Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, nor do I own the concept for Alice in Wonderland, or Alice through the Looking Glass. The only thing I own, and that, in co-operative with a group of friends, is the concept illustrated within this story.

Author's Note: Written while waiting for my flight in Spokane International Airport. Can be either a prequel or sequel to "The Price of Wonderland". You choose.

"Are you ready?" he asked, putting his hands on her shoulder in a gesture that should have been reassuring.

"No," she said, readjusting the heavy wig and constricting clothing. "But it's time, isn't it? She's… she is getting so tired. If I didn't know better, I would say she was getting old."

"You are right." He offered her his arm, and she slipped her hand through the proffered limb. "Good luck, Alice. You deserve this."

"Do I?" she asked, but before he could answer, her cue was called, and he escorted her out, onto the plush, red carpet, into the bright lights…

The Queen of Hearts stood, looking much less than she had always looked before. She looked, to Alice, very, very tired. Not only tired, though. Frightened.

Alice had been coached for this. She had been practicing in all the years since she had first followed a rabbit down his hole, and tumbled into this fantastic world…

She knelt, in front of the Queen, bowing her head, her neck already straining at the weight of the great wig. "My Queen," she said, a single, careful acknowledgement.

"My Alice." The Queen knelt, and only Alice saw her tremble. The pair made a perfect mirror of each other, kneeling there, matching dresses and wigs. The only difference, for the casual observer, was the crown.

The Queen, her hands shaking, carefully removed the crown from her own head, and placed it firmly onto Alice. "My Queen," said the old queen, years, decades of care washing from her face and her voice. She leaned in, placing her forehead on the new Queen's shoulder. "Please," she whispered, so that only the girl could hear. "Please, set me free…"

Alice, now the Queen of Hearts, placed both of her hands on the older woman's shoulder, looking her mentor of many years in the eyes, before standing, leaving the old queen, now nothing more than an Alice, soon to be nothing at all, kneeling, head bowed.

She knew what she had to do. It hurt her, made her sick, made her hate herself. She turned away, refusing to see what happened to the old Queen. Refusing to witness this. "Off with her head!"