Love Checks Fear
Disclaimer: I do not own any dialogue, characters, settings, etc. from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," nor from Disney's animated "Alice in Wonderland," nor Disney's most recent 2010 film of "Alice in Wonderland." What very little creativity that remains is – surprisingly – mine.
Chapter 6
By the time the white horse had come to a stop at the center of the village – small brick houses circling all about – the villagers, courtiers, and knights were in full swing celebrating the anniversary of the White Queen being crowned two years earlier. However, all that mattered to Mirana at that moment was the Hatter. To her relief he was thoroughly enjoying himself, clapping along with the beat of the musicians' joyful music and laughing at the talented jugglers throwing up knives, torches, and colorful kerchiefs. Mirana couldn't help in laughing, too, in spite of herself.
"Wonderful celebration, isn't it, Your Highness?" Tarrant called to her in a sing-song voice, lime-green eyes focused on the jugglers.
"Quite wonderful," the White Queen agreed, so glad not a trace of the cloudiness that had covered his face before could be seen.
"I do love these jugglers!" Tarrant laughed on. "I find the one with the scarves most impressive!"
Mirana giggled. "How so?"
"Well, how does one know the speed in which a kerchief will fall?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, once you toss up a sword and observe it come down you know how it falls. Same with a torch. But a scarf falls differently each time… perhaps this time it unfolds and catches more air, thus falling slowly… but the next time it comes down crumpled, which makes it a bit faster to fall… or perhaps it falls like a line of ribbon in which case would cause it to fall rapidly."
"Oh, I see. But are you more intrigued with the art of the material or the need to catch and toss the kerchiefs in time?"
"Time and I are fine here in Yeglut. I'm fascinated with the material. Perhaps I could make you a new hat that mimics the motion of a falling sca--" Tarrant stopped himself short as a familiar chill shot up his spine. Swiftly he turned around but not within enough time to warn his queen, for at that moment an enormous, black, dragon-like creature hovered above a nearby house and opened its mouth, releasing a powerful electric current to all within its reach.
"No!" Tarrant yelled before looking to his side at the white horse wild on its hind legs as the crowd around them broke out in chaos. Instantly he grabbed the rope tied to the bridle and pulled the horse back onto all fours. Then, seeing Mirana barely balancing on the rump of the horse, he jumped up into the saddle and grabbed the nearest of her hands to wrap around his body, pulling her close.
"Get her out of here!" Sir Haddock unnecessarily shouted at the Hatter as he ran past them toward the monstrous Jabberwocky, the Vorpal sword in hand. "I've got this!"
Tarrant didn't spare another moment. The white horse shot out of Tulgey Wood straight toward Marmoreal.
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"Are you all right?" Tarrant breathed heavily the moment he had finished hurrying the queen into the depths of the castle.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Mirana said, shaking uncontrollably. "But all those in Yeglut… we need to go back!"
"No, not now! Half your army is there to fight! Besides, it would be the perfect opportunity for her to take your--!" Tarrant choked on a gasp of realization.
"Her?" Mirana asked, not noticing the gasp.
Tarrant blinked in shock. "You didn't see the army among the trees?"
"No."
Tarrant took a deep breath before grabbing her hand and rushing her up the stairs to the best balcony in which to view the wood. "That attack was brought on by your sister."
A hand came to Mirana's collarbone as her anxious breathing began to grow shallower, eyes set on the fire and smoke coming from the center of Tulgey Wood. "My sister?"
"Her red army… her numbered army… ran into the clearing the moment the Jabberwocky attacked... and…" He couldn't get himself to say it.
"And, what?"
"You've lost your crown!"
Mirana reached up to her head. "It must have fallen off when the horse spooked." She paused for a breath, watching all manner of winged creatures flying from the wood. "We must go back!"
"No! As I said, that'll be the perfect opportunity for her to take the crown!"
Mirana shook her head vigorously before pointing strongly at the destruction taking place. "Tarrant! She's taking the crown right now!"
"By crown I didn't mean literally the crown--"
"Neither do I! I mean my kingdom!"
"Well, I meant you!"
"Oh, Tarrant, I'm of little importance here!" Mirana yelled with tears soaking her face. "Those poor souls out there!"
"But you're important to me!" he yelled back, his Outlandish accent becoming thick as emotion began to take over.
"I am only a queen!"
"But you're my queen!"
Mirana shook her head again. "I cannot stand aside and watch!" She then pushed past Tarrant in direction of the stairs.
"Wait! Wait! Just wait!" the Hatter pleaded desperately. "Speak with Absolum first!"
Mirana stopped in her tracks and pivoted to face Tarrant. "Where is he?"
"I'll fetch him for you."
"Tarrant…" Mirana began to growl despite her tears, but it was too late, the Hatter ran off; out of Marmoreal castle and back to the Tulgey Wood.
