A/N: Wow, its been a while, sorry about that but I was extremely lazy over my thanksgiving break and did absolutely nothing. So, enjoy.
The ride on the Bandersnatch was just as uncomfortable as Dietrich remembered it. The creature spurred forward at alarming speeds that took the breath out of his lungs and more than a few times, it felt as though he would be shaken free of his grip on Hatter. He dug his fingers into the surprisingly soft fabric of the coat. His eyes stared at the green scarf, unseeing as he fought to keep his mind away from the depressing thoughts that surfaced each time he remembered the first meeting with the man. It wasn't the meeting that brought stinging tears to the corners of his eyes, moreover the girl who stood by him. A particularly bumpy stretch of road caused Dietrich to knock into Hatter causing a blissfully distracting grunt from the both of them.
"You are the most boring person to ride with," Hatter shouted over the wind whirling into Dietrich's ears.
"Mmph," Dietrich couldn't even think of a reply much less voice it as his mouth was filled with foliage or dust each time he opened it. He didn't have a huge scarf to protect him after all.
The woods started to thicken as they continued down the path. Dietrich peaked a look and observed that the trail had thinned into a small path rather than a road. Birds twittered as they flew from auburn branches and evergreen shrubbery. Small flowers were scattered through, like the others in the meadow they were now silent.
The Bandersnatch slowed its gait and Dietrich was finally able to form a sentence,"Why are the flowers not talking?"
"Winter is coming, they are preparing for their hibernation," Hatter replied ominously.
Dietrich looked back to the small patches of color, smiling silently he thought about the ruckus they would cause if they saw their petals falling as the frost began to settle. His head turned back to the scenery before him. Two giant walls arched into a sort of doorway with a collapsed top. Vines twined into and out of large cracks in the ancient stonework. Behind the arch, parallel rows of columns rose from the ground until they reached their craggy peaks a few yards about his head. To the far left he saw a broken window propped up on a wall of rock with a torn and bleached banner hanging beneath it. A set of thrones lined the farthest side of the room's remnants. Dietrich counted nine, though some rocks piled into heaps might have proved it to be a greater number. In the back of his mind, he wondered who resided in such fallen magnificence.
"What is this place?" Dietrich whispered, afraid that his voice would disrupt the magical feel in the air.
"Hatter apparently had no such concern and answered him in his usual high voice. "This was the old castle of the Red Queen, before it was taken over by the Heart domain."
"Red Queen?" Dietrich asked in confusion. "She is different than the Queen of Hearts?"
"You are not very bright are you," Hatter asked rhetorically before continuing, "They are very different things. The Red Queen shared her domain with her sister, the White Queen, who still rules the North. About 300 years ago, the Queen of Hearts at the time decided to expand her territories and proclaimed war. The Red Queen fell and her castle and armies were destroyed. These are the remains."
Dietrich looked around at the broken room again. It saddened him to see the decrepit condition of the once great hall. His thoughts were interrupted as his companion opened a small door in the ground by one of the heaps of rock near the thrones. A gasp of released air ruffled the scarf and nearly knocked over the top hat. Dietrich stared, not trusting the shadiness of the dark passage falling beneath him. These people are obsessed with falling through holes, he thought to himself.
"In you go," Hatter motioned.
"..." Dietrich just stared back at him.
"You want to save the Duchess don't you?" Hatter prodded.
Dietrich's brow scrunched but his gaze softened and he started toward the small trap door. Inside, a small stair could be seen, leading into an unseen corridor below. Taking a ring, Dietrich slowly descended into the unknown shaft, followed closely by his new companion. The last rung was covered in a sort of slime causing Dietrich to lose his footing and stumble down into a crouch.
The tunnel before him was lit by a few mining lamps that looked as though they had been there for centuries. Dietrich moved to the side, allowing Hatter to take the lead as they began to walk. Corridors snaked out of the one they were currently in, leading to unknown destinations. Hatter whistled a soft, eerie tune as they continued in a straight path. Finally, a golden gate came into view ahead. Dietrich was amazed at the sheer size of the large lock that was forged into it. It looked to be of similar craftsmanship as the one leading into White's room of Alices. The similarity put him on edge.
However, instead of walking to the door, Hatter took a sharp right and continued through a much smaller passageway. Dietrich had to bend over so his head didn't hit the ceiling or any projections that might have jutted out of it. Another curve and a turn left and then right brought then to a blank wall of rock and dirt. Dietrich was starting to question the reliability of his guide when Hatter took an old, gnarled root and gave it a hard pull down.
A creaking and whirring sounded form behind the wall as though gears were turning in a clock. The roots vanished into the wall and the outer layer of dirt fell in a small cloud as the hidden door opened in on creaky hinges.
Inside, a large cavern opened up. It was large enough to fit a whole city snuggly and have room to spare. In fact, it appeared as though a whole city had been built in it. Tents sprawled all around, as far as Dietrich could see. People wove their way through them, scurrying with strange contraptions in their hands or food and water. One extremely interesting man with a large blue hat full of matching plumage and a doctor's coat rushed with his arms full of bandages and a frighteningly large syringe was having quite some trouble keeping each of his things from falling over. He tripped twice over a lagging strand of medical wrap before diving into a large tent with a sloppy red cross painted on the side. Dietrich turned his gaze to five enormous machines lining the walls of the encampment. Each produced such a tremendous noise that he couldn't hear himself think. Pistons pushed and steamed and dials whirred and bright colors shown through thick glass and metal.
