The Play's the Thing…

Alice turned over onto her side and opened her eyes, unable to sleep any longer even though the sun had yet to steal itself over the horizon. She stole a glance at her Queen, who was over on the other side of the chaise, and happily asleep. They declined the opportunity to have a more opulent place to sleep, as both were comfortable in the simple wooden room.

The Champion quietly swung her legs over the chaise and sat up, determined not to wake up Mirana. Once she was satisfied that the Queen was asleep she crept over to the curtain and pulled it aside. The door to the bathing area was still there, and she was grateful for it.

Alice lowered herself into the steaming water and groaned, as it helped in relieving the very real tension in her body. She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes, hoping to let the hot bath lull her into going back to sleep. She shifted her body and relaxed even further. But an unwelcome notion—an image—sneaked its way into her thoughts, and she frowned, annoyed at being disturbed. An image of Legolas, strong and handsome, lifting Mirana's hand and kissing it, their eyes lingering, and hearts beating faster, slammed into the forefront of her thoughts.

The Champion sat up abruptly and opened her eyes. "Damn…" Alice ran a wet hand over her face and lowered her head. It was ridiculous, she knew it, and Mirana would not permit such forwardness from the Elf. But she found herself obsessing over it, and a strange blackness stole over her thoughts. An impish waft of something inherently malevolent in its intentions crept slowly into her heart, and she shivered because of it. If Alice had known about Saruman's evil, she would have been able to recognize it, and throw it away immediately.


Galadriel shot up in bed as soon as the evil presence made itself known. She grabbed Nenya from the table beside their bed and rushed to put on a night coat, and then stopped, choosing to get fully dressed instead. Celeborn felt it, as well, and was hurrying to get dressed.

The Elf King looked over at his wife. "Its Saruman, my wife. He has found a way into Lothlorien and now bends his thought throughout our domain—he is seeking…"

"I know. I am to Queen Mirana immediately." Galadriel finished dressing quickly left.

"Take our grandsons with you." Celeborn watched Galadriel leave and then went to his bureau on the other side of their master bedchamber. He reached behind it and pulled a hidden lever. A small door in the wooden floor, hidden from normal sight, glowed for an instance before taking shape. Celeborn opened it and then reached inside, and pulled out the palantír of Amon Sûl.

Galadriel summoned Elrohir and Elladan and they walked with her to the flet that Queen Mirana and Champion Alice resided in. They hesitated at the threshold, not wanting to cause an immediate alarm.

The Elf Queen called out, "Queen Mirana?" There was no response.

Alice opened her eyes at the intrusion, and quietly rose from the water. She put on a housecoat and peered outside, only to catch site of the Elven Queen. "What is the matter, Lady Galadriel?"

Galadriel indicated the back room. "Will you please rouse the Queen from her sleep. The two of you need to come to Celeborn's Chamber right away."

The Champion nodded. "Sure…okay." Alice padded into the back room when the elves were gone. She smiled when she found the Queen lying on her side, one arm holding her swollen belly. Alice sat down next to Mirana and gently shook her. "Mirana?"

The Queen snorted, and then moaned. "Go away."

Alice shook her again. "Time to get up, my sweet." Her tone was light, and void of the snickering voice deep within her soul, the one who wanted to slap the sleeping woman below her, and bend her to her will. And the influence of Saruman grew within her, seeping at her goodness.

Mirana opened her eyes and saw her Champion hovering over her. "Is it really time to get up? The sun is barely out."

Alice continued to smile, but its warmth was vanishing quickly. "You need to get up now."

The Queen sat up at the harsh tone coming from her Champion. "Alice? What is the matter?"

Her Champion got up and began putting on her armor. "Really, my Queen. Can you not obey a simple command?"

Mirana frowned. "Command? Since when do you command me, my Champion?"

"Starting right now!" Alice finished putting on a bracer and then grabbed her Queen by the arm. "Get up, you bitch!"

