Chapter Thirty-Three

JACK

After leaving Alice in the care of the King for the time being, Jack and Auris spoke in a great series of whispers about what to do with not only Alice, but the Hatter and the King as well. Alice would be safe so long as she stayed out of trouble and so long as she stayed with the King, he hoped he could have a few moments of reprieve. He wasn't getting any sort of sleep any time soon and he needed to conserve as much of his energy as possible to properly play along for the remainder of his role.

Getting the Hatter and Alice out of the Red Castle was a bigger priority than making sure the King escaped on Frabjous day and Jack heavily relied on Spade to come up with a plan. The Hatter's room was well guarded by Card Soldiers outside his door as well as the entire hall. There were murderous birds flying outside his window too so getting him out that way wasn't going to happen. The only thing that Jack could think of was to use the Pisksilver to shrink him down and give him enough Upelkunchen for the two of them to make it across Underland fast enough to get to the White Palace. Auris agreed that it would probably be the best plan, as well as the safest and they could go digging around the secret passageways to get them out. That would buy them some time before the Queen would go to see the Hatter about her hats.

Having agreed upon that plan for Alice and the Hatter, Auris tried poking him for what to do about the King, but they had caught up with the other Court Members to join the Queen in a game of her wretched croquet. Jack hated this game in the Anti-Realm, and he didn't hate it any less being in Underland. He hated having to use flamingos and hedgehogs when balls and mallets were a much safer option and less deadly. Every time she would swing the flamingo Jack could help but close his eyes and prayed she didn't break the bird's neck.

"Careful there, Jack," Auris hissed and poked his arm to make him open his eyes. "You don't need to fall asleep during a game."

"Just resting my eyes," he groaned and bit back a yawn. "It just feels so nice out that I could lay down and take a nap."

"Well don't," she kept her eyes trained on the Queen as she raised the flamingo back for the hefty swing. "Your turn is next."

"Sure, we can't trade?" he pleaded but she shook her head in finality. His eyelids were heavy and begging for sleep, his body was unsteady, and he had to lean on a tree for support else he fell on the earth asleep. He was just barely able to keep his eyes awake for the Queen's grand swing and heard the poor hedgehog whistling in the breeze. The Court Members clapped and boosted the Queen's ego as she looked through her heart framed glasses. The poor hedgehog had been punted all the way past the hoops and poles and landed past the rose bushes. Normally when they were punted they came back, but this one had been hit so hard that Jack wasn't sure it wouldn't be coming back any time soon.

When the ball did not return on its own, she called for the White Rabbit. "Page!"

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty!" He bolted off across the field and off to the bushes to retrieve the hedgehog. The Court Members complimented her swing and the distance she made the hedgehog go as they all waited for the White Rabbit to return, but she only grew more impatient the longer it took for the White Rabbit to return. The Queen waited as patiently as she could and rocked on the heels of her feet to the tips of her toes as the White Rabbit disappeared beyond the bushes. The lingering silence only grew as they waited for the White Rabbit to retrieve the ball, however it was taking longer than it should have and the Queen knew that. The Queen handed off her flamingo to go and look for herself when it happened.

Jack heard the White Rabbit's frantic stammering and pleading and was wide awake as the beautiful Alice stood tall behind the rose bushes. The Court Members gasped, Auris covered her face with her hands and Jack could only stare. This girl was going to be the death of him. Not only did she pop up like a beautiful rose but one without a shred of clothing on her body with only the rose bush to shield her from the eyes of others.

"Men, avert your eyes!" Jack yelled out before he could stop himself and both Ventur, Mentum, and Frons all red faced turned away. Diamond itched to the surface to make the warning more extreme, but he would not have wandering eyes looking for things they need not see.

"Jack," Auris hissed a whisper with her hands covering her mouth. "This is bad."

"I know," his heart hammered in his chest. Everything was falling apart before him. The Queen would recognize Alice, have her imprisoned and destruction would befall Underland. Worse yet, Jack would have to betray the Queen to help Alice and he would die in the process.

