Wow. 200 reviews. I didn't think it was actually possible, but it happened! I'm honestly floored by all your kind responses. Really I'm just... words can't describe it.
Shout out to all the immensely kind people at tumblr who have given me so much encouragement; I am flabbergasted by how generous people can be! That being said, this chapter is dedicated to ktsm10, who is one of the sweetest people ever and sent me the most darling message. I hope you have a marvelous week, lovely!
On another note, thanks to unspeakabledesire for being an awesome beta!
Please continue to leave your wonderful reviews! I'm always looking for ways to improve. Feel free to send drop me messages on here or on my tumblr account. You guys are the greatest! And without further ado, enjoy this next chapter!
The White Rabbit's Message
After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance, and she hastily dried her
eyes to see what was coming. It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with
a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other.
"The White Rabbit!" Quinn exclaimed breathlessly. She hiked up her dress and jumped off the log, scattering on to her feet as she began sprinting towards him. In the midst of her rush, Hatter hurried after her in silent interest.
"White Rabbit! Stop! Please!" Quinn continued to call out. She gradually reeled the others attention as they all followed her with curious eyes. The Tweedles woke from their slumber as Cheshire, March Hare, and Caterpillar trailed them from behind. Mouse peeked out from Caterpillar's shoulder, her eyes wide with both disbelief and admiration.
Quinn quickened her pace, determined to not let the boy escape this time. But as she inched closer and closer towards him, she realized something very odd. The White Rabbit was not wheeling away from her; in fact, he was wheeling towards her.
"I'm late! Oh dear, I am late! I am very late!" He chanted mercilessly, wheeling faster and faster towards Quinn and Hatter. As they finally met near a patch of giant mushrooms, his glasses gleamed under the moonlight as he formed a bashful smile. "You're very late."
Quinn, who was dreadfully out of breath, shook her head in confusion. "Late for what?"
"For your meeting, Lady Quinn!"
"What meeting?"
He smiled genuinely. "With the White Queen."
She let out an irritated huff of breath before placing her hands angrily at her hips. "Now you just wait one minute! You were the one who pulled me out of my home and into this horrid mess! Leading me down the rabbit hole... and then you left me all by myself, chanting that same old thing! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! Do you even have the slightest idea what you have put me through? I've been attacked, sleep deprived, stuck in quicksand... I've been losing my mind, and it's all your fault! So, please, enlighten me. What in the good Lord's name were you even late for?" She demanded, her voice dripping with poison. "And you ran over my roses!"
The White Rabbit, who did not take kindly to yelling, had shrunk significantly in his seat. "Oh I'm... I-I'm so sorry, Lady Quinn! I didn't mean to cause you so much stress, I was just.. I was on a really tight schedule, you know, and I was already running so late. I didn't have time to explain, and there was still so much to do. I was just far, far too late! I am really, truly sorry!" He was stuttering miserably, squinting his eyes closed as he prepared for another one of Quinn's lashes.
"And how am I supposed to explain that to my family, huh? You try and tell my father that you were on a 'tight schedule'," she mocked.
"I.. I-I'm really sorry, I - "
"Well, you're on time now," the Hatter suddenly interjected, stepping in between the two. "And right now, that's what matters."
"Oh no," Quinn laughed dryly. "He's not getting off that easily."
"Butt hurt much, blondie?"
"He's the reason why I'm in this mess!" Quinn pointed accusingly. "And you never said what you were late for!"
"The White Queen - "
"No!" Quinn hissed. "The first time!"
"Oh," he began, looking somewhat startled. "I was late bringing you here, Lady Quinn."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me?"
"It's getting late," Hatter interrupted once more. His voice had suddenly become very irritated and heavy, and he put a hand on White Rabbit's shoulder. "We should get some sleep if we're going to make it to the White Queen by tomorrow."
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a minute. What do you mean, bringing me here?" Quinn ignored him. "I was brought here... intentionally?" A suspicious brow raised. "And how do you know my name?"
