-XXX-

The next morning found the White Queen serenely smiling down on them. Her benevolent expression made Alice uneasy. Hatter also seemed nervous, however, for different reasons. He kept his bright eyes on Mirana, never wavering, however, he quivered with excitement. Mirana appeared to take no notice.

"Of course I should wish to find a way home for you, dearest Alice. However, I do not know what opportunities we may have. There are no Jabberwocky fluids here that could help you."

"But...you have magic, don't you?" Alice straightened.

"Yes." The queen sighed. "But I've not the power to send you back. It would take a creature far more powerful than I. An none with that power have been in this land for a long time. I am sorry, Alice, but there is little I can do."

Desperate, Alice surged forward. "If not your, then who? Who can help me?"

Mirana recoiled slightly. She sighed. "No one. Nothing."

"Then...I am stuck." Alice froze.

"There is no way."

The young woman nearly sank to the polished white marble floor. She spun around, stepping off the dais. Hatter caught her wrist, righting her quickly before she stumble from shock. He held her against him as he appealed to the queen.

"Surely there is something that can be done," he lisped. "My lady -"

"I am sorry."

It was a dismissal. Alice held her breath until the massive gilded double-doors closed behind them, then she fled. She ran, the skirts of her soft grey dress flying behind her. Hatter didn't even make a move to stop her. The motion would be wasted. Time and space. That's what she needed.

-XXX-

A few hours passed. When she failed to appear for lunch, then missed afternoon tea – practically a sin, in Tarrant's book – he thought he might fetch her from the gardens. That's where the twins had reported her to be, and that is where he found her. Curled up aim the thornless white roses, she was dozing. He woke her with his approach. Hatter's heart sunk upon seeing her tear-stained face and red nose.

"Alice."

She wiped her nose – very unladylike, but she cannot really care. "Hey."

He did could not comprehend why she random choose to refer to that which horses ate, so Tarrant remained silent.

Sighing, Alice made to stand. He kindly caught her wrist when she wobbled.

"I'm sorry to swan off like that. I didn't know what else to do." She grew quiet. Tarrant waited patiently. After several seconds, she twisted her wrist so that they were holding hands properly, then lead them away from the roses to a stone bench only a few feet away, tucked in a nook of hedges. "I don't understand. Everyone said she could help. They were sure. Everyone."

"She managed it last time. But Alice had only just killed the Jabberwocky. It has been a long time...there simply isn't that level of magic in the Underland any longer."

"Why ever not?"

Hatter fiddled with the rim of his hat. He felt rather grubby, though Mirana had insisted on outfitting him with something a little less ragged upon his return to the White Palace. He'd not worn something so dust-less and free of tears in an age. Still, despite his clean state, when he sat with Alice's hand in his own Hatter felt terribly uncomfortable.

"No one can say. It just started...fading." He had known this of course - everyone had - but he'd not thought for a moment that it might hinder Alice. Now, he cursed himself for getting her hope up. But he did not use the stuff himself, therefore, the problem had never crossed his mind.

"I wouldn't know. I've never been here before, so I couldn't notice." She smiled, expression bittersweet.

"It is not readily apparent." He shrugged. "Even for someone familiar with the landscape, the lack of magic would not strike them for a time."

"Well, what can be done?" There was a determined sort of set about her brow. He was rather impressed by this momentarily lapse into Alice-ness. "Surely something is to be done. The Queen must have a plan. I know I've not been here long, but I can tell that magic is a rather integral part of your society. She's got to be doing something."

Truthfully, Mirana had stopped being concerned with the fading magic for sometime. Perhaps a hundred years after the defeat of the bloody Red Queen, several in court pressured her for change. The issue had been turned over, transformed into a bureaucracy nightmare. Resolutions and contracts and all manner of paperwork went into resolving the situation of the disappearing magic, to no avail. No amount of officialdecrees were going to solve the problem. Laws were passed, but no true action taken. The magic dwindled. And nothing was done.

It had not bothered him, much. He himself was not a practitioner of magic, only encountering it occasionally. Mirana, while possessing the power, did nothing major by way of spellwork. Even the smallest measures would not feel the drain – only large, grand spells. The sort of spells that brought back the dead. Built castles. Or send wayward young women back to their boring lives outside of Underland.

"She's not concerned herself with it."