Why was she here?

Why hadn't she done as she was asked?

How did she even get here?

How did she get her hands on Upelkunchen and eat so much of it?

Why didn't he just take her to the White Palace? He could have avoided all of this before now if he would have just taken her there. The damage was done, he would have to commit and give his all to save Alice now. So many questions asking him 'why?' played in his head and he didn't have an answer to any of them.

"Jack, to me, now!" The Queen called and both Auris and Jack came forward to stand on either side of the Queen. All the while Jack could only stare at Alice and ask her with his eyes the very questions that were harassing him. She looked guilty and no matter how cute she was he couldn't quite let her get away with this. With Jack and Auris by her side the Queen stood in front of the rose bushes and stared up at Alice. "And what is that?"

"I-It's a 'who', Majesty." The poor White Rabbit stammered.

"You there, girl!" The Queen of Hearts pointed as she strode over to the push. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I-I'm lost, Your Majesty," Alice gulped as she looked from the Queen of Hearts to Jack. Jack couldn't and wouldn't smile at her. This was far from okay and on the inside of his head he was panicking. "You see I've been travelling for a long time and got lost in a maze."

"That would be my maze," the Queen shouted proudly. "How did you get so big?"

"I've been doing an awful lot of growing lately," she laughed nervously. Jack almost laughed with her because it seemed as though the Queen didn't recognize Alice. "I don't quite fit in anywhere now because of it."

The Queen seemed to become sympathetic as she studied the girl. "What is her name?"

"Um. . ." The White Rabbit spoke a little too quickly and tapped the tips of his paws together as he looked at the Queen. Alice's eyes widened and Jack was sure he was going to have to go against the Queen to free her. Both Auris and Jack nervously looked from one another before looking back to Alice.

"Um?" The Queen blinked and tilted her head in curiosity. Both Auris and Jack's mouths fell open as the Queen believed Alice, but neither of them made motion or mention to correct her.

"Um. From Umbridge," she nodded her head and almost smiled like a naughty child getting away with a lie.

"What happened to your clothes?" The Queen gestured to her.

"I outgrew them." Alice winced. "I tower over everyone in Umbridge. I got the tall gene from my father and I've been going through a huge growth spurt lately and the others all make fun of me. They laugh at me and point and tell me that I don't belong anywhere. So, I've come to you, hoping you might understand what it's like. . ."

"My dear girl, anyone with a head that large is welcome in my Court. No one will laugh at you in my Court." She smiled kindly up at the girl then snapped her fingers. "Someone find her some clothes! Use the curtains if you must but find some clothes for this enormous girl!"

The Queen smiled kindly and encouragingly up at Alice and both Auris and Jack could only stare up in shock at how smooth the whole scene had progressed. The Queen of Hearts did not recognize Alice and was even making her a part of the Court which would provide her with the right amount of temporary security and protection she would need for Jack to free the Hatter. It was almost brilliant; however, Jack was still far from pleased with her for this.

"Auris, be a dear and assist her to a more private location so she can get fitted into something." The Queen gestured with her hand to Auris. "I'm sure the poor dear doesn't want to be standing there so bare, get her someplace warm."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Auris curtsied quickly and threw a warning glance at Jack before doing as she was told. Alice gave Jack a pleading look, and though he was far from pleased with her he wouldn't stay mad at her either.

"What's the matter, Jack?" The Queen hummed as she looked at him. "You don't look very happy about Um joining my Court."

"It is nothing like that, Your Majesty," he held back a yawn that tried to escape from him. "I'm ecstatic that she's joined, actually, I just didn't want you to meet her like this. . ."

"What do you mean?" Her brow furrowed and she tilted her head at Jack.

"She's the girl I told you about, Your Majesty," he whispered in her ear. She gasped at the realization that this was the very girl he had told her about without revealing her name.

"Um is the girl who you've got strong affections for?" She did not bother to conceal her smile as she looked at Jack in happiness.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," he nodded his head and wondered if this would come back to bite him. "I had planned on bringing her to you to introduce you to her, however, I didn't expect for her to be here today."

