It didn't take long for Alice to slip into some fancy dress and add a sting of pearls around her throat. Allowing herself a cursory glance in the long dressing mirror she darted back to her quarter's entrance way where Tarrant and the two footmen waited. In a very gentlemanly fashion the red haired hatter offered his arm and she took it to be led to one of the most over the top banquets her eyes had ever beheld.

There were no animals on the table to be served which was quite comforting in this world as they all talked. It was all fruits grains and vegetables and frankly if one of those haughty talking flowers that had once called her a weed had graced the table she wouldn't have been past making a meal of it's beloved petals in a salad. There were hundreds of silver candelabras with white and silver candles dripping wax down the sides, all draped with crystals and beads that added even more drama. The settings were white and silver with heavy silver chargers and steel blue napkins. The service settings were all placed in grand alignment and had far too many pieces to be necessary. While the grand scene was the first thing she took in the heavy silence was the next. Alerting her to the fact the whole hall had been awaiting her arrival and was studying her and her new and apparently announced fiance.

Her happy flush drained swiftly leaving her a delicate shade near that of a pearl and she swayed softly at the hatters side. His grip on her changed deftly allowing him to place a steadying hand on the small of her back and hold her hand to guide her to their seats. Pulling out her chair and allowing her to sit he leaned down as he pushed her up to the table.

"Perhaps it would be advantageous to breath, No?"

Nodding she took in a lungful of air and glanced to Mirana at the head of the same long table they sat at. She looked more magnificent then Alice could remember seeing her. She was grace and charm in a white lace ball gown that would make any woman swoon. Her hair was in plaits that pulled back from her fair face and dark brown eyes and then flowed down her back with the silver and blue crown gracing her noble head. The encouraging smile that looked back at her calmed her immensely, as did her Hatter taking his seat and resting a reassuring hand on her knee, hidden by the long table cloths.

Now that all the guests were accounted for Mirana picked up an ornate silver and crystal bell and rang it. From doors to the kitchens sprang lines of servers with soups salads and such to be placed in front of each person. They moved in pace and never managed to get in each others way. More then she would like to admit she was glad when a wine goblet was filled for her and she could allow the soft sweet liquid to flow into her.

The dinner was uneventful aside from people passing down their congratulations on the engagement as well as frequent thanks for her previous deeds in the realm. She nodded and accepted them all, a soft glow in her visage. Tarrant was chatting to a random courtier about how lucky he was to have gained her hand and how he really should come buy to see what they could do for a grander hat then the one the man was wearing tonight. Smiling at him she wondered how many hats he would be making after this night.

After the array of sweet desserts was out and it seemed everyone was reaching their fill, and thinking thoughts of retiring. The queen took a silver spoon and tapped a crystal goblet to announce her wish to speak.

"My dear friends and members of Underland, Thank you for attending tonight as we celebrate the engagement of our dear friends Mr. Hightopp and Miss. Kingsleigh. You are all aware of how dear these two are to me and the deeds they have done for our kingdom. So tonight I wish to grant our dear hatter the Honor is has earned more then once from his service. Let it be known that Master Tarrant Hightopp will at this time next week be given title and asked into the White Guard.

So before you take your leave of our presence please congratulate he and his betrothed and prepare for festivities that this realm has long enough been with out ."

She smiled and raised her glass to the air where many joined hers in a round of "Callooh! Callay!" and the couple lifted theirs in response to drink with their friends.

After the departure of all; Tarrant walked Alice back to her rooms. Walking arm in arm with her leaning on him a bit for balance. In front of the large white doors he spun her in a graceful twirl and brought her face to face with him...minus a few inches height difference. "Well that was unexpected." He giggled as she leaned in to hug him tight.

"It was well deserved."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Hightopps have always answered the call for the true leaders of the land"

His nonchalance at his previous heroics amazed her and made her love him all the more. She stretched up on tip toe to kiss his smiling lips, as if she couldn't stop herself.

