AUTHOR'S NOTE:

It's gonna be a bit slow these next few chapters, I'm warning you. Just bear with me.

CHAPTER 14: Anticlimax, anyone?

The three days came and went faster than any others Alice had known, and she soon found herself standing at the foot of the Queen's throne, sword in hand.

"Give up!" she cried, her voice echoing through the lofty chambers. "The Queen of Diamond's forces have destroyed you- relinquish the crown or die!"

The Queen laughed, her face downturned and hidden. "You won't kill me." she chuckled, baring pointed teeth. "You can't even finish my servant."

"Servant?"

Alice gasped- Percy had appeared, his hands chained and a knife held to his throat by a hooded figure.

Alice recognized him immediately and scowled. "The Knave of Hearts. Let him go!"

"No, I don't think I will." The Knave drawled. He tightened his grip, and blood dripped from the steel. "Shall I finish him now, my Queen?"

She grinned. "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"

"NO!"

Alice awoke with a start, breathing hard and slick with sweat. It was a dream... just a dream...

but it had been more vivid than any dream she could remember. She shuddered- sleep was going to be impossible tonight. So she kicked the blankets off, pulled a hoodie over her nightdress and started walked onto her balcony. She took deep, slow breaths, trying to slow her racing heart while she collected her thoughts.

It was a dream, Alice. You're nervous about what's to come- and that's normal. Just a dream...

But in two day's time, the Rebellion would try to overthrow the Queen of Hearts, and that battle would be all too real. Plenty of creatures would lose their heads, and even Percy and Marcus might-

No. She would not permit that thought to form in her mind. They would be fine- there was no reason to worry. The Queen of Diamonds believed that she could put an end to the Queen.

But that didn't stop her stomach from twisting uncomfortably every time she thought of it.

They wanted her to kill someone. They wanted her to be a hero.

How easy it had been to watch NCIS or read books where people killed without a second thought- where the prince slayed the dragon and saved the day. But they didn't say anything about morals, about right and wrong, about the times the Prince has no idea how he's going to kill anyone because he isn't strong enough and he's so terribly, terribly afraid-

"Alice?"

She didn't bother to turn around- she knew that voice anywhere.

"What are you doing up, Percy?" she asked quietly. She heard his shoes clack gently against the stone as he made to stand beside her. "I couldn't sleep." he said quietly. "And, if I may be so bold as to make an assumption, I don't think you could catch a wink either. Bad dreams?"

Alice nodded, staring out at the still-dark sky, speckled with so many stars. "They want me to kill the Queen. What if I'm not strong enough?"

Percy chuckled gently. "Says the woman who single-handedly killed a Bandersnatch."

"That was different. I wasn't single-handed, and we killed the Bandersnatch in self-defense. This is murder, Percy."

"You knew that going in." he said quietly. Alice opened her mouth to retort, affronted, but he cut her off.

"No, listen. The Queen of Hearts seized the throne by force, and we take it back the same way. It's not murder, it's self-defense of all of Wonderland. The real Wonderland."

his face darkened. "It's the Queen who's committed the real murders, Alice."

She sighed. "I know. But kill her? I can't. I... never thought it would be like this."

"What did you think it would be like?"

"I don't know!" Alice cried. "I've tried not to think about it, because the more I do, the more impossible it becomes! I want to get rid of her- I want to save Wonderland, but... I'm just Alice. I'm not a hero, I'm not everyone's savior."

A single tear splashed onto the balcony.

"I'm just Alice. I'm not a hero, and I was stupid to think I could be." she whispered. "A hero wouldn't run away from a stupid dream."

Percy turned her chin with a finger, forcing her to look into his zinnia-colored eyes.

"You are a hero, Alice. You saved us from the Bandersnatch, and you saved me from myself. You were afraid, but you did it anyway. That's what real bravery is." he released her, but she didn't look away.

"But what if I'm not brave enough? What if we lose?"

"We won't lose, Alice, because I know you're brave enough." he whispered. "And so does everyone else. Every member of the Rebellion is willing to fight with all they have to take down the usurper- they're all right behind you. I'm right behind you. What chance do the Queen's petty slaves stand?"

