A / N : Starting out on a negative note first but - hmm, I do hope you guys aren't getting bored with this story. If that really is the case, then I'm very sorry - but I must admit, the build up so far, is necessary. Why, would you ever read a book that would go straight into the action without setting the scene, or letting you get into the characters mind a little? Perhaps, but, I like knowing more about the characters relationships when I read a story - so that is what I intend to show for now. Either way, you won't have to worry - as I'm most determined that the chapters after this will really begin to kick off the story slightly [ or so I hope ]. Think of this chapter - even if it is dull and boring to you - as the calm before a great, huge storm.
This chapter will probably disappoint a lot of you - especially if you're sick of the 'lovely dovey puppy dog' stuff right now. But, this is my story, and I've worked hard to plan it - and I plan to stick to my plan, even if it is sappy in places. I'll admit, I don't like this chapter much myself, but I'm looking forward to next chapter [which I have already written 3/4 for, and I can honestly say it was a lot more fun than this one to write!]. Either way, if you do enjoy this chapter, feel free to let me know. As I really, truly don't know how to feel about it yet [hents my authors note being a bit blerrrrrgh today, which I apologize for].
Anyway, I'll leave you to read it for yourselfs now :)
He Loves And She Loves
It was later during the week, and Alice had decided that after being cooped up in her room for the majority of it, she very much wanted to get out of the castle for a while, wanting to capture some fresh air. Of course, with Mirana's new scheme of things put into place, Alice was not allowed to leave her room without some sort of escort by her side, someone who could be there for her if something bad were happened. Along with planning for her engagement ball, Alice's security was one of the highest measures in the castle right now, and Alice wasn't sure how to feel about that. With Tarrant being busy working on her dress for the ball in their honour, quite often she would be escorted by one of the queens maids or messengers. That was, the few times she would actually step out of her room. As the castle continued to become a busy atmosphere with various plans in the making, Alice had still continued to take up remaining in her room, deciding it would be easier and more comfortable for her to do so.
But not this afternoon. No, this current afternoon Tarrant was not busy with her dress or any other orders for hats that people had requested of him. Happy to know that the two of them could have some time alone together for awhile, he had visited Alice in her chambers, only for her to ask him if they could explore the castle grounds together. She had expected him to be more cautious over the idea, seeing as they wouldn't actually be inside the castle (but still remaining somewhat within the outer castle walls where they'd be protected) – but much to her surprise he embraced the idea rather quickly. So quickly in fact that it wasn't long until the two of them were walking down the castle hallways, heading in the direction that the gardens were located in.
When they finally reached the gardens, Alice's eyes glistened in pure happiness. It was only then that she actually remembered how much she truly missed the outdoors, especially since she had taken to being inside for so long. She turned to look at Tarrant and noticed him looking back at her too with a smile on her face, obviously just as happy to see her so joyful then. The two of them continued to walk on a little bit, still grinning stuipdly as they did.
"-that's what I heard anyway. Mind you, it wouldn't surprise me if she were lying."
"Oh how true you are! After all, we've heard her stories far too many times to know what's true and what's not."
"Not to mention what's complete and utter nonsense!"
Alice rolled her eyes slightly as the two of them walked passed a group of gossiping flowers, although she couldn't help hide the smile that was still prominent upon her face. In truth, Alice hated the way the flowers would constantly gossip, as it would often remind her of the way people of the high aristocracy back in her own world, and how they would often meddle in interests that otherwise had very little - if anything - nothing to them. Still, she couldn't help but smile all the same, as even though she hated the gossip she heard from the plants, she would admit that she had somewhat missed it, in a strange way.
Alice and Tarrant soon passed by the small group of flowers, and next they met a long line of blossom trees, which made Alice sigh in contentment then. Tarrant stopped and turned to look at her, blinking as he did so, and Alice could see he was trying not to laugh.
"Why Alice, that was an awfully big sigh there. It would seem as if something is on your mind." He replied, smiling back at her. Alice turned, looked back at the path they were currently walking on and continued walking forwards, Tarrant following her closely behind.
"Oh no, nothing's really on my mind. Least, nothing that's bothering me at least. I was only sighing in happiness. Why, it feels so long since I'd last been outside, I forgot how good it feels to be walking in the open air."
Tarrant stopped in his tracks again for a moment, looking at her slightly with his smile still softly written unto his face.
"You always were one who loved to explore."
Alice turned around again and looked back at him, confusion written on her brow. Tarrant shook his head, breaking out of whatever train of thought he was currently on, and walked towards her.
"Always have been. Ever since you were young – especially when you were young in fact. Why, I think your story on how you found Underland in the first place is a good indication enough of that. Falling down a rabbit hole indeed, how many children in your world manage that? Yes, I can honestly say, you might be the most curious and adventurous person I have ever known. And that most certainly is not a bad thing! No, it's a good thing. A very good thing in fact – well, sometimes. Sometimes it can be a bad thing – depending on where your curiosity is leading you-"
"Tarrant," Alice said, laughing slightly as she was beginning to lose track of what it was he was trying to say. She walked over to him and put her hands on his arms, looking up at him as she did so. "Your rambling again."
