Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland.
Ladies in Waiting
Alice woke to a soft sunbeam on her face. She was wrapped in a soft black blanket on the couch and her shoes were laying just off to one corner. She looked around to see if the Black King was around. He was kind to let her stay the night but something about him made her uneasy. She made her way to the door and took one last look at the glass entryway. It still glittered and made her tempted to twirl around just a bit. Outside the sun was bright and welcoming but the land, the trees, even the grass was as black as ever. It looked like a great forest fire raged through but even then there would be some brown earth and the leaves were as alive as any green just black. She took off toward the woods hoping that maybe just maybe she would find a familiar face.
The trees thickened around her and a haunting humming sound was overhead. She noticed a small black bee flying around her. "Are you the one who's been humming? I thought bees buzzed not that I don't like it." It landed quietly on her arm. "I hope you won't sting me, you won't will you?" she asked but it simply settled itself comfortably on her hand. "Will you help to get out of this forest? I would really like to find the train." Three more bees arrived and the first joined the others. She followed them deeper into the forest.
"I sure hope you little fellows know where you are going." She suddenly stopped when the faint smell of honeysuckle tickled her nose. "Trying to leave before breakfast?" The black King leaned against a tree smirking at her. "Thank you my darlings. I almost thought I lost her." The bees flew off. "Charming aren't they. I should let you meet the rest of my ladies. Now why did you leave?"
"I really want to go if I may. Could you tell me where the train is?" He picked of some leaves and dirt off her hair and dress. "You can't travel in that dress and you don't have a ticket. Come I'll get you something better wear." She pulled her hand away. "I'm fine the way I am, and I can get the ticket from the conductor. Now tell me where the train is, tell where anything is! Tell me how do I get out of here!" She screamed at him but all he did was laugh. "Fine. I'll send you back. Come with me then."
They walked in circles and u-turns until she noticed the top of his mountain castle. "How dare you take me back!" He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the door. "Stop it will you. Just use your key on my door. That will lead you back and don't forget my kindness to you...your majesty." He bowed before her and went through the door. She took hold of her ruby key. 'If it was so easy why didn't he tell me' she thought as she turned the key. To Alice's relief she returned to the hall of doors.
All is back to normal...