This surprised Alice. "But why not?" she cried. "She's got a duty! She is queen! Unless things are so different down here, a queen is a queen and she's bound to protect her land, her people."

"Tis true, but it does not so badly trouble us. Most of us have some form of minor magic, but it is the big creatures – Jabberwocky and the like – that are affected. And most of those creatures are not terribly nice."

She understood. "So...there is nothing to be done."

He wished to have something better to tell her.

-XXX-

A few more days spent in Mirana's palace, and Alice was finally fed up with the snobby courtiers and even Mirana's own relentless airness. Aside from dinners, she rarely encounted either party, however, that left her days to be filled with...nothing. The expansive library and manicured grounds were at her disposal, and she had some friends – Maly, the twins, and several other animals. But they were not diversion enough, as each had their own duties. Bored out of her mind, Alice knew there were no plans for her; no future being considered. She needed to take things into her own hands. And the only person invested in her in any manner was the Hatter. She came to Tarrant to beg that they return to his cottage.

His wide eyes grew wider at her request. "Back? But Alice, the queen wants to care for you. She's mentioned making you a member of her lady maids. Surely you would want stay here, with Mirana. "

"I don't want to stay here. Nothing moves. It's a stagnant place."

"And you want to come home...with me?"

She nodded.

Hatter did not quite know what to do with himself. Part of his heart rose joyously, while the other sank. Alice had given up, resigned herself to Underland. While he was pleased she'd elected to stay with him, he did not like to see her back down.

"Are you quite sure? I feel as thought Mirana can still help you. You mustn't give up hope, Alice."

"I've not giving up," she replied quietly. "I just cannot stand to remain here any longer. I'll go mad, I'm sure of it."

"Madder than me?" His smile was half-hearted.

Alice's hands found his, squeezing. "If that happens, I'll be happy for us to be mad together."

-XXX-

They did not linger but at day once Alice had made up her mind. Mirana was not happy to see them go, but she did allow them Sary once again along with another mare, and insisted Alice take all the clothing she'd been lent. They thanked her, and while her goodbyes had been warm enough, the queen pointedly did not come to see them off. Alice got the message.

This ride was more comfortable than the first, partially because they road separate mounts. Tarrant had a time snickering at Alice's expense as she attempted to steer her horse – having never ridden, she struggle to work with the fierce Blackfire.

"Why did you get the easy-going horse?" she grumbled as she again tried to reign in the black mare who arched her head defiantly.

Hatter snickered as Sary paused to munch on some grass. He stroked her neck fondly while Alice glowered behind him.

Once they entered the clearing where his cottage sat, Alice seemed to relax. Hatter, in turn, almost grew more anxious. He'd hoped, once, that she might return to stay. That hope had been dashed upon her arrival. Now, it was becoming a reality, and he knew not what to do. He'd been so distracted these last hundred-odd years, rarely taking up any occupation. How does one living with another person, conduct a normal, average life? Breakfast in the morning, afternoons in the garden, work, going to market, taking tea...Hatter had not lived that life in a long time.

But Alice gave him no pressure. Indeed on their arrival, she patiently waited for his instruction as to where she should sleep, where to put her things, and so on. When he seemed to stumble – unsure of dinner, fluster when she asked about a bathroom – she gently took charge.

Their first afternoon together passed quickly. As soon as they'd settled, Alice had tucked herself into the spare room – now her room – and reappeared wearing trousers. Hatter stared. It was Alice's turn to laugh at his expense.

Once he'd gotten over the shock, she set him to work.

"This place is an utter mess. I cannot imagine how you've managed to reside here without getting sick." She ran a finger across the mantle. "C'mon. We can get a good start today. I really think the place needs a good dust and mop."

Soon she had him polish the lamps as she scrubbed the stone around the hearth. They removed the pile of ash from inside before they dusted the entire ground floor. Three hours of steady work saw the floor swept, every surface dusted, the brass and pewter fixtures polished, the table scrubbed, cupboards cleaned of all expired foods, and the rugs beaten. Satisfied, Alice decided they should stop just as the sun was sinking below the horizon.

"We'll mop tomorrow," she decided as she chopped vegetables. "Then tackle the bathroom. Though I think I shall wake early tomorrow to make bread. Do you have any tea?"

