She awoke the next morning feeling much better for the rest but her muscles still ached from yesterday's battle. Remembering the Hatter's invitation she dressed quickly and ran a brush through her wild hair before darting out the door. She was halfway down the hall when she realized she wasn't wearing shoes, stockings, or a corset. Deeply ingrained shame flared up for a moment before she crushed it back down.
"I can do as I please." She whispered to no one in particular. "The White Rabbit and March Hare don't wear shoes either."
Alice continued her walk to the Hatter's room, indulging in the feel of the smooth hardwood floor beneath her bare feet. Upon reaching his door she hesitated for a moment then knocked softly, afraid that he might not yet be awake.
"Yes?" she heard from the inside the room and gently pushed the door open.
"It's me." She said, stepping inside.
The Hatter was already hard at work currently embroidering a beautiful white hat, dozens of others were strewn and stacked about the room. He glanced up from his work, his face instantly became more animated once he saw her.
"Ah Alice!" he put his work down and opened his arms in a sweeping, jubilant gesture. "You've come for tea, yes?"
"Yes," she looked around at all the hats. "These are all so amazing…"
"Thank you, it's good to be making hats for Mirana again, makes me feel more myself."
Alice noticed a half-finished dress on a sewing dummy, the garment was a lovely shade blue.
"Is that for me?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Certainly is." There was a prideful expression on his face, "Do you like it?"
"Of course, it's lovely!" her fingers just brushed the soft fabric. "Hatter, why always blue?"
"Blue is Alice's color," he said matter-of-factly with a dreamy sort of look on his face, "it always has been."
"It's funny but I'd say it's exactly the same shade of blue as my eyes, it's amazing you can match them so."
"Really?" he asked, busying himself with straightening a pile of hats. "I hadn't noticed."
"No?" she placed a hand on his shoulder and gently turned him around to face her.
"It wouldn't be a complete untruth to say that I…what I mean is that you…" he seemed to be teetering on the edge of something and Alice leaned forward, trying to coax it out of him.
"What is it Hatter? Please?"
He shook his head and suddenly he was gone, striding across the room with those impossibly long legs.
"Tea my dear?"
Alice shook her head and followed him out onto the balcony where a table for two was set up for tea. He held out the chair for her then seated himself at the other one once she was settled. The Hatter poured them each a cup and passed her the sugar. Alice put but a pinch in and stirred it with a spoon.
"Is that all the sugar you take?" the Hatter asked in surprise.
"It isn't proper to-" she began but cut herself short when she saw the teasing look on his face.
"My dear lass," he said pushing the sugar bowl back to her with an indulgent smile, "tea is like life: it's best when it's too sweet."
With a smile she took the sugar and added an amount that would have been unheard of back home. Taking a sip she closed her eyes and savored the sweet liquid.
"You're right," she agreed. "Best when it's too sweet."
"I can only imagine what they'd say at home if they could see me now!" she went on, "No shoes, no stockings, no corset, and half a cup of sugar in my tea!"
"Well you needn't worry about that, 'improper' is not a word that usually enters our vocabulary here." He gave her such a sly look that she couldn't help laughing again. "You could stay here you know, never worry about being improper ever again…" he said, staring down at his tea. "I, that is, we'd love you to stay, you know."
"But Hatter, I-" she began.
"Scone?" he asked, attitude completely changing direction as he pushed a plateful of the treats toward her. "Thackery made them, he loves to cook for the Queen."
"Thackery?" she asked, having been properly knocked off her previous train of thought.
He chuckled a little, "That's the March Hare to you I suppose, you gave us all such sweet, albeit uninventive, nicknames last time you were here."
"Oh." Alice blushed slightly, "I'm terribly sorry…"
"Not at all!" he smiled reassuringly, "It's gotten so that we use them too from time to time. Reminds us of better days…" that faraway look came into his face again.
"Hatter…" she began uncertainly, "I mean…"
"Call me whatever you like lass."
