Journey to the Past Chapter Ten

Oh Frabjous Day!

The time had come. The Grand Celebration was about to begin. All of Underland was waiting for the moment when the official announcement would come. Any minute now, the Celebration could begin.

The sun rose over the Crimson Sea, lighting the land in a golden glow. At first, the sound was low-an almost musical chant that seemed to make the very air vibrate. But then it grew louder, until it could be heard throughout all of Underland-

OH FRABJOUS DAY!

CALLOOO! CALLAYY!

The chant was picked up by the talking flowers, twittered by the birds, passed from person to person until it echoed and re echoed throughout the land. People ran out of their homes, cheering and happily passing along the message of joy and elation.

When it reached Marmoreal, it swept through the halls of the palace, sending shockwaves of joy through each and every person. In the kitchens, Thackery happily shouted it, dancing about the counters.

Even Mirana forgot herself for the moment and twirled about the throne room, laughing and shouting the chant in unabashed joy. "Oh Frabjous Day!"

In their cottage, Alannah and Stayne were also celebrating. Stayne was dancing about the room, chanting over and over. Alannah was watching him, laughing. Suddenly, Stayne grabbed her, twirling her about the cottage. "Oh Frabjous Day! Callooo! Callay!"

Alannah laughed in breathless joy, allowing herself to be led across the floor. Stayne suddenly stopped twirling and kissed her as hard as he could. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a child giggling. They turned, glaring in mock anger at Katarina. Alannah adopted a mock serious tone.

"Young lady, what are you doing up so early? Normally we have to drag you out of bed."

Katarina grinned. "I heard something that woke me up, Momma. It sounded like singing-it was really pretty, and I wanted to hear it some more. What's Frabjous Day mean?"

Alannah smiled. "Frabjous Day is the day that Aunt Alice slew the Jabberwock and saved all of Underland." She sighed, and looked at Stayne. "It's also the day you were sent into Exile."

He smiled softly. "Yes, and it was also the day you saved me from that Exile. That was the first time since the Masquerade that I had actually seen you-but I could never get you out of my mind. I even asked one of the Courtiers about you."

Stayne was on a mission. It had been three days since the Masquerade, and he still could not stop thinking about Lady Sullivan. After she had finished her performance, she had quietly slipped out of the palace. Stayne had been sorely tempted to follow her, but one look at Iracebeth told him that to do so would be to attract more trouble than he needed. So he spent the night in restless sleep, imagining what she looked like under her mask, wondering how she would feel in his arms-he was quite certain that she would fit perfectly. His dreams that night were filled with images of her. Her nude body moving underneath his, pressing kisses on every inch of her, filling her completely. He groaned in his sleep, writhing in silent ecstasy.

When he woke up the next morning, he was drenched in sweat and panting hard. He looked down at himself, and realized that his dreams had indeed been very vivid. He flushed in slight embarrassment and went to get cleaned up. Iracebeth expected him to look his very best, after all.

The next two nights were no better. No sooner would his eye close than he would experience the most vivid fantasies he had ever had, and it was driving him crazy. Finally, he determined that the only thing to do was to try and find out as much about Lady Sullivan as he could. To that end, he decided to ask the last person in the world he wanted to associate with-Lady Big Ears. She was well known to be the greatest source of gossip in all of Underland. Stayne swallowed his pride and went to look for her. He found her in the main hall. "My Lady, I wish to ask you a question."

Lady Big Ears glared at him. "I was under the impression you found me an annoying gossipmonger."

Stayne took a deep breath, and spoke as diplomatically as he could. When he wanted to, he could be extremely persuasive. "My Lady, I would never dream of saying anything as uncouth as that! Why, what you do not know about the private lives of Underland nobility is not worth knowing. I have every confidence that you will be able to tell me exactly what I need to know. I would ask the Queen, but you know how unreasonably jealous she can be. All I ask is just a bit of information. I would be most grateful if you could give me that."

Stayne had to bite his lip to keep from grinning in triumph as Lady Big Ears blushed scarlet. "Well, when you put it that way…What do you want to know, Stayne?"

"I was wondering if perhaps you knew anything about the young lady that performed at the Masquerade?"

She looked at him, a sly grin on her face. "I may. But first, tell me why you want to know."