Hatter gripped his hand on White Rabbit's shoulder, causing him to squeal slightly. "I... I..."
"We really should sleep," the Hatter repeated darkly.
Quinn raised an eyebrow, her gaze dancing between the two. "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing!" The White Rabbit grinned quickly. "Nothing! It was just... mindless chatter, you know?"
"That's the best kind of chatter, though, isn't it?" Cheshire Cat suddenly appeared, her head floating cheerfully next to White Rabbit's. "Less mind and more madness? I dare say, it's the most whimsical of chatters."
Quinn's arm twitched as she debated whether or not to slap Cheshire's floating head, but she did feel strangely tired, and she supposed she could save her beating for the morning. She flashed her eyes dangerously at White Rabbit before turning on her heel. She could hear him let out a heavy sigh of relief behind her back, and as she marched back towards the group, she headed straight for Mouse and held out her palm.
"Jump on," she commanded suddenly, and Mouse, who was also quick to be uneasy, hopped on with hesitant consent. Quinn beckoned the White Rabbit with her free hand, and as Hatter released his hold, he did so reluctantly. "White Rabbit, Mouse. Mouse, White Rabbit. Chat, talk, whatever. I'm sure you'll both have some very interesting children." And with that, Quinn dropped Mouse on White Rabbit's lap and marched loudly back into Caterpillar's home before slamming the door shut.
The next morning was not pleasant. As far as Quinn was concerned, it was one of the most unpleasant mornings she had ever had.
"We're late! We're so late!" White Rabbit had chanted.
"I can't believe I'm stuck with these imbeciles," Tweedledee had insulted.
"Quinn, what's an imbecile?" March Hare had asked.
"All this sun is doing ludicrous things to my complexion," Caterpillar had complained.
"Will all of you shut the hell up?" Hatter had threatened.
Quinn felt like banging her head against the closest tree. She would shot them all terrifying glares, and temporary silence would fill the group. That was, until White Rabbit exclaimed themselves as being very late once more, and the whole cycle would begin all over again.
"This is impossible," Quinn groaned.
"What's impossible?" She turned to her left to see a floating grin trailing right next to her, and gradually, the rest of Cheshire's body formed into sight.
"Why do you always do that?" Quinn snapped. "For one, it's not funny. It's sickening. Also, stop sticking your ungodly large nose into my business."
"But you were talking out loud."
"I was talking to myself, actually."
"Well, isn't that a silly thing?" Cheshire danced around her. "Why would you talk to yourself when you have a mind? You've got to have a brain inside that head, don't you? Is it because, when you say things out loud, it makes it more real? You are such a stickler for reality," she grinned. "You should really try imagining impossible things so you won't find everything so bizarre. At least six before breakfast."
"Stop moving your lips," Quinn rolled her eyes and shoved past her.
The group continued through the forest with Hatter leading the pack in the front. His bow was already at hand, prepared just in case for another surprise attack. March Hare followed closely behind him, though his sword was still in his sheath as Caterpillar ranted loudly to him, for he had been quite against the March Hare lugging that "thing" around.
"Silver is not your color," Caterpillar scoffed, and March Hare nodded along confusingly as they switched to the very befuddling topic of "T-Zones."
Tweedledee and Tweedledum followed behind them, their pinkies linked as always. They giggled and whispered secrets to each other as they scanned each member of the group and snickered almost instantly after. Quinn followed behind them with Cheshire eager to keep up with her, but any time she caught within a foot's distance, Quinn sprinted slightly forward, and the whole endeavor began all over again. Behind them wheeled the White Rabbit with Mouse perched cheerfully on his shoulder. Their chatter was sparse but happy, and Quinn glanced back every now and then to make sure the White Rabbit was being a gentleman. Fortunately for him, he always was, and if she wasn't so mad at him, Quinn would have found his smile something along the lines of adorable.