"You didn't know she was here?" Her mouth fell open.

He shook his head no. "We had discussed an introduction to you, but it was not this way. She must have run away from home. . ."

"Were things that terrible for her at home?" Her smile fell. "Was she truly miserable?"

"She was very different from her society," Jack nodded his head. "She was quite the outcast from what I've seen and what she's told me."

"I don't see how she could ever be an outcast," the Queen puffed up her cheeks. "She is a pretty little thing, even if she isn't so little. Surely they wouldn't fault her for her height?"

"People will look for anything to tear others down to build themselves up, My Queen," he sighed sadly. "It always leaves lasting impressions when it happens."

"Well, I assure you that she won't have to suffer that anymore, Jack," she beamed as she grabbed his hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. "So long as she's in my Court she won't have to worry about such things and can consider herself to be among friends."

Jack smiled but dread was just underlying behind it. If something were to happen, if any of the captives realized who she was before he was able to get her out, everything would crumble. He was going to have to act faster now.

The Queen looped her arm in the crook of Jack's elbow and pulled him along back towards the Castle. "I am really looking forward to getting to know the girl who's captured your affections, Jack."

"I know she'll measure up," he said dryly as he escorted her back to the castle.

"I know she will."

ALICE

Auris all but dragged her into a large room and barked orders to seamstresses for clothes. They did in fact have to use curtains to make her dress as well as a few heart printed bedsheets to make something large enough to fit around her without expending too much fabric. Once they had her dressed and properly dressed the seamstresses left Auris paced the floors muttering to herself. Alice didn't dare say a word knowing that Auris was positively furious; the crease in her brows all but told her how angry she was. With a heavy sigh Auris finally stopped, hands on hips, and turned to Alice. "Are you mad? Do you even know what you've done?"

"It was an accident," Alice visibly shrunk on her stool. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"An accident?" Auris scoffed and put her hand to her head. "How, pray tell, was this an accident? And why aren't you with the King?"

"There was a problem in the secret passageways," Alice explained softly.

This caught Auris's attention and eased some of her anger away. "What sort of problem?"

"There was a frog butler who saw the King walking around in the passageways," Alice fidgeted with her fingers as she spoke.

"A frog butler?" Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Why was he up there?"

"He mentioned something that he was keeping an eye on the King, a-and was going to report to the Knave," Alice gulped as she explained.

"Stayne." She hissed through gritted teeth. "Did the frog get away?"

"No," Alice shook her head. "The Dormouse killed him before the frog even had a chance to scream to alarm others."

"The Dormouse?" She blinked in disbelief. "This is quite the tall tale you're telling me, Alice."

"I'm telling you the truth!" Alice said defensively. "The King went to hide the body and left me with the Dormouse."

"What happened to this said Dormouse?"

Alice nervously chewed on her lip as she remembered how cross Malley was with her for wasting the Hatter's sacrifice. "S-She ran on ahead to get rid of another frog. S-She told me to run, and the next thing I knew I went tumbling down the drainpipe and outside in the gardens."

"And the sudden growth spurt?" She gestured to all of Alice.

"The White Rabbit gave me the cake that grows," she answered instantly.

"How much Upelkunchen did you eat?" Auris gasped.

"At least six, maybe seven bites?" Alice hadn't really counted, she just shoveled as much in her mouth as she could.

"Don't you know you shouldn't eat more than three when you are that small?" Auris snapped and began to pace again.

"No." Alice shook her head again. "No one likes to tell me how things work here in Underland. They just force things on me to eat and to drink and expect me to know."

"Well this is your second time here," Auris stopped with another heavy sigh. "You ought to have remembered all this from the first time, though I do suppose it has been a few years since then."

Alice's brow furrowed at hearing this, but she didn't have the chance to question as the Queen and Jack burst through the room. The Queen was full of smiles while Jack looked ready to pass out from exhaustion at any second. The Queen marched right up to Alice who quickly rose from her seat and did a quick curtsy.

