Royal Coronation, abridged from the journals of Queen Alice, King Tarrant, Duchess/Lady Johanna, and Duke/Lord Alick.

Four Years Later-

Alice stared at her reflection in the mirror as she placed the necklace around her throat and tried for the clasp. It slipped from her fingers several times, she growled angrily in frustration.

"Alice my love, do you need some help?" Although Alices were normally stubborn creatures she decided to relent for once and allowed her husband to hook the clasp behind her neck. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.

"Your big day," He whispered and kissed her cheek.

"Our big day," she corrected. Tarrant shrugged.

"Yes my Queen, but may I say, you are the one of royal descent here not me. In fact if it weren't for the fact that we were not bound before we returned the most I would ever be for you would be a male concubine or Queen's lover. Not that I wouldn't do so if it was that case but I'd much rather have you for myself, I don't mean to be selfish but when you are concerned," Alice touched his cheek and kissed him soundly.

"You'll always have me, no matter what. Together we will rule our lands." She whispered. Tarrant hummed and relaxed.

"Alice the Blue Queen and ruler of the Outlands, Witzend, and Iplam and the White Champion," He whispered against her skin.

"Tarrant Hightopp, lord of the Hightopp clan and the Blue King, ruler of the Outlands, Witzend, and Iplam," She countered. Tarrant smiled against her pale skin.

A knock sounded on the door, "Yes," Alice called, "You may enter," She doubted she'd ever get used to having this much authority. Alick entered dressed in blue and white, his sword at his side.

"Your highnesses, they are ready for you." He said simply and left.

Some how after a full day of debate – full day debates were rather rare in Underland you know - it was decided that Alick's cousin of the Greenwich Clan would take over the guardianship of the White Queen and her descendants while the Calder Clan would protect the Blue Throne. However, in the lands ruled by the Blue Queen they would be known and Duke and Duchess – something Johanna did not entirely like - but in the lands ruled by the White Queen they would return to their original tittles of Lord and Lady. This arrangement seemed to satisfy every one so there was little objection.

Tarrant took Alice's hand, "Are you ready?" Alice nodded nervously as he led her out of their room and to the main hall. Alick was waiting for them, ready to escort them.

"We've come a long way from the misfits we were, haven't we Tarrant?" Tarrant nodded his agreement. Alick opened the doors and allowed the couple to go ahead of him.

The White Queen, her fiancé, the Hightopps, the Calders, and various rulers from different kingdoms were present. Johanna sat in the second row, an overly active three year old Ceilidh struggling to get out of her mother's arms and to her father, next to their parents. Five year old Terressa sat in her mothers lap clapping in delight when she saw her brother. Tarrant winked at his sister as he entered the room.

Every one stood and bowed or curtsied to show respect to the future royals. As soon as they were onto the raised platform the assembly sat and Alick stood off to Alice's right. Charles walked to them with a wide smile on his face, Absolem was on his shoulder, and although it seemed like a good idea earlier and may have been a bad idea it didn't turn out as such as the Tweedles held two pillows with the crowns on. Perhaps this was some how related to the fact that Alick had told them that if they were to drop the crowns and start fighting he would immediately see to it that they would not receive any sweets.

Charles stood in front of Alice, "Alice Kingsleigh, you are of royal descent, there for this crown in your birthright. Do you accept it and all the challenges and responsibilities that come with it?" Alice nodded and swallowed.

"Muchness Alice," she mentally reminded herself. Charles then walked to Tarrant.

"Tarrant Hightopp, do you agree to remain by Alice's side and remain faithful to her and to support her at all times?" the Hatter swallowed under the intense gaze of his father-in-law.

"Yes," he said, it hadn't sounded right it was high pitched and rather feminine. He cleared his throat and tried again, "Yes, I do." Much better!

Charles waved the Tweedles over and removed Alice's tiara and affectionately replaced it with the blue and gold crown from Tweedledum on Alice's golden curls. He then took the blue and gold crown from Tweedledum and placed it on the combed and tied back hair of Tarrant, who felt rather lost without his hat.

"Then rise and be known as the Queen Alice and King Tarrant of the Blue Throne!" The assembly again stood and began to shout in chorus.

"Hail Queen Alice, Hail King Tarrant! Long live the Blue blood line!"

So the adventure was finally over… Perhaps…

Ali-

I thumbed through the book Alice had told me of and smiled at what I saw. Stuck in one page was a photograph, black and white but every person was labeled and a small – rather large should I say – pedigree chart was drawn on the back explaining how they were all related. But what was even better was the last journal entry.

"My dear friend Ali, thank you for your help in returning us to where we belong. I asked McTwisp to retrieve this journal from my home and bring it to me that I may write a final entry just for you and have it placed here. You may notice the picture has only four generations and yet the pedigree chart has at least ten generations of both Hightopp and Calder. I do hope this helps you, our thanks are forever your's Ali. I wish you luck.

Her Majesty Alice, The Blue Queen