I'm back! Much later than I'd hoped but it's taken a while to get unpacked and settled and I've been searching for jobs etc. Anywho, short chapter with mad and sad Hatter.

And no, I still don't own anything apart from little Lena.

Upon joining Tarrant, Lena discovered that he had prepared a basket with food and flasks of tea. He was hat-less at the moment and looked up at her when she stepping into the kitchen and momentarily seemed surprised before covering it up with a Cheshire cat smile. That flicker of red in his eyes also lasted a brief moment. Speaking of Cheshire cats….

"Hi Tarrant, I was just wondering, do you know the Cheshire cat too?

His smile dropped and looked at Lena curiously.

"Aye, I know that slurvish cat." His brogue slithered through. "How do you know?"

Lena realised that she hadn't explained about the story of Alice in Wonderland. She bit her lip, unsure as to whether she should mention the title since a certain girls name was in it. But she'd opened up this can of worms now and had no idea how to close it again, so she continued on.

"There's a story, in my world, about a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and meets all sorts of creatures and people. Creatures including the Cheshire cat, the White Rabbit, the Dormouse, the March Hare. And people including you, Tarrant. The Mad Hatter."

Tarrant looked astounded. He moved toward her cautiously, his curious look still etched upon his face.

"Who's the girl?" he whispered

"I won't say."

"Why?" He stepped closer.

"You know why, you'll go mad."

"Already there, love." By this point, he was very close to Lena's face. He towered over her and made her feel like a child. He eyes were still green but were mixed with gold. Lena swallowed hard.

"W…what I meant was…was…." He gripped her shoulders.

"Who. Is. The girl."

"Alice." Lena whispered.

Tarrant's mouth opened and closed, his eyes showing an array of colours, so Lena couldn't tell what he was feeling; perhaps everything all at once. Tears began to spill over his eyes and down his cheeks. Soon he began to sob his heart out and fell to his knees in front of Lena, grasping her skirts with his fists and burying his face into them. Lena was shocked again at his sudden mood change and did all she could do by stroking his hair like she had done the night before. Then, gently, she pushed him away from her slightly and knelt with him.

"Tarrant." She placed a finger under his chin so his eyes met hers. They were now grey and sad.

"Sh…she must have…have told her story when she went back home." He spoke softly.

"She must have. It's a much loved story, Tarrant. For over a hundred years, children and adults alike admire it. A lot has been inspired by her adventures in Wonderland."

Tarrant gave a little giggle and his eyes turned a pale shade of green.

"She used to call it that when she was here the first time. It's Underland, but Alice always thought it was wonderful."

Lena smiled.

"That…" she stood, pulling Tarrant with her. "…is because it is wonderful. I've seen but a fraction of your world, Tarrant, but I love it already."

"Even though most of your time has been spent with a mad man?"

"A mad, wonderful, man." Lena corrected.

They both laughed lightly. "By the way, I do say you look rather splendid in that dress, milady."

"You know what, I agree!"

They laughed again and for now, everything was just fine.