She can't say she's nervous at all – no, she's excited! – but she has been worried for the past week whether there will be any problems today at all, especially during the ceremony.

Her mother had once told her that her wedding day would be the most memorable day of her life and on that day she would truly become a woman.

Well, as much as Alice had loved her mother, she doesn't believe that the vows she will take in a half-hour will make her any more of a woman. No, definitely not. The battle with the Jabberwocky and her years sailing the oceans had seen to her womanly development.

The only way she could become any more of a woman would be...carnally, and she's been thinking about that very much.

A two-month long engagement, without any sort of chaperoning, has given her many chances to be alone with her Hatter, Tarrant, and his hands and lips have haunted her dreams for weeks.

She hasn't explored further than his chest and he, in turn, has not dared to do much more than grip her waist when in the throes of a passionate kiss or brush the nape of her neck with his fingertip when she pins her colourful hair up. But she knows that the passion they have already shared, the kisses and heat and touches, are nothing compared to what they will share, later this night.

Alice looks out over Marmoreal from her place on the white balcony – she is awaiting the Queen's word that the ceremony is beginning.

Tarrant has been suspiciously missing the entire day, and it has been hard to go without his good morning kiss, the one which he usually bestows on her after walking to her house for a late breakfast, as has become their usual routine.

Alice, once again, momentarily wonders at the difference between her world and Underland. Topside, she would never have been allowed to see her betrothed so much or so often and never without a watchful eye, but here, in Underland, there is no scandal in being in love.

There had been a magnificent celebration dinner held by Mirana in honour of the engagement of her Champion and the Royal Hatter, and all their friends had been overjoyed at the news, but no one had told Alice to not be alone with him so much or that he's acting inappropriately by taking her on long, lovely walks through the forest.

It's so marvellous, so freeing, and it only solidifies the thought in her mind that Underland is so very perfect and so very much her true home.

A swish over her shoulder brings her out of her thoughts and she turns her head, smiling, to gaze into the bright eyes of Chessur.

"Good morning, Alice," he drawls lazily, hovering on his back over her shoulder, swishing his striped tail back and forth.

She returns his greeting and scratches his ear. A purr rumbles from him and he gives a long, languorous stretch.

"Just thought I'd give you some advice," he tells her, bumping his head against hers in that feline manner. "Hatter's in a bit of a tizz today, so go easy on him tonight. Or don't! I'll be amused either way..."

"What do you mean?" She frowns. "What's wrong with him?"

"Oh, he doesn't know I heard, but I was just floating through the castle and he came flying from the Queen's chambers looking positively green, muttering something about you."

It's at that moment, as Alice is about to ask Chessur for more details, that a high clearing of a throat cuts through the air and the cat disappears with a grin in a puff of smoke, leaving Mirana to take his place at Alice's side.

The Queen gives her a dainty smile. "Pay no mind to that old cat. He's spent too long sneaking about these halls. I merely gave Hatter some practical advice and he became a little nervous. I'm sure he's right as rain now, though."

Alice lifts a cautious eyebrow. "What sort of advice, Your Majesty?"

Mirana waves her pale hand. "It makes no matter. I'm here to offer you the same, Alice – are there any questions you have that need answering? I was married for quite some time myself, you know."

"Yes." She nods. "I might have some questions."

The Queen awaits her patiently. Alice takes a steadying breath.

"I was wondering whether there was anything I truly needed to know, for...tonight, that is. I have an idea of what will happen, but I'm not entirely sure of the way to go about it."

Mirana gives her a secretive smile. "I shall tell you what I told another. It isn't any ordinary sort of dance – the lady must lead and the gentleman must follow. Clumsiness and injury is, regrettably, unavoidable, at least the first time. Do you understand the...mechanics?"

Alice's cheeks heat, thinking back to those strange books and paintings she had peeked at under a cloth on that market stall in China.

"I have a fair understanding," she replies softly. "But is there anything in particular that I have to do?"

