(so this chapter is a little short but i promise the next one will be longer. i really hope you like it)

Chapter 3: Anna and Tarrant start to bond

Anna's POV:

"Tarrant, why don't you show Anna around some, that way she can get familiar with Underland and where it isn't safe to go." Mirana suggested and the Hatter nodded.

"Of course my lady." he said with a bow and held out his hand for me to take. I blushed and took his hand as he led me out of the castle and he guided me away from a certain path.

"What's down that path way Hatter?" I asked not exactly sure what I should call him.

"Down that path is where the red queen has been banished, and please call me Tarrant. Most people do." he said with a small smile. I nod and sigh.

"What is it Anna?" he stopped walking and looked at me concerned.

"I-it's nothing I just wish mother was still around. There's so many things I want to ask her but I can't and I'm not really sure who I can ask now." I wiped my eyes knowing there were a few tears there.

"You could ask me, or Absolem, or Mirana even. I know it's not the same thing but we've all been through a lot of stuff and we all knew your mother." I looked up at him and gave him a small smile.

"You're right Tarrant, I just don't know where to start." I said as we started to walk again.

"Well, you can either start at the beginning, the middle or the end. Either one of those could be where you start." he said and I smiled.

"Do you think if Mother was here she would be mad that I want to find my father one day?" I asked.

"No, I don't think she would be mad, I think she would understand and we will help you if you want it. We can always go see Time he might know." I sighed as I thought about what he suggested.

"Maybe later, once I get adjusted to Underland a little more." He nodded and continued to show me around when he suddenly stopped in what reminded me of a meadow of sorts.

"What is this place?" I asked curious.

"This is where your mother and I would sit and talk sometimes, I thought you'd like to sit and talk here as well." he then walked over and sat down looking up at me. I smiled softly and sat next to him taking my shoes off. It was a beautiful place.

"It's peaceful here and I can understand why my mother liked it."

"She and I would sit here for hours and talk. I still come here when I need to think."

"Tarrant? Can I ask you something?" I asked and he looked at me.

"You already did ask me a question but you are welcome to ask me another one." I couldn't help but smile when he said that.

"Do you think it's possible for me to stay here forever if I wanted to?"

"I'm sure Mirana would let you. I know we'd all like that." I smiled a little and looked out at the forest.

"You know ever since mother first started telling me the stories of Underland, you were the one person I always hoped I would meet."

"Really? May I ask why?" he asked, looking at me and I blushed a little.

"There was something about you that always made me feel better when I was scared or upset. I'm not really sure how to describe it. I guess it's because you were different and I was always a little different myself so I felt like I wasn't alone." I confessed and I looked down at my hands in my lap.

"Well I'm glad I could help you even before we met." I smiled and looked up at him.

"I'm glad you could too." I stood up and sighed.

"What is it?" he asked standing up and I looked at him.

"We should start to head back before it gets too late." he smiled and led me back to Mirana's castle. We were both silent on the way back neither one of us wanting to break the silence and I had to admit it was nice that we were both comfortable with the silence. As we got back to the castle, he kissed my hand and smiled as he walked away possibly heading home.

Mad Hatter's POV:

I honestly had a good time with Anna, she's a lot like her mother in some ways and it makes me happy to know that. But she's also really different from Alice as well and that is why I like her. I really hope we can be close like her mother and I was. I walked back home and sighed as I sat down in my chair. My mind started to wander back to when Alice last visited Underland and everything she did for me. She saved my life and brought my family back to me. I wish I could have told her how much all that meant to me. I wonder why Time never saw this coming and if he did why didn't he tell any of us?