Disclaimer: I do not own either "Alice in Wonderland" or its characters. I'm just lazy author who uses this all for entertainment.
A/N: FINALLY! I'm just sorry for really big delay, but still... here it is, the epilogue. Enjoy!
Epilogue
Bright light disappeared around the famous couple and from their spot they could see a mansion with garden, where people were actively discussing something.
They exchanged glances and took each other's hands, smiling. With that the pair headed for the garden in front of them. They walked silently, not knowing what exactly would happen in some minutes. One thing that couple knew for sure was that they would return to Underland no matter what.
Alice and Tarrant finally reached their destination, but no one seemed to notice them. Only when they started their way in the direction of the gazebo, the crowd finally noticed the runaway and strange man beside her. People stepped aside in front of them, staring at the odd couple. Some of them noticed how dirty Alice's dress was and that her hair was now in a mess. So disapproving whispers were heard for one or another reason.
"Alice!" loud voice resounded like a thunder, causing everyone turn their attention to a woman, who was walking quickly straight to her daughter with angry look on her face. "Alice, where have you been? And who is this?" she demanded, approaching.
"Mother, let me introduce Tarrant Hightopp."
The Hatter took off his hat and politely nodded to Mrs. Kingsleigh. She watched him doing it, but was unable to say a word. His appearance might have shocked her.
"Mother," Alice began, "I know you are going to be mad at me for this, but..." She turned around, walked straight to Hamish, who was standing not far from them and looked right into his eyes, "I'm sorry, Hamish, but we won't make a perfect match. I won't marry you. You're not right man for me." after that she approached some people and unleashed everything that was on her mind about them. She addressed to Lowell about being loyal to Margaret, to Chattaway sisters about them resembling two of her friends and finally looked at Tarrant to smile at her lover. He smiled back, but she couldn't help but notice something was wrong with him. The Hatter was always pale, but right now it seemed like he was even paler. His eyes were unfocused and he was trembling a bit.
Alice hurried to him and took his hand, examining his face and quietly asking what was wrong.
"A-Ahlice, we mus' speak in private," he started lisping, which meant something was really wrong.
"Excuse us," Alice turned around and dragged Tarrant through the crowd. She stopped only in a part of the maze where she had had a conversation with Mrs. Ascot.
"What's wrong?" Alice asked in worry and cupped Tarrant's cheeks. But now, as she looked closely, she noticed that Hatter was a bit... pellucid.
"Ahlice, Ah'm afraid Ah d'nae have much time left 'ere." Then his voice slowly straightened up and he stopped lisping. "Unfortunately I can't exist in this world. But we'll meet again in Underland in some time. I was happy to meet your mother. Here," he gave her a vial that could return her back, "Sort out everything you need and come back to me. We will move to Outlands, my Motherland, so that the Queen would never know you're there. And our friends wouldn't need to keep our secret."
"I still don't understand why you think it's important that she doesn't know about me. She even didn't see me once!"
"Do you really want to be her guard? After this war she would want you to be the protector of our land, but I don't want to risk your life." He caressed her cheek.
"What if I want it someday? It sounds exciting actually." After that Tarrant lowered his gaze, but she quickly drew his attention. "But first I'd really like to live a peaceful life with you, somewhere far away." She smiled.
He smiled to her. "Maybe someday we shall return to Underland and to the White Queen."
"Yes I want it."
He kissed her then and right before he was gone, she heard: "Fairfarren, Alice".
Alice returned to the party and observed all the guests. She spotted her mother and Mr. Ascot which were standing apart from the guests and talking about something. The girl moved to them through the crowd, gripping the vial tightly in her hand. She almost reached them, but suddenly something bad happened. She was too much excited about her future life with Tarrant and her mind was somewhere else, so that she didn't notice the step, which her mother and Mr. Ascot were standing on. She tripped over it and was about to fall down, but Mr. Ascot was quick enough to catch her before it happened. However, the vial slipped from Alice's hand, fell down on the floor and shattered into many pieces.
"No!" Alice fell down on her knees and just stared as the small amount of liquid that was now spilled in front of her eyes. The guests ceased speaking and their gazes were now turned in the direction of the girl. Some shook their heads in disapproval, some covered their mouths in shock and some were just staring at her, trying to comprehend what had happened.