"Tea," the Hatter scoffed. "I should think so, else my name isn't -"

But upon peering into the pantry, he found that he was in possession of only a few dry leaves, barely enough to make a single cup.

"Er, perhaps not. We shall go to the market in the morning."

-XXX-

By the end of the first week Alice had moved on to working in the garden. She'd never really had a green thumb, she informed him cheerfully. "But I am happy to give it a shot."

She said things like that occasionally. "A shot." "Cool." "Awesome." He didn't always initially catch her meaning, but in most cases they seemed like positive phrases.

Tarrant had returned to hat-making. On their trip to the market he'd stopped to select a few new fabrics, ribbons, leathers, and feathers. Mirana had indicated an interest in buying a few new hats to match her new summer frocks. He spent several hours a day constructing a few creations to show her when they returned to court in the middle of the month, besides that which he took to market on the week-ends.

Alice occupied herself with improving the house – painting, gardening, and the like. She asked Hatter to sew new curtains, which he made happily, but aside from that she asked nothing of him in regards to bettering the house. He'd let her do as she wished. It was to be her home now too, at least for the time being, and he hoped that she might see it as much if she were allowed to add the things that brought her a more hospitable feeling.

Beyond gardening and decorating Hatter's cottage, she read much too. They'd brought several volumes from the White Palace, which she devoured at a break-neck pace. Hatter had a few tomes as well, but they were likely not enough to see out the month. Alice collected a few on their trips to market, but she still hungered for more.

Tarrant wished for her to have reading material just as badly. There was nothing more he liked in the evenings than to settle before the fire next to her. After a day of individual occupation, he enjoyed sitting beside Alice as she read quietly, nothing but the crackle of the flames and the turning of book-pages to interrupt them. Sometimes, if she was reading something particularly engaging, she might even read aloud to him. It was, in his mind, the perfect ending to any day.

A month after Alice's arrival at the cottage they returned to Mirana's court to present her and her lady's maids with the collection of hats for the season. Mirana was cool, yet welcoming. Alice saw her for only a moment before disappearing. Hatter watched from the corner of his eye as she slipped from the room, choosing the opportune moment as the ladies cooed over his frilly creations.

When they met up again, she was entirely ready to leave, with a large bag strapped to her back. Alice had collected a large number of books, enough to weigh the pernicious Blackfire down. Back at the cottage, he saw a few of the titles as she unpacked the bag. Magical Mischief. Pulling at the Threads of Power: Finding Your More Magical Talents. In the Air Around Us – Infusion of Magical Elements.

He said nothing, but kept the books in the back of his mind.

-XXX-

One cumbersome thing about the whole arrangement was privacy. Hatter's cottage was sizable enough for one, but two people could make things feel a little cramped. The main level's three rooms were divided only by thresholds, no actual doors. The second level possessed two bedrooms and a single bathroom which was of an ill design, with the bathroom being set directly between the rooms. Thankfully, there were doors, but the walls were thin. Hatter went to sleep at night usually long after Alice, a direct result of laying petrified in bed waiting to hear her breathing slow. In turn, she woke up to his snoring every few nights over the course of her first month as a resident of Underland. Soon she grew used to the noise, but for a time it was simply terrifying - like a high-pitched kind of snort.

She made some remark about it the following morning. Hatter turned a bright fuchsia, much to her delight, leaving Alice amused on her first morning in the cottage. It was a brilliant start to a continual teasing that rather entertained them both.

-XXX-

"Do you have any paper?"

She stood by his desk, hands folded across her stomach. He still was not used to her wearing trousers – they made her form readily available for viewing. Tarrant often caught his gaze lingering on her, which was embarrassing. He convince himself it was merely because the sight was unusual, that he'd not seen her in so long it was normal to look, that since he'd made the trousers he'd been looking at his handiwork. But the excuses didn't even convince him.

"Paper?" he squeaked, squeezing the velvet he'd been sewing. "Whatever for?"

"I need to take some notes."

He relaxed marginally. "Of course."

As he bustled about his desk, he asked casually, "What sort of notes are you writing?"

"Oh, research," she replied vaguely. "I need to sort out my thoughts."

"Too much organization can make a person lost in their own mind," he warned. "You need free chaos occasionally."

"I very much agree. But I think in this case I need to get myself sorted."

He handed her a stack of parchment. "Will this be enough?"

Alice smiled as her fingers brushed hers. "It shall be plenty, thank you."

