Wonderful Realizations

Alice was relieved that everyone has managed to escape Salazun Grum after she has been forced to flee on the back of the Bandersnatch with Bayard. Especially the Hatter. In the short few days she'd been in Underland Alice had grown quite fond of the mad man. He seemed to be the only one in this strange land that simply wanted her to be; be who she needed to be. The White Queen kept harping about a champion, in the most gentle way possible of course. But the man in the top hat seemed to know that she would be able to figure it out on her own, and that surprisingly soothed her. She was still in doubt that she would be able to slay the Jabberwok, but she was beginning to feel like the decision was being taken out of her hands.

She was standing on a moonlit balcony at Mamoreal. Before her stretched Underland, sleepy and dark even in the silver light. Every so often she would have a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of bright colors, but they were thin and over in a flash.

"Alice?" a soft voice floated on the night breeze, causing her to stand and turn. It was the Hatter, top hat tucked under his arm. Slowly he joined her, setting his hat on a bench beside him.

"Hello Hatter."

"Tarrant" He smiled gently, darling gap in his teeth. Alice felt a warming in her stomach, a tightening. Every time he smiled at her it seemed to make lightning skitter through her.

"I wondered what your name really was, I just never thought to ask." Alice smiled back at him. Together they stood, shoulder to arm, warm silence falling around them.

"I told you once, many years ago." His eyes, such an amazing green, bore into her brown ones. His voice was quiet and soothing, wrapping around Alice like a blanket.

"That was back when you called Underland Wonderland instead." he continued. "I'm not surprised though, the land was so much more muchier back then."

"Wonderland?" Alice whispered. Memories assaulted her, drowning out the Hatter before her. Scenes from the dream she's had for years flashed behind her eyes. Years of emotions flooded her. Gasping she would have fallen to the ground if it weren't for Tarrant.

"Alice?" Tarrant whispered urgently. "Are ye a'right lass?"

Alice slowly came back to herself to find that Tarrant had his strong arms wrapped around her. Her hands were pressed to his chest, her face just under his. His eyes were still green, but there was grey flecking them. His cheekbones were more pronounced at the new angle. His lips, dark and close, were pursed in concern.

"You're real." Alice murmured.

"Ah should hope Ah'm real lass," Tarrant slipped into Outlandish.

Alice felt his breath on her cheek, so very warm. His hands were hot on her back through the light robes she was given to wear. She could feel his heartbeat under her right palm, assuring her that he was very real.

"Yes, but they weren't dreams, they were memories. All of this is real." She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his ascot, tears leaking out of her eyes. "I'm so sorry I didn't realize sooner."

"Hush lass." Tarrant ran a hand down her hair. "Ah didn't mean ta dis'tress ye."

Pulling back Alice moved to wipe her eyes, accepting the handkerchief the Hatter handed her with a small smile.

"You didn't Tarrant." She promised, wiping her eyes. "I just can't believe I didn't realize it sooner."

"You were a wee thing back then lass." He reached out and captured a tear she had missed. "I'm not surprised you didn't remember quickly Alice."

"Can you help me?" Alice stood taller, coming to a decision. If she was going to fight, she should know the basics.

"Of course." Tarrant promised, rubbing her tear between his fingers. It was a strangely intimate gesture to Alice.

"Show me how to fight." She glanced back out across Underland. "I know the Vorpal Sword knows what it wants, but I don't want to go in completely defenseless."

Tarrant reached behind him and placed his hat on his head. He then held out his arm. Alice took it and together they walked away from the moonlight.