Okay, so I was disappointed by the lack of interest in the last chapter... but it's only to be expected. I changed the name of the story as well as my own pen name. I guess I'm just going through a big change right now as far as my dedication to my writing goes. I'm intensely engrossed by this story... it has potential. No mush in this chapter... although it is a tad bit longer than my other chapters. They will get better, I promise. Oh, and please point out any errors that you note. I need to know before I print it out for my personal notebook :p ((I can think of 20 reasons not to get a beta-reader, and most of them have to do with scheduling conflicts)). So here you go! I'm already working on chapter 4, so be on the lookout!

"Mother?"

She turned and looked at me with the most sorrowful expression on her face, as though she had been in absolute anguish for far too long.

"Why, Alice?" she asked, her eyes glistening with tears. "Why would you do this to me? After I've done nothing but love you… nothing but treasure my beautiful and talented daughter… you left me here to… die?" Her words were coming out as half-choked sobs.

"No, mother!" I cried, trying to run towards her. I suddenly realized that something was holding me back and turned around to see the Vorpal Sword stuck through the back of my dress, anchoring me to the ground. "I'm not-"

But no matter how hard I tried to tug, my dress wouldn't tear. I reached out and grabbed the handle of the sword, yet even with all of my strength focused on pulling it out, it wouldn't budge. I could see my mother withering away, her once flawless face suddenly covered with wrinkles and sun spots.

"You were always your father's favorite, Alice…" she whispered.

I cried out in panic and pulled harder on the sword, praying with every fiber of my being that she would hold on until I freed myself. "Mother! No! Wait!"

She opened her mouth as though to say more, but she was too far gone. Like dust, her ashes were scattered to the wind, and even my horrid screams of agony and terror couldn't put her back together again.

"Mother!" I wailed, "I'm so-"

"Wake up you useless bag of bones!"

I was pulled out of my horrible nightmare by something sharp burying itself in my right shoulder. "My God!" I cried, sitting up. "What on earth was that for?"

Mally just smiled and resheathed her beloved pin, obviously convinced that she was some talented warrior instead of a really cranky field mouse. "You would have slept past noon if I'd let you," she sneered. "And don't think I missed the Hatter leaving your room around bed time last night. What exactly what was going on between the two of ya?"

I swallowed hard and looked away. Why did I feel so ashamed? It's not like we did anything bad… after I finally sucked it up and stopped crying, we found our way to the sofa where he'd cradled me in his lap until a stifled yawn escaped my reluctant mouth and he insisted that I get some sleep.

"Nothing improper, I assure you," I said slowly.

She just rolled her eyes and hopped down off the bed. "Well whatever you do in your spare time with the Hatter is no concern of mine. As long as he's happy."I blushed. He seemed happy when he was grinning and burying his face in my hair after our kiss goodnight.

"Anyway, the queen has requested your presence in the throne room. She had the maid lay out several dresses on the love seat over there… which I'm guessing you didn't notice."I shrugged and she actually laughed. "Someone barged right in here mid-morning and you didn't even notice? Well I don't know why I'm surprised. You didn't even know I was in here until I stabbed you!"

"Well you do have very tiny feet," I pointed out.

"Hey," she snapped, "let's not get too personal, okay big buttocks?"

I frowned and tried to casually move the covers and get a closer look at my backend. I'd never been aware of it's largeness before… in fact, Margaret had always teased me about being underprivileged in the hiney area.

"Moron," Mally sighed. "Just get dressed and make your way to the throne room, okay? Don't keep the queen waiting all day."

She skittered away down the hall and I reluctantly threw my legs over the side of the bed. "Might as well," I grumbled to myself.

"Alice!" Mirana gracefully stepped down from her glistening white throne with outstretched arms. "It's so good to see you dear! You look lovely."

I smiled and gave her the expected hug. "Thank you, your highness. And I do appreciate you contributing such beautiful dresses for me to wear."

She dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand and pulled me over to where she had been sitting. "Oh, thank the Hatter. He was the one who made them for you."

My stomach twisted at the sound of his name. "Oh, did he?" I swallowed.

"Such a sweet thing," she nodded. "Insisted that you couldn't walk around in a suit of armor all day! Ha! I hadn't even thought of that. He may be mad, but there's definitely a high level of intelligence under it all."

I felt the heat rushing to my skin. "Would you happen to know where I can find him?"

She grinned and tapped the tip of my nose. "Oh, Alice," she teased. "You two make it so obvious. How cute."

My mouth fell open and a few pitiful gurgling sounds worked their way out. "I… I have no idea what you're talking about!"

She laughed. "Now, now, no need to act coy. There's nothing for you to be ashamed of. He's a fine man and he'll make a great companion for you. You have my blessing."I bowed my head. "Thank you, your majesty."

She beamed and patted my face. "Look up dear. Those beautiful blues shouldn't lower for anyone but him. It's ten past nine, correct? He should be in his workshop still, setting things up. You may go check if you wish. But first… we have matters to discuss."

"Yes, of course," I muttered, trying not to appear anxious.

"Don't worry this won't take long," she assured me. "First of all… what exactly do you plan to do here in Underland?"

"Like a profession?" I inquired. She nodded and I thought about it for a few moments. "Well… I haven't given it much consideration… but I suppose I should probably start by helping you rebuild things . Set up towns and perhaps a trade system of some sort."

"Delightful!" Mirana grinned. "I was hoping you would say something along the lines of that! I have so many grand ideas… and if we work together, I think we could make Underland twice as grand as it was before!"

"That would make us… partners?" I asked.

Her expression was cool but extremely pleased. "Of course. Partners."

There you go. Leave a review (I don't care how short it is!)