Of Mad Hatter and Truth Serums

Really I'll try to keep this simple: saw the movie loved them, wept because they are not mine.

So, finally chapter 10 and moving on with the story, I think it's going too slow wouldn't' you guys say so? Two funny things happened this weekend; I had a craving for apple pies and my muse (the muse) left me totally alone. So there I was reading fanfics and weeping at the thought of not ever finishing this story… I know sad, isn't it? But she's come back, much like a dog with its tail between its legs and now we are moving along. Oh by the way… Nah forget it I'll write it in another chapter.

By the way, love the reviews keep 'em coming.

Alice lifted from her sitting position to fetch another candle. After the Hatter's departure, that was two days ago, she'd secluded herself to her room; more specifically sitting on her desk opening letter after letter. The White Queen had been as kind as to leave her a marble letter opener, ink, paper and envelopes along with the most amazing wax that sealed the envelopes on its own. It even took the form of a small shield! Alice read letter after letter, piling them up beside her, and when she finished one she would caress the paper, sometimes even kiss the lines and then proceeded to answer the letter.

So far she had four letters for Hare, two for Mally, three for the White Queen and an amazing 12 for the twins. She would just reach in and pull the first envelope she grabbed, opened it and read… And this was had the most amazing calligraphy she's seen so far, it could rival the one of the White Queen. Reading the letter, that was but a short few lines, Alice frowned and turned it… Then picked the envelope and her frown deepened.

"Shouldn't you be asleep, silly girl?" Asked the blue butterfly flying around the newly lit candle.

"Most curious Absolem, can you read?"

"Of course I can! The mere question offends me."

"Then read." And she showed him the letter, which he read…

"What?" He asked, as confused as she was.

"What indeed. Hatter didn't mention anything about a big snow in Underland, so I guess it must have happened while he was away. What should we do?"

"A letter is in order I believe, although I won't be able to carry these many."

"This letter, I believe is most important to be delivered. To whom should we address it?"

"Tarrant of course, if it's true it would be pointless to addressed to the Queen." And nodding Alice started her letter.

She'd kidnapped the truth.

Tarrant knew that if he kidnapped her possibilities of finding a good suitor she'll let go of her big secret. It wasn't like he would tell everybody what her secret was, he just needed to get it out of the way, clear up the snow and then have tea parties. Although her silence only fueled his suspicions of conspiracy. Tarrant didn't waste time, he went back to his room, picked his good coat (a new coat he made) his boots (a new pair he found) and without a glance back left Marmoreal. On his way out he saw the Bandersnatch playing with the snow, unbothered and its keeper walking slowly behind it. Unlike those days when the Bandersnatch spent his days held inside a small cage where he could barely stand, the White Queen had him free, a caretaker always around him so no one would dare harm him (as if anyone dared near those teeth) and food and water were little but scarce. She'd given those slaves of the Red Queen freedom in her lands, and both the Bander and Bayard could give testimony of that.

How could that man be out in this snow? Wondered Hatter walking hurriedly through the path that lead away from the castle. By moonrise he would probably have tea at a clearing in the forest…

Now that he thought about it everything was snowed in where will he rest? The sound of something howling in the distance made the Hatter turn with worry and frown… He ought to find shelter faster than the moon took to rise. Suddenly the color red flashed across the snow a few feet away and Hatter hurried to bury himself in the snow, hiding from the red knights. Although war was over and they now served the White queen; why was he hiding anyway?

He was used to do it, why stop now?

"I heard the sleeping quarters are all in an uproar. Most of the guards have heard of the truth serum Mr. Hightopp had gone fetch. Everyone wants to be interview to marry the Queen."

"Did you sign in?"

Sign in?

"Nah, there are more important things to do, beside I have to keep I'll just keep searching for a lady meself." And they shared a laugh while walking away, their armors clinking louder than their voices. The Hatter remained dropped on the snow, feeling its coldness invade him. To what would they sign in and why was everyone aware of the Queen's plans to have him interview the knights? Who was lying; Belian or Lieutenant Grove? As his mind swirled with these questions and a few more (why was a raven like a writing desk?) his arms and legs moved on their own and created a snow angel with a hat.

He spent a long time there, just thinking about the mere idea of snow and angels and Alice. Then he had a crazy thought, not that it was rare for him to have such thoughts, and sat up. Why was he so cold?

"Silly Tarrant, really saying those things to the Queen, she'll have your neck for that." Said Chess appearing out of dreams of snow, or so Tarrant thought. He looked at Chess with a smile, vague and silly, on his lips. Tarrant wasn't aware that at the moment he was making the most feared prophesy truth; his hypothermic state didn't even allow him to think about Alice. The Queen's warm face appeared above Tarrant's and for a moment he wondered if he was dreaming, or probably hallucinating; he'd left Marmoreal, hadn't he?

"Rest, dear Hatter, rest. You are safe and warm now." And Tarrant closed his eyes. Darkness took him for the second time that day, or week, or something, and Tarrant dreamed of Alice for a while. They were sitting like in most of his false memories having tea and a picnic, her wearing a lovely hat (his creation of course) and a dress very much like the first one she ever came to Underland in. She was laughing at something he'd said and Tarrant so loved to see her laugh. It was the sound of pure happiness, she was made of happiness and love… but in this dream it was snowing, and she was pulling herself closer to him for warmth.

