The sun was shining on this perfect day, a golden afternoon in late spring. A vast crowd had assembled on the back garden in rows of white chairs facing a newly-erected gazebo. All are waiting for the approaching sign that things were about to begin. Of all the multitude, Mrs. Kingsleigh faces not the gazebo, but the large bent tree several yards to the left of it, waiting in growing agitation.

"You really want us up there? Everyone will see." her daughter's warning plays through her mind, giving her not a small sense of foreboding. Everyone will see...but like her daughter, she'd made her decision. Suddenly, she sees the ground near the tree begin to shift, she bites her lip and wrings her handkerchief, there's no turning back now. She waves to the orchestra leader to begin to play A grand processional fills the air, although the guests see no sign of an approaching wedding party. Out hops the White Rabbit, who blows a short fanfare on his trumpet.

"All rise before the White Queen!"

The crowd is to shocked to do anything but obey. They all rise to their feet. Two chubby twin boys clamber out of the hole, one of them reaches down into it and help out a shimmering, regal woman who steps out as though from a staircase. She glides toward the crowd. She is followed by an array of strange creatures: a dodo bird, the Cheshire Cat, March Hare and Dormouse...amid this strange spectacle, a blue butterfly floats down from above, lighting on the gazebo. Once more, the Rabbit blows a fanfare. Now a man emerges, Tarrant Hightop, also known as the Mad Hatter, who graciously bends towards the rabbit hole, offering his hand...guiding out his bride. Alice emerges, all smiles, in her blue and white wedding dress. Her hair is down and unfettered, on her feet are simple white slippers and no stockings. At her side hangs the Vorpal Sword. The moment she takes her eyes off her betrothed and faces the crowd she betrays the most fleeting nervous twitch, clutching at her weapon as well as her groom's hand for reassurance. Given the choice between facing London's aristocracy and the Jabberwocky, she would've gladly taken another round with the Jabberwocky. Still, she assures herself, if she can do one she can do the other. Wishing earnestly that she could have brought the Bandersnatch with her, she turns her gaze away from the crowd, tries to ignore their startled gasps and theatrical fainting spells. Her family friends are all pointing, agape with amazement, at the unusual wedding party.

With a regal wave and stern, reproachful look, the White Queen calls them to order and they fall silent. The wedding party gathers in a semicircle in the gazebo, while the Tweedles set the altar with an array of vials and apothecary implements. A small kettle is set over a flame and is soon bubbling away. The White Queen draws the bride and groom near her, removes a sash from Tarrant's hat and with it she binds their hands. She then holds a vial aloft, announcing, "Yerba mate, for fidelity. You have fought side by side, let it be always so." She then sprinkles the herb into the kettle. "Poppy for fertility, that this union might be many times blessed. Lavender for happiness. Above all you must never forget your friendship. Lemon balm, for love. It is all we wish for you." As each ingredient is named it is added to the kettle. Soon the air is filled with a sweet fragrance. The Queen pours the tea into a large china cup, and holds it to Alice, who drinks from it. She's paid no attention to their audience since the ceremony began, her eyes are full of her groom. She feels him squeeze her hand as he is given the cup. He looks much more nervous than she; after all, he is much more a stranger in this world than she is. After he has drunk, he flings the cup to the ground and it shatters to pieces. The wedding party bursts into applause, along with the mother of the bride. It's certainly the strangest wedding she'd ever seen, but she can see the meaning of it. A smattering of late clapping flutters across the rest of the onlookers, as the residents of Underland celebrate amongst themselves. They watch as the bride and groom lead them in a dance that cannot be described, twisting and spinning in a most improper manner. The Cheshire cat materializes over the shoulder of a rather severe-looking woman and purrs one word into her ear. "Futterwhacken" and floats away. Soon the garden is empty of guests, they'd left in scandalized knots, muttering amongst themselves of the blantant impropriety of the event. The Underland group also takes their leave, one by one down the rabbit hole. When all that is left is immediate family, Helen embraces her youngest daughter.

"I think we've offended half of London's society, but I am happy for you, dear." She turns to her new son-in-law, "Take good care of her."

"I cannot do anything less. You'll come and visit us, won't you?"

"Oh, yes, Mother, we'd love to have you," Alice agrees.

Looking between them both, Helen falters, remembering her last visit, wondering if she'd ever see her daughter in the right proportions again. "I...I don't know."

"The Queen can help with the size problem," the Hatter puts in, rightly guessing at least part of the problem.

"I'll try, Alice. Someday."

That's good enough for them. Alice is then hugged by her older sister. No words are spoken. Truth be told, her reaction to the wedding was more in line with the other guests' way of thinking. Only family loyalty had held her in check. Still, she wishes her sister well in her new life, in her own way. She stares silently at Alice, taking in the whole spectacle. Her eyes are drawn irresistably to the sword at her hip, pointing at it questioningly. With a proud smile, Alice unsheaths it, and holds it flat for Margaret to inspect. "Did you really use that?" she wrinkles her nose at it, as though she beheld the carnage it had wrought.

"She is our Champion," the Hatter pronounces.

Unable to think of what to say to this news, she nods at Tarrant and gives her sister a pat. "Go on," she whispers, "I can't say I understand completely, but I can see this is for you." She exchanges an awkward glance with her new brother-in-law and excuses herself, hurrying back to the house with her husband at her heels.

Having said their goodbyes, Alice and Tarrant stroll back to the rabbit hole hand in hand, and plunge in together.

Fin