Clara paced the floor, twiddling her fingers and biting her lip. She was too unsettled to even think about sitting and too upset to come down for dinner after her mother called her three times.
The day was coming to a close, and the very next morning Clara's best friend was to be married to a man that she didn't love.
"Oh what should I do!" Clara leaned against the window and stared out into the early evening. The orange sun was setting upon Underland, sending long shadows across the woods and into the green checkered fields of Marmoreal.
Time was running out. Clara had never felt so despaired. Was this the end for her friendship with Lily? Was she watching that entire chapter of her life vanish before her? Was that part of her heart, that she treasured so dearly, going to be yanked out from under her. Was there really nothing to be done?
Tears fell from her face, shining in the setting sun's rays. "This can't happen," she said in a weary voice. She wiped her wet face and decided to go outside to walk around a bit.
As Clara came walking out, her mother lectured her. "Ah there you are, Clara! I've called you three times!" Her mother had her hands on her hips, "The queen is waiting for us all to go to dinner!"
"No thank you…" Clara said, too quietly to really even be heard, and she was already headed out the down the hall.
"Clara!" Janet called, but Clara was already shutting the door behind her. Janet gaped at her husband. "She didn't come down for tea time either!"
Tarrant sighed. "I think she's just upset about Lily. Tomorrow's the wedding."
The two parents realized that they would be attending dinner without their daughter.
Clara went walking through a wooded trail. The evening air was fresh and cool. There was never a Spring that came where Clara didn't enjoy the beauty of the first blade of green grass, smile at the first sound of the birds, and take in the wonderful smells the world blossoming into life. But this was going to be the saddest spring ever.
Clara came to a log by the running creek and sat down, feeling lower than ever. She buried her face into her knees, still crying, knowing there was nothing she could do to help this situation.
"Why so many tears on a beautiful evening like this?" Clara heard a familiar voice of the cat she knew so well. This instantly comforted her. Clara set her hand on the floating cat's head and stroked his green fur.
"Oh Chessur...Lily is back in Marmoreal….and she's getting married tomorrow…" she almost choked at the thought. "To some unintelligent, overweight, mediocre-looking sissy with no substance!" Clara blurted out with all the hate she could muster. And after doing so a slight smile curled her mouth. Saying those words made her feel slightly better.
"Are you talking about William!" Chessur looked surprised.
"No no!" Clara hurried to say. "Some duke named...Fredrick!" she said, still hatefully. "And I know Lily doesn't even love him, and she's just doing it to save her kingdom and there's nothing we can even do to help!" she started rambling, almost getting into panic.
"Clara," Chessur cut her off.
Clara broke into sobs. "There's nothing we can do!"
"Well that's not like Lily to give up," he said. "That's not the Lily we know at all."
"I know…" Clara said tearfully.
"And because our Lily is giving up so easily, it's up to us now to stand strong." Chessur said confidently. "We're not giving up. Not when Lily needs us more than ever."
Clara watched as Chessur was starting to swirl into nothing. "Come, Child. Gather everyone together. We're going to help our Lily. This isn't the end, and there is something we can do. Be at the castle as soon as you have everyone."
Clara stood just as the cat completely disappeared. She didn't know what Chessur had in mind, but all she could do was what he commanded. She set straight to find all the friends she could, and hoped with all she could that maybe this wasn't the end.
Lily was beside herself. It was the day before the wedding and her family and friends
were not pleased with her. Her mother was clearly displeased with this whole wedding, Clara
was angry with her, and William hated her. As she gazed out around her bedroom, she couldn't
help but feel as though the room was larger, unfamiliar almost. She walked over to her dresser
and sat down in front of the large mirror. Even the girl staring back at her was unrecognizable.
"There's no tricks to get out of this one," she mumbled to herself.
"Not necessarily." Two cat eyes appeared in the mirror followed by a large grin. Lily
smiled and turned around to face the floating cat.
"Cheshire," she greeted fondly. "And what have you been up to?"
The cat flicked his tail and turned upside down. "Hmmm, Cheshire," he hummed. "I
don't think I have ever been Cheshire to you."
"And what about me!" Nivins appeared from under the crack of the door. "You haven't
even stopped by to see any of us, since you've been back." The mouse stood straight and placed her hand on her little sword. "Did you forget about us?"
Cheshire floated over to the door and swung it open, allowing Bayard, White Rabbit, and
Tweedledum and Tweedledee to step inside. Lily smiled at her friends as they entered her room.
"How could I forget you all?" She teased. "I couldn't even begin to try."
"Princess," Bayard bowed his head with a wag of his tail. "It is wonderful to see you
again."
The White Rabbit nodded his head in agreement and glanced at his watch. "Too long.
You're late!"
"Well, I didn't exactly have a choice when I would return." Lily crossed her arms over
her chest and arched a brow. "so, have you all come to lecture me as well?"
"Lecture?" Tweedledee looked at Tweedledum before looking back at Lily. "No. I don't
think so."
"Were we told to?" Tweedledum asked his brother who shook his head.
"What good would a lecture do to someone who won't listen to the words of the
lecturer." Cheshire grinned and floated above the friends.
Lily sighed in annoyance. "You've been hanging around Caterpillar too much."
Cheshire shrugged. "At least he listens. It got awfully quiet when you left."
Nivins took a step forward. "So, we're here to help bring our Lily back."
Lily rolled her eyes and stood from her seat. "Your Lily is back. She's just grown… just
as the kingdom wanted." She turned to face the others. "Is this not what everyone wanted? A
matured and responsible future queen?"
Suddenly the door flew open and Clara stood in the doorway, her wild hair in all
directions. She stepped in, shutting the door behind her, and stood with the others. "Maybe a
little more responsible, yes." She teasingly smirked. "Can't have someone who's crazy be left in
charge of a whole army."
Lily giggled and nodded. "So, you rounded all our friends up, then?"
Clara gave a proud smile. "Lily, you taught me to never give up. To find the fun in every
day, and how to make friends. So, yes, I went to our friends for help to knock some sense into
that princess head of yours. Because it seems to me you've forgotten who Lily is. And we know
you love William, not Frederick!"
Of course, there was no arguing with being outnumbered, so Lily succumbed to her
friends. She took a seat on her bed and sat before her friends. "Alright then, what do you propose I do?"
Clara mischievously rubbed her hands together with a sparkle in her eye. "Oh, Lily, we
are getting you out of this even if I have to kidnap you and hide you in my closet."
"And you have us for help," Bayard stated proudly.
White Rabbit put his watch away. "As long as it takes."
"Did it hurt putting that away?" Cheshire grinned at the rabbit who ignored the comment.
Nivins climbed her way to the top of the bed. "Alright, let's start operation get our Lily
Back!"
Clara skipped down the palace halls. This plan was going to work. It had to work. If she
could stop one thing, it would be this marriage to Frederick. They may get along, but Lily's heart
belonged to William, and that was clear to everyone.
As she rounded the corner, she came face to face with Charlie. Her cheerful smile fell
when she spotted his frown. A dramatic tired sigh escaped her mouth. "If this isn't good news,
just toss me out a window instead."
"You prefer the first floor or second?" Charlie looked nervously at his girlfriend. "William is gone."