"It must be so inconvenient," Mouse frowned sympathetically. "Having to w-wheel yourself around every w-where."
"I would say the same for yourself," he shrugged kindly. "I guess we both don't have it made?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "But who wants to be like everyone else?"
The White Rabbit suddenly smiled at her words. "I never really looked at it like that. Thanks, Mouse."
"Your w-welcome." They both blushed, and Quinn felt her anger dissipate as she moved away to give them some privacy.
"I didn't take you for a matchmaker." Caterpillar had approached her as she walked past the Tweedles. "Actually, I didn't take you for anything that involved being selfless."
Quinn smirked. "I'm full of surprises." She glanced at the March Hare, who was busy juggling both listening to Cheshire while not tripping on his own feet. "I see she interrupted yours and March Hare's conversation."
"Usually I can deal with exasperating women, but the color coordination," he momentarily gagged, "I just couldn't stand. Pink and purple." He gave Quinn a look. "Seriously. Pink and purple."
She shrugged indifferently and stifled a smile. The group continued on, taking very limited breaks under Hatter's instruction. She stuck by Caterpillar most of the time, seeing that everyone had already formed traveling buddies. The Tweedles were very exclusive and paid no attention to anyone else. White Rabbit and Mouse were really hitting it off, and Quinn herself would not allow anyone to interfere. And she just found getting involved with Cheshire and March Hare's conversation a very unappealing option.
Of course, there was always Hatter, but Quinn had already decided against it. They had hardly spoken all day, and thinking back to last night, they weren't exactly on the best of terms. Their conversation during the campfire had gone unfinished, and a part of Quinn wasn't sure how eager she was to hear what he had to say. He had surely been acting mysterious, flying to White Rabbit's aid and masking up secrets. And if whatever he had to tell her was so important, why hadn't he said it already? Quinn was certainly not the kind of girl to just idly sit by and anticipate any boy's word, so she opted to take the other route: stubbornly wait for him to approach her.
And it wasn't happening.
But Quinn kept it all to herself and kept walking on. Besides, Caterpillar had such a twisted sense of humor that Quinn quite enjoyed, and she found making fun of Cheshire's hairstyle was the most fun she would be able to have while walking through a forest.
As the continued forth, Quinn felt something tickle her cheek. She blinked, figuring her eyelashes would brush it off. It did, and she forgot such a thing happened.
Then her cheek tickled again.
Quinn reached to wipe whatever it was grazing against her skin, and when she lifted it to her fingers, she found a tiny white flower petal in her palm. She lifted her head to the sky, curious to find the source. Alas, no white flowers were in sight, and Quinn scrunched her nose in confusion.
"You'll get wrinkles," Caterpillar warned, noticing her sudden change in face. "What's wrong?"
"Here," she thrust her hand forth, revealing the petal. "I don't see any flowers around."
"Hmm," he hummed. "We must be near then."
"The White Queen's?"
"Yes. Look," he pointed forward, and Quinn abruptly stopped walking. The trees around them were starting to gain tiny white specks all over their leaves. It looked as if some snowflakes had frosted against the greenery, gradually peeking out as they walked further and further on. After a few minutes, all the leaves had turned completely white, as well as the flowers peeking from the branches.
"Oh," Quinn beamed whimsically. "It's like Christmastime."
"Bless you."
She rolled her eyes. "No. Christmas. Like the holiday? Oh, nevermind. It's still magical."
"Well," Caterpillar smiled. "That's the White Queen for you. She likes things very... clean."
And it wasn't long before a pathway of white flower petals formed before them, and the group marched on without the slightest hint of hesitation. It was almost as if the sky had grown brighter and the air smelled sweeter for Quinn was instantly put into a good mood as they drew in closer to the White Queen's kingdom. She could see the outline of a marble white castle forming in the distance, and she became earnest to reaching it as quickly as she could.
The others seemed to feel the same way because the group had collectively quickened their pace.
