Thanks for the reviews! Finally, we get some Tarrant in the story (nope, I didn't forget about him). :D As always, reviews are like candy! (And better for you!)
When the Tweedles finally agreed on which direction to go-straight down the middle-Alice allowed herself some time to think about the most curious turn of events. Somehow, Time had allowed her to return to Underland before her time as Champion. Perhaps, she hoped, she could spare Underland the brutality it suffered under the Red Queen's wicked rule.
After all, she thought, it was her role as Champion to protect the land, wasn't it?
It took no effort for Alice to recall the horrific tale the Hatter told her about Horunvendush Day. His entire clan had been murdered. The land he considered to be his home had been destroyed. The Vorpal Sword had been taken by Stayne. The White Queen had been banished to Mamoreal.
No, she thought determinedly, that would not happen again.
She wondered briefly how, if at all, her nightmare played into this new turn of events. Was Underland trying to prepare her for another battle with the Jabberwocky? She shuddered as the images of a dying Hatter and bloodied Mirana played in her mind.
That would not happen, Alice vowed.
As they continued walking, Alice half-listened as the brothers continued on about how crazy she had to be to intrude during the Tylwyth. Nearly an hour passed before the edge of Witzend came into view.
The Tweedles stopped as the path entered into the darkened forest in front of them. The brothers turned to Alice. "You'd have to be mad to go in there," Tweedledee said.
"Contrariwise, if you're not mad, then you'll be best stayin' out here."
"And what if I'm half-mad?" she asked, her eyes twinkling at the memory of her conversation with Tarrant from years ago.
They frowned, unable to come up with an answer. Finally, Tweedledum spoke. "Best of luck, Alice."
"You're not coming in?"
"We're not mad."
"Precisely," agreed Tweedledee. "Fairfarren, Alice."
"Fairfarren, Tweedles," she said. Well, she thought as she walked from the brothers, at least they were finally able to agree on something before they separated.
Soon after she started down the windy, forested road, Alice found herself wishing for some kind of light. The large, not particularly friendly-looking, trees did their best to block the sunlight. Despite the increasing darkness, Alice pushed herself forward, knowing she needed to find Tarrant quickly.
As she continued making her way down the path, she wondered how, exactly she would break the news to Tarrant. What if he didn't remember her? Instantly, she dismissed the idea. Tarrant would always know who she was.
Finally, she saw a dim light appearing from a clearing ahead of her. She hastened her step, eager to find the opening out of the woods and locate her friend.
When she crossed into the large clearing, Alice was flabbergasted. The fields that were scorched by the Jabberwocky's flame were bright and vibrant. Adults and children were busy moving back and forth, preparing different festivities for the upcoming celebration. The flowers, who Alice noted were much kinder to the Outlanders, were helping guide those carrying large barrels to the enormous tent to the side of the village. The sound of singing, laughter and good-natured conversation filled the air.
Finding Tarrant was going to be difficult, Alice noted. Every person, man and woman, adult and child, had a unique top hat on their head. She looked around for Tarrant's vibrant, orange hair, but before she could find him, a voice, and a very familiar one at that, cut through the air.
"It's ye!" the Hatter yelled from across the field, sounding annoyed.
Alice frowned. She remembered his voice being much more welcoming the first time she had returned to Underland. Perhaps he was busy with the preparations for the Tylwyth and was in a hurry, she reasoned, knowing his poor relationship with Time.
She watched as he crossed the field, mindful not to interfere with any of the activities going on, to stand in front of her, scowling. "I'd know ye anywhere," he continued.
No, Alice corrected, there was something beyond annoyance in his features. He seemed genuinely upset.
"Hatter, it's me Alice."
"I ken who ye are. Ye ur th' little boy who interrupted ma tea party then rudely left in th' middle o' it," he said distastefully, his eyes turning a slight yellow. He took a step back and considered her for a moment. "At least ye got a haircut."
