Again, short, but seeing as I posted earlier today/ yesterday (I haven't gone to sleep yet so to me its still the same day lol) I hope you guys'll forgive me :).
In spite of the world going to pot around her, Alice liked to think that she had never been happier in her entire life. Sure, the circumstance could be better, but the attachment still existed. She had admitted, verbally, to Hatter that she loved him and he had done the same.
They made the short walk back to the camp, hand in hand, after a too short period in the cover of the trees. They both knew that they couldn't be gone long without Charlie and Noah getting worried and/or suspicious so they made the journey back after a few passionate but all too longing kisses.
"So just because what just happened, happened doesn't mean that I forgot why we were out there to begin with." Alice started while they were still in the safety of the trees. "What's got you so wound up?"
"Are you sure you really wanna know?"
"Would I be asking if I wasn't?"
"I d'know, you tend to ask a lot of questions." All she could do in reply to this statement was glare, "Fine…but maybe we should sit down for this. At least that way those two will know we aren't dead."
"That's a comforting thought."
"Isn't it?" Hatter replied sarcastically as he took her hand and lead her the rest of the way to their blanket. Neither of them actually wanted to use it, not in its current state, but it was better than sitting on the ground. Alice couldn't help but think that she would shower for an entire day when all this was over.
Once they were settled, Alice resisted a shiver and moved herself closer to the fire, this reaction was greeted by Hatter's arm wrapping around her to keep her warm.
"Well, recently I have been made privy to some information concernin' my parents." he said to her quietly.
"'Made privy'?" Alice commented with a giggle, "Sorry," she replied to his glare.
"Anyway…apparently I'm part knight." he added with a shrug.
"Really? So's Noah."
"What?"
"Did I hear my name?" Noah questioned as he made his way over to them carrying two sticks with cooked meat stuck on the end of them. "Its not fancy, but it'll have to do for now. So, why am I being mentioned in your private couple's conversation?"
"You're part knight."
"So I said…with the hope that you wouldn't go blabbing about it to everyone, but I guess the cat's out of the bag now."
Alice was about to open her mouth to retort until Hatter stopped her. "That's interestin' mate." he muttered before taking a bite out of the 'meat on a stick' with his eyes never leaving Alice.
"Am I missing something?" Noah asked, his eyes shifting between the two.
"How could you do such a thing?" Charlie snapped from the other side of the fire after spitting out a piece of borogove. "This gristle isn't worth the time you took to slay the poor creature."
"Look old timer, I've spent enough time the forest to kn-"
"Oh no," Alice and Hatter whispered in tandem before Charlie got started.
"How dare you?! You nug faced degenerate bag head! I'll have you know that I have been an inhabitant of these woods since before you were a glimmer in your father's eye."
"And I'll have you know that I was trained on how to correctly survive in these woods by my father, who was trained by his father before him. My grandfather was a noble knight who was stationed under the command of the Great White Knight. The real one. This dagger was presented to my grandfather by the knight himself…In conclusion, I know what the hell I'm doing, so back off." Noah replied. During his rant, Noah had pulled out the fateful dagger to show Charlie that his words were true.
Charlie's reaction was not one that Alice had expected. Instead of hurling another insult at Noah, Charlie stared at the object in front of him with immense reverence, just like he did when he saw the Stone of Wonderland on Alice's finger.
"You," Charlie whispered, "You are the last descendant of the Great Duff line? Grandson of the Great and Noble Sir William Theodore Leopold Duff the fifth? "
Noah seemed to be taken aback by Charlie's sudden change of disposition, "Ah…yes. I mean I should be, yeah."
Silence fell between the four campers and during all the time this course of conversation had taken place Alice had been able to feel Hatter as he watched the volley, but now he sat unmoving.
"Hatter?" Alice whispered as she turned to him. Something was definitely up, but she had no idea what it was.
A second passed before he looked down at her, shock covering his features. "Ummm," he started before clearing his throat and looking away from Alice to Noah, "Ahhh, Noah mate….I'm not entirely sure how to say this, but I think we're cousins."
The revelation took Alice off guard, but at least now she knew why Noah reminded her of Hatter so much at times. Even now, as she looked between them, she was able to spot some similarities in their features.
Though a moment later Noah's reaction took all of them off guard. About a minute after the words were spoken Noah snapped out of his daze and lunged at Hatter.
And speaking of earlier. I'm happy you guys like Noah, maybe not so much here but here was necessary, and you also saved Charlie. I wasn't out right planning to kill him (it wouldn't happened this chapter anyway) but it was on my mind, now I know that he must live lol.
