With all my heart, I do sincerely pray

That this precious friendship forever will stay

Deep in my soul, a vow I will offer

You'll always be my friend, from now until forever.

~ Friendship by Roberto C. Alico Jr.

Tarrant leaned back against his chair and sipped his tea. Mallyumkin and Thackery were laughing over one of their jokes. The sound brought a smile to his red lips. It was a good, good day. He'd made a new friend in the odd, blond child and successfully frustrated Queen Iracebeth. And there was still time for tea! Although he would need to return to his workshop to finish up some orders.

Looking with great longing at his tea cup, he set it aside and placed his hands on the table top. Mallyumkin looked up at him as she successfully hopped on a spoon, sending a sugar cube into Thackery's cup.

"Leavin' already Hatta?"

"Well, Mally, I do have some hats to finish before tomorrow," he explained apologetically. Tarrant motioned to the windmill behind him that served as shop and home. "I'll just be inside, you are more than welcome to stay for tea."

"Yoo're skippin' tea?!" Thackery dropped his cup and it fell to the table top with a clatter, spilling its contents all over the white table cloth.

Tarrant gestured vaguely with his hands. "Yes - well - you see, Thackery -"

"Tarrant!" The three heads turned or lifted to look at the pathway leading from the Tulgey Wood to their humble tea party. Lily came running into view, her ruffled-white-dress bouncing with each of her steps. Her top hat sat askew on her hair that waved about her face.

Tarrant noted that the hat made for the head of a five year old was now a bit too small for the eight year old princess. He would need to make her a new hat.

His smile split into a grin, showing off the gap between his teeth. He stepped away from his seat and crouched down so the running girl could launch herself into his arms. Tarrant felt the air leave his lungs at the force of her impact and again felt her arms wrap tightly around his neck. He hugged her back and breathed air in gratefully when she loosened her grip.

"Why, Lily! What are you doing here?" Tarrant questioned as he stood with the girl in his arms. She was getting heavier. Not so easy to hold her on his hip as it had been when she was younger than five.

"I've run away!" Lily explained with triumph. "My nanny was trying to make me learn some boring stuff, so I snuck away to have tea with you."

"What is it with little girls runnin' away today?" Mally groused as she recalled the other blond girl that had come by earlier. Mally was still sore about the girl's comments about the story Mally tried to tell, and the thoughtless remark about cats. Mally liked some cats - like Chess - but not all cats.

Lily looked over at Mally in curiosity, picking up on the Dormouse's mood and comment. "Aren't I the only one?"

"Nope! Thaur was a strange lassie haur. Huir uv a rude tay. She didne bide fur tea!" Thackery shook his cup in indignation.

"No, she did stay," Mally countered. "She invited 'erself. Plopped down, nice as ya please and expected to be wined and dined! Hmph!" She kicked at a crumpet and stormed around for a few seconds mumbling about treacle and cats.

Lily looked accusingly at Tarrant. "You let someone else have tea with you?"

"Well, it was the polite thing to do, you see," he explained kindly. "She wasn't all that bad of a girl. Just a bit lost and confused. In fact," he continued as he warmed up to his topic, "she was a lot of fun! I like her."

Lily's large eyes blinked rapidly as she took in this information. "You - you like her?"

Tarrant nodded. "Oh yes, you would too, Lily. I think she's about your age. Perhaps a few years older - but she is a very nice girl. She has a lot of -" he paused to think of what it was the girl had before he said, "muchness! She has lots and lots of muchness! You see, she stood up to your aunt Iracebeth! It was very funny. You should have seen how red her face got!"

Lily's lower lip began to stick out in a pout, which was most unbecoming of the little princess. "You like her more than me," she accused. She looked away from the hatter's shocked face. "Put me down," she demanded.

Tarrant did not do as ordered. Instead, he returned to his large chair at the head of the table. Glancing at his two friends that were now watching the pair closely. "Mally, Thackery, could you - um -"

"Aye, Hatta," Mally answered his unasked question. "Come on, Thackery."

The March Hare looked from mouse to hatter in curiosity. "But the tea -"

"Now Earwicket!" Mally stomped her foot in frustration. Thackery flinched at her tone before meekly setting down his cup and saucer. The mouse and hare quickly departed the table, casting glances over their shoulder at hatter and princess.

Lily, who had been wiggling and attempting to extricate herself from Tarrant's lap, ordered in a louder voice, "Let me go!"

