A/N: Two updates in 24-ish hours? I found myself with an extraordinary amount of free time this weekend so I wanted to get a little extra something out. It's a little short but I hope you like it!
Alice let out a sigh of frustration as she looked at herself in the mirror. After a moment she gave an irritated groan, tearing off the jacket she had on and tossing it on her bed, the vest following. Not the grey suit then either.
She looked at the growing pile of clothing on the bed and felt panic rise in her throat. The champion took a deep breath, hand reaching up to toy with the end of her braid. She had such a perfect morning at the festival with Mirana and now she couldn't decide what to wear to the opening ball tonight to save her life. It would have helped if she had an idea of what the Queen was wearing, but her queen had been resolute in keeping it a surprise. To Alice's chagrin, it seems her Ladies in waiting couldn't be bribed into letting any details slip either.
Alice wasn't simply attending the ball, but she was specifically escorting Mirana and with how Alice hoped the evening would go, the fear of clashing, or looking out of place at the Queen's side combined with the news they had received upon arriving back at Marmoreal had turned the usually collected champion into a critical, grumpy mess.
As soon as Alice set foot in the palace, Nivvens rushed up to the pair, declaring they all need to speak in private immediately. Once Alice, Mirana, their friend, as well as Ser Jassin and Captain Chateur were secured in the Queen's council room Nivens took a scroll out of his waistcoat, handing it to the queen anxiously.
"There is a servant, a lizardfolk woman named Zorna. She's been acting oddly recently so I had my allies in the staff keep an eye on her and they said she's been acting suspiciously. Disappearing without explanation, becoming more secretive. And yesterday she was seen leaving the palace under cover of dark and in disguise."
"Disguised how?" Alice asked.
"Dressed as a royal courier." Nivens began pacing. "But that isn't her position, she's trained as a clockmaker and she's part of a team that maintains all the clocks in the palace. As well as we had no royal dispatches to be sent yesterday. I hope our Silver Star Knights assembled here will forgive my overstep, but I sent a member of your order out as a scout to follow her and report back. A Ser Barrin Darrington."
"Good choice, Barrin is one of the best scouts we have." Ser Jassin spoke up from near the door. "You didn't overstep Chamberlain, you made exactly the correct decision."
"And that's the report?" Captain Chateur pointed at the parchment the Queen was reading over carefully. "What does it say, Your Majesty?"
Mirana sighed sadly and handed the parchment to Alice who began to read it over. "It says Ser Barrin followed Zorna all the way around Tuglywood to Crims, and watched her enter the old castle."
The tension room grew taunt like a too tightly wound lyre string, breaking suddenly.
"How's that possible?!" Tarrant leapt to his feet. "that place was sealed with our Queen's very own magic and blood magic at that! The only time I have ever seen our radiant sovereign inflict harm, it was to herself and in effort to protect all the people of our land. And you stand before me now, telling me it was for not?! Why the-that just can't-!"
"Tarrant." Mirana called softly halting the hatter mid-sentence."
"Sorry." Came his hoarse reply, his eyes bleeding back to their usual hue. Mirana squeezed his hand softly.
"It gets worse." Alice set the parchment down on the table, the Hatter quickly snatching it up. "Ser Barrin is still there, he sent this back with his messenger hawk and he reports there is movement inside the castle walls."
Ser Jassin and the Captain's head immediately snapped to look at their commander. "He can't make out who, or how many, as they mostly remain inside the boarded-up castle during the day and he hasn't found a safe way past the walls yet. But someone is occupying Crims and he suspects it may be its former inhabitant. As of now, he counts at least thirty moving about the grounds at night."
"Commander Kingsleigh," Captain Chateur stepped forward, his dark brow furrowed. "I propose to take a small detachment of our order down to Crims, meet up with Barrin, resupply him and continue reconnaissance as a group. As head of the Order of the Silver Star, I would suggest you remain here to protect the Queen and lead both the investigation here at in the field from the palace."
"I agree, Captain. Ser Jassin will make a fine second in your absence." Alice nodded and reached out to take his forearm, grasping it firmly. "Take two Tugly Rangers with you, we've already determined they're trustworthy and they know the terrain better than anyone. Go slowly, go safely, and send word when you've found Ser Barrin."
