"Are you near done?" Alice bounced giddily on her heels as Tarrant tried to fasten the back of her dress.
"It's a whole lot easier when you're not struggling around," he responded, finally fixing the clasp with a satisfied nod.
"There," his hand lifted above his head as he directed her with his pointer finger to rotate in front of him. She obliged, spinning in her silver blue dress, the beautiful silk dress swooshing in a satisfying circle around Alice. "You look perfect, as you always do," Tarrant leaned forward to kiss his pretty wife on the mouth.
Alice could hardly believe that Tarrant was standing before her when only days ago he was lying in bed, very much in pain. Mirana's potions had once again pulled through to help her make sure all was well and what it was supposed to be. And Tarrant was so very alive.
He still looked weary and winced when she hugged him tight, the gouge in his side still hurt. He tossed and turned in his sleep, waking her up throughout the night with shouts; sometimes it was because he had landed on his side incorrectly, other times it was because of the dreams. The ones he refused to talk about. Mirana had wanted to keep him in her apartments, assuring Alice it would be no trouble and they would have around the clock care and help, but Alice knew that Tarrant wouldn't have wanted to wake up in a strange room. It was better that he was returned to their quarters, the place he had come to call home. It wasn't an entirely selfless request either; she slept better with him at her, the childish reasoning of having someone close in case the boogeyman returned had her yearning for her husband's company. Mirana understood, doing all she could to make their apartments as comfortable and accessible in his convalescence.
Alice blushed as he caught her prolonged stare, a knowing glint in his eye. His fingers were stumbling with the buttons of his red and black plaid waistcoat. Alice stepped forward to help him, gently straightening the black dress shirt below before attending to the coat buttons. When she had finished she allowed her hand to sweep over the padded part of his chest, a precaution to ensure he did not ruin or rip the scab in its final healing process. He noticed the small paused, reaching up to wrap his fingers about the curve of her hand, raising his own to kiss the knuckles lightly.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright; you're not hurting too much?" Alice slipped her hand free of his grasp to cup his cheek lightly. Tarrant shook her hand away, leaving her standing and watching as he retrieved his black outercoat from the rack they kept in their room.
"I'm fine and I'll go stir crazy if you leave me in here for one more day!" His eyebrows shot skyward as his green eyes widened. Alice smiled as he tried to straighten his coat, the measuring tape sticking haphazardly out of the pocket diminishing his attempt at looking sane.
Alice checked her face in the mirror once more, making sure that her blonde curls were cooperating. She tucked a few strays back into the twist and quickly adjusted the top hat that was pinned on her head, a beautiful piece her husband had made for her before her days of being Queen of Underland, when she had merely been Queen of the Tulgey Woods Tea Party. She quickly fastened a pendant about her throat, placing diamond earrings about her ears before satisfied that she had completed her outfit and looked ready enough for a royal celebration. With a smile of approval at her looking glass self, Alice turned to her husband.
"Are you ready, my fair one?" He whispered to her, his eyes glowing emerald at the sight of her beauty. Alice smiled at him shyly, but nodded her head all the same.
Tarrant took her arm in his, leading her down the hall of their apartment and through the front door leading to the main corridor. The two walked arm in arm together down the hall, descending down the stairs to join the celebrators whose merry laughter and boasting conversations filled the entire castle.
Alice and Tarrant were delayed in their arrival, though Tarrant had reminded her that as formal royals they were not held to a specific time of arrival. Alice asked if he was just bitter at Time for holding him fast for so long. Tarrant had neglected to respond, instead leading her into the room packed with a feast and elegant people.
Alice had hoped that their presence would go unnoticed, especially arriving after the first courses of the meal had been served and the wine was beginning to be drunk. Much to her dismay, the gathering grew quiet as they entered; Alice felt the eyes of thousands of Underlandians on her and Tarrant. Tarrant glanced down at her with wide green eyes and Alice returned the concerned gesture, gulping. Alice was afraid that the room would fill with jeers and taunts, demands as to why so many had to die on the Tessellation Fields, why it had taken so long for them to solve the problem of the Red Queen.
