Hey guys! The prologue here is set way before the events in The Wolf Among Us. It takes place in the Homelands where the Fables originally came from, before Bigby meets Snow, before he even meets Red Riding Hood. It tells the story of how Bigby and Alice first met. Chapter 1 will take place in New York City in the 90's (shortly after the events of the game).
Disclaimer: I do not own Tim Burton's vision of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland or the characters found within. I also do not own The Wolf Among Us or its citizens (Snow White does :p). I'm not making any money of this fic, it is merely for fun!
Prologue: The Girl in Blue and The Big Bad Wolf
Escaping from her daily history lesson, Alice darted out the back of her parent's estate, clutching poor Dinah to her chest. She stopped well before the edge of the property line, bordered with trees that belonged to an ominous looking wood that Alice was forbidden to enter, and collapsed gracelessly into a heap of wild daisies. Alice sighed in contentment and relief as she languidly turned her head to pluck a daisy from the soft earth she settled in.
How could anyone possibly enjoy a book without pictures or conversations (1)? She wondered.
Her older sister had been droning on about crowns and Kings and Alice could hardly pay any attention to the tiny text in her lesson book. She reached around Dinah, who had begun to bat at a small cabbage butterfly, to pluck more daisies. She started humming a small melody as she meticulously crafted a flower crown. "You know Dinah? I'm certain I'd enjoy history more if crowns were made out of daisies rather than weight of the Kingdom." Alice wasn't sure what that meant, exactly, but she distinctly remembered her sister telling her that the wearing the crown was a heavy burden to bear.
And such a weight it must be! Surly monarchs must get tired of carrying around such heaviness on their heads. Do they get cricks in their necks, I wonder.
"Hmm" Alice hummed thoughtfully to herself. When she finished, Alice paused to admire her work before crowning an unsuspecting Dinah. She giggled when Dinah immediately started to bat at the intrusive flower crown on her head.
Alice sighed once more and flopped back down on her back with her arms folded behind her golden mane. Dinah clumsily clamored on top of her torso and curled into a ball. As she gazed up at the clouds her thoughts drifted listlessly around her skull about crowns and kingdoms and what she would do with a land all her own. She decided then and there she would much rather wear a crown of daisies than one crafted out of responsibilities. She began humming once more and let her thoughts lazily shift back up to the fluffy clouds overhead. "Oh look, Dinah! That one looks like a giant caterpillar!" She exclaimed, pointing upwards. "And that one looks just like a smiling cat!" Hmmm, I didn't even know cats could smile, Alice thought.
The dear girl was so absorbed in her cloud gazing that she almost failed to notice a white rabbit in a waistcoat dash right past her. Now there was nothing very extraordinary about a rabbit in a waist coat, thought Alice (2). It was only when she heard a pinched voice exclaim "Oh dear, oh my, I'm terribly late!" that she took notice. Alice quickly sat up, dumping Dinah unceremoniously on the ground, and gaped in a most un-lady-like way at the rabbit scampering away. Then that very same rabbit stopped and turned toward her. He pulled a pocket watch out of his waist coat, tapped it a few times at her admonishingly, and winked before disappearing into the trees. Alice did not waste a moment's hesitation before she leapt to her feet and began to chase after the mysterious rabbit.
A black Wolf padded along the edge of his territory in regal silence. As per usual, nothing about his wood seemed particularly out of the ordinary. The wind was favorable, the sun was bright and warm, and not an intruder to be seen. Everything is as it should be. As the wind shifted he paused, lifting his head slowly. The Wolf sniffed the air and was pleasantly surprised to smell something…different. He tilted his head upwind to get a better whiff of the foreign scent that was wafting through the breeze. The Wolf lifted an eyebrow (if wolves could do such a thing). He was troubled at the prospect of an intruder in his domain but the nature of the strange smell intrigued him more than anything. He took a decided step forward and headed in the direction of that enticing new odor. It wasn't every day that a foolish intruder took it upon themselves to tread the territory of the Big Bad Wolf.