She sighed, "But people will die."

"It's war, Alice."

"I know." she whispered. "But I don't know what I would do if it were Marcus... or you."

She remembered her dream and shuddered. "That scares me more than the Queen does."

Percy found her hands and took them into his own.

"Nothing is going to happen to us, Alice. You have to believe that."

He flashed her a sideways grin. "I have told Death, in no uncertain terms, that we are off limits. He shall have to wait a while before I will grace him with my considerable charm."

Alice giggled- she couldn't help it. "I can't imagine that he took that very well."

"He didn't. But he doesn't have a choice- if he so much as looks at you or Marcus, he'll have a Mad Hatter to deal with."

Alice smiled, the cold weight of fear lifting from her shoulders.

"Thank you, Percy." she whispered. "I wish you could have met my grandmother- or Amelia. They would have liked you. Amelia would think it fitting that I've fallen for a madman."

A fresh wave of homesickness rolled over her, but she shoved it away. She missed her family, not her world- and part of her family was here, in Wonderland. She had to help them.

Percy released her hands (albeit a little reluctantly) and glanced at the sky, which had lightened considerably. Streaks of rose and gold pierced the branches.
"It looks like the Sun's finally dragged himself out of bed."

Alice nodded. "Indeed. And that means that I've got to get properly dressed- We're supposed to be tested for swordsmanship today, and I've got to beat the stuffing out of you and Marcus."

Percy grinned. "So sure of that, are you?"

"Oh yes, 'Raven Prince.'"

Percy raised his eyebrows. "Ha! I'll have you know that I am a very fearsome Raven Prince. Speaking of which- I'm sure Mira would be delighted if you joined us for tea today."

She couldn't resist giving him a sideways look. "Is that a date?"

His face went bright red. "Well... is that a refusal?"

"Nope."

"Then it is indeed a date. Don't forget your imaginary invitation- she's very picky about that."

Alice nodded, biting her lip to hide a smile as she left the balcony. Today was going to be a bright day indeed- and she was ready for whatever lay ahead tomorrow.

--

She took a light breakfast and headed to the East Courtyard- she had been asked to report there for swordsmanship testing. An ape archer had given her the message, and he'd returned her blade. It banged satisfyingly against her hip as she walked- she'd missed the security carrying a sword could bring. But it was no longer another toy in their summer adventures; it was a tool that she would use to take down the Queen, or die trying.

She reached the training grounds- full of White Cards, monkeys, and every variety of weapon-wielding creature. The flowers had moved themselves into the far corners of the yard to give them space. Marcus waved to her from across the field.

"Finally, you're up!" he said, once she'd reached him. "Ready to get thrashed?"

Alice grinned. "Not if I thrash you and Percy first."

Percy? Oh, no. Her face fell- she still hadn't told Marcus about him. But now wasn't the time.

Ferzin shuffled towards them. "'Ey! Alice!"

She waved at him. "Hello, Ferzin! Come to watch?"

"Aye, I have."

He leaned closer to her, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Don't tell the 'ittle Knight over there, but be shure ta give 'im 'eck from me, Alice. He's licked 'aff my archers already- embarassing."

"But they're archers- they don't carry swords."

"I know- so we made 'im drop 'is blade- that only made 'im worse."

Alice laughed aloud- showoff.

"Don't worry. I've beaten him before, and I'll do it again."

And with that, Marcus and Alice began circling each other, grins set on their faces. One minute... two...

Then Alice exploded into action, lunging at him. Marcus ducked her wild stab easily, sweeping out a leg to trip her. But she was too quick, and jumped over it, swiping with her sword. He parried it, and they danced back and forth across the yard, steel flashing in the sun. The other fighters had abandoned their matches to watch the spectacle, eyes wide. This fight looked like it would end like the first- both teenagers were evenly matched, and neither could make much headway. Alice would have to wait for an opening, or...

She grinned. She'd give Marcus the surprise of his life.

She made a wild slash upward, and as he leaned back to avoid it she smashed the hilt of her sword against his hand, sending his weapon flying. He tried to grab it, but overbalanced and wound up flat on his back. Alice flicked her sword to his throat.