Instead the room filled with applause, whistles and hollers echoing over the clapping of hands as a circle formed around Alice and Tarrant.
Alice breathed a sigh of relief, watching as Mirana appeared from the crowd, a small baby intricately strapped to her midsection. With a wide smile, Alice let go of Tarrant's arm to approach the woman and her infant. Alice stood toe to toe with the White Queen so that she could peer at the little Lily that slept so close to her mother. As the woman reached out to place her hand on the child's back, the baby squalled and stretched her arms, opening her big brown eyes to look at Alice. Alice's breath hitched in wonder as she reached out to brush her fingertips over the silky soft cheek of the little infant, laughing gaily at the baby's toothless grin.
"Alice," Mirana's voice was gentle and low, not wanting to disturb the child who slept in her arms. "I wish to introduce you both properly, seeing as she and I both owe our lives to you, and we spent a solitary night together. My child has not even met the notorious Mad Hatter," Mirana smiled amiably at Tarrant who bowed his head with pinked cheeks.
"Alice!" Gavin called out as he stepped away from a circle of important looking courtiers. "Tarrant," the king acknowledged his new dear friend and substitute, holding his hand out to shake the other man's hand in brotherhood.
"My dearest Gav, please announce our heroes properly." Mirana said and looked to her husband with a glint in her eye. Gavin's smile melted, his face taking on a serious look as he nodded gravely to his wife.
Making his way through the crowd and to the head table, Gavin caught the attention of courtiers, servants, and citizens who all quieted to hear what their restored king had to say. McTwisp came to the Gavin's side with his trumpet and waited for the nod of Gavin's head before let loose a short blast; it was completely unnecessary as the king had all the eyes and ears of Underland focused intently on him.
Gavin's voice boomed as he spoke with the crowd, Alice couldn't help but admire the way that he commanded attention while still speaking with affection. Some men are meant to be rulers. I'm just glad my head is no longer heavy with the burden. She thought, quieting her thoughts to hear what the White King had to say.
"It is to Mirana and my delight to proudly and humbly welcome Lord Tarrant Hightopp and his wife Lady Alice Kingsleigh to this Royal Celebration. We graciously ask that they sup with us at the head table as our noted guests of honor and past king and queen. We have much to owe to these two heroes."
Alice watched Gavin stand on the dais, her arm encircling her husband off to her left as she listened to the king's kind words. Mirana began her ascent to the table on the dais, grabbing the sleeve of Tarrant's jacket and beckoning the two to follow her closely to take their revered places
Gavin continued on, watching as his wife and the saviors of Underland approached. "These two great heroes have saved Underland forever from the reign of the horrid Iracebeth of Crims and her husband Istvan of the Outlands." He reached down to give a hand to his wife as she stepped up to the dais, taking her usual spot to his left. "They have made our wonderland a safe and happy land once again, beginning to return us to our former glory. Our children will grow up in peace, our borders will be opened, our culture will expand once again to become the place we remembered it in the days of the former King and Queens of the Suites," Gavin wrapped his arm about his wife, his hand caressing the back of his daughter's head. "Most importantly, we will never have to fear the loss of those we love again."
Gavin held out a hand to Tarrant, who in turn helped his wife climb the dais to take their place at the table. Mirana had begun her oration of thanks to the king and queen, her eyes thick with tears as she belayed her gratitude.
The woman reached out to grab Alice's hand as she spoke. "Alice, you came down the rabbit hole to a land that wasn't quite yours yet again. And you stood by her side even when you had absolutely nothing to gain and nothing to lose. In return for your loyal service and sacrifice, I hope that this place will truly become your home this Time. You have earned your right to call yourself an Underlandian, you have earned your place in your husband's clan, and you have given more than so many people who have been born here. You are one of the bravest women I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. History will be kind to you yet, our Champion. You saved us from the terrifying Jabberwocky and then from my sister." Mirana's gaze dropped as her free hand enveloped the hand of Alice she held. "And you didn't let even myself stand in the way of doing what you know is right." Mirana kissed the girl's cheek affectionately.
