I couldn't help myself! I just had to get a second chapter in there tonight! :D I've already even had quotes for other chapters popping into my mind! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 2

As she dove through the hole, Alice expected it to be just like the rabbit hole, and to fall down, down, down. But instead, she found it was almost as if the world itself turned sideways, and she found

herself stumbling, and falling onto a solid ground. She stood, and turned around to see a mirror staring her in the face.

"It is our Champion! Alice!" a voice breathed behind her and Alice turned, seeing the White Queen smiling warmly to her. Mirana glided forward, brushing the back of her hand against Alice's cheek,

"It is good to see you again. I hope I find you well?"

"Well indeed your majesty." Alice smiled in reply, looking around the room she was in.

"Where are we?"

"This is the Hall of Mirrors." Mirana pirouetted around, and Alice observed that she was standing in a round room, in which there were only three other mirrors, and many, many windows. "It is the

meeting place of the few Looking Glasses in Underland. But I'm afraid I must meet with my court now. Lunch will be called soon my dear." Mirana bowed her head and turned, gliding away from Alice and

out of the room. Had it not been for McTwisp clearing his throat Alice would have thought she were completely alone in the room.

"So, where to now?"

"Well, I would very much like to see more of Underland, as it has been so long since I was last here. Has much changed?" Alice inquired as she followed the white rabbit out of the room.

"Oh, yes it has. The land has become much brighter and happier since the Frabjous Day. Come! See for yourself!" McTwisp led Alice outside, and she gasped loudly as she observed the world around

her. It was even more stunning than it had been before. The sky was brighter, and air clearer, and all the plants more colorful.

"It's beautiful!"

"We best be moving on." He pocketed his pocket watch, "I'm sure there are others who would like to see you as well." Alice's mind instantly flashed to the Hatter, and she shook her head, questioning

just why it was he that she thought of so much.

"H-How is the Hatter, McTwisp?"

"It's as I said dear, much has changed since you have left. Although, while much of the change has indeed been an improvement, I think there has been a part of him that never changed at all, he's

always seeming to be waiting…" he trailed off and hopped along, leading Alice down the dirt road.

They finally came to the end of their journey, and to the field in which the tea party had been held. What was once a dark and foggy place was now bright and clean, surrounded by bright plants and

sunlight. The table was clean and newly set, Thackery and Mallykum already seated and waiting. But it was not only the condition of the table Alice noticed, but her dear friend, who had once before

been so absorbed from The Badness, and who was now sparkling clean and smiling brightly, with more than just madness. His hair was no longer frizzy and sticking out all over, but was now longer,

clean, and curly rather than frizzy. It made him look younger, and happier. It was the hair he had worn all those years ago, before the dreaded Horunvendush Day. Alice smiled as he looked up to her,

his own smile spreading across his face even wider.

"Alice!" he rose from his chair and practically skipped over to her, the ribbons of his Top Hat dancing with his gait.

"I told you I'd come back." Alice smirked up at the Hatter, finally looking at those green eyes that had haunted her for so long now.

"And so you had, and so you did! It is good to see you again. And a Great Good good it is too! Especially seeing as how you are your right proper sized Alice and not a Not-Alice or a Too-Tall-Alice or a

Too-Small-Alice and-"

"Hatter.." Alice chuckled, shaking her head softly. The Hatter stopped and exhaled, giving a small chuckle himself.

"I'm fine. In fact, I am doubly fine, especially as you have come back, as you said you would. Welcome back Alice." He moved closer as if to hug her, but stopped himself, for how is a Hatter to know

whether or not it is proper for one to hug an Alice? It seemed that she would answer it for him though, as she wrapped her arms under his and hugged him. It took the Hatter a moment to respond,

before wrapping his own arms around Alice. With her face pressed softly into his chest, Alice noted how the Hatter smelled of tea and floral and a hint of cinnamon. They were hardly embraced for long

at all when a voice sounded just next to Alice's ear.

"It would appear I've arrived just in time for the hellos." As Alice stepped back from the Hatter, he felt a small pang inside that he couldn't quite describe, but knew that it indeed had something to do

with her leaving his embrace. Alice however, had turned to the Cheshire Cat, smiling again.

"Hello Chess!"

"Hello, Poppet, good to see you again." He turned over in the hair, his head staying rightways, while his stomach turned towards the sky.

"Well then! It would seem we are all here for tea! Together again at last!" The Hatter swept his hand out, offering it to Alice, and leading her to her normal seat to his right, for now was no time for idle

wonderings of feelings, nor lengthy hellos. Now was the time for tea and catching up.