AN: Just to note. In my interpretation of Underland, I'm going to go on the assumption that there are non-talking animals etc. just like there are non-talking/conscious plant-life. And I noticed when re-watching the movie that the monkeys and hedgehog in the Red Queens castle didn't talk.
With this in mind I imagine that the White Queen doesn't force everyone to be vegan and thus not everyone is. They just utilize the non talking animals the same as we do, and are careful to be respectful and humane as they go about it. The higher functioning animals understand that in nature there is sometimes simply a need for this and don't hold it against the omnivores; again, provided they aren't cruel and barbaric about it.
That's my view on it anyway. So yeah. Fish and meat eating and milking of cows and gathering of chicken eggs and veggie gardens and all that good stuff will most likely be seen in this story. How else would Hatter have cream for his tea? Or the lovely little pastries that were on that table in the movie?
The sunlight began to dwindle and fade as they travelled through the forest. Emily listened to the two children distractedly. Caught half way between their light-hearted rambling and the scenery around them. Laughing softly at a squirrel scurrying along the edge of the path.
The bushy tail flickering back and forth as it went busily about the last hours of its day.
Nivens stopped their troop as the light truly began to fade.
"Let us stop here for the night and make a suitable camp before darkness falls."
The Hightopp clan, well used to creating make shift camps, set to their own tasks. Gathering wood, preparing a fire pit, beginning supper preparations.
Rosemary and Mackenzie tugged on Gerald and Brett's shirt hems. "Come catch fish with us! There's a stream just over there."
Gerald laughed while Brett looked a bit uncomfortable. Brett didn't have much experience with kids and it made him a bit nervous.
Rosemary pulled a child's most powerful, universal weapon. Puppy eyes. "Please? We haven't had fish before and I would very much like to try it. Mother says that the Queen doesn't eat meat and while we are at the castle it would be rude to eat it in front of her."
Gerald smiled down at them. He loved kids, having grown up with two substantially younger sisters.
"Never had fish? We'll have to fix that then, won't we Brett?" He looked up at Emily. "Want to tag along?"
Emily returned his smile. "I suppose I had better come along." She winked to the two excited children. "Else you won't catch any fish."
Gerald barked with laughter while Emily told the kids to ask one of their parent's permission first. They might not take kindly to three strangers gallivanting about the woods with their children.
It wasn't long before the duo returned. Bouncing with their eagerness and bringing word that it was ok for them to go fishing.
Emily, being accustomed to taking on the organizational role in her band, began to assign each person with supplies to find for this little expedition.
"Rosemary, will you and Mackenzie go find at least five decent sized sticks? Be sure that they are still green and springy. Not too bent either if possible." With many gleeful giggles they took to searching the edges of the path and campsite; not even bothering to verbally confirm her request.
She then turned to Brett and Gerald with a small laugh and a hint of nostalgia. "Look at them, remember what it was like to be so excited over something so simple?" She shook her head a bit at the sight of the two before going back to the task at hand.
"Alright. I guess you two can try and find some bait while I hunt down something to use for hooks and line."
Nodding to each other, they began to search for the required materials, going their own directions.
Emily looked carefully over the ground and the tree limbs. Hoping maybe to find some thin vines. Or perhaps be stricken with an idea for creating hooks.
Alice was sitting upon a stump at the edge of the path, watching the children curiously. When Emily came close, Alice spoke with humor. "What are they searching so intently for?"
The blue of her eyes turned and focused on Emily, unnerving her a bit. "They're trying to find poles for a fishing trip. There's a spring not far from here and they wanted to see what fish tastes like." Alice nodded in understanding and smiled.
"I see. Is there anything I might be able to assist with?"
Emily wondered about this woman. Sitting so perfectly upon that log.
"Do you have any ideas for fishing line? Or what we might fashion into hooks? I haven't found any vines and have drawn a blank as to the other."
Alice looked thoughtful. A delicate wrinkle to her brow. She and Emily cast their gazes about the camp site. Lost in their own thoughts and possibilities until Alice spoke finally.
"Perhaps the Hatter will lend you some of the thread from a baldric he has across his chest. I've noticed he has many spools of varying shades." Emily felt stupid. Why hadn't she thought of thread before now? She couldn't blame it all on the hangover or the violent fall earlier as she arrived in this intriguing place.
"Thank you Missus Kingsleigh." Emily had duly noted the ring upon the poised blonde's finger. "Would you like to join us?"
Alice smiled. "Please, call me Alice. And I think I shall decline. I am terribly tired this evening and would much rather observe this fascinating routine the Hightopps have perfected over their stay in the Outlands." Emily nodded and quietly thanked Alice once more before trying to locate the Hatter, who was caught up in the children's search somehow.
Emily hesitated a moment. Unsure how to approach the eccentric Hatter with her request. Getting too caught up in her mind with ponderings of protocol and etiquette. Gluing her mouth, and freezing her limbs.
