The next two weeks passed quickly, warming up as the snow melted to water. Garden throughout Wonderland sprang up in green glory, exulting in the sun. Alice's relationship with Jabberwocky suffered little and expanded all the more, and soon the executions faded from her mind.

Jabberwock taught her how to use the quill pen and how to write a few simple phrases in Shadowlander, such as 'I love you', 'Hello', 'Goodbye', and 'Please'. Even though they seemed like meaningless squiggles, Alice learned them anyways.

In return, Jabberwocky asked her to tell him of her world. The idea of public schools particularly intrigued him, for in the Shadowlands, as well as Wonderland, the parents stood responsible to teach the basics to the children. But he couldn't grasp the idea of cars and airplanes. When Alice explained cars as 'automatic carriages', he widened his eyes curiously. When she explained airplanes as 'longer automatic carriages with wings that fly', he shook his head with a laugh, "Now you're just trying to kid me, aren't you, Alice?"

The regiments sent out to find and eradicate any remaining Imagineer regiments returned rather unsuccessful; they only killed thirty rebels.

Then, on the second day of the third week, the border patrol received a startling surprise.

Consisting of a two, a three, a six, an eight, and a nine, the group walked along the wall, which remained the same quiet, never-changing usualness that was always there and expected.

The two and six, joking behind their captain, the nine, chuckled cheerfully, "Why do we even have to do this? I mean, it's not as if the Shadowlanders will do anything."

Shrugging, the nine muttered, "Duty's duty. It's our job and-" He trailed off as he noticed a Shadowlander keeping pace with them, gazing at them with midnight eyes.

The black cards halted, as did the Shadowlander, and the eight whispered, "Not do anything, eh?"

Silently, the foreigner stared at them.

"Curious?" muttered the two.

"Maybe a scout?" the six added.

A long pause as the staring continued, and then the Shadowlander smirked broadly, turned, and shouted harshly.

Instantly, six riders rounded the small knoll behind the Shadowlander. Galloping forward, they leapt over the low wall easily. As soon as they hit Wonderland's soil, the four soldiers behind the two main riders slid off their steeds and stood at alert attention.

The patrol stared in awed surprise.

One of the two still-seated riders trotted his horse up, his fancy riding garments glittering dully as he appraised the Wonderlanders with shadowed eyes.

The nine's horse backed away, whickering.

A bemused grin flitted onto the rider's face and his gravelly voice slipped out, "And you do nothing?"

Stuttering, the two stared, "I-I… We… uh, no, sir… I mean, yes, but-"

The nine butted in, "Who are you?"

"I am a dignitary from the Shadowlands." The ambassador frowned, "I have come to gain an audience with my brother, the King Jabberwock."

"J-Jabberwock?"

Flinching, the dignitary nodded, "I do not know your customs, so I will not punish you for using his name without his honorary title. Now, we must know the way to where my brother is."

All the cards glanced at the two and said in chorus, "You take him."

Shivering, the two gulped, "F-fine."

The dignitary turned in his saddle and hacked out an order to his alert black-armored soldiers and his less fancily dressed boy companion. Alighting onto their horse-flies, the troops awaited for further orders.

Glancing back at the patrol, the ambassador smiled grimly, "We ride now. Lead the way."

Jabberwocky stood grimly in front of his troops as he conducted the inspection. In front of him, two chosen barrack-master shouted orders, hoping that he thought the soldiers well-trained.

No emotion showed on his stony face; he really hated these inspections.

"Sir! Sir!"

Jabberwock turned his glare up to a frantic guard waving atop the battlements. He called, "What?"

Listening to something from down below, the card shouted, "There's a dignitary, sir, from the Shadowlands!"

Jabberwock froze, eyes widening, then stalked towards the gate, "Open the blasted gate!"

"Yes, sir!"

Creaking open, the gate admitted the nervous patrol card and the proud group of Shadowlanders. As soon as they pranced through on their steeds, they dismounted, and the dignitary glanced at Jabberwocky with a smile. He greeted in Shadowlander, "Greetings, brother." The other dark figures behind him bowed respectfully.

