Finally, when I feared that the Bandersnatch was going to turn around and scar my back this time I found it. I pushed a wool green blanket away to see an elaborately shaped metal chest. I was sad to find that the pictures were gory, and of the end of the Hightopp clan. If these carvings were accurate I'd be worse off than Tarrant is now. I'd have probably gone more than half mad. I wouldn't be able to stand that my whole family was dead. That made me think about if I really wanted to stay here, away from my family. But they aren't really your family, are they?
I began pulling on the simple lock, ignoring the voice in my head, but it wasn't rusted, and would take more than just my strength to pull it loose. I grimaced as the fear, starvation, and exhaustion set in. I fell back against the wall, too tired to try to pull the lock loose again. I rubbed at the new scars on my arm. Three narrow, distracting red lines were my new keepsake but my mind wasn't really focusing on them. It was becoming more and more of a blurr.
NO! NO! DON'T- but despite Destiny trying to keep me awake I fell asleep.
I had the weirdest dream as well. It was as if I was there, in the room as the Hatter began to try the Hat's on the Red Queen. I knew this couldn't possibly be real because I was still asleep in the Bandersnatch's clutches on the roof.
It's a vision…A whisper of Destiny's sad, voice told me.
I stood just beside the standing mirror. The Red Queen was standing in front of it and I examined her white bored face. Behind her, making my heart lurch in the strangest fashion was the Hatter. The way my heart lurched I worried that this dream was much more than it should have been, almost as if it were real. Was I being eaten while sleeping? Or maybe I was having an allergic reaction to the growing cake. What was a vision? Destiny didn't answer me so I focused instead on what was happening before me.
I watched silent as the Hatter put on hat after hat that he'd made for the Queen. As each one touched her head she ordered the next one. I think I liked the one that covered her entire face. At one point, I'm not sure which because it was beginning to get fuzzy around the details, the woman beside the Red Queen had her nose fall off. I stared at it on the floor as if I had no emotion. I watched as the Hatter was sent into a fit of laughter after subtle pointing out the fallen body part.
"Don't mind him, he's mad." I know the Red Queen said. Then someone else sped in the room. She had large ears and I knew at once from her gossiping face that she brought bad news. True to what I had foreseen the Queen's face turned red when she finished whispering in her ear. She stomped her foot harshly on the black marble floors. "STAYNE!" She screamed, shockingly forcing me out of my dream or vision.
When my eyes opened the outside was shining through the boards. I groaned, completely forgetting about everything as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I felt better, though my back was hurting something fierce because of what I suspected was the hay behind me. I dug a piece of it out of my back and groaned again.
So it was a complete shock when suddenly I looked up from the piece of hay to see the Bandersnatch there, breathing extremely heavily. I took in a sharp breath and moved back. It seemed to cock its head, as if it knew it now had my attention. This caused me to wonder if it knew more than it let on. I scooted as far back as I could, pressing my aching back against the wall. It only made a motion with its head to something down. I hesitated before looking away from him.
My instincts were telling me not to look away from the predator but I looked around to please it. Despite me looking I could see nothing but hay. It made another motion, getting closer this time. I flinched but then I saw what it was gesturing to. Hanging from the chain that kept it here was held together by a key. I looked back up into its ugly face. Its eyes, once as hateful as its body now had softened. It stretched its neck out to me and this time I did not flinch back. I hesitantly reached out, towards the key.
It grimaced once, making me almost pull back but I refused to be a coward. I reached all the way out to its key before gently, so as not to startle it, taking it off the ring. As soon as the key's weight left the ring the coil of chain that had surrounded the Bandersnatch's neck fell away. I pulled my hand back to my chest as the creature's chest rumbled and it shook its fur. It whined and not unlike a dog it placed its head to the ground in front of me.
I hesitated another moment before stretching out my arm and scratching its head. It purred as I became more and more comfortable with it. I scratched one place behind its ear, causing it to lockup and fall over with pleasure. I giggled loudly as its tongue fell out of its mouth.
Then I turned away from it to look at the chest there. I held the key up, wary of something happening. I carefully put the key into the lock and softly turned it. When there wasn't anything but a click, after three minutes I pushed the top of the chest back and to my great shook nothing happened-besides me falling in love with the sword.