She took a deep breath and smiled when Mackenzie waved her over. Proudly telling her too look at the poles he'd found.
Trying to be calm, she walked over and took one in her hands, bending it slightly to test its resiliency. "Great find Mackenzie, this one should do nicely."
The boy fairly beamed as he continued to search. Emily turned to find the Hatter looking at a branch with Rosemary. Debating with the five year old whether it was suitable for their needs.
"Mr. Hatter?" He turned when he heard his name and smiled. It was Emily…oh what the devil was her last name….Roberts! Yes. Emily Roberts. He smiled.
"Please, please. Just Hatter will do. How might I be of assistance Miss Roberts?"
Her gaze wavered from his own the smallest of moments before returning.
"I had noticed the spools of thread you carried with you and wondered if you might let the children and I borrow some for fishing line?"
He scoffed a bit. "Why of course dear. You must relax though; you're wound up like a spring!" Tarrant had noticed the stiff way she had been conducting herself around everyone but her own two friends. As if she was treading through a sleeping Bandersnatch den.
He handed the shorter woman an unassuming brown spool of thread. "There you are; use as much as you'd like." She smiled up at him once more and thanked him; he placed a hand on her shoulder before she could turn and leave.
His countenance reflected kindly concern, wishing to help this stranger relax. "I am not sure what your customs are where you are from. But you should not be so worried about ours here in Underland. The people here will generally be very forgiving of any missteps you might commit. Knowing that you are foreign here and from a very different era."
He didn't want her to become so wrapped up in social graces that she would lose sight of the experience at hand.
Tarrant watched her shoulders become less rigid a great deal after letting his softly spoken advice process within her mind a moment. "Thank you, Hatter. I wasn't sure how strict everyone here would be. In my time, the manners are much less formal. And call me Emily if you like."
Tarrant smiled again. Glad that she had seemed to take his words to heart. "Well, Emily, is there anything else I might help you with?"
She screwed her mouth up in thought for a few seconds. Absently speaking aloud. "Not that I can think of. Unless you have some ideas for fashioning make-shift hooks."
The breeze blew gently. Mally speared a small mushroom with her needle-sword not far off; making Tarrant realize a possible solution. Digging into his coat pockets he found a spare pincushion spiking with sewing needles.
"These might work once bent. But I'm not sure how effective they shall be. Lacking the barb at the end of the curve could prove problematic when pulling the fish in. Silly thing could slip right off."
Emily was a bit surprised. "Not a stranger to fishing Hatter? I'm rather impressed." He wasn't like they portrayed in those books at all. He wasn't just a raving nonsensical character. Yes, he had his moments, as Emily noticed during their trek that day. But really, he was rather thoughtful and highly functional.
Tarrant smiled, remembering a time before his madness set in. A sliver of time long ago. Sitting with his feet in the cool water. His cane pole in the river and enjoying the warmth of the sun.
A voice, quiet and careful, broke into the fringes of his mind. Ending the grip of the memory and returning him to reality. He looked down, a bit dazed, to see Emily grasping his forearm slightly. Looking up at him with compassion in her brown eyes.
"Are you okay?"
His green eyes blinked a few times. "I'm fine. It…happens from time to time, there's no need to worry."
What was most frustrating was the fact he could often remember a time when his mind was not gripped suddenly and randomly by such bouts of fractured madness. He could remember a time when he wouldn't be pulled off, mid-thought, on some wild tangent without warning.
But this awareness was useless and fleeting. He would realize this and be unable to stop it. Then, he'd forget again. Become oblivious until the next person somehow reminded him he was not normal, even by Underland's standards.
Which brought thoughts of Alice and how even she had moved on to someone new…someone not mad like her dear Hatter.
Emily saw the green of his eyes become paler, quickly beginning to turn a yellow dry grassy color. She squeezed his arm to draw his attention once more. Wanting to try and help distract him from whatever was troubling his thoughts. "Hatter, would you like to come fishing with us?"
His head jerked a bit. The yellow receding slightly. Had she just asked if he would like to go fishing? With her? And the children?
His smile was genuine, but a bit distant. "Thank you. I think I will sit and visit with my clansmen instead though." She nodded up at him, searching his face and trying to decipher what was troubling him. But she did not know what to see. As much as she wished to return the kindness shown her, she did not know what to look for. They had only just met.
"Okay…thank you again for the thread and needles."
Rosemary and Mackenzie rushed up to them then, babbling and tugging at Emily. Telling her everything was ready they just needed her and the hooks and line. As the children ushered her away, she gave a small smile to Hatter. Leaving him there. Standing with his thoughts.
He watched the group of would-be-fishers set off on their quest. Smiling as the children skipped and hopped in front of their accompanying adults.
Hatter walked over and sat beside the last remaining elders of his clan. Turning his gaze to the few belongings that had been unpacked for making camp.
