Love Checks Fear

Disclaimer: I do not own any dialogue, characters, settings, etc. from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," nor from Disney's animated "Alice in Wonderland," nor Disney's most recent 2010 film of "Alice in Wonderland." What very little creativity that remains is – surprisingly – mine.

Chapter 21

Once the Hatter had left, Mirana – finding herself yawning one too many times and discovering the late hour – forced herself to a change of clothes, hoping that being settled in her nightgown would help her unwind quickly. This was of no use, of course; once in her nightgown she found herself shaking, for after all sleeping only meant the Frabjous Day was that much closer. In an attempt to make her body stay still, the queen huddled in a tight ball in the armchair opposite the door.

"Tarrant!" she gasped as the mad man entered the room, shutting the door behind him. "What news have you-?" She stopped mid-question as Tarrant gave her an apologetic look.

"I couldn't convince her," he began quietly, removing his hat and setting it on the nearest table. "She doesn't believe that any of this is real… that any of us are real."

"But-"

A grumble came from deep within Tarrant's chest as he said in his thick outlandish accent, "She won't slay."

Mirana's nerves got the better of her and she could no longer keep her body still. As she rose to her feet, tears apparent in her eyes, she gave a thin smile and replied, "Very well." She then quickly glided out onto the balcony.

Tarrant closed his eyes momentarily as he took a deep breath. He then walked after her but stopped within the doorway. "One moment, Mirana," he called to her gently, his eyes taking in her sparkling figure as her white hair and gown glittered in the moonlight. She turned to him. "Absolum said to wait a bit longer, that Alice will soon be Alice."

The White Queen shook her head before looking out to the gardens below once more. "Soon isn't soon enough," she stated plainly and then added with a sad sigh, "My poor kingdom."

Tarrant frowned at this but then shook his head to snap out of the hopelessness. "No," he said as he rushed to the queen, wrapping his arms around her and bringing his lips to her right ear. "A champion will come."

Mirana said nothing to this and so the two stood for a moment in silence.

"Now," Tarrant's whispering voice broke into the air, "it has been quite a day and tomorrow will be more trying." The Hatter then spun the queen within his arms so that they faced one another. "So," he went on with a kiss to her hands. "Off to bed with you, darling queen."

Not allowing her to protest, Tarrant guided Mirana back into the suite and straight to her bed. There he let her go, took a step to the side, and held back the covers in a gesture for her to lie down.

"But-"

"Shh. No more, Mirana."

With a heavy sigh, the White Queen got up onto the mattress and her Hatter tucked her in.

"Sleep well, my queen," he said gently as he kissed her dark lips goodnight. He then turned away to return once more to the chaise lounge.

However, as he laid down and shifted about, trying to get comfortable, he found that he could not sleep: constant thoughts, ideas of planning, and strategies of how to kill the Jabberwocky whether with or without the Vorpal sword flooded his mind.

Mirana slept no better at her end of the suite as fear of what the Frabjous Day would bring engulfed her mind: what would become of her kingdom? what would become of her dear friends? what would become of her and Tarrant? would they still have the chance to be together forever?

As such questions continued to pour into her head, she began to find it harder and harder to breathe. "I can't sleep like this," she whispered to herself, hoping the words spoken aloud would block the internal thoughts. "I can't." She sat up and looked across the suite over at Tarrant who appeared to be sleeping. "I need you."

Desperate for peace, Mirana got up from her bed, walked across the length of her suite on the cold white marble, and took a seat on the chaise admiring the Hatter.

"What is it, darling queen?" he asked softly.

Mirana's watery eyes widened. "I thought you were asleep."

Tarrant grinned madly. "I could say the same about you."

Mirana found herself laughing.

"Come here, darling" Tarrant said as he opened his arms.

Mirana hesitated.

"It's all right. This is all so very difficult, but you need your rest, darling, so come here."

Mirana bit her lower lip for a moment before she gave in and climbed onto the chaise.

"There," Tarrant chuckled as the queen snuggled up against him, her head on his chest just under his chin. "Feel better?"

"Yes," she sighed happily. "Much more peaceful with you."

"Good, darling. Now sleep."

After a little while of looking at the stars through the windows and listening to Tarrant's heartbeat Mirana fell fast asleep. The Hatter, on the other hand, remained awake with constant thoughts, ideas of planning, and strategies of how to kill the Jabberwocky; surely it could be killed without the Vorpal.