"My, my, they surely found something to dress you in, didn't they?" She marveled and held her hand out for Alice to take. "It looks darling on you!"

Darling isn't quite what Alice would call it, but it was definitely something. It was a blaring red strapless dress that had a large poof of a skirt with the heart bedsheets to act as an accent and to help hold it against her now large body. It was asymmetrical in every way, but Alice loved it all the same. "Come with me, Um," The Queen began to pull her like a child wanting to show her something. "I want to get to know you better. Do you care for tarts?"

She quickly threw a glance at Jack who gave her a curt nod for her answer. "Y-Yes, I do."

"Perfect!" The Queen nearly squealed and pulled her out of the dressing room and onto the terrace of the Throne room. As the Queen strode out, servants were already preparing a large table, chairs, and decorating the table with an array of tea trays, snack trays, and dining ware. Jack and Auris both briskly walked behind them to catch up with the excited Queen and joined them at the tables. With how large Alice was she could not sit in a chair that had a back like the others but instead had a couch all to herself that acted as more of a stool than a chair. The Queen sat across from Alice with Auris on the right of Alice and Jack on the left as they positioned themselves around the circle table.

Servants bustled about pouring tea, portioning out macaroons, tarts, and other pastries on plates – the Queen noticeable got three tarts while Alice got two and Jack and Auris both had one – and laying out cloth napkins for the party of four. The Queen was ever so chipper and smiling, Auris's mouth was more of a line than a smile, Jack was too tired to smile though there always was a ghost of a smile on his face, and Alice smiled curtly as her cheeks began to ache from how much fake smiling she currently had to do.

"Um, dear," the Queen chittered as she noisily stirred sugar cubes into her tea. "Tell me about yourself!"

"Well, Your Majesty," she gulped, "there's not much to tell, I'm afraid. I'm terribly plain, I keep my nose in books, and try to remain unseen as much as I can."

It wasn't a complete lie; it was a great summary of her life back in the London society and she was doing her best – and failing – to remain unseen here in Underland.

"Jack here tells me that the two of you were planning on setting an introduction with me," the Queen threw a glance at Jack who was blinking repeatedly to stay awake.

"Y-Yes ma'am," Alice nodded and fidgeted with her hands in her lap. "Jack here told me that there are others like me, ones that are either too tall or have certain enlarged features that you've taken into your Court."

"I admit that I have a soft spot for those who share the same disfigurement," the Queen took a quick sip of her tea before taking a large bite of her tart. "Out of everyone in Underland I know what it's like to be different because you're too big compared to everyone else."

Alice wordlessly nodded her head and sipped tea from a bowl that had been offered to her as a cup. The warm tea slowly ebbed its way into her and provided her with a little encouragement to sit at the same table as the Queen of Hearts. It was strange, after the way everyone made her seem and even her old memories of dreams, she didn't think the Queen could be this kind, or well nice to others in the way that she had. To think that she would naively pick up someone off the streets for having an enlarged part of the body and make them a member of her Court. Though she was still a fiery passionate woman with a lethal temper, there was a hidden kindness underneath that even Alice couldn't deny.

It was almost enough to tempt her to stay with the Queen of Hearts if only to conceal her identity and to stay with Jack. She knew she couldn't, and she knew she needed to keep this rouse up long enough to take the Hatter with her to escape to the White Palace, but it was almost tempting all the same. Should something happen and it be revealed who she really was she would really have doomed Jack and she couldn't bear to think of what would happen to him should they be found out.

"How did you meet Jack?" The Queen pressed the question and Jack snapped more awake. Even Auris stiffened in her seat as she sipped her tea and looked over the edge of the cup and looked to Alice.

"He was searching for someone when he came to Umbridge," Alice spoke easily and caught the warning glance Jack threw at her. She could also see how the Heart was struggling to stay on his face while the Spade was poking through. "We sort of ran into each other while I was walking and reading a book and not paying attention to where I was going."

