the claymore singing past her ear, which put a look of shock on her face and made her tense up. He wasn't certain of the color of his eyes however he knew the look of hers, wariness…unease. Perhaps his jest had been too close for comfort and he apologized by throwing himself deep into defensive mode, letting her rain blows until one managed to floor him.

She had her point but stepped back quickly, breathing heavier than she aught to be. Her doubts about Hatter's skills were dissolving but she wanted to push him now…needed to gain an idea about his limit while Mirana was there to safeguard. A couple of guards had trickled into the arena seats and were watching warily though she could only imagine their thoughts as the Champion battled the Mad Hatter while the Queen looked on. Her quick retreat proved wise as Tarrant was on his feet only moments after falling and it was his offensive turn, putting her shield and footwork to test.

Careful. It was a word which he had little association with, as proven by the multitude of bandages on his fingers. Yet he was trying very hard to be careful and not lapse into that comfortable, numb haze that fighting would place him in. However he was not helped by the memory of fighting Stayn and how utterly marvelous it had been…so free and so pure…a white noise of nothing but the desire to kill his opponent; years of agony at the loss of his own released in a glorious flow of movements bent on one goal. It was a type of madness, he was sure, and it was a seductive call…

Alice's shield slamming into his back alerted him that he'd wandered off somewhere and he rolled, getting to his feet and taking a strong, calculated swing that ended up knocking her shield free of her grip. Unpredictably, she closed in immediately rather than stutter in shock and slammed into his body, knocking him flat on his back. The momentum carried her as well, however, and she landed atop him, scrambling for the offense and grasping his hair, pulling his head back roughly and pressing her blade under his chin. It was a weak threat at best. Her hand was too far from his neck to provide the needed pressure to cut his throat and given that his hands were still grasping the claymore, he easily could have brought them down on her head, potentially breaking her neck.

Yet he didn't. Yellow had flooded his eyes and he heard their audience rise with quiet gasps however he laughed, laughed because if he didn't he was going to do something he would kill himself for. Laughter was easy, fast, and confused the madness, took away its threat. Alice held eye contact with him through the maelstrom and he focused on that. She was still there, her position still threatening but the fight was gone from her eyes and she was waiting for him, calling him back silently. Within a few moments, green rushed his irises and his body went limp on the hard ground. "I dare say you've won this round, m'lady!" he laughed heartily, sounding himself again.

Mirana nearly fainted with relief, the White Knave there to offer support as one of the squires had rushed to let him know the situation. Out of breath as she was, Alice still laughed and relaxed atop her opponent and friend for a moment, rising before the whispers could start up. "Come on then. A round like that deserves good tea for reward and we must find your hat and settle this silly disagreement!"

She helped him to his feet, both met by Mirana as she approached them, her face slightly flush. "Well I should dare say that the Hatter will provide a most excellent guard should our Champion fail!"

The gentle tease was met with good-natured chuckling that released the uneasy tension from the Hatter's slip into insanity. Mirana bid them a good day and the combatants left the field quietly, Alice holding her silence until the squires were no longer within earshot. She had found that the young knights were worse gossips than the chattiest bed of flowers! "Tarrant, I am sorry I doubted you."

"I did not…scare you…did I?" he asked uncertainly.

"Only for a moment." Alice answered with honesty. "Though I feel confident that you would never hurt me willingly, my friend."

"Be it in my power, I will never hurt you." he affirmed, frowning at the implication. "Though at times it is not within my power since my mind wanders and suddenly it is all too fast to catch befor--."

Tarrant paused, cut off as Alice grabbed his hand and effectively ended his rambling. "I am not worried, Tarrant. Neither should you." she smiled at him.

He smiled, feeling close to ten feet tall when she showed such confidence in his mind. "Fruit with the tea perhaps? Something light after our engaging rounds this morning."

"Bring your hat," she grinned.