Both women whirled around when Galadriel entered the room. She did not say anything but calmly made her way to Alice. "Alice Kingsleigh!" She grabbed the young woman and held her by the shoulders, forcing her to make eye contact. "Look at me, Alice Kingsleigh, and let your heart feel the healing power of Nenya."

At first, Alice fought for control. "No!" But the more she looked into the Elf Queen's eyes; the power of Saruman's presence was diminished, until it was gone completely. She blinked and then looked at her Queen, knowing fully the words she had spoken to her. "Please let me go."

Galadriel smoothly released the Champion, and then nodded before leaving Alice to her Queen. Mirana had turned around, and was not facing her Champion, and it broke the young woman's heart.

"Mirana?"

Her Queen did not respond, and did not turn around, either. The two just stood there, for many awkward moments. Both of their hearts breaking, and a chasm opening up between them, and still no words came.

Alice could stand it no longer, and took a tentative step closer to her Queen. "Please, look at me, Mirana."

Still the White Queen did not turn around, and continued to stare off into the trees beyond. After awhile she finally spoke. "Oh, Alice, please do not blame yourself."

Alice just stood there, half dressed in the armor of Underland, and completely desolate within. "I…I do not know…" Her voice trailed off as her Queen turned around and looked at her, sorrow plainly evident. "Oh, god…"

The White Queen's heart hurt for her Champion, and she went to her, enveloping her within a warm, loving embrace. "Please, Alice, you were taken by something malicious, you were not yourself." A tear fell down her cheek, and Alice reached up to gently wipe it away.

Alice and Mirana continued to hold each other, each at a loss on what happened to them. Finally, Mirana broke the embrace to look her Champion in her eyes. " We must see Celeborn and Galadriel, my love, and find out what just happened."


The Chamber of Celeborn was tranquil when Alice and Mirana arrived, and only the Lord and Lady of the Wood were present in it, sitting quietly at their thrones. Alice held her arm out to Mirana and guided her into the auspicious place as her Champion. Galadriel stood and indicated for the two to sit at chairs off to the side of the Chamber, and then she and her husband left their thrones to join Underland's Queen and Champion as equals.

Celeborn spoke quietly. "As you probably already know, Lothlorien was invaded by the presence of Saruman." He looked to his wife.

Galadriel smiled at him and turned to Mirana. "Before your arrival in Middle-earth I had a vision concerning a former friend, the wizard Saruman. I foresaw his death and the transmutation of his spirit into another land—although I could not see exactly where until your arrival. Now I know without doubt, Saruman is in Underland."

Alice nodded, yet it still did not explain her change in character. "What does this have to do with what happened to me?"

Celeborn sighed, and then looked Alice in the eyes. "His—influence—found its way to Lothlorien this morning, and there is only one way that could have happened."

Mirana leaned forward. "How?" Alice saw her Queen's concern and rose from her seat to stand by her.

"Someone in Lothlorien is in league with Saruman." Galadriel saw the confusion in the other Queen's eyes, so she went on. "We know it is no one of our kind, nor from the fellowship that sojourners here along with you. I can see into the hearts of many, but there are those that I cannot, and then there are those who's hearts are veiled by their own wickedness."

Mirana paled, then gasped slightly. "Are you saying that someone from our Company is bound to this evil presence—what you call Saruman?"

Celeborn nodded. "Yes, my daughter, although we cannot know for certain who it is. What we do know for certain is that neither you, nor Alice, is part of it."

Without looking up, Mirana reached for Alice's hand. "This is impossible to believe. I do not feel enmity between my people and me."

"Even the noblest and fairest of subjects can fester on the inside, Queen Mirana." Galadriel kept her voice calm and reassuring. "There is no doubt that one among you is plotting evil."

Alice looked down to her Queen. "It can't be Harthacanute, I know him well enough to vouch for him…but the other knights…"

Mirana squeezed her Champion's hand tighter. "I…this is difficult to comprehend. What do I do now, if I cannot be sure on who to trust?"

