Author's Note: It's a relatively short chapter, but I've been waiting for seven chapters to write this part. The final scene between Jane and Mirana is the very first idea that came to me, the one that inspired me to start this story in the first place. I've also been looking forward to working with the Black Queen; as I've mentioned before, I really liked the idea of there being a shadowy, silent, ghost-like figure in Marmoreal, a physical reminder of everything Underland lost with the breaking of the Blue Royals. Ready for some answers, dear readers? Enjoy!

Original Character Face Claims: Azalea is portrayed by Meryl Streep. Clover is portrayed by Isla Fisher.

Images: Remove all spaces.

Jane's claw-foot tub: http:/ www. seasonalhomedecoration. com/ images/ hommage- royale- claw- foot- tub- villeroy- boch. jpg

Jane's dress: http:/ www. yourfantasycostume. com/wp- content/ uploads/ 2009/ 02/ goldpeach 19. jpg

Jane's hair: http:/ 29. media. tumblr. com/ tumblr_ lgayywnxJI 1 qgdryjo 1_ 500. jpg

Jane's jewelry [imagine the matching earrings and bracelets]: http:/ static. howstuffworks. com/ gif/ top- 5- marie- antoinette- scandals- 4. jpg

Jane's vanity: http:/ 3. bp. blogspot. com/ _BRab 0 I 5 gWzU/ TAixa 2 p 55 lI/ AAAAAAAAAG0/ zyl 2 Y 79 sggk/ s 1600/ vanity + table. jpg

The Black Queen's outfit [but with a thicker, longer veil]: http:/ www. babylovechild. org/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2011/ 05/ Mourning- Dress. jpg

Again, the visual for Regina's Hat: http:/ ny- image 2. etsy. com/ il_ 570 x N. 159943210. jpg

Again, the visual for Jane's baby bonnet: http:/ roses- and- teacups. com/ Bonnets/ 101_ 1586 Lavender Ecru Side 2. jpg

Disclaimer: The Clava coat of arms is inspired in part by the royal arms of England. I made up the heraldic motto and translated it via google.

Special Thanks: I feel horrible for forgetting to put a note in the last chapter, so a million and one thanks to my beta Thirteen Thorns for looking over the last chapter and assuring me that it was okay! I'm so sorry I forgot to give credit last time! Also, I got a review from BombChele that suggested I put my important notes [read: spoilers] at the end of the chapter. I liked that suggestion, so that's what I'll be doing from here on out. Thanks for that suggestion, BombChele!

Jane didn't dare stop moving. Her lack of sleep was making her uncoordinated, and her fear made her clumsy, but her concern for the friends she'd left on Hightopp Hill supported her, gave her the adrenaline she needed to keep walking. For a short while, she'd still been able to hear the Music of the Hightopps, and the haunting beauty of its song had filled her with courage and purpose. The Music had gotten fainter the further away she got from the Hill, until finally she couldn't hear it at all. She'd frozen for a second then, floundering in her fear and uncertainty, until a sharp nip from Witzend's teeth set her moving again. Swallowing hard, Jane had summoned up the Music in her mind, ordering the song to fill her head. Memory of the Hightopp's Music had warmed her, steadied her frazzled nerves.

She didn't seem to be followed- not that she allowed herself to look back and check. She hoped that all of the mystery warriors had been drawn into Tarrant's diversion on the Hill, but at the same time she was terrified that that was the case. Strong, fierce warriors Tarrant and the Pawns might be, but how many of this unknown enemy would they have to stand up against? Surely not even Mallymkun and her hatpin could hold them back forever. And then… what? Would they be killed? Captured and imprisoned? How could Jane run away and leave them to an uncertain future?

