Chapter 11.

"Tomorrow we ride into battle to face my sister, the Red Queen, and her army." The White Queen stood before her knights, the Hatter and his family beside her. "The Hatter has spoken and the traitor Alexander shall not be harmed tomorrow, he and Avery shall be returned safely. Alexander will face trial for his crimes after the war is won." she spoke with power behind each of her words all eyes were on her. "We ride with the sun, so return home tonight, be with your families, tomorrow we are at war." Everyone soon started to disperse and Sebastian made his way to Faylen sides.

"I'm going with you all tomorrow." she told her father. "I will not sit at the palace and wait for word of your return while you all fight. I will help bring my sister home." The Hatter smiled.

"You always have burned so bright Faylen, always wanting to do the impossible. I doubt I could keep you here if I tried." he sighed. "You can go, but stay near Sebastian or I always. I wouldn't be able to concentrate with both you and your sister out there lost in the battle."

"I will not leave her side Tarrent." Sebastian said, The Hatter nodded at the boy he'd helped raised, before Sebastian and Faylen walked into the palace.

"This will all be over tomorrow." Alice sighed.

"Will you and Avery go home?" he asked her.

"We are home Hatter." she smiled at him. "I doubt we could keep the girls apart and I'm not certain I could leave you again." he hugged her tightly.

"When this is all over and things are bright again, we will make a life for our girls in Underland." he told her. "We will be the family we meant to be, you, me and our girls." She smiled up at him, she wanted nothing more than that, to live happily ever after in Underland as a family. For that to happen she would have to beat the Red Queen's champion and she hoped with all her heart that she was strong enough to do that.

Just inside the castle Faylen stood her arms wrapped around Sebastian's waist and her face buried in his chest. She was scared that one of them wouldn't return tomorrow, even with all their training they weren't prepared for everything.

"Promise me no matter what happens tomorrow you'll find me." she said after a moment.

"I promise you that my love," he smiled, "because after this is all over I intend to make you my wife." her eyes went wide as she looked up at him.

"That is not a funny thing to joke about so close to battle Seb."

"It wasn't a joke Faylen." he took her hands in his. "I've loved you for more than half of my life and I want nothing more than to marry you, so please say you'll be my wife.."

"Of course I will." she said before he kissed her.

"Everything will be okay after tomorrow, we'll all get our happily ever after." he told her. She closed her eyes and for a moment she could believe him.

"Now off to bed with you, we have to be with the sun." They kissed once more before going their separate ways.

Avery sat at the window looking out, hoping Chess would come tonight but knowing he wouldn't. Tomorrow they headed to battle and everything would be decided one way or the other. She was scared for her mother and father, for Faylen, for Sebastian, and for Alex's. She wished she had just listened to her mother and not gone chasing Chess into the woods. Then everyone might still be safe, but then she wouldn't have met her father and sister. She would still think that everything here was apart of some elaborate bedtime story.

"Avery?" She turned around as Alexander called her name. "How are you?"

"About as good as could be expected considering what's to happen tomorrow." he walked over and wrapped his arms around her.

"Have faith in them, and in us, we'll all get through this." he kissed the top of her head. "Then I imagine you and your mom will be on your way home."

"That wouldn't be my home anymore." she told him. "I can't even see myself going back there."

"So you'll stay?"

"If she let's me yes, although I don't think going home will be an option for either of us. I don't se her wanting to leave Faylen and dad again." she smiled at him.

"Well hopefully I get to live long enough to show the real Underland, not this dark and dying place."

"I'd like that a lot, and you will I promise you that." she said.

"Sleep now Avery, we have to be up early in the morning." The both lay in the bed and drifted to sleep trying not to think about the upcoming battle.

They were awoken moments before sunrise by one of the maids. They got up Alex's leaving her so he could prepare for the battle. Avery dressed in the armor they maid had left for her and braided her red hair back. It amazed how natural she looked dressed in her armor, like a warrior princess from one of her story books.

"This is it." she said to her reflection. "Tonight I will either be celebrating victory or morning my family."

"Avery?" The sound of Alex's voice made her jump. "Time to go." she nodded and walked to his side, he took her hand in his. "No matter what stay close to me, should I fall, find your father or Sebastian." she nodded and they headed down to the courtyard. The Red Queen waited in front of a carriage and they went to her side.

"Today this ends." The Red Queen said before turning to the army in front of her. "My sister falls on this day! We shall be victories or let us not return! Now ride all of you, to the great chess board!" Everyone cheered as The Queen forced Alex and Avery into the carriage. "Keep her safe today knight and you may earn your families freedom." she sneered. Alex held tight to Avery's hand until the moment they stepped out of the carriage and turned to face the White Queen's army.

Alice's heart stopped when she saw Avery get out of the carriage, hand in hand with Alexander. It was the first time she'd seen her daughter in weeks. She had to take down the champion of the Red Queen so her she could have both of her daughters and her happily ever after. The Queen's, Red and White, approached the middle of the battle field.