"Alice! We must not loose our heads again!" She didn't miss the fact the small admonishment didn't come till after their lips parted company. Laughing coyly she politely looked away to appear chastened.

Apparently to much so because he pulled her tightly into his chest to comfort her. "I can't risk your reputation again." Nodding against him she reveled in his embrace and felt giddy. When he loosed his hold on her she slightly lost her balance.

"Oh sorry! Too much frivolity tonight I suspect" It was a silly excuse, the fact was she was utterly intoxicated by him, and lost in indecent thoughts.

"Well I can't have you twisting a delicate little ankle getting settled now can I? How about I see you safely in and have some tea with you."

"That would be lovely." Speaking the words and hoping she had a tea set somewhere in that conglomerate of rooms. Truth be told she hadn't even looked through them all.

While she got out of the grand dress she had worn to the banquette the Hatter managed to procure a tea set and make an intimate little setting for the two by the fire. Conforming to propriety he had slid a small table and two chairs up to the warmth and made sure the chairs were on exact opposite sides of the table. When she appeared in a lavender dressing gown he all but gasped.

Her hair was loose and wild as it had been before, falling in waves that begged to be tangled around his fingers. The soft color made her blue eyes dance in the light from the fire and while she was covered from neck to toe, he couldn't help but remember her skin warm and soft under his own. Swallowing hard in an attempt to shoo such thoughts he caught her attention fully.

She smiled at him and tucked her hair behind her ears, in a demure way and took her seat at the table. In hurried motions he mirrored her and served her tea with two sugar cubes and a dash of milk. Just the way she liked it.

Preparing his own half heartedly he watched as she smelled the tea before sipping the hot amber liquid. Nearly causing him to spill his own.

"It was a lovely evening wasn't it? The only disappointment was there was no dancing."

Nodding he drank as well. "Aye, though I didn't know you were much on dancing..."

"Well I could never hope to keep up to your futterwacken, love, but I do enjoy a turn or two on the floor."

Inspired he jumped from the table, bowed his head, and held out an offered hand. Without missing a beat or feigning embarrassment like most girls she took his hand and flowed with him into the center of the room.

There wasn't any music aside from what played in his head, but Alice was light on her feet and followed his lead in grand circles. The started in a stiff and formal waltz embrace that slowly melted into something much closer and more intimate.

It was natural as melting ice and not planned at all. Somehow their bodies found the embrace they fit into so well as they swayed to a silent tune. The large flowing steps slowed into small circles and they spun, till their eyes found each other and then fell into their own little world. He couldn't help himself when he leaned down to claim her rose colored lips. Then his hands sought to bring her closer and run through her hair. She was warm and sweet and he needed her.

There wasn't a bit of fight in Alice. She clung to his broad shoulders and kissed him back deeply. When he drew back slightly she sighed "Please don't stop." And that was it. For Tarrant could never refuse his Alice.

She was lifted from the ground and sat on the table as he kissed down her neck. Her own hands undid the belted sash at her waist allowing her robe to open and reveal soft white gown that was next to nothing.

Crushing her to him as he kissed down to the hollow of her throat his free hand reached up to cup her full breast and play at it's soft rosy tip. Her breath caught for a moment before speeding up.

"Heavens how I love you" He whispered in her ear when he reached it after kissing back up her neck. "And I you." She responded before turning to press her lips to his.

Her small hands raked at his shirt front and vest to find and banish buttons and lay his skin out for her attentions. The pale and freckled skin glowed in the fire light and her lips couldn't resist decorating it in her kisses.

Fighting the clothes off of his back as she kissed him and her hands pulled him closer clawing his back he nearly melted to the floor when he felt her teeth play softly at his flesh before giving a small nip. "Alice..."

The thin white gown didn't stand a chance as he made quick work of it. "I'm so sorry...so...sorry..." He gasped between breaths as he kissed down her throat again before taking one soft pointed nipple into his mouth. Her backed bowed as lightning rand down her spine causing her to press more fully into him. Clutching her with one arm his other hand slid down to find lace blocking her entrance. Again her garments would not cause him to stop. They were gone before either of them knew what happened to them. Then the warm strong hands brushed the length of her slit. Her breaths turned to gasps as his finger ran small circles around the small flesh above her opening , and his mouth teased and caressed her nipples, first one then the other.

