I'm sorry this has taken so long. I've just started college and I'm all over the pace at the moment. This story should be finished this weekend.

Alice

I bit off another piece of bread as I continued to stare blankly at the wall. I was trying not to think about what day it was, but I was finding it hard to forget about. I knew what I was expected to do was wrong, but at the same time, I longed to do it and under the circumstances, it only seemed fitting. Because Tarrant Hightopp was a murderer and he deserved the same fate his victims got.

I shook my head. I just couldn't get it out of my mind. Flashes of blood and corpses passed through my brain and my ears rung with the clash of swords and screams. I shivered.

It was a ghastly job, but it had to be done. One life to save many. I had to do it, if not for the land, but for myself and to avenge my family that the brute killed.

I looked down at my barely touched breakfast. I realised I had lost my appetite and pushed the food away.

Right on cue, Stayne opened the doors and strolled in, smiling.

"Alice, dear." He looked at my plate. "Are you feeling sick?"

"No, no, I'm just not hungry." I smiled slightly.

Although, now I thought about it, I did feel a little sick. Could I really go through with this and kill a man?

My face must have given my worries away because Stayne put an arm around me and ducked down to my height.

"Having second thoughts?" He whispered.

I looked into his eyes and remembered why I had agreed to do this, because I loved him. And I loved the kingdom and its people and I didn't want to live in hiding any longer.

I realised I hadn't given Stayne an answer and quickly reassured him that I would follow through with my word.

"I can't back down now can I? I don't really have a choice. I never did."

"Only because you are our highest chance of ending the White Queen's rule. Had our champion been anyone but you, I would be uncertain if we would walk away successfully."

I sighed.

"I know. And I would feel bad if anyone else had to battle with the monster…If they died, it would be my fault." I stared blankly at the floor.

He stuck a finger under my chin and lifted it up.

"I can tell you're afraid the worst will happen. But it won't. You're a great fighter. He won't put a scratch on you. Beside, I doubt you'll even have to do much fighting."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the Hatter is more of a talker than a fighter. He'll try and turn you against me, but you mustn't listen to a word he says. It's all lies."

I let the information sink in. the room was quiet for a few minutes.

"How long?" I asked quietly.

"Half an hour."

"Oh."

I allowed him to steer me by my shoulders out of the hall, but before we left, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I barely recognised myself. My hair fell two inches below my shoulders, but it looked wrong. It was like I was used to it being longer. My stomach looked unusually bloated and my whole appearance was off, from the way I held my body, to the haunted expression on my face.

I quickly corrected my expression and smiled up at Stayne. Was there really a reason to be worried? After all, I was champion of Underland and I had slain the Jabberwocky. How difficult was a man in comparison to a monster?

Stayne lead me to the armour room were a feminine looking body of armour stood.

"This is for you. I'll leave you so you can put it on. The maids will help."

A couple of maids rushed in as he spoke the words and began stripping me of my clothes. Stayne took his exit and I watched him leave with devoted eyes.

I sighed in relief as air rushed into my lungs as my corset was undone.

Five minutes later, I was looking at myself in the floor length mirror. I was quite shocked at what I saw. I wore a vest of chain metal that extended to my elbows in a loose sleeve. It fell below my hips and split down the centre of my legs, making the leather pants I wore underneath visible. Over the top of the metal was a tight leather corset that looked much tougher than a normal corset. My forearms and hands were protected by full leather cuffs which matched the leather around my body. I looked at the face of the woman in the mirror and blinked just to make sure it was me I was staring at. I was bemused. I looked like a warrior. I fitted the profile of a champion all I had to do now was live up to it.

With a new surge of confidence, I strode out the door, ready for battle.

Tarrant

Alerting the group of my discoveries was not the easiest thing to do. It was hard enough getting the words out through my angry shaking, but the shouts of outrage and disgust just added to the havoc. When I was able to fit something coherent in, the five members' grew ever more distressed with every word.

Dorian insisted we should've attacked at that moment, but since we were all sleep deprived and had little energy, I told him that would be a most unwise choice. Mirana had agreed.

Despite how much I loved Alice, I saw there no point in both of us ending up prisoners.