His paw steps were silent and purposeful as he neared the source of the smell. The closer he got the more he recognized it. The smell was innocence. His curiosity growing, he rounded a dense thicket to see a small girl with honey golden tresses, wearing a blue dress, chase wildly after a white rabbit in a waist coat. The Wolf snorted inelegantly. He recognized the rabbit. It was the same rabbit (and only rabbit mind you) to elude him for years. The girl, however, was new. He sniffed once again and found her scent to be completely intoxicating. She smelled of newness and springtime. The sight of her running made his blood pump and his heart race. The chase was on.
The Wolf followed the girl as close as he could without being detected. It wouldn't do to give himself away right off. "Wait!" The girl panted after the rabbit. He smirked, curious little thing isn't she? Didn't her mother and father teach her not to wander in these wood? Didn't she know this land belonged to the Big Bad Wolf? He licked his jaws out of anticipation and continued his pursuit.
The white rabbit finally came to a stop in a small clearing among the trees. Alice stumbled to a halt, panting and completely exhausted from her chase. "Wait! Please Mr. Rabbit!" She begged. The white rabbit stopped and faced the girl. She leaned down towards him slowly as she puffed. "What, may I ask-" but before she could finish catching her breath and finishing her thought the rabbit's eyes shifted behind the girl and widened before he bolted in the opposite direction. Alice only then noticed the dark shadow that surrounded her. She paused in fright for a fraction of a moment and her breath caught in her chest. It felt like forever, however, for you see sometimes forever is merely a second in time. She slowly rose to her full height before turning around.
Alice stifled a gasp at what she found, for before her was an enormous black wolf. He stood taller than any horse her parents owned and had piercing golden orbs for eyes. She was in awe. My, what a beautiful creature,she admired. I should hope he doesn't plan to eat me.He said nothing, which struck Alice as odd. Just a moment ago, a white rabbit was speaking the Queen's English, so why shouldn't this wolf? She tentatively took a step forward. "Hello" she breathed. She didn't want to scare him off (a laughable thought).
After succeeding to capture his prey, the Wolf stood before the girl. When she turned and faced him she did not appear afraid. In fact, she seemed quite….curious. Wolves, being curious creatures themselves, he found her lack of fear intriguing, for there was no creature that did not look upon him in fear. He smirked to himself at her bravery, or was it ignorance? Only when she took a step toward him did the Wolf react to the girl. He lowered his head so that he was eye level with her and bared his sharp fangs with a low, intimidating snarl. Instead of cowering, the girl defiantly placed her hands on her hips and bit the tip of his nose! With an embarrassing yelp the wolf retracted. He wiggled his nose in an attempt to shake off the sting. He was in shock. He peered down at the girl, wide eyed. She glared up back at him, hands still on hips. "Now is that anyway to say hello?" She chided.
How rude! Alice huffed. Her patience had run thin. First it was rabbits in waistcoats running amok and now a wolf with no manners! Really, now! She had merely tried to introduce herself and strike up conversation and he was being a completely rude brute about it. Had no one taught him how to give a proper greeting? If there was one thing that Alices could not tolerate, it was rudeness. And this wolf had been particularly rude.
The Wolf, still aghast at the gesture stood in silence. He smiled inwardly at the girl's brazenness. She was not an ordinary little girl, that was certain. She was brave and inquisitive.
Much like a young pup should be, he noted admiringly.
Perhaps this little pup was worth more alive than a meal. He opened his mouth to say something, anything. But before he could utter a single word an eerie howl rang out throughout the trees. His eyes narrowed. Damn coyotes, he thought. Have they not learned what happens to beasts who hunt in my territory? He looked down at the little girl, who began to fidget nervously, and for the first time he smelled her fear.
As the hollow sound found its way to Alice, she shivered. She looked around her and realized how terribly late and cold it had gotten. Dinah must be so worried! She thought. How ever am I to find my way home? Her gaze rose back at her companion who looked as if he was deciding what to do with her. He seemed….concerned, almost. He leaned down and gently nudged her shoulder with the tip of his nose, turning the girl in the opposite direction. Alice turned her head in confusion and he nodded in the direction he pointed her in. Alice took it as a gesture in directing her back home and started on her way but not before uttering a quick thank you to her new friend.
The Wolf sighed. He knew he needed to get rid of those pesky coyotes and until then the girl was not safe out here. He waited until she was out of sight before turning his attention toward the sound of the invaders.