Many of the cook ware was bent and worn. The few bits of spare cloth thin and fraying. A few dried roots that looked small, as if they'd struggled to grow at all.
His voice was quiet. Saddened. "How did you manage all these years in the Outlands?" Tarrant looked up at the weathered face of Frederick.
"If I'd but known…I would have been able to help you. Hide you in my home. Find safe-haven for you all."
Frederick raised a wrinkled hand. "Calm yourself son. Ilisa and myself knew we must go into hiding." He chuckled dryly. "Adair and Gregor would have gladly fought against the Bloody Big Head. Briallan too, if it hadn't been for Mackenzie."
Frederick leaned back against a tree trunk. Using a long stick to tend the growing flames. "But no. We knew, if even a whisper of our survival reached the Queen of Hearts, we would be captured and somehow used against you and the White Queen." He shared a knowing look with Tarrant.
"The harpy would have known we Hightopps would be too great an enemy to face. Look at how fearsome one was in battle."
Tarrant looked away. Remembering the way he'd nearly slain the Knave. How he'd, in a way, been disgusted with himself, but at the same time knew he would have done whatever necessary to protect the Queen and Alice or any of his friends.
Adair arrived with a large arm full of firewood, setting it to the side before sitting beside Tarrant.
Gregor arrived with the women, carrying baskets of berries and herbs for them. When he spotted Adair he scoffed.
"I had wondered where you ran off to. Leaving me to their mercy."
Briallan took a basket from him with a peck to his cheek. "Hush now, it wasn't that bad."
Cara sat beside her husband and began to pick through the berries and herbs.
"Why don't you men go join the children and get out of we women's hair for a bit? It has been so long since you've brought home fish dear. It would be a nice change of pace I think." Adair smiled lovingly at his wife and stood.
"If it's fish you desire my beloved, then fish you shall have." He placed a lingering kiss to her brow and turned to look down at Tarrant. "Join us old friend? We haven't fished together since we were children. Remember," He laughs brightly "Remember how you would push me into the river and we would get mucked up to our ears in mud? Our mothers had right fits when they caught sight of us."
Tarrant smiled distantly. The faint memory was there but blurred and dimed from focus. Briallan called over to Alice, who had kept from the circle around the fire thus far.
"Come join us. The new company is most welcome while the boys go play in the stream." Her smile to Alice, though not as wide and bright as Cara's, was still warm and inviting in its reserved path across her features.
~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~
The moon was full and bright that night. Lending plenty of its light for the fishers by the stream as Adair, Gregor and Tarrant approached. Laughter and childish giggles met their ears followed by a loud splash. They came upon the scene to find Emily standing in the stream soaked and dripping with a poorly hidden grin disrupting her glower. Her blue denim pants and her button up purple short sleeved shirt felt plastered to her skin.
Thackery was twitching and laughing madly at the sight while sitting upon a large toadstool. Mally was bent with her tittering giggles. And Nivens was wringing his paws with muttered 'oh dear'-s.
When the two five year olds caught sight of their father's they jumped up in excitement and rushed over to pull the new arrivals to the stream's edge.
"Look Daddy! Look at what we've caught so far!" Adair placed a loving hand on his daughter's wild strawberry hair and chuckled at the small three inch fish the two children proudly displayed.
"Very good. But I think we'll need a bit more than that to feed everyone tonight."
Going closer to the others, a small friendly tiff was in progress. Gerald and Brett were sitting on the bank while Emily sloshed her way back onto land.
Brett swatted her with a spare pole as she stood next to him. "What's wrong with you? Jumping into the water like that and blaming it on we poor innocent chaps? Have you no shame?"
Emily began to wring out her hair dangerously close to him, "Oh. Right. Magic hands shoved me in. I swear, the five year olds are easier to handle than the two of you. Honestly; I'd rather try to keep track of them than wrangle the two of you." She turned and noticed the new arrivals with a chuckle.
"I see you decided to join us. To be honest, I'd hoped you would." She sent a mistrustful look at the two sitting men. "At the rate we've been going, we haven't had much luck catching anything. Wonder why." She nudged the snickering Gerald with the toe of her waterlogged black converse.
Adair took up one of the poles and looked askance with a twinkle in his eye that looked suspiciously like his father's. "And so, naturally, you thought to try and sweeten the water a bit?"
Emily handed him a worm before passing another pole to Tarrant with a smirk and a scoff at the large man's words. "I'd much rather have stayed dry but the large children thought I should take a quick dip." She then accepted a worm from Gregor and re-baited her own hook as she continued.
"Your children are loving this though. They've been a lot better at not scaring away the fish than the tweedles over there."
Tarrant looked around a bit confused. "Tweedles? I don't see the twins anywhere. Did they run off? I bet they've gotten stuck in a log again."
Emily quirked her brow, trying to understand what he meant. Brett and Gerald were of no help, as they were preoccupied talking with the children's fathers.