It was beautiful, with crystals of an almost transparent white along the silver incased metal blade. I gently picked it up, running my hands over it. I felt ridges in the blade in the hilt but when I read the words, aloud, I was shocked. "Stern"
It means star in German. Destiny put in though she was sad no longer, I heard a hint of pride and fondness. This sword has been with us since the day we were 'born'.
I smiled as I traced the lettering, only to get a shock. Within a second I realized that I'd nicked my finger on the edge of the 'r' in the word. Warmth seemed to enter my system, a strange, comforting knowledge, a flood of understanding. I could feel the pulse from the sword. Suddenly I knew how to use this sword. If I twisted it twenty degrees to the right and pushed with half of my strength I could impale a man through the mouth.
I tried to drop the beautiful, deadly sword to the ground but it seemed to be glued to my hand like a stick to a branch. A glowing slowly started, from the tip of the sword to the very tips of my fingers. Then the sword started humming a tune.
"The bell has been raised from its watery grave
Do you hear its sepulchral tone?
A call to all, pay heed the squall
And turn your sail to home!"
The beautiful female voice died down, fading in to the air, taking the glowing of the sword with it. I stared, transfixed but the gorgeous sword did not give me more than a glint from the light.
I was so transfixed by the abnormal sword that I was startled when the Bandersnatch nudged my arm. I smiled down at it, keeping the Vorpal sword close to me as if it was the most precious thing I could own.
"I'm sorry." I muttered to the Bandersnatch, while scratching its head again. "I'll be back if I can…" I told it, standing so that I could leave. It whined again and I felt bad for leaving it there however there was a certain Hatter there waiting on me to rescue him.
I sped through the halls, much quicker than I had ever managed to do before. I wasn't stopped by Stayne, and because something told me that the 'vision' was real, I dodged out of the way of anyone who walked down the halls, including multiples of armored cards. I held the Vorpal sword tight to me, but far enough away not to cut myself again. When I walked into the closed doors that led to the Hatter's domain I saw Mally trying to break the lock by pin.
"Hatter, Mally!" I exclaimed, coming closer to them. I flopped down beside Mally, huffing from my speedy run.
"The Vorpal Sword!" The exclaimed right back, although theirs were happier.
"What?" I said, confused in my rushed wheezing. The Hatter got up and tried to shout what I thought was hooray but then the doors that I had just busted through myself, were thrown back by the very knave who had attacked me earlier. I groaned, already knowing that this wasn't going to end well. I rose from my slouched position on the floor, to stand beside the suddenly less excited Hatter.
The man with fish for breath pointed at me, his voice and face angry but his eyes held malice of another kind, a vengeance kind. "Arrest that girl for unlawful seduction!" He cried out, and the red armored guards which I had previously avoided in the halls moved forward, pointing their heart spears at my body, which was significantly larger.
"Hatter," Mally said, worried I supposed. I had no time as the Vorpal sword practically hummed with the need for battle. I grimaced, and tightened my hold on its hilt, completely unprepared for the Hatter to come to my defense.
"Take it to the White Queen!" He ordered, as he stepped possessively in front of me. I grew worried for his safety the moment he had gotten in between this sword and its opponents.
"I'm not leaving without you and Mally!" I announced. True, I'd tacked on Mally's name but I was truthfully, and rashly, worried for the Hatter more than the tiny mouse. The brave, limping, Hightopp leader would not hear of my staying behind.
"Go!" He ordered me again, only glancing behind, as he tried to rush to meet them. As he walked he picked up to rolls of fabric, unusual colors they were, and flung them across the room. As they unrolled they snapped into the armor of the two cards and sent them down, heads ringing. Stayne snorted at their uselessness and headed in, pulling out his sword. I was prepared to take action but Tarrant grabbed a model, with a little help from Mally, and blocked Stayne's attacks with it.
At one crucial point in the fast paced battle Tarrant was standing in a chair with a bottle of perfume at the ready, Stayne ready to shove the sword down his arms and into Tarrant's vulnerable stomach. I was prepared to jump in and drive the Vorpal sword through his own head, when Mally said critical words that would stain the future of Underland.
"Fun, Aluna!" She yelled, then abruptly covered her mouth, but it had been too late. The black-haired Knave turned his head towards me, looking me over again.
