Upon arriving to the radiant palace of the White Queen, Alice again directed her attention to Tarrant who seemed eager to work. As the group went their separate ways, Alice was again filled with wonder. Her and the White Queen sat amongst cherry blossom trees and ate tiny cakes fashioned with sugar bows, flowers and rabbits. The Queen was beautiful and radiant as always, dressed in a flowing white gown.
"My Queen, can you tell me what you know of the Hatter? Why does he like me so? I find myself loving him." Alice confided to her.
"My child, the Hatter is a complex creature indeed. He's broken but he needs no fixing. As for love, I think he is capable of feeling it. He is still a man after all." The Queen said wisely.
"What should I do?" Alice fretted biting into a little cake.
"Wait. There will be time where feelings will just come out." She patted the top of Alice's hand gingerly.
"I feel a bit better, thank you my Queen." Alice bowed her head slightly. "He is quite the experience, Underland wouldn't be the same without him."
"You are very right. I wonder how he's doing with the servants, I fear that he is having trouble since they could not be gathered together on such short notice." The Queen nibbled at one of her nails.
"I'm sure he's fine, he enjoys his work." Alice looked about at the white petals that danced in the air. The palace was such a happy place, full of beauty and kindness.
"All of Underland is glad you chose to stay with us Alice, we need our Champion." The Queen smiled a sweet smile.
The two talked about this and that, the Queen promised Alice some new clothes be made for her. Soon it started to become dark and they walked the garden path back to the palace. Blue butterflies settled down on the flower beds for the night and the light bugs kept the brightness of the palace alive in the dark. But as they approached the palace an unusual amount of activity was present in the main hall.
The Queen hastily made her way in and was addressed by a member of her court. "Your Majesty, there's been an accident!" The regal noblewoman told her.
"Where?" The Queen managed to keep composure.
"The vaults, your majesty. The Hatter was working with the guards inside when a servant who was getting some metalware for tonight's dinner slipped on the second level. Twenty-one bowls, five pitchers, fifteen platters and seven chalices crashed down on the Hatter and the guard!" The woman told in great distress.
"Hatter!" Alice exclaimed. "Are they okay?" She felt tears coming.
"The guard is fine but the Hatter will not wake…" The noblewoman told Alice.
The Queen and Alice hurried to where the Hatter was being kept. A crowd jabbered outside the room but made way for Alice and the Queen to enter. Alice was crying hysterically, she did love him. There was no question in her heart. She just hoped it wasn't too late.