Jabberwocky narrowed his eyes, "Hello, Bander."

Bandersnatch, or 'Bander' as was his nickname, stood as tall as the Jabberwock. His hair flowed down to his chin in streaks of black and a vicious cobalt blue. Unlike his brother, he did not possess the 'sight', the changing eyes. Instead, they glowed a deep black, just a bit lighter than his skin. Two gray scars ran across his cheek to blare forth his fighting spirit.

Bander grinned, "You don't seem happy to see me."

"The Shadowlands have never had much contact with Wonderland, let alone ambassadors." Glaring suspiciously at his brother, Jabberwock continued, "Why are you here?"

Bander's smile faded to a scowl, "We will talk of it tomorrow. It is late afternoon, and we have ridden for quite a few days now. Tomorrow."

Jabberwock let this pass with a nod and gazed at the young boy behind Bander, "Who is that?"

"My bodyguard. But thirteen, and already fully trained. He's one of father's pleasure spawn who I took. Very useful."

"What is your name?" directed Jabberwocky to the boy.

Bander smirked, "I cut out his tongue. His name is Sal."

Grinning, the boy bared filed sharp teeth.

Jabberwock pursed his lips, musing, and then spun with a growl, "Labros!"

Scared but obedient, Labros bowed before slowly coming close, "Yes, sir?"

"Show our guests to the eastern corridor rooms. Then tell the kitchens and maids that these are honoraries and to be treated with respect."

Behind Bander, the soldiers shuffled, uncertain what Jabberwock had said.

Bander gave them a quick reassurance that he wasn't ordering anything of them before nodding, "Also, there'll be a second party arriving sometime tonight."

"Demeric? Tonight, more Shadowlanders. Let them in when they come."

Bander fell silent as he gazed at Jabberwocky. Slipping in to his husky accented Wonderlander speak, he grated, "Your Wonderlander has become quite good. You barely have an accent."

Shrugging, Jabberwock replied, "Thank you. Now, this guard here will show you to your rooms. Tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting."

Bander nodded quietly and turned to Labros, "You heard the King! Show us!"

Jumping in fearful surprise, Labros stammered, "Y-yes, sir!"

"What's wrong?" Alice asked as she watched Jabberwock pace furiously behind his desk.

Shuddering, Jabberwocky snarled, "My brother has come as an ambassador!"

"Your brother?" Alice's eyes grew wide.

"Second-born. One of the head generals. Nice, but terribly clever." Jabberwock just chatted nervously on, fingering his hands, "Bandersnatch… that's his name."

"So...?"

"No, no, no…" Distracted by his thoughts, Jabberwock shivered, "Tomorrow morning, I'll have to wake up early. Ah!" Groaning, he spun to Alice, "He's my brother!" His voice layered down the air with bitter shock.

"I know. You said that already."

Jabberwock took a deep breath, "Yes, I must calm down. I'm just messing myself up." Sighing, he strolled over to Alice and kissed her gently atop the head.

Alice gave him a small hug before asking, "Are you coming to bed?"

Nodding, Jabberwock muttered, "Yes… but I must wake up early, just to warn you."

"That's fine."

"…Okay…"

Alice lay fast asleep when Bander arrived with his bodyguard the next morning. Glancing up from his dagger, Jabberwock called softly, "Come in…"

Bander eased open the door and walked in with his guard close behind him, "Good morning, brother. Did you sleep well?"

"Straight to the point, Bander. I do not have time to be conversing informally."

Chuckling, Bander snorted, "No, no, brother. Mustn't crush to harsh topics just yet. I must open you up to conversation first." He glanced over his shoulder and ordered, "Craw!"

One of the Shadowland soldiers stepped in, a Shadowlander woman held tightly in his grasp. Grinning slyly, Bander explained, "I have brought you a pleasurable."

Jabberwock groaned, "No, Bander. I do not wish to have a pleasurable."
"A meal then?" Bander's eyes grew hopeful.

"No!"

Sighing, Bander waved a hand, and the soldier retreated with the lady, "You do not make it easy for people to gain your favor, do you, Jabberwock?"