"Aluna?" He asked, his lips turning up in a sour, disgusting grin. I backed up, seriously fearful for my life. Tarrant needed my help no longer, as he did seem to be right at home with plenty of weapons at his disposal so when he yelled at me to run I gave a painful expression and with great reluctance forced myself out the door.
Oh, I hated to leave them there, in the state they were but I had no choice. I was the hope of the resistance against the 'Bloody big head' so I had to stay alive but I didn't know if I could do this without a friendly face. Where was Chess when you need him?
I sighed and sharply pulled back. Nearly flying in front of me a squad of armored cards ran past, no doubt searching for me. I had to squeeze into a small alcove to avoid them. I wrinkled my eyebrows together. There was no doubt in my mind that I didn't have enough skill to get out of this castle without getting caught. I felt the Vorpal sword hum in my hands, just begging to be put to use with all of my strength. What could I do?
Any ideas? I tried my secret self but there was no help from her end, I didn't even feel a hint of her snarky and reassuring presence. I began to panic as I dodged another group of glaring red cards. Then with a whispered cough that sounded like a desperate, sick Destiny I remembered the Bandersnatch waiting up top on the roof. I shot myself through a corridor right after a legion of armored cards had turned the curve to search for me. I carefully made my way to the roof. I was almost caught on the stairwell as the curtains of my dress caught on a hidden ledge. I tugged it, uncaring that it ripped a great deal in the front.
I groaned as I pushed the wooden doors opened. Thankfully the Bandersnatch was stilol there waiting on my return. It raised its head and whole body in happiness. I took a moment to wonder at its dog like qualities before scratching beneath its jaw. "I need a favor…" I crooned to it. It gave a growling, sort of mulling sound before pushing its head into my stomach. "I need to ride on the back of you, so I can get us both out of here." I muttered, nuzzling the surprisingly smooth hair of the Bandersnatch.
It bent down, allowing me full support with its paw so that I could get on to its back. "Thank you." I muttered, taking its invitation with another scratch to its noggin. As soon as I was on, and well supported the creature rose on steady feet causing me to clutch its fur tighter. As we busted through the doors, a moment of freedom for the Bandersnatch and then we were surrounded. The cards pointed their spears at us but the Bandersnatch merely gave a wheezy sort of laugh. I held the sword closer to me so I didn't cut the animal that no longer filled me with horror but instead with pride.
Just then out of the doors that I had not known but, now I saw they led off to the court and then out into the gates leading away from this horrific castle, Stayne stepped out. He pulled off his black gloves carefully. "Aluna…I should have seen it." He said smirking, with his ugly teeth nearly radiating the stench I could remember clearly. "Well it has been a long time, after all the last time you were here you were a small tyke, or you made yourself. All for that little Hatter boy. I guess he's not so little now…" he mused. He seemed to grow tired of babbling on about things I didn't obviously grow angry at. I guess it was common knowledge that I didn't remember what once happened.
"Give me the sword." He ordered, motioning with his surprisingly thin hands. Of course everything about him was thin, making the armor he wore much more bulky then they already made normal men. I forced myself to stragithen although it was a task of itself seeing as I was mounted on such a large creature.
"Come make me, Stayne!" I shouted at him. I saw his face curl up in a tight sour expression before he stopped right in the only hole in the ring of cards. Then he controlled what he could of his emotions, though I was sure I already knew what he felt.
"The Queen will be so pleased. She will take great pleasure in taking off that beautiful head of yours from your shoulders." He sneered again and the cards began to move in somemore, as if I was really distracted by his insult/compliment.
"And I'll feel pleasure when I slay the Jabberwocky, and regain the crown for the White Queen!" I shouted, nudging the Bandersnatch to move. It gave a loud roar, loduer and freeer then I'd ever heard it before it simply ran over the cards blocking the way to the gates. We didn't even stop as they tried to snap the gates shut on us. I couldn't help but laugh as the wind blew my long, free hair away from me, how happy this made me feel, to stand up to someone for once.
Why had I not spoken up sooner? Oh yeah, the Hatter. I deflated greatly. I hoped he was all right. I grinned as I remembered the Hatter's movements as he fought off Stayne. If he could do that with mundane items that were just sitting around, I wonder what he could do with a sword. I sighed in thought.