We had bidden each other goodnight and fallen asleep, thoughts of tomorrow's fight swimming through our minds.

I woke up early after a most disturbing dream.

Alice had been fighting by my side and we were winning, when suddenly, she turned on me. I had dropped my weapon in refusal to fight her. Her face was confused, a deep conflict raging within her body. She let out a scream and plunged the dagger that had seconds ago been a sword into her heart.

I looked around at my companions. They were all still asleep. Dorian was wrapped protectively around Mirana and even Mally was unusually close to Chessur. It seemed everyone was putting their differences aside for the sake of Alice. I noticed Nivens was missing and checked the area for the furry creature.

"Nivens?" I called quietly.

"Just here." came his tense reply.

His voice came from some trees which he emerged out of a second later.

"I was gathering berries." He exposed the collection of fruits in his hands. "We were running low of food and I thought we would need all our energy today."

He was so thoughtful. Whenever Alice had needed his help, he would drop his plans and offer his assistance. They were both very pleasant with each other and I knew Nivens was as keen as I was to get his friend back.

I nodded, my heart was in my throat and I daren't speak in case it jumped out of my body. Images of Alice fighting me, stabbing herself, bleeding were stuck in my head and I could feel myself falling slowly into depression again. since the spark I had felt from her several days ago, I had felt nothing and as every day past, another part of my hope was lost.

As the group woke up, we ate in silence. I was figuring out how we could get into the castle unnoticed, but I was coming up blank. Alice would know what to do. I thought.

"Excuse me, I need to go and freshen up." Mirana stood and walked into the trees and privacy.

Dorian watched her leave. His eyes made it clear he wanted to follow her.

"So, you to are quite smitten aren't you." Chessur purred.

Had I blinked, I would have missed he slight blush that appeared on Dorian's cheeks and quickly disappeared in the same second.

"She is a very beautiful woman." He paused. "And, I am in love with her also."

If I hadn't been so tense, I would have smiled. Chessur didn't seem feel the pressure because he broke out into his huge, face consuming grin.

"I am glad-"

He was cut off by an ear piercing scream. I almost died as the scream was so similar to the one that still echoed in my mind from my dream. But I realised it was a little too high and relaxed, but after a second of though, I shot up and ran after Dorian who had already entered the woods.

"Mirana!" He shouted.

He moved left through some trees and I lost sight of him.

"This way Tarrant." Chessur appeared 20 feet in front of me and pointed in the direct I was to go.

I ran until I felt sunlight hit my face and I could hear Dorian's steady, deep voice.

Mirana was on the floor, Dorian's arms around her. Her face frozen in shock, but other than that she was fine.

"Tarrant." She looked at me.

I hurried over to her and knelt down.

"Are you alright-"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. They'll give us her back. All we have to do is defeat their champion."

"What?" She obviously hadn't spoken to Dorian since he reached her. "Then I should be the one. I am a knight and have yet to prove my loyalty to you."

He cupped his face.

"By returning my feelings, you already have." They began to lean forward to kiss, but she pulled away. "Besides, it's got to be you Tarrant. That was their demand."

"How do you-"

"It was a heart. He was scouring the area and ambushed me. they know we're here now, so they'll be expecting use to sneak in. our most logical option is to defeat their champion. And how hard can that be? It'll be Stayne, it has to be! You've defeated him before, you can do it again."

"For Alice, I would face a thousand Jabberwockies. Stayne is no problem."

"Then you must take my armour." Dorian began to remove his arm pieces.

"No, I want to look like me when Alice see's me. So she knows I still love her and I haven't changed."

"Ok. I know how love can make you do crazy things, so I wont try and sway you. So, when are we leaving?"

"He said when the sun is highest in the sky." Mirana said.

We looked up at the sun, now far from the east.

"Soon then. Soon." Dorian said solemnly.

The light pitter patter of feet interrupted our dazes. An out of breath Mallymkun appeared, brandishing her sword wildly.

"So, what have I missed?"

Sorry about that last bit, it just seemed to be getting too depressing and I wanted to lighten the mood a little :)

Next chapter will be up soon, I promise.

Anyone bothered about a sequel? I don't know whether or not to do one. If I do, I'll need ideas, so message me I you have any.

Xxx