"Tarrant." She finally said after a moment. His eyes seemed to flash emerald for a moment. "How long was I gone?"
He stirred his tea and took a sip. "Time is different here, you were gone for years and yet only a moment."
Alice wrinkled her brow, "I'm not sure I quite understand that."
He patted her hand reassuringly; "We find it's best if you don't try to." Leaning forward he winked good-naturedly at her and whispered, "It can drive one mad you know."
She giggled, "I suppose it could, but you know-"
"All the best people are." He finished for her, "And you my dear Alice are absolutely gallymoggers."
"I am?"
"Aye, stark raving mad my dear. Not a thing we can do about it." He shook his head in mock worry.
Gently she gave his hand a squeeze, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Clearing his throat, Tarrant carefully slipped his hand out of hers. "I almost forgot, I have something for you."
From a coat pocket he produced a small antique-looking silver key, it winked in the sunlight. He put it gently in her hand and she noticed some kind of crest on it with an elaborate letter 'H' at the center.
"It's been in my family for years, passed on through generations."
"Oh, Tarrant, I couldn't."
He folded her hand over the key and held her delicate hand in both of his.
"Yes, you can. I am the last of the Hightopp clan and it is mine to give. Keep it and remember us always...remember me always."
His bright eyes seemed to look into her very soul.
"Tarrant, I'll never forget you!" she protested. "Not this time, I promise!" she considered something for a moment, "You won't forget me, will you?"
"Impossible."
Releasing her hand he disappeared back into the room and returned shortly with a length of blue ribbon.
"May I?" he asked, holding his hand out for the key. She gave it to him and he slipped it onto the ribbon. Alice lifted her hair and the Hatter carefully tied the ribbon about her neck, the silver key falling into the hollow of her throat. When his fingers brushed her neck, she felt her pulse race unexpectedly.
"It would make me very happy if you would wear it." He said as he sat back down across from her.
Alice touched the key at her neck, "I will." She promised.
"Wonderful." A smile twitched at his lips.
"Tarrant, what's it to?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
His smile became somewhat sad for a moment, "That's something you have to work out for yourself."
This only served to make her more curious. "Like a riddle?"
"Something like that, one you can only solve on your own."
"On my own? I hope I'm able to…" she mumbled, fingers drifting absently to touch the key.
"I hope so too." His eyes softened for a moment before he stood up, "Thank you very much for having tea with me but I'm afraid my hats are calling…"
"Oh but could I help? I'd so love to work on something for Mirana, I owe her so much…"
"It would be delightful to have some company." He put a saucer of weak tea on the balcony railing and added a bit of cream to it.
"What's that for?" Alice asked, curiosity returning.
"The bread-and-butterflies, that's all they eat you know."
"Weak tea with cream?"
He nodded.
"I imagine they don't find it very often, is there nothing else they can eat?" She asked, becoming worried.
"No, nothing else. Without it, they die."
Alice put a hand to her heart. "How terrible."
Tarrant smiled sadly. "There are worse fates." He remarked before leaving the balcony to return to his work.
She stood there a moment, then followed him back to his work table. Already he was working energetically, his eyes a bright almost neon yellow-green.
"You really love what you do, don't you?"
"Of course, what kind of hatter would I be if I didn't?"
For hours they sat together working, with Tarrant eagerly showing her his trade and Alice eagerly learning it.
"Tarrant!" a voice said reproachfully. "You musn't secret her away all day, you know."
The Cheshire Cat materialized in the air near Alice, tail flicking slowly back and forth.
"I was not 'secreting her away' Chessur." The Hatter replied curtly, eyes darkening slightly.
"Were too." The cat replied petulantly. "You're being selfish."
Without warning Tarrant stood, slamming the heels of his hands on the table. "I'm selfish? What about you, you slurvish, sniveling coward! Where were you when we needed you?" His voice had nearly risen to a shout and his eyes were a stormy midnight black.
