All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France
"Alice?" I woke up groggily.
"Who's there?" I yawned, my voice was filled with sleep so it was hard for even me to understand. Curse whoever it was waking me up at this time of night... or morning.
"It's me, Tarrant." Okay, I take that back, don't curse them!
"What's wrong?" I asked sitting up and reaching for the robe I kept close to my bed. Hatter had the desency to turn around and placed a hand over his eyes to allow me to put it on.
"I'm decent," he walked over to me and sat in a chair by my bed. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh no! Alice, I'm thrilled to be here! Ecstatic even! I'm just worried about making a fool of myself. Could you please teach me the appropiate things to do?" I smiled.
"Dear Hatter, I would be honored to teach you, but I fear it may take most of the night and if a maid were to hear us suspisions and rumors would fly. But I don't mind." He smiled a gap-toothed grin.
"First of all, at the tea tables druing teatime we don't throw things, second, we don't ask riddles, sadly, third, we don't change places for clean cups and such. Fourth, we don't tell stories, fith, we answer questions without nonsense." Hatter nodded.
"Please go on." I thought for a moment.
"I don't think there's andything else you need to know."
"What about parties?" I craddled my chin in my hand and thought.
"I may have to teach you some of the dances. And we could use the excuse that your not from England to cover up any mistakes you make!" Hatter nodded eagerly.
"Yes, yes! This will be lovely!" I smiled my eyes twinkling from excitment.
"Now, you need to go to bed Tarrant. Before my mother learns that you snuck in here and fetches Reginald." He looked at me curiously.
"Reginald?" I nodded trying not to laugh at his expression.
"Reginald is our gardener. Sadly he keeps a shot gun for when rabbits and birds try to get into the garden". Tarrant nodded and stood to leave, he leaned close to me, his face just inches from mine.
"Thank you, and goodnight Alice." he leaned in and kissed my cheek. As he left my room silently I turned several shades of red.
Breakfast went excellent, - much to my surprise - Tarrant did as I directed and Mother loved the fact that he was a Scotsman with manners! After tea it was decided that if Hatter was to stay here he would be in need of clothes. The three of us stepped into the carriage and headed for the market.
We selected some new clothing for Tarrant , he and I made sure their were no bland colorless clothes in and if there were we took them out of our selection - with out my mother knowing of course - this seemed to make Tarrant happier.
We toured London and ocasionaly Tarrant would ask me a question such as, 'why is their so little color?', 'Who is the Queen of this land?', 'Why don't the animals talk?', 'Where are the bread-and-butterflys?' It became quiet tiring at times but I did my best to answer him.
We stopped for tea at our favorite place, Tarrant thought that although the tea was bland and uncreative compared to his it was very unique. As I selently sipped my tea I happened to look at the door, bad move! There in the doorway was Lord Namor, best friend of Hamish.
"Oh no!" I groaned setting my tea cup down.
"What's wrong Alice?" I descretly pointed to the door.
"You see that man?" He nodded slowly. "That's Lord Namor, a friend of Hamish's. And from what Faith and Fiona accidently told me, my possible next suitor." Tarrant's eyes briefly flashed an orange, red color before settling for dark vibrant green. Jelousy? Was he jelous?
"Mother, are we almost ready to go?" She looked at me surprised.
"Why? What's wrong Alice?"
I shook my head, "I just want to return home so we can put the items we bought away plus we still need to show Tarrant around." She nodded.
"Then let's go."
~~~~TARRANT~~~~
I'll never say it out loud but I was jelous. I had come to this world to be with Alice, to perhaps find the chance to tell her I loved her and if she would have me, ask for her hand in marriage. But she was promised to a line of men! None of them could tame or poses her wild spirit, in fact what she needed was someone who encouraged and embraced it! Not a stuffy lord! I had to tell her, and soon!
When we returned to her home I asked if we could take a stroll in the gardens. Alice agreed and we slipped away from her mother into the gardens.
"Alice?" She looked at me and smiled sweetly, I gulped nervoulsy, what happened to my muchness? "Do...do people here..."
"Yes?" she encouraged.
"Do people here... marry for love?" I asked nervousness making my voice almost two octaves higher. Alice considered this for a moment her smile fell somewhat.
"No. Not many at least. Women normally marry men for their tittles and wealth. But women can't marry someone of a lower class. I read that in some countries men and women will marry for love, some for money to support their families. I've never really like the prospect of marriage for tittles, wealth and power personally. I just believe that if two people love eachother enough that that's all they need."
I gulped nervously now was my chance. "And... how would you... react... if...I told you... I love you Alice Kingsleigh?" he head snapped, her eyes clashed with mine and locked. We stopped walking, I was nervous, maybe I shouldn't have! Maybe she didn't love me! Maybe-
"I love you too Tarrant Hightopp," she whispered silently. Her eyes watered, she blinked to clear away the tears and a few spilled from her eyes. I brushed then awaw softly with my hand and leaned down to be closer to her.
"Are yeh sure lass?" I whispered my breath tickling her face. She nodded silently and leaned in closer, before I knew what had happened she was kissing my lips and standing on her toes. I bent and wrapped my arms around her, she gasped in surprise and I took that as a good sign. I slipped my tounge inside her mouth and the kiss deepend. Out of breath I reluctantly pulled away.
"I love you Alice Kingsleigh." I said again trying to catch my breath. She smiled and grabbed the hair on the back of my head and pulled me down for another kiss.
****STAYNE****
I had escaped exile and had come here to this miserable place searching for Alice. We were meant to be together! Why couldn't she see that? She must have been desperate to go to this clown! This mad man who had nothing to offer her but work calloused hands, madness, and his freakish appearance. Yet she claimed she 'loves' him! SHE BELONGED TO ME! NOT THAT MAD MAN! ME!
But she would learn, yes she would learn how much we belonged together. In time she would. I just had to be patient. now was not the time, but later. In the future we would be together and that mad man would be DEAD for touching my Alice!