She then turned her attention to Tarrant, a dark grin of familiarity crossing her mouth as she beheld her childhood friend and royal hatter. "As for you, Tarrant of Witzend, we owe you a large debt of gratitude as well. You took down the horrid Black King Istvan and you literally put your life on the line for the sake of Underland, much to our dismay and the dismay of your beautiful wife."
Alice fought the images of her husband laying lifeless on the battlefield, doused in his own blood. She was glad when Mirana did not leave the tension to burst there, but carried on. Alice let out an exhale, reaching to her side to grab hold of Tarrant's hand, squeezing it tightly.
"Thankfully Time was not yet done with you, I am sure he did not want you in his presence so quickly after being rid of you from the tea table," Mirana teased her friend with twinkling eyes. "And we are ever so glad to have you join us this evening. We make a toast to your sacrifice. Both of your sacrifices."
Mirana raised her glass in the air and Gavin imitated the motion, both turning to the audience to incur the group to do the same. Mirana spoke the blessing with a light voice, a charge to the sea of Underlandians. "Tonight, fellow Underlandians, we toast and we drink to our great heroes. Two magnificent people who have sacrificed so that we can have back what we once so readily lost." She looked to Tarrant and Alice with a smile. "To the Hightopps." She thrust the glass upwards, crimson liquid sloshing over the lip. The dark wine ran down her hand.
"TO THE HIGHTOPPS!" Thousands of voices echoed across the room. Alice marveled at the glasses that were raised and then drank in her and her husband's honor.
"Alice," The White King motioned for the two to take their seats in the honored places. They did, Tarrant taking the time to pull Alice's chair out so she could sit. When she had settled her skirts and straightened her spine, the milliner her back into the table. Alice gave her husband a warm smile for his etiquette, reaching out to squeeze his hand before her took his place next to her on the dais.
"Your Majesty," Alice bowed her head, a solemn look passing her features as she looked up to the serious monarch.
"You proved yourself as White Queen, surpassing Mirana's expectations and lifting my own. I confess that I lacked confidence in you and your husband when Mirana informed me you were taking the throne, but I realize my doubts were misplaced," he nodded his head humbly as he made the confession. "You are quite the muchy woman and you were an impressive ruler of Underland. You kept all your vows and you ruled wisely. You proved a Queen as well as a Champion and have created a debt I can never repay. And Tarrant-" The king's eyes softened as he looked down at the dear mad milliner before him, a man that had once grated against his patience now turned into a loyal friend. "I owe you the biggest apology. I sneered at you behind your back, wondering how a mad man could tear apart a country as quickly as we hoped you'd hold it together. But you ruled with wisdom and kindness. You risked your life for this country and we weren't certain if you'd live to see another day," Gavin's voice was solemn, his dark eyebrows depressing as he looked at the Mad Hatter. "You showed heroism and committed the largest sacrifice I have ever seen. I only hope I could be half the man and a quarter of the husband you are." Gavin's glance darted quickly to Alice before returning to Tarrant. "Your wife was quite correct when she said that mad people are the best. I am sorry, Lord Hightopp, for thinking that your insanity would hinder you from being anything. I count you among my best and closest friends now, Tarrant Hightopp." Gavin held his hand out to the man once more. Tarrant opened his mouth as if to say something, but shook his head, taking the hand proffered to him in his own.
Mirana filled the silence with her gentle voice, her kind brown eyes flickering between the two individuals. "We owe you so much thanks and I am glad to say that I have arranged for a small…surprise…for the both of you. I am afraid I shall have to present it tomorrow instead of tonight, so forgive me for making the two of you wait." She learned forward, whispering, "I think it shall be worth it in the end.
Alice smiled gleefully, turning her head to catch her husband's gaze. Tarrant's eyes flashed with anticipation and excitement, his hand squeezing hers as his gat toothed smile shone in the candlelight.
With all of his poise and grace, Gavin stood once more, tapping his glass to attract the attention of the Underlandians before him. "I encourage everyone to make your way to your table so that the festivities may begin." His hands gestured to the courtiers, servants, and citizens to take their places.