"Interesting," the Queen seemed to be satisfied. "Where is Umbridge? Is it far?"

"Oh, it is quite far from here," Alice spoke quickly. "It is about four days' time by foot and that's without stopping to rest in the evenings."

"Really?" The Queen frowned at this. "Well no wonder Jack has been missing for so long. If it takes him four days to get there and come back again then he really has been traipsing all across Underland in search of Alice."

Jack went rigid in his seat and Auris slowly set her cup down in its saucer and put a macaroon in her mouth.

"Who?" Alice tilted her head and tried to play as innocent as possible so as not to reveal her true identity.

"Alice," The Queen frowned and set down her second tart that she was about to take a bite out of. "She's a girl who only ever causes me trouble and will take everything away from me."

"My, that's dreadful." She could feel Jack's glare at her but kept her eyes on the Queen.

"She is the turning tide of Frabjous Day and will make my life very difficult," she huffed as she poured another cup of tea. "It doesn't matter now, I'm sure she's already with my pretty little sister in the White Palace and they're already plotting my demise."

Alice's eyes went wide at finding out the Queen of Hearts had a sister, a sister that she was about to go to war with. Alice has had many a fight with her own sister, who almost always won, but even then their bickering and squabbles were never anything to shed blood over. Alice could hardly fathom how two sisters could go to war against one another, though Alice wasn't entirely sure why there was a war to be held in the first place. She only knew that she was the key, the thing that would be the turning point in the war.

"In an effort to not think of my losing the crown of Underland we were having a croquet match today to celebrate my long rule of Underland." The Queen continued without taking notice of how her party members were all stiff in their seats. "Though things didn't go quite as planned, I should count my lucky stars that you showed up to be an even better distraction."

Alice smiled awkwardly at this as the Queen continued. "I must say, though, it is poor timing to try to join my Court so close to Frabjous Day. I am happy to have you, though I wish it could have been under better circumstances."

Alice opened her mouth to comment that she too wished they could have met under better circumstances when a tall man with long black hair and an eyepatch clad in black strode out onto the terrace. From the doors he looked furious but as he approached the table and knelt by the Queen's side.

"Stayne," the Queen held out her hand to him and he immediately placed a sloppy wet kiss on her tiny hand that made Alice's skin crawl. This was the man that had been hunting her down like she was a rare unicorn and his entire aura around him made Alice fidget nervously. There was something about him that she really didn't like.

"Your Majesty," he had an air of dramatics around him as he spoke to the Queen, as if he were some mystical bard about to tell a fanciful story and Alice couldn't help but think it was ridiculous. "I have come back from the hunt and regret to tell you that I still was unable to find Alice."

"That's quite all right, Stayne," the Queen spoke in a more strained tone. "I think it best to give up on her now and just prepare for Frabjous Day."

"My men have also reported to me that the King is still in his quarters under a very tight lock and key," there was a sneering smirk of pride playing about his lips that made Alice frown. If this was his attempt at being flirtatious with the Queen, Alice was far from impressed. "I also have news that the Hatter has finished the collection of hats you required and is ready to fit one on your head whenever you are ready."

"Excellent!" The Queen stood and scooted her chair back in one fluid motion. "We shall go now!"

"Now, My Queen?" There was a pleading tone in Jack's voice that wanted to beg her off it.

"You don't have to come with me for a hat fitting, Jack," the Queen giggled at him. "I'm sure you will find it quite boring."

"Wouldn't it be best for the Queen's Wild Card to guard you while you try your hats?" Stayne offered smoothly and slickly like a snake. "We wouldn't want the Hatter trying anything during the fitting."

"Please, Stayne," the Queen sounded miffed at the thought, "are you suddenly suggesting that you cannot defend me as well as Jack can?"

"I never –!" His face burned such a fiery red in embarrassment that Alice could hardly hide her laugh. His head snapped in her direction and whatever anger and fury was there immediately fell away as a certain slimy look that Hamish had given her many times before crossed his face. Alice instantly regretted laughing. His face went soft, slack in shock, and his eyes practically bore holes into her face as he stared at her with lust filled eyes.

