Chapter 1

Alyss walked into the royal armory only to see Sir Dodge Anders sharpening his sword and checking on the rest of the weapons. Once Redd had been overthrown by, now, Queen Alyss, she had knighted Dodge and made him head of the royal army, hoping it would bring them closer. Alas, her plan had failed her. He was, instead, spending more time away from her, saying that he was busy 'thinking up military tactics' when they both knew that a war wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"Dodge," Alyss said, grabbing his attention.

"Yes, my Queen?" He asked, putting his sword away and bowing to Alyss.

"Get up, Dodge, and you know that I want you to call me 'Alyss'," She said, not impressed.

"Yes, your Highness," Dodge said, straightening up. Alyss sighed and sat on a chest full of AD52s.

"Dodge, do you remember when we were young and we would make up frivolous adventures to go on?" She asked, looking at him, hopefully.

"Yes," Dodge looked at her for a moment and then turned away, "I do, Miss Alyss."

The fact of the matter was, he did remember, and he thought about them as often as possible. He would replay the scenes in his mind, including before he brought her back from Wonderland, and, also, her seventh birthday…The last time he would dance with her in close to thirteen years. That was why he had kept his distance these last few months. Being around her just made his feeling stronger, and he had to make sure that he kept them concealed inside himself. For his safety and her's.

Alyss turned away as well, knowing it was no use. Being Queen of Wonderland took it's toll. Since she had imprisoned her only class equal, the Jack of Diamonds, for war crimes, there was no way to carry on the Heart crown unless she married a commoner. Of course, she had her heart on marrying Dodge, the one she had and lost.

"Do you remember," Alyss said, regaining Dodge's attention once again, "On my seventh birthday when I made up that story with us dancing?"

Dodge looked back over at her. Remembering the episode was an understatement. He replayed that 12 hours everyday in his mind for the past thirteen years that she and his father were out of his sight.

"Yeah," Dodge smiled and gave a slight chuckle for the first time in a long time, "When I hit the prince and brought you to the pool of tears."

Alyss smiled. "Well, Sir Dodge," she said, standing up, "I order you to come dance with me, and," she whisked the air away with her hand, "no need to fight. That's what we rebuilt the chess army for."

Dodge walked over and grabbed Alyss's hand and waist.

"As you wish, m'lady," he replied, and started spinning and twirling her all around. Those few moments would pass by quickly, but would be remembered forever once they had found out what was happening outside the castle's walls.

A/N: For all of you who don't know, this is from the book, The Looking Glass Wars. I uber reccommend it, although, until November, you can only get it in the UK. Sorry Peeps.

THANK YOU, Izzy-chan! You kick arse! I (less than 3) you!