"Enaw ay 'at, Lily," Tarrant reprimanded, his eyes turning a burnt orange. Lily stilled, like she always did when he used that tone, but she refused to meet his gaze. Tarrant could still feel the irritation and marginal anger bubbling beneath his control, he had never lost his temper with Lily. If she was going to continue acting the way she was, he just might.

"Noo wa did ye say 'at, Lily?" He queried.

"Cause it's true!"

"Hoo dae ye ken 'at?"

"Cause all you could talk about was her," Lily explained angrily. "I hate her!"

"Ye huvnae e'ev mit 'er, Lily! Ye cannae hate someain fa ye dornt e'en ken."

"Can too!" Lily folded her arms in front of her chest and lifted her chin in defiance. "Aunt Racie does! She hates lots of things and people she knows nothing about. I heard the flowers in the garden say so."

Tarrant tightened his grip on the little girl. "Och, lassie. Dornt ever be loch yer aunt." Trying to lighten the mood, he said, "Besides, Ah thooght ye wanted tae be loch me."

"That would mean I'd have to like her," Lily mumbled. "I don't like anyone that's going to take you away. Too many people take you away."

The hatter leaned back in surprise. What did she mean 'take him away'? He wasn't going anywhere. "Lily girl -"

A sniff caught his words. A pale finger lifted to her chin and turned her face toward his. Tarrant's orange eyes changed to emerald green at the sight before him. Tears streaked paths down her face and her lip trembled.

"Lily, oh, Lily. Hush. Shh." He hugged her close and rocked her. Lily's arms wrapped around his neck once more and he felt hot tears stain his shirt.

"You're always so busy," Lily stated in a quivering voice. "You're always making hats and stuff for Mummy, Daddy, and the other people in court. My nanny said I couldn't play with you because I'd be a bother." Her head turned so her cheek rested against his chest. "If - if this new girl comes and becomes your friend, then I'll never see you again. Cause you'll be busy and having fun with her. You won't be my friend anymore."

Tarrant shook his head and brushed the strands of Lily's hair away from her face. "No, Lily. I'll always be your friend. I'm sorry you felt that I didn't have time for you. To be honest, I have a great deal of time - since Time stopped for me and all."

A sniffling giggle escaped her and she rubbed a hand across her nose. Tarrant reached into his pant's pocket for a multi colored handkerchief and offered it to her. He waited until she'd blown her nose and dabbed the tears away before he continued speaking.

"It's true that I am busy and there will be times when we cannot play, but you are always welcome to come and watch, Lily girl." Tarrant shifted her forward so he could look her in the eye. "And I would never replace you with someone else. I've known you much longer than Alice. She's a nice girl, but you want to know why I like her?"

"Why?"

"Because she reminds me of you and your muchiness." Tarrant tapped a finger against her nose and grinned as Lily giggled. "So you see, Lily girl," he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, "you are more important to me than this Alice girl."

"Really?" She asked hesitantly.

Tarrant straightened the top hat on Lily's head and nodded. "Really, really. Now! You've run away, so you must be very hungry. Would you like to have tea with me in my workshop?"

"Yes, please!" Lily bounced on his lap eagerly.

Groaning with the effort it took to hoist her up in his arms again, Tarrant stood from his chair. "Splendid! Come now, Lily girl. I think I hear the kettle whistling inside the house." The two friends laughed and chatted as they approached the white windmill.

Both were at ease and enjoying each other's company. Like true friends always should.

Author's Note: Yet another update for Princess Lily. :) I'm enjoying this. Sorry if Lily seems like a brat - I certainly don't see her as a brat. I see her as an insecure princess. ;) She's much more demonstrative than her mother. Must get it from her grandfather . . . anywho! hope you enjoyed this bit of fluff. First mention of Alice, yay! =D

As for ages - Tarrant is 20 and Alice is 10. Lily's age was already mentioned in the story, so I'll not rehash.

Translations:

Nope! Thaur was a strange lassie haur. Huir uv a rude tay. She didne bide fur tea! - Nope! There was a strange girl here. She was very rude too. She didn't stay for tea!

Enaw ay 'at, Lily. - Enough of that, Lily.

Noo wa did ye say 'at, Lily? - Now why did you say that, Lily?

Hoo dae ye ken 'at? - How do you know that?

Ye huvnae e'ev mit 'er, Lily! Ye cannae hate someain fa ye dornt e'ev ken. - You haven't even met her, Lily! You cannot hate someone you don't even know.

Och, lassie. Dornt ever be loch yer aunt. - Oh, lass. Don't ever be like your aunt.

Besides, Ah thooght ye wanted tae be loch me. - Besides, I thought you wanted to be like me.