Back, finally! I've been applying for jobs etc so that's taken up a lot of my time! This is a short chapter but it will be followed very shortly by the next...also a short chapter. Thanks for the story adds etc! Reviews and such are appreciated :-)

The day was pleasantly cool, but not cold. The air light and full of many curious scents. Lena and Tarrant strolled along the path that ran through the forest, arm in arm. Tarrant continued to tell her about marmoreal and the white queen and all the wonderful places he'd like to take her. He tried his best to sound happy, but it was so hard when Alice would pop into his head like when Chess would suddenly appear. It had made his heart crack a little more when Lena told him that Alice had told of her story and had been loved for over one hundred years…..wait….

He stopped abruptly.

"Tarrant, are you ok?" asked Lena.

"Over a hundred years"

"What?"

"You said the story was over a hundred years."

"And?"

He turned to her, his world crashing down around him.

"That means that over one hundred years has passed in your world. Alice's world. That means she's gone."

For a moment he didn't see anything, just the madness and emptiness of his heart and his mind. And then the world turned black.

~o. 0 .o~

Now he's blacked out. Fantastic. Thought Lena. Sighing, she bent down and patted his cheek.

"Tarrant." Nothing. Great, you just had to mention the fact that Alice in Wonderland was written over a hundred years ago. Obviously he's in love with her and now he thinks she's long dead. Yay, such a brilliant way with words, Lena. She rolled her eyes.

"Tarrant, for crying out loud, wake the hell up!" She grew impatient, more at herself that at this pitiful yet adorable bloke. "Ugh, what I am going to do with you?" she said, sitting back on the dirt ground and not caring if she dirtied her dress.

Tarrant suddenly stirred and sat up, twigs and leaves clinging to his hair. He was about to speak when Lena cut him off by holding up her hand.

"Before you start jumping to conclusions, might I offer a theory for the time gap?" This was complete guess work on her part, but it was better than nothing.

He appeared to think for a moment before nodding silently.

"Just how long has Alice been gone from Underland in your view?"

"A year. Today." Tarrant replied as if miles away.

"Well, maybe it's a year to her too-"

"I don't understand-"

"Just let me explain. Alice fell through a rabbit hole that led her to the room with all the doors, yes?" He nodded. "And I fell through a hole which led me to the clearing you were in. They are two different portals. They could connect to two different time frames. In which case, Alice has indeed been gone for year and could very likely come back.

He tried to talk again but Lena persisted.

"And don't let this madness control you whenever her name is mentioned. I don't know what exactly she did to you. I'm guessing it's cause she left you to return home, but what if she does come back? Are you going to go completely crazy at her even though you love her?"

"Love…?"

"Yes, you love her. Even a blind fool could tell and she's broken your heart. Yes it hurts, it hurts like a bitch but damn it, Tarrant if she comes back you tell her and you don't let her go!"

If Tarrant's eyes could get any wider, Lena was sure they had just at that moment. He looked entirely stunned at her outburst. He again looked like he was about to speak but words did not come to his tongue. Instead, he gave up and sat with his arms around his knees and looked forlorn.

After what seemed like aeons, Tarrant finally spoke.

"I suppose you're right, I need to control this madness. I don't like it, Lena; it's so terribly loud in my head when I start to think about her. I never expected a woman to have such an effect on me. Love was something I never thought I would have after the loss of my clan. I was damaged, broken...Mad. Making hats has not helped the madness either, but it's all I have now."

Lena felt tears coming to her eyes.

"What happened to your clan?"

"Tis not a pretty story. Perhaps it is one I may tell you when things are better."

"Okay. Until then, Tarrant…" She offered her hand and he took it to stand with her. "Onwards to Marmoreal. I am rather looking forward to seeing it." They both smiled and continued where they had left off along the path. The blackout, forgotten.