"You may enter," White Queen called.
"Lady Mirana," Hatter said going into a deep bow.
"For the sake of Underland! Rise, Hatter!"
He did as she said, not wanting to upset her further.
"Do you know what brought you here Hatter?" He shook his head. He truly had not the slightest idea why he had been summoned to Mirana's chamber. Of course he was fearing the worst of news….
"Hatter, something has been… bothering you, so to say. You are one of my dearest friends, but you have been so distant over the past few months. What is the matter?
He couldn't tell her. He couldn't. How could he explain that he realized that he was in love with Alice? The only person that had ever been able to see deep down into the depths of his heart? How could he even begin to explain how much he missed her? Pure, sweet Alice…. If only he could see her one more time…
Hatter was lost to thought. And when he didn't answer, Mirana got impatient. Her sweet shell started to break, and she made a noise similar to a growl.
"HATTER!" he came back to the present. "Tell me what the matter is!"
"I can not, my lady." Hatter said turning away in shame. He would not let her see him on the verge of tears of sorrow. He started to leave; he couldn't stay in her presence any longer.
There was of rustle of shirts, and then he heard a soft voice behind him. "Hatter…" Mirana called, "I have one more thing to tell you, or one more thing to give you…."
He turned around and stared at her with his sorrow pinched eyes, the eyes that should never be touched by sadness. "There is nothing that you could give me-"
"There is! There is!" she said silencing him. "Hatter I would like to give you something that should have given to you a long time ago…. Hatter, I would like to give you your Heart's desire."
Hatter suddenly felt dizzy. My Heart's desire? he thought to himself. You see it's not as easy as just giving it to someone. Being a sorceress, like Mirana, even the most trained in magic could be drained of power and weaken them for as much a few months. This was no small gift coming from anyone.
"I can't do that to you, my lady," Hatter cried, "I can't possibly!"
"Oh, but you can Hatter! You must! Otherwise I know you will never be truly happy! And I can't possibly bear your sadness…"
He stood there silently. It seemed as if hours passed in that silence. Finally, Mirana spoke up.
"What is your Heart's desire?" she said calmly.
Alice, his heart whispered. ALICE! Bring her home!