When she had been at sea, Alice had imagined her reunion with Tarrant more times than she was comfortable admitting, but never once did she consider the idea he would be openly hostile to her when she returned to Underland. His rancor towards her stung.
"Nigh, unless ye ur a Hightopp, ye need tae be g'ang back tae where ye came frae," he said, his voice cold. Without waiting for her to say anything, he turned away from her.
No! She had to tell him what was going to happen!
Alice grabbed his arm before he could leave. "I'm not going anywhere."
That caused him to turn around. To her surprise, there was a glimpse of a smile on his face. "Ye huvnae lost yer Muchness, Ah see."
She relaxed slightly, releasing her hold. "Actually, you helped me find it." At his befuddled look, she shook her head. "Never mind." Now that the moment had come, Alice was confounded as to how, exactly, she should tell him about his Fate.
"Perhaps you can tell me why you are here," he prompted, his lisp entering into the conversation.
She looked around at all the people walking by them. How she wished she could speak to Tarrant without so many people around!
"Is there anywhere we can talk in private?" she asked.
A strange look passed over his face. "Aye, we can speak in ma workshop."
She followed the Hatter across the field. The gazes of most of the Hightopps followed her.
Once they got to the slightly crooked-looking building, they stepped inside. Numerous hats, bolts of fabric and every other kind of notion Alice had ever seen, and a few she hadn't, cluttered the room. How could the Hatter work like this?
"You have something you need to tell me?" he asked.
"You and your entire clan are in danger if you stay here," she blurted out.
As she saw his eyes turn orange, she wondered if, perhaps, there was a better way for her to have told him the news.
"An' why would 'at be?"
There was no other option; she had to tell him the complete truth.
"The Red Queen is planning to unleash the Jabberwocky against your village and steal the Vorpal Sword," she explained.
He took a step towards her. "And what do you know about th' Bluddy Behg Hid's plans?" he demanded.
"Only what you told me!" she countered, refusing to be intimidated by his anger.
"I've never tauld ye anythin' abit a Jabberwock!" he shot back.
She drew a deep breath, calming herself. "I know this will sound mad, but I've been to the future. It was then that you told me what happened to your village."
Tarrant sneered. "I ken Time quite well an' he never shows es-self before he's ready tae b'seen," argued the Hatter.
"Perhaps Time got confused when I stepped through the looking glass," offered Alice helplessly. "But believe me, Hatter," she said, boldly taking a step towards him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You, your clan and the White Queen will be in danger if you don't leave here."
He studied her for a second. "An' when did I tell ye these things?"
Alice dropped her hand, glad he was giving her a chance to explain herself. "When you were taking me to Mamoreal so I could become the Queen's Champion."
"The Queen's Champion," he repeated slowly, as if to test the validity of her words.
"Yes," she said, nodding, "so I could defeat the Jabberwocky." She noticed the disbelief on his face as she spoke. "Please, Tarrant, I need you to trust me."
His gaze shifted to her sharply. "And I suppose I told ye ma name too."
Alice shifted uncomfortably. While she had no doubt the Hatter she knew wouldn't have minded her using his name, the truth was, he never did get around to formally introducing himself. "Well, no. I heard Chess call you that," she admitted.
"Chess, eh?" he asked. The distain was unable to be missed.
"Yes," she replied. "I don't know how or why, but Time is giving me a chance to save you and your family from suffering their terrible Fate."
He seemed to be considering her claims when finally he drew in a long breath. "Well, far be it for me to distrust a Champion of Mamoreal." He glanced out the front door to the crowd of Hightopps out in the field. "But I'm afraid the others won't be likely to trust you unless I talk with them first."
Alice smiled.
He believed her!
Now everyone would be safe from the Jabberwocky and Mirana would remain queen. "Thank you, Hatter."
He considered her for a moment, his expression oddly unreadable. "Make yourself comfortable. It may take a while." He exited the shop and closed the door.
Before she could ask him why he had bothered to do so, Alice heard the sound of a key twisting in a lock on the other side of the door.
Alice was trapped.