"Tarrant!" Alice said somewhat reproachfully. "You don't mean that, do you? Chessur saved you from being executed!"
She gently touched his arm and his eyes lightened back to their normal color, all the fight drained out of him.
"Terribly sorry Alice, I lost my temper." He smiled weakly at her then gave a nod to the cat. "Sorry Chess."
"That's alright old friend, water under the bridge or over it, whichever you prefer."
"That's much better," Alice remarked as they sat down again, "you two ought to make up, Chessur is sorry for what he's done, aren't you?"
Alice looked pointedly at him and he mumbled an apology to the Hatter.
"Alright Chess, but next time we need you and you just disappear, you'd better stay that way and I don't give a guddler's scut what excuses you come up with." His eyes darkened threateningly.
"I get the message Tarrant." Chessur replied coolly.
"Come now," Alice said, lightly touching Tarrant's hand, "let's get back to work."
Chessur began to dissipate but Alice quickly grabbed at one of his feet that had not yet vanished.
"You're not going, are you Chess? You hardly ever stay anywhere for more than a few moments."
"That's part of my charm." He replied in his purring voice.
"Well, you can stand to stay a little longer, can't you?"
He gave a sigh and all of him reappeared.
"I suppose…"
"Wonderful!" Alice returned to the piece she'd been working on.
"You're a quick learner." The cat remarked, examining her handiwork.
"I have an excellent teacher." She replied, beaming at the Hatter.
Chess raised an eyebrow at Tarrant, "Is that so?"
The cat received a brief glare in return from the Hatter and quickly changed the subject.
"Ah!" he batted a paw at her ribbon necklace. "And did Tarrant give you this?"
Alice nodded, "Do you know what it's to?"
His grin widened. "That's something you must figure out on your own, my dear." Chessur glanced at the Hatter. "Hopefully sooner rather than later would be best I think…"
"What do you mean by that?" she asked turning toward the cat, only to find that he'd vanished. "He can never stay put!" she said a little huffily.
"That's just his nature, he can't help it anymore than I can help being mad or you can help being…" he trailed off mid-sentence.
"I can help being what?"
"Curious."
Though she was certain she'd heard him say 'curious', it somehow managed to sound like 'beautiful.' Alice thought it best not to mention it; he would most likely change the subject again anyway.
After some time a rap came at the door and the March Hare, Thackery, poked his head in.
"There ye are me bonny lass!" he bounded into the room and grabbed both of Alice's hands, tugging her out of her chair and twirling her around and around till she was dizzy and laughing.
"Tarrant, everyone's outside yeh know, we best be on!"
The Hare seemed somewhat more coherent lately, perhaps because the battle was over and won. Mirana had confided in her that he'd gone mad on Horunvendush Day when the Red Queen took over. She could always picture the scene in her mind, Tackery standing alone amongst the carnage, going mad from the mere sight of it all. She shook her head to banish the thought, he'd certainly be better from now on. Thackery's large brown eyes widened as he looked at Alice, his ears twitching randomly.
"Key." He said simply, pointing at it.
"Oh, yes, Tarrant gave it to me."
He beckoned her closer, "Do ye wish to know what it's to?"
Alice nodded and leaned in close to him.
"I…" he froze, mid-sentence, staring at his paw.
"Thackery?" Alice asked, a bit worried.
"Don't fret." Tarrant told her with a little smile. "He'll be back in no time, off in his own little world, he is."
"Well if you're sure he'll be-" she began but was startled when the Hare suddenly jumped back to life.
"Spoon!" he cried before darting off, presumably to find aforementioned item.
Tarrant stood and stretched, offering a hand to Alice.
"Shall we? The festivities await."
She took his hand and together they walked the halls toward the celebration out front, along the way they encountered Nivens, the White Rabbit, looking flustered. He held up his ubiquitous pocket watch and tapped its face with undisguised impatience.
