The voyage to Marmoreal was fairly quick, even with Thackery and Mally's antics slowing them, however the group of five made it to Marmoreal before midday and beat the noon heat that was so common in the Underland summers. Upon hearing that it was the Champion that stood outside the gates the guards immediately opened the steel gates and Alice was rushed inside. She was suddenly over come with lords and ladies and servants and knights and children, some not very old, and animals and creatures and beings of all sorts and all ranks crowding around her so that the Hatter and the others were forced further away from her. Mally grabbed for her hat pin sword, ready to poke some eyes out to get to Alice when the Hatter placed a firm but gently hand on her small head.
"Its no use Mally, let them rejoice and welcome back their champion; we had her yesterday and this morning. Let her be for now my friend." Mally sulked but let it be as her friend had said.
"Move aside, let me see my Champion!" Came the sudden and surprisingly loud voice of the gentle queen. The assembly parted and Mirana rushed forward and embraced her Champion, tears spilling from her big brown eyes. "Alice you have at last returned!" She hugged Alice tightly.
Alice for her part didn't know how to respond and looked to Tarrant for some sign of help, he merely nodded his encouragement then something he had said earlier came to her mind, "You can do nothing wrong in the eyes of the people, you are the Champion the only one who outranks you is the Queen and perhaps at some near point in the future the Royal Family, but if the Queen makes the first move I suggest you follow along to be polite, of course you don't have to, but it is common advice." So she returned the hug.
The Queen abruptly pulled away and took her hands, "Alice I must speak with you at once. Come follow me!"
The Queen led her away, Alice looked back toward her friends, the Hatter nodded again and mouthed to her, "We'll wait in my Hat Room." The Queen led her inside toward her personal studies and once they were inside she locked the door.
"I don't wish for us to be disturbed. Oh Alice, I'm so glad you have returned to us!" Mirana again took her hands and kissed her cheek. "Come sit, sit and drink some tea with me there is something very important I must tell you of!"
Alice sat in front of her desk and accepted the cup of tea that was offered to her. "The Hatter said that you wished to speak with me immediately, what is so urgent? Surely Underland cannot be in danger, or else we would not be sitting here drinking tea!" The Regal Royal shook her head.
"No, no dear Alice. Something much more exciting is to happen! I have read the Oraculum and it has revealed to me that you are to rule beside me as a Queen of Underland once again. You gained the throne when you were very young, but Underland has waited for you to grow and mature and now you are ready to rule by my side Alice! Please tell me you'll accept?"
Alice mulled it over, chewing her bottom lip. "I'm not sure. I would like very much to rule along side you, but how often would I be able to see my friends?" Mirana didn't miss a beat with her answer, she had thought on this long and hard after all.
"You may request for them to join your court! I'd be more than happy to turn Hightopp over to you should both of you decide so, Mally could start the mice guards for you and Thackery could become your personal kitchen staff." She persisted.
Alice thought for a long moment, "I think I shall discuss it with them and then give you my answer tonight." The Queen nodded and gave her leave.