Alice raced as fast as she could through the darkening forest. She tried very hard to keep her wits about her not to panic. Oh I knew I shouldn't have gone after that pesky rabbit! Alice scolded herself. She began to rub tears from her eyes. Now I might never get out of these woods and back home. Who will feed poor Dinah? Alice had always prided herself on giving very good advice (but she very seldom followed it). Perhaps that's why she always ended up in the kind of trouble that she did. As she crashed through brush and leapt over fallen branches she could hear the rustle of the trees around her and the hungry grunts and snarls of hungry coyotes. Then to her horror she realized, she was being hunted.
The Wolf crashed through the trees in hot pursuit of his intruders. He could smell them now and to his dismay he also picked up traces of the small girl. He heard the terrified cry of the girl and stopped. He peeked over a fallen tree to she was surrounded by a pack of ravenous coyotes. How dare they hunt in my territory! He growled. Not only were they hunting on his land, they were hunting his prey. Granted, she wasn't really his prey. After their first encounter he had no intention of eating or harming the dear girl. She fascinated him. He watched as she was cornered against a large oak. She gasped in fright. Enough! He thought, and leaped over the log in one powerful and swift movement to come crashing down loudly behind the pack. The coyotes whipped around to see the Black Wolf looming over them, teeth bared.
The pack tried to escape his ire in vain. One by one, the Wolf easily crushed the mangy intruders in his massive jaws as they desperately tried to flee from their furious God. Only a few lucky ones managed to retreat from the scene with tails tucked. The Wolf shot a glance at the little girl who stared, jaw slackened, at the scene, a gesture very unbecoming on Alice. He had the decency to turn away from her to lick to the blood off his jaws before turning his attention back on the pup.
Alice slowly peeled herself away from the tree she pinned her body to and on wobbly legs approached the Wolf. He did not flinch or move to hurt her. He simply allowed her presence. She could feel the hum of tension between them as her hand rose shakily. She gently ran her fingers along his mane. It was surprisingly soft. Alice searched for a reaction but he gave none. He simply stood still and allowed the contact. She smiled wanly in thanks as they started their trek away from the massacre and towards her home.
He was grateful that she was not repulsed or turned away from him out of fear after what she had seen. She seemed, in fact, to be thankful for his aid. He stifled a rumble in his throat as her small, warm hands found their way in the thick fur on the nape of his neck. In tune, they began their way forward and towards her den. She was quiet most of the way. He genuinely enjoyed the girl's company and found her presence to be calming. He had never enjoyed the company of another before and it was very different but if he had to admit it (which he likely would not) he liked it. She had began speaking softly, mostly to herself, but he listened intently to what she had to say. He learned that the girl's name was Alice, and that little Alice was very clever for someone her age. "If I had a world of my own," she continued, "everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (3)" The wolf paused and looked at her. He hadn't a clue how to follow her logic but he simply nodded to appease her. As they continued walking he chuckled inwardly to himself, what an odd girl. Her innocence and curiosity radiated off her like a beacon and he could not get enough of her scent. When they came to the very edge of his territory he could tell they were close for she seemed to brighten up significantly.
"Oh there it is!" She exclaimed, relieved to be home. She could see her parent's estate from the tree line. She started to dash off, and in her excitement to see Dinah she had completely forgotten to thank her new friend. She skidded to a stop and turned back. He was still hidden in the tree line, his illuminated eyes peering out at her. between the foliage. She slowly made her way back to him. As he looked down at her with eyebrow raised she smiled back at him sheepishly. Cats can smile and wolves can quirk their eyebrows, how curious, she thought.
He leaned down to eye level (out of respect of course) to hear what she had to say. Instead of speaking, Alice gently cupped her hands beneath his chin and drew himself to her. His eyes widened in disbelief as she gently placed a soft kiss on his nose where she had bitten him earlier. "Thank you," she said quietly. Before he could begin to think of a reply she had sprinted off towards her home. The Wolf watched her go, eyes still wide, beaming at her retreating figure. Alice, he mused, what a peculiar and beautiful little wolfing.
(1) Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
(2) Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
(3) Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
So there you have it! I really hope that you enjoyed it. Please review, fav, and follow! I plan on posting the first chapter in the next few days or so.