"Majesty," his voice was breathy as he whispered to the Queen. "Who is that magnificent creature?"

"She is the newest member of my Court," The Queen said with a smile, "Um."

"Her name?" Stayne repeated and took a step closer to the table to look at Alice.

"Um." The smile faded into a tight line as her eyes cut impatient daggers at Stayne.

"I'm sorry, fair lady," Stayne suddenly knelt in her direction, completely ignoring that both Auris and Jack were there. "Would you implore me and tell me your name? It seems as though it escapes the Queen's memory –"

"Her name is Um!" The Queen shouted. "Idiot!"

Stayne immediately retreated, but he kept his gaze on Alice and only made her further uncomfortable as he repeated her name as though it were a psalm, "Um."

Even if Um was not her name, she hated the way he tried to savor it on his lips. She wanted to turn away at the terrible crawling sensation that went up her skin, but she found that she couldn't. Much to her relief Jack stood up and did his best to obscure Stayne's view of her. His hands were held out as if to keep her behind him and be the thorn in Stayne's eye.

"Wild Card, you best move," Stayne snarled through a smile of gritted teeth. "You're obscuring my view of the beauty of Um!"

"Take your roving eyes elsewhere, Knave!" Jack snapped as the Diamond flared on his cheeks.

"What, do you have a thing for taller women, Wild Card?" Stayne scoffed and tried to pose the question in offense.

"The stature of a woman means nothing to me," Jack said proudly. "So long as she will have me for my short stature, her height means nothing to me. It changes nothing of my feelings and affections for her!"

Before Stayne could spew another rude comment at Jack, the Queen stepped in front of Stayne and gently but firmly pushed him a step back. "As you can see, Stayne, Um is already spoken for."

"What?" His eye went wide as the realization that Jack had already made a claim to the tall girl before him.

"Perhaps you've spent too much time on the road out in the sun, Knave," Jack reached for Alice's hand as he glared up at Stayne. "It must be affecting your hearing. Um is already spoken for. I am courting her. She and I have a history that you will not tarnish."

"Jack, isn't that a bit much?" The Queen scolded with a sigh.

"No, ma'am," Jack spoke politely but sternly with her. "I want to make it very clear to all of the Court members that Um is taken."

It made Stayne burn in anger and Alice blush with a strong heartfelt emotion that almost made her burst into tears there on the spot. Though she knew he was saying all of this to protect her and keep her cover strong, she could not help but feel her heart swell in wishing that his words were as true as they felt. As if to make his point stronger and make her heart pound harder, Jack laced their fingers together and put his arm protectively around her. She prayed he couldn't feel how hard her heart was pounding in her chest by both his words and actions.

Stayne finally getting the point that was made scowled as he slinked to the side and stood tall. He was over seven feet tall and was a very imposing figure with the scowl on his face, but with Jack holding her she felt safe no matter what sorts of things the Knave could possibly throw at her. "You've made your point crystal clear, Wild Card," he snarled as his hands clenched into fists.

"Good, I'm glad that's settled," the Queen spoke and completely cut through the tension that was building. "Now that we know where everyone all stands, it is time to try on these hats."

The Queen skillfully looped her hand into the crook of Stayne's elbow and led the way out with Auris following behind them. Not allowed to linger too long, Jack released a sigh and helped Alice to her feet before escorting her with them.

"Are you all right?" He whispered quickly and gave a worried look at her.

"I'm fine, thanks to you," her face warmed and he smiled at her blush.

"Good," he chuckled dryly at her. "I hate that Knave and I won't let him put his greasy hands on you either."

Her gratitude for his protection knew no bounds just like the happy hammering of her heart that he was still so kind to her after messing up so much today. "I truly am grateful," she said quickly. "And I'm sorry for how things turned out today."

