Hatter POV

Finally the grey clouds cleared away revealing a starry indigo sky. My stomach gurgled loudly.

"It is supper time" Alice's voice whispered in my ear, it was strangely loud in the silence.

"Great, I am tired of tea time" I pulled the horse to a slow stop and dismounted. I noticed a small deer path leading off into the deep snowy woods. I lead with horse with Alice still on it, down the trampled path.

"Where are we going, if I may ask sir?" her body shook with laughter and I could hear the smile in her voice.

"It is a surprise!" These things always lead somewhere I thought to myself. And so it did! The large leaning maples soon parted revealing a large snow covered meadow, glistening in the moonlight.

Alice gasped softly at the sight of the pure virgin snow. It was lovely to see to be sure but it could not compare to the awe inspiring beauty I could see. Alice's gold locks were full of glistening snow flakes; her cheeks were pink from the chill. The moonlight shined in her caramel brown eyes and a glorious smile graced her red lips. She trembled with the cold.

"How did you know?" her eyes met mine.

"I didn't" I told her truthfully, shrugging. I let the horse's reins fall loose and moved to her. I curled my arms around her small waist and lifted her. She was light yet warmer then a thousand suns, and her smile was brighter. I set her on her feet and sadly released her waist. I noticed her lips began to blue. "I will light a fire." I rushed to gather wood and light a small blaze. While I hurried about to build the fire, Alice removed the Horse's black leather saddle. She gently placed a heavy blanket across his tense body. She gently stroked the animal's muzzle then let him loose to graze on what he could find.

As the crackling of the fire filled the night air I pulled salted meat from the saddle bags and roasted it on a spit. The smell of cooking meat wafted through the cold meadow and Alice warmed her frail body by the warm fire. Silently I moved until I was next to her. We sat together and she rested her small hatless head on my shoulder. My arm, un-commanded, wrapped around her shoulders.

"Why do I feel so cold without your arm around me?" her voice was quiet and her head turned up to me. Her large doe eyes searched mine.

" 'Cause you are sitting in a snow drift" I grinned playfully. She nudged me and laughed; I laughed along with her. Our chuckles abated after a minute and we soberly watched the flames lick up and touch the meat. I noticed it was blackening and jumped up to save it.

"For you, Miss. Kingsley" my voice was light and teasing but my heart was full of emotion. I handed her a thick slice of the beef then dug a side fresh carrots out of the saddle bag. With a crunch I munched on the sweet orange veggie.

We ate our supper in a comfortable silence. A small area around the fire had melted revealing soft grass.

When she had finished her meager meal Alice stood, pulling her skirts up to her knees and waded into the cold white snow. She looked over her shoulder and smiled; I leaped to my feet to follow her, She plopped into the untouched snow and giggled. I lay in the soft pristine snow, next to her.

"Hello" I quipped grinning.

"Hello, Hatter" she tossed a hand full of fluffy ice at me.

"That's not very nice" I turned so I was laying on my side facing her. I formed a ball of ice in one had and dropped it onto her. Our laughter was loud in the silent forest.

"You are different" she sighed after a moment then looked shocked at herself.

"I am different" I murmured stroking her soft cheek, "I am happy"

"Were you not before?" she frowned. I pulled myself nearer to her and lay back.

"Sometimes I was.. but I was not at Peace, luv" I confided. She rested her head on my chest, warming me instantly.

"I am sorry" she mumbled.

"You've got nothin' to be sorry for." My accent began seeping into my voice. "I am better now" my arms wrapped around her warm waist.

"I am sorry for leaving, for hurting you." She turned her face to me. Her face was stained with frozen tears.

"I love you" I wiped away the tears and she sighed.

"And I you, Tarrant." She pulled away from me and lay back in the compressed snow. We were silent for a moment, considering her emotions.

"Have you ever thought about flying?" she asked.

"I have flown." I told her

"How?" her face turned to me in wonder and excitement.

"Every time I kiss you I fly through a cloudless sky and watch the ground shrink away." I was spewing cheesy nonsense. Alice shivered and I realized the ice in her clothing had melted chilling her to the bone. "Lets go warm ourselves by the flames" I stood and helped her up. She was trembling and her hands were cold in mine. I pulled her body along, close to mine, until we were illuminated by the flickering light. "Your soaking" I exclaimed "You need to get out of it or you'll get.. erm… malaria!"

"Hyperthermia" her teeth clattered together.

"God bless you" I teased, trying to shake of my worry.

"You are wet too.." she looked concerned.

"I will dry off fast" I watched her fingers struggle with her tight blue laces.

I pushed her hands away. She was moving too slowly, and Abovians were so frail. She was freezing before my eyes. I tugged her heavy coat off of her shoulders, reveling long damp sleeves.

"Why do women wear such ridiculous clothing?" I groaned, facing the many ties of her gown with a brave face. Alice chuckled behind her clattering teeth,

"What?" I asked trying to find the start of the laces.

"You aren't one to talk." Her voice was fading.

"Hmph!" I tried to smile Finally I found the end of the light blue tie. The delicate bow fell apart. My eyes flicked to Alice's pale face, her gaze was intense and made my heart thunder. My fingers moved of their own accord, unlacing her dress. Her gown was soft but it was stiff as it pulled away from her trembling frame. She slipped the dress off of her petite figure, revealing her bare shoulders and a white petticoat.


First off nothing happens in this (or the next..or the next) chapter that would require me to change the rating to M. (Meaning nothing really inappropriate happens) The only reason I stopped where I did is because I am to tired to write anymore tonight.

Secondly, I would like to thank everyone for understanding my busyness and for reviewing. You all rock :)

And lastly, I hope to be back updating everyday! And my next chapter wont be joyous fluff