The White Queen considered this for a moment, taking in the poor condition of her dear Champion Alice.
"Granted. By my power, I deem you Champion Tarrant Hightopp."
Mira was sent to play with Chessur and the Tweedles, and Tarrant carried Alice to their room.
"You didn't have to do that." Alice glared at him. "Now we'll BOTH be hurt."
"Not necessarily." Tarrant casually replied. "I've a much better reach, I'm stronger, and I have more experience with a sword."
"Gee, thanks," Alice rolled her brown eyes.
"My point is that I'm sure everything will be fine." He set her down on the soft linens of their bed. "I'll be back after the fight," he rubbed his bandaged thumb on a spot of dirt on her cheek. "And then we can throw ourselves in a bath for a while."
She smiled at him, and watch him go. It was silent for a few moments, and she sighed.
"Be safe."
The arena was silent as the new Champion of Underland entered. His Hightopp Clan regalia was in prime condition, the plaid of his family upon his kilt. He left his hat with Chessur, who was more than happy to receive it. It would be more difficult to get it back.
Mirana stood upon her dias. "After careful deliberation, it has been decided that the only suitable bachelor for my hand is Time. Therefore," the crowd became unsettled, and she had to raise her voice. "Therefore, the last battle is to take place now!"
Time stood on the other side of the arena, clad in shining bronze armor. His silvery white hair was bound with the maroon ribbon, but a few strands had escaped, framing his strong features. In his left hand he grasped a sword, in his right was a pocket watch.
"Right on time," Time closed the watch and tucked it away. "Ready?"
"Aye, as I'll ever be," Tarrant hefted his claymore, just as McTwisp lifted his trumpet to his trembling lips.
"Begin!" ordered Mirana, and swords clashed as the trumpet blew, cut short by McTwisp's panic.
They were a dance of blades and footwork. Sparks flared from the connecting metal. Tarrant's mismatched knee socks were a flurry of blues and black. Time's silver hair whipped about, the maroon ribbon loosening rapidly. Sunlight reflected off his bronze armor, and Tarrant's eyes blazed the same.
"I must admit, Mr. Hightopp," Time laughed. "That it is good to see your face again. But tell me. Would you be able to handle me having power over you?"
"As long as you let me have my Alice, I'll be fine." Tarrant kept calm. That was always Time's strategy against him, to rile him into making a critical mistake. That was the name of the game.
"But you know, as time goes on, she'll become as mad as you are." Time huffed, narrowly missing Tarrant's vital points.
"LIAR!" Tarrant's eyes became as red as rubies, the lids of his eyes turning the blackest coal black possible. He swung, striking a weak link in Time's breastplate, and it fell to the ground with a clatter. He held the claymore to Time's heart. "Yield."
"I yield." Time dropped his blade. "But you know I'm right."
"The victory goes to my Champion." Mirana announced. "But Time is still my choice of husband. He is the only one to have taken failure in a way becoming of a king."
Tarrant's blood ran cold, the red of his eyes fading to a sickly yellow. Time never did like him. And the feeling was mutual. But to be under the careful watch of him as Time ruled over Underland? He wasn't sure if he had contemplated that little nugget of information. Hopefully they could put their past behind them and move on.
"I... I have to go see Alice," Tarrant tried to put together a coherent sentence.
"I hope to see you soon, Champion Laird Hightopp." Time shook hands with him, his watch face eyes on the White Queen.
Tarrant wasted no time in getting to their room. He bullied the doorknob, getting it to open, and rushed to Alice's side. Her eyes were flashing orange.
"Alice, are you alright?" Tarrant lightly shook her shoulder. "Alice?"