"Alice?" Mrs. Kingsleigh inquired, "What's wrong, dear?"
"Tarrant..." this was all Alice could whisper and then she cried.
It was a cold morning. Alice walked down the dock toward the ship, which would take her and Mr. Ascot to China. After she broke the vial she had to change all her plans. In hurt, her heart was broken and she cried every night, remembering Tarrant and the other Underlandians. She tried to get back to Wonderland by jumping into the rabbit hole, but it appeared it had become just an ordinary burrow. Alice had to face the truth: she couldn't return to Underland.
She became Mr. Ascot's apprentice and suggested them expanding their trading business to China. At first, Mr. Ascot couldn't decide whether it was bad or good idea. But then he finally agreed it was a worthwhile decision.
So there they were, just about to put out to sea to the distant land. Alice said goodbye to her family. Her mother cried. Of course she did, after all, Alice was leaving if not forever, but for a very long period. But who knows? Mr. Ascot decided to come back more frequently though. But as Hamish was just about to marry another girl, he decided that for the time being his family would have its bread-winner.
So "Wonder", the ship they were on, departed and they started into the new world.
It was already night, but Alice couldn't sleep. She sat in her cabin and twirled some object in her hands. It was a fragment of the infamous vial. She had it dulled so it couldn't hurt her. It still remained the last thing she had from Underland, that's why the girl didn't want to just throw it away.
It was strange, but the glass never got any finger-prints. It was always as clear as the day. And right now Alice was thoroughly examining it. She still hoped it could somehow help her to return to Tarrant. But it never happened. So she sighed heavily, laid the piece on the table beside her bed, switched off the light and lay down onto the bed, waiting for sleep to come.
"Alice..." came a whisper.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up, searching for anyone that could be calling out for her. But no one seemed to be there. Alice was about to get back to sleep, but once again she heard a whisper, "Alice..."
"Who is there?" she asked loudly.
But then something caught her eyes. The piece of the vial was shimmering. She stood up and came up to the table. There was nothing shown in the glass, it was just shining in the dark.
"Took the glass and jump into the water!" came out from there.
Alice didn't move, still unable to believe what was happening. Was it really the way back? She was still in doubt, but the next moment the glass shone brighter. Alice gasped as she saw Tarrant's green eye staring at her from the shatter. No doubt, it was her chance. She grabbed the piece and stormed out of the room, not bothering to change her clothes.
She ran to the rail. The edge was so close, her Tarrant was so close and her dream was so close... She almost reached the rail, when suddenly she was caught by someone.
"Alice! Have you gone mad?! What are you doing?"
The girl turned her face to see that it was Mr. Ascot, who was holding her. She tried to release herself, but he was gripping her too tightly.
"Please, let go of me," she asked and stopped resisting. He complied. "Yes, I have gone mad," Alice continued, "I can't live like this anymore. It is not my world already. This is my world," and she showed the shining shatter to him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Ascot, but I must leave, I must jump into the water. And please don't tell my mother about this, she would think I am dead. But it's not truth. I will be alive, but in my world. I'll be sending letters, I promise! You will see. And, please, forgive me; I can't be your apprentice anymore. But I suppose you'll cope just fine like that. Fairfarren, Mr. Ascot! And please, don't think I'm dead. I'll prove it soon."
All the crew gathered on the deck, watching the scene. Alice noticed them as well.
"Fairfarren, all!" Alice cried and finally jumped over the rail and right into the sea.
The weather was just fine in Underland. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining and there was almost no wind, so that there was no ripple on the surface of the forest river.
Alice emerged from the water and swam towards the bank. As she was on the ground, she squeezed the water out of her nightgown and hair and rejoiced. She was indeed back in Wonderland.
"Alice?" A soft voice lisped.
Alice turned to her right and smiled, seeing her lover standing there. His eyes shone with happiness and he wore that mad smile on his lips, showing the gap between his front teeth, which made him lisp sometimes. He was there, waiting for her to start new life. And she ran to him, ran as fast as only a lover can run to his or her dearest. Alice was ready to face any adventure, any trouble and any joy with him. And she would.
The end.
A/N: So this is it. The end of my little story. Again, I'm really sorry I haven't updated for such a long time. I still hope some of you were still waiting for the close. Constructive critizism is appreciated, as well as just positive reviews. Till next time, dear fellows :)
