Summary: Its years later and Alice feels a pain of loss in her life. Seeking unceremoniously for a way back to Wonderland, Alice lands herself back into a heap of trouble. With a few adjustments in character maturity and a new set of plot twists, will Alice finally find herself? AxH
AUTHORS NOTE: WOW! I woke up this morning and had over 100 alerts were in my emails inbox! Thank you all so much for either commenting or favoriting my work, it really makes my day! There's so many of you that it would be literally impossible for me to get you all down for recognition; so I would like to formally thank you whole heartedly with a giant internet hug!
I hope you continue to enjoy the story….as the plot continues to thicken…
This isn't a oneshot.
Tell me what you think!
P.S. I don't own Wonderland or any of the inhabitance…unfortunately.
P.S.S. This fanfic is dedicated to my niece, Cara…because she's the only one I know that will understand and encourage my dedication to this couple.
She's also quite wonderfully insane. My hat tips off to you!
COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED AND VERY MUCH WELCOME! 333
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Chapter 2: It Was Bound To Happen Sooner Or Later…
"Come Come, Alice. Why are you dawdling so?"
The young woman stepped very slowly from the horse drawn carriage to view the all too familiar party arrangement out upon the lawn of Lord Ascot's estate. Only this time it wasn't for a secret wedding proposal…it was for her twenty-third birthday.
At least that was one minor comfort to her agitated mind. Alice's eyes flickered towards the massive hedge maze with apprehension, all the while keeping a confident façade.
"Mummy, it shall be fine." She mustered her most convincing smile. "We can afford to be fashionably late this time. It is my party after all, is it not?" She drew forward, her play dresses long replaced with ravishing silks and exquisite patterns from the eastern countries. Her hair had been tied and bound into a loose bun— stray ringlets framing her porcelain features.
"But, Lord Ascot…"
"…will understand." she finished while linking arms with her mother and pushing forward, "You act as though he and I barely know one another. When, in fact, he may be one of the only people on this green earth that knows me the best."
"You are right, my darling." Her mother patted her arm in apology, "I still treat you like a child, don't I?"
"The duties of a mother never cease. Even long after a child has grown and bore child of their own, the role of a mother, though changed with time never stops."
"My, you certainly have matured, Alice," the older female smiled and straitened herself just as they passed on into the mass of brightly clothed party-goers.
"Let us hope so," she murmured jestingly, watching as more than a dozen people turned to stare in her direction.
She was not sure on whether to nod her head or shy away in embarrassment. Surely they were simply taking into account that they had gathered together for her name sake? Or perhaps it was the fact that she stuck out like a sore thumb with deep regal colors so foreign to their own attire? Either way, Alice reprimanded herself for sliding back into old thinking and raised her head as best she could.
You are a champion of Wonderland. Impossible things number three, 'you have slain a Jabberwocky,' a bunch of overly pampered patrons should pale in comparison.
She pushed the uncertainty to the back of her mind and suddenly blossomed with courage before all.
The blonde woman may not have known personally why others had stared at her so but it was quite obvious to everyone else. She was the very picture of beauty. With her eyes bearing a sort of far off whimsical look while holding herself so confidently. It either drew others closer with admiration or utter envy.
"Alice, my dear!" Lord Ascot swooped head first into the small hungry crowd of approaching males, "I am so glad the birthday girl has finally decided to show for her own birthday party." He jovially placed a gentle hand to the young females back and steered her elsewhere.
Alice flushed and smiled, "I always do seem to be late, don't I?"
She was happily whisked away to join her partners conversation with the rest of the attending upper crest men. It wasn't until they all broke apart for refreshments that familiar faces were able to cut in and steal her attention.
"Alice!"
Her head tilted to the right.
"Happy birthday!"
Her heart sank as she turned to the left, suddenly feeling the sense of being surrounded as the Chattaway twins slid up to either side of her.
"Thank you, Faith. Fiona." She nodded to each with a smile, raising a crystal glass to her lips.
"Well aren't you just the picture of perfection," They chimed together, flocking about her in their usual yellow and green matching garments.
"I feel absolutely prime evil next to that superb garb you have gracing your shoulders…what is it called again? A Ha-foo?" Faith giggled at her sister's interpretation of the strange sounding word.
"Hanfu," she corrected briskly, "It was given to me by the emperor of china after I commented on how I would miss their country so." She indicated the intricate landscape stained upon the deep blue fabric. "He said he wished that I would forever remember its majesty." She smoothed a lace gloved hand across one of the cascading sleeves. Her voice getting softer as she spoke more to herself than anything, "and indeed I have not…"
The girls looked at her with a perturbed expression before clearing their throats.
