….
Marcus had entered ahead of her, talking animatedly with Regina, telling her all about their adventure. The old family home was smaller than she remembered. The colors were different, showing evidence of a restoration over the years. Marline, the voluptuous woman, had told her that the home was modernized several times over the years, but the layout remained the same. Her old room was still there, in fact: Just as she had left it. The family had carefully preserved the place, opening it up as a museum during the summer months.
Regina had grabbed her hand, leading her inside after she hesitated at the door. Murmuring words of encouragement, she led Alice through the atrium and into the parlor. Alice blinked back the sudden moisture in her eyes when she didn't see her mother and father seated in the chairs.
"Come into the conservatory, Miss Alice!" Marcus called from the sun room. "Wait til you see who's here!"
Alice stepped into the conservatory, overcome for a moment by the view of the estate grounds through the glass windows. In the center, a small table was set for tea. Seated at the table were…
"Mulan!" Alice cried, "And BELLE!" She ran into the woman's arms as she rose from the seat to welcome her.
"Oh, Alice!" Belle murmured into the golden hair, holding her tightly, tears streaming down her face. Alice sobbed loudly into her shoulder, overwhelmed by her emotions.
"Alice, lovey," She said, pulling Alice off her shoulder and holding her at arm's length, looking into her eyes with a tearful look of stern disapproval. "Don't you ever, ever leave us like that again!"
Alice sniffled, smiling at the woman with bright, watery eyes. "Never." She hiccuped.
….
Alice sat with the two ladies, filling them in on what happened when Reginald came to save her, telling them about her adventures in the continent, leading up to her arrival here at the Family home. Afterwards, Alice listened intently to them speak about the state of Wonderland. Belle recounted the search for her, and Reginald's consultation of the Cheshire Cat, then the subsequent fallout from the looking-glass's damage. Alice gasped in horror at the news of Mary Anne's arrival and destruction. The pain of the Cheshire Cat in her dream rolled through her mind, lancing her heart.
"The Cheshire Cat appeared during my mission." Mulan said, explaining how they had arrived. "He told us that we were headed to certain death, looking for the broken Mirror, and he led us to the small door that led to the Rabbit Hole. Belle, who had masterminded the entire expedition, arrived shortly afterwards with some 'Drink me' potions and 'Eat me' cakes."
Belle turned towards the petite blonde, smiling. "We have your Hatter to thank for all this." She chuckled at Alice's flustered reaction, knowing her best friend's eagerness to hear about him. "If it wasn't for him, we would have never gotten here."
Alice drank her tea a bit too fast, face reddened. The ladies giggled at her.
"Is he alright?" Alice finally asked, searching Belle's face.
"He was nearly destroyed by your disappearance." Belle said, sadly. "We thought we were going to lose him for a while there."
Mulan set her cup down sadly, thinking of her own husband.
"But he is working hard now, preparing for the arrival of Mary Anne's army." Belle continued. "He never forgot you for a second and never gave up hope that you'd be back."
Alice felt her heart warm, contrasting with the aching pain that bloomed at Belle's words. "Well, I mustn't disappoint him." She finally announced, standing up. "I have to get back to the Rabbit Hole immediately."
"We have a little time to wait." Belle said quietly. "The Cheshire Cat warned us that the Rabbit Hole would be sealed for a bit, while he gathered the strength to reopen it."
"Mary Anne… she's killing me." Cheshire's pain echoed in her mind.
"Well I hope he doesn't wait too long." Alice said, her eyes focusing inward. "I don't think we have the luxury of time anymore."
Mulan pushed the teacup and saucer away. "It only gives us just enough time to prepare, I think." She said, the light of purpose in her dark, almond eyes.
"Prepare? How?" Alice asked, brow furrowed.
Mulan lifted a sheathed Chinese sword from the floor beside her and placed it on the table where it rested, contrasting dramatically among the delicate teacups and saucers. Alice's face paled.
"Yes." The graceful woman whispered. "Your swordsmanship. We start your training tonight."
Alice gulped. It had been years since her formal fencing days. She wasn't that great at it then, she would be an absolute disaster now. "I am…. A little rusty." She said, fidgeting in her seat.
"Well I'll do my best to change that." Mulan smiled serenely.
….
Reginald looked around him, noting the light ending in darkness beyond his sight. This wasn't like the other dreams. He looked about eagerly, sensing her nearby.
Her sharp cry of challenge spun him in place. Barely able to think fast enough, he lifted a sword to parry her overhead slash, the blades ringing loudly at impact. Alice stood before him, a long sword at the ready, grinning at him with a fire in her eyes.
He admired her battle dress, the scaled metal plates of her knee-length skirt and armored boots glowing in the mysterious light of the dream. Her breastplate was not form-fitting, much to his disappointment, and was v-shaped at the neck, where chainmail rose up her neck. Her arms were chain-mail draped, ending in silver gauntlets at her hands. Her hair was bound up on her head, a practical solution to being worn under a helmet during battle. She grinned at him, eyes sparkling merrily.
"Well now, Cricket," He drawled, admiringly. "I had no idea that you were into role-play."
Her arrested look and instant flush made him laugh out loud. She lunged forward and glared at him as he vaulted away easily.
"Did Lumiere train you to do that?" She bit back, mischievously. "You are as graceful as a ballerina, my dear Hatter."