"We leave at once." The older man nodded and turned, bowing deeply to the Queen. "May I take my leave to prepare, Your Majesty?"
"Loveday Chateur, my old friend," Mirana stood and held out her hand to the Captain who took it reverently, pressing it to his forehead. The fingers of her other hand caressed his cheek softly. "Go with my blessing and my love. But be sure to bring our knights and yourself home safely."
Loveday smiled. "It is the honor of my life to serve you, your majesty."
He turned and walked over to Ser Jassin, they spoke for a moment, Jassin nodding along and to Alice's surprise, the pair embraced in a warm hug. Alice could just barely hear Jassin whisper. "Be safe, uncle."
Huh, Alice thought. Suddenly so many things make sense.
Loveday smiled at his niece and slipped out of the room. Everyone stayed for a moment longer, discussing adjustment to the guard tonight and any other possible information Nivens had gathered. After a while they felt they had done all they could and they all parted way to prepare for the ball that night.
Mirana had left Alice in their common room with a soft smile, squeezing the champion's hand she had been holding and a gentle. "I know you're worried my dear, but I want you to enjoy tonight. You only attend your first ball once."
And before Alice could say anything else Mirana had placed a feather-light kiss to her cheek and disappeared into her rooms, leaving the other woman to begin getting herself ready.
Which is where the knight found herself now, halfway through her wardrobe yet still no closer to finding an appropriate outfit. They were all too formal, not formal enough, too dark, too bright, etc. and Alice was moments from tearing her hair out. She closed her eyes and took a series of calming breaths when a loud knock came from her door.
Alice groaned, pulling her hands down her face; calling out, "Who is it?"
'Why, it's only us, dear boy!" Tarrant called out through the door. "Might we gain entry?"
"Of course, Tarrant." Alice smiled and walked over to her dressing table, pouring herself a glass of water and drinking deeply as the door burst open. Tarrant bustled through his arms spread as wide as his grin.
"There you are, my dear! Are you excited for this evening's festivity?" Tarrant gasped dramatically, putting a hand to his chest. 'Why Alice, you aren't dressed!"
"No, I'm not. I can't find anything that feels suitable and now I'm panicking on whether I'll look like I fit here and...it's just a mess, Hatter." Alice set her glass back on the table and reached over to fiddle with the locket staring up at her. She ran her fingers over the cool metal for a moment and looked up at her friend with a smile. "You look fantastic!"
"Thank you." Tarrant smiled back and did a small spin, showing off his brightly colored suit, the different color ribbons sewn into the hem and sleeves of the jacket flowing around him as he did so. "I made it myself! Now, why don't I take a look, see if I can help? Hmm?"
Alice sat at her dressing table as her friend began to pick through the pile of clothing on her bed humming and making small disapproving remarks as he inspected each one. The mad man then dashed into the closet and Alice could hear more mutter and the sliding of hangers on the rods as he inspected what she had left there. A moment later he threw himself into the doorway, hands braced on either side.
"It's as I feared!" He declared, "Nothing in here is suitable to escort the queen in!"
"I know," Alice groaned, placing her head in her hands. "Hatter, what am I to do?"
"Well, I might just have an idea…" Hater clapped his hands and called out in a singsong voice to the still-open doorway. "Oh, ladieees!"
Alice turned as suddenly Wenzel and Ashton appeared, both dressed already for the ball and pushing some kind of mysterious standee on wheels and covered in a large cloth into the room. "What's all this?"
"Thank you ladies! This Alice, is just a little something I thought you might like back." Hatter closed the door behind the two women and rushed over to the standee, grabbing the cloth with both hands, fixing his mad grin on Alice. "Behold Lady kingsleigh, the wondrous ensemble of your ballroom debut!"
With a flourish Hatter whipped off the cover to reveal a full-sized clothing mannequin clothed in a spectacular and not unfamiliar outfit.
"My suit!" Alice erupted from her chair and ran over to inspect the repaired and miraculously improved garment. Alice ran her hands over each piece in awe.
