Capturted, To The Rescue, Failed - Oops!

Alice is captured by Stayne and the Hatter go to rescue her but it ends badly. Or does it?

IN TWO PARTS - ONE SHOT

"Come now Bander, we need to go over the border - Lady Alice is in there!"

The Bandersnatch whinned and obeyed his master who was indeed, the Mad Hatter himself. It had spread that since Alice had returned, she had returned ... and landed staight into the Outlands - where Stayne had "kidnapped" her.

He hadn't even seen her and he'd taken her - he only prayed that she was still alive.

Half an hour later they rode into Arwitt, the main town of the Outlands and he got off the Bandersnatch.

"Excuse me, would you know where the Stayne might be?" he asked a dodgy looking woman with jet black hair.

"He is at the back, around the near back of the black." she hissed in return. He flicnhed and walked away.

The Bandersnatch saw a strand of blonde hair on the ground. Curious, he knelt before it and sniffed; it was the scent of Alice.

He got the Hatter's attention and motioned him over.

"Well done Bander!" Tarrant said happily. "Let's us go!"

Sadly it had been half an hour until the Hatter wandered off. He came around a corner of a dark and dank lane.

Suddendly there was a crash and he felt strong arms grab his head and he looked up, terrified and all bravery gone.

Stayne had grabbed Tarrant, wrenching him away and held him in a vice-like grip. Tarrant hoped that Alice was alright before Stayne broke his neck.

Stayne raised his hand to strike Tarrant with the sword ....

"Get your hands away from my Hatter, you BASTARD!" came a yell from behind Stayne.

Stayne jumped and Tarrant opened his eyes and gasped.

Behind Stayne, stood Alice Kingsleigh herself, in a very thin torn nightgown spalttred with wet and dry blood.

She was striding forward towards Stayne who turned around.

"Get. Off. HIM. NOW!" she roared, feeling as if her eyes would turn if she were Tarrant.

"Alice sweetheart, this isn't..." Stayne started weakly. Alice's muchness was overwealming to him and he didn't understand her at all.

"Don't lie to me!!" She mumurmed, a dark and dangerous sound.

"Alice...it isn't what it...oh scram...I don't need you at this moment..."

Alice kept striding forward.

"You evil..scrumming..gribblin...cowardly bastard!!" she screamed and in a swift movement, hitched her skirt up and withdrew her dagger.

She forcefully rasied her hand and plunged it to the Stayne's heart.

"I hate you." she hissed, pure evil in her eyes and spat in his pained face. She kicked him in the groin and he fell limp and dead.

Alice stood still, panting slightly with her eyes closed.

She tried to not let her emotions get the better of her and intended not to look up from her busy work.

She turned around and hurried along tip-toed along the path away from Tarrant.

"Alice!" Tarrant called as he watched her run away. He saw her half freeze but then carried on. He got up gingerly and ran after her.

Sensing it was him follwing she slowed but then felt faint. Stayne hadn't allowed her to have any food and she felt weak.

"Alice!" she heard as her eyes closed, not under her command.

She felt her knees give way and collaspe...only she felt someone catch her.

"Alice?" she opened her eyes slowly and her heart lifted. The Hatter was gazing at her and his thumb traced her forehead.

"Hatter..." she said and her eyes closed again.

She felt herself being lifted up and being carried carefully away.

"Hatter...I'm....sorry I...I left..." she said weakly, but felt her tears came easily now.

She may have returned but she was reunited with the Hatter, her friend, her... (she had no idea how to finish.)

"Shhh" he whsipered, craddling her in his arms and he softly kissed her forehead tenderly. "you just rest, we will take you back where you belong."

"I belong with you Tarrant" she whispered sleepily. The Hatter blushed furiously but was glad she couldn't see.

He looked down and saw she had fallen asleep. Sleep now Alice, I will look after you.

End Of Part One