"You two are-"
"Late. We know." Alice and Tarrant replied in unison then looked to each other and burst into gales of laughter.
Nivens shook his head and hopped ahead of them, hurrying to the party, "Wonderful, another set of Tweedles…"
This only made the pair laugh harder.
"Come Tarrant, we're late!" Alice said, tugging his hand playfully.
"Indeed Alice, for a very important date!" He gave a little gasp as they neared the White Rabbit. "And look, so is Nivens!"
"Ah but he's going to be later than us because he had to tell us we were late so he's known about the lateness longer than we have." Alice pointed out.
The Hatter froze for a moment as he took this in, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You're becoming more mad by the moment, brilliant! Let's run!"
Laughing uproariously they ran hand in hand past the Rabbit who muttered, "Mad indeed, a matched set, I'd say."
They careened around corners and finally burst out the front doors of the castle into the festivities. The White Queen, always vigilant, was the first to spot them.
"Ah, Tarrant and Alice!" she smiled broadly as she approached them with her ethereal gliding walk, "Were you two having a race?"
"Yes," Alice replied, catching her breath. "With Nivens!"
The Hatter leaned toward the Queen and whispered with mock seriousness, "He's terribly late you know!"
This sent Tarrant and Alice into more laughter, making a serene smile spread across the Queen's face.
"She's really caused a change in you Tarrant, you're so happy you seem a child again. Both of you do." She took each of their hands and led them toward the party already in progress. "You must be hungry, come, join the festivities. They are, after all, in your honor."
"Thank you Queen Mirana, but it was my honor to help you." Alice said, curtsying then abandoning the gesture halfway through as she noticed she still had no shoes or stockings on, and in front of a queen no less! "Oh! I'm terribly sorry your Majesty!" she apologized feeling her face grow hot.
"That's quite alright Alice and please, do call me Mirana." She lifted her long white gown to curtsy to Alice, revealing her own bare, stocking-less feet. With a wink she left a flabbergasted Alice and glided off to join the party.
Tarrant nudged her with his shoulder. "Told you, no such thing as improper. Hungry?"
They approached the huge buffet table loaded with all manner of food and sweets. Tarrant loaded up two plates with enough for six people and swept her toward one of the empty blankets spread out across the grounds. He seated himself cross-legged on the blanket with an almost feline grace. Alice sat down as well, tucking her legs up under her. They began eating, realizing how famished they'd become after all the hat making this morning.
"Ah! We don't have any tea!" The Hatter exclaimed.
"Oh I'll go get us some-" Alice began but he put a hand on her arm to keep her there.
"Just a moment…" he reached up one sleeve producing a steaming tea pot then reached up the other and produced two delicate china tea cups with matching saucers and spoons.
"How did you…?" Alice asked, completely astounded.
"Ah," he replied, pouring them the tea. "old family secret. I could teach it to you, if you stay long enough that is." He glanced up to gauge her reaction.
"I'm not really sure how long I can stay…"
"But what matters is how long you want to stay."
"Tarrant, those are completely different things!"
He gave her a wry smile, "Perhaps and perhaps not. Sugar?"
"Yes please but-"
Alice was immediately entranced by his graceful movements as he waved his hand over her cup with a flourish and sugar fell down into it like a crystal rain.
"Even after all I've seen, you still manage to surprise me!" she exclaimed, stirring her tea. "I feel as though I could spend years with you and never once be bored!"
"I hope you stay and find out." He whispered before sipping his tea, then called across the yard, waving his arm above his head. "Thackery! Over here!"
The March Hare bounded over and seated himself with them, ears twitching away has he helped himself to a sandwich.
"Thackery," Alice began, "did you happen to find your spoon?"
His eyes lit up excitedly, "Aye, couldn't hide from me!" he produced a good-sized silver spoon from his pocket and showed it proudly to her.
Reaching into the pocket of her dress she fished out a length of green ribbon and held her hand out to the Hare.
"May I?"
