Chapter Seven
Mutiny and Marmoreal
Mirana found out that the execution was to take place at dawn. She felt so guilty, wishing she could help her friends. She should've spoken up when the Queen ordered their execution. She only remained silent like a foolish coward. While she told the Queen stories, with every ounce of strength to hold back her tears.
Once the Queen had fallen asleep, Mirana snuck out and went to the dungeon. She wanted to see Tarrant and Mallymkun one last time. She wore a black cloak over her head so no one would recognize her, approached the dungeon where two Red Knights were standing guard. The torches glowed in the darkness, barely showing her face.
"I wish to see the Hatter," she said. "And the dormouse."
The Red Knights looked at each other and then at her.
"Be quick," said one of them. They opened the door with a turn of the key and she climbed down the slimy, cold steps to the cells. She came to Tarrant's cell: his head was staring downward sadly. Mallymkun was locked in a birdcage, pacing around. In another cell, there was a golden bloodhound with four puppies, looking very sad. This had to be Bayard's wife and children.
Mirana removed her hood and their eyes lit up with happiness at the sight of her. Tarrant leapt to his feet and grasped to bars.
"Your Highness," Tarrant whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were going to be executed," she said. "I wanted to see you one last time." She paused. She could barely contain her tears. It pained her so much to see Tarrant in prison like this, bloodied and bruised.
"I want to thank you, for helping me remember who I am and saving my life. Both of you, I thank." She touched Tarrant's hand, which made him shiver. To be touched by royalty!
Tarrant smiled. "You will be a great Queen someday."
"It has been an honor to serve you, Your Highness," whispered Mallymkun. Mirana could see tears streaming from her black eyes. Mirana stroked Mallymkun's head, which made her smile grandly.
Mirana remembered a line that was read at her adopted mother, Winifred's funeral. She looked at her loyal friends and spoke:
"You shall live in the hearts of those who loved you and will thus never die or be forgotten." Tarrant and Mallymkun smiled.
"Fairfarren, Your Highness," said Tarrant.
Though Mirana didn't know what it meant, she had an idea that it meant goodbye. "Fairfarren."
XXX
Hours later at sunrise, Mirana woke up and worked quickly to get the Red Queen primped for the morning execution. She followed the Queen to the balcony that overlooked the square: the red paint and drapes in the square looked like smears of blood. The execution platform was built in the middle of the square: a large hole in the floor and a stone beheading block (both heart-shaped) stood in the middle, blackened with dried blood around the base. Thousands of people gathered in the square, their faces were glum, Red Knights armed with spears, Nivens and the Tweedles were also among the crowd. The Red Queen watched from the balcony, ignoring the faces of misery in the crowd. Mirana stood next to the Queen, feeling sick since she had to bear witness to a gruesome execution. A death bell rang. Mirana wiped her tears that were coming to her eyes, knowing her friends were going to die. It wasn't fair at all.
"I love a morning execution, don't you?" commented the Red Queen.
"Yes, Your Majesty," chimed the courtiers on cue.
She turned towards Stayne and nodded. Stayne waved his hand to signal to bring out the prisoners. Mirana listened to the sound of chains clinking, watching Tarrant and Mallymkun being led out to the square, their heads bowed in surrender, the Red Knights pointing their spears at them. Tarrant kept his head down, walking up the steps to the platform slowly. He kneeled in front of the beheading stone, submissive and calm, completely unafraid of death. The burly executioner was dressed in all black, covered from head to toe with a thick mask covering his face. The heart-shaped axe blade glinted in the sun. He reached for Tarrant's hat to remove it.
"I'd like to keep it on," mumbled Tarrant.
"Suit yourself," said the executioner. "As long as I can get at your neck." He moved the silk sash aside, steadying the axe over Tarrant's neck to get a better aim.
"Off with his head!" the Red Queen commanded.
The executioner lifted the axe to deliver the blow. Mirana shut her eyes, praying it would be over soon…there was a sickening clang of the axe dropping on the stone. The crowd gasped, including the Queen and Stayne. Mirana opened her eyes, expecting to see a gruesome decapitation, but to her surprise, Tarrant's body had disappeared completely. The crowd stared in wonder as they watched Tarrant's hat float upward in the air. The executioner himself was puzzled and shrugged. The Red Queen stared with bulging eyes and her eyebrows were raised in a mixture of shock and fury.