He laughed again, refusing to rise to her bait. "Lovely Cricket, most of this is my own natural grace." He spun in place, arms wide. "As you discovered on the dance floor during the ball…" His eyes half-lidded and flirtatious.
Her face glowed at the memory. He took the opportunity to lunge back at the distracted woman, appreciating her quick reaction as she dodged and thrusted at his exposed flank, leaping into the close-combat range past his sword arm. A deft twist and his sword fell to protect himself, deflecting her well-aimed attack.
"My my, dear Alice," He said, still breathing easy, to Alice's frustration. "Not bad for a beginner."
Alice, in contrast, was beginning to pant.
With a shout, she dashed back in, her footwork graceful as she danced through his lazy attacks, determined to get past his defenses. He smiled indulgently at her not-entirely-unskilled attempts, intending to make her work for it.
Alice was just getting to enjoy herself when the Hatter called for a truce, waving a small white flag and grinning at her. She laughed breathlessly, eyes nearly closed, and sunk to the floor, gasping cool air into her burning lungs.
Reginald collapsed next to her on the floor, legs splayed out in front of him and arms back, propping him up. They laughed together for a few moments, the adrenaline coursing through them and leaving an exhilarating glow.
"That was Mulan's techniques, I hope?" He asked, eyeing her eagerly. He was elated when the woman nodded her head excitedly.
"Yes! Oh, Reginald! Belle and Mulan are here in this world! They came up the Rabbit Hole and found my relatives. Its so good to see them again!"
His heart hitched for a moment as she spoke about her family and how glad she was to see that her dear sister's children were so successful. "So, you have a family after all?" He asked, the words bittersweet. "You have a reason to stay?"
Her eyes caught his and held them. He held his breath.
"I am relieved that my family is there, but I have a reason to go back to Wonderland. A few of them, in fact. I am determined to get there, one way or another." She met his gaze with fire and tenacity burning behind her brilliant blue eyes.
He released the held breath, relieved. He mentally prayed that he was one of those reasons.
"Besides," she continued. "Wonderland is in trouble. I can't stay here and pretend that everything is okay." She looked out into the darkness, her beautiful mouth in a thin, resolute line.
She was breathtaking.
"Well don't you worry, my Cricket." He grinned. "We'll make it. Don't we always?"
She grinned back, her eyes softening. "We will, I know it." She looked away into the misty edge of the dream and her grin became wistful.
"Reginald," She whispered. "These aren't just dreams, are they? I'm really speaking to you right now, and I have been in every dream of you since I've left." She turned her eyes to him for confirmation.
"Yes," he said, meeting her gaze. "Dreams can be like that in Wonderland."
She leaned against him, safe in knowing that it was too late to go back to her prim and proper ways.
"I'm glad, you know. But if you ever mention it, I'm going to pretend I don't know what you're talking about."
He laughed, resting his head on hers where she leaned against him.
"Challenge accepted, Cricket. Now with that out of the way, what was it you wanted to tell me before?" He asked, smirking.
She paled a little, then blushed. "I- uh, I wanted to tell you…" She paused as he raised a hand, silencing her. He was looking into the darkness with a cold intensity, eyes moving back and forth.
"What is it?" She asked, feeling the icy touch of fear tap her heart.
"Cricket, I think we're under attack." He hissed, vaulting to his feet.
Alice clambered to her own feet, eyes wide. "Reginald," She cried, reaching for him.
The Hatter turned around and grabbed her by the shoulders, his hollow, icy eyes warming as he gazed upon her lovely, frightened face. "Alice, my beloved Cricket," he whispered. "I must go. Please, if anything happens to me, I want you to know..."
"No, Reginald, please!" She whispered waveringly. "You can tell me when I see you in Wonderland!" The naked hope in her eyes lanced his heart.
"I want you to know that I love you. No matter what, I have always loved you." He gasped, hanging on to the dream. "Never forget that, my Dearest."
The love and hope that lit her shimmering eyes burned into his soul. He felt the waking world tear him away from the dream, throwing him solidly into a room where, outside the open window, the fires of war were turning the sky red with flying embers.
….
Alice screamed, sitting up in her bed in a cold sweat. The sound of running footsteps grew louder and her bedroom door flew open: Belle, Mulan, and Regina's pale faces emerging.
"Alice," Belle asked, breathlessly. "What's wrong?"
Marcus charged in, frying pan held in his hands as he looked fiercely around the room. "Who's attacking you?" He cried menacingly "I'll beat them to a pulp!"
Alice sat in the bed, eyes wide and staring into nothing.
"Alice?" Mulan whispered, concern ringing in her voice. "Talk to us."
Alice's terrified, haunted eyes moved, unblinking towards them, glowing unsettlingly in the moonlight. Her lips moved without a sound.
"Alice!" Belle ran to the bed, clasping the deathly pale girl's face in both hands. "You're ice cold!" She exclaimed.
"Reginald…." Alice rasped. "under…attack…"
Belle's breath whistled as she sucked in air, horrified. She wrapped her arms around the woman, holding on fiercely as the body-wracking sobs took hold of the fair-haired girl. Marcus crawled up on the bed, hugging her other side, eyes bright with tears.
Moonlight spilled across the bed as it emerged from behind a cloud, bathing the room in a silver glow; as cold and lonely as the grief that filled the chamber.
….