"Don't be," he gave a tired sigh. "Auris explained what happened and I'm not mad at you. The lack of sleep just makes me a less than desirable form of company at the moment, though I fear that I can't let you out of my sight until I know that the Knave has slinked back to his room."

If that meant that Jack would be staying by her side a little longer, holding hands or arms linked as they were at the moment there would be no complaints from her. Every second spent with him was truly precious and she wanted to commit every bit of it to memory.

"It doesn't bother you how tall I am?" She asked curiously with a teasing smile.

"Why would it?" He smirked as he looked up at her. "Your height doesn't matter to me so long as your heart remains the same." She could feel the blush touching her ears and his smirk only broadened by her reaction. "As I said before, my affections for you haven't changed despite your height. I've seen you many sizes now, why would that change so suddenly because you're taller than me?"

She was sure she would faint with how hot things had suddenly got and how dizzy happy his words made her feel. She hated knowing that she couldn't stay with him longer than what was already planned ahead.

"It would only bother me if you wanted a taller man to love you, I suppose," his smirk faded then came back bigger than ever. "If you did, I would just give you a few more ounces of Piskshilver to drink to make you tiny again."

She stopped at his words. If she didn't know better, it almost sounded like a confession. She knew better and it still sounded like a confession and no matter what she told herself she couldn't calm her heart. It flew like a hummingbird and would all but reveal her own feelings for Jack if she let it; but she wouldn't, she couldn't.

"You're so cute when you're tiny," he teased and earned a quick swat on the wrist from her. He only laughed a little harder before giving her hand a quick kiss, "You're just as lovely when you're taller than me, though I will admit that I like your own height best."

He said nothing after that and only held her hand tighter as they followed the Queen to the Hatter's holding room. She was grateful that Jack didn't say anything else as they walked, it gave her a chance to calm her thundering heart as well as memorize the way to the Hatter. She wasn't sure what luck Malley was having, but at least she knew she could get the Hatter out if she truly needed to. She silently promised herself that she would wait for Jack's course of action, she would not mess anything else up today.

The sight that was before her was ever so strange, hats of all kinds littered every trace of the room and barely allowed them entry into his room. Alice recognized some of the styles of hats that she knew society ladies wore to stay in style, but she also saw a few new ones in the French line that were bound to storm the fashion world very soon. She couldn't help but think that if the Hatter ever lived in her world that he would be the most successful businessman to create so many hats, that is if he stuck to his trade rather than his tea parties. Still she could not help but admire the different hats and all the craftsmanship that went into them. She silently wished that she would have taken up his offer to make her a hat sooner. Some had ribbons, some bows, others lace or feathers, everything ranging from tall, short, wide, and even squat in many different colors were everywhere. There were even some she had never imagined could exist, but then again, the Mad Hatter was a hatter and could make anything into a hat if he truly wanted.

The Queen was nestled in the center of the room with three small mirrors facing her so she could see how each hat fit her head while she held tightly onto her crown in her lap. Sadly, it did not seem as though any of them pleased her as the Hatter was moving them two at a time, one on each hand, for her to try on her head. It had to be the heart shaped hairstyle that she currently wore that made this process so difficult, or at least why she was not finding any of the beauteous hats pleasing to her eye. With there being several hats to try on, both Alice and Jack found their own place to sit while Auris tried to help convince the Queen that some of the hats were pretty on her. Whichever one Auris told the Queen she liked she would get, which pleased the Hatter some, but it was rather obvious that he was becoming both bored and impatient with her.

Sitting in the chair beside her, Jack's head bobbed occasionally as he finally gave himself a chance to sleep and be still, all the while still holding her hand. He had refused to let it go when they sat down and he refused to let it go while he slept, she had tried freeing her hand from his gloved grasp but to no avail. His grip would just tighten its hold and he would almost jolt awake to make sure she was all right. For the sake of wanting to let him sleep she sat still and quietly and nodded her head in approval whenever Auris did to a hat on the Queen's head.

