Alice was being ushered down the hallway by the Red Knight. She couldn't believe this was happening. A few hours ago, she was sitting in an Italian restaurant, trying to stop tears from falling into her marina sauce and now here she was back in Wonderland, for a second time, and it was no less confusing than the first go around.
It was small comfort to her that she now knew Hatter was somewhere in Wonderland, though it also made her longing to be with him that much stronger, and the man at her side knew where to find him. The problem was that he wouldn't talk, not in front of the prince at any rate, but there was a chance that she could get him to help her.
Once they were a good distance away from the prince's study, she jerked her arm out of his grasp. "Listen-"
She was cut off before she could react. In a flurry of movement against which she wasn't ready to defend, she was thrown up against the wall. Red had her pinned, his sword at her throat. His face looked fierce, his eyes clouded as though in a faraway battle. His thinly veiled threat earlier certainly hadn't been an idle one.
"Whoa," She whispered, fearfully eyeing the sword at her neck and staying as still as possible. "Okay, just calm down. I'm not trying to escape, I just want some answers! Since you're the one who stole me away I think you owe me that much."
His eyes widened in surprise, as though suddenly realizing who she was. He slowly stepped away, backing to the center of the hallway and sheathing his sword. His head was bowed as though ashamed of his actions. "My liege has explained why you are here."
"That's not what I meant and you know it. You've met Hatter and you know where he is." She stepped away from the wall to confront him.
"And you don't?" the knight replied, his tone becoming harsh as he looked into her face. "Isn't it strange that he would take off and not tell you where he was going or why he left you behind?"
She lost a bit of her fire as his words cut her. "He said he would explain it all to me when he came back…"
The Red Knight was seething again, the same reaction she had seen in him in the Unicorn's study. It made her wonder what had happened between these two that caused such animosity. Her need to see him was suddenly swallowed in concern for his well being as her imagination conjured all the myriad dangers of this place.
"Is he alright?" She asked, a tremor in her voice, her eyes already starting to feel the sting of tears.
The Red Knight stepped closer, her reaction causing his anger to fade and he looked at a loss for what to do. He raised his hands as through trying to placate a frightened animal. "Please, don't cry. He's fine. The White Knight is looking after him."
"You know Charlie?"
Red nodded, "The prince sent me to train under him and report any vital information."
"You're a spy." Alice glared at him, her anger rising.
"I perform the duties the Unicorn asks of me." Red said, a fierce conviction in his voice.
"Oh, like kidnapping?" Alice accused.
"You don't understand. The white prince practically raised me. He showed me what it means to be a knight. He could really make a difference here if he were king."
"And what happens to me if Jack doesn't agree to marry me according to your prince's plans?"
"He doesn't have to marry you." Red sighed. "He just needs to accept you in exchange for backing the prince's claim to the throne. After that he can marry you or send you home or do… whatever he likes."
"You called Jack a usurper. Why would you trust him?" Alice pushed.
"You saw first hand what things were like under the Red Queen. I don't trust the Hearts, any of them."
"Why?"
"Let's put it this way," He said, something dark seemed to pass over his eyes then that made him seem terribly older. "I've read your adventures and you're not the only one to lose a father."
Alice didn't know what to say. The grief and anger in his eyes stunned her into silence.
"Come," Red again took her arm, "I must escort you to the Gardens."
*~*~*~*~*
Hatter walked through the fortress in an incredible amount of pain. Even bruised and battered as he was, he couldn't stop smiling.
He had found his anchor and that meant that he was one step closer to going home to Alice. That thought alone bolstered him, made him feel like he could fly home to her. The next step, Charlie had told him, was being able to use the anchor not only in battle where survival is instinctual but at will.
He followed Charlie through the corridors of the building that had greeted him back to Wonderland as they headed to the main hall. The Prince of Hearts was entertaining an audience with someone important, and the White Knight's presence was requested. Having nothing better to do, Hatter decided to tag along.
"Can I offer you anything?" Jack said to his guest as they quietly entered the room, taking an out of the way position by the wall. "As I recall, you are rather fond of plum cake."
Jack looked the same. Though his clothing was the simple yet elegant suit he seemed to favor, his posture was regal as he reclined on the throne. Standing before him was a stocky, well-muscled man whose dark hair hung like a wild mane about his face. He wore chain-mail and, over it, a tunic that bore the crest of a lion.
"No, thank you. I think you know why I'm here."
"I do," Jack affirmed. "But I'm not sure what I can tell you in person that I haven't already told your messengers."
"You can tell me that you'll support my claim to the throne," The Lion said, raising his chin proudly.
"Except," Jack sighed, "that would put me in a precarious political situation. Your father is still king and, as I told him, I will support his successor. If I were to back one of his sons and he chooses the other, it will only strain relations between our kingdoms."
"If you're worried about a war, Highness, you've nothing to fear. My army is strong and growing stronger by the day."
Jack paused before speaking as though considering his words. "You would make war against your own brother?"
The Lion's face was stern with resolve, "If the situation demands, but my brother is weak and cowardly. He's only sent his envoys, hasn't he?"
"So far," Jack conceded.
"See!" he grinned, "You have to talk to a man face to face, know who you're dealing with. I'm an honest man, straight forward. My brother on the other hand, is a conniver, a schemer. He can't be trusted."
"I will take your words under advisement." Jack said, his face was a blank mask veiling his thoughts.
"So it doesn't concern you then, that there are rumors your White Rabbit is compromised? Or that my brother has greased their hands and could have spies right under your very nose?" He glanced around the room suspiciously, his eyes narrowing as they fell upon Hatter.
"That one there looks half starved and desperate enough to extend a hand to the Unicorn. Can you trust him?"
"Absolutely," Jack replied without hesitation. "In fact, I have already trusted him with something I value beyond measure. May I introduce Hatter? Hatter, this is the Lion of the White Kingdom."
Jack's words washed over Hatter, giving him a boost of confidence as he met the Lion's glare with his own. A look of recognition passed over the Lion's face as he heard Hatter's name, obviously familiar with the legend of Alice. Both men nodded in a civil truce as Jack continued.
"As for the White Rabbit, they are a close group and no spy could hide among them long. Still, I will heed your warning and investigate this matter personally."
The Lion growled, "I like it not that you give me platitudes instead of definite decisions. Your mother understood that sometimes a strong arm is necessary."
Jack looked as though he struggled to remain composed. He shifted on his throne, his eyes burned with a blue flame. "My mother no longer rules here."
"That's plain," he said, cryptically enough that one couldn't tell if he was agreeing or taking a backhand swipe at the Prince of Hearts. "In any case, I can see that we will not reach an agreement today. Since you have refused me, I will only ask one more thing of you, as a fellow prince."
"And what would that be?" Jack asked, his interest peaked.
"It is rumored that my brother will try to bribe you to back his claim to the throne. If you refuse him as well and remain truly neutral, as you claim to be, then we may yet be friends."
"I understand. And let me assure you that there is nothing he could offer me to sway me in my decision."
*~*~*~*~*
To Be Continued…
