Apologies for the delay, I just got back from a conference at school!
Well, this is the end. Hard to believe it. I hope you have enjoyed this story. Please review, favorite, rec, etc! And check out my other stories, I've written in nearly 30 fandoms.
-XXX-
She crept out of the house with the book tucked against her chest. Alice had not dressed for bed – instead, she was in loose t-shirt and cotton leggings, lacing up her trainers. The house was quiet. She listened for the creak of floor boards or the soft tones of her parents' voices in the next room. Neither could be heard.
Once she was assured of her privacy, Alice swung a messenger bag around her shoulder then crept from the room, propping an unsealed envelop on the dresser. The stairs were tricky, but she navigated them easily enough. Slowly, she opened the door, knowing it had a tendency to squeal. Overall, the journey took a good deal of time, but she made it out free and clear.
The trees made long shadows against the manicured lawn. High above the horizon sat a large pearly moon haloed in white. Evening dew drops brushed her bare her way down the brick-paved path, Alice let her fingertips brush the leaves as she passed. The rustle of foliage was the only sound to break the atmosphere. It was a beautiful night.
When she reached the maple, Alice halted to sit beneath the tree. The smooth trunk was reflective with moonlight. Digging a piece of chalk and the sketchbook from her bag she started preparing. Alice laid her book before her and began tracing runes onto the trunk. A sound in the distance scared her into stopping, glancing over her shoulder with wide eyes. When it turned out to simply be a bird, she resumed her spell work, adding incantations under her breath. The wind picked up and her voice was soon blended with it.
Alice kept reading even when her hair blew in her face. She gripped the strap of her bag, knocked her heels together. When the pages were nearly ripped form the book that was snapped shut too and held against her chest. Alice closed her eyes, breathing as she kept repeating the words.
Finally, the ground fell out from beneath her. Alice stopped speaking as she began to fall. She began to scream instead.
-XXX-
The next morning, when she had not come down for breakfast, her parents thought nothing of it and went about their morning as usual. Mrs. King saved her a few muffins, but her father snuck the last few pieces of bacon. It was against his diet, and his wife would scalp him if she knew, but they were no good cold.
"It must have stormed last night," Mr. King observed when he peered into the back garden to find the lawn littered with leaves and branches.
Mrs. King frowned. "I heard nothing. And I sleep as light as a feather."
That was certainly true – some nights her husband could barely jostle her and she would snap awake. If she had not heard anything, then it must have simply been a heavy breeze.
Mr. King finally began to worry when the paper was delivered and there was still no sign of Alice. He knocked on her door. When there was no answer he pushed it open lightly, calling.
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty -"
The bed was made. He scanned the room before plucking the envelop off of the dresser. The note inside caught his breath.
"Doris," he cried a few minutes later. "Doris, join me in Alice's room.
-XXX-
Five months she was gone. Five. F-i-v-e. He ticked off each day at sunset, fingering his hat as the sun sank below the horizon. Hatter was used to waiting. It wasn't so bad. He worked. There was much to do. Hats to be made. A garden to tend to.
By the 155th day, he was losing hope.
Friends made visits – almost like pilgrimages, they were so reverent. He tried to act as though all was normal. Tarrent usually succeeded, too. After a while, people stopped visiting.
It was on the 156th day – a rainy, overcast day - when he was studiously trimming an orange velvet bonnet. Wax berries would look quiet fine with a few feathers. And lace...
There was a rattling noise outside. Hatter paused, listened, then went on. The trees were covered in browning leavings, the wind had likely unsettled them.
A tapping struck the window, but he didn't bother with investigating. The rose vines had overgrown the door, and when it was breezy they struck the glass. He was running late in this order, he mustn't be distracted.
He was just threading a needle when there was a pounding upon the door. Tarrent dropped the needle with a low curse, stooping to search the floor (which was only slightly dusty) on his knees. Another cracking fist hit the door, and Hatter scrambled to answer it. Only Mirana's buffoons bothered to abuse one's property so viciously. Whatever it was they wanted, they would get getting a scathing earful from him. Throwing open the door with a scowl, he loomed over the threshold, fully ready to make his speech. Hatter was given pause, however, to find his Alice shivering on his stoop, soaked to the bone. Without a word, the young woman flew at him.
"What?" he spluttered. "Alice?"
Her laugh was like a wind chime. She pushed back a wing of blonde hair as she dipped to kiss him. Hatter responded automatically. His hands moved to the nape of her neck, pushing her nearer.
Withdrawing, Hatter cupped her face, green eyes wide with confusion. "You can't be here."
Alice was indignant. "I most certainly can be."
It was Tarrent's turn to laugh. "You can, but you shouldn't. I will not object however. Oh, Alice."
"I went home. But I decided almost at once I needed to return. I did have to see my family, however, which explains the delay. How long have I been gone?"
"Three months," he lisped. "156 days."
She pondered this. It was not as bad as she'd thought. But still cringe-worthy. Alice apologized. Hatter kissed her. There was nothing to forgive – she did what she needed to. He understood. Sort of. They didn't push it.