The once bleached white pants and jacket now appeared brighter and almost iridescent, the silver waistcoat gleamed metallic, the dark plum embroidery that lined the edge extending in a beautifully intricate pattern across the whole thing, somehow perfectly matched the inside lining. Even the silver cravat now matched the vest in splendor and decoration. And the tailcoat...Alice gasped as the fabric shifted subtly in the light, casting the slightest shimmer as it moved, looking closely at the newly added silver embroidery along the edges of the coat and cuffs she saw worked into the small pattern, delicate butterflies, and small chess pieces-the knight actually-evenly spaces along the work. Alice scrutinized the outfit and couldn't find any sign that it had ever been sustained with blood or torn by a poisonous bolt. It was immaculate. Even her boots seemed to be shined brighter! Alice looked back at her friend in awe.
"How?" She asked. "Mir-the Queen told me it was unsalvageable after the attack, completely torn, bloodstained, and ruined."
"It was, but knowing my skill she asked me to repair it for you. As a gift for the ball, and well…" Tarrant spread his hands bashfully. "You cut such an impressive figure I couldn't help but make a few changes to help it accentuate all your...muchness. I hope you don't mind."
"Mind?!' Alice pulled the other man into a tight hug. "This is beautiful, beyond anything I thought possible to make even! Thank you, I know how much work must have gone into this."
"You're so welcome, You know I never fancied myself a tailor, but it is nice to stretch one's legs outside of one's usual domain once in a while." The hatter squeezed her back before pulling away, hands braced on her shoulders. "Besides, a certain cat thought the repair impossible and it will be so nice to prove him wrong for once."
The Hatter let out a content sigh and then clapped his hands excitedly, turning to the two other women in the room. "Now! Ladies we must make our Champion ready, we wouldn't want to keep our Queen waiting!"
The room erupted into movement as Ashton set about cleaning up the discarded clothing from the floor and the bed hanging everything back in the closet while Wenzel and Hatter set about getting Alice ready. It felt like no time at all later she stood in front of the mirror again, Ashton deftly finished tying her cravat and did up the buttons of her waistcoat, stepping away as Wenzle took her place holding up two boxes each containing a set of cufflinks. One bore the crest of Underland and Alice felt her eyes widen for a moment when she saw the other held the crest of Marmoreal.
Wenzle clocked her surprised look and spoke up softly. "From Her Majesty, she wanted you to choose the set you felt most comfortable in."
Alice swallowed thickly and looked at each box for a moment, before nodding to the box in Wenzle's right hand. The other woman nodded and set about sliding the cufflinks into place in her shirtsleeves. She stepped away and suddenly Tarrant was behind Alice, tailcoat in hand, a smile on his face.
Alice smiled back as he helped her into her coat, both of them looking her over in the mirror. "Perfect, just as I imagined it would be on you."
Suddenly he held something up for her to see, a new set of silver and black throwing daggers. "I ensured to salvage the, em, special alterations you had made in the coat and boots, though I so desperately hope you won't need them. This night or any other."
"Me too." Alice sighed and took the blades, holding them for a moment, testing their weight before slipping them into their sheaths. Wenzle arrived back at her side and quickly reached under her coat to buckle the Vorpal Sword snuggly around her hips, Ashton appeared a moment later draping her blue riband sash over her shoulder and across the front of her coat, the Silver star glittering brightly from the top corner. Alice nodded her head and held her hands wide. "What do you think? Enough muchness to escort our Queen?"
"Oh and then some! Though might I make a slight alteration as to styling?" Alice nodded and Hatter moved fully behind her reaching for the tie at the end of her braid. His dye-stained fingers quickly unwinding the braid and delicately combed out her curls to flow over her shoulders. He moved to look over her shoulder in the mirror with a grin. "There you are my boy, there you are."
"Thank you Hatter." She leaned slightly against her friend with a soft smile.
"You know Alice, I've been contemplating things that begin with the letter M...Mates...Mmonarch...Mmmariage…" Suddenly Alice saw a flash of silver as he held up something, looking at it quizzically. Her eyes widened. The locket. He grinned wider back at her "And apparently you have too!"
