A large gust of wind swept across the meadow, shaking the thousands of flowers and bringing a rainbow of colours into the clear, cloudless darkening blue sky above. An old couple sat in their small herbal garden, drinking lukewarm Earl Grey tea from cobalt blue, bone china cups as they silently watched the bright petals softly flutter to the ground below. The sun slowly setting in the west, highlighting the prism hue twirling in front.

The duo both sighed simultaneously, saddened by the quietness of their household. The two of them were the King's most trusted advisors, guiding him instead of leading. They had met while they were young, and decided to focus on their careers. By the time they were content with their positions they had passed the prime of their life and, mostly likely, would never be able to have, and care for a child. Everyday their longing to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet and the infectious laughter of little ones increased.

The couple glanced at one another, a saddened smile on their aged faces. Before their gazes turned back to the meadow, slowly drinking the tea made by their only servant, who had been with them for years. The male refilling their cups occasionally as time passed by. The two of them looked down the road to the small town, just within shouting distance, as they heard the sound of feet upon the dirt road.

They both blinked in surprise as they noticed a rather handsome young man dressed in an interesting, and possibly foreign suit; and carrying two blankets, one silver, another gold, in his arms, as he approached their residence. They raised their eyebrows when he nervously stopped in front of them. The gentleman swallowed harshly before smiling a peculiar mixture of happiness and sorrow. "Hello, to what to we owe the pleasure of this meeting?" The two of them greeted kindly.

For some unknown reason, either their greeting, or by some other origin, a broken sob escaped the visitor. His smile faltering, before coming back full force. "Hello, this may be sudden, but I have a request." They once more blinked, curiosity visible within their startlingly similar brown eyes. "What is your request young one?" They both ask, setting down their, now empty, cups of tea onto the ebony stained wood table beside them, waiting for the gentleman to speak. As they did so the stranger shifted, bringing the two bundles wrapped in silver and gold closer to his chest.

He takes a stuttering breath before closing his eyes and bowing his head, his silky shoulder length blond hair falling like a curtain around his face. "I have searched far and wide for someone who is worthy to care for these two. None whom I've tried are kind, smart, or understanding enough for me to even think about leaving them for a second. I have tried to care for them, to be the one to watch them grow up happy and strong, but I can't, I'm not the one who's meant to."

He takes a deep breath, pausing in his speech to the, now frozen in shock, elderly couple. Realization slowly dawning within them, along with a growing hint of anticipation. "Not long ago I heard a rumor in the capital, about two kind advisors who were without children, yet desperately wished for some. I'm not sorry to say that I've researched about you, and I'm amazed with what you've both done. I know, that this, this is extremely confusing and surprising, but, can you, please, take care of these two, twins who have been together since before birth, as if they were you own?"

The woman gets up slowly, taking a hesitant step towards the stranger, and with it the bundled twins. "Are you sure? Will you not regret this, and wish it never happened? Will you not try to take them back, once you realize what you've done?" She places a hand upon the man's shoulder, ignoring his flinch. He locks determined blue eyes with her brown from behind his curtain of blonde hair. "No, I will not regret it for even a minute, because, somehow I know you both will be the best parents these children could ever wish to have." The gentleman looks down at the two twins, a gentle and loving smile upon his face.

The woman takes a deep breath, looking down at the duo as well. "What are their names, if they have any?" A quiet bark of laughter escapes him, the gentle smile becoming a wide grin as his eyes met hers, and her husband's, who had just joined them. The male hands her the child wrapped in gold, gently rubbing his thumb against her small face before retreating a step away. "The one I just handed to you is the youngest twin, whose name is Alice. The reason Alice was picked, as her name, is because her mother hoped that she would be noble of heart."

The elderly pair gently hold onto the small, seemingly fragile child closer. Memorizing her bright blue eyes, fair skin, and soft blonde hair. "She's beautiful, more stunning than anything or anyone I've ever seen." The woman breaths out in awe, her husband smiling in agreement. The stranger laughs out joyfully, the bright sound echo's, scaring a rabbit into it's burrow by a gnarled tree. "Yes, she's beautiful. The most magnificent being I've ever had the pleasure to lay my eyes upon." The elderly man reaches a hand to touch the baby's tiny, and fragile arm. "What's her age? The day of her birth?"

The stranger smiles brightly, his blue eyes seeming to sparkle in the dimming daylight. "As of now, both twins are three months old. They were born on September 20th, with Alice being born nine minutes after her older brother." The man takes a deep breath, handing the older twin to the elderly male. "Now, this is the eldest twin, Alec. The name Alec was picked because his mother hoped he would protect others, and defend them from harm." The pair both looked down at the tiny child, who looked remarkably like his younger sister.

The stranger gave a gentle cough to gain their attention, taking another breath. "My only wish is for them to be loved. To me, nothing else is more important." As the gentleman finished his request, he smiles, raising his pale right hand to brush away the hair from his face. As he did so, the elderly couple couldn't help but notice a tattoo that based a striking resemblance to a pocket watch on the posterior of his hand.

The elderly woman's eyes widen as she realizes they don't know the stranger's name, "Wha-" yet, just as she was going to ask, the oldest twin started to cry. The couple both look down in alarm, the elderly male beginning to hum an old lullaby to the child, both of them smiling as his tears gradually slow to a stop. As the child calms down the woman looks up, once more about to ask for the gentleman's name, yet the question remains frozen on her lips.

The space in which the stranger had occupied now empty. The only evidence of his existence are two children wrapped in silver and gold, and the memories of a smiling, yet sorrowful young man dressed in a foreign suit. They never did see the tears running down his face as he ran way from them. Only once did he hesitate, reaching the edge of the forest, a nearly silent whisper of a sorrowful "Goodbye" escaped his trembling lips. Before he disappeared into the looming forest in the east. Running towards the rabbit hiding in the gnarled tree.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Inspired by

"Why Wonderland Was Made" a short story I wrote four years ago, and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Requests

If you find any spelling and/or punctuation errors please inform me.

For the ones who read the original Prologue, is this rewrite better? If so, what do you like about it?

Further Information

Alice means noble

Alec is the Scottish form of Alex (Alexander), meaning defender or helper of mankind.

Unfamiliar Words

Posterior - the side of your hand you see when your palm is flat on the table.

If you see any other unfamiliar or unusual words please comment.