He looked down at her, confused for a moment, until he replied.
"I'm fine." He squeaked, shaking his head slightly. He looked back at her then. "I'm sure there was a point somewhere in what I said."
Alice's smile grew and she laughed again.
"I'm sure there was." She replied, her smile growing as she continued to look at him, their eyes locked in a gaze.
The two of them remained like that for a short while, unaware that the gap between them was becoming smaller and smaller until suddenly their lips met. It felt as if time had stood still for a moment, and Alice couldn't help but fill blissful happiness flutter lightly in her stomach. She'd missed this over the last few days, the simple times when it would just be the two of them. And by the way his arms hard wrapped themselves around her tightly, she knew that he missed her too.
They broke apart after a moment before the kiss could become too passionate, and Alice looked up at Tarrant strangely, only meeting a smiling expression on his face as he did so. She titled her head and furrowed her brow, wondering why the kissing had stopped. Tarrant must have somehow read her expression, as he soon began to talk.
"Honestly Alice, would you think of the trees? As much as I'd love to carry on what you're thinking of in your mind, you must remember that we are not alone." He said, his eyes travelling to the rows of trees around them.
She sighed; annoyed that he had chosen now to decide to be considerate of those around them. He was right in a way, Alice knew that – after all if the trees began to get upset then that would only lead unto the flowers gossiping about them, and she wouldn't want to deal with that. So in defeat, she crossed her arms, her eyes giving away what she was currently feeling even without having the talent of changing colour like his would. Tarrant on the other hand, seemed to take amusement out of her current feelings, as his smile didn't falter. Instead, he grabbed hold of her by the shoulders and swiftly turned her around, and then the two of them continue to walk forward, one of his arms still around her. As they walked forward, he continued to speak.
"Later, Alice dear. For now, let us enjoy this lovely walk, and talk about a great many wonderful things." He glanced back at her, noticing that her expression hadn't changed much. "Well, if you're going to continue looking like you've got a sour lemon in your mouth, I suppose it wouldn't make much difference if I told you that your dress is near enough finished."
Alice's face instantly lit up then, and she turned to look at Tarrant again, finding that he was looking right back at her with his smile still placed on his face.
"Really?" She asked, excitement beginning to bubble inside her at what he had just told her.
"Why Alice, are you suggesting I'd lie? But of course it is! I'd be in a bit of trouble if it wasn't after all, what with the engagement ball being tomorrow of all days. But, yes, I am almost finished. There's just a few things I'd like to add to it – which I will do later tonight – and it will be finished. If you don't mind, I'll bring it to your chambers early tomorrow morning."
"Oh no I don't mind at all! Why, I can only imagine how wonderful it will be. I simply cannot wait to see it!" Alice replied, her eyes glistening with the excitement she was currently feeling.
"And you shall see it. Tomorrow, just like I promise." He replied, smile growing. "Now, shall we continue this lovely walk before it gets dark and we have to return to the castle? If I remember rightly, it was you who wanted to walk outside so desperately after all."
The two of them continued to walk on, lost in conversation as they did so. At one point the two of them stopped to have a conversation with one of the many trees that stood on the grounds. Alice found that the trees riddles were almost as confusing as Tarrant's various riddles, and it wasn't too long until they confused her completely in the current conversation. It was however, of no surprise to her that Tarrant managed to understand the majority of the trees riddles – why should it after all? She knew how much he loved pondering over them himself. What she did find funny however, was that for the riddles that he did find compounding and confusing; she in fact knew the answer for.
When the conversation was finished – or more, when the tree decided it no longer wanted to talk to either of them – the both of them decided that it was time for them to return to the castle, not wanting to be outside when it got finally dark. They continued to talk as they walked through the halls to her chambers, meeting many of the queen's servants, maids and guards as they did so. Alice almost wanted to keep count on how many people they passed on their journey back, noting that even in the evening the castle was still busy as of late. Still, by the time the two of them did reach her chambers, the idea left her mind, and Alice decided to focus her attention else ware.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Alice felt Tarrant's arms fall around her waist tightly, and she almost jumped from the shock of his actions. Instead, she laughed quietly. After a few moments she fell comfortably into his embrace, her own hands falling on top of where his were. She felt him bury his head into her hair, knowing that he was breathing her scent, allowing himself to believe that she was in fact with him, in his arms, and that it wasn't a dream – something he often did when they were alone together. The two of them remained that way, utterly content in being in the presence of the other.
"I can't wait to be married to you finally," She heard him say after a while, his voice muffled slightly from where he was burying himself in her hair. Alice's smile crept back upon her face at those words, knowing what he was feeling at that moment.