She almost reversed her steps half a dozen times. It seemed the height of selfishness to turn tail and flee like a coward into the shadows, while the rest of her party stayed behind and fought. If they could be so brave, how could she countenance leaving them? Granted, she was no warrior. Papa Richard had allowed her to take fencing lessons since she was seven, but she highly doubted that the combat surely erupting on Hightopp Hill was of the same ilk. She very much doubted that the blades would be capped and blunted, or that the match would cease upon three gentle hits on the doublet. But even if the fighting involved real, heavy blades and a very real risk of injury or worse, surely her place was on the Hill, making a stand with her friends?

She was on the verge of turning back to help them when common sense returned. They were creating this distraction for her, because she was the one destined to find their Azure Princess. Jane's task was to find Regina, and that mission had to come before rescuing her friends, no matter how much she railed against it. She had to make their sacrifice mean something; she had to find Regina, to justify what they had done for her. So once again, she set her face in the direction Tarrant had pointed, and she kept moving, keeping to the shadows as much as she could.

There was only one little problem: she was lost.

She had taken off in the direction Tarrant had indicated, but each tree looked very similar to every other, and she was terribly afraid that she might be going in circles. Hadn't Tarrant warned her that the paths in Underland liked to change on themselves? Drawing a steadying breath, Jane tried to conjure a mental map, drawn from the stories Tarrant had told her about the kingdoms of Underland. Hightopp Hill was in Iplam, which bordered the Tulgey Wood. The Tulgey Wood was in the southernmost part of Crims; if she kept moving east she should hit Marmoreal's borders, and then it should be an easy matter to get to the White Queen's castle. Jane looked above her head, but she couldn't see any moon or stars or breaking dawn through the thick canopy of branches. And after all, how could she be sure that the sun would rise in the east? This was Wonderland, not the Aboveground; perhaps the heavenly spheres didn't move in the same way here?

"Oh dear," Jane sighed, biting her lip. "I wonder if Odysseus ever felt this confused…"
"And where might you be going?"

Jane gasped, looking around for the Cheshire Cat. She blinked back tears of frustration as she found the Cat's head and tail floating on a branch just ahead. Oh thank goodness; if the Cat was in an accommodating mood, perhaps she could persuade him to help her.

"Cheshire," she sighed in relief. "I need to get to Marmoreal. Strangers came to Hightopp Hill, enemies… Tarrant and the others are holding them off so I can get to Queen Mirana…"
"You'd best be on your way, then, before they catch you too," the Cat said, grinning as always.
"Am I going the right way?" she asked.
"Can't you tell?" Cheshire asked, canting his head to the right.
Jane frowned, her eyebrows drawing together. "If I knew, would I bother asking?" she parried.
"You sound very much like Tarrant, you know," Cheshire said.
"Chess…" Jane said warningly, not at all in the mood for the Cat's habit of floating around the point.

But Chess' attention wasn't on Jane; rather, his eerie blue-green eyes were focused on the Kitten Jane held in her arms. Witzend sat up, balancing herself on Jane's arms. She didn't say anything to the Cheshire Cat; she merely looked. Jane glanced between the two felines; they were Having Words, she was sure of it, but she couldn't interpret the conversation.

"You're going too far east," the Cat finally said. "Head a bit more south, or you'll end up in Queast."
"Thank you," Jane said gratefully, a moment before the Cat disappeared in a mist.

Time passed slowly as Jane struggled through the forest. Even after the sun rose, visibility on the forest floor was not very good, and after the Cheshire Cat Jane didn't see a single other living thing. She heard noises occasionally, but nothing that sounded like feet coming behind her, so she kept moving.

She couldn't really judge exactly how long she'd been walking, since she couldn't see the sky. But judging from the weak sunlight and her aching feet, she must have been moving for at least two hours. Jane focused on keeping her breath even in an attempt to keep her eyes from overflowing with frustrated tears. Witzend wriggled from Jane's arms and gracefully leapt to the ground, indulging in a stretch before tilting her head up at Jane.