"Pleasurables are complications. Bribes are unneeded. I couldn't be happier in my new home."

"Only if you are King."

A small pause of silence echoed through the room before Jabberwock asked, "My… my daughter… how is she?"

Face darkening grimly, Bander looked away, "She was given a proper burial, brother. I oversaw it myself."

Jabberwock's face grew to a depressive frown, eyes downcast and fixed on the ground. In a soft voice, he asked, "How?"

"She was bought by the Baron of Splinter Plain. He had killed her within an hour of finding out she was your daughter. He still holds the grudge."

Eyes flickering sadly, Jabberwock muttered to himself sullenly before mumbling, "Thank you for burying her honorably."

"Are you sure you do not want the pleasurable? You look as if you need it."

"I'm fine…"

Another bout of silence, only broken by small sounds of a girl waking up slowly, but unheard by the three Shadowlanders in the other room.

Finally, Jabberwock asked crossly, "Why are you here?"

Bander coughed, "Well, how do I put this? The Shadowlands-"

The door to Alice's room opened, and Alice blinked blearily at the three, dressed in her white night-dress, "Oh… hello…" She yawned.

Bander glared at Jabberwock and muttered, "Nice pleasurable, Jabberwock. Really complicates things, yes? Sal, put your sword away; it's just a girl."

Sadness turning to anger, Jabberwock snarled, "She is not a pleasurable!"

"Good choice for a wife then."

"She's my daughter!"

"You sure? A pretty little thing like that? Does that make me her adopted uncle?"

"Sure…"

Bander turned to Alice, spreading his arms wide as he switched from Shadowlander to Wonderlander, "Ah! Hello, child! I'm your uncle from the Shadowlands." He bowed, "And what is your name, dear girl?"

Blinking, Alice murmured, " Alice…"

"Ah! What a beautiful name! What does it mean?"

Before Alice could respond, Jabberwock growled, "Tell me why you're here!"

Sighing, Bander switched back to Shadowlander, "Father has died."

Jabberwocky stared in surprise, but soon came over it, "And…?"

"He took away your sentence of banishment. You can come home now and take the crown."

"What?" squeaked Jabberwock in disbelief.

Bander rolled his eyes, "You're the crown prince. The people want you as the King as it is ordained. Birthright? Remember that word, brother?"

Gaping, Jabberwock stammered, "I-I-I can't!" His voice growing firmer, he growled, "I'm not going to walk back into a cage when I have freedom!"

"Our laws aren't that strict…"

Alice stood confused on the sidelines as the two fired rapid burst of the foreign language back and forth, "What are you guys saying?"

Glancing at her, Bander tried a new approach, " Alice can visit you."

"Why would I want her there? She wasn't raised as we were. Her heart is unbroken."
"Then leave her here in Wonderland as queen and you can come see her as a-"

"No!" Jabberwock leapt up, livid, "I will not go back to that blasted place!"

Bander gazed at him silently before snapping into his own rage. Storming up to his brother, he hissed, "Look, brother, if I don't bring you back, there'll be chaos! Chaos, brother! Either you come back with me or I'll invade this Wonderland of yours and force you back!"

The glares between the two deepened as the grating sound of Bandersnatch's voice died down. Finally, Jabberwock bared his teeth, "You wouldn't."

"I would."

"I'll fight."

"And I'll take. How many Wonderlanders do you have? You whole force is pitiful!"

A twitch etched Jabberwock's eye, showing his inner compressed rage, "Then let me be pitiful and take the throne yourself!"

"I don't want it. Everybody wants you."

"I don't want it either! Curse bliddy everyone and leave me alone! I will not go back!"

Alice stepped forward, worried at the anger emanating between these two brothers, "You don't need to fight."

The two broke their glares to gaze at her. Quietly, Jabberwock switched back to Wonderlandish and murmured, "Go back to your room, Alice."
Alice sighed and, backing up to the doorway, sat down on the threshold. Technically, she was in her room.

Bander growled, "Sal, join her, but do not touch."

Silently complying, Sal took his place by Alice without giving a glance to her.

As the furious debate resumed, Alice gazed at him curiously, "What's your name?"

