In the Outlands, Ilosovic Stayne woke in a cold sweat; this had been the ninth dream about the mysterious girl on the hill. For the past year, he had been plagued with the same dream, about the same hill and the same girl. Only now, had the dream begun to worry him and make him wonder what it meant. After all, there was no hills in the Outlands, and the only company that he kept was the decaying corpse of the Red Queen.
Just as Ilosovic was about to fall asleep again; he saw two men, dressed in white, approaching him on horseback. Knowing that they were members of the White Queen's court; he quickly stood as they finally dismounted their horses and walked over to him. Ilosovic bowed, and the men did as well.
"Are you the one that they call Ilosovic Stayne?" asked one of the men.
"I am." said Ilosovic.
"Then, by order of her Majesty, The White Queen, you are no longer exiled and are needed at the castle." said the other man.
"For what purpose?" asked Ilosovic.
"We know nothing but our orders. Come." said the first man.
"I don't have a horse."
"We know, sir. You are to walk back to the castle." said the second man.
"It's on the other side of Underland, you can't expect me to walk!" argued Ilosovic.
"We were sent to fetch you, not to offer sympathy." remarked the first man.
The two men mounted their horses, as Ilosovic rolled his eyes; not exactly fond of the idea of walking to the White Queen's castle.
Meanwhile, Alice was taken to the White Queen's castle by the White Rabbit, often called Nivens McTwisp by his friends. She was sent to the throne room where the White Queen was sitting on her throne and speaking to members of her court.
"Hello, your Majesty." said Alice, her voice meek.
The White Queen suddenly noticed Alice and walked up to her; giving her a warm hug.
"We've been waiting for you, Alice." said The White Queen.
"Waiting for me? Why?" asked Alice.
The White Queen turned to the members of her court and shooed them away. They left the throne room, and The White Queen returned to sit on her throne. She let out a nervous sigh.
"There's no easy way to explain the situation." said The White Queen.
"If Underland is in trouble, than I'm more than ready to help with the problem." said Alice.
"There's no problem, my dear...but there is a prophecy."
"Prophecy? What are you talking about?"
"You've heard of the Oraculm, naturally."
Alice nodded. "I have."
"Yet, I also suspect that you've never viewed it past the Frabjous Day?"
"No, I haven't."
"I hadn't either, until the moment you left. That's when I saw it." said The White Queen.
"Saw what?" asked Alice.
"The day of my passing, and the day that you shall become Queen of Underland in my place."
"Queen? I can't be queen! I'm not even from this world." argued Alice.
"The Oraculm has never mislead me. If it says you are to become Queen, than you shall." said The White Queen.
"This cannot be possible." whispered Alice.
"Alice, there is something else that I must tell you..."
Before The White Queen could finish, two of her guards entered the throne room; they were holding onto Ilosovic, who was wearing a rope to bind his hands.
"We've brought him, your Majesty." said one of the guards.
"Untie his hands and then leave us be." ordered the White Queen.
The guards removed the rope from Ilosovic's hands and then left the throne room. Ilosovic knelt in front of the throne.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your pardon." said Ilosovic.
"You may stand." said The White Queen.
Ilosovic stood back on his feet and finally noticed Alice. He turned to address her; which did not please Alice at all.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Alice." said Ilosovic.
"I wish that feeling were mutual." said Alice.
"So you remember me. I'm flattered." said Ilosovic.
"I wish it were otherwise."
"Alice, speak kindly to him. He is to be your husband." said The White Queen.
Ilosovic and Alice turned to The White Queen, who could only smile nervously. They then looked at each other, and Alice fled the throne room.