"Look after yourself and do what feels right. The rest will follow." Mirana smiles gently. "He's waiting for you."

The Queen turns away, and Alice follows, gripping the bouquet of pink flowers Mallymkun had picked for her.

The short train of her white silken gown trails behind her along the pure marble floors, as they take the halls towards the Grand Court where the ceremony will take place. She hasn't been rehearsed into the particulars, only that the Queen's word will bind her and Hatter in matrimony and there will be an exchanging of rings.

She curls her finger around the simple, silver-striped band tied to the ribbon wrapped around her posy. It isn't that she doesn't trust another to hold it for her; she just wants to keep it for a little while before it becomes Hatter's.

Alice had asked the Queen if there was someone in the kingdom who she could commission to make Hatter's ring. Mirana had come back with the name of a merchant, an odd little man by the name of Bertram with a thick black beard and no hair on his head, who, she had on good authority, was in possession of a few select rings.

Alice had visited the man and found Hatter's perfect ring amongst many in the man's collection. It had struck her instantly on sight that the twisting shades of silver curling around the band would fit her new husband very nicely and suit him down to the ground.

A giggle breaks her from her reverie and she sees Mirana smiling down at something just inside a grand doorway. On closer inspection Alice finds the doorway leads to the antechamber of what must be the Grand Court and that Mirana is admiring March's wedding attire, which he is uncomfortably tugging at the collar of.

The little white waistcoat and bowtie make Alice smile. "You look wonderful."

"Aye!" He growls, scratching himself behind the ear with his foot.

Mirana leads her through the closed doors, March bouncing along close behind and kicking the doors shut once again. Alice finds herself being led up a long aisle, each side lined with rows of empty seats where she knows members of Court usually sit.

The wedding will only be viewed by close friends, but the uninvited will attend the lunch and afternoon dance being held in their honour.

The sun shining through the tall windows at the end of the hall illuminates the figures standing at the steps there. Her heart gives a definite and familiar flutter when she sees Hatter, previously obscured by a pillar and now blessedly in her view. The hat upon his head is tall and silver-coloured, finely made, and his wedding suit is all-white, including his shoes. She smiles.

He doesn't turn as she approaches, but their friends do. March joins the small group standing quietly at the bottom of the steps leading to the dais on which Hatter stands. The Tweedles, McTwisp, Chessur, Absolem, Mallymkun, Bayard and his family, Dodo, and Banders are all in attendance, and they all look so wistfully at her as she approaches.

She hears Mallymkun sigh about her dress, and Absolem flutters over to press a gentle kiss to her cheek, before flying away again.

Mirana takes Alice's hand and leads her up onto the dais. Only then does Hatter look at her.

His hair, always so crazed, seems to have been tamed today, and the blonde curls she had unknowingly magically bestowed on him are silken and shining. His blue eyes gaze at her adoringly, and she feels a blush grace her cheeks.

He takes her gloved hand in his, smiling, as Mirana clears her throat.

"Alice Kingsleigh and Tarrant Hightopp, you have been brought before these witnesses to be married under the royal word. I believe you both have the rings?"

Alice unties Hatter's from her bouquet and holds it out, waiting for Hatter to do the same. He takes his time, looking through his jacket pockets, before pulling out a silk handkerchief and unfolding it. From the centre, he produces a golden wedding band, a small blue stone set in the ring. She loves it.

Hatter tucks away the silk and holds out the ring. The Queen gestures between them.

"Each hold out your left hand, and with the right put on the ring, repeating after me..." Alice swallows her bubbling excitement, turning to Hatter and holding out her hand as she takes his – he smiles at her as they wait for Mirana's words. "To you I bestow this ring."

"To you I bestow this ring," they repeat softly.

"As a token of my yearning, my love, and my devotion."

They grin. "As a token of my yearning, my love, and my devotion."

"And with this ring I bind my immortal life to yours, never to be broken."

They repeat Mirana's words once more, even though Alice is a little taken aback by them.

Is she immortal? The Queen's small grin tells her yes, they just hadn't told her yet.