"We were able to banish him before he could cause harm or mischief, so you have nothing to fear whilst you stay here." Celeborn sighed. "I would counsel you to still have your faith in Alice, and trust in her to keep you completely safe."

Alice knelt in front of her Queen. "I am yours, my Queen. I am your protector in all things, in all times, and at all places."

Mirana took her Champion's hands into her own. "And I am truly grateful for all of that, my love." She smiled at her Champion before returning her attention back to Celeborn. "What do you know for certain, my…forgive me, Lord Celeborn…I cannot as of yet call you father."

The Elf Lord offered his daughter a small smile. "Do not burden yourself with this knowledge, Mirana. Give yourself time."

"We know that Saruman dwells in Underland. Upon his death his spirit sought solace in another world, and was drawn to your land because of your spirit, Mirana. You are a daughter of the Elves of Middle-earth, my child, and therefore Saruman, in spirit form, sought you ought." Galadriel turned towards Alice. "Yet he could not take physical form because Mirana's soul was not weak and vulnerable, and, therefore, he could not corrupt her. He has corrupted another."

Alice and Mirana looked at each other, each coming to the same painful realization. The Queen shook her head and then lowered it. "He killed my sister." And the White Queen's grief took hold of her, in ways that she had not experienced in Marmoreal. She fell into Alice's arms, and her Champion rode out her Queen's grief with her, as if it was her own. Celeborn and Galadriel fell silent for the long moment, and left the lovers alone.

After a short while, Mirana lifted her head and Alice wiped her tears away, offering her Queen a smile of reassurance as she did so. They rested their foreheads on each other and gently held on to each other as if their lives depended on it. And Alice felt her rage for the first time in Middle-earth.

Alice broke from Mirana's embrace and turned to the Lord and Lady of the Realm. "How long has this Saruman been in Underland, and how much longer until he is fully human?"

Galadriel could feel Alice's anger, as it washed off her in waves. "These things are unknown to me."

"Unknown? How long have you known about Saruman in Underland, and why didn't you do anything to stop it!"

When Mirana attempted to take Alice's hand again her Champion wrenched it free. "Alice, please calm down."

"I don't know why I should not be upset, Mirana! Our friends—an innocent boy—are dead, your sister is dead; how much grief am I expected to carry because of their inaction."

Celeborn rose from his seat and then towered over Alice. "It is not a matter of inaction, Alice Kingsleigh. We have tried to enter Underland but have been stopped at every attempt by a fell magic at the Hall of Doors." The Elf King looked at his daughter. "Would you know of the reason, my daughter, why the portrait denied us entry into your lands?"

Mirana blinked. "The portrait—the one of you holding me when I was an infant? We found this portrait at Iracebeth's—my sister's—castle; it was not in my care. Isn't that right, Alice?"

Alice took hold of her Queen's hand. "Yes, we found it at the Red Queen's castle not too long ago. It was in Salazen Grum, not Marmoreal."

Celeborn sat back down. "How long was my gift for you not in your possession?"

The White Queen sat up in her chair. "It was a gift for me? I never had it until a few days hence."

Galadriel exchanged a glance with her husband before turning to Mirana. "We gave it to King Osric with an understanding that we would be allowed to venture into your Kingdom to see to your care."

Mirana sat back and closed her eyes. Images of the man she called "father" fell into her memory, and brought with it warm memories. But just as the images coalesced, it changed, and the man before her was someone she didn't know. She wiped at the fresh tears that fell. "King Osric…I called him, 'daddy'."

Alice looked down and watched her feet, not knowing what to say to her Queen at this moment.

The White Queen looked up at the Lord and Lady. "He was supposed to let you come and see me? What did my mother say?"

"As we have said, the portrait prevented us from entering Underland." Celeborn rose and then knelt before his daughter. "We had an agreement; that I may come to Underland upon occasion to watch you grow up. When I could not do that, we lost all way to contact you."