The hat continued to float upward until it halted and suddenly, the furry head of Chessur appeared under the hat, grinning.
"Good morning, everyone!" he said, cheerfully. He winked and disappeared with a flash of smoke.
Suddenly, Tarrant appeared from behind the Queen's throne.
"Madame," he said, cheerfully. The Red Queen gasped, jumping slightly in her seat. "You are being heinously bamboozled by these lickspittle toadies you surround yourself with." With a flash, he yanked off the ear of Lady Long Ears and tossed it at the Red Queen's feet, laughing.
"What is that?" she demanded.
Terrified, Lady Long Ears lashed out to defend herself. "I'm not the only one, Your Majesty!" she cried. "Look!" She pointed to Lady Long-Nose.
"A counterfeit nose!" cried Lord Big-Belly. "You should be ashamed!"
"Me?" gasped Lady Long-Nose, yanking her fake nose off. "What about that big belly you're so proud of?" She pulled his shirt up to reveal a fake stomach.
It was amazing to see how quickly the courtiers turned on each other: Sir Big-Chin's fake chin fell off as he gasped and he turned in desperation and ripped off the fake breasts of Lady Big-Bosom. As Mirana expected, the Red Queen was mightily displeased to find her courtiers were conspiring against her. In fact, she was apoplectic with rage at this point. Tarrant slid down the pole near the balcony, making a grand escape.
"LIARS!" shouted the Red Queen. "CHEATS! FALSIFYERS!"
Desperate, Lady Big-Bosom tore off Mirana's kerchief and stared with wide eyes at the sight of Mirana's hair, recognizing her immediately.
"Your Highness?" she blurted out.
As soon as the Queen heard those two words, she whirled around. Her eyes turned towards Mirana and stared at her: her powdered face blanched, her black eyes bulged in horror and her mouth hung open in a gaping hole.
"You?" she choked. "All this time…" Her face turned redder than her curls. "DECEIVER! I TRUSTED YOU!" she screamed. She swung her scepter at Mirana, but she was quick to dodge it. The Red Queen continued to swing with her scepter in a savage rage, chasing her around the throne. Mirana used the throne as a shield to block the Queen's savage blows from her scepter.
"Everyone was right about you," Mirana blustered. "You are a bloody big head, Aunt Iracebeth."
The Red Queen's face swelled up with rage, her eyes bulged out as if she had uttered a filthy word, saying her real name in front of everyone and acknowledging her as a family member.
"How DARE you!" she screamed. In a fit of rage, she hit Mirana hard across the face. She was surprised because she never realized how strong the Red Queen was. The injured spot throbbed and felt wet; she found her fingers were smeared with royal blue, so was one of the Queen's rings. Her temple was bleeding, mingling with her angry tears.
"You're angry me because of who owns the stupid crown?" Mirana blustered.
"It is my crown! I am the rightful Queen! You will NEVER wear the crown and I will make sure of that." Without a beat, she pushed Mirana off the balcony. Screaming as she fell, Mirana grabbed the drapery on the balcony. The entire crowd gasped in horror as they watched her dangle from the balcony, which was almost a ten foot drop.
"I'm coming, Your Highness!" cried Tarrant.
The Red Queen began to smack her hands with her scepter: the spikes bruised Mirana's fingers. Her muscles strained with exertion to hold on and her legs kicked as she dangled. Slowly, the drapery on the balcony began to rip under her weight and there were more gasps of horror in the crowd; some ladies fainted. Tarrant stood under her, ready to catch her.
"Your Highness, I've got you!" Tarrant called. "Just let go."
Mirana wasn't sure about this, looking down at the drop: it was a long fall down. Her fingers began to weaken, but she grabbed on with two hands. The drapery began to rip more and gave away under her weight. She fell fast, screaming…until an invisible hand grabbed her. She found the smiling face of Chessur. He gently lowered her into the arms of Tarrant safely.
"Thank you, Chess," she replied, grateful.
Tarrant placed Mirana on her feet, next to him. He stood on the execution platform, calling to the creatures amongst the crowd.
"To the abused, the enslaved of the Bloody Red Queen," said Tarrant. "All of you fight and rise up against the Bloody Red Queen. Fight for your true Queen, Princess Mirana II."
