Beyond the Sea
Summary: Alice misses Mirana whilst she sails.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland or any of its plots and characters. This is simply for entertainment purposes. All rights belong to Disney, Lewis Carol, and Tim Burton. I am not repeating this disclaimer throughout the rest of the chapters.
I do not own the song Beyond the Sea. All rights belong to Bobby Darrin.
Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing
The captain of the Wonder is silent as she enters her quarters for the night, taking off her captain's jacket and tucking it neatly in the closet. The room is quiet, the only noise of that being the ticking of a pocket watch that is an exact replica of her father's.
After the Time fiasco, when Alice returned back to Underland, Mirana had gifted it to her as thanks. Alice sits on her bed, undoing her braid as she thinks about first arriving.
"Alice!" She turns her head, having not expected Mirana to speak with such joy. In fact, she thought Hatter would be the first, since he's standing right next to her and is far more open with his feelings.
Alice barely has any Time to greet her for she's engulfed into a large embrace, taking her completely by surprise. But she wasn't complaining. Come to think of it, has Mirana ever hugged her prior to this? She doesn't think so.
Mirana is the first to back away, a feeling of loss falling over the former champion but she is quick to dismiss it. "It's been so long since I sent the letter. I thought you were killed or something. I was so worried," the White Queen admits, pressing a kiss to her cheek before pulling away fully. "But the important thing is that you're here now and-…"
"Is something the matter? The letter seemed urgent," Alice interrupts her.
A confused look falls on the queen's features. "Huh? No, no, nothing's wrong… Why would you think-?"
"Because the last two Times, I've been summoned to fix your problems," she states slightly bitterly in return. She realizes how it came across because of the way Mirana's face fell, the pleasant mood disappearing, a look of both hurt and guilt forming. "Fuck, I'm sorry. I-…"
"No," she replies softly, "no, don't apologize. I understand where you're coming from and you left before I could give a proper thank you. Tarrant took up that Time and I suppose I got distracted with Racie…" She trails off, her heart seeming to break.
Somewhere, beyond the sea
She's there, watching for me
IF I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to her arms, I'd go sailing
"Please, just hear me out. I… gave the letter because I wanted to thank you for all that you've done and I wanted to implore you of something which is a more personal matter if you… Well, erm… If you'd like. I understand if you don't want to stay to listen."
"No, no," Alice speaks, stopping her. "No, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention for it to come out as it did. That's no way to address a queen, is it?" she jests slightly before sighing. "Forgive me."
"I know that it's too late but I would like to speak to you in my room, if you… Well." Mirana's face flushes and she looks away. She decides to just lead her to the room, nervous of the outcome.
Alice starts to question what exactly Mirana has in mind. When she enters the room, she closes the door behind her. "So, what is this about?" She barely has a chance to get the words out before Mirana is in front of her, her face in the queen's hands. Her face turns a crimson as she looks into her eyes. "Wha-?" She's cut short when her lips meet hers. It's a tentative kiss filled with hesitation but because it's from a lack of confidence, uncertain about Alice's reaction yet it doesn't last once the captain responds back. Mirana lets out a small gasp of surprise than a small whimper when Alice wraps an arm around her lower back, pulling her flush against her body.
"Fucking finally," Alice whispers once they end the kiss. She gives an airy laugh, still holding onto the monarch. "I wanted you to make the first move. I lost hope that you would and when you sent another letter, I thought… Well…"
"That I was just using you again," Mirana finishes. "NO, Alice. I… I fell in love with you when you came back to Underland when you were at least a teenager, I believe. When I saw you in that makeshift dress, tended to your scratches… When I saw you in that armour, I melted," she admits, a laugh following. "That armour fits you far better than I could have ever imagined. But… Alice Kingsleigh. Will you accept me as your love?"
Alice immediately nods, not needing to think about it. "Yes. I couldn't ask for anything more."
It's far beyond the stars
It's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
Alice stares at the watch in the candlelight before shifting onto her side and falling asleep, her sleep empty with no dreams to fill the night.
She wakes to the ship rocking and she hastily grabs her jacket, heading up to the main deck, half of her crew already there. She curses under her breath as they enter the storm, the winds blowing far too much to even change course. She gets to the wheel, shouting orders as they're assaulted by wave after wave.
The sea is always rough but this particular sea, the North Sea between England and Norway, is notorious for awful weather, especially in the winter and early spring. Alice sees several new crew members run up and she shakes her head, not willing to risk their lives on their first voyage. "Get down below and gather the rest of the crew! Close all port windows if any are open but do not come above deck until it's safe to do so!"
Two leave but one seems determined to stay, not knowing or ignoring the severity of the situation. "No! I'm not leaving! If you need help, I'm going to give it! That's why I signed up!"
Alice glances at the young boy, only eighteen, around her age when she started sailing. "No," she says sternly. "I'm not returning with a corpse after your first Time out! If you continue to fight me, this will be your last Time out! Do you understand?!"
He still doesn't move and an older crew member walks over to the boy, grabbing him. "Listen. She ain't fuckin' aroun'. She's true to 'er word. Ya understand? You struck gold gettin' on this crew. Don't fuck it up."
The boy contemplates for a few moments before nodding and leaving. Alice lets out a breath of relief, thanking the crew member, now focusing on the storm. "Was no one watching?"
"I was, Captain," a young member answers, only having been on the crew for a year. "We couldn't get the sails up in Time. Before I knew it, we couldn't turn back."
We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing
Alice merely nods, not answering, attempting to see through the dark and rain. "Best we can do is steer through it as fast as possible. Open the sails and extinguish all lanterns and candles. We don't need anything burning down like last Time! Make haste!"