"Alice?" He asked, as if hopeful she would answer. But all she did was smile and reach for his hand, caressing her face with it. Only then did Hatter regretted having his gloves on because he would have felt her skin against his own.

"Alright, all done." She sealed the letter and turned to Absolem.

"Tell me Alice what would you take to Underland with you, if you do ever return?"

"Well that's simple; all these wonderful letters, a dress, and myself." The butterfly stared at her, and if Alice knew Absolem he was smiling. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing of importance. Now come, we must deliver the letter."

"We?"

"Yes, we, silly. When have you seen a butterfly carry an envelope?"

"You've got a point." In her night clothes Alice tiptoed around the house and reached the hallway without being spotted. The girl moved to the back of the house, to where the kitchen was and silently opened the back door to the garden. The air outside was chilly and Alice just shivered and kept walking. "This way, girl, we only have to slip it under the mirror and we'll be done with it."

"You just didn't mention how chilly it was."

"Yes, well. I forgot."

"Oh, don't worry I forgive you." She said sarcastically shaking her head and heading through the maze she'd taken Tarrant through. "Just slip it under the mirror, right?"

"Yes, once done turn and don't look back."

And Alice did.

Tarrant awoke with a star and the need to see the stars of Underland. He sat up in the bed and moved to thrown his legs of the side of the comfy furniture, the room was warm and toasty and the Hare was sitting on the chair beside it, deeply asleep. Outside it was night and amazingly enough it had stopped snowing. Hatter pulled one of the warm throws around his shoulders and wiggled his toes, they were still cold but he would survive. He took a deep breath and felt suddenly very stupid; why would he try and leave Marmoreal with this weather? And even though he didn't regret not helping the Queen with her suitor's problem he was sorry for having treated her so badly when she had practically saved his life.

He stood, fidgeting with words of apology in his mind, and stepped into something dry and slippery. He catch his step and looking down… A letter coming from… the night table? He picked it up and almost ripped to pieces when he saw the author's name: A. Kingsley.

To whom ever find this letter

Well Hello, yes this is a letter from the Alice. And if you are reading this you must find the Hatter and hand him the sealed envelope in between this page…

He quickly opened the envelope and read:

Dear Hatter:

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that you arrived at your destination well. I thank you for having visited and for all those beautiful gifts you left, hoping you are enjoying telling stories of our little day together ("Oh, Alice it wasn't a little day! It should be remembered always!") with the others.

Dearest Tarrant while reading the box of letters you've left me something odd; a letter address to me from the Bandersnatch ("I was wondering about that, my love, how is the Bander's calligraphy?"). Amazingly enough his calligraphy is far better than even Queen Mirana's. ("What?") In his letter the Bander explained to me how he needs help stopping himself from drowning Underland in snow for he cannot stop it. Can you make any sense of it, my love?

I've enclosed the letter for you to read. Please let me know your answer as soon as you can.

Yours truly, Alice

She called him my love. That alone made the Hatter's day. Wait; he had a mystery here to resolve, Alice would have to wait. Well really could he put Alice away even in thoughts? "I don't think so!" He said to himself, giddy with the bit of news, and Alice calling him my love. "Now that is just not good enough. Hare Call for Tea!" Hatter called loudly waking the Hare and feeling like one of those detectives he'd read with his mother long ago. He walked to the closet, opening both door and looking at all the shirts and coats and pants and pajama… and hats. Lots and lots of hats. Everything was alike, except the hats that were all different in color and size but since he only wore one hat all those hats were brand new. He looked around the closet and selected his clothing for the day, something presentable, since he was going to apologize to the Queen. The Hare had jumped awake and happy to serve, hurried to see the tea was properly served, but before the little hare would brew it himself. "And Call the Queen!"

There was a plan brewing in his messy mad head.

"Hatter? Are you there?" Asked the Queen as March entered the dark room with a tray full of treats and most importantly the seeping kettle. The Queen followed, a little worried about her hypothermic friend. She asked the candles to light up and they did, revealing a messy room, clothes everywhere, several pairs of shoe lying about and the Hatter sitting in the very middle fixing a hat. He didn't seem to notice them enter and only when Hare offered the cup of tea did he glanced up from the hat he was currently working on.

"Ah, there you are. I've been wondering where you left to."

"Sugar?"

"Cream please." He then turned and jumped on his chair as he looked at the Queen, standing there with a smile, unknown to the Hatter the White Lady was thanking whatever force or god was out there; her friend was fine. "Me lady." He was quick to offer her a chair, while the Hare pulled a small table to serve her tea as well. "I am most humbled by your presence here, after all the erm… damage I've done to your plans. But here I am, all ready to continue with our planning." Mirana stared at him through the entire speech, speechless herself. Then he leaned to her, as if to ask her his trademark riddle. "I am very, very sorry, Mirana."

Mirana's eyes watered, and she looked up, shaking her head. "It's alright."

"So… When do we start having tea parties?" He asked, before taking a good sip of his tea. "Mm, cinnamon and chocolate, I like it March."

"I thought you would, here a bit of apple pie."

"Thanks you."

"Hatter, tea parties in this weather?"

"No better weather than this fine night's." And he continued his sipping