The entire crowd shouted: "Downal wyth Bluddy Behg Hid ! Hail, Princess Mirana! Hail to the rightful Queen of Underland!" The shouts echoed off the flagstones and filled the morning air.
The frog-footman burst into a series of joyful leaps, the monkeys threw off their hats and screeched delightfully, and the flamingoes flapped their wings and squawked. They were free.
The Red Queen stared at the crowd with her face twisted in a rage when she heard them praising Mirana's name. In a jealous fury, she stamped her foot.
"RELEASE THE JUBJUB BIRD!" she screamed, raising her scepter to the sky.
A bloodcurdling screech cut through the cries of defiance. Mirana watched in horror as the JubJub Bird swooped down, clawing and snapping indiscriminately, grabbing screaming bystanders and dropping them like they were rag dolls. There was chaos everywhere.
"GET DOWN, YOUR HIGHNESS!" screamed Tarrant, shielding Mirana down so she wouldn't get captured. The JubJub bird scraped Tarrant's back, barely missing him.
She took Tarrant's hand and they ran through the confusing crowd, ducking and avoiding the swooping, angry bird that flew in the air and pushing through the panicking crowd. Mirana's heart pounded in her chest as she ran through the panicked square. Mirana spied the Tweedles hiding in the corner. She let go of Tarrant's hand and ran toward them.
"YOUR HIGHNESS, NO!"
Mirana didn't hear him nor cared. Keeping low to the ground, she called the Tweedles names and they ran to her, taking her hand. Together they ran towards Tarrant, who had rescued Mallymkun, who was cowering near the execution block. She followed Tarrant out of the square and they freed all the enslaved animals, including Bayard's wife and pups, which they bowed gratefully to Mirana. They darted quickly to the drawbridge towards freedom.
The Red Queen hadn't overcome the shock of seeing that her most trusted handmaiden, her favorite companion was her sworn enemy and she was right under her nose all this time. How could she have been so foolish?
"You're right, Stayne," she said, fiercely. "It is far better to be feared than loved." She paused. "Prepare the Jabberwocky for battle," she commanded. "We're going to visit my little sister and niece."
XXX
Night had fallen. Mirana, Tarrant, Bayard's puppies and wife, Bielle, Nivens, Uilleum, and all the other enslaved animals in the Red Queen's court walked through the Red Desert. Mirana examined the wound where the Red Queen had hit her: gladly the bleeding stopped, yet there was a half-heart cut.
They arrived at a lush green place with tall mountains and a pale castle stood in the distance. It was nothing like the Red Queen's castle: while her castle was dark and oppressive, this castle was light and airy, it looked welcoming and happy, yet there was a slight sense of gloom. There were shapes of chessboard pieces on the towers.
"What is this place?" Mirana asked.
"This is Marmoreal, Your Highness," Tarrant explained. "This is your home."
Mirana couldn't help but smile. They walked up a white gravel path that was decorated with cherry blossoms: she heard them whispering with joy.
The Princess has come home at last!
Suddenly, she saw a two figures walking down the steps. Immediately, she recognized Alice and ran up to her and hugged her. The next figure behind Alice, which Mirana thought was a ghost: she moved so gracefully that it gave the illusion that she was perpetually dancing. When she got closer, she saw a slightly spitting image of the Red Queen, but she was shorter, had a smaller head and a kinder face. She was young, but who knew how old she really was. She had long, shiny curls, inky eyes that looked just like the Red Queen's, yet they were kind. Her dark bow-shaped lips stretched into a smile. Her dress was silvery white satin and lace with pearls, lace, and sparkles, the skirt was decorated with silvery stars and snowflakes, and her stomacher was decorated with ruffles, lace, pearls and gold rope. She wore a choker of lace and silver beads.
"Mirana," she spoke in a voice that was soft like a whispering wind. "At last you have come home."
"Mother," Mirana whispered.
She embraced her tightly as if she never wanted to let her go. She cupped Mirana's face in her white, black-nail polished hands. She stroked Mirana's short pink hair, absorbing every detail in her face. Her little girl had grown up.
"You seem different from the last time I saw you," she said. "Much taller, shorter hair and your skin has darkened a bit, but nevertheless, you're still beautiful to me, my daughter."