Here I was, a Lady of court falling in love with a milliner. What could I tell myself? I couldn't deny it, though it confused me. I hadn't known him long, maybe two days? Although time flowed different here, didn't it? Maybe it had been longer…who knows, because I know that I didn't all I knew is that I knew the Hatter before, and I knew him now. He was defiantly not the arrogant lords who cared more about how high they could get their noses. I sighed.
I suddenly wish I didn't feel this way. I knew that this didn't happen to most, finding love, but I'd seen what happens when they do. Look at Alice, she had to watch as Hamish, her crush, asked me to marry him. I'd never do that to her of course, just like I'm sure she wouldn't have done that to me either. I clutched the sword closer to me, running my finger over the writing without thinking about it.
"The King and his men
stole the queen from her bed
And bound her in her Bones.
The seas be ours
And by the powers
Where we will we'll roam."
I grimaced as I seemed to zone out as the beautiful female voice whispered in my ear. She gave a giggle, something so mischievous and playful I laughed along with it, which was strange as my voice seemed to blend right next to it. As the words faded from my ears but not my mind I realized that the Bandersnatch had stopped. It was almost falling over. I glanced at our surroundings. We were surrounded by large bushes, just large enough to hide both our frames, which were really just medium sized trees. I smoothed myself off of the Bandersnatches back and scratched it behind the ears.
"You did wonderful!" I crooned to it as it fell to the ground in exhaustion. It was dark out again much to my shame. Had I really been so enthralled by a disembodied voice? I really shouldn't touch that name again. All it does is cause me to have blackouts. I hesitated, unsure of what I could eat here but I knew one thing, if I didn't get something to eat, I was going to fall over and pass out from hunger.
"Psssst!" I heard. My head swiveled around to find that noise. I found in a beautiful purple flower. It looked young, like a little baby, and all of its friends were behind it, giggling insanely. I crouched down beside it. "'Ou 'ant some food?" She asked giggling. I felt my eyebrows rizing in suspicion.
"I don't know, am I going to regret it? After all I don't know you or your friends." I told her quietly, fiddling with the small slip on my side. The little flower seemed to flush, or her cheeks became a darker purple than before.
"My names Penelope and you're theAluna. Everyone knows not to trick the Aluna, or you might not save us!" She nearly shouted the last part. Then she pointed her leaves to the side of her. I looked that way to see huge fruit. "If you place them on the ground and tickle them, then they'll open and humans, Upperlandians can eat that. I'm told it's really filling." She said and giggled again. I smiled at her and poked her fronds with one hand, making her giggle insistently.
"Thank you!" I told her, rising to go to the plant with weird fruit on. I heard, just as I stepped out of hearing range her speak to her friends.
"I helped The Aluna!" The other flowers started giggling and I smiled happily. Hopefully these flowers were nice, and not working for the red queen. I really don't want to die from food poisoning because I ate a fruit. Speaking of the fruit, it really was strange. The fruit was red where it connected to the green vine, and yet the red blended into purple. I carefully reached for the fruit but then thought better of it. If the flowers here were alive, then wouldn't the other plants?
"Um, excuse me…" I said, feeling mighty awkward but apparently asking was the best thing I could have done because the plants vines became looser around the tree it was holding onto. "Can I please have some fruit for me and the Bandersnatch? We've been traveling a really long time, and we're really hungry." I practically begged the plant. For a moment nothing happened and I began to deflate but then two of the vines unwrapped from the tree. They waved around for a moment before three of the large fruits were shoved into my hands.
I stumbled under the sudden weight, and the vine that grasped a small lock of my hair and squeezed. When the vine pulled away I realized that it had taken a small lock of my hair. I smiled, awkward before trying to curtsy over the large fruit. "Thank you!" I squeaked.
I moved away from the plant that was waving good-bye. I dropped the fruit in front of the Bandersnatch and its large tail began to wag. I hesitated before tickling one of the fruits on the sides. For another moment, where my stomach decided to gasp in anticipation, there was nothing. Then with a small sigh the fruit opened, showing me what looked likie a milky soup. I blinked and carefully took a bit of the liquid and the meat floating in it with my cupped hands.