The room erupted with the cacophony of sliding chairs and sifting silverware as the denizens quickly took their places, eagerly awaiting for the main course and the climax of the celebration. Alice smiled in delight as the Queen's kitchen workers emerged with piles of food, the scrumptious aromas of the cuisines they carried sent her head spinning.
Her stomach rumbled, reminding her how hungry she was, as she watched a large roast being placed on the table by several of the wait-staff; the gleaming glazes on the golden skin made her mouth water.
"This smells so delicious." Alice said to the king and queen. Mirana smiled as she moved her chair closer to Alice.
"This is our head chef's prized groseberry goose," she explained, motioning for the staff to return to begin to carve and serve the wonderful smelling food. Tarrant eagerly tucked into the food as soon as a heaping plateful had been placed before him. Alice lacked the decorum she had been taught in her reformative years as she, too, hurried to take a bite of the meat.
The quiet dining of the monarchs and their specials guests was interrupted by the small wanting cries of a baby. Lily whimpered in her mother's arms and Mirana pulled her from her sling. Alice leaned over to once again gaze down on the baby in awe, reaching out to touch the soft skin of her hand. Reflexively the child took hold of her digit, holding fast.
With a smile, Mirana tipped the baby toward the Champion, allowing Alice to get a full view of her daughter and for Lily to see the face of her mother's dearest friend. "You haven't really met the baby you helped deliver into this world, have you?" Mirana asked.
Alice pondered the time that had elapsed in the two weeks since the little princess's birth. Aside from the night she had spent with the mother and child, where she had merely observed the two and had not interacted, Alice had only ever seen the baby on the actual day of birth. She had been too busy reigning as Queen of Underland and fighting off terrible tyrants while the baby had been sequestered away in secret hiding to avoid all the trouble. Alice found she envied the little baby in a way. How much more pleasant was the second option?
"No, I haven't." Alice answered. Mirana extended her child-filled arms to Alice, allowing the woman to take the baby on her lap.
The blonde woman flattened her heaving skirts as best as she was able, gently setting the small baby into the sling she had created with the cushy under-tulle. Lily looked up at Alice with large brown eyes as she made a small squeaking sound. Alice laughed at the small person as she cradled her gently in her hands. The weight of Tarrant pressing into her shoulder caused her to turn her head, watching in amusement as her husband's eyes widened at the sight of the little royal. "She's beautiful, isn't she beloved?" Alice whispered into her husband's ear. He met her eyes with his wide green ones, nodding his head in agreement.
"She is a darling little child" Tarrant dared to reach down to push some of the girl's blanket away from her face. "I haven't seen a baby in years. I think she is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen." He gently stroked the small girl's cheek with his rough pointer finger. "She is so soft and she smells so good!" He laughed at the little baby.
Alice looked to the mother. "Can he?" She asked.
"Oh of course, Alice!" Mirana answered with a knowing smile. "I will assume at some point he will need to understand the ways of little ones." She canted her head questioningly at Alice.
"Not quite yet, but someday." Alice answered, her muddy green eyes turning to her husband. "Put your knees level, Tarrant." She instructed, a glad grin sweeping across her face as he quickly obeyed. Though he did as she asked, Tarrant still looked at his wife with a confused tilt in his head.
"Why am I doing this, fair one?" He asked with an odd grin. His knees were level and he sat with his hands gripping them. Alice laughed at him gently.
"Now relax your hands and flip them over. Pretend I am going to give you a loaf of bread. Yes, let's play pretend!" Alice responded looking down at the beautiful little baby in her arms.
As she looked at the small child in her arms, considered giving the baby over to her husband, she could feel a soft Need stirring in her abdomen. Her body was craving for a small Hightopp of her own, to grow and birth and raise, but inside she knew it wasn't the Time yet. So she turned to her husband to hand him another couple's baby, watched as he responded with the gentleness and grace that he did have locked inside, a contrast to the ferocity and fortitude he had demonstrated a short week ago.
Before giving the child over to Tarrant, she glanced over at the small one's parents who watched the Hightopps intently amused. She then went to answering the confused look on her husband's face, chuckling to herself in amusement as she beheld him once more with his hand together palms up. Alice gently cradled the back of Lily's small soft head, her other hand holding the swell of the girl's swaddled rear. Carefully lifting the princess, Alice placed the infant in the hands of Tarrant.