"Neither can I." She replied, closing her eyes as her smile grew, showing how happy she really was.
After a moment of the two of them remaining like that, Alice's eyes opened, and she turned around in Tarrant's embrace so that she was looking straight back at him. When his gaze met hers, she continued to speak, her eyes shining mischievously as she did so.
"Do you want to know a secret of mine? Something I haven't told anyone before?"
Tarrant nodded, and Alice could detect his eyes change their message slightly to show how eager he was to hear whatever it was she had to say. She leant towards him slightly, so her mouth was level to his ear, and Alice whispered her secret to him.
"When I was little, I always knew that if I ever were to marry someone, I would only ever want to be very married."
Alice pulled back and watched as Tarrant's face morphed into one of confusion, and she felt the need to hold in her laughter. She knew all too well that her statement would most likely confuse him, yet she still couldn't help but laugh when she saw his confused expressions.
"I'm sorry Alice but – I'm not quite sure what you mean. How can you be 'very married'? Surely marriage is the same for everyone, and surely it means the same thing. Unless, perhaps in your world there's different kinds of marriage – which would actually be very confusing for anyone to truly understand, as how would you be able to decide which type of marriage is right for you –"
"No Tarrant," Alice interrupted, laughing slightly as she did so. She raised her hands and placed them on either side of her face, turning it slightly so that he was looking back at her directly again.
"In my world, marriage usually does mean the same thing – or at least, the idea of marriage does. Yet the actual reasons as to why people marry vary very much so, depending on the circumstances of the situation they could be found in."
"Depending on the circumstances?"
"Yes, very much so. Sometimes, marriage can be decided in aims of reaching an agreement; such as the joining of two powerful family names, or for the aim of someone or a particular family obtaining something which is regarded as important, such as money or power."
"That sounds more like an agreement than a marriage to me." Tarrant replied, the tone of his voice revealing to Alice that he wasn't liking what she was telling him. Truth was, she didn't like the truth any more than he did – but she felt it important to tell him such things so he could understand her secret, and the significance it meant to her – to the both of them.
"Sadly, it usually is just that: an agreement which is often hidden behind the form of a marriage. It's very sad when you think about the bigger picture. That those two people involved in such an agreement can never be happy, not truly happy at least. Only rarely do people in my world ever get married simply for love. Luckily, my parents did, and they both led a happily married life with one another. My sister on the other hand, well; you know the story of her marriage. And of course there's the incident when my mother thought it would be ideal for some inconceivable reason to try and marry me off to Hamish –"
"Don't even remind me of that particular story, Alice."
She watched as Tarrant's expression showed his dislike at the memory of what she had told him about Hamish beginning to surface in his mind, and Alice smiled sadly.
"I know, it wasn't a nice event for me to live through, but at least it did happen. For if it didn't then I may never have accidentally arrived back here, with you. At least something good came out of that situation. Anyway, that only proves my point as well. I never accepted Hamish's proposal due to the fact that I knew it just wasn't right for me, wasn't what I truly wanted. To have that life, to live with a man who I knew could never make me truly happy – there was no possible way I could have agreed to his proposal. And when I remember how happy my parents were together, I remember the agreement I made with myself when I was younger. The promise that if I ever did get married, it would only be for love, and I had to know in my heart of hearts that it was exactly what I wanted. Thus, the idea of being very married that I somehow managed to conjure up. A marriage based purely on love, such a perfect thing that's so rare to find."
Alice pulled her hands away from his face then, her smile growing. She then wrapped her arms around him and laid her head upon his chest, closing her in eyes in contentment.
"And I can honestly say, I'm so very glad I found that happiness and that love with you, Tarrant. And I know very well that we'll both be very happily very married together."
And at that comment, Tarrant's confused expression transformed into one of pure happiness and joy, and as Alice finished talking he wrapped his arms tighter around her again, burying his head into her hair and smiling smugly to himself. Yes, the two of them would be 'very happily, very married' indeed.
And that's the end of chapter nine!
If you have anything you wish to say, feel free to do so, I honestly don't bite. Reviews & opinions would really make me feel better about this chapter, but again, entirely your choice at the end of the day. The next chapter I would like to say would be up soon, considering I've already almost finished it. However, I have a few exams to prepare for, and I really should focus on that. So if there's a slight delay, you know why.
Also, if you're interested - I have a new Alice story up that your more than welcome to read. It's about Alice's adventures when she first enters Underland when she was a little girl, and the chapter uploaded right now is her first tea party with the Hatter. It's small, it's to the point - and I would love to hear your opinions on it! Especially since I'm not sure weather to leave it as a one shot or add more chapters to it. Your feedback would be lovely on that! If your interested, you can access the chapter on my profile - titled as 'More Than A Memory'.
Well, I think that's all I have to say / advertise for now. So, until the next chapter!