"You peaked!" She accused, snatching it out of his grasp as the hatter held up his hands with a giggle.
"Couldn't be helped I'm afraid, that damned cat appears to impact my nature and you've been so secretive over it. I couldn't resist" His smile faded slightly as he regarded Alice with a warm eye. "Though I did notice that for the first time, you aren't wearing it. Might I be correct to assume that while you were the procurer of the locket and designed the inscription that you are not the intended owner? And that perhaps you do not wear it this evening because the owner might take possession of it tonight?"
Alice ran her thumb over the subtly beveled face of the white gold locket and looked away, blush rising up her neck. "Perhaps...that might be correct."
"How wonderful! And Alice," Tarrant put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know it's frightening but, should you take the plunge I think you'll find paradise in the water below."
"Let's hope you're right." Alice smiled back and tucked the locket away inside her jacket. She turned back and inspected herself in the mirror. The last time she stood before a mirror in this suit she stood on the precipice of a decision that would alter her life forever, now she found herself standing on that familiar edge again. Well, her first leap of faith in returning to Underland had paid off in more ways than she could count, maybe this one wouldn't end in disaster….
A knock sounded on her door and Nivens poked his head in. "Lady Alice? The Queen is making her way to the ballroom entrance. Are you ready?"
Alice took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. "I am."
She clapped Tarrant on the shoulder as made for the door.
Maybe tonight wouldn't end in disaster...Only one way to find out.
Alice felt the breath knocked from her lungs as she rounded the palace corridor, the sight before her leaving her frozen speechless. Mirana stood just next to the ballroom doors talking quietly with Ser Jassin and another guard when Jassin said something that caused the queen to throw her head back and laugh.
Alice had thought Mirana was stunning before but this, this was a side of the queen she had never seen before. The pale white and silver dress shimmering not unlike Alice's suit, yards of soft silks and delicate lace stretched and draped and gathered across lily-white skin that Alice ached to map with her lips. The shining crown rested serenely against blinding locks, some gathered and braided around her head, the rest hanging in delicate waves across gaps in the fabric that exposed her shoulders. The neck of the dress rose high to a delicate collar made of frilled lacework and dark embroidery sitting snugly against her throat, a line of pearl buttons climbing along her spine and disappearing under her hair. A dark purple sash similar to Alice's draped over her shoulder decorated with various awards and orders made of ivory, silks, and precious metals.
As if she could feel her champion watching Mirana turned and her smile changed again. Replaced with the soft smile Alice had only seen directed at her, the one she secretly hoped was only ever directed at her. The pair locked eyes and Mirana held out her hand toward Alice and all at once the spell she was under broke and Alice was at her sovereign's side in an instant.
She reverently took the offered hand in her and bowed to place a soft kiss on the back. Standing straight she locked eyes with Mirana again, keeping hold of the offered hand. "My Queen..."
"Hello, Alice." Mirana smiled softly and moved closer, reaching up to play with a few strands of her champion's hair, looking her up and down. Neither noticed Jassin pull the other knight away as Alice tried to find her words, whispering,
"Mirana, you are a vision. Without a doubt the most beautiful sight I've ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes on."
"Thank you," Mirana met her eyes, sliding her free hand down Alice's strong arm to take her other hand. "You're quite the beauty yourself, so dashing and elegant. I imagine many will envy that I have the first dance with you."
"Not as many who will envy that I get the first dance with you, I would wager." Suddenly Alice realized the dark embroidery on the Queen's collar and running down sleeves wasn't blackwork as she thought from a distance but done in a deep plum color and a very familiar pattern.
"We match!" She exclaimed with a chuckled.
"We do, it was Tarrant's idea of appearing as a united. He did a lovely job repairing your suit, do you like it?" Mirana asked with hopeful eyes.
"I love it, it's perfect. Thank you Mirana, truly." Alice squeezed the hands in hers and watched as Mirana bit her lip, contemplating something.
"And the cufflinks," She asked. "Were they to your liking?"
"More than to my liking, I love them. " Alice whispered and tilted her wrists, the cufflinks peeking past her coat sleeves to show the crest of Marmoreal winking up at them in the light.