He immediately panicked, his hands shaking as he took the small girl in his arms. "Alice, I don't think I can do this. I am going to drop her on her little head and she is going to see everything upside down for the rest of her life," his voice was tight as his wide green eyes looked at the little baby as if at any moment she would jump up to bite him.
"Nonsense!" Alice scolded her husband. "Just hold her steady and you will be just fine!" She watched as he looked at the tiny girl, settling her on his lap.
When he had comfortably placed her in the cradle of his lap, he smiled down at her placing his pointer finger on her cheek again. The baby cooed as her arms stretched and Tarrant pulled his hand back so that his fingers remained within her reach. The girl's little hand found the Hatter's large finger clasping onto it tightly with her little fist. Tarrant laughed at the baby and leaned closer to her.
"She is quite the cute one." Tarrant cooed at the child.
"Tarrant Hightopp you are a natural!" Mirana praised the Hatter. She winked at him as he looked to her in shock. "You handle my lovely Lily with great ease."
"She is a beautiful baby, Mirana." Tarrant smiled at the queen. Gavin nodded his head in agreement.
"She will grow up to be a great beauty like her mother." The look on Gavin's face suggested that perhaps he wasn't as pleased with that notion, but the haughty smile crossing his features could not be stopped. Alice smiled at the proud father that sat at the head of the table.
"It's so good to see you staying in Underland after facing another trial." Mirana commented, beginning to delicately eat the meal placed before her. Alice watched her husband out of the corner of her eye; Tarrant was playing with the baby's little toes. Though she partially watched to be sure he didn't drop the baby and cause her to see everything the wrong side up for the rest of her life, Alice realized she didn't have much to worry about; he handled the little girl like he had already reared several children of his own.
"I am glad to stay. I have finally found my home." She answered the queen, surprised to see that Mirana shook her head.
"I don't think you've gone all the way home." Mirana's dark eyes looked sad. "I am sorry that you have had to stay in this castle. The only time the two of you have been away from the palace you were placed somewhere far away and tumultuous." She said with a carefree laugh. Alice chewed her food and swallowed before answering.
"The castle isn't a horrid place to be, Mirana. I am grateful for your hospitality." She bowed gently to the queen who shook her finger back and forth.
"Ah, ah, Alice! I know that you wish deep in your bones to be in a home not a castle. Being waited on is nice but I know if I were in your shoes, which I was," she laughed and placed her hand on Alice's. "I would want to be in my own home." Gavin nodded his head.
"It was nice to be away from so many people in the Time of the reign of Queen Alice and King Hightopp. A certain peace I haven't known since before my Time as Captain then King returned to me. I envy you that you should be able to find it readily." He added onto Mirana's observation.
"I didn't much like the hundreds of eyes." Tarrant spoke up looking to the royal couple. Gavin laughed merrily at the Hatter's statement.
"Sometimes they do get a little…intimidating." Gavin agreed.
"I do miss my being in a house very much." Alice conceded with a sad smile toward her husband. "I'm afraid that I have not known a true home since I came here to Underland, as you suggested, your Majesty. I have lived in my apartments and Hightopp apartments, never making a home with my husband." She placed a hand on Tarrant's arm.
"Oh good! That means you will enjoy the gift so much the more!" Mirana said with a giggle. Both Tarrant and Alice looked up at the White Queen in confusion. Whatever could she be giving her and her husband? Alice pondered. Lily began to howl in Tarrant's arms and he tensed at the baby's cries.
"I promise I didn't do anything!" Tarrant balked, holding the baby awkwardly in his arms. Mirana laughed.
"It is dinner time for the little princess as well, I am sure she is hungry." Mirana said rising from the table. She went to Tarrant and lifted the little baby out of his arms. He seemed sad to see his little friend go. "I will be back." Mirana assured him with a kind glance. "You two enjoy the meal, and if you are up to it Tarrant, we should certainly love to see you two Futterwacken."