After witnessing at least forty-five hats placed on her head, only five were chosen and the Queen needed a quick break so as not to overwhelm herself. She turned to say something to Alice and Jack, but when she saw Jack sleeping and holding her hand she smiled like a mother to a toddler and took Auris outside. Stayne lingered, his fiery gaze on Alice to make her squirm before the Queen called him to properly guard her and they would be back after she stretched her legs to make him leave the room. The doors were left open and the guards made themselves known by staying in the doorway, but that did not seem to bother the Hatter as he walked over to Alice. "Hello, my friends!" He whispered with a wiggle of his fingers in greeting, "I see that the two of you have finally gotten together."

"Not quite," She gave him a sad smile and he pouted at this.

"Really? You haven't yet?" He crossed his arms, displeased by this information. "Then what is this?"

He pointed at the joined hands and to show him that it was mostly Jack, she tried to pry her hand free only to have Jack tighten it and move slightly. Having seemed dissatisfied with the result the Hatter consented and went back to smiling.

"Your hats," Alice gestured with her free hand, "they're beautiful. I've never seen anything so wonderful."

"Thank you," he chuckled embarrassedly to himself and dusted off his sleeves. "It has been nice to be in my trade again, but tell me, friend, why are you here?"

Though the Hatter was mad he was not stupid, he was much more perceptive than people gave him credit. He threw curious glances at her and Jack from time to time all the while wiggling his eyebrows at her and Jack's enclosed hands while placing hats on the Queen's head. He was at least aware that she was under a momentary name and was smart enough not to openly call her by her true name else the worst of things happened. His tone wasn't accusatory, but Alice still felt very guilty. Malley's words still rang through her that she wasted the Hatter's sacrifice.

"I'm here to rescue you," she said weakly. "We can go to the White Queen together!"

"My dear friend," he gave her a sad smile. "You should know that I am not what Frabjous Day needs to be a success."

"But you were brought here because of me," she frowned at him. "It's my responsibility to bring you back to the White Palace."

He gave an exasperated sigh. "You don't seem to understand that I have to be here."

"What?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"You are the one that needs to get to the White Palace," he gave her hand a squeeze. "I cannot go with you. It is something you must do on your own."

"But I can't." She shook her head. "Anything I try to do on my own, I just seem to keep ruining."

"Why is it you're always too small or too tall?" He gave her a kind but sad smile that left her very confused. Was he referring to her height, or her confidence?

Jack grunted as he opened his eyes, Spade pointed on his cheek and glaring at the Hatter, "She's fine just the way she is."

"You don't look so well friend," the Hatter sighed. "You should get more sleep; it is good for you."

"I'm fine." Jack argued and sat up in his chair. "Just needed a quick rest."

The Hatter merely laughed in response but didn't look as though he believed Jack. As if he somehow knew the Queen was returning, the Hatter shuffled back over to his work area just as the Queen came back looking a little more refreshed. The rest of her Court members all filed in and Auris kept looking at Alice and Jack as if to get their attention. Alice tilted her head in acknowledgment and Auris made her way to the Queen as she reclaimed her seat for the Hatter to place hats on her head. She whispered something in her ear and the Queen gave a nod to Auris then smiled at Alice. Alice returned the smile as Auris moved from the Queen over to the couple.

"The Queen has given me permission to give you a tour of the castle, Um," Auris spoke so softly Alice could hardly hear her. "Jack is to escort us while I give the tour so the Queen can enjoy her hat fitting."

Alice glanced at the Queen and received a nod of encouragement. Jack wasted no time in pulling her to her feet and following Auris out the door. As she was pulled out the door, she could not get rid of the terrible feeling of Stayne's eyes boring holes into her back as the doors closed behind her. There was in fact no tour given but an immediate escort back to Jack's room. The King was already there waiting for them to arrive and as soon as they were all in Jack's room, Auris locked the door so they could discuss what was to happen next.

Author's Note:

Thanks so much for reading, I hope you're enjoying the story so far!

Please remember to leave a comment or a review and give me your thoughts and opinions on the story.

Thanks for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!

Ko-fi/SarahtheWriter