Tarrant's green eyes fell to her, waiting to hear where the two rotund boys had scampered off to. If they had indeed gotten stuck, they would need some help.
His brow tweaked a bit in surprise when her hand shot up and slapped against her forehead. A look of realization dawning her features.
"Oh how silly of me. No, the Tweedle brothers weren't here. In my time it's an expression used to sometimes describe two dimwits."
After a second she realized again what she had said and her eyes widened. "Oh! Not to say that your Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum are dimwits! I should have used a different word." Her slight fluster trailed off towards her last sentence. Her brows crinkling in thought, searching for a better way to remove the foot she had planted into her ever waiting mouth.
Tarrant smiled a bit. He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially. "If I might say, the Tweedles wouldn't be considered the brightest kettle on the tray at times. Wonderful boys though."
She laughed at that and he sat upright once more. Just then a large smile appeared before Emily's face midair as Chess arrived on the interesting scene.
When his body appeared a few leaves and dirt sprinkled down on Emily's damp clothes making her chuckle and reach up to pet the tabby's fur.
"Why Chess, your fur is filthy. What have you managed to roll in this evening?" She looked over to Tarrant with a bit of curiosity. "Why does it seem every cat I've ever known loves to roll in dirt or something smelly? That or they always bring those soft prickle burrs into my bed and I wake up with them impossibly tangled in my hair."
Tarrant pictured Emily sitting up in a bed with crisp white sheets and her hair tangled atop her head and sticking up in various directions. A cat sitting expectantly at the foot of the bed and watching with a bored expression as its human picked through her burr ridden bed hair.
When his attention returned, Chess had already meandered over to play with the children and give Mally a bit of a hard time. Turning his head, he saw Emily just sitting contentedly with her pole in the water. As if he hadn't drifted off oddly at all. Her eyes glanced over at him discreetly and noticed he had returned from his thoughts; so she continued to attempt making small talk as she had earlier in the day with the other Hightopps.
Emilly noticed the Hatter seemed distracted though. And she had a fairly good idea as to why.
"Hatter?" He blinked at her soft call with a 'hm?' and refocused his gaze upon her.
"I hope you don't mind me saying. But….why aren't you with Missu-…Alice right now?"
She stumbled and stopped herself from using Alice's proper title. If her hunch was correct, this man did not need to be unduly reminded of the fair woman's marriage status.
Emily twisted her torso to face him more fully with a soft smile at his slight blush at her next words. "I can tell you…feel for her greatly. You're clearly distracted at the moment and feel free to tell me I'm wrong when I assume it is with thoughts of her."
His gaze looked to his hands in his lap. "Is it so obvious as that?" Emily looked back to her line, trying to help him avoid feeling on display.
"In a way. Most would simply think you've been carried away by your mind." She chuckled. "Women tend to pick up on the underlying reason a bit better though. Especially with the way you look at her sometimes."
Tarrant's large eyes lifted to look at Emily's profile. A slight smile tempting the corner of her lips and a bit of a wistful look in her eye. "I may not have found love in my life Mr. Hightopp. But I am ranked amongst the hopeless romantics at heart." She turned her head slightly to meet his gaze once more. "And I'm always a willing listener to those who need it. Almost made a career of it actually. Got the degree in psychology and everything. Until my mood shifted and creativity pulled me another direction."
Silence settled between the two comfortably. The chortles of their fellow fishers and the ramblings of the Hare floating on the breeze.
Tarrant sat. Thoughtful. Unsure if he would ever confide in Emily on this subject and wondering at her open offer to do so. But who else could he speak to? Who else could possibly help him come to terms with the direction his life had gone. A life that would not include Alice…
Mally was too protective and a bit enamored with him it seemed. Thackery was…well…Thackery. Nivens; too nervous and most likely judgmental over Tarrant pining after a married woman. Which was quite scandalous really.
The Queen; out of the question. Chess; likely to try and use it as blackmail for Tarrant's hat…
He cast a more critical gaze on the woman now humming gently to herself as she let him sort his thoughts. They hardly knew each other. But, she didn't seem to be judgmental and had said herself that she was once going to listen to people's problems for a living. She must be a good listener that enjoys helping others sort their issues. Indicating a kindness within her deeper than he'd seen so far. But would kindness bring understanding? Could any person really help him in this tragic situation?
"I don't know if anyone could help this Mad Hatter." She turned and met his now lowered gaze. Catching sight of the paled green in his eyes.
"That's the funny little secret that most people don't get." Emily leaned down so that he met her eyes fully. "Sometimes it's not wise advice or a therapist dishing out cognitive techniques or medication. Sometimes people just need someone to truly listen to them for a bit. Get their thoughts out loud. Hear them spoken. The new perspective often helps too, if it's wanted."
He smiled a bit. "Thank you. I will keep your offer in mind." She nodded understandingly and resumed her fishing. Thankfully changing the topic for him. "I wonder how much fish they've managed to catch. Nothing seems to be interested in my bait tonight."