Alice smiles at the thought of forever, in Underland, with Hatter, and promises herself to pay a visit to her younger brother and elder sister one day, especially if she has an eternity to live.

"The rings," she urges, and Alice and Hatter move simultaneously, slipping the rings on the other's finger.

There's a flash inside of her, something warm and fuzzy and undeniably magical, and Alice knows she is now wed to Tarrant, her Hatter. His smile is blinding, and even the small gap between his front teeth looks happy. She wants to kiss him.

She sees Mirana's dark lips widen in a sly grin. "You may now take the ceremonial walk through the garden maze."

Hatter glances at the Queen for a moment, a slight frown on his face, before his expression clears and he turns back to Alice with the same grin as Mirana. He holds out his arm.

"My dear," he murmurs, and a wonderful tremor shoots up her spine.

Alice takes his arm and lets Hatter lead her out of the hall, silently at his side as he walks her out of the palace and towards the misty back gardens.

"Why is it always so foggy out here?" She asks him as he takes her along a stone path, a great arch of white roses signalling the entrance to the maze.

"The Queen likes the maze to be difficult to navigate," he lisps, smiling, his eyes darkening a fraction. "When people get lost, they find who they really are."

Alice frowns at the thought of getting lost. "But, the party?"

"Don't fret," he tells her gently, leading her past the arch and into the passage on the right. "I know my way. Besides, Alice, it's traditional."

He giggles. She smiles.

"Tarrant," she intones suspiciously.

He looks positively gleeful. "Oh, you know I can't resist you when you call me that. Naughty."

She pinches his arm and he giggles again.

"Oh, alright!" Hatter grins. "Mirana lied. There's no such thing as the ceremonial walk."

"Then why would she..."

Alice trails off when she looks up from the twists and turns and corners they are taking to see Hatter's eyes are trained directly on her. He pulls her to a gentle but abrupt stop, leaning in close.

"Alice." His lisp is nowhere to be found, that thick brogue taking its place. "Where are we?"

"In the maze," she answers simply. "Taking a walk."

"Alone?"

"Yes, quite alone. Oh."

He smiles. "She knows about love, Alice. She's given us some time to ourselves, until...later."

His voice is a little choked at the end, and she wonders if he's anticipating sharing her bed tonight as much as she is. Perhaps he's even worried about it.

But before Alice has time to reassure him, his lips touch hers and his hands come about her waist as he steps into her, pressing her back against the thick, white hedge. She is lost, entirely, and she is lost to him.

His fingers dance across her waistline as his lips travel her neck, and she sighs, closing her eyes and tipping her head back at his touch. His thumb finds the small window in the silk just above the small of her back, beneath the single pearl button that holds the two sloping sides of the back of her dress together. He strokes her warm skin with shaking hands.

"Hatter," Alice sighs, prompting him to pull back an inch.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I just wanted to say..." She licks her bottom lip, tasting tea, and sees his eyes follow the soft swipe. "I want you to know that I love you, and...tonight, well, it won't change that. It will only make it greater."

He stares at her for a moment. "You know what will happen..."

She glances down at the stones beneath their feet. "Do you think me wicked?"

"Entirely," Hatter replies, and she grins. "But I think you even more wonderful. May I kiss you again?"

"You don't need to ask, sweet Hatter." She kisses him fiercely, relishing the feeling of those familiar butterflies nesting in her belly.

"Sweet," he mutters against her lips. "Sugar, cakes, pies, pastries, meringues...Alice."

She smiles, kissing him once more. He hasn't had as many bad turns since they became engaged and their feelings came out into the open, with every train of thought simply leading back to her and calming him instantly. This time it seems the reminder of their engagement has settled his mind.

His hand slips lower on her back, caressing the very rise of her backside, and Alice feels her stomach twist into delicious knots.

He's her husband, he's allowed to touch her, and she wants to touch him too. Her hands though, they have a very different idea, and they merely settle on his lapels, her thumbs sliding beneath his jacket. Though seemingly chaste, the touch visibly steals Hatter's breath, and he gazes down at her with so much heat in his eyes.