She eyes the waves as they attack the ship, her eyes widening at several rogue waves that are forming. The crew members see this and immediately run for cover. Alice holds onto the wheel with a steel grip, somehow managing to keep her footing and hold, the wave just barely missing her. However, she's unable to pull her wits together fast enough before a second rogue wave hits her full on, sending her through the wooden railing of the ship and overboard
"Captain!" Two men rush over, one holding a rope, trying to think of something. The other stares at the waves, contemplating on if jumping out to save her would be more helpful or more destructive. "Tie the rope aroun' me and I'll go get 'er. Call the others for help to pull us back in! Go!" He grabs the rope, tying it around his waist before jumping off.
The captain isn't aware of much; she just feels the salt water filling her lungs, more waves bombarding her as she struggles to get to the surface, becoming too weak and tired far too quickly. Fear rushes through her as she realizes that this might be it. This just might be her last hoorah. Yet as the thought finally clicks into place, she realizes that she isn't scared… This is what she knew might happen. She's done what she's wanted in her life… She's gone on adventures, she's fallen in love, she's followed her father's steps in life. What else is there to do? She knows that she's young but life is unexpected. The only regret she has is not telling Mirana sooner and consequently not spending more Time with her as her lover.
The last visit had only been a few days for she needed to get back home for this particular sail and although she doubts that she'll survive, she makes a silent vow that she will return to Underland, return to Mirana. She's content with that before the world fades to black.
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there
Soon we'll meet, I know we'll meet
Beyond the shore
Alice grimaces in her unconscious state, muddled voices beginning to pull her away from it. She still feels her lungs burning, the salt water rushing down her throat, the waves threatening to send her into oblivion. "She's movin'. Cap, can you 'ear us?"
She sucks in a deep breath before coughing, going onto her side as water escapes. She spits it out, feeling another blanket cover her. "Go get the tea. She's wakin' now. Cap, yer okay, yeah? We got the doc 'ere. He needs to look at ya but ya gotta open yer eyes first, lass. Common."
She goes onto her back, her eyes slowly open, red from the salt water and still burning but it was something. Several of her crew yell out with relief as the atmosphere becomes far less tense. The man above her laughs, shaking his head. "Ya don't get to fuckin' do that again, ya 'hear us?" Alice nods, swallowing and grimacing at the scratchiness. "Just rest, yea? We're heading back. We'll be back in Englan' by tomorrow mornin'. Think ya can hang on?" She nods again, the skipper pulling away, allowing the doctor to get to her. The crew talk amongst themselves, all of them relieved to have their captain back.
"Wait...," Alice rasps out, coughing almost immediately after. "… my watch…"
"It's right 'ere. Undamaged." The skipper takes Alice's hand gently, putting the watch in it. She feels the vibration of the tick and relaxes fully.
By the Time they got to England, Alice was back to herself. Weak and tired, but sitting up and talking. But she didn't escape without injury. The force of the waves ended up breaking several ribs and fractured her leg so she was incapable of getting off the ship without help.
Her mother, upon hearing the news, was ecstatic to say the least, yet grew worried when Alice said she needed to speak with her. The conversation was long, to say the least, with many questions on Helen's end. There was a lot to fill in and when her mother wasn't believing anything, thinking she was still delirious from being thrown overboard, Alice relented upon just bringing her to Underland, to prove her sanity and for her to meet Mirana, whom she told she fell in love with. It was much to swallow, especially with finding out that Alice had no intention on marrying a man which is unthinkable but she realizes that she can't force her daughter to follow anything that society demands. Helen realized that Alice was ready to settle down and she was happy to allow Alice to stay in Underland with her love, as long as she promised to visit plenty. She would take care of the business and would appoint a new captain for the Wonder, promising that she would allow no one less than competent to take over the trade. Helen was relieved and she feels a weight taken off of her shoulders, especially proud of her daughter, although she was curious about the prospect of grandchildren but Alice said simply that they would have to figure it out and she'll let her know immediately once something is decided.
No more sailing
So long sailing
Bye bye sailing…
No more aqua…
"Do you regret you decision?" Mirana inquires one night, a few months after Alice returned. "I mean, you loved sailing… And you gave it up to be here… With me"
Alice takes in a deep breath as she sits up, leaning against the headboard of the bed. "It was… a tough decision… But you don't know why I decided to leave." She explains the night briskly, how she woke up to the storm and how she fell overboard. "I thought I was going to the die that night. I couldn't reach the surface. I was terrified but not because I was terrified of death but by the fact that I didn't get enough Time to spend with you, especially not after you told me you loved me. The chance of me surviving was little to none but my crew somehow managed to save me.
"When I woke, I was surprised but I had already made up my mind about leaving. Storms aren't rare, especially not where I live. I've had accidents before… I've lost crew members and this isn't my first Time staring death in the face… At least with sailing. If I am to go again, I might not be as lucky as I was this Time around…" She momentarily becomes quiet. "… that's how I lost my father. To a storm. A rogue wave such as this one. So no… I don't regret my decision. Not for an instant."
Mirana is silent through the entirety of the explanation and once she finishes, she moves, straddling Alice's lap. She places her hands on both sides of her face, her eyes filled with tenderness and love, although there are tears visible in them. "I'm glad… I wouldn't be able to cope if I lost you. I hope you understand how much I love you because I can see your love. I'm sorry I cost you your job, though."
"Don't be. Not for an instant. Just know that I love you… I love you more than any job in this world… Even more than sailing."
A/N- I'm not too sure if any of you create fanart but if you do, might you please base some on these one-shots or just Malice in general? Please email me at theperidotwriter57 gmail . com. Thank you so much and I truly appreciate it. None of your work will be republished or posted without any form of credit to you if at all posted.