~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~
Everyone was now back at the camp site visiting together. Emily joined the other women in processing the fish and cooking it for everyone. Adair had easily won the little competition of who would catch the most.
Emily felt the night's summer breeze filter through the trees and play across her skin. Chilling her a bit through her still damp clothes.
Nivens, Thackery and Mally dug in to eating some of the berries and roots that had been found while their fellow travelers indulged in the moist flaky fish from the fire.
All in all it was a very peaceful and cozy moment. Full bellies and full hearts bringing contentment onto the group when they began settling down to sleep for the night.
Emily sat between Brett and Gerald with a great sigh. "Well. Certainly been an interesting turn of events hasn't it boys?"
Brett turned his head and smiled at her. "It has."
Gerald was leaning back against a tree, already beginning to snore. Emily giggled a bit and was tempted to tickle his nose with a blade of grass, but she refrained.
She leaned against Brett a bit and wrapped her arms around her bent knees. Watching as the rest of the camp settled for the night.
She yawned widely making Brett smile fondly down at her. "You should get some sleep Emily. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow."
Emily felt her lids getting heavy and nodded in agreement before she stretched out in a laying position. "You're right. Goodnight Brett."
Brett sat and listened to her breathing even out and deepen with sleep beneath the snoring of Gerald.
Her sad voice from earlier came back to him. All the subtle signs of pain and memory she'd shown through the day. Her mother's memory was being stirred with a vengeance, along with all the pain that entailed.
He wished he could take that hurt away for her.
He gently reached and moved a stray bit of hair from her face. His fair Emily Lenore. If only you were mine.
~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~
Emily felt a weight settle upon her chest heavily, bringing her from her sleep. She groaned slightly, hearing the birds chirping cheerfully and feeling the slight morning light touch upon her face.
Blearily opening her eyes she was met with the intent gaze of Chess, a slight purr quietly drifting from him. Mechanically and still half asleep, she reached one hand up and stroked his side; being all too familiar with this feline wake-up call.
Her voice was soft from sleep after she gave a yawn. "Good morning Chess, have I missed breakfast?"
The tom cat smiled at her widely. "Afraid so. You were sleeping so well that your friends did not wish to wake you yet. They did save you some berries to eat as we journey."
Chess stood then and stretched his back with a feline curve. His claws kneaded her blouse and his hind fit pressed painfully onto her bladder.
She hastily picked him up with both hands by his middle and set him on the ground beside her. "Oh! Full bladder, don't stand on that." She chuckled a bit. It was amusing, this intelligent creature conversing with her yet it still exhibited the same mannerisms as many cats she had encountered in her world.
After quickly going off to discreetly take care of her morning business. Emily returned and greeted Ilisa as she was handed a leaf full of berries. The troop then began making their way along the path once more. Everything had efficiently been re-packed away while Emily still slept.
As the day wore on Emily noticed the trees beginning to thin out. It wasn't long until they came upon a plain of grass and bushes. There ahead of them was a large white castle, trees bloomed with pink blossoms along either side of the path leading up to the closed gate of the stone walls. Emily felt her butterflies stir within her stomach. This had to be it. The White Queen's castle.
She felt something scurry up onto her shoulder, the small voice of Mally speaking to her reassuringly. "Don't worry Emily. You'll do fine." Emily looked to her tiny new companion and gave a small smile in return. At least Mally was confident on Emily's behalf.
The closer they drew to the large structure, the smaller Emily felt and the more her nerves became unsettled. The large wooden gates opened for them on their approach and a woman was standing behind them to greet them. She was pale and surrounded by a personal little entourage. Her hair was white as was her dress. But her lips were a dark red and the nails on her delicate fingers were painted black. The dark eyes looked keenly upon the world and seemed to see all in a way that Emily could only imagine.
Emily paled a felt her skin become clammy. The Queen herself was greeting them. Oh she was going to make a fool of herself somehow, Emily could feel it.
By the time they reached the regal woman, she had nodded to her entourage and thus had sent them away. Leaving her alone to receive them just beyond the open gates. And Emily was a bit surprised when she knelt and smiled to the two Hightopp children grasping their mother's skirt.
With a delicate movement she beckoned them to her.
Rosemary looked up at her mother a bit uncertainly before grasping Mackenzie's hand and stepping up to the Queen. They both bowed and curtsied respectively as they had been instructed to do when meeting Queen Mirana.
The woman laughed softly, "Rise my dears. Let me look upon you." She reached out and tenderly brushed Rosemary's errant curls. "How happy I am to see you both. Healthy young children. The future. It makes my heart glad."
She stood, her hands raised at her side elegantly and cast her deep gaze over the group. A broad grin broke upon her face at the sight of them. "Come. You've arrived in time for luncheon. I believe we shall have it out in the garden, as lovely a day as this should not be wasted."
