Port of Southampton – 2 years later
But how to get back to a world that you can't find? What if that world remains forever lost?
"Yer gatherin' wool, again."
She chuckled. "Then I shall have a fine winter's coat."
"No' much need for a coat where we be goin'."
She heard the wistfulness behind his words.
"Do you truly miss England so much, Nate?"
"It be my home, Alice. One day ye'll ken your own."
"What if you couldn't go back? What if you never saw these shores again?"
"Well…" he stroked his beard, "being hardy, I'd survive. But it'd be a sore 'un, that's fer sure. I'd always feel a longin' in my breast."
She lowered her head so she could blink back tears, knowing first hand the pain of which he talked.
"Ah but 'tis a fine morning, Alice! It's nae the time fer heavy maudlin thoughts. Instead, I say we go fill our bellies. Who kens when we may eat good hearty food again!"
Just as they turned to go, they heard all the commotion, the shouts of "Catch 'im! Catch 'im afore he gets away."
The watched a group of young lads curse and scamper, unable to sight the target of their pursuit. It wasn't till they got much closer, that something leapt right in her arms. Caught out by surprise, she clutched it closer, pink watery eyes conveying its relief.
"Good catch, Miss." "We're lucky you was 'ere." Each one of them whipped off their caps and tugged on their forelock. "We thought we'd lost 'im and would miss a stew!"
A tug of recognition pulled at her, a frown settling on her face. "How much?"
"Fer what, miss?"
"To buy him from you."
The tallest youth stammered, "Um…we wasnae really…"
"5 shillings," Alice blurted out.
"Deal."
"Alice, are ye daft, girl? I can get ye ten rabbits fer that," Nathaniel's huffed in outrage.
"But I want this one, Nate. Please pay the man."
Grumbling his disgust, he counted out the coin begrudgingly. "Be off with ye, ya thieving beggars." Once they departed, he turned around. "I've told yer about that afore, Alice. You make yourself an easy mark."
"If I can spare the coin, Nate, what does it matter? And there's something about…"
"There's summat about it alright! It'll make a fine meal, just feel its haunch."
The eyes that stared into hers transmitted grave offence at Nate's firm touch. She laughed, "I'm not sure that he means for us to eat him."
"Lord give me strength, don't ye be getting crazy fancies. The men'll no tolerate that rabbit on the ship."
She recognised the truth of those words. "You're right." Stroking the rabbit's silky fur, she murmured, "You go on enjoy your breakfast, Nate. I'll just nip to the trees to set him free."
He rolled his eyes and she was sure he muttered, "Women…" before he said out loud, "I'll see ye on the ship."
Sauntering in the opposite direction, she glanced back till she saw him disappear, swallowed up by the crowd of a busy docks.
"Well, looks like it's your lucky day," she whispered, cradling the animal closer to her chest.
"I think that's bloody well unlikely given the hell that I've experienced today!"
So startled she almost dropped him, she spun round searching for the owner of that voice.
"What are you doing? Oh don't tell me, you have forgotten I can talk."
Alice glanced round again, checking once more that this was not a trick.
"Oh please, no, take your time; by all means, waste away the day!"
She searched her memory and frowned, "You know, I vaguely recall you being a little more…nice."
"Yes, well," he huffed, "whilst you've been gone a great deal of things have changed. I suppose I have as well." He looked her up and down. "And you have not exactly stayed the same."
"Yes, I am much more muchier than before," she teased.
He bit off tersely, "That remains to be seen."
Deciding just to cut right to the chase, she asked, "Why are you here?"
He sighed, "I am afraid that Underland requires your help once more."
She tried to stem the thrill of joy that speared her, the thought that at long last, she would see her. "Another Jabberwocky to defeat? I would've guessed its kind might run a little low."
A shadow darkened Nivens' eyes, "I wish I could but find amusement as yourself. But once again, I'm at a loss for cause."
A chill wound its way down her spine. "Iracebeth? Has she returned?"
In shock she watched a tear trace his cheek, "I wish. That would be easier to bear."
"T-then who?" she whispered.
"Follow me." He hopped out of her arms. "This truth you must discover for yourself."