Thanks for all the reviews last chapter they really boosted my spirit. I'm not sure if this one's as good but I like it so I recommend reading.
~ Hatter POV ~
Walking down the corridors with my queen I can't help but have my mind drift to figuring out my enemy's name. 'Yoko..no he showed up last year..um....Yasho...no he is not part of the court after schooling he vanished...' I was about to continue when I realized my queen had turned to speak with me.
"I can not find where the voice came from and its getting late I will see you in the morning Hatter." She spoke in her lovely voice and glided to the stairwell on her way to her courtiers.
'She's so beautiful I love her more than stop right there Hatter now who could it be..' Are my thoughts as I return to by own courtiers and try to fall asleep and they haunt my dreams.
Waking up from my troubled on and off sleep I walk grumpily to the breakfast area and sit as usual beside my queen. She is talking with Alice I'm guessing about the scream we heard last night but for some reason a blush is on Alice's face. But I could not careless all I need to know right now is who the guy is. I have already ruled out about twenty people last night but that leaves a little less than two hundred and thirty men due to the equal amount of men and women workers and the strict number of workers the palace must have being five hundred no more and no less. Racking my mind I try to remember anymore men in the palace. But I was rudely shaken out of my mind when Alice began questioning my love about the ball.
"So White Queen if you don't mind me asking what is this ball for?" She questioned
Before she answered I could have sworn I saw the queen glance at me. Then I heard the words I hate most, "It doesn't really have a name but it is when the men from around the country, you can call the suitors, come to try and well.. they try and marry me." My queen grew silent and I reached my hand under the table to holds her's in comfort.
"But you don't even know them, do you? And if not how will you know they love you? Please don't do it Queen, I thought you would be the kind to marry for love not convenience." Alice pleaded
"Calm down my dear, I never said I was marrying them. And no they have never met me but they like the idea of becoming king of the Underworld district because it is the largest in this world. To answer another of your questions no they are not in fact in love with me, these men they are greedy to greedy for their own good and would do no good for this district not as a King or even a butler. But as is proper for the single Queen I am, I must hold these 'parties' every autumn until I have indeed chosen a new husband and King. Do you understand my dear? Or should I elaborate?" My love questioned and as she spoke I could not help but feel the increase of pressure her hand was using on my own.
"I understand Queen but can you not put an end to this rule you are the most powerful in this world?"
"There are many things I can do but that rule was arranged to insure each King or Queen would make a heir to the thrown. Without this rule our blood line would run out and since my family have always been in control of this district the people have voted we always will. They would not approve of another family to rule because according to them our family has been the only fair rulers recorded in the Oracle. With the exclusion on Iracabeth, but we swear there is something in her big head pushing against her brain." My love laughed an stood beckoning us for our morning walks.
"Where are we going to now, Mirana?" I asked trying to act with my usual upbeat air.
"I was wondering if we should show Alice here one of our special hiding places. Seeing as she will be here a lot it might be beneficial for her to now how to get away from them all." My love spoke looking me in the eye seeming to read my mind.
"That sounds perfect my queen its been so long since we've gone their together." I spoke happily for once forgetting my tormenting thoughts as we turn our path to the west toward the peaceful Willow trees that somehow seem to be happy in this kingdom. 'It must be being so close to Mirana.' I thought as I watch the trees in bewilderment.
"Hatter will you tell us a riddle? You never seize to amuse me." My love spoke most likely remembering our many trips to this sacred place.
"Of course Mirana...hmmm...oh I've got a good one: I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?" I smile triumphantly as I see Alice is stumped with my question. Looking to Mirana my smile fades I'm not winning this round.
"That would be the letter 'e'. Haven't gotten any better Hatter. How about this, At night they come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?"
Giving her a look that clearly said 'Way to easy' I answered, "The stars. I am always hungry, I must always be fed,The finger I touch, Will soon turn red."
After a moment I saw Mirana's smile return when she answered with, "Fire. So were stepping it up a notch are we fine how about, You heard me before,Yet you hear me again,Then I die,'Till you call me again." She smiled happily.
'Now I have to admit she stumped me. Think...Think...Think... Oh...hee heee hee' "That would be an echo my dear. How a bout a final round we are coming nearer to our sacred place. Five hundred begins it, five hundred ends it,Five in the middle is seen; First of all figures, the first of all letters, Take up their stations between. Join all together, and then you will bring, Before you the name of an eminent king."
"That is indeed a tough one Tarrant but I wonder have you forgotten my Roman classes. The answer is David." At Alice's look she elaborated, "Roman numerals. How about this one, If you break me, I do not stop working, You hold mine, If you touch me, I may be snared, If you lose me, Nothing will matter." Her eyes seemed to hold a little glint hope.
After a few moments I decided to give in, "I haven't a clue, you win once again Mirana." I said but looking at her I didn't see the smug accomplishment I thought would be there. But before I had a chance her mask went back up and she was smiling brightly once we were in the sacred area.
Looking around I saw the old tree stump we used as a stage for our skits. Looking up I could see the trees' branches guarding our spot from the world surrounding us. Staying for a while we reenacted a few of our childhood plays and enjoyed our freedom.
Back at the palace we began to get dressed for the 'party' happening within the next hour. Getting dressed hurriedly I couldn't help but mule over the riddle my love had told me what could it be. Definitely not a clock it would not work if broken. Not a hat....'
Running down the corridors I'm late my thoughts kept me distracted. By the time I made it to the ball it would be ending in less then thirty minutes. 'I hope Mirana doesn't think I ditched her in her time of need. It was the riddles fault she knows I won't sleep until I figure it out.' Walking in I see Miriana in a horrible unflattering dress in an attempt to make the suitor uninterested. But of course even a potato sack would look amazing on that woman. Walking up to her I notice her mask is up once again.
"White Queen, may I say how lovely you look tonight." One suitor exclaimed
"White Queen, you look exquisite tonight." Another spoke
Listening I felt a pool of jealousy take over my conscious but acting in her defense would only make the suitors worse I have done it before a few years ago.
Finally the group surrounding Mirana faded and soon the palace was empty of guests making it time for us to get some sleep. Finding Alice passed out on a chair I carried her up the stairs walking with the Queen the whole way. Gently putting Alice in her room I bed a "Goodnight" to my love and tip-toed to my room. Closing the door I let my mask fall and it finally mirrored the horror I had felt at seeing the men stare and droll over my love. tucking myself into bed the riddle came back to me and have way between sleep and consciousness I found the answer, Her Heart. If it breaks it will still work, When touched it may be snared, once it's lost nothing will matter. Thinking back on here other statement, I am part of her court, I have known and loved her since infancy and another name form me is 'You.' SHE LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The riddles are from .. I know I've made a big deal about the party before this chapter but I thought it would go better this way.