"Blame it on time spent in Aboveland and some Upelkuchen."
"Not to worry, we can restore your hair and height. Your skin will return to its natural color in no time. Come with me."
She held her hand out towards her, which she took it gladly and followed her mother. They went to the kitchen, which was immense, filled with pots and pans and delicious smells. She gestured Mirana to sit, which she gladly did. She saw a lot of strange-looking things on the counter where the White Queen had a potion-making set—ordinary herbs and spices, and a large glass jar filled with eyeballs that made Mirana shudder.
"I heard that you've gotten intimately close with your aunt," the White Queen said, examining her injured temple.
"I did," Mirana admitted.
"No worries. We can fix that too. How does she seem to you?"
"Well, to be honest, there are times where you want to hate her and you want to feel sorry for her. Otherwise, she's a nightmare. Was she always like that?"
"Not always," the White Queen replied. Her voice sounded sad as if she were recalling all the good memories that she remembered of her sister. Now she caused her nothing but hurt all because she was jealous. "There was once a time when we got along. I believe there is some sort of growth in her head that is pressing on her brain."
It was difficult to picture the Red Queen with a smaller head and nice since she had spent days locked up in Crims, entertaining the Red Queen with stories and her endless demands that pushed her to the brink of insanity.
"I guess that explains her bulbous head and her personality," Mirana said. "However, I always believe that you should love someone even if they don't deserve it."
The White Queen smiled. Her daughter had obviously been raised by loving and caring people while she was there.
"Such wonderful words of wisdom," the White Queen said. "Where did you hear that?"
"My adopted father in Aboveland."
The White Queen was curious to know about her daughter's life spent in Aboveland since she herself had never dared to venture outside of Underland.
"He must've been a wise man. Tell me more about this Aboveland and your life there."
"Well," Mirana said. "There's not much to tell…" While the White Queen made the potions, Mirana described Aboveland and her years of working as a scullery maid to a rich lord and lady and their spoiled son. She described her first meeting of Alice at the ages of six and their friendship through the years; her adopted parents, Winifred and Morris (a soldier in the Royal Navy who was injured in battle), and the cruelty of the rich in Aboveland, yet there was always the rare act of kindness that one would find.
The White Queen listened, yet was horrified of the cruelty in Aboveland.
"I guess it was wrong of me to send you there," she said.
"Not necessarily," Mirana assured. "If I hadn't gone there, I never would've met Alice and she wouldn't be here to slay the Jabberwocky."
The White Queen was astounded by her daughter's wisdom.
"Well said," she said. "You will be a great Queen, Mirana."
Mirana felt her stomach sink: tomorrow she would be Queen. Though she was honored that she was going to be ruling this kingdom, a part of her didn't want it at all. It seemed that she had no choice but to be Queen, which meant she couldn't go home with Alice once the Jabberwocky was defeated.
The White Queen handed her a spoon that was prepared.
"Some Pishsalver to restore your height," she said. "Blow."
Mirana blew on the steaming spoon and took a sip. She felt herself shrinking and her clothes becoming too big for her. She was now as tall as her mother, who stood about five feet and eight inches tall.
"And now a potion to restore your hair," she added. Mirana sat and watched her mother prepare the potion: naming the dreadful ingredients that made Mirana shudder. Soon, she yanked out a hair from Mirana's head, which she cried out in pain.
"Dreadfully sorry," she said. She offered her a spoonful of the potion, which smelled interesting. Mirana drank it down and suddenly felt movement in the roots of her short hair and looked in the shiny pot as luscious pink curls cascaded down to her shoulders. She smiled: she looked like a princess more than ever.
"Feel better, darling?" she asked.
She nodded, touching her hair. Lastly, the Queen rubbed an ointment on her temple, which felt surprisingly hot and cold at the same time, watching in amazement as the bloody scab disappeared, leaving no trace of a scar.
XXX
Mirana changed out of the dreadful handmaiden outfit and wiped off her makeup, feeling much freer. She was given more comfortable clothes to wear so she could move around. She wandered the grounds of Marmoreal: the castle was alabaster white and blue, similar in architecture like the Red Queen's, but it was lighter and there were shapes of chessboard pieces on the pillars. She passed the training grounds, watching the White Knights with helmets in the shape of chessboard pieces practicing with swords and spears. They bowed when they saw Mirana walk by, muttering scattered 'Your Highness'. She approached the trainer, who bowed to her.