Sal looked at her blankly. Apparently, Wonderlander remained foreign to him.

Sighing, Alice stood, retrieved a paper and quill from her room, and inked the Shadowlander word for 'Hello'.

Sal took the paper and quill with a smile and repeated the word underneath. 'Hello.'

"Hatter? Are you really that bored that we need to go to Jabberwocky to ask for an assignment? Or do you just want to see Alice?"

Hatter glanced over his shoulder at March's lagging ears, "Shut up. We're already here." Turning his eyes to the top of the castle walls, he hollered, "Guard?"

A head popped up, "General?"

"Open the blasted gate already!"

The guard disappeared, and, moments later, the gate creaked open. Riding through, Hatter remarked to March, "I'd rather be here than listening to those two ladies bicker over plans!"

March was about to reply when he stopped abruptly, "Hey, Hats?"

"Yes?"

"Please tell me those aren't Shadowlanders."

Freezing as he saw the black armored guards, Hatter tensed, "But… Shadowlanders? Here?" Sliding down from his horse, he stalked over before demanding harshly in Shadowlander, "What are you doing here?"
The shadow men jumped, staring in surprise at this Wonderland general who spoke so fluently in their language. Saluting, one explained, "Escorting one of the princes, honorary." Generals were esteemed in the Shadowlands.

"Is he with the King?"

"Yes, honorary."

Spinning around, Hatter stormed over to March, "There's a prince from the Shadowlands here to talk with Jabberwocky."
March shrugged, "Something new. At least you're not bored anymore."

"Come with me."

The Jabberwock and the Bandersnatch stood in mumbling fervor, each retorting to the other's remarks and offers. As far as Alice and Sal went, Alice tried to sort out the two page manuscript that Sal wrote a few minutes before.

Outside the door, Hatter knelt with his ear pressed against the wood, motioning for March to be quiet.

Inside, Bander tried to win over Jabberwocky once more, "Listen to reason, Jabberwock! One way or another, you will become our King!"

"I will not! I have told you thousands of times now, and I will say them a thousand times more!"

"You're just clinging to your banishment then? How pitiful!"

"I'm not clinging! I'm remaining free!"

Taking a deep breath, Bander huffed, "Fine! Give me a week or so to arrange my army and then I'll come to force you back!"

Outside the door, Hatter was paling fast. Standing, he whispered hoarsely, "They want Jabberwocky back, but he wants to stay, so they're going to come with their army."

"That's not good." squeaked March.

Bander turned to the door, motioning for Sal, oblivious of the two eavesdroppers outside, "If you change your mind, send a messenger to the border."

Growling, Jabberwock snarled, "Just get out!"

Bander scowled and yanked the door open. Instantly, he froze when he saw Hatter and March. Hatter gaped in unhidden horror. March just shuffled. In Shadowlander, Bander stuttered, "I-Imagine?"

Hatter gawked at the tall prince, jaw agape in confusion.

Swinging an arm up, the Bandersnatch ruffled the dumbfounded assassin's hair, a broad smile crossing his black features, "What's the matter, Imagine? Don't remember your father?"

Jabberwock nearly fell over in surprise as March looked on in confusion. Disbelief clouding his features, Jabberwock hissed, "What? Hatter?"

Bringing Hatter under his arm in a casual hug, Bander grinned at his brother, "You argued my case with Father, remember? I fell for a Wonderlander girl and Father found out?"

"But… but… Hatter?"

Bander frowned, "His name is Imagine, not this Hatter thing of yours." Smiling, he glanced a now sullen Hatter up and down, "He didn't inherit from me, but this has changed." He pointed at the Shadowlander eye, "Is it Guar's?"

Jabberwock scowled, "Yes."

Still 'in her room', Alice waved shyly at Hatter, mouthing a 'hello'.

Hatter lifted his father's arm of his shoulder, solemnly stepping away from him, "Hello, Papa…"

"You don't seem so happy to see me." Bander's voice sounded hurt.

Swallowing, Hatter rasped, "I haven't seen you since I was twelve… Why should I be happy when you just forgot about us?"