Alice looked at Tarrant whose grin only grew so much larger at the mention of his favorite dance. He picked up his fork and knife to eat the meat that lay untouched on the plate before him.
Alice turned to Gavin. "I am glad that you will be able to rule a much more peaceful Underland now. It's been an absolute mess since you first started hasn't it?" Gavin looked up at her with wide blue eyes, surprised by her question. He paused for a second to ponder and nodded his head.
"I suppose it has. I haven't much noticed though; it comes with being a ruler. You have to go through the ups and the downs. Sometimes the downs go on for awhile."
"It sounds like a marriage." Alice said with a laugh and the king nodded his crowned head.
"Yes, I suppose in a way it is like a marriage."
"I am glad then that I didn't stay King." Tarrant said for a second time, pausing in his eating to remind them how much he had loathed the task.
"And why is that?" Gavin's curiosity emerged. "Aside from all the eyes, there is some relief in knowing what you do can make a difference. And in your Time, no matter how brief, you made all the difference." Alice watched Tarrant flush at the king's kind compliment.
"Because I would be terribly unfaithful to the country. I would only be able to stay entirely true to Alice." He said with his unfocused look. Gavin let out a huge laugh and nodded his head. Alice looked to her husband with a smile and he flashed his gap toothed grin back at her. The three returned to their quiet eating, eager to taste the feast that continued to pile up before them.
Mirana returned a short time later with empty hands. "The little princess had to sleep and it's about to get terribly noisy in here." She returned to her seat with a satisfied sigh, shooting a smile to the couple beside her.
Alice looked at Tarrant in confusion. Their mutual question was answered when the band came together to begin to play wondrous music, courtiers and citizens standing to begin to dance with one another, stirred on by the lively beat. Alice laughed and Tarrant shot up, extending his hand to his wife.
"May I have this dance, fair one?" He asked her. She thrust her hand into his with great enthusiasm, quickly standing.
"I was hoping you would ask, Lord Hightopp." She answered mischievously. He took her in his arms, the two of them making their way to the middle of the dance floor.
The first dance was a waltz-like Underlandian dance. They moved together in perfect rhythm; right hands stuck together, stretching away from their bodies in a comely arch. Alice's left hand was resting on Tarrant's shoulder and his left was set firmly on her lower back. She was sure he'd let it slide down from its raised position, slipping lower and lower as the night wore on. She rested her head on his shoulder as he led her around and around the dance floor. Her body was completely one with his; she didn't even bother watching where her feet were going as she felt the slightest tense of his muscle, responded to the slightest pressure from his hand. Alice sighed as she let her weight fall on him, feeling weightless as he led her confidently. He kissed her forehead as he spun with her in a circle.
These were the moments the two of them came to crave and desire. The moments when they lived together, perfectly unified, in the right here and right now.
The dance floor began to fill as the band carried them into a second regal dance, Tarrant leading Alice expertly. Alice laughed when the music livened up for the third dance, introducing the wonderful Futterwacken. Tarrant held onto her and together they danced. Alice realized that the last time they had Futterwackened together was on their wedding day.
"Calloo, Callay! We've won today!" Alice crowed with a shout as her husband led her loose body in gyrations and twists.
"Indeed we have fair one." He laughed giddily, placing a rough kiss on her cheek.
Indeed, all was well in Underland. This truly was her Wonderland. Her forever home. She returned her attentions to her wonderful Hatter and smiled as the two moved together. This was her life song, her bliss, her family. Alice stopped her husband, grabbing him about the sides of his face so she could kiss his lips in the middle of the dance. He laughed at her and she closed her eyes, finally able to relax as she hadn't done in weeks as he picked up the steps quickly, sending her body reeling and raving in his family's traditional dance.
Tarrant pulled her close to his body in the middle of a spin and whispered into her ear, "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" A soft laugh dancing on his lilting lisp
"I haven't the slightest idea." Her voice was soft, barely audible in her ear.
He kissed her cheek as the dance ended, he pulling her close in an intimate embrace. Her eyes shut tight, her arms flung about her husband, no more worries of death and tyrants and debts to be paid.
This was the victory she celebrated most.