They quietly followed the gliding floating woman to a massive and beautiful garden. Lush green grass, vibrant bushes, colorful flowers and a small pond not far off. Beneath a large tree a table sat with a pristine white cloth covering it and it was laden with various delectables.
Emily fought with herself, try hard not to become distracted by the sights before her. Inevitably she failed, the landscape was too beautiful, the sky too blue, the wind too clear. She sat with the others and nibbled on a sandwich. Oblivious to the conversation and discussion around her until a few people joined the table, one in particular jarring her from her thoughts.
Queen Mirana introduced them as some lords and ladies from the lands near her castle. But one disrupted her private wonder with a terrible and ugly rudeness directed to her.
There was a derrisive snort. "I say. Peasant Woman. Where do you get the audacity to wear such strange garments? They are most unbeffiting of a woman in your position." Emily blinked from her thoughts and turned to see a tall black haired man staring coldly down upon her. Judging her.
She furrowed her brow a bit. "Pardon?" He huffed indignantly.
"You heard me Peasant. What is the meaning of this? Or are you simple as well as strange? And why do you presume to dine with her Majesty?"
Mally jumped up to Emily's defense. Being the only other person to hear this rudeness, since he tactfully kept it very quiet. This way, it would be unnoticed by Mirana and the other's who continued to converse on the other end of the table.
"Hey! Leave her alone you pompous curr. She is an honored guest to the Queen."
The man curled his lip at them both. "You. A guest to the Queen? You're nothing but rabble, just like that mouse and her friends. Useless rabble that won't amount to anything. No purpose. No right to" At this point Mirana raised her voice a bit, calling to the young but dark lord.
"Lord Blackwood, there is a seat here if you'd like." The man, Lord Blackwood, looked down his nose at Emily before making his way to the front of the table and to the seat Mirana had gestured to.
Emily felt ice though. He'd sounded just like her father for a moment. Useless. Pointless. A waste of space and air. Unfit to share his company. A burden. A failure.
She blinked and looked down at Mally, who had placed a paw on Emily's hand. "Are you alright?"
The large mousey eyes filled with concern. Emily couldn't even force a smile. She could only nod and again stare. Leaving her small lettuce and tomato sandwich triangle half eaten.
A memory coming to her mind. Consuming her thoughts.
A ten year old Emily sat at the kitchen table after school. The windows were open in the house and the blinds up. Letting the warm summer breeze blow through the house and the sun seep through her skin cheerfully. The scent of chocolate chip cookies wafted through the room from the oven. They would be done soon.
Mary. Her mother. Was washing dishes and humming to the radio playing country music quietly on the window sill above the sink. Everything seemed perfect. Until a noisy old pickup truck could be heard rolling into the driveway.
A loud slam of the truck door signaled her father was home. And when he entered the house, the whole atmosphere seemed to dim and darken. Becoming oppressive and scary. He could be heard slurring to himself in the entryway at the front of the house.
Emily gripped her pencil tighter, looking up to her mother worriedly. He was home early. There was no time for Emily to go and hide in her room.
Mary dried her hands and smoothed back her brown hair. A slight shake to them. "Don't worry honey. Just sit and continue your work. Remember, no eye contact. Ok?" The loving mother walked over and placed a lingering kiss to her daughter's forehead before fortifying herself for what was to come.
The older woman knew he must have lost his job again. It was that damn alcohol. It had taken away everything of the man she'd once loved. Now, she needed to focus on diverting him into the living room, before he could notice their daughter.
Little Emily felt her stomach tighten with each passing moment. Listening to the voices in the living room. Hoping she wouldn't have to face her daddy.
There was a loud crash of glass and incoherent yelling from her father followed by stomping footsteps into the kitchen. Emily tried her best to make herself as small as possible in that kitchen chair. Hoping against all hope that he would see her as he went to the fridge for undoubtedly another beer.
He turned and caught sight of her anyway. Emily froze, looking at the dirty blue work shirt. Hesitantly she raised her eyes, meeting the bloodshot blue of her father's. He stands looking at her. A struggle going through his eyes but Emily couldn't tell where this conflict stemmed from or why. He jerked his head over to look at the stove. Smelling the cookies.
He yelled loudly in the direction of the living room.
"I work all god damn day and this is what you waste my money on? COOKIES?" He glared at his daughter, taking a terrifying step toward her full of menace.
"This is your fault! If it weren't for you I wouldn't be in this mess! You're worthless!" He raised his hand, full of dark intent. But Mary burst into the room.
"Don't you dare touch her you bastard!" She shoved him slightly back and put herself between her child and the man that used to be her loving husband.
He dropped his beer, the thick brown bottle clattered noisily to the floor but did not break.
"Or what? What are you gonna do Mary? Nothin! That's what! I'm the fucking man of this fucking house you whore!" He slapped her hard, knocking her off balance and onto the floor.