"Are you holding up, mistress?" Witzend asked.
"I… I think so," Jane replied, rubbing her eyes to rid them of the moisture. "I just… Oh, Witzend, I'm so worried about Tarrant. Who were those people? What did they want?"
"They smelled like Outlanders," Witzend said, delicately wrinkling her nose. "At least, I assume that's what they were… they didn't smell like Underlandians, at any rate."
"What could they want with us?" Jane sniffed.
"What do you think?" Witzend replied. "They want to keep you from finding Princess Regina. Are you going to let them win, after what Tarrant's done for you?"
"No, of course not," Jane shook her head.
"Very well then," Witzend said determinedly. "Best keep moving. The sooner we reach Marmoreal, the sooner you can tell the White Queen what happened, and she can send Pawns to fetch Tarrant and the others."

Jane nodded, seeing the sense in what her Kitten said. Sighing a bit wearily and rolling each foot, she drew a deep breath and began walking again. Then a noise caught her attention- someone, or something, running. The noise was getting steadily closer, and in panic Jane dove behind a tree, scooping Witzend up and holding her against her chest. Gathering her courage, she peeked around the tree, seeking the source of the sound.

It proved to be a bloodhound. Her honey-colored coat was smooth and shiny, and her nose was to the ground as she focused on a scent… Jane winced. There would be no outrunning a bloodhound's nose. Biting her lip, she stepped out from the tree and met the danger head-on, praying that if she was falling into a trap that she could get back out.

"Would you be Jane, by any chance?" the Bloodhound asked.
"Yes," Jane nodded, too used by now to talking Animals to be deterred. "Who are you, please?"
"I am Bielle, a messenger of the White Queen," the Bloodhound replied. "The Cheshire Cat told me you were traveling through the Tulgey Wood, and sent me to bring you to Marmoreal safely."
"Thank you," Jane said gratefully, mentally sending her thanks to the Cheshire Cat.
Bielle nodded. "Open the pouch on my collar," she instructed.

Jane did as Bielle said, withdrawing a vial of a pale gold liquid. She frowned as she looked at it; it resembled whiskey.

"Pishalver," Bielle said. "A sip of it will cause you to shrink enough to ride on my back. Don't drink too much, mind."

Uncorking the vial, Jane took a sip, coughing at the vile taste of the drink. She gasped as she began to shrink, clutching her clothes around her as they became too large for her. When she had shrunk down, she re-tied her chemise around herself as best she could and clambered onto Bielle's back.

"What can we do with the clothes?" Jane asked. "We can't leave them for anyone to find."
"Can we tie them around you, Bielle?" Witzend asked, tilting her head.
"We can try," Bielle nodded.

It was difficult; even though Jane was about two feet tall, there was still a lot of fabric to her dress. But finally, after some help from Witzend, she managed to wrap the dress around Bielle's midsection in a satisfactory manner. She clambered onto Bielle's back, wrapping her feet and hands in her dress as though it were saddle and bridle. Bielle delicately picked Jane's hat up in her teeth, and with Witzend keeping pace beside her, took off into the forest. Jane clung to Bielle's collar, looking around as the Bloodhound and her Kitten ran. Bielle ran quickly, confidence in her direction making up the time Jane had lost stumbling through the woods on her own.

As the Animals ran, Jane thought, and wondered. Why had the Oraculum lied? It had so clearly showed a girl sitting in the midst of the destruction of Hightopp Hill. She had been so sure that the girl had been the Azure Princess… but clearly, Regina hadn't been on the Hill. So why had the Oraculum sent her there? What game was the oracle playing? All that had come of the sojourn to the Hill was Jane learning that Regina was Tarrant's daughter before their party had been ripped apart by invaders.

Jane bit her lip, hoping for the thousandth time that Tarrant was safe. If he'd been hurt- or God forbid, killed- because of her, she would never forgive herself. She was supposed to restore his daughter to him, not get him killed before he had the chance to know that his child was alive and safe… I'll find her, Tarrant, she whispered to herself again. I promise.

