Again I would like to apologise for leaving this fic for so long, but I have just started 6 form and I kind of forgot about it (I know I know crappy excuse) but I genuinely will try to update when I can
Explanations
Alice was so at peace, it felt like she was lying on a cloud, wherever she was, it was even more comfortable than the bed she'd found herself in earlier, there was a warmth beneath her ear and somebody was brushing her hair.
Opening her eyes, she realised she was lying across a settee in the queens chambers and her head was resting in the Hatters lap, who was looking down at her with worried eyes from his own upright sitting position, his fingers were gently pushing wayward strands of hair from off her face.
Smiling reassuringly at the Hatter, Alice sat up and snuggled into his side, much to the haberdashers surprise, not that he was about to complain about it though. A small cough sounded from the other side of the room, bringing the couple's attention to the brilliant smile of the white queen.
"As much as this scene isn't making me melt inside, I believe I must explain a few things to you about the situation you've found yourselves in." She chuckled causing the pair to turn a rather fetching shade of pink. "The bond between soul mates is very special and strong, especially once brought to completion. Now the bond between the two of you has already begun, subconsciously you both recognised your attraction for each other last time Alice visited Underland, even if you didn't act on it, this is stage one, it's at this point that you would have felt an undeniable need to protect and be near each other, you may have even given up one aspect of this for the other." Mirana explained to the two, who were hanging onto her every word.
"Ay that's true, when I first saw Alice, when she returned, I couldn't help but think of her as beautiful, the way her hair shined on her hair, the confusion on her face and that cute little pout she wore as she tried to figure everything out. Then when I sent her away on my hat, I did it to protect her, even though it killed me inside." He looked bashfully over at Alice from under his lashes as he said this, afraid that she didn't feel the same as well as embarrassed about his confession, but what she said in return shocked him. "I feel the same about you Tarrant, that's why I came back, I couldn't stand to be away from my Mad Hatter any longer", she leaned in and kissed him softly on the forehead before leaning down and whispering three words into his ear so quietly only he could hear them, before sitting back down and asking Mirana to continue with her explanation.
"when both parties feel the effects of stage one, it is considered complete, stage two is said to be the giving faze, both people give each other a gift, not a gift they can pick up, something more spiritual like happiness or hope, I won't ask you to reveal what these gifts were here, as they are personal but maybe later you can tell each other? Stage three is the protection from stage one, only enhanced. I know this stage has been completed because you both saved each other from the Jabberwocky during the Frabjous day. The fourth stage sees you two binding together, mind, body and soul to be as one. And finally the fifth stage in the completion of the bonding, where you consummate your bond, that is to say the event which will take place on your wedding night, should you choose to be married that is." Mirana practically beamed at the pair as the information sunk in.
The two looked from each other to Mirana and back again, to stunned to speak. Finally Alice broke the silence "does…does that mean that I…that is, that Tarrant and I have to get married? Because it seems to me that we have already done stages one, two and three…pardon the rhyme"
Mirana held back a giggle at the thought of her two favourite people in Underland getting married, and held onto her composure long enough to answer Alice " while it is preferable that the two of you are married, it is not essential, however if you to do indeed enter the marital state and complete the bond, it is said that the two people involved can receive certain gifts to help keep in contact with each other, it also allows the two to be apart from each other for further distances and longer amounts of time. Having said that though, I wouldn't rush to get married right now, you still have plenty of time for that. Now why don't you two go off and enjoy the day, its warm and I hear that the apple trees are finally ready to give away their fruits, if you have any more question or you just want to chat please come and see me" she suggested hoping to give the two some alone time.
"Ok thank you for your help your majesty, come on Hatter" Alice curtsied, before grabbing the still shocked hatters hand and pulling him from the room.
