Disclaimer: I do not own Heart no Kuni no Alice. I just own this story, its prequel, and the OCs. The rights belong to Quinrose and Lewis Carrol.

Chapter One: She's Coming

(OC's POV)

My name is Elinor Lorina Liddell.

It's strange to most people though... how I have my grandfather and aunt's last name.

My father chose to take on the surname 'Liddell' because he didn't have his own last name. I had always found that strange as a child. Auntie Edith said it was because my father and mother ran away and got married or something like that.

But I know the truth behind it now. Father told me everything when I turned five.

Although... I always wonder why Mother didn't tell me. I guess she doesn't like Wonderland, perhaps?

I like it, that strange place called 'Wonderland.'

I hope I get to go one day. It sounds so interesting.

So very very curious.

When I was little, I use to get my father to tell me bed-time stories about Wonderland.

How I loved those stories!

My father was quite amazing. (Although, Auntie says he's not quite right in the head. But she tries her best to be nice and keeps her mouth shut about it when Mother and Grandfather are around. Which makes me wonder if she knows about everything in Wonderland.)

My mother was just as amazing, just different from my father. I think she was quite brave when dealing with the Mad Hatter.

But I really admire my father.

The Ace of Hearts.

"Elinor!"

I blinked and looked up at my mother.

I grinned at her sheepishly. Got lost in thought...

"Yes, Mother?"

She sighed and crossed her arms. "I told you not to sprawl out like that when lying on the grass."

"Oh, Mother." I frowned and sat in a more 'lady-like' position.

She nodded in satisfaction. "Please, Elinor. You are almost eighteen. You need to act more like a lady."

I bit my tongue to keep back a sarcastic comment.

"Sorry, Mother," I mumbled.

My mother smiled slightly and pushed a stray hair out of my face.

I smiled back. "Is Father home yet?"

My mother shook her head as she sat down beside me on the grass. "No, I'm afraid not. He had an extra student today."

I let out a sigh. "I wish you would let me go."

My mother pursed her lips. "You don't need fencing lessons, dear."

I sighed again. "But it could come in handy."

My mother shook her head firmly. "No... I don't want you to be holding a weapon in your hands."

"But what if I end up in a situation where I need to protect myself?"

My mother looked amused at my question. "I," she smiled s bit, "would hope you would be smart enough not to get into a situation like that."

"Unlike you?" I teased.

"Elinor!" My mother scolded me playfully.

"Admit it, Mother!" I laughed. "You always need Father to protect you."

My mother laughed softly. "Yes... I suppose I do."

"Do you think I'll meet someone like Father?"

My mother smiled at me again. "Of course. I'm sure you'll find just the right knight."

I gave her a crooked grin. "But what if I'm aiming for something else?"

My mother raised an eyebrow and got onto her feet. "You will find exactly what you need."

I rolled my eyes and yawned.

Whatever that is suppose to mean...

"I'll be staying in the garden until Father comes home."

My mother looked at me with concern. "Are you sure? It's starting to get a bit chilly. You should come inside."

I yawned again and shook my head. "I'll be fine, Mother."

I smiled at my mother. "The sun's peeking out of the clouds and will keep me warm."

My mother pursed her lips again. "Don't... don't fall asleep out here. You might catch a cold."

I nodded. "Yes, yes."

"Please... be careful."

I rolled my eyes and found myself yawning again as my mother headed back into the house.

She glanced back at me.

She looked... younger somehow.

She smiled sadly at me, as if... as if she knew something was going to happen.

Mmmm... Soo sleepy. Surely a short nap couldn't hurt me.

(Ace's POV)

Well... work had been interesting.

I stretched.

It felt so good to be swinging a sword. I guess that one thing from Wonderland has stuck with me.

Ah look at the time... that lesson went longer than I thought.

I grinned sheepishly. I hope Alice and Elinor won't be too angry with me.

I quickly changed and took a cab home.

The technology of the real world never ceases to amaze me.

Thanks to the cab, I've arrived home much quicker.

I opened the front door and called out cheerfully, "Alice, Elinor! I'm home!"

"Ace!" Alice greeted me with a hug.

"You miss me that much?" I teased as I returned her embrace.

She didn't reply and instead hugged me tightly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Something... wrong?"

Alice slowly nodded. "I think...She's there."

I cocked my head. "Who is where?"

"Elinor," she whispered. "She's asleep in the garden."

I looked at Alice in surprise. "In the garden?"

Alice nodded again.

I pursed my lips. "It's nothing to worry about. She could just be sleeping."

Alice frowned up at me. "But she could be-" she left the sentence hang.

I sighed. "Alice, just let it go. She'll be fine."

I cupped my hand under her chin. "Elinor knows enough to take care of herself."

Alice sighed. "I just don't know... Maybe I should have told her more about Wonderland from my point of view."

I shrugged then smiled. "Perhaps. But don't worry. She'll show Wonderland what she's got."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Alice mumbled into my shoulder.

(Elinor's POV)

Mmmm... that nap was good.

I slowly opened my eyes, wincing as the sun's rays made contact with my face.

Ooo... soo warm. I don't know why Mother thought I would catch a cold.

"Ah! There you are!"

I blinked in surprise and slowly turned my head towards the voice.

"Alice!"

I was suddenly tackled by a white bunny in a red vest.

"Wah! A bunny!" I yelled.

"Alice, Alice, Alice!"

I grabbed the bunny by the ears, hoping it would freeze. My father had told me that was one way to get a bunny to stop moving.

And of course, he was right.

The bunny instantly became still when my hands grasped his ears.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

After all, a talking bunny can answer questions.

"Y-you're not Alice, are you?"

"Nope. I'm Elinor, her daughter."

"So they didn't name you Alice..." the bunny sighed.

I cocked my head slightly. Was this bunny... from Wonderland?

I studied the bunny. He looked like someone my father told me about...

What was his name?

"Peter?" I asked. "Peter White?"

The bunny looked at me with adoration in his eyes. "Yes, Elinor?"

I pursed my lips.

So this was the famous 'Peter White.'

He's just as disgustingly clinging like Father said.

"So... I'm guessing you are here to take me to Wonderland?"

Peter smiled brightly at me. "That would be correct."

I let go of his ears. "Let's go then."

Peter raised an eyebrow at me but asked no questions as he took my hand. He led me toward the back of the garden where a large hole had suddenly appeared.

My eyes grew in wonder and excitement.

I was going to Wonderland.

But...

I glanced back at the house.

Mother.

Oh come on.

This is how you found Father.

So why can't I get a chance to play a game in Wonderland?

Just for a little while, Mother.

I won't be gone long.

I promise.

I closed my eyes tightly and jumped into the hole with Peter.

Wonderland, here I come!

Author's Note:Well hullo hullo! :) I'm back and ready to roll again. ^-^ I hope you guys will enjoy this one as much as the first story. :)