"Aye, lass," he practically growls in her ear. "Later."

His words are heavy, dark, and filled with promise.


Hand-in-hand, Alice and Hatter walk through the white wood on the edge of Marmoreal, a shortcut to Alice's– to their house.

The wedding party in the castle courtyard is long over, and the sky is a rosy hue from the impending rise of the sun. The pale trees around them are glittering with shiny insects, and a warm breeze shifts the canopy of leaves above their heads soundlessly. She feels like Underland is leading them home.

She had been almost desperate to get to their wedding night, to their time alone, after having to leave their little sanctuary in the maze to get to their reception on time. But after seeing the cheering crowds, being congratulated by what seemed like every subject, and dancing with their friends, the urgency had been forgotten.

It is not urgency she feels now as she spies their house past the edge of the wood. She feels excited, but, most of all, she feels comforted. Hatter's hand is warm and secure in hers, and he gives her a sideways smile as he leads her to the door.

When they are finally inside of the house, staring at each other, the door shut behind them as they stand at the foot of the stairs, Alice still feels that comfort.

"It's been a wonderful day," she says, and Hatter nods, removing his hat and giving her a timid grin.

"It certainly has," he whispers, taking the first step of the stairs and leading her up the rest.

The bedroom is small, only meant for one, with bookshelves on most of the walls and the bed pressed into the corner of the room that receives the most sunlight from the windows, but she can imagine them both in here, asleep, curled together. Such a marvellous image.

Hatter places his hat on the closest shelf, between two thick tomes on the history of Underland. He nervously tugs at his bowtie. Alice gives him a gentle smile, stilling his hands.

"Tarrant."

He swallows. "Yes?"

"Will you help unpin my hair?"

His relieved nod is answer enough and she turns to face the diamond windows, watching the distorted sunlight filter over the hills of the horizon.

Hatter's fingers are swift and gentle, pulling out her pearl pins and placing them neatly next to his hat. When her burgundy hair is once more comfortably around her shoulders, she feels his fingers explore instead of retreat.

One hand comes about her waist, his palm pressed to the flat of her stomach, while the other hand brushes over her neck, her shoulder.

"So beautiful," he whispers against her hair, his thumb on her collarbone.

She covers his hands with her own, leaning back into him. Her breath leaves her at the feel of his hands, moving, his fingers plucking at the pearl holding her dress together.

"Alice?"

"Please," she murmurs, and Hatter acquiesces almost instantly.

Her dress pools around her feet in a silken spool, leaving her in her lightest undergarments. She hears his breath hitch as his fingers explore her bare arms, and she turns to see him better.

Hatter's eyes are heavily lidded, glowing, and the blue is a deep navy that pulls her into his power and holds her under some kind of spell. She cannot look away, and she does not want to.

Her fingers untie his bowtie, undo his buttons, tug at his shirt, until they are both in similar states of déshabiller. She steps back from him, her thumb curling underneath the right shoulder strap of her chemise.

"Hatter, come here."

He does. He steps into the warm, little bubble where it is just they two and he follows her instructions as she lifts his large, warm hand to the front lacings of her chemise. He undoes them with trembling fingers, eyes on her face, and swallows as the material falls to the floor.

Alice stands there, unashamed, in nothing but a short pair of silk bloomers, and she eyes Hatter's bare chest and white, knee-length under-shorts with a calculating gaze. She turns and urges him to sit on the edge of the bed. He does so with little reluctance, his eyes darting from her pert breasts to her face and back again.

Taking a deep breath, she pulls down her last remaining scrap of clothing, before doing the same for Hatter, and she is instantly aware of another presence in the room.

Her gulp, she thinks, is imagined, but the effect is still the same.

On the Wonder, there had been little room for modesty and privacy for the men working aboard the vessel, and, on more than one occasion, she had happened to glance across the deck or out of her window to see some sailor relieving himself. But she had never been faced with a manhood so directly, and she had never seen one that so fervently called upon her basest of desires.