"You keep protecting that damn little leech! That mistake! She should have never been born and it's her fault! It's all her fault!" Emily ran. She ran quickly out the back kitchen door and down the street, like her mother had always told her to do on nights when Daddy got violent and Emily couldn't get to her room.
She pumped her legs as hard as she could, all the way down the dirt road to a clearing in the woods next to the river behind their house.
That was the thing about living in the country, no one could hear when Daddy got mean. So no one could help.
Emily would sit and cry in that clearing. Letting her tears join the calmly flowing waters of the river. Looking up at the clouds until her mom came to get her. When the coast was clear. When her father either left or passed out.
It hurt so much worse when he got like this. When he hit her or hit her mother. When he got angry and blamed all his misfortune on Emily. It hurt so much worse…because Emily could remember a time when she was little, very little, and he wasn't like this. When he was sweet and loving and caring. When he was her hero and protector.
When he was tender to her mother. Not breaking her down with each and every day.
She flinched slightly when someone grasped her arm. Turning she found Brett standing beside her with Gerald. The entire table looking at her with varied expressions. Emily blushed.
"Sorry, lost in thought." Brett and Gerald looked on her with concern, recognizing the haunted expression in her eyes. Emily looked to the Queen as she spoke.
"I had asked if you and your companions would perform a brief song or two for us. Do you feel up to it dear?" Her eyes held an understanding to them that Emily didn't quite grasp.
Emily pasted on a smile, "Yes, of course. My apologies your highness."
She desperately avoided all other's gaze as she stood and went with Brett and Gerald to retrieve their instruments.
Brett grasped her hand. "Are you ok? What's wrong?"
She pulled her hand from his and shook her head. "Nothing. Not a worry. Now, we'll need to work accoustically since I doubt they have any electrical outlets. We'll need to bring that up to the Queen, by the way. Maybe see if we or someone else can go back to our time and get us a couple generators?"
Push back the memories. The pain. Focus on the task at hand. The moment taking place. It's what her mother wanted.
~x-x-x-x-x-x-x~
Hatter watched them return, a few of the male palace help carrying some large containers with Gerald directing them from behind.
He watched in facination as Gerald took his drum set from these containers and built it before their very eyes. Emily had a mahogany guitar strapped to her with a simple leather guitar strap. The wood worn and the veneer scratched in a few places.
Brett had a guitar of his own and a small case that looked to contain a violin. They set themselves up with some stools in front of the table, so that all could see and hear them clearly.
Emily conversed quietly with her companions for a moment before sitting upon her chosen stool and quietly checking the tuning of her strings.
Brett took the fiddle from its case and addressed them courteously.
"We will try to choose songs that will not seem too strange to you. Later, if you choose, we would be glad to ease you into a sample of the varied styles of the music in our time."
He smiled. "Oh. And your Highness? Perhaps at some point you might allow for someone to lead us back to our era? Some of our equipment requires an electrical energy to function properly. In our time there are generators that can be transported that will, as the name implies, generate this electricity for us."
Mirana nodded. "Certainly. I will have it arranged for Nivens to take you tomorrow to gather what you need. And it will be a delight, I think, to hear your strange music from your time. It is always good to expand one's mental horizons. No matter how strange."
Emily felt herself becoming nervous. She'd never played for a queen and her court. She inhaled deeply. It's no different from any other audience. Just share the music. Let it flow.
"Ready?"
The quiet whisper from Gerald made her smile and with a nod they launched into their first song.
Emily had suggested this song, needing desperately to release some of the bittersweet from her mood before moving on to anything lighter and more festive. Her friends understood all too well and without needing an explanation agreed to her song choice.
Emily lowered her head as she began to strum her guitar. After a few beats she began to sing.
"So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning.
Now I'm here to stay.
Love can be so boring.
And nothin's quite the same now,
I just say your name now
But it's not so bad…
You're only the best I ever had.
You don't want me back.
You're just the best I ever had."
Brett's violin sounded mournful and sweet. Tarrant looked over to Alice as he listened to the song. Already feeling a terribly tragic connection to the song.
"So you stole my world,
Now I'm just a phony.
Remembering the girl,
Leaves me down and lonely"
Every now and then Brett and Gerald would add their voices in harmony to Emily's.
"We'll send it in a letter.
Make yourself feel better.
But it's not so bad.
You're only the best I ever had.
Don't want me back.
You're just the best I ever had."
Here at the bridge, Tarrant watched as Emily's emotions began to pour into her music. Releasing the painful well of melancholy from within her breast. The same melancholy he felt the more he listened; the more he found how well these lyrics could apply, in his mind, to his relationship with Alice.
"And it might take some time
To patch me up inside.
But I can't take it so I,
I run away and hide.
I might find in time,
That you were always right.
You were always right.
So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning.
Now I'm here to stay.
Love can be so boring.
Was it what you wanted?
Could it be I'm haunted?"