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"Absolum?" Tarrant whispered as he walked speedily from tree to tree through the wood. "Absolum, I need you."
"And lock it up somewhere safe!" Tarrant suddenly dropped to the ground upon hearing Iracebeth's voice. "Like with the Bandersnatch!"
"But, my lady…"
"No! Stop complaining about that eye! Just put a patch over it and you'll be fine! It was just a mouse after all!"
Tarrant slowly slid up alongside a tree and peeked around its trunk. A large group of animals were in shackles, set in a line with the army at their backs, standing before the queen.
"You there! Frog!" the Red Queen practically screamed. "Where do your loyalties lie?"
"Umm, loyalties?" the poor frog shook. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"Stayne!"
The stretched-out Knave of Hearts appeared at the queen's side, a bloody rag being held up by his hand covering his left eye. "Whom do you prefer," he spat at the frog, "the White Queen or the Red Queen?"
"The White Queen," the frog answered automatically. "I mean… wait… I mean the Red Queen… I didn't understand the question… I…"
"Off with his head!" Iracebeth shrieked. Two numbered guards quickly took the frog away.
"Now, what about you?"
The next frog in line, shaking just as much if not worse than the first, gulped. "You. My loyalties lie with you, my queen."
"Ah!" Iracebeth jumped with great cheer. "That's a good lad!"
Tarrant hid back behind the tree and shook his. He then hurried off again, as quietly as he could, calling for Absolum.
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"Tarrant!" Mirana cried upon seeing him enter the balcony with the blue caterpillar in his hand. "What took you so long?"
The Hatter gave a questioning glance before noticing McTwisp, Earwicket, Mallymkun, Dodo, Tweedledee, and Tweedledum.
"Absolum," Mirana ran up to the caterpillar. "What should be done? That monster has killed half my army. My friends here say that Iracebeth is taking everyone she can by force… enslaving them… and--"
Absolum enhaled a bit from his hookah and breathed out the smoke calmly. "Where is the Oraculum?"
"The what?"
The caterpillar smoked again before yelling, "Oraculum!"
Mirana looked about at the others, who shrugged, then looked back down at the blue centipede. "I've never heard of any such thing."
"Where is the Cheshire Cat?" Absolum asked dully.
Within a second, the gray and blue tabby cat appeared. "You called, O wise one?"
"The Oraculum!"
The cat disappeared only to poof into existence again over Mirana's shoulder with a scroll.
The White Queen hastily unraveled the parchment.
"What is today?" Absolum asked after another puff of smoke.
Mirana rapidly scanned the document until she found a drawing of what had just taken place. She then read the title given for that day. "It says today is Horunvendush Day." She looked up at the caterpillar. "What on earth does that mean?"
"Don't know," the little creature breathed out rings of smoke. "What does it say?"
Mirana searched the drawing for an explanation. "The day the Red Queen takes control of Underland." With wide, terrified eyes she looked up at Tarrant.
The Hatter immediately took a stand by her side to get a better look at the Oraculum. After studying it for a good moment, his eyes darted to Chessur who was rolling about languidly in the air, studying his paw in a bored manner, about a foot away. Carefully placing Absolum on Mirana's shoulder, and gently putting his hat down on the marble floor, Tarrant launched himself at the cat as he yelled, "You knew this was going to happen!"
The cat easily vanished and the Hatter fell to the ground.
"Tragic," Absolum remarked plainly. "But there is always hope of a champion."
"Sir Haddock?"
"No."
By this time the other creatures had circled in closer to view the scroll. McTwisp looked up at the caterpillar. "Then who?"
"Alice," Absolum answered as if stating the obvious.
"The Alice?" came Chessur's voice as he appeared at Mirana's side only to disappear once more as Tarrant made an effort to ring the cat's neck.
"That depends…"
"On what?" McTwisp pleaded.
"If it's the right Alice."
Mirana sighed sadly. "But that girl hasn't been here for a quite some time now."
"That didn't stop her from following me a second time through the looking-glass, remember?"
"Look on, my queen," came Tarrant's voice as he pointed further down along the scroll.
Looking on to what Tarrant had noticed, all saw the drawing of Alice returning and – more importantly – being the one to slay the Jabberwocky.
Mirana swallowed on-coming tears as she gently set Absolum on the nearby railing of the balcony. She then took a few steps away from the rest of the group of friends, quickly wiping her face dry. "Very well," she began in a flat tone. "I suppose since I am now exiled here until that Frabjous Day, I shall need each and every one of you searching for Alice's return."
The creatures all gave a strong "yes" in agreement. The Hatter, however, stayed silent, eyeing the White Queen suspiciously.