But how to find her? The Princess was proving to be incredibly elusive. Now that she knew Regina wasn't at Hightopp Hill, Jane was back to square one. Where in Underland could the Azure Princess be hiding, and how in both worlds was Jane supposed to find her?

Shortly after noon, the unending shadows of the Tulgey Wood gave way to open skies and gently rolling hills and pastureland. Not too long afterwards, Jane could see the ivory towers of the White Queen's castle rising ahead. She lost her breath at the beauty of the castle, and for the first time all day a sense of peace and calm filled her. Surely the White Queen would know what to do, even though Jane had failed to find the Azure Princess thus far.

Bielle ran through the open doors of the castle, baying as she sprinted through halls, hardly deterred by the change between earth and marble. She ignored servants and members of the Court, stopping only when she entered the throne room, bowing as Jane got her first look at Mirana, the White Queen of Marmoreal and High Queen of Underland.

She was beautiful, just as Jane had imagined her to be when she read about the White Queen in her book. Pale skin, clothed entirely in white, accented with pearls and diamonds, white hair, on top of which rested her hard-won crown. Black nails, lips, and eyes. But it wasn't so much the White Queen's beauty that held Jane captivated; it was her air of gentle grace blended with confident competence. It was the poise of a true Queen, and it instilled an answering assurance in Jane. Yes, the White Queen would help her, and Jane wouldn't let her down.

Mirana stood from her throne, floating down the dais and kneeling before Bielle. "Welcome to Marmoreal," she smiled at Jane, while stroking Bielle's head. "You're a bit smaller than I thought you'd be. Abovegrounders seem to have a talent for never being their proper sizes."
"Your Majesty," Jane said, inclining her head. "I'm afraid I have come bearing Bad News-"
"There is Time enough to discuss that later," the Queen interrupted.
"Forgive me, your Majesty, but there isn't," Jane argued, sliding off Bielle's back and looking up at the White Queen. "Tarrant's in trouble."
"Trouble?" Mirana frowned.
"He's at Hightopp Hill. Or he was, when I left him," Jane said, biting her lip. "Someone came to the Hill. Tarrant sent me away while he stayed with the Pawns, Thackery, and Mally. Please, your Majesty, I'm so worried-"
"I will send my men to Iplam straight away," Mirana promised. "In the meantime, Jane, I believe you might appreciate a bath, a change of clothing… and certainly some upelkuchen. Lady Bielle, if you wouldn't mind transporting Jane to her chambers?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," Bielle said around Jane's cloche, before trotting out of the throne room, Witzend trailing close behind.

As Mirana watched the Bloodhound go, Kalen entered the throne room from one of the doors behind the throne, and walked to his wife's side.

"Is everything alright, Wife?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"We need to send Pawns to Iplam," Mirana said. "Tarrant seems to have got himself in trouble again. But the important thing is, she's here safe and sound, if a bit small," Mirana sighed in satisfaction. "I am going to see her after she has bathed."
"And then?" Kalen asked.
Mirana's gaze dropped. "And then it will be time to bring her to the Black Queen, and to the Azure Princess."

Bielle left Jane in the competent hands of Clover and Azalea, the two maids who had apparently been assigned to look after Jane for as long as she was a guest in Marmoreal. Within moments, the matronly, kind-faced Azalea was feeding Jane upelkuchen while the sprightly, slightly bossy Clover was dashing around to prepare Jane a bath.

"Come on dear, into the bath with you," Azalea said, gently hustling Jane into the bathing room. "You look like you need it."
"A bath does sound wonderful," Jane admitted, sighing in relief as she sat down to remove her boots.
"What do you think, Azalea? Roses and lilies?" Clover asked, glancing over Jane's shoulder at the elder maid. "Bergamot and toves?"
"Certainly not," Azalea shook her head. "No, the child is definitely a honeysuckle."
"Oh, yes," Clover nodded enthusiastically. "And maybe some sandalwood."
"Sorry?" Jane asked curiously as she shucked her stockings.
"Everyone in Underland has a defining scent," Clover explained. "Scents that relax and soothe them. Azalea's a master at Bath Scents. I'm just learning," she admitted, dumping handfuls of salt crystals into the hot water.

