She's coming back! She's coming back! She's coming back! Hatter couldn't contain himself. Soon his Alice would be home and they could have all the tea parties she wanted. His eyes weren't icy blue anymore but green with happiness and excitement. Something that everyone noticed, but only one little mouse would ask why.
"'Atter?" Mally asked from atop Tarrant's hat. Everyone knew it was the best way to travel.
"Yes, Mally?" He answered joyfully.
"You seem awfully happy these past few days. What's got you in such a good mood?"
The Hatter chuckled "She's coming back Mally."
Mally sighed angrily "I know she's coming back. I told you she is a thousand times ain't I?"
Tarrant smiled broader "She's coming back soon, Mally. I know it."
Mally smiled fondly. "You're starting to sound like Chess."
But even the fact of what Mallyumpkn couldn't ruin his most happiest of moods.
This time Mirana was first before the blue butterfly. She had been walking with some of her subjects when she saw him and asked her companions to be excused before running off to Absolum who was fluttering down to the cherry blossom.
"Absolum." Mirana breathed. "What news do you bring of our Alice?"
"She's coming soon." Absolum told Mirana's he perched on her shoulder.
"Our champion is returning?" The queen asked with a smile on her lips.
"Maybe…" The butterfly whispered then paused. "But I don't think she's coming alone."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"She's told him about us, about Underland. She trusts him."
"Who?" Mirana asked sternly. She never thought Alice would tell anyone about her adventures her. Mostly because she thought no one would believe Alice. She must have truly trust this man.
"Her friend." Absolum said quietly He can lead her to us. He lives near the portal. All we must do now is wait."
Mirana nodded "Thank you Absolum. Keep an eye on her and her friend for me. And please, be safe."
The butterfly whispered a thank you in the queen's ear then fluttered away again, off into the forest.
"What if she brings him here?" Asked a deep voice from above Mirana.
She looked up and saw none other than the Chessur cat sitting on the lowest branch. Eavesdropping again I see thought the queen. "Alice certainly trusts this person. If she chooses to bring him to Underland, then we shall welcome him with open arms."
"But what if his presence causes some what of a . . . disturbance?" Asked the cat with a mischievous grin.
What if he's right? She thought What if this above Lander is just using Alice? Mirana shook her head to clear away those bad thoughts. No she assured herself Alice knows who she can trust. "Alice has a good judgment Chess. If she thinks that it's safe for her to bring some one from above down here then its fine with me."
"True." Chessur agreed "But what if someone isn't fond of this friend she may bring?"
"You may not like him?" The queen asked.
"Not me." The cat smiled wider then disappeared all together only leaving the faint memory of his smile.
. . .
"She's coming back isn't she?" a feminine voice asked as she pointed towards the blue butterfly that flew softly in the breeze over head.
"Yes." Replied her companion.
"Should we follow him?" the women asked.
"No. answered the deep voice. "We'll wait. Well wait for her."