Well here we go. I mind whispered to myself before taking a swallow of the meat and the liquid. Immediately I thought I'd just tasted ambrosia. It was the most delicious taste in the world, rum and the smell of gun-powdered meat. Where had I tasted those things before? We weren't allowed rum, as I was a girl, and that same reason I had never had anything heavier then salad. I lifted my head, smiling at the Bandersnatch. I reached over to the second fruit and tickled it.
Soon the Bandersnatch and I were stuffing the food into our mouths. I ate more then I'd ever thought I could possibly eat in a life time. Finally I sat back, the fruit not even half-gone. I pushed myself up to the Bandersnatch who had finished its fruit before me. It sniffed my leftovers, cautious, before looking to me. I giggled and nodded. It gave a playful growl before diving again into the fruit with less force then the first, so as not to jar me.
I sighed again, trying to get comfortable. The place around me was surrounded with the trees of before except now it was pitch dark. Thankfully my eyes had adjusted as it had gradually grown darker and darker. I felt oddly save with the Bandersnatch at my back, safe enough to wonder what I was doing again.
I don't know how many times I was going to go over this in my mind but I had to make a decision. Did I want to stay in Underland or go home-no not home but back to the people I actually remembered? Would it not hurt the people in Underland to know that I was 'Destiny' but I don't remember being Destiny? Bloody hell, I didn't even know who Destiny was in this world. Was I some kind of milliner, a person of royalty, a gypsy, or anything like that?
I didn't know at all, and I don't know if I fancy having to relearn my life. Though If I go back to Upperland was it really going to be any better? To pretend that this never happened would probably kill me by its self. I'd be continually pushed to men who could not stand that I had thoughts, that I wasn't just another pretty face to swing around and show off to other men.
There was so much to think about in this decision. I needed to think about whom it would effect, what it would affect, and about if deep down I wanted to stay or go. I know that I had to think about it truthfully, I couldn't lie to myself. I really hadn't liked my time in Upperland because I was always seen as a horrible example of the way a Lady was supposed to act.
I enjoyed being able to say what I wanted, and I can't stand the way they look at me for it. Their eyes already told me what they were to 'gentlemenly' to say. They thought I was the manure from a bull's buttock. I knew my language was crude but the way they looked at me, Hamish, my 'mother', and even Alice sometimes. My best friend sometimes thought I was weird, the way I couldn't stand to wear colors yet I hated that everyone else always wore beige and white.
I remember though the good times. When I was younger I would play around in the sand.—I halted that thought. I wasn't really a kid back then because apparently I grew up here…with Tarrant. I wish I remembered! I groaned and buried myself farther into the side of the Bandersnatch. The Bandersnatch moved so that it could curl around me. I smiled happily at it, scratching just right near its ear.
I wish I could remember what happened with Tarrant. It would make this choice so much easier. If I could remember things like who was Mirana? Was she really my daughter? Who did I have Mirana with? How old was she? How old was I? I sighed. I just want to remember, if I could then I wouldn't have to worry about this situation. If I could remember then the one thing that was holding me back from staying here with Chess, Mally, Mirana, McTwisp, the twins, The hare, and Tarrant Hightopp….
…..
Aluna Hightopp. I wonder how that would sound aloud. I smiled slightly but it was quick to morph into a frown. Since when did I turn into the girl twins from Upperland? I've never tried fitting my name with someone else's…though I have to admit it did sound quite nice didn't it…Aluna Hightopp…Luna Hightopp….Mrs. Tarrant Hightopp…
It was to this that I fell into a deep comfortable sleep against my new friend.
Sorry that I forgot an author's note for the last chapter. Sometimes I get to excited about updating and just forget. Thank you all for the lovely reviews. I appreciated all of them, even if you didn't review, thank you for reading thus far. I really hope that you guys love this story.
Oh, for those that are interested, I have a sequel to my Pirates of the Caribbean stories in the works. If anyone wants to help me out with the name I would be very grateful. Also when I say in the works I mean I might lose interest at any time but I want encouragement. (lol) If anyone wants to lend me suggestions of what to do in the movie feel free to.
I await the arrival of Sherlock Holmes: A Game in Shadows with so much anticipation that I think my heart will burst when it finally hits shelves.
I love you guys and thanks for reading!
Question: What movies do you want to see Destiny in next?