Bander's face grew grave, "The King banned me from coming to see you and your mother. He didn't want me to be fraternizing with a Wonderlander." He motioned at Jabberwock, whose face was contorted into pure hate, "Brother here argued my case and got me off the hook."
Hatter suddenly stiffened, "Wait… brother? Does that mean…?" His eyes grew wide with horror.

"He's your uncle, why?"

It looked as if Hatter's soul had died without his body.

"What's wrong, Imagine? You look ill."

Jabberwock appeared the same.

"Jabberwock? You look ill too!"

Alice sighed in her doorway, "Can't you guys talk so I can understand too?"

March peered in, ears erect at attention, "For me too, please!"

Shrugging, Bander grabbed Hatter to his side again and said huskily in Wonderlander, "Me and my men will eat lunch before leaving. Remember, Jabberwocky." Turning, he dragged the sullen Hatter along, "If you don't mind, I'm stealing my son back for the afternoon."

As the door closed, Alice asked incredulously, "What? Did he say 'son'?"

When the Bandersnatch said 'lunch', Hatter hoped he meant a quick little grab-a-bite-to-eat and leave. Instead, it turned out to be a sit down, take-your-time lunch.

Bander kept Hatter by his side as he sat, imitated by Sal and the seven guards, plus a lone lady at the end. Pulling Hatter down to be seated, he smiled, "So… Jabberwocky's got you in his service as what?"

"An assassin and a general…" came Hatter's monotone reply.

"Good, good… You hungry? I am."

"Just a bit."

"Great! I've just sent down an order to the kitchens here. They should be bringing something up if they still consider us honoraries. Do you get hungry a lot?"

Hatter shifted, uncomfortable, "Yes."

"And does it take a lot to quell it?"

"Yes."

Smiling smugly, Bander snorted, "So you did inherit something of mine! Anything else abnormal?"

"Does the occasional insanity issue count?"

"Oh, yes, yes, yes! It's why we stopped breeding with the Wonderlanders long ago. So you have the hunger, the madness, Anything else?"

"Nothing else that I can think of."
"You sure? Ah! Here's the food!"

Bowing tremulously, four maids entered with large platters in their hands. They set the plates on the table and curtsied out without a word.

Bander gazed after them, "Wonderlander girls are very pretty…"

"Don't be a pervert."

Sighing, Bander switched to Shadowlander and muttered permission to start eating. Hatter didn't touch his plate, staring as Bander wolfed down his first few bites of food. Noticing his son's still figure, Bander glanced curiously at him, "You do not eat?"

Hatter looked at the beautifully assorted salad and fruit, the small slice of roast beef on the side, covered in golden grease. It sickened him just looking at that liquid, "I'm not very fond of vegetables…"

"What then?"

Taking a shuddering breath, Hatter muttered, "I would say I'm more of a carnivore."

"Ah…" Bandersnatch nodded, "You like meat. I'll give you my meat if I can have your salad."

Grimacing, Hatter crossed his arms, "Not cooked meat."

"Raw?" Bander blinked. At Hatter's nod, he frowned, "Jabberwock's made you one of the eaters than, I guess… We have them in the lands we've conquered, but they're executioners."

"It's a position?"

"Right under regents, but, apparently, Jabberwock's changed the rule. You still hungry?"

Hatter glanced at him, "Why are you still asking?"

"What do you eat normally?"

"People."

For a few minutes, no noise other than the sounds of eating sounded. Finally breaking the silence with a sigh, Hatter asked, "You're trying to get Jabberwocky back to the Shadowlands?"

Bander stiffened, a small piece sticking out the corner of his mouth, "You eavesdropped?"

"Yes."

Sighing, Bander swallowed the fruit, put down his knife, and scowled, "The Shadowlands need their King, and Jabberwocky's the crown prince. His father removed his banishment sentence, so he has to take it. Only thing, he doesn't want to."

"So you're going to force him into kingship by invading Wonderland?"

"Yes… even though it'll be violating every treaty we ever had with Wonderland."

Hatter chewed his lip for a moment before muttering, "What if you had an ally?"