Emily would raise her head from time to time as she tapped her foot to the rhythm of the song. Her eyes soulful as she channeled the emotions for the song. Brow knit in consternation as she delivered the message of the lyrics and melody. Trying her best to connect with her audience's heartstrings.
"But it's not so bad…
You're only the best I ever had.
Don't want me back.
You're just the best I ever had.
You're just the best I ever had…"
Her voice trailed off at the end. A sad smile as her dark brown eyes met his clear green.
Mally stood on her raised little chair and began clapping excitedly. "Well done Emily!"
Emily broke her gaze with Hatter and graciously nodded her head with her band mates to her demurely applauding audience.
Tarrant noticed Lord Blackwood casting a nasty look at them though, an unkind word clearly about to spring from his lips. Ilisa was quick to speak up, in her loud and boistrous manner.
"Another, my bonny bairns. Give us another! Something a bit more lively though."
Emily smiled at the motherly woman, "Yes ma'am."
She turned on her stool and murmured a few moments once more with her companions. With some quiet debate they finally settled on what to play next song. Brett place his violin beneath his chin.
All three started after a quiet count from Gerald.
"Sun shines, clouds rain
Train whistles blow and guitars play
Preachers preach, farmers plow
Wishes go up and the world goes round."
With each performance, Gerald was careful to keep his drums as quiet as possible so that he wouldn't over power the non-amplified vocals and instruments. This was another of Emily's country influenced songs. The romantic message was what had Emily certain the Hightopp couples would appreciate it. They interacted with each other so affectionately, it was clear how much each husband loved his wife. And vice versa.
"And I love you, it just comes natural.
It just comes natural.
Seasons change, rivers wind.
Tumble weeds roll and the stars shine.
Wind howls, dawn breaks.
Cowboys ride 'n' time slips away.
And I love you, it just comes natural.
It's what I was born to do.
Don't have to think it through.
Baby, it's so easy lovin' you.
It just comes natural."
Adair grasped Cara's hand and squeezed gently. All these years and she still took his breath away with that smile. He was so thankful that she had survived the attack and the grueling conditions of the outlands. He'd done everything he could to keep her and their child well. Pushing his skills to the very limit. Using what she affectionately called his 'magic green thumb' to put pathetic potatoes and other tuberous roots onto their plates. That soil was the most unforgiving he had ever seen in his life.
Cara turned and looked to him, noticing the pensive light to his eyes. And she smiled, squeezing his hand back. Wishing that they could stand and begin to dance to the strange but enjoyable music being sung so emotionally. The song was perfect in describing how she felt for her love. Cara still remembered when she had first begun to feel for him, his bright grin as he handed her a dropped basket of yarn.
"It's what I was born to do.
Don't have to think it through.
Baby it's so easy lovin' you.
Fire burns, waves crash.
Seed grow and good things last.
Ships sail, dreams fly.
Night falls and full moons rise.
And I love you, it just comes natural.
And I love you, it just comes natural.
It just comes natural.
It just comes natural."
Emily had a small smirk to her lips as she had sung. Enjoying the feel of channeling such a playful and romantic feeling. Dispelling the dreary cold feeling that the memory Lord Blackwood had brought forth.
The Queen spoke up after applauding daintily. "Lovely performances. I look forward to hearing the compositions you would otherwise refrain from playing to us. For now, I believe you should all rest and be shown to your rooms." She stood gracefully.
"You've all traveled so far. I am sure you must be quite exhausted. I shall see you all for supper" She smiled at them all before departing.
Emily focused on putting her instrument back into it's case, avoiding anything to do with the nasty Lord from before. Cara walked over and placed a hand on Emily's shoulder with a smile.
"That really was lovely. Would you mind teaching me the lyrics to that last song?" Cara turned and watched her husband chatting with Tarrant. A slight blush lighting her fair freckled cheeks. "It just seemed to fit so perfectly. I'd really love to remember it."
Emily grinned. Pleased that Cara had liked it so well. "Of course. I'll write the lyrics down for you and go through the notes with you tomorrow. I had hoped it might catch your fancy."
Cara walked beside Emily and continued to talk comfortably as they were lead into the castle.
Tarrant watched them walk ahead of him and observed how easily Cara was speaking to Emily. And how easily Emily listened and responded. He was glad that her nervous tension had lessened since he had advised her to relax. Perhaps she could help him at least partially sort his muddled thoughts and feelings. His thoughts were again diverted when his sweet Alice strode up next to him and engaged him in conversation.
AN: Well…not sure how happy I am with this chapter….it was a bit difficult to crank out and it seems like it might be dragging a bit in places…idk. Sigh. After I finish recovering from this second and final round of wisdom tooth extraction I might re-look at it and consider a revision. Any reviews and advice and opinions would be welcome. Thankie muches.
Songs used were:
Best I Ever Had- Gary Allan
It Just Comes Natural- George Strait