Evalyn Von Tumpette sat somberly on her bed in Wonderland's Clover Tower. She held a small pink bundle in her arms which contained her newborn daughter. An unpleasant aura filled the new mother as she thought of the conversation she had with the young incubus Nightmare only hours ago.
~Flashback~
"What do you mean I cannot take my daughter back to my world?" A very stressed Evalyn shouted, her hormones raging from being in labor for nearly ten hours.
"I mean exactly what I said. Your daughter cannot leave Wonderland. It's quite simple really." Nightmare said calmly, not quite understanding what was so hard for Evalyn to comprehend.
"Why not?" Evalyn asked.
Nightmare sighed deeply, putting a hand to his forehead before saying, "Because Evalyn, that's not how the game works. Your daughter was born in Wonderland, thus she is a citizen here and cannot leave. She's not an outsider."
"B-but she has a heart!" Evalyn argued, tears forming in her blue eyes. "If she's truly a citizen of Wonderland, then wouldn't she have a clock instead?"
"Not necessarily. You see, your daughter is a very special case. Since she was not conceived by someone from Wonderland, she cannot have a clock. She will be the only citizen of Wonderland to ever have a heart." Nightmare explained.
A chilling silence was cast throughout the room at that moment. Nightmare walked over to the young woman, sorrow filling his entire body, as he placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "I'm so sorry Evalyn. I know this must be very hard for you."
Tears spilled from Evalyn's eyes, as she whispered, "Can I at least see her?"
Nightmare gave a short nod, before he left the room to go get the small child.
~Flashback Over~
Small sobs racked Evalyn's body, as she looked down at her baby. Soft white hair topped her head and her large doe eyes were a haunting crimson color. The baby gurgled softly, which pressed something in Evalyn to sing one of the lullabies her mother would sing to her when she was little.
Hush now, my babyBe still love, don't crySleep like you're rocked by the streamSleep and rememberMy lullabyAnd I'll be with you when you dreamDrift on a riverThat flows through my armsDrift as I'm singing to youI see you smilingSo peaceful and calmAnd holding you, I'm smiling, tooHere in my armsSafe from all harmHolding you, I'm smiling, tooHush now, my babyBe still, love, don't crySleep like you're rocked by the streamSleep and remember this river lullabyAnd I'll be with you when you dreamI'll be with you when you dream
When she had finished, Evalyn's daughter was asleep, and a small smile played on her lips.
"Your voice is beautiful." A velvety male voice said.
Looking up, Evalyn saw a man around his mid thirties standing in the doorway. Her eyes widened, as she said, "Oh my! I'm sorry I didn't expect you to get here so soon Malachi."
A smile spread across the man's face as he said, "It's alright dear Evalyn, but I wonder why you have requested my presence during this time."
"Well, I am sure you've heard by now that I gave birth to my daughter." Evalyn stated.
"Yes? What of it?" Malachi asked curiously.
"I-I can't take her back with me." Evalyn whispered, "And I wanted to know if you would take care of her when I leave."
"Why me?" Malachi asked, his violet eyes widened, as he stared incredulously at the young woman in front of him.
"Because I know you will keep her safe. I trust you more than anyone else I've met here, even if you are an Undertaker of sorts!" Evalyn said, tears streaming from her eyes. "Please Malachi, I need you to do this for me!"
There was a pregnant silence in the room for a few minutes, before Wonderland's Clock Maker made his way toward Evalyn's bed, and looked at the small child in Evalyn's arms.
Malachi's eyes widened at how small and fragile the child looked. Never before had he seen something so wonderfully beautiful and majestically delicate (that is if you don't include the clocks he worked on everyday).
"Would you like to hold her?" Evalyn asked, as she shifted the babe so that Malachi could take her.
Nodding his head lightly, Malachi gently took the child, and held her close to him.
Somehow feeling the shift between people, the child opened her crimson eyes, and looked up curiously at Malachi. A sense of unease filled Malachi and he was about to hand the baby back to her mother, when the child reached up a small hand and latched it onto some of his maroon hair smiling gleefully as she did.
It was at that moment that Malachi fell in love with the child, and knew he would do anything for the baby. Looking back at Evalyn, he whispered, "Have you picked a name for her yet?"
"Yes, her name shall be Nevermore." Evalyn said confidently.
"Why is that?" Malachi queried.
"Because after today I will see her nevermore." Evalyn responded.
"I see." Malachi said quietly. "You know she has your looks."
"Ah, but she has her father's eyes." Evalyn said quietly. "Malachi, I think it is time for me to leave. Please take good care of my daughter."
"I will Evalyn, I promise." Malachi said, as he looked at the young woman with a comforting smile.
"Thank you." Evalyn whispered through tears and a smile. And as quickly as she had come to Wonderland, Evalyn left in a bright light, leaving Malachi alone with her one and only treasure, Nevermore.
I dunno how I feel about this chapter...
I'm not particularly fond of it but eh... Whatever works.
So I'm going to answer a few questions people may have.
Nightmare's age is unknown, but personally I think he's a few centuries old, that's why he knows so much about the game.
Malachi is the present clock maker, and Julius will come in probably the next chapter as his apprentice.
So yeah that's aboot it.
Anyway Review and read. and thanks to those that did review and fave and alert this story.
Au revoir,
Aya