"The portrait created an entrance to the Hall of Doors?" Alice looked confused. "So how were we to enter it from Salazen Grum when the portrait was taken to Marmoreal?"

"Most likely because Saruman has made his home there; and was able to reach out and touch Lothlorien through it. But as we said earlier, we have closed that entryway." Celeborn looked worried.

Mirana leaned forward and touched the Elf Lord's face. "I'm sorry."

Celeborn stood and brought the White Queen up with him, and, for the first time, the two embraced as father and daughter. Alice looked up, anxious, but a gentle smile from Galadriel eased her mind and heart.

After awhile, Celeborn loosened his embrace and looked down on Mirana. "I know this is burdensome, my daughter, but let us do what we can to ease your suffering."

"Thank you." Mirana gave her father a warm smile, and began to understand how the man she called 'dad' had betrayed her, as well as her own sister. She turned around and sat back down. "He had my sister's help."

Galadriel nodded. "The portrait was in her possession, and you were never made aware of it."

Alice let out a deep breath. "She was even more evil than I gave her credit." She reached out and took her Queen's hand again. "The portrait is in Marmoreal now, so it is safe from this man, Saruman."

"He is more than a man, Champion Alice," Galadriel cautioned. "He is of the Istari—they resemble men in appearance, but are far greater in physical and mental powers. They were sent by the Valar to assist Middle-earth in our fight against Sauron. He is not to be taken lightly."

"I only want to know one thing." Alice drew her sword from its scabbard. "Will my sword kill him?"

"That is not the Vorpal sword." Celeborn stood and began to pace. "The Vorpal blade will kill him, but its power must be united with that of the An'duin'ethre. Did you bring the Vorpal sword with you?"

"No, I did not." Alice glanced at Mirana but she said nothing. "What is this An'duin'ethre?"

"It is another blade, forged by the power of Nenya—a blade that has yet to fulfill its purpose." Galadriel had fallen into a somber mood.

Alice tried not to sound startled. "What is its purpose?"

"To kill one who cannot be killed." Galadriel's blue eyes bore into Alice's. "The An'duin'ethre will kill one such as Saruman, so that his spirit shall be obliterated as well as his physical form. And when the Vorpal sword is united in power with it they both will hold such faculties."

Mirana looked at Alice. "I brought the Vorpal blade with us, my Champion. It is in the possession of the Knight, Harthacanute."

"What? Why didn't you tell me, Mirana?"

The White Queen stood and drew Alice aside. "It was a last minute decision, Alice. I did not want you to trouble yourself with the burden of bringing it with you."

Alice sighed. "But…why?"

"Because it is a powerful weapon, my Champion, and I did not know what powers would befall it should it be used here."

Alice blushed then looked down for a moment; and when she lifted her head she smiled sweetly at her Sovereign. "Thank you for looking out for me, my love."

Mirana lifted her hands and cupped her Champion's cheeks. "I did not want to see you harmed by it in any way."

Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged an affectionate glance, and were once again made keenly aware of how much Mirana and Alice were in love. Such love, as theirs, was sometimes an impossible thing in Middle-earth, and only matched by the devotion of Elessar and Arwen, the Evenstar of her people.

Galadriel stood along with her husband and locked their fingers together. "We need time to begin uniting the two blades as one. Perhaps you would like to spend some time alone?"

Mirana looked to Alice, and the expression on her face told her all she needed to know. "Yes, Lady Galadriel, we appreciate it."


Alice took her Queen's hand and led her out of the Chamber of Celeborn into the crisp morning air. Both were exhausted, and desired nothing more than to be in each other's company. "What would you like to do, my Queen?"

"Do we still have the bathing chamber?"

Alice grinned. "Yes."

"Do you think breakfast will be there when we get back to our room?"

"Yes, probably." Alice wound her arm around Mirana's waist. "Come, my Queen, let us rest."