Stayne felt an alarm go off in his head. Lady Big Ears would not be above telling the Queen everything he told her-and if he told the truth, he knew that Iracebeth was likely to fly into a towering rage. She allowed him time with the whores and courtesans, but that was all. With that thought, he managed to come up with an answer that would let him keep his head.

"I really enjoyed her singing, and was wondering who she was. I know her last name is Sullivan, and that she's not a member of the Red Court…. 'And that she's beautiful' he thought to himself…. "But beyond that, I don't know anything. I'd appreciate if you could tell me anything you can."

Lady Big Ears frowned. "Truth is, I don't know that much about her. I know she lives with her mother, and that her father disappeared when she was young. Beyond that, she keeps to herself. Her name escapes me…I know it starts with an A. If you ask me, she's a rather uninteresting person."

Stayne sighed in exasperation. "Thank you for your help."

He was about to head for his chambers when he heard his name being screamed. He sighed in resignation, and went to placate Iracebeth. His inquiries would have to wait.

All of Underland had gathered to see the White Army perform the Royal Salute. Mirana stood on the Balcony, dressed in her finest gown. Next to her, Alice stood in her armor, holding the Vorpal Sword. Mirana looked into the stands, smiling as she noticed Alannah gazing at the parade grounds. She raised her hand, and a great silence fell.

"Citizens of Underland! We are gathered here in this place to celebrate a momentous and joyous occasion. Ten years ago, we were set free through the brave actions of this young woman." She indicated Alice, who raised her Sword into a Salute. Everyone cheered and clapped. Mirana waited for the applause to die down, and then continued. "Today, you are going to be witness to something that has not been seen in Underland since my Father was King. I give you…the Royal Salute."

Alannah watched as the soldiers marched onto the parade ground. First to come were the pawns, and they had cleaned and polished their uniforms until the armor shone. They walked three times around the ground, and then stopped in front of the Balcony. In unison, they unsheathed their swords, twirling them until the blades whistled and flashed in the light. Then they began to weave in and out, ducking under each other. They ended their Salute by shaping themselves into the likeness of a giant pawn, and bowed deeply to the Queen. The applause was deafening.

The Knights and Bishops came next, dancing with their swords. They clacked the blades together at the upswing, and then threw them into the air, catching them as they fell. At the same time, they raised their swords into the Warrior's Salute, bowing to the Queen.

Now a hush fell over the crowd as the Soldiers all turned in unison, swords pointing towards the open door. All eyes turned towards the door, and a gasp arose as Stayne marched out, decked in the finest armor he had. It was a deep black in color, and seemed to absorb the sunlight. His cape was the same deep black, but woven throughout were flecks of dark blue. He marched onto the Parade Grounds, and slowly drew his sword.

"Your Majesty, The White Army salutes you!" He bowed deeply to Mirana, and then began his Sword Dance.

He touched the blade to the ground, and then quickly flexed his wrist, sending it upwards. He placed the blade flat against his gloves, and then flipped his hands over. The sword went flying, and Stayne ducked under it, and then caught it behind his back as it fell. He then began dancing, twirling the blade faster and faster until it hummed.

Alannah watched him, her heart pounding. He seemed to her to be almost flowing along the ground. Katarina too, was watching in utter fascination. She looked up at her Momma, and smiled to herself, recognizing the look on her face. Any minute now, her Momma was going to run out there and kiss her Daddy.

Alannah clenched her fists, trying to restrain herself, but the sight of her husband moving so sensually-at least to her-was becoming harder and harder to resist. So she settled instead for watching for her chance. She grinned to herself as she spotted it, and quickly made her way onto the grounds. Katarina grinned, and looked over at Michael, who was sitting in a basket, watching the action. "Momma is going to give Daddy a kiss, Michael." Michael giggled.

Stayne had thrown his sword in the air, and was about to turn and catch it when he heard Mirana laughing. He turned around, and Alannah grinned at him, his sword in her hand. He was about to chastise her when she dropped the sword and leapt into his arms, kissing him passionately. He staggered in slight surprise, but quickly retained his balance and composure, and kissed her back with everything he had.

Alice leaned over to Mirana, her eyes sparking in amusement. "Is that a part of the Royal Salute?"

Mirana laughed. "It is now. Anyway, I think that is a perfect way to celebrate this Frabjous Day."

As Stayne continued to kiss Alannah, he let his mind wander over the events in his life that had led him to where he was. While some had been painful, others had been joyous. But all had shaped him into the person that he was today.

His life was truly Frabjous.

THE END.