Jane sighed in pleasure as she stepped into the claw foot tub. The water's temperature was perfect; hot enough to ease her aching muscles, but not so hot that it scalded her skin. And the honeysuckle and sandalwood smelled wonderful.

"See, look at the dear thing blossoming in the water," Azalea smiled proudly. "Honeysuckle, I tell you."

When Jane felt as though the hot water had soothed her entire body, Clover handed her a large, fluffy towel to dry off in, then led her into the bedroom, where Azalea was waiting with fresh clothes. When she saw the gown, Jane tried to hide her disappointment; dear Lord, she hated white. Fortunately, it wasn't a pure white so much as a very very very pale rose. And truly, the dress was prettier than any of the gowns her foster mother had forced her into- the wide skirts, overdress, and rose appliqués over hem, bodice and sleeves put her in mind of Versailles and Marie Antoinette. Still, as Clover and Azalea wrangled Jane into the numerous underthings, including a corset, Jane couldn't help but miss the simple dress Tarrant had made her.

When Jane was dressed, Clover sat her down before an elaborate vanity table, and the process of adorning her hair began. Her red-gold curls were swept into an elaborate, high hairdo, and pale pink roses were threaded onto the right side of the updo. Then Clover fastened a pearl necklace, with matching earrings and bracelets, onto her while Azalea swiped makeup over her face.

"There," Clover smiled at last. "You look like a true Lady of the White Court."

Jane glanced into the mirror, a bit taken aback. It was true, she did look like a member of the Court. But she hardly looked like herself. If only Lady Ascot and Mary could see her now, Jane thought wryly. This would certainly put an end to their comments that she hardly looked like the ward of a great and important Lord.

But Jane didn't dwell on her appearance for very long; after all, she had more important things to worry about. Like what in all the worlds she was going to say to the White Queen. How could she explain her failure to find Regina, when this task was her entire purpose in Underland? Her mind was still reeling with these questions when someone knocked on her door, a moment before the White Queen herself was revealed.

"Your Majesty," Jane murmured, standing from the vanity and dipping into a curtsey, wobbling a bit at the unaccustomed weight of her clothing and headdress.
Mirana smiled. "Feel better?"
"Much, thank you," Jane nodded.
"Come with me," the Queen said, offering one hand to Jane while the other danced in the air. "You might want to bring your pack."

Jane was puzzled by that, but dutifully picked up her pack from the chair she'd dropped it into, then took the Queen's cool, smooth hand, following along as Mirana led her up the stairs and through the castle, which was illuminated by the warm late afternoon sun. Jane didn't ask where they were headed, and Mirana did not volunteer. Instead, they walked in companionable silence until they reached a large, elaborate set of double doors guarded by two soldiers in black armor. Above the doors, instead of the now-familiar device of the White Queen, was a strange insignia, of a sash wrapped around the blade of a sword, both in silver, over a black background.

In answer to Jane's questioning look, Mirana smiled, though the smile was tinged with sadness. "These are the chambers of my sister, the Black Queen," she explained. "The news you have is of just as much importance to her as to me. Perhaps more so."

Jane's eyebrows drew together in confusion. In all of Alice's tales of Wonderland, she had only ever spoken of Mirana having one sister- Iracebeth, the Red Queen. Never had there been mention of a Black Queen. Was this a new title of Iracebeth's? Had the former Red Queen escaped the Outlands and been given sanctuary in Marmoreal?

Upon seeing Mirana, the guards opened the doors without even having to be told. With a comforting smile, Mirana drew Jane into the shadowy realm of the Black Queen.