That evening, when they retired before the hearth as they did every night after dinner, he watched her stitch the paper into a sort of book. Tying off the string, she examined her success happily before delving into it with a pencil. He observed her for a time. She bit her lip when concentrating, preferred to have her hair pulled away from her face, paused to tap the pencil against the paper when stumped. She transfixed him.

When she glanced up, Alice was startled to find his eyes already upon her. They were a mossy sort of green, friendly and warm as a pond in summer. Alice could not help but smile back.

"What are you looking at?"

Tarrant shook himself from his reverie. "You."

"See anything interesting?"

His lips quirked. "Always."

-XXX-

Mirana summoned them both at the end of the summer. Her note did not mention any specific reason, but the Hatter assumed it was to place a new order of winter hats. Alice was not please, especially considering how hot the ride would be. They'd been dying each night in the late summer heat. Hatter frequently thought enviously of the "Air Conditioning" she'd told him of, and wished that someone in Underland was as inventive enough to replicate such as creation.

"I don't see why she needs us every few weeks. She barely sees either of us during our time there," Alice grumbled as she mounted Blackfire. She and the tempermental mare had entered into an understanding over Alice's four months in Underland. At the very least, the black beast would stand still for the young woman to hook her foot in the stirrup and pull herself up.

"I cannot say myself," Hatter said, straightening his top hat as Sary jolted forward. "She likely wishes to keep an eye on you."

"An eye on us. She clearly worries about you."

This mildly pleases him, though he tries to hide it. Alice suppressed her own smile. They road on in a companionable silence.

They were escorted on their arrival directly to the great hall. Alice knew instantly that Mirana had summoned them for a reason beyond hats. When she made for the library, she was stopped by the guard escorting them. "Her highness has particularly requested your presence, Lady Alice."

Tarrant glanced at her worriedly. She didn't return the look, but stared straight ahead.

Upon entering the hall, they both felt the shift in temperature. Icy air swept around the pair, but it was nothing in comparison to Mirana's dark eyes. They flash like well-polished knives across the expanse of the hall. Alice and the Hatter approached, taking evenly measured steps in time with one another. They stopped short of the dais. Once they were before her, both bowed. Alice was stiff in her motions, Tarrant more loose in his nerves, both lingering in the bow longer than necessary.

"Your highness," Tarrant began, lisp heavy. "We are honored by your attentions."

Her upper lip curled. However, on Mirana's soft features, the expression barely appeared threatening. "Hatter. It is a pleasure, as ever."

"What may we attributed this honor to, my lady?"

"It has come to my attention as of late that our dear Alice has been engaging in some most interesting extracurriculars." Her eyes flitted towards the young woman knelt in her chambers. "Very interesting indeed, Lady Alice."

She didn't speak, merely gazed back up at the queen.

"She has recently taken up gardening, your highness," Hatter offered.

Mirana's lips pursed, touched with amusement. "I am not referring to gardening." She lifted her head. "No, I referring to her studies. I was recently in the library to find that your beloved Alice has been borrowing an interesting series of books. All having some relation to magic."

He had suspected that she was studying. Between the note-taking and reading, it was fairly obvious. However, Hatter had seen no harm in it. She was a curious girl.

"Oh, yes," he replied faintly.

Mirana was less-than-pleased to know that he'd been aware of Alice's studies. "You did not think to mention this to me?"

"I saw no harm. It appeared to be a passing interesting."

"Well, it has brought about harm." Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. "What have you been doing Alice? I have felt your magic tug at the very threads of this land. You threaten all the balance I strove so hard to achieve against my sister."

Alice was stunned. "You felt that?"

"Of course!" The queen glared. "Like a sword through my stomach."

"But, forgive me," Alice began slowly, looking pleasantly surprise. "I did but only summon a mug of water from the top of my dresser. That was all."

All occupants of the room grew still. Hatter's bright blue eyes turned to Alice, stunned. Mirana's clasped hands grew tighter. The air ceased being frigid and simply grew stale. Alice swallowed before she smiled brightly.

"You just...moved a cup?" Mirana whispered.

"Yes."

"No one in this land has been born with magic in nearly fifty years."

"Yes," Alice said again. "But I was not born in Underland."

-XXX-

DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNnnnn.

Well, that was an unpleasant surprise.

Review would be grand!