Surprisingly he gave up his cherished spoon to her and she strung it onto the ribbon and tied it in a loose loop about his neck.
"There." Alice said happily, "Now it can't get away from you anymore."
Thackery looked moved to tears, he threw his arms about her and hugged her tightly, rocking back and forth as he did so.
"Ye're a right good lass, ye are! Jus' wonderful!"
Alice laughed and hugged him tightly back, nuzzling into his soft fur felt just like hugging a stuffed animal.
"You're wonderful too Thackery." She replied, releasing him and tugging playfully at one of his twitching ears. "Everyone here is just so wonderful, it makes me never want to leave!"
"Leave!?" The Hare said, suddenly upset, he began pulling at his ears fretfully. "Ye're not going to leave, are ye?!"
"Shhh, Hare, it's fine." She gently unfolded his paws from his ears and ran a soothing hand over his head like a parent would do to calm a frightened child. "I'm here now, you musn't worry."
"But ye cannot leave," he whispered sadly. "be breaking hearts ye will, some beyond fixin'."
"Thackery, did you make these scones?" The Hatter interjected, diverting his friend from his current stream of thought.
It worked like a charm and the Hare's mood changed instantly as he began chattering excitedly about cooking for the Queen. Alice thought he was nearly as easily distracted as the Hatter, little did she know Tarrant was thinking very much the same thing about her.
As they all chatted, they afternoon sun warmed them, making Alice feel very sleepy and dreamy. She took the opportunity to begin making fairy crowns out of the flowers that had blown off the trees. Upon completion of the first one she placed it on the March Hare's head, having to lift her arms up very high to get it over his twitching ears.
"Why thank ye Lass!" he said cheerfully, adjusting the crown of bright flowers.
"You're very welcome Thackery," Alice replied with a smile, fingers busily weaving more flowers together.
Within a few more minutes she had another wreath of flowers made and went to place it over Tarrant's hat so it would rest along the brim. He held up a hand before she could do so and swept his hat off with a grand flourish. He bent his head like a man being knighted and waited patiently for her to rest the wreath of flowers on his wild red-orange hair. Alice did so gently and Tarrant tipped his head back to look up at her with a soft smile before he stood and gently placed his hat atop her own head, setting it back slightly so it would not fall over her eyes. Alice bobbed a little curtsy and the Hatter bobbed one back, just to make her laugh.
Music began to play and all at once the crowd was calling for Tarrant to dance. He obliged and stepped out into the fray of dancers, all at once he began whirling and cavorting; he was a delight to watch. Alice watched him with a soft smile for a time with Thackery sitting next to her. The Hare nudged her gently; his wild eyes seemed uncharacteristically lucid.
"Get on with ye lass,"
Alice hesitated a moment then gathered her courage and her skirts and got to her feet to join the dancers. They whirled around making her feel dizzy for a moment, then suddenly there he was. Tarrant took her hand and pulled Alice to himself, twirling her around.
"Will you, won't you, will you, won't you join the dance?" he asked with a smile.
"I will!" she said laughing, her golden hair flying out behind her as she spun round and round, one hand on the top hat to keep it from being lost.
They danced and twirled, smiling and giggling until the sun began setting, sending fiery rays across the landscape. Alice finally flopped onto the soft grass, a huge grin still plastered across he face. Tarrant leaned over her, laughing.
"Here sweetlet," he offered her a hand, "time for bed, everyone's gone."
Looking around Alice found that they were in fact the last ones left at the party; they must have been dancing for hours. She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet, they walked back to the castle hand in hand. Before long they had arrived at her room; Tarrant lingered for a moment then leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead, gently he took his hat from her head.
"Goodnight dear heart."
"Dear heart?" she asked innocently.
He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, smiling softly.
"Goodnight Alice."
With that he was gone, leaving her with that fluttery feeling in her heart. Shaking her head a little, Alice wandered into her room to give in to the call of her soft, welcoming bed.