The walls were hung with heavy black silk that seemed to absorb the light, with sky blue wood wainscoting. The floor was white marble, with occasional diamond-shaped black tiles. White columns stood in each corner, looking almost painfully bright against the gloom of the Black Queen's chosen colors. The furniture was all either black wood or upholstered in black fabrics, accented with silver. Touches of sky blue showed up in unexpected places- the inner drapings of the Queen's bed, just visible through the door from the sitting room, or embroidered into the fabric of the chairs, or the vases of blue flowers scattered around the room. Unlike the almost unearthly brightness the White Queen preferred, the Black Queen's rooms were somber to the point of tomblike, a sepulcher to house the ghost of a queen.

The Black Queen herself was seated just inside the balcony doors, dressed in her black silks and heavily veiled, as always. Jane stared at her, fascinated; she looked so similar to Empress Sisi, or Queen Victoria. Yes, the air of melancholy that surrounded the Black Queen was just as oppressive as the depression that had claimed both of Jane's Aboveground heroines. Arranged on the table beside her was an elegant tea service, the china painted with silver and blue designs. She said nothing, nor made any movement; she just waited.

Mirana didn't seem at all bothered by her sister's behavior. She floated easily to her place at the table, indicating that Jane should take the free seat. Once they were seated, the Black Queen silently began to pour tea, and Mirana spoke.

"Allie, we have a visitor," she said, her voice seemingly almost swallowed by the gloom of her sister's chambers. "This is Jane, from London. Our new Champion. She's going to find the Azure Princess."

The Black Queen still didn't speak, but she set the teapot down with a sharp clank that sounded almost startled. Silently, she turned her head towards Jane, who found it very difficult to be observed by a veiled face. She couldn't see anything of the Queen's face, and so didn't know if she met with the Queen's approval. Considering that she was almost positive she knew who this monarch was, she desperately wanted the Black Queen to approve of her, while at the same time feeling both disgusted and horrified that her heroine had been reduced to this.

"But I'm afraid the search has been… complicated," Mirana said delicately. "Jane, tell my sister what you told me."

Jane swallowed hard, sipping at her tea to buy herself some time. She didn't want to tell the Black Queen about the ambush on Hightopp Hill; she was certain the Queen wouldn't take the news well, and Jane was reluctant to admit her failure in her quest.

"The Oraculum showed me that I would find the Princess at Hightopp Hill," Jane said, feeling the Black Queen's gaze upon her like a physical touch. "But while we were there, we were ambushed. Tarrant told me to run while he, the Pawns, Mally and Thackery confronted them-"
"WHAT?"

Jane jumped, and even Mirana looked startled as the Black Queen leapt out of her seat, heedless as the chair toppled over. She raised a gloved hand and ripped off her veils, revealing a mass of blond curls pinned atop her head, and large hazel eyes flashing gold with anger. Jane stared, breathless, at her face.

"Alice," Jane breathed, gripping her teacup and saucer.

So, here she was. Alice, at last… Underland's beloved Champion, and she'd been hiding in Marmoreal all this time.

Shock quickly gave way to disbelief, and then incredulous anger. Alice had been in the White Queen's castle all this time, locking herself away in shadowy quarters while her daughter went unfound and Tarrant pined alone at his Tea Table? What kind of Champion abandoned her loved ones like that? And because of Alice's selfishness, her quest had gone unfinished, until it fell to Jane, a stranger, to complete what Alice had begun. Not that Jane wasn't grateful for the chance to come to Underland, but… how could Alice have abandoned her duty to Underland in such a way? Moment by moment, Jane could feel her already tarnished opinion of Alice degrading further. Instead of admiration or disappointment, Jane felt outright dislike of her former heroine. In her own way, Alice was as cruel as the Red Queen had been before her.

