Title: More than a Dream
Summary: Three years later, Alice dreams again. Alice x Hatter Dark Themes
Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland or the Hunting of the Snark. It belongs to Lewis Carroll and the movie this is based on to Tim Burton. I make no money from this; it's just a good way to avoid homework.
A/N: Well, right now it looks we're going to be on a two week pattern for posts. I'm still working on the story, no worries, and this schedule will hopefully let me have some time to keep working while doing school. I don't want to leave this unfinished.
Also- thank you so much for your reviews. I appreciate them so much!
Chapter Two
"So, how do you know that your Snark is a Boojam?" The Red Queen asked while she sipped at her tea.
When people started to dock onto the land, she made a strive to see them, playing up her victim status. Her large head surprised them all, but they were also shocked that she had been left alone for so long. She acted perfectly, telling them a sob story about a sister banishing her, and they told her about their mission.
"Well, our friend, the Baker, vanished and then we found it. So, that's the best answer we have. We aren't going to take any chances." The captain of the ship replied.
"How dangerous is it?" She asked, leaning in just a little bit. This might be the chance she had at revenge against her sister.
Another one of the men leaned forward, almost eagerly. "It's one of the most dangerous creatures ever. We've heard legends of the Jabberwocky that might be more dangerous. There are plenty of different types of Snarks, but the Boojam is the worse. One scratch and poof! You're gone. No one knows where Boojam victims go."
This creature, this wonderful, wonderful creature, was the ticket she needed to get rid of her sister, and possible some other people who have gotten in her way.
"Isn't there anyway to tame it?" She asked, hoping not, since her pathetic sister would find some way to work around this.
"No, none. All attempts has caused the tamer to disappear completely." One of the men, she really couldn't be bothered to learn their names, replied.
She just barely managed to contain her smile as she nodded to the news. Their tea and food was a big thanks, as she had been having trouble finding things to eat at that moment of the year. Then, as the sun set, she graciously took their offer to spend the night on their ship. First, it was nice to have an actual bed for the first time in three years, second it go her closer to this Boojam they were talking about.
~*~*~
The walk to the White Queen's was uneventful, though many of the people they met along the way were all excited to see her again. The chatter around them was almost comforting, especially when she could understand all of the words around her. She forgot how hard it was to be in another country when walking through the street could cause large outbreaks of foreign languages.
The White Queen was there to greet them, hands up in the air as they usually were. She smiled serenely at them, giving Hatter a hug before turning her attention to Alice. "Alice, my champion, you are always welcome in my court," she said before beckoning the pair to follow her.
The entire place was white, and almost blinding in the sunset with the sun reflecting on every surface and the outfits of all those in the court. Luckily for Alice she wasn't wearing the dark colors that Hatter was adorned with, her dress the same light blue she was destined to see this world in.
The entire court swarmed around her, wanting to see and talk to her all at the same time. She smiled at their kindness, nervously fluttering her skirts around her. The Hatter was kind enough to stay near here, his laugh and words sometimes distracting enough for her to breathe peacefully.
That night she managed to get a moment alone, going out to the same balcony where she made her decision to be the White Queen's champion. She stared into the splendor that was Underland, possibly hearing a few of the night dwellers chatting in the darkness. In the distance, she thought she could see the outer lands. Briefly she thought about the Red Queen and Stayn and wondered if they were alive or not.
The soft patter of footsteps was the only warning she got before the White Queen came onto the balcony with her. "Looking at the stars or the ground?" she asked when she reached the railing.
"Just looking," Alice replied softly, still staring out there. "Do you ever wonder about her?"
"My sister? I suppose I do, she is my sister, and my vows really keep me from thinking about what fate I would like for her. Do not worry about her." The White Queen replied softly. Her hand came up to clench a little bit next to her hair. "Come, you must be tired. Let us retire to bed. Tomorrow there will be plenty to do and think about, not of people who are no longer with us."
Alice allowed herself to be pulled away from the balcony railing, briefly looking over her shoulder at the expanse of the Underland. She noticed at that the Queen also did, a briefly worried expression on her face as she did so. Perhaps there was something on that horizon that was worth staring at. In the depths of her soul, she felt something stir.
It felt like danger calling her again.