Mirana settled herself in the warm water and Alice guided her to sit between her legs, and to use her body as a resting place. The Queen sank in her Champion's embrace and released a great sigh, relieving herself of all her tension.

"You are so good for me, my Champion."

Alice closed her eyes. "I could say the same thing, you know. This love that we share, is so precious to me. I can't wait to share it with our children."

Mirana turned her head and looked dreamily at her Champion, and then lifted her hand to caress her beloved's cheek. "We already are, Alice. They can feel it as deeply as we do."

Alice kissed her Queen, and ran her hands over her swollen belly. "I love you so much." She rested her head on Mirana's. "Do you think we will have girls? Wasn't Chessur calling our child, 'little Alice'?"

Mirana chuckled. "I know he did. But he didn't know we were having twins, so I don't think he really knows. He was just trying to be cute." She furrowed her brows. "Do you want girls, my love? Would you be disappointed if we had boys?"

The Champion wrapped her arms tighter around her beloved. "No, no. please don't fret yourself like that. I will be happy with any child you give me."

The White Queen turned in her lover's arms. "We won't have just any child, my love. Our children will carry with them the wondrous enchantment of this Middle-earth."

"I know." Alice sighed deeply. "It's all a great wonder to me." She shifted her position in the water, and spread her legs wider.

The Queen scooted back further into Alice's embrace, and she also felt her Champion's heated flesh at the small of her back, she shivered.

Alice did not say anything, but her breathing quickened just a little. She flattened her palm on Mirana's stomach and pulled her hips more firmly against her center. The contact was electrifying, and she began to move against her Queen. Mirana let her head fall back onto Alice's shoulder, and she gasped when Alice's other hand moved downward, to caress and pull at the source of her arousal. And then their bodies moved as one, connecting in all the right places. No endearments were spoken, as none were needed; only the sounds of deep breathing and the occasional grunt or gasp.

Mirana fell forward somewhat, but Alice caught at her hip, and began to move more urgently against her. The Queen felt her own desire increase as Alice's fingers worked magic at the core of her pleasure. Before long, both women felt their arousal peak, and fell into a sensual bliss together, their cries loud and full of want and satiation.

Alice rested her head on Mirana's back. "You are so sexy in your pregnancy, my Queen." She closed her eyes and shuddered.

Mirana chuckled. "Oh, Alice, I think you'd find me sexy if I were wearing a burlap sack."

Her Champion lifted her head. "Are you making fun of me, Mirana?" She loosened her hold on her Queen.

Mirana turned around and stood up in the bath, and brought Alice up with her. "No, no, my sweet girl. It was not my intention to hurt you. Oh, please, don't be sad."

Alice looked up and then offered her Queen a small smile. "No, please forgive my insecurities, my love. I've been around the bend since we found out we are going to have twins."

"Why is that?"

"It seems as if I must now pay double attention to the world around me—I mean, us. I will do anything to protect you and the children. But you already know that, and I suppose I say these things to reassure myself."

"I know, my Champion. And our journey back to Underland weighs heavily on my spirit and mind. But we can lay aside these things for now, Alice. I do not know when we shall return."

Alice brought her arms around her Queen's waist and hugged her tightly. "I have a notion that the passage of time is a non sequitur here in Lothlorien. We are in a land where such thoughts and concepts are irrelevant." She looked up at Mirana and caressed her cheek. "But, unlike you, I am eager to return to Underland and face our foe and strike him before he can harm our land and people." She let go of her beloved and sank back into the water. "I'm itching for a fight."

The Queen fell into the water, as well, and floated over to her Champion. "You look forward to what I fear. I fear that when you go into battle that you may not return to me, or our children."

Alice sighed. "I do not fear that, my love. I have reconciled myself to victory and will see to it. I have a few things to look forward to, after all." She reached forward and touched her Queen's pregnant belly.

Mirana placed her own hand over Alice's. "Have you thought of names, yet?"

Alice lowered her head and grinned. "Well, not really, I've had other things on my mind."