Hatter's hand comes to rest underneath her chin, tenderly holding her jaw, and he smiles as she finally tears her gaze from his rather impressive size and rigidity.

"Ye know what will happen, Alice?" He asks gruffly, and she nods, awkwardly taking a seat on the bed next to him.

"Aye." She grins, unfazed by the quick changes between her sweet Hatter and her exciting Hightopp.

His smile is slow and sly. "Aye, lassie. I'll make ye mine."

Hatter's hand slides up her thigh, urging her back onto the bed, as he dips his head to kiss her neck thoroughly.

Alice cannot contain her reaction. "Tarrant..."

Her moan makes him shiver above her. "I dinnae want to hurt ye."

"I was told you must," she breathes, looking into his pale face as he covers her naked body with his.

"Aye, an' I the same," he grits. "I mus' make ye me own...but ye must lead me."

Alice smiles, knowing that Mirana had given her the same advice that she had given Hatter, and so she nods, doing the thing that feels most comfortable, that feels most right, and wraps her arms around his shoulders and parts her thighs to admit his.

With a groan, he settles between the warmth of her thighs and shudders against her. She can feel him, his most insistent manhood pressed hard against her opposite, her womanhood slick and hot and trembling.

Hatter holds himself above her as his left hand travels her body, causing her stomach to erupt in the most wonderful sensations as he caresses her breasts, her thigh, and her...

"Oh, Lord... Tarrant!"

"I don't know what I'm doing," he confesses in his familiar lisp, his eyes suddenly wide and bright on hers. "I've never done this before, never wanted to..."

Alice holds her breath, fighting the feeling of wanting to fall apart at his tentative touch to her most sensitive place. She sighs into his urgent kiss, before gently pulling away.

"Let me lead," Alice murmurs, and Hatter's smile returns.

"Aye."

Gently – so gently she cannot even bear it – Alice aligns their hips, searching for the answers in her memory and in her own body. Something from that Frabjous Day so long ago pierces her lust-fogged mind, and she remembers the words 'it knows what it wants...'

Her body knows what it wants, to be filled, to be joined, and as Hatter's manhood meets her softness, pressing inside at her insistence, her body begins to work of its own accord.

The pain is not unbearable as he pushes into her fully, and it is not so overwhelming that his twisted expression of undeniable pleasure does not lessen the dull ache inside of her. He is breathless above her, inside her, and her body's sinuous urgings for him to complete the night and welcome the morning are not ignored.

He looks at her as if she is the sun herself, and kisses her as if she is a much needed refreshment. His hips, pushing, pulling, teasing, and pleasuring, turn her organised mind to mulch.

Hatter presses his lips to hers, her cheek, her ear, muttering strange Outlandish words she's never heard before but that she somehow knows are just for her, never to be spoken again unless it is in this room, this bed, and he is making her skin flame.

There's something, some strange sort of peak she is unknowingly chasing, and it is as Hatter murmurs something in a strangled tone, one hand tangled in her hair as the other squeezes her thigh, that she finds the peak and dives straight from it, head-first, into warm and brilliant nothingness.

Hatter's sudden hoarse cry of delight is muffled against her breast, and it sends vibrations so delicious along her spine that she thinks she sees the gates of heaven, just for a scant moment.

When she rouses herself enough to open her lead eyelids, she finds Hatter, collapsed atop her and breathing like he's just run a country mile.

"Are you alright?" She asks, stroking his gold-streaked red hair as she presses her other hand to his damp back.

He laughs against her breast. "Quite. I could...Futterwacken...if I had...the energy."

Alice laughs, causing Hatter to moan a little. "But you already did it at the party."

"Alice," he sighs blissfully. "With you, I could do The Futterwack all day."

She smiles against his hair, curling against him and falling asleep just as his arms come about her tightly and drag her under the warm covers.

She wonders what tomorrow holds.