Mirana let out a soft breath. Looking up with bright eyes, she swallowed thickly and whispered. "I had hoped you would choose that pair. I was worried I was putting too much pressure on you but...I had hoped."
"I told you Mirana, Marmoreal is my home. I'm honored to wear its crest."
Mirana looked as if she was going to say something but her eyes drifted down to hover around Alice's neckline. She gave a sad smile and looked back up. "Marmoreal will always be open to you, for as long as you wish it."
Before Alice could ask what she meant the sound of the trumpets from the other side of the ballroom door sounded and the loud voice of the Court herald rang out announcing their entrance.
"Well," Mirana cleared her throat and gave a bright smile. "This is our cue, ready for your debut Ser Alice?"
"Of course my Queen," Alice held out her arm to the monarch who took it just as the doors were pulled open, the trumpets kicking up again in perfect unison.
"Deep breaths," Mirana whispered, Alice nodded, and stepped forward leading her Queen through the doorway and into the packed ballroom.
Alice was getting more used to her new role, becoming accustomed to smiling and waving and greeting crowds of Underlandians, she still wasn't the biggest fan of so many people looking at her but it was getting easier. Her smile brightened as a small voice caught her attention and she looked over to see Charlie sitting on the shoulders of an older child just off the side of the walkway, waving his arms in the air. She waved back happily and pointed him out to the queen who blew the child a kiss, causing him to whoop. As they reached the center of the ballroom Alice continued and lead Mirana out onto the dance floor and paused.
The trumpets finished their exposition and the herald's voice ran out loud and clear again across the ballroom. "Her Majesty and Her Champion will now open the grand ball with the first dance!"
The band close by began to trill an upbeat, simple waltz. Alice breathed a sigh of relief, this one was common in Aboveland. She turned and bowed deeply to the Queen, her hand extended. Mirana curtsied back, taking the hand with a smile. Alice moved in placing her free hand on the Queen's waist with a grin just as the rhythm picked up and with a practiced grace dropped into step, sweeping the Queen across the dancefloor.
"You're a lovely dancer." Mirana mused. "Have you often lead back in Aboveland?"
"No actually," Alice laughed softly and directed the Queen through a delicate twirl. "Not with another person at least. Though I did practice by myself on occasion in my stateroom aboard The Wonder. Hoping that I may find myself in this exact position one day after I returned to Underland."
"Dancing at a ball?" Mirana asked, following Alice lead effortlessly as they glided across the floor. Dark eyes locked intently on warm brown.
Alice felt brave and after the next spin, she pulled the queen close enough to whisper in her ear. "Dancing at a ball with you, Mirana."
Mirana gasped softly but didn't respond as they continued the dance through the rest of the song. At some point Alice's eyes found hers again, a warm smile on the champion's face and the queen felt herself melt. She may not hold Alice's heart but she would take what little she could get. And if she had only tonight to pretend, to pretend that she was Alice's and Alice was her's...then she would take it greedily.
All too soon the song slowly came to an end and Alice steered them to a slow stop, pulling away as the last note faded to bow to the queen again but keeping hold of her hand to press a long kiss to the back, Mirana curtsied in return as the herald called out.
"At this time Her royal Majesty Queen Mirana would like to open the dancefloor to sell her honored guests."
The flor was slowly flooded with new couples as the band began to play a slightly slower song, still light and fun but easy enough for newer dancers to follow. Mirana moved to pull away but Alice squeezed her hand, stepping closer.
"May I burden my Queen for another dance?" She asked softly.
"My dear you could never burden me." Mirana stepped in, her hand falling to Alice's shoulder. "Besides you're my date this evening, that entitles you to as many dances as you would like."
"Lucky me." Alice grinned, placing her hand on Mirana's waist and pausing for a gap in the flow of twirling couples before spinning them out and into the fray; both of them smiling all the while.
A/N: Yeah, it wasn't very long but I wanted to get this out. Up next the ball continues, conversations are had, Stuff happens, will Alice finally take the plunge off that cliff? Who knows! (I knows)
anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think!