"I know what's always on your mind, Alice. Sex, sex, and more sex."

Alice laughed, and her cheeks flushed. "Well, that, too. But I was thinking about our upcoming marriage."

"Me, too." The Queen lowered herself onto Alice's lap and placed her head on her shoulder. "From what we have discovered so far about the treachery of my father and sister I do no wish to name my children within the tradition of our royalty."

"I understand." Alice nodded. "When I was a child I did love my French cousins more than the rest of my family."

"What is a French cousin?"

Alice smiled. "France is a country in the abovelands, Mirana. Much like Underland is a country. My father's sister married a man from France and lived there with him for the rest of their lives. I think they lived in Thorigny-sur-Marne, I'm not completely sure of that, but I remember my uncle, Thibaud Guillemet." Alice chuckled. "My mother didn't like him, nor did she like leaving England for France."

Mirana lifted her head and sat down next to Alice. "Why not?"

"I don't know." Alice tilted her head. "She was not one for 'unconventional living,' as she called it. Etienne and Elsa—my cousins—they were a lot of fun to be around."

"Do you like those names, Alice?"

"Yes, I do."

"Are they boys or girls names?"

Alice chuckled again. "One of each."

Mirana reached over and caressed her beloved's cheek. "Are you making your own prediction now, my dear? You think I will have a boy and a girl?"

Alice blushed. "Well, I think it would be a wondrous thing, my love—for many reasons."

"Oh, why?"

Alice glanced briefly at her Queen before stepping out of the bath. She grabbed a towel and did not respond. Mirana followed her out and was a little concerned. "What is it, Alice? Did I say something wrong?"

Her Champion blushed again, and pulled her Queen into a crushing embrace. "It's nothing, Mirana. It's just…well…I…"

Mirana pulled her Champion even closer. "Alice, you are being cryptic again. Please talk to me."

"I'm embarrassed, my Queen." Alice broke from her lover's embrace and turned away from her, but after a long moment she gathered her courage and turned back to her beloved. "You fulfilled one of my secret fantasies, Mirana. And this is another one of them—to beget children, a boy and a girl—that were in no doubt mine."

"Oh…oh…" Mirana smiled and lowered her head, finally understanding her Champion's bewilderment. "How long…have you wanted this?"

Alice took Mirana's hand, and after grabbing a blanket, led them back into their room. She settled her Queen onto the large couch and then started a fire. After awhile, she sat down next to Mirana. "I've never talked about this, with anyone. Not even you, Mirana."

Mirana frowned, as Alice seemed to be revealing a part of herself that she had previously kept hidden, even from her. "You know you can tell me anything, Alice, and that I will not pass judgment on you."

"I know that, Mirana. It's just a part of myself that I thought I had to keep secret. Well, I guess I had to keep it secret from my family, my mother mainly. They would have put me in Friern Hospital."

The Queen looked puzzled. "What is that?"

"A place where people leave their insane loved ones, in the hopes that they may be cured." Alice looked at Mirana. "Don't be fooled, there are absolutely no altruistic motivations here, only the desire to throw the unwanted away." She lowered her head, and a few tears trickled down her face.

"There is no shame in that, Alice. If you feel more comfortable in your masculinity then that is person you must be." Mirana turned around and comforted her lover. "I would love you no matter who you chose to be."

"Really?" Alice wiped at her tears. "You can accept me for who I am?"

"I did that years ago, my sweet girl. Even before you knew who you are."

And then Alice wept, for all the years she had to pretend to be who she was not, and for the joy of finally finding acceptance of who she was, even if it was slightly off center. "I love you, Mirana."

"I love you, too."

Mirana gently held her Champion, and ran her hand down her back. "Can you tell me when you first knew?"