All reason and thought was gone from the lust ridden lovers. Alice writhed under the Hatter's attentions hips rolling in time to his caresses and legs open and somehow finding their way around him to pull her to him. The erotic movements of her body was pushing him too far yet again. Tarrant pulled away from her breasts to try and stop before they went over the edge but Alice's face left him prisoner to their passion.

She was flushed in a delicate pink across her cheeks and her eyes glistened like the moon reflected in the waves of blue oceans. Again her hair was wild and tumbling around her to frame not only her face but her breasts. "I can't stop." He whispered and kissed her yet again.

"Don't" was all she could manage as a reply. Both their hands grappled with his trousers, before his finally found the way to remove them. Then there was only opportunity and he couldn't help but take it. Tarrant pulled Alice to the edge of the table and wrapped her long legs around him. Swollen and strong his member reached toward her warmth and he allowed it to rub up and down before finding his harbor.

When he entered her this time it was slow and careful, Alice wouldn't have this though. Her body begged him to go farther, begged him to make love to her like no man ever had a woman before. The soft velvet walls gripped and pulled at him as she pulled herself closer to him. The sensation was so intense Tarrant had to lean on the table for balance, tweaking the angle just enough that he pressed even farther in. He pulled back then pressed back in, sliding against her tight opening and hearing her moan his name. "Tarrant...Ohhh Tarrant...Yess!"

She was an active participant. She moved in sync with his movements and her nails ran down his back, as she gripped him. He was so close to his fulfillment but he couldn't let it end. His Alice would be worshiped, and brought to her heights many times before he would allow himself to finish.

Pressing her back to the table he pulled her legs from around his waist and as he sank to his knees placed them over his shoulders. Innocent Alice had no idea what joys awaited her, until his mouth found her most sensitive little area. His hands had been amazing to her little bud but now his lips working it brought her to her first orgasm. Her breath caught as light and heat flooded her system and rushed to her brain. The red haired man moved his mouth down just enough that he could take in her release.

The soft spot was not to be left alone though, again one of his loving hands came and rubbed the soft circles that grew more and more deliberate as she danced under him. He drank her honey and allowed his tongue to dance in and out of her warmth. As she quieted he moved his mouth back up and exchanged two fingers below. Pressing up against the top of her and moving in sure pressured caresses.

It didn't take much time for her to feel the tides of passion building again. She didn't have the energy to fight it back, nor did she want to. When she came again Tarrant was so entranced that he couldn't wait any longer to join her. He reclaimed his positioning and pushed his throbbing manhood into her. His passion wouldn't be supported by the delicate table so he gathered her to him and let her work over his strong form.

Her legs wrapped around him to keep her from falling as much as his grip on her bottom. When her walls started to dance and pull at him again he was to moved to stop. Thrusts that were fast and fierce pressed his staff into her until his seed sped forth to fill her and her most intense climax shook her in his embrace. Leaving her soft and exhausted in his arms to be taken to bed and laid down to sleep.

He mistook her calm breaths for slumber though for as he turned to leave she called to him. "Tarrant, love, don't leave me."

Ashamed of himself he looked away. "I can't be trusted with you alone Alice..." Surprise took him when she giggled at him. "My little doll you don't understand. I want to protect you from all the evils and depravities of the world... and then I want to claim you in every way possible and never let you leave my embrace! Then I inflict those depravities on you myself...I could hurt you!"

Shaking her head she smiled sleepily at her wild fiance. "I don't need protecting from you Tarrant. Come and stay with me, for I never want you to leave my side."

His fears that he had hurt her melted and again he gave into her request. He climbed into the bed and pulled her to him. She rested her head upon his chest and listened to his breath and heat beat and they drifted off to sleep knowing that their dreams couldn't be any sweeter then reality tonight.