"Dead. Who's been thrashed now?"

Marcus sighed. "All right, all right- you win! Let me up!"

She released him, and helped him to his feet. She made to sheathe her sword, when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Mind if I cut in?"

Percy. She nodded, and the circle of onlookers whispers intensified. They circled each other just as she and Marcus had, but this time, Alice was nervous. She hadn't fought Percy before- he'd preferred to spar with Marcus, if at all. And fighting with a Mad Hatter was sure to be difficult... not to mention the fact that their swords were sharp. She could hurt him.

But he knew that- and the mischievous smile on his face was infectious. So she said nothing, eyes narrowed as she waited for him to make a move.

She didn't have to wait long.

He flew forward in a rush of motion, and Alice barely managed to dodge a wild swipe. He was fast! Marcus had more finesse, sure, but Percy flew at her with a series of blows so fast and so wild that it was all she could do to avoid being hit. She winced- she knew he would never try to hurt her, but he was a madman, and he was certainly fighting like one. He drove her pace after pace towards the other side of the circle, and Alice knew grimly that she had a few more steps before she'd lost.
"Ready to give up?"

"Never!" Alice grinned devilishly- she wasn't letting Percy get the best of her. She could play his speed against him.

She leapt back, and onlookers scrambled to avoid her. Percy was left slashing wildly at the air, and one kick was enough to send him sprawling.

Or, it would have been, if he hadn't accidentally tripped Alice in the process. She shrieked as they both tumbled to the ground in a heap, but it was lost in the roar of applause.

"I've never seen such swordsmanship!"

"Licked 'em both! In a row!"

"That's our Alice, that is!"

"Wait- but didn't the Hatter just win?"

"Bah- who cares? That was awesome!"

But she wasn't listening. She could only hear the blood rushing in her ears and the rapid pulse of her heart- she was pinned underneath Percy, their faces inches apart... if just one of them leaned forward, even a little-

"Are you all right?"

Marcus' voice jolted Alice from her less than innocent thoughts, and Percy sprang off of her as if he'd been burned. Both of their faces were very pink.

"Erm, yeah, we're fine." muttered Alice, sheathing her sword. "Did we pass the test?"

"Pass?" Ferzin interrupted. "At's some 'a the best fightin' I've evuh seen! The bloody usurper's gonna be in for a nasty surprise the day after next!"

Alice's stomach jolted at the thought. "Yeah." she said, her smile coming off as more of a grimace.

The three of them finally managed to extricate themselves from the roaring crowd, who insisted upon patting their backs and calling out raucous war cries. Alice sighed- the intense fights had left her breathless- she just wanted to find a place to sit down and rest. But once they left the courtyard, Marcus tapped her on the shoulder.
"Alice, can I ask you something?" he whispered. She nodded- noting that Percy had wandered away from them, incredibly interested in a pebble on the ground.

When Marcus deemed them out of earshot, he asked, "I was wondering... some of the other warriors were going to go on a fishing excursion tonight, to stock up on supplies. I... you always liked fishing, right? Would you like to come?"

His expression was so earnest and shy, Alice didn't have the heart to tell him that she was an awful fisherman and couldn't bear to injure the poor things. But instead, she said,

"I'm really sorry, Marcus- I promised Percy that I'd have tea with him and a little girl named Mirabelle. She's a cute little thing- always making up stories. Could you come with us?"

She inwardly winced as she watched his face fall, and she didn't miss the dark look he shot at Percy.

"No, thanks." he said coldly. "I guess I'll just catch up to you later."

She called after him, but he wasn't listening- and it was only after he was out of sight that she realized that she had forgot to tell him about her real feelings.

She sighed- it was no good approaching him now. She supposed... it wouldn't hurt to wait one more day.

Would it?

Oh, if Alice only knew.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

OH, THE SUSPENSE! XD

Yeah, two rounds of sparring were a little excessive, I'll admit, but Percy demanded to fight. XD I am a slave to my characters and my threatening reviewers, it seems. And THERE! XD 3 chapters added in one day! Now you guys will have plenty to read until I add chapter 15, which should be in a day or two.

-JadedWarrrior