Startled, Bandersnatch echoed, "Ally?"

"If you want an ally and a way out of breaking the treaties, you come with me after lunch."

Later that day, well after the sun started to travel for its bed, Chesapeake and Lyona sat muttering as they drew lines over their map. The Imagineer's force still numbered quiet a few hundred stormy, but they lay scattered across Wonderland.

Chesapeake pouted, "Do you think we have enough to launch an offensive anywhere?"

Eyes scanning the map, Lyona pointed to an area of overlapping circles, "We could take the southern half of the Crystal Peninsula, but that would just leave us trapped later on."

Chesapeake's ears swiveled up as she heard the steady clip-clop of hooves, "Hatter and March are back."
"You can hear them?"

"Yes."

Hatter and March rode into the clearing, Hatter smiling wickedly, "Hello, Lyona and Chesapeake. How have you been?"

Peering at him suspiciously, Chesapeake sneered, "Why are you so happy?"

Hatter smirked, "I've decided not to eat you."

"What do you-"

Suddenly, Lyona and Chesapeake found themselves dangling in the air as Bander inspected them cautiously, claws holding the two up by the napes of their shirts. Sniffing, he asked dryly in Wonderlander, "Your so-said 'allies' are women?"

"They lead the Imagineer army, Papa… Don't underestimate them."

Bander dropped them, turned, and called a gruff order. His soldiers appeared, their number one less than when they left the capitol, for Bander had sent one back with the pleasurable.

Chesapeake and Lyona stared, gaping. Stuttering, Lyona mumbled, "S-Shadow-Shadowlanders?"

Bander grinned wolfishly and growled sarcastically, "Really? What told you that?"

Frowning, Hatter slid down from his horse-fly, "Ladies, I'd like you to meet my father, the Bandersnatch."

"Call me Bander." Bander glanced around with a slight look of distaste, "Must we discuss here?"

March sniffed, "Me and Hatter live here, sir."

"Hmmm…" Shrugging, Bander scooped up the map of Wonderland and glanced it over, "What's this?"

Chesapeake snatched it away, "It's confidential."

Behind Bander, Sal bristled and drew his knife, but Bander motioned with his hand, "First, hear me out."

Lyona gazed at the Shadowlander curiously before finally nodding, "What?"

Smiling, Bander sat cross-legged, "You're trying to get Jabberwock out of the throne, right?"

The governors sat too, "Yes."

Bander's smile only grew wider, "And I'm trying to get him into the Shadowland throne and out of yours. I'll help you if you help me."

The two governors nodded eagerly, but their faces showed their confusion.

"I need an alliance within the Wonderland border so that I don't break the old treaties with your country." Glancing at them, Bander inquired, "How many troops do you have?"

Lyona pursed her lips, "Maybe… two thousand?"

"Pitiful. Okay then… I'll supply our smallest army and have it join yours. Then we'll march an offensive for the capitol of Wonderland. Plain and simple as that. I need this done by the end of two months."

"Wait." snorted Chesapeake, nostrils flaring as she tossed her mane, "We've just met! We barely know you! And you're asking for an alliance already! There's procedures to take to make an alliance!"

Bander narrowed his eyes, "Procedures take too long. If he's not back in two months in time for the coronation ceremony, the Shadowlands will be torn apart, and your precious little Wonderland with it. Do you know why we've never tried to invade you? There's only one reason: treaties. If I bring my army in without an alliance, the treaties go to flames, and Wonderland is just another country for the conquering." He smiled wickedly, "You don't want that, do you?"

Lyona, March, Chesapeake, and Hatter all shook their heads.

Hesitant, Lyona asked, "What's the size of your army?"

"The smallest one? Thirty thousand men."

The Wonderlanders blanched, and Chesapeake snorted, "We don't need that many! Jabberwock barely has over three thousand!"

Bander sneered, "But he has a castle. We're laying siege, not outright fighting!"

"But, thirty thousand?"

"Fine! I'll cut it down to five thousand, if you want a number perfect for a siege." Regaining his temper, Bandersnatch sighed, "Now, this is the plan… We seize the castle. Then we must lure my brother to the border…"