What's the Hatter with Me?

I stooped down low as I walked into the Queen's dressing room, It was a small room with the red draps and carpet but only one thing stood out the most for me. The Hatter was busily making hats of all kinds and pilling them on the shelves and windowstills once finnished.

"Their wonderful!" I exclamimed as I put his hat on a stool and leaned over his shoulder. He glanced briefly at me with an exicted look. I could almost see what he was thinking, sure it was nice to be making hats, but for her?

"It's a shame" I said, sadly. "It's a shame you have to make them for her, when she dosen't desevere them."

He sighed and continued. But then he stopped. Oh fiddlesticks!

"Hatter..." I started but his eyes were blazing orange and he was shaking. "Hatter..." I tried again but he was jerking. He flew his hand across the table,spilling his tools onto the floor.

I grabbed his arms and put them to his sides but he slipped them free.

"HATTER!" I yelled, grabbing his face in my huge hands. He stopped and gazed at me.

"...fez....fez...I'm fine" he horsely whispered. "What is a hatter to me?" he mumbled to himself.

"Don't you dare start blaming yourself!" I hissed violently. He stopped and gazed at me, confusion in his eyes.

"I'm scared Alice" he admitted in a deadly whisper. "It's too crowed in here and I...she....the Jabberwocky will...find me.."

"No, it won't" I said, calmly and brushed my thumb on his cheek, it redeened under my touch.

He sighed and I dropped my hands, his eyes were a sad blue.

"Have I gone mad?" came the sad voice of Tarrant Hightopp, gazing at me.

His words sparkled a memory of my father and I recited the words he'd told me all thoose years ago.

"I'm afraid you are, your off your rocker and completrly round the bend..." His face fell.

"But..." I continued "All the best people are" He found my face and beamed and I smiled warmly back at him.

"Think about it, your in Underland." I reasoned "Half the population is mad. I am." I admitted. His brow furrowrd.

"No your not." he stated. I pretened to be offened "I'm am!"

"No your not!"

"Yes I am!"

"Not!"

"Am!"

"Your not!"

"Shhs, I have a present for you."

I reached back and got his hat. His eyes welled up as I wiped the dirt off and straightned it for him. Then I placed it carefully on his head, tapping the rim proudly.

"There, you look yourself now!" I beamed. He looked like he was going to cry.

"Thank you Alice" he said, softly and I smiled wider.

"No problem. What could I do? Leave it behind? I don't think so!" I exclaimed. He laughed.

It was silent for a while as we stood, gazing into each other's eyes.

"Why is it that you are always too big or too small?" He whispered gently.

I let out a chuckle. "I haven't got any Drink Me potion."

He sighed "You must find the Vorpal Sword. I'm told it lies here in the castle somehwere. Afterwards you must go to Marmoreal and the White Queen."

"We'll go together" I argured.

He winked "So determined aren't you?" I nodded as I heard a "Hat man! I'm not a pacient monarch!" from the next room.

I starred at the Hatter for a moment and ducked back out of the room, determined.

Before I closed the door I heard a gentle sigh.