"The moment she enters our lands once again, bring word to me right away. All of you must then help her to get the Vorpal sword and whatever else she may need to fulfill the Frabjous Day."
"Yes," the creatures promised.
"Nivens McTwisp," Mirana addressed the white rabbit. "You're in charge of getting Alice into our world from hers."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Mr. Dodo you are to assist him from the moment she sets foot in our world. Same for you Tweedles. Once Alice returns send her in the right direction… to Thackery's home. No matter what don't speak a word of this to anyone."
The Tweedle twins nodded in understanding.
"Mallymkun, you're in charge of sending word to Thackery and Tarrant at Iplam."
Tarrant cocked his head in surprise upon hearing this.
"Thackery Earwicket, you are to keep Alice hidden in your home until it is safe for her to be sent to me."
"Tarrant Hightopp," the queen turned to the Hatter. "You're in charge of bringing Alice to me… preferably with the Vorpal sword. Either you go with her to retrieve it or go alone, but she must return here with it."
Tarrant said nothing to this.
"Now," she looked at the group as a whole. "The trick to all of this is that you must claim your loyalties to the Red Queen--"
An echo of gasps filled the air.
"It's the only way you all will be able to help Alice. I need you all to know what the queen is up to at all times so that Alice won't be caught. And more than that, I need you to be able to retrieve the Vorpal sword… and the only way to do that is to know where the Red Queen has hidden it. Have I made myself clear?"
Small nods came from the group. "Yes, Your Highness!"
"As soon as everything clears up, I expect you all to be on your way fulfilling your duty."
The creatures all cheered and scurried away; that is, all except the Hatter.
"Begging your pardon, Your Majesty," Tarrant began with a bow, his voice thick with an Outlandish accent.
"Oh, I hate it when you do that, Tarrant," Mirana said drearily.
"Why am I not to stay here with you?"
"You heard Absolum – we need a champion to defeat my sister."
"But that's no reason to send me off to live with Thackery until Alice's return."
"Yes, it is," Mirana replied monotonously. "Where he is, is such an isolated place, a good place for hiding and – in the case of you and the March Hare – a place of disguise. You can be as mad as you like there. You know how unstable Thackery is when it comes to completing an important task – he cannot be left alone."
"But neither can you--"
"But I'm well guarded by my knights."
"Hmph!"
"Tarrant," Mirana started again, as if rather bored. "Don't make this harder than it already is."
"I'm not the one making this difficult!" the Hatter yelled.
Mirana locked eyes with Tarrant's dark green ones. "As your queen, I order you to accompany Thackery Earwicket at Iplam until the champion arrives."
Tarrant narrowed his eyes. Something had gone horribly wrong with Mirana; her eyes appeared to be glazed over. "You're serious?" he snarled. "You really rather I stay with Thackery than with you?"
"I don't see the problem. You visit him once a week."
Tarrant blinked a couple of times and tried refocusing on Mirana. Not only were her eyes glazed over, but she looked far paler than usual, and seemed to be rapidly fading away from emotion. "Oh no!" the Hatter cried angrily as he grabbed her shoulders. "Don't go numb on me, darling."
"Numb?" Mirana gave a hollow laugh.
"You can't fool me! I recognize this look! It's the same look you had when your mother died and your father became ill!"
"Why that was ages ago."
"Don't you go on pretending everything is all right!"
Mirana brought a cold hand to rub along the Hatter's white cheek, a weak smile playing at her dark red lips. "But everything will be all right… as soon as our champion comes."
"Mirana!" Tarrant shouted, shaking the queen madly. "Mirana, come back to me!"
"Oh, pish-posh!" Mirana gave another empty laugh as she attempted to swat his hands off her arms. "Enough of this silliness, my love. Go on! Go with Thackery and retrieve my champion!"
"No, Mirana! Let me stay here with you! Name me king tomorrow! Then I'll go after your sister!"
The White Queen laughed again. "But even if you're crowned king tomorrow you're not the champion! What I need is the champion! My people need the champion! We need the Alice! Go with Thackery and then send Alice to me!"
"But my darling raven just name me king and champion…"
Mirana's gaze looked right through him, the odd smile plastered in place. "One cannot write the ending of a story without the proper writing parchment, can they?"
"No."
"I possess the writing feather, but you are no more than the surface of which to write on. I need the parchment."
What once had been posed as a cruel question by the deceased queen mother about their odd relationship had surfaced from Mirana's own dark lips to demean him again. Something was not right within her and he found himself torn of what to do… what would be less damaging for her: for him to disobey her and stay, or for him to do as she asked and leave.
With a heavy heart Tarrant let go of his queen. There was no use quarreling with her; she had her mind fully set on Alice and her heart, he knew all to well, had buried itself deep within her core where it could not be touched by anyone… even by him.