"I would like to practice as well," Mirana said.
"Have you ever handled a sword, Your Highness?" asked the trainer.
"A saber, but it's the same."
"Let's see what you've got, Your Highness."
The trainer handed her a sword. Mirana held it with a firm wrist at the grip, ready to fight. The trainer began the lesson with the sword fight, metallic clinks, which brought back good memories of Morris. She liked the feel of holding it, the challenge, the excitement…everything about holding a sword made her feel powerful than wearing a crown.
"You're very skilled with a blade, Your Highness," said the trainer, impressed. "Who taught you?"
"My adopted father," Mirana replied. "He was a soldier."
The trainer nodded, teaching her how to improve her parry and attacks, keeping her attention focused always, and so forth. The knights were even impressed that their Princess was skilled in fencing that they asked her to practice with them. The White Queen appeared in the courtyard, watching. She was smiling, yet she envied that she couldn't handle weapons since she had made a vow. She liked weapons…she was ecstatic when the Vorpal Sword was returned, caressing the opals on the blade. The knights and the trainer bowed to her.
"Would you excuse me for a moment?" Mirana said. She went to her mother.
"I had no idea you could fight with a sword," the White Queen said, impressed.
"I just needed some practice," Mirana said. "I want be prepared for the battle on the Frabjeous Day. If I may."
"If that is what you wish, then you may. I will have the blacksmiths forge you armor."
"Would you like to try?" Mirana asked.
"Alas, it is against my vows to harm any living thing so I must refuse. Come, let us take a walk."
Mirana put the sword down and thanked the trainer and the knights for their time. She was curious about these vows her mother had taken.
"What would happen if you broke your vows?" Mirana asked.
"I would die," the White Queen said; there was a hint of melodrama in her voice. "When you study the healing arts, you take a blood vow. After completing the course, you would sign your name in blood on a magical contract, which binds you to that promise to never harm a living thing."
Suddenly, a hideous bug flew near her face and she spit a little, waving the bug away in disgust, being careful not to break her 'vow'.
Mirana shuddered. She wasn't sure she wanted to study that subject. Sure, she didn't like having to hurt people or animals, yet after recalling that incident with Stayne at Crims. Morris said that should your life be in any danger, one shouldn't be afraid to fight back.
"Your aunt, however, preferred to study Dominion Over Living Things," the White Queen commented.
Mirana shuddered again because the subject sounded really dark. "I have to study something like that?"
"You can study what you feel is right for you." She paused and reached in her pocket, holding a satin pouch. "I have a gift for you." She opened it to find a white and blue cameo necklace on a silver chain with diamond drops dangling from the bottom. The portrait was a woman wearing the crown that looked just like her.
"It belonged to your grandmother, Queen Elora," she said, attaching it around her neck. "She would've been very proud of you."
"It's lovely," she replied, touching it.
While they were walking, Mirana saw a tangle of blonde hair, looking out at the magnificent waterfall. She excused herself and her mother nodded.
"Hello, Alice," she said.
"Hello…Your Highness," she replied.
"You don't have to call me Your Highness."
Alice smiled.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" asked Mirana.
Alice nodded. "How am I going to slay the Jabberwocky? I've never even handled a sword."
"We could practice," suggested Mirana. "I've handled a sword many times. Morris taught me. Follow me."
The girls went to the training grounds, using wooden swords, taking it slow with Alice, showing her how to hold a sword, how to block and attack. Mirana was surprised how quickly Alice was learning as well. They took a break and looked out at the waterfall again, feeling the sweat evaporate from the cool night air.
"Hello, girls," said a voice. They turned around to find Tarrant. "Do you have any idea why a raven is like a writing desk?"
"Let me think about that," said Alice.
"You both know what tomorrow is?"
"Frabjeous Day," they both said with a sigh. The whole castle had been murmuring and whispereing and chattering about it all day.
"I wish I'd wake up," Alice said.
"You still think this is a dream?" said the Hatter.
"Of course. This has all come from my own mind."
"Which means I'm not real," he replied sadly.
Mirana didn't believe this was a dream anymore. But what she did know was she wouldn't be going home with Alice once this was over: she would return to Aboveland and forget all about her and Underland. She would rather go home with her friend than rule Underland.