When she'd gotten over the first of her shock and disappointment, Jane realized that Alice was quivering with the force of her anger. Her hands were clenched into fists, and she looked about ready to take off flying.

"You mean to say that not only have you not found my daughter, but you've also lost my husband?" she demanded, her voice hoarse and rusty with long disuse. She whipped around to look at Mirana. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Alice, that's hardly fair," Mirana chastised her gently.

Alice, however, was beyond calm words. With a wordless snarl, she sprinted out the doors, somehow managing to overturn the tea table in her haste. Mirana watched her go, sighing.

"Well… that didn't go as well as I'd hoped," she sighed. "Are you alright, my dear?"
Jane nodded, her face twisting in anger. "How can she blame me when this is her fault?" she snapped. "If she hadn't been so selfish and stubborn, Regina wouldn't have been stolen in the first place!"
"We don't know that," Mirana said. "It seems that it was Fated for us to lose Regina, for reasons that I hope will become clearer soon. But you mustn't be too hard on Alice, Jane. When she lost Regina, Alice went Mad. The same Madness Tarrant suffered on Horunvendush Day. I hope that when the Princess is restored to her birthright, Alice's Madness will ease."

Jane drew a deep breath, trying to release her anger. It was much more difficult to blame Alice- or even to be angry with her- if she was suffering from the same debilitating Madness that affected Tarrant.

"Come, my dear. There's something I want to show you," Mirana said. "Don't forget your knapsack."

Mirana stood, shaking her skirts free of invisible wrinkles and daintily wiping her dark lips on her napkin. This time she didn't hold Jane's hand, merely led her down a long hallway, stopping before another set of double doors. These doors were emblazoned with an insignia Jane had never seen. The heraldic shield contained a gold chevron, within which was emblazoned three blue clubs. Beneath the chevron was a blue and green top hat. Flanking the shield was a lion and a unicorn, rather like the royal British coat of arms. Beneath the shield, emblazoned on a golden banner, was the Latin phrase Maneo admiratione. Jane's Latin wasn't perfect, but she was fairly certain that the motto translated to I remain in wonder.

"It's beautiful," Jane breathed, fingering the crest.
"It's the official insignia of the Clavai. The Blue Royals of Witzend," Mirana smiled. "I believe you will find the Azure Princess behind these doors."

Jane stared at Mirana in disbelief. If Mirana been hiding Regina all this time, why had Jane had to travel all this way? What was she doing in Underland, if the Princess had already been found? But Mirana merely smiled at Jane. Seeing that the White Queen wasn't going to answer any of her questions, Jane sighed and pushed open the doors… then stopped dead, staring around in wonder. She walked in further, in a daze; Mirana stayed in the doorway, respecting Jane's moment of surprise.

The rooms were painted powder blue, with soft white carpets and gauzy white curtains. A large sitting room connected directly to the bedroom via an elegant archway, and the bedroom in turn opened out onto a large balcony. She could see the elaborately carved crib, a large armoire, an open chest stuffed full of soft dolls and stuffed animals. The sitting room that she stood in held a rocker, ottoman, a loveseat, as well as a desk and chair, and a full-length looking glass standing free in one corner.

But undoubtedly the best feature of the room was the hats. Hundreds of model heads were attached to the walls, or freestanding on every flat surface, and each head held a hat. Baby bonnets, boaters, cloches, fez, turbans, sunhats, hats of every type and description. No two were alike, and each was more beautiful than the last. Jane stared at them all in awe, scarcely able to breathe.

Mirana smiled at her. "This was Princess Regina's nursery," she said. "The Blue Royals moved here after we noticed the Oraculum becoming erratic."

It took a concerted effort of will, but Jane tore her gaze away from the hats and managed to refocus on Mirana. The White Queen was looking at Jane with an air of expectation, as if waiting for Jane to finish piecing together the pieces.