The white trees grew more and more frequent as the castle finally came into full view. It was a majestic building, the most majestic Quinn had ever seen, with its flawless glass windows and crystal towers. White bricks formed at the bottom, and a tranquil moat enveloped the entire place with little white fishes swimming through the icy blue water. The walls itself were, of course, white, reflecting the sun's delicious rays. The whole thing looked almost like a crystal champagne flute, glittering marvelously in the distance.
Quinn had never in her life seen such a structure before, but the warmth inside her made it feel just like home.
As they marched forth, Quinn noticed they were not the only ones surrounding the castle. A few people, scattered across the vast lawn, appeared every now and then. They were all dressed in ostentatious white clothing, and as they noticed them approaching, they began whispering excitedly together before trailing the group closely from behind. With this new set of followers, Quinn felt a bit uneasy and practically clung herself to Caterpillar without actually touching him. But her anxiety did not go unnoticed as he quickly grabbed her hand and gave it an assuring squeeze.
They finally reached the front of the castle, but the main gate had been blocked off by two guards dressed in white armor. Both of them quickly drew their swords and placed themselves right in front of the entrance, gazing dangerously down at the traveling group. "Halt! No intruders!" they cried in unison.
"We come at the request of the White Queen," Hatter spoke up for all of them. Suddenly, he turned towards Quinn and gestured her forth. "We come with Quinn."
"Quinn Fabray," Caterpillar added.
New interest sparked the guards' eyes as they took another curious look at Quinn. They examined her very closely, in which she responded with a nervous flip of her hair. However, both guards did not seem to be convinced as they returned back to their post. "The White Queen didn't inform as anyone was coming today. Leave now before we are forced to take action."
"That's because we're late," White Rabbit sighed. "We were supposed to arrive yesterday."
"Nice going," Tweedledee scowled.
"It w-wasn't his fault!" Mouse defended, but she turned pink immediately after.
As the group's arguing grew louder, the guards became increasingly agitated. They were about to step forth to put an end to the bantering when a loud thundering came from behind the guarded door. They both quickly stepped aside, and the group hushed when the gate swung open.
"Typical. Ya'll are here for a second and you wake up the whole castle," the Duchess shook her head, one hand on her hip. She looked severely unimpressed, and on either side of her were the Walrus and the Carpenter. They held identical amused smirks on their faces as the Duchess began tapping her foot impatiently against the floor. "What? Are you just going to stand outside or are you going to come in?"
The whole group simultaneously pointed at the two guards, as if blaming the whole predicament on them.
The Duchess gave them a malicious eye. "You didn't allow them in?"
"I'm sorry, Duchess, but they claim that the White Queen invited them. She has not given us any confirmation, so we cannot allow them in."
"Well, I allow them in."
"Once again, we're sorry Duchess," the other guard informed. "But you know how tight security has been since the last invasion. They could be anyone."
All had opened their mouths to protest, but the sound of dainty footsteps approaching from inside the castle stole everyone's attention. "Duchess?" a gentle voice summoned. "Did you see what the racket was from outside?" A dollop of vibrant red hair suddenly appeared in sight, and Quinn gasped as she saw what she presumed to be the rest of the White Queen.
She was possibly the most delicate looking woman Quinn had ever seen. Her with her with graceful elegance and porcelain skin. She had striking hazel eyes, which practically made up for most of her face, and they shone with such innocence and patience, it made anyone feel safe and at home. She had a tiny pair of pink lips and long strawberry eyelashes, and she was decked out in one of the most precious white gowns Quinn had ever seen. The White Queen moved with such ease, though it looked as if any accident were to take place, she would be as fragile as a piece of china. The others, who were also awestruck, parted way to make room for her, but the White Queen stopped before she reached the outside. "Duchess?" she asked again.
"Your majesty," Duchess smiled in response. "They've arrived."