"Iracebeth, we don't have to do this, please just give us the girl and surrender." The White Queen plead with her sister. "I can not say that you will through this battle as you did last time."

"No, I shall not back down to you, Underland shall be mine. Bring forth the champions!" she yelled. Alice made her way to the center of the chess board, as did Katelyn.

"I challenge you Alice, and you shall fall by my blade." Katelyn said.

"So the battle begins!" The Red Queen screamed before all hell broke loose. Swords were clashing left and right and everyone was running into the battle.

"Get me to the Red Queen!" Faylen yelled at Sebastian, "I shall end her once and for all." he nodded and the two of them worked their way through the knights battling for victory, they fought their way through her inner guard until Faylen was face to face with The Red Queen.

"You dare come at me." she screeched.

"Wither you champion wins or not, this shall be your end." Faylen yelled before running her blade through the Red Queen's stomach. "Go to hell witch." As the Red Queen fell Faylen began to look for her sister. "We need to find Avery, mom can take care of Katelyn." Sebastian followed her as they ran through the battle.

Alice was fighting fiercely against her opponent unaware of her daughters victory against the Red Queen. Katelyn had match her step for step but she was starting to become sluggish in her movements. Alice smiled to herself she may yet have a chance.

Tarrent could clearly see Avery from where he fought the knights charging at him. That boy, Alexander kept himself in front of her no matter what came at him. He watched as a large guard from the Red Queen's own army turned on them, Avery coward behind Alex's but he stood his ground.

"You may be the Red Queen's pet, but even she would understand a little accident, as long as the girl was alright." the knight smirked and took stance.

"You will not go near her." Alex said and their swords met seconds later, Avery watched in fear as the man fought with Alex and she gasped as the blade cut his arm and his own weapon feel. The man raise his sword and prepared to bring it down, but instead crumpled to his knees. Behind him stood her sister and Sebastian.

"Faylen." she ran to he sisters open arms. "We have to help Alex's he's hurt."

"Just a scratch," she turned to see Sebastian kneeled beside him, "he'll be fine. Now let us hope your mother can win." After what seemed like only seconds Katelyn feel and Alice shouted in victory. The twins hugged each other and Sebastian shared a small smile with Alexander.

"Underland is free!" The White Queen shouted. "Drop your weapons, both your Queen and champion have fallen." The sound of cheers and sword hitting the ground filled the air. "Gather the prisoners and then we return to Marmoreal." Sebastian turned to Alex.

"You'll need to come with me, the Hatter has spoken and you can live but you must face trial for your crimes." Sebastian said.

"I'll come without protest." Alex told him, "Just allow me a moment to speak with Avery?" Sebastian nodded and Alex turned to the Red haired girl. "I'll be fine, rejoice that your family is safe, and know that I love you." he kissed her before walking over to Sebastian side.

"Let us go to mother and father." Faylen said taking her sister's hand, Avery gave a small smile and nodded as they turned and began walking toward the sight of their fathers hat amongst the crowd.

Hatter held Alice tightly to him when the battle was over and began scanning the crowd for his daughters. When he caught sight of them walking their way he took Alice hand and went to meet them. He and Alice took turns hugging each girl and telling Avery how glad they were that she was safe.

"Now, let us return to Marmoreal and start to live our lives as the family we were meant to be." Alice said.

"We're staying in Underland?" Avery asked.

"Yes, I should have never left, this is where we belong Avery. Right here, with your father and sister." she hugged Faylen. "I couldn't leave you again if I tried, the first time hurt too much."

"I'm so happy your staying." Faylen said. The family made their way back to the palace, free from the threat of the Red Queen.

"We found them at the palace this morning." A White knight stood before the Hatter with a woman and a girl.

"You are Alexander's mother?" he asked.

"Yes sir, please forgive him." The woman cried, "All he did, was so myself and Katie wouldn't be harmed. They killed his father he didn't want the same to happen to us."

"Thank you," the Hatter said, "Get a room for them and make sure they get something to eat. You'll be giving more news about your son soon." They were led from the room and the Hatter headed for the great hall where he would let the traitor knight know his fate. Avery had begged him to let Alexander free, she had fallen for him this much was clear on her face each time she spoke of him. He knew now that the story he told Avery was true and he would decide based on that.

"All stand, the honorable Hatter presiding." As McTwisp announced his arrival the Hatter entered the room and sat on the judges stand.

"Alexander, you are charged with treason and the kidnapping of my daughters, how do you plea?" he said.

"Guilty sir, I did what I had to do to keep my family alive." Alexander told him, "I'm not proud of my actions but I will not deny them. Your daughter has forgiven me, I can only hope that you can see to do the same."

"usually we wouldn't take the word of a traitor into account, but my daughter seemed so sure you spoke truly." The Hatter said. "Your mother and sister were both brought for the Red Queen's palace this morning. Since his actions were to save his family all charges against Alexander shall be dropped. Go to your family, let them know your safe." Alexander nodded and was released by the knights at his side. Avery met him at the door and the left the courtroom together.