Before Dietrich could ask Hatter grabbed him by his already tattered collar and started dragging him down into the sea of tents. People gave them curious glances, a few even smiling and pointing excitedly. Dietrich felt his face turn red as the faces spun by and a minor case of claustrophobia gripped him. Hatter never relented though, and in only a few minutes they were entering the largest tent they had passed so far. It was plain outside but inside it was finely decorated with furs and paintings that would have cost fortunes back in Britain. Ornate lamps filled all three makeshift rooms with a golden light, pronouncing the features of each vase and sculpture.
A burly man stepped from the shadows of a room hidden in part by lush velvet curtains adorned with golden embroidery of birds and flowers. He nodded to Hatter and shot a menacing glare at Dietrich causing him to shrink back. Hatter gripped his collar once more and dragged him through the curtain as well.
"Ahh, Hatter. You have brought us a guest?" a silvery voice sounded from behind a large chair. The back was too high to see the person in it and the cliche aspect of this made Dietrich want to roll his eyes. Fear kept him still.
"Yes. He is the Alice that was running around with the Duchess recently. I found him by the edge of the road by the forest of lost names," Hatter replied. His stature had changed into a more formal stance. His back was ram-rod straight and his arms were pulled tightly to his sides. Whoever this man was, he was powerful to have Hatter in line.
The chair swiveled out as the man turned to give Dietrich an appraising glance. The man had sandy hair that was swept to the right of his face, covering one green eye. The other had a piercing stare that seemed to shred through Dietrich's soul. His lips were drawn in a straight line of concentration and a slight sprinkling of freckles gave the face a boyish look. His uniform comprised of a red coat with black trim and a large emblem of a sword largely covered by a heart and underlined with a very ornate 'A' on the breast pocket.
"Alice, it is an honor to finally meet you. It has been to long since I have seen one," the man said in his smooth dialect. Dietrich felt uncertain under the scrutiny of those eyes.
"It is nice to meet you as well sir," Dietrich was finally able to say.
A playful smile crossed the pale face as the man rose and walked around his hardwood desk to stand only feet away. "I am the former Ace of the late Queen of Hearts... and the leader of the rebellion against the blasphemous rule of White Rabbit. Though now, as I have lost my title, I am known as Ayden."
Dietrich gulped as he took the hand that had been extended to him. "Dietrich."
"Well Dietrich, I welcome you to the ranks."
The dark cell that held her had the smell of rot and dried blood. SHe didn't mind the rot as much as the blood. Years of it covering her hands and body had familiarized her with it but she was never quite comfortable with it. A slight squeak of unoiled hinges alerted her to the presence of someone else besides her in the cell. Her eyes didn't turn to see the visitor, remaining hidden behind her matted hair which was in dire need of a wash.
"Duchess?" a painfully soft voice asks uncertainly. She curses as the tears run down her face despite her attempts to hold it in.
"Cheshire," she croaks. Her voice trembled along with the rest of her body as the boy stepped closer. "How are feeling?"
The boy held a smile in his voice as he answered her, "Fine!"
The voice shattered her heart into a million pieces and she couldn't help but drag her eyes up to meet his. They were so similar, so alike. Even his smile was the same. Innocent, caring, looking at her. She pulled the corners of her lips up in a faint mimic. He laughed in joy at it as though it was the brightest smile in the world. He took her face in his warm hands, devoid of their claws now.
"King Rabbit says you can come play outside with me today."
With a rusty click, the manacle holding her to the wall released their iron grip on her. She couldn't hold herself up anymore and fell into his soft embrace. The strong arms wrapping around her melted through the pain and sorrow filling her with a beautiful feeling of bliss. She knew that it was wrong to forget everything else, the struggles all around her, but though arms were so compelling. They promised her happiness eternal, and she was far too tired to think of anything more than that.
"Where would you like us to go?" she asked as her fingers wove into the fabric of his shirt.
"Fountains!" he answered as he picked her up and took off down the corridor and up the stairs leading away from the dark dungeons. Outside the bright light caused her eyes to tear up again. The sun warmed her pale skin and drab clothes.
Once the fountains were in view, Cheshire set her down and allowed her to walk the rest of the way. The lack of exercise made her legs weak so she had to lean against him for support. The grass felt lush under her feet and she had to wonder if it truly was almost wintertime. Cheshire helped her sit on one of the stone benches surrounding the ornate waterworks and sculptures. He took no time in diving through the wall of water falling from a vase held by a mermaid. At times, the Duchess wondered whether he was a cat at all, what with his obscene affinity for water.
After a few more splashes and wild laughter, her Cheshire returned to give her a hug that left her as drenched as he was. Looking down at herself she allowed a small smile to grace her lips. "Cheshire, lets lay out in the sun to dry."
"Okay," he jumped up, ready to aide her if need be. She stretched her legs and pushed herself up. She was still wobbly but able to hold her weight now. Sliding down a small slope of grass she laid out and basked. A wet head rested itself on her stomach, causing her to let out a soft giggle. She ran her hand through the dark locks, savoring the feeling while she could. Until it was time to return to the dark, small cell that smelled of mold and dried blood.