The White Queen looked anxiously past her and towards the open gate, where the rest of the group resided. Quinn suddenly felt the need to look more impressive than she already did, so she donned one of the most brilliant smiles she could muster.
"Oh!" The White Queen exclaimed enthusiastically. "They've arrived!"
"We've arrived!" White Rabbit smiled.
"We've arrived!" The rest of the group seemed to cheer, but the Hatter quickly step forth.
"Your majesty," he bowed, taking his hat off momentarily for respect.
"Oh, my," White Queen whispered. "Can it be? Hatter?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Oh! Hatter!" she proclaimed, and if she could step outside, Quinn was certain an embrace was to follow. But she didn't and Hatter didn't move forth, so awkward smiles were exchanged instead. "You've come back! Oh, what a joy today is! And so many guests, let me see. Yes, the White Rabbit. Thank you for being so on time."
"But we're so - " Mouse quickly prodded him on the shoulder to prevent him from saying anything.
"And is that... Mouse? Hello, dear! It's been so long since I've last seen you. And I see the Tweedles behind you. So awful you both still don the Deck of Heart's uniform. I shall provide you new clothes, if you'd like. Now who else... ah, yes! The March Hare, looking as dapper as always! And there's Caterpillar, looking as handsome as always. Just like your father. Oh, and Cheshire, I see you too! Thankfully, all of you, this time." She gave a nervous chuckle. "I was never really a fan of your... disappearing skills. Now, I've seen to count mostly everyone, but... who is that... in the back?"
Quinn took a step forward, curtsying deeply for the White Queen. "Quinn Fabray," she said in her most regal voice. "Your majesty," she added quickly.
"Is this the Quinn Fabray I've been hearing so much of?"
"You've heard of me?" She twitched at the surprise in her voice, but she couldn't help from letting it slip.
"The Duchess, Walrus, and Carpenter have all informed me about your arrival," White Queen smiled. "In very heavy detail."
"Oh," she replied briefly, unsure if she should be flattered or worried.
"Your tale is very brave, and I welcome you warmly into my castle, Lady Quinn," the White Queen ordered, and the two guards stepped aside. "I hope your adventure hasn't been too treacherous so far. I've learned of your plan, and a hero must have a full night of merriment and rest."
"Oh my goodness," Quinn cried out. "You have no idea how wonderful that sounds."
The White Queen smiled knowingly. "Someone granted with such a responsibility shall be treated like royalty in my kingdom. All of Wonderland thanks you for what you are doing."
"Oh," Quinn spoke softly. "No problem."
"No, really," White Queen continued. "To take back Wonderland from the Queen of Hearts? Not the even the bravest of knights in my kingdom have been able to take on such a task."
Quinn gulped.
"No one has been willing to do something so dangerous. You are truly a figure to admire."
"That's... great."
"In honor of your bravery, we shall have a ball!" White Queen clapped her hands. "Yes! I commence a wonderful welcoming feast for the new hero of Wonderland. I'll have your suite prepared and a bath drawn. Anything you want, just ask my servants." She sighed romantically. "Music, food, dancing. Oh, we haven't had a ball thrown in ages! Then again, we hadn't had much reason to, but my goodness. This girl is going to take down the Queen of Hearts!"
Other members of the castle had now joined the group, gazing respectfully at Quinn. Quinn's grinned flickered nervously under all the exposure.
"Never mind our dreary past. It is finally time for some positive spirits! It is time for celebration!" The crowd burst into applause, cheering on Quinn and the rest of her comrades. The smile on her face was growing more painful by the minute, and she found herself glancing worriedly at Hatter.
He was staring right at her, an understanding look in his eyes. He nodded his head slightly, as if encouraging her to just keep her head held high for the rest of the moment. She gulped and nodded back, but Quinn couldn't wipe away the feeling that every clapping hand sounded like a shot gun against her skull.
"And tonight," the White Queen continued happily, her smile glowing beautifully. "We feast!"
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