Thank the long weekend for the quick updates! Gives me time to type out everything I wrote by hand...

Anyways, a special thanks to

-Katieghost

and

-Ngoc Chau

For the really quick and very nice reviews! It really means a lot to me that you took the effort to say some feedback.

Anyways, on with the story

--

It didn't take long for the mood to lighten, Thackery had made an immense lunch despite the protests against need that much food.

Sitting in his chair at the head of the table, his mother on his right, Thackery beside her and Mally sitting on the table to his left, he could help but think of how wonderful this was.

Conversation was lively as everyone inquired about everyone else, laughter sounded boisterously throughout the yard as Slàine wiped cheerful tears from her eyes.

"You're awfully quiet Hatter" Mallymkun said, looking up at him with joyful eyes.

"Merely enjoying the moment" he replied, grinning down at her.

There was a breeze like sound and a clank of cups, making the Hatter frown

"Hello Tarrant" Ches said, solidifying at the other end of the table

"Ches?" Slàine said, causing Tarrant to look at her in confusion.

"Slàine I must say, it's been far too long. I suppose I should have known the young Hatter here would be your offspring"

She chuckled "as charming as ever I see"

The cat merely smiled in response

"You two know each other?" The Hatter asked, earning an eye roll form the cat.

"Your father was employed in court, do you honestly find it surprising that I know your family?" Chess said sardonically.

He thought a out it a moment "I suppose your right"

"Do you mind if I join you?" Ches asked

"As long as you don't break anything, then you are welcome"

The smile widened

Hours went by and eventually the sun began to set, cooling the night air quite quickly.

"we have a guest room if you'd like to stay the night" Mallymkun offered to Tarrant's mother "walking through the forest at night isn't the best idea"

Slàine nodded "well if it's alright with Tarrant"

"Of course it is!" he chimed in happily "you are always welcome here"

"Thank you son" she replied thankfully "tomorrow I would love if you'd accompany me to Witzend, to see the Hightopp clan yourself"

Tarrant's eyes lit with excitement "I'd love to"

As the sun dipped further and further in the soon to be night sky, they bid their farewells to Cheshire before moving inside.

There is no need to be shy love, this is your home too"

Tarrant stood in front of the quaint little building, chewing his lip nervously

Chuckling his mother moved towards him, taking his hand she led him onto the porch and through the door.

Almost instantly the memories hit him.

Giggling loudly he ran into his mother's open arms, stumbling the last few steps.

Embracing him she lifted him into the air, smiling when he laughed playfully.

"Wee!" she cried as she spun around

Her laughter soon joined his as she sat down on the sofa, bouncing him gently on her knee.

The sound of the door opening and closing caught her attention, after a few seconds his father appeared in the room, love filling his eyes at the sight before him.

"Hello love" he said, leaning over the back of the sofa so kiss Slàine softly.

"How was work?" she asked cheerfully, still bouncing a giggling Tarrant.

"slightly uneventful but enjoyable none the less"

The toddler finally noticed his father's presence, face lighting up in excitement.

"Daddy!" he exclaimed, reaching for his father.

Alastair picked up his son from his mother's lap, kissing his cheek lovingly.

"How's my boy doing?"

"Mummy and I played all day, and she helped me pant a picture!"

"Did she now" his father asked, smiling at the adorable lisp the young boy seemed to have inherited.

Tarrant nodded

"Well then we must see it at once!"

Holding his son with one arm, he took his wife's hand with the other leading her over to the art room.

Letting Tarrant down he watched as the tyke ran towards a bright painting.

With a little difficulty he brought the painting over to his father, holding it proudly.

It was a hat, drawn as well as a child could.

Around it was swirls of every color, some of them obviously done by his mother.

"It's amazing!" Alastair said, kneeling in front of his son "would it be alright with you if I hung it up in my workroom at the castle?"

Tarrant shook his head "take it father! I made it for you!"

His father smiled and embraced his son "I love it"

"Tarrant?" Slàine asked, shaking his shoulder slightly

"I remember!" he exclaimed suddenly, making his mother jump.

"Remember what?"

"You, my father and… the painting"

She smiled "you were quite the artist"

"He did not seem mad"

"Sadly, he was, but seeing you always brought back his sanity enough for him to be a good father"

Tarrant sighed "he really did love me, didn't he?"

"We both still do, despite him not being here his love will never die"

A smile decorated his features as he looked about the home.

"I have something for you" she said suddenly, rushing to another room.

The Hatter followed her, leaning against the door frame he watched her search through drawers.

After a few minutes of looking, she finally found the item of interest. Turning to face him she watched as his eyes flew wide at the sight of her find.

She was holding a very long, very dangerous looking sword.

"Wh-what?" he asked, confused

Slàine chuckled "this was your father's, the White Queen gave it to him and he was meant to give it to you"

"Why did she give him a sword, he was a Hatter not a soldier"

"When someone is employed in the White Court, especially one of the Hightopp clan, they are meant to also protect the Queen in times of danger. The Hatter tends to be one of the people closest to the Queen so they are given the order to protect her" she handed him the sword "this is yours now, use it well"

Even at his height he could place the tip of the sword on the ground and still have his hand resting comfortably on the hilt's end like an oversized cane.

"Thank you" he said examining the weapon

"He would be so proud of you"

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