"Well, you certainly have changed since we last saw you, Alice. And yet, perhaps, maybe you haven't?"
They laughed, like clucking hens, in unison. Fiona turned to Faith and leaned across Alice to act as though she was telling a secret behind the palm of her hand.
"She certainly has changed with looks, but I wonder if her mind is still as flighty as ever."
Alice, however, was not amused by their attempt to passively taunt and walked briskly away—with their laughing trailing behind her.
So much for a nice birthday…
In her heated attempt to escape, she mistakenly tucked her chin down to avoid eye contact… only to characteristically walk head first into something warm and solid.
Gasping, she dropped her cup and stared at the strangers shoes.
"Oh! I apologize, good sir." Her eyes slowly running up the length of the stranger to meet the flaming orange hair of none other than, Hamish Ascot. "H-hamish?"
"Alice…how are you?" Offering his infamous crooked smile he bent to scoop her cup up in attempt to have a moment more to gather himself.
"As fine as one can be, Hamish." Alice tried to smile back, knowing in his posture that he would wish to be anywhere but in front of the girl that rejected him all those years ago. "I hear that you are engaged, how wonderful that must be." She patted his arm lightly.
"Ah yes, Flora Fallon." He seemed to be happy with the conversation choice and pointed into the crowd, "She's there, with my mother. They get along so well, the two of them."
Alice nodded and followed his point to the girl dressed in deep crimson lace and frills. Her hair pulled back partially to keep it from her face but still enabling her deep curls to continue pouring down the back of her neck.
"She's beautiful, Hamish." As if on cue the brunette turned, brown pools piercing into her blue. She looked away with a silent intake of breath. Such spite…
"Ah, see there. They've spotted us." He chuckled, watching his fiancé beckon them closer, "Come, Alice, I shall introduce you to Flora."
"Perhaps in a moment…I think I see your father calling for me…" She waved to particularly no one, "He most likely wants to discuss further plans to broaden the company." She turned to Hamish and gave a smile, "I shall meet your lovely fiancé before the day is through, I promise." With one last pat to his arm, Alice shooed the red head off into the crowd.
Sighing in relief she made her way back to Lord Ascot.
"I see Hamish's heart is successfully swept away." Alice held up her glass before handing it to the Lord.
He simply looked at the glass then over to where his wife could be seen sitting. Chuckling he watched Hamish stiffly reach out to kiss the palm of his fiancé's hand before settling her back to her previous seat.
"He always did need a bit of oil behind those stiff knees of his… Can you imagine a gorgeous raven, such as herself, seeking after him and not the other way around? Oh, Lady Ascot was furious at the girl's bold attempts, until she was informed of Flora's beauty and title, that is. Those two have been inseparable since her arrival from her homestead in France. Birds of a feather, I suppose." He wiggled his hand lightly that held Alice's glass, "Fancy a drink, Alice? You look a little worse for wear."
"Actually I was thinking of going for a quick breather…"
"Well you should go now before we bring out the cake," he winked, "Go while you still have your freedom." He laughed as she gave him a smirk before fleeing the scene.
She did not need to be told twice.
Running into the towering hedge maze, she was instantly engulfed and out of sight.
One foot after the other, she walked steadily down the narrow halls; tugging her hair free from its confines. She was surprised at how easy it was, walking down this haunting labyrinth. Then again, what was she expecting; a white rabbit with an overcoat and pocket watch? She shook her head, her feet taking her to where they willed.
No more fanciful happenings... no more wistful thinking…this needed to stop… As soon as she accepted her fate, the easier it would be to dull the pain in her heart. Right?
Her eyes closed briefly at the aching thought, listening for any signs of boisterous festivities outside the green walls. When there was nothing she let out a soft sigh of relief. Opening her eyes before she gave herself time to run into anything else that day, she stopped in curious foreboding as she suddenly found herself standing in front of the same haunting old tree that had started everything.
"Curiouser and curiouser…" Alice stepped closer and peered down at the roots of the tree, half heartedly expecting to see a hole. It wasn't a surprise when there was nothing.
She placed a hand to the trunk, stepping precariously onto a larger over grown root that jutted from the soil.
"Thank you for the memories…"
"And what, pray tell, is the infamous Alice doing talking to a tree out in the middle of nowhere?"
Alice jumped, losing her grip as she tried to twist in the direction the voice had come from. Although, with her eminent luck, she slipped clumsily and fell sideways; catching sight of red frills as she fell downwards. She gasped as she was suddenly being swallowed up by a hole.
Flora peered arrogantly over the edge at her and called out with a smirk painted on her rosy lips.
"You know, they say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness…"
…...
Authors ending note: Yes I am evil… but it definitely has you thinking, doesn't it?
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