"Mirana won't be happy about this," Hatter said as they sat together on the oriental carpet before the fire
Vaguely, Alice replied. "Oh, boo her. She ought to be grateful I've returned."
"She undoubtably will be. But she won't be happy."
They soon forgot Mirana in favor of other topics. In a few hours Alice was weary, drained from her travel. They went indoors for dinner, then Alice passed out in her little bed. She fell asleep with great ease. She was home.
-XXX-
Quickly – almost more quickly than Alice would like to admit – they fell back into routine. She loved it though. Loved waking up in the morning to the smell of wood smoke from the stove. Loved learning the haberdashery trade at Hatter's side. Loved being near Hatter every day. It was a simple living, but the perfect one for the two of them.
"You're not seeking more adventure?" he asked suspiciously.
"Not right now, anyways," she teased. "No, I am quite happy here. I don't need anything more."
It was hard to believe that Alice could be content in a mere hatter's cottage. Yet she stayed. She stayed and she decorated and she began to put down true roots. Unlike last time, Alice made a point to show that she was settling – she selected a side of the bed to be "hers," she started a vegetable garden, she tried to learn hat-making. Every day he woke to find her beside him Hatter was first surprised, then unbearably pleased.
It was nearly winter, so Hatter spent a good portion of time preparing for the cool weather. This included gathering wood, stocking the cellar, and generally preparing the cottage. Alice was more than happy to help, but her lack of experience sometimes proved to be more of a hinderance than an aid. Hatter sent her to collect kindling more often than he let her take on more skilled tasks – gathering small sticks is hardly something one can mess up.
"You're just particularly good at it," Hatter would sooth with a wink. "I declare no one can gather kindling nearly as well as you."
Alice rolled her eyes, but could not help grinning as she hoisted up the bag onto her back. "Because picking up tiny sticks requires such a specific skill set. Which would be being unskilled in all other things."
He kissed her forehead. "Not necessarily. I'll see you in the evening?"
"You'd better have some of those jars actually done," she replied as she turned away, moving towards the path and into the forest. Hatter watched until her form could not longer be seen, devoured by darkness.
Despite the fact that this was a task clearly made up for her by a pitying Hatter, Alice enjoyed the work, which essentially consisted of walking through the forest, experiencing nature, occasionally stooping to pick up a few twigs and put them in her pack. Wandering among the trees she listened to birds flit about the trees and the leaves crunch beneath her feet. Fall was upon them, as she pulled her scarf tighter 'round her neck as the wind picked up.
The afternoon passed leisurely as she walked, only taking pause when a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I had a feeling you would pass," the voice drawled.
Startled, Alice nearly stumbled over the small fallen tree she has maneuvering around. Turning in a circle, she peered around until a small spot of blue among the dead brown and orange caught her eye.
Absolem rested on a collection of dead leaves that still clung to a sapling. He looked a little less vibrant than usual. It was fitting, considering the season.
"Isn't it a little cold for you?" Alice asked.
"It's too cold for everyone," the caterpillar replied imperiously.
Alice bent to be eye level with him. "What are you doing out here?"
"Enjoying the last few days before the snow. What of you?"
She held up the bag strapped onto her back. "Apparently living in a world without electricity requires a little more work," she said wryly. "But I don't mind."
"You are accumulating well, then." He appeared bored, but Alice knew he was here for a reason. "That is good. You're where you belong, I should think."
"I don't know." Alice was thoughtful. "Home will always be home, but this place seems to suit me well, doesn't it. Alice or not, I am very happy here."
"I told you. You've entirely Alice." Absolem stretched, settling onto the leaf with a sigh. "So, you're determined to stay, then."
"Yes. For a time, anyways."
"And your family?"
"They won't understand." She was blunt. "But that's alright. One day I'll go back and explain to them why. I just hope they forgive me."
"I am sure they will." Absolem displayed a rare moment of gentleness. "They are your family."
Alice smiled. "Where are you going, Absolem? It is getting quite cold, and I ought to go back to Hatter's cottage soon. Would you like to join us for dinner?"
He considered. "I suppose," he allowed lazily.
She lifted up his leaf, holding it to her shoulder. He slowly moved off, settling just below her ear.
"Have you collected enough?"
She laughed. "Hardly. But I doubt Hatter will mind. Let's see if he's canned any of those beans. There's a slim chance he hasn't, which means we'll have to eat them for dinner. I don't know how I've managed to get by without refrigeration."
They continued their conversation until they reached the crest of the hill that overlooked the cottage. Smoke poured forth from the chimney and the lights were on. In the distance, the sun was sinking below the horizon, casting a cheery pink-orange glow on the clearing. Alice stopped to observe. It was the same place where she'd gotten the first sight of the cottage nearly two years ago.
"Are you ready?" Absolem asked gently.
Alice blinked, startled from her reflection. She'd not realized she had been standing there for so long.
"Ah. Yes. I'm ready. Come, let me show you my home."
She did not have the perspective to see the small blue caterpillar smile.
-XXX-
I nearly had a scene where she accidentally went back to Hatter when the first Alice left, but it didn't really have a point other than being a twist.
Please review! Again, I hope you enjoyed this piece, I had a fun time writing it.