"Mirana, what's wrong?" asked Alice.
"I won't be going home with you once this is over," she replied. "I know that once you wake up, I will never have existed. I will just be part of your imagination."
Alice was horrified that she would say something like that.
"I would never do that! Why would you even think that? I'm your best friend."
"It doesn't matter. I've decided that I don't want the crown," Mirana said. "I'm going to tell Mother that I won't accept the crown. She can have it. I really didn't want to be Queen anyway."
"Your Highness, you can't say that!" said Tarrant, horrified. "Without a Queen, Underland would fall into chaos."
"Why can't Mother be Queen? I don't feel it's my place."
"Well, I suppose she could, but I don't think she would want it anymore. She wants you to take her place for Underland."
"Well, I don't want it!"
Tarrant's eyes were filled with sadness. Alice couldn't believe how selfish her friend was being. How could she say this? They saw how horrible the Red Queen was and if she refused the crown, she couldn't imagine how much worse Underland would be.
"Underland needs you, Mirana," she said, angry. "I can't believe you don't want the crown just because you don't feel you deserve it. I know what you went through for years: you were mistreated and unhappy for a long time. Your adopted parents did everything they could to give you the best. I'm sure they would want you to be Queen. You need to make the world right again, which I know you will. I'm sure you will do a fine job. Besides, this is your home. You once told me that when we were children that you came from here. If you don't take the crown, you insult everyone: your mother, your adopted parents, your subjects, and even me. I want you to be Queen."
Mirana knew Alice was right. She knew everyone needed her and it was her responsibility, her destiny. Yet the more she thought about it, the more she thought about Alice in the other world, her memory fading and forgetting everything.
"You think you can just tell me how to live my life?" yelled Mirana. "You don't even know what I'm going through!"
"You're being very selfish, Mirana!" Alice replied angrily.
Mirana stormed away.
Mirana walked down into the garden, lying down in the grass, looking at the dimly lit stars, breathing heavily and her face flushed from rage after her fight with Alice. She didn't want the crown. Once morning came, she was going to tell Mother that she didn't want it.
She heard light footsteps and cloth brushing on the grass.
"I heard that you do not want the crown," said the whispering voice of her mother. She looked very sad. Mirana didn't answer since it was obvious that she had heard Alice and her fighting.
"I know it's my royal obligation," Mirana said. "Yet there's a part of me that feels that I'm not ready."
The White Queen smiled sympathetically. "Every young princess goes through that. I did when I was, well maybe a few years younger than you. I wasn't ready to rule Underland. Normally, the eldest child got the crown, yet my parents chose me to rule instead of your Aunt Iracebeth. I was always afraid of whatever choice I made was never the right one. But, I know you are ready. And not to worry, I will be there to teach you everything you need to know about ruling Underland."
"Yet, there's a feeling inside that I cannot because…"
"Because of Alice? You are afraid that she will forget you." She paused. "Will you gaze into the Pool of Ages?" She gestured towards the fountain that had water that was smooth like glass.
"What does it do?"
"It shows many things: things that were, things that are, and things that have yet to come."
Mirana gazed into the fountain and it began to move. A dark cloud formed around the vision, showing the Frabjeous Day where Mirana was silently telling the White Queen her refusal of the crown on the steps. The White Queen and her subjects looked sad…Alice fought the Jabberwocky, only to be torn to pieces while the Red Queen was laughing with delight. Mirana watched in horror as the White Queen was led to the execution square at Crims and her head was lopped off along with the Underland Underground Rebellion…the animals were enslaved again, but this time it was worse than ever...the last vision was Mirana herself led to the execution square, chained and brutally beaten, and the Red Queen herself was holding the heart-shaped axe with the glint of psychopathic delight in her eye, raising it over her head to lop off Mirana's head…suddenly, the pool went black and there was blackness…falling fast…then, a splash and suddenly, the only light was the heart-shaped hole in the sky…she realized that her head was floating in the water, still alive and slowly dying…
Mirana screamed as she pulled back in revulsion, losing her footing and falling on the grass.
"I know what you saw," the White Queen said. "For I have seen it as well: it is what is to come should the course of the future be changed. Do you see how every choice affects time?"
"I do," said Mirana. "I will do what must be done."
