The Manic Melancholy of Mundane Marmoreal

Chapter Four: Good Knight

"Who are you?" Alice asked quite confused with the strangely colored many in front of her. She looked at him with her brow furrowed not quite sure how to take him in. She was taken aback with his appearance but she was also intrigued.

"Why you know who I am. My dear..My dear Alice." The Hatter was absolutely beside himself. Those words shattered the world around him. She had completely forgotten him. She forgot him. Those words sucked all of the gusto and muchness he thought he had inside him. The feelings grew in the pit of his stomach like a raging storm that threatened to take him over. He lowered his head in disappointment.

The tears slowly escaped his eyes…he would not let her see them.

He reached for her hand…She pulled away.

He could feel it he was on the verge of breaking the anger filled his body in what seemed to be like milliseconds.

"Excuse me.." He said as he made his way by the shocked Queen out of the hospital wing with a string of Outlandish curses shattering the silence of the hospital ward.

Mirana stood there in shock looking at her dear blonde friend. The poor girl look confused, she did not look scared or worried. She just looked confused. Mirana regained her composure and closed her agape mouth.

"He's….well; you see, he's your courter of sorts." The fair Queen explained as she walked delicately over to the lass. Alice furrowed her brow a little more looking at the Queen.

"Why? I don't even know where I am! Where's mother? Where's Diniah? Aunt Imogene? Where am I? This doesn't look home or anywhere I have ever been!" The girl's tone began to pick up rather quickly as she realized the gravity of her situation.

"Now, calm down dear. I know this may be a bit of a shock to you. But this is your home. You are in Underland." Mirana grabbed her dear friend's hand trying to soothe away so of the feelings of nervousness she was emitting.

"I will have someone explain everything to you, now, you get some rest."

Mirana got up to leave and plan the rest of her quest.

"But I have some much I need to know..Can I at least ask you one more question?"

Mirana nodded turning away from Alice and heading towards the exit.

"What was that strange man, I mean, My Courter's name?"

Mirana sighed. She knew that she was the one that did this to Tarrant. She knew that the poor milliner was hurt, but more importantly she knew she was the reason that Alice was the way she was. Mirana still had her back turned to her friend, the friend that she betrayed.

"Tarrant. His name is Tarrant Hightopp."

~.o.O.o.~

"It's TIME TO GET UP LADIES!" General Lancelot screamed to the platoon of white knights tucked away in their bunks. Zander flew out of his bunk like a Bandersnatch ready for its kill.

Zander knew that this was not a usual protocol and that if general Lancelot was waking up his entire platoon that there was a reason. Everyone lined up in their customary fashion waiting for their leader to dispense their orders.

"As you all know, this is an unusual wake up call. You all must be wondering why I have summoned you from your quarters at such an early hour." The staunch leader paused to let the information process because he knew that most of his soldiers were groggy.

"Lady Mirana has requested the company of another in her upcoming journey. So, I have the lucky privilege from picking out of you runts to guard the fair Queen."

Zander spaced out while the general spoke. He was having a hard time digesting the words his leader was saying. He knew that he was in the lowest squad in the entire white army. There were dozens upon dozens of men who fought better, knew more, and even had more experience. Yet, she chose oursquad?

"Mirana told me. She does not judge on the skill of a man, but rather the bravery of his heart. Now, Suit up and get ready because the Queen has prepared a special test for you to take. The man that proves himself worthy will guard Mirana with their life. Disperse."

Zander couldn't help, but wonder what the test was and why she chose this particular squadron. He knew one thing he would prove it to everyone that day. He would prove that he is a Good Knight.