Alice squeezed her eyes tightly shut as the memories from her adolescence came rushing to the forefront of her thoughts. "I was fourteen, I think. We were visiting—mother, Margaret, and me—the Chattaway Estate for holiday. We always did that when my father was away on one of his extended business excursions." Alice could feel a blush coming on. "I was with Fiona Chattaway in the attic, gossiping about the other girls, I suppose. She…she wanted to pretend that we were getting married and on our honeymoon."

Mirana's hand stilled at her back, causing her to look up. "It started out so innocently. She was in love with Lucian Fitzhugh Smith, one of her distant cousins, and I think they were promised to wed. So she told me she wanted to "practice" at being married."

The Queen could feel her Champion's hesitation. "Go on, my love. It is alright."

Alice let out a deep breath. "She asked me to take my clothes off and lie on top of her, and to…to…" She let out a strangled sob. "It was my first orgasm…and I was so ashamed. I felt as if my body had betrayed me…"

Mirana held on as Alice cried out the bitter tears from the past. Her Champion's sobs wracked her body, and she held her even tighter. "Have no fears, my dear Alice. You did nothing to be ashamed of. I'm so sorry, I thought you that you were always comfortable with your identity, I did not know that it caused you to suffer."

Alice calmed, and the self-recrimination from her past was freed from the depths of her being. She let out a few deep sighs and then lifted her head from Mirana's shoulder. "I once told Hamish that he wasn't the right man for me. I should have told him there would never be any man for me, it was not in my nature to love or want them. I've always been attracted towards young woman, such as myself. Always, Mirana, even before you."

Mirana wiped away her Champion's tears. "And you've held this within as a acrimonious secret your whole life, with no one to share it with?"

"Not until you, my Queen." Her Champion let out a few more deep breaths.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? I, of all people, would have understood."

Alice could feel the frustration her Queen was feeling. "I'm sorry, I should have shared it with you. But I thought that when I returned to Underland that my inner hurts would go away. They obviously did not."

Mirana frowned slightly. "Were you ever in love before?"

Alice sighed again then smirked. "No, my love. I've only ever been in love with you. You are my life, my Queen." Now it was Alice's turn to show slight jealousy. "Have you…been in love before?"

The Queen let herself fall back onto the couch and she pulled Alice down with her. "You are my first, Alice. I had crushes when I was younger, but I never fell in love—and I've never been intimate with anyone except you."

Alice layed her head on Mirana's shoulder, and she shuddered. "It seems we were meant to be, doesn't it?" Her eyes went wide. "What? You've never—not at all?"

"No, Alice, you are my first—and only—lover. There were a few young women in the past that I could have bedded—that I wanted to take to my bed. But, my intuition stopped me every time, knowing that I was waiting for my Champion."

Alice smiled. "Meant to be…"

"I know we were meant to be, My Knight in Shining Armor."

Alice rolled over and settled on top of her beloved. "I like the sound of that."

Mirana winched somewhat. "Alice…please, it's a little uncomfortable now for you to put all your weight on me."

Her Champion shifted her weight. "How's that?"

"Better."

Alice got up and looked closely at Mirana's stomach. "This must be a magical realm—your pregnancy is even further along than it was a few hours ago."

The Queen glanced down at her swollen belly. "Do you think so?"

Her Champion nodded. "What does this mean?"

"I don't know. I do know that we have nothing to fear here."

"I know that, as well." Alice ran her hand down Mirana's arm. "Don't you think we've spent enough time in this room? Shall we go and explore Lothlorien?"

"Of course, Alice."


Galadriel stood at her mirror and pondered the fate of the Queen from another world. The images swirled and dissipated, and then flew around showing her many different things. She bent her thought and felt deeply the connection between Mirana and her Champion. Then an image formed in the mirror, showing the Queen and Alice back in Underland, at Marmoreal presumably, standing on the balcony of one of the towers, and overlooking a vast enemy force advancing on them. Galadriel blinked, and the image vanished. She stood back for a moment and then made a decision, knowing what must be done to see to the safety of Mirana.


A/N: For some reason, I struggled with this chapter, and am not completely happy with it. Let me know what you think.