"The Black Queen… Alice… She's really the Blue Queen," Jane started. "And Tarrant is her husband. The Sapphire King."
"Yes," Mirana smiled. "Alice was declared a Queen on her second visit here as a child, but it wasn't until she came back to stay that she was able to take up those duties."
"And Regina is their daughter," Jane said, unnecessarily.
"Yes," Mirana nodded. "They loved her very much. The last thing in the world they wanted was for their daughter to be taken from them."
Jane smiled. "And Tarrant made all of these hats for her," she said, turning to look at them all again.
"Yes," Mirana smiled. "And many more besides, but he destroyed those because he didn't think them good enough for his wee little boy."
Jane bit her lip shyly. "May I try one on?"
"Of course, my dear. Try on anything you like," Mirana said.

Jane nodded, turning in a circle before a certain hat caught her eye. Her eyes widened in recognition; this was the very same Hat she had seen Regina wearing in her dream last night [was it really only last night? Goodness, it felt like a lifetime ago]. This was the only hat in the entire room that had a surface to itself. It sat upon its stand like a crown, and indeed it was the crown jewel of the collection. It was a top hat, remarkably similar to Tarrant's, except made for a feminine head. As Jane had come to expect, it was a beautiful shade of blue, with a pattern of teapots and flowers stitched in silver embroidery thread. A sash of plum-colored silk was tied around the base of the beautiful hat, with flowering vines and swords embroidered in shining gold thread. Secured in the sash were three glittering, jeweled hatpins, along with a card that read 10/6.

Entranced, Jane reached out and gently set it on her head, at a rakish angle thanks to her ridiculous hairdo. Despite the towering headdress, it was a perfect fit.

Mirana smiled knowingly. "That is a Hightopp hat. It was meant to remind Regina of her clan, to help her remember who she was. Not just Regina Clava, the Azure Princess of Witzend, but Regina Hightopp, heir of Iplam."

Jane grinned at her reflection in a free-standing mirror in the corner, and opened her mouth to speak again, before something caught her attention. On the eastern wall, up near the ceiling, one wooden head sat bare. Jane frowned, walking towards it. Who would dare to break into this sanctuary and steal one of the Princess' hats? She opened her mouth to call the theft to Mirana's attention…

And then it clicked.

She closed her mouth deliberately, feeling as if the air were stopped up in her lungs. Reverently, she set the Hightopp hat back on its stand, before walking to where she'd dropped her pack. Moving as if underwater, she reached into her pack, her eyes never once leaving the empty head form. The baby blanket fell to the floor unheeded; the book easily fell open to the proper place. The book then joined the blanket on the floor as Jane moved forward, dragging a chair into service. She clambered onto it, then gently set her baby bonnet onto the empty head.

A perfect fit.

Somehow, she managed to get off the chair without falling or breaking anything. She turned towards Mirana, ignoring the loud buzzing in her ears, the pounding of her heart. Swallowing in a vain attempt to wet her mouth, she pushed the fatal words past the frog in her throat.

"My name isn't Jane, is it?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

She managed to meet Mirana's gaze. There was a smile on her face, a look of love and pride and welcome and belonging of such warmth that it made Jane's heart ache.

"No, my dear," she said softly, smiling.

Jane took one look around the room, feeling her limbs turning to jelly as the shaking started. She didn't speak; there were no words to say. So, silently, she did the only thing appropriate for the situation.

She ran.

Author's Note [or, please don't kill me]: So, now we know why Alice hasn't been around Underland for the last eighteen years- she's Mad as a Hatter. Um, please don't kill me for that. Actually, originally Alice wasn't going to be suffering from Madness. I never really had a good excuse for what had happened to her. It wasn't until I was editing this chapter for posting that the idea of Madness hit me. And I found it weirdly and perfectly appropriate. So yes, Alice's story is now that after she lost Regina and Tarrant, she went Mad, and Mirana has been caring for her ever since. Just remember, I've made a solemn promise to fix everything I break. Eventually.