I have said it before and I will say it again "I don't own Alice"
~Chapter 11~
Following Sophie and Tweedledum
Sophie had never climbed so many stairs in all her life; she even said so to Tweedledum.
"Contrary that this is the most stairs that you have climbed so far because you haven't lived all your life yet". He said.
"I suppose you're right. Is it much further? I feel as if my feet are going to fail me."
"We're nearly at the bridge door, I think." As Tweedledum said this they reached the landing. There were two doors and each was a different color. One was red and one was white.
"Pick one Sophie." Suggested Tweedledum.
"Didn't you tell my mother that we were going to the White Tower?"
"Yeah I guess I did tell Alice that, but you see I've already been to the White Tower, I was hoping we could go see the red one now. Since no one has been in the Red Tower for years."
Sophie could feel the itch of curiosity eating at her brain. And like her mother before her she gave in to the wants of her imagination. She walked over to the red door with Tweedledum close behind her. She turned the handle and nothing happened, for the door was locked.
"Oh bugger, well that there is just unfortunate". Said the lone twin. Sophie violently turned the latch and pulled on the door.
"Open! Oh, I want to see!" She knelt down and looked through the keyhole. She could see the bridge and the door that it led to on the other side.
"Hang on Sophie, look at that!"
Sophie looked to where Tweedledum was pointing. Above the door on a nail was a red iron key. It was out of both their reach by at least two feet.
"I've an idea." Said Sophie, brightly. "You stand here". She instructed as she gently moved Tweedledum in front of the door. "Now make your hand like this" She showed him with her hands. With his palms up and fingers laced together to form a platform.
"Perfect."
"Sophie, I feel I am correct in assuming that you are going to have me hold you up while you get the key?"
"Uh-huh." She said. Putting both hands upon the stout shoulder of Tweedledum, Sophie steadied herself then climbed up the front of the boy.
"Stay still." She ordered. "I almost have it!"
"Sophie, you are heavy and I can't see. Your dress is covering my face."
"Well you had better not look up my dress; Mummy says that is very rude…though I don't know why. She said she would tell me when I am older."
"Um, Sophie, hurry up and get the key, talk later."
"Oh right."
Sophie stretched up as far as she could and her fingers touched the blood red teeth of the key.
"Almost… got it… there!"
Sophie's victory was short lived as Tweedledum finally lost his strength and Sophie her balance.
"I am sorry Sophie I think I might have looked up your dress, but there was nothing up there, just your knickers."
"That's alright." The little girl said off-handedly. She brushed herself off and walked towards the red door, putting the key in the lock and turned it. It reluctantly unlocked. And the sound of the wind began to fill the tower.
Once the Door was wide open and Sophie stood upon the bridge the wind whipped her hair around her face.
My head must look as though there is a small cyclone on top of it… she thought.
"Be sure to hold the hand rail, for the wind is something fierce." Cautioned Tweedledum.
Sophie held on for dear life as she started to walk across.
The bridge was made of a yellow stone and the sides came up to Sophie's shoulders but that still did not stave off her fears when she dared to take a glance over the side. It was then she realized just how high up she was. She immediately went down on her hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way. Tweedledum was unbothered by the bridge. After being flown upside down by the Jubjub Bird to the Red Queens Castle, heights didn't bother him anymore. He just followed behind the crawling girl.
When they got to the door, they discovered another impasse. It was also locked. They looked up but there was no other key.
"I bet the same key opens both doors." Tweedledum stated.
"I left it in the lock…could you go back and get it? I don't think I could cross that bridge again."
"Alright." He said. The boy turned and headed back across the bridge. However it was not long before the sounds of the doorknob being turned aggressively reached Sophie's side of the bridge.
"Is everything alright?" Called Sophie.
"Um…no, no it is not." The boy called back. He came back across to where Sophie had planted herself against the outer red door.
"What's wrong Tweedledum?" She asked.
"You see, the red key is on the other side of the door and it seems to have locked itself behind us."
"Then are you saying we are trapped up here?" She asked nervously.
"Yes." He said after a moment of thought.
Sophie slowly crawled to the center of the bridge and on very shaky legs stood up and peered over the side. It was a very long way down and the thought that she was now stuck up there left Sophie with only one solution to her problem. She threw her head back and screamed as hard and as loud as she could.
Far below Mallymkun was making her way across the courtyard towards the tree line. She was going to look for just the right wood to use for the blowpipe. Her ears twitched as the wind carried the high-pitched scream down to her. She looked up towards the Red Tower and just was able to make out the heads of Tweedledum and Alice's brat. They seemed to be stuck on the bridge.
Mally shook her head in dismay then headed back to the White Tower.
"As idiotic as her mother! I swear the apple never goes far from the tree". She muttered.
Sophie of course could not see the Dormouse, so she did not stop her screams until she was quite hoarse, which wasn't until several minutes later. Poor Tweedledum had been standing behind her with his fingers in his ears. He had not dared to try and stop his little friend from screaming. However he had wished she would've thought logically about the situation before she had started to scream. It seemed logical to him that if they did not show up for dinner, then someone would surely come looking for them.
Sophie's cheeks were wet with tears of fear, she knew that crying was not something girls her age were supposed to do but she couldn't help herself at that moment. She wiped her eyes then once more looked down. There were two small figures running out into the middle of the courtyard.
"Tweedledum, look! Mummy and Mr. Hightopp!" Sophie forgot her fear for a moment and let go of the handrail. Waving her arms above her head, she yelled to the figures down below. Finally, she saw the Hatter point up at her and her companion. They then raced off towards the base of the Queens Tower. The sudden and overwhelming feeling of relief that Sophie felt was short lived and was suddenly replaced with a nagging feeling of dread. She and Tweedledum had lied to her mother about where they had gone. That usually never ended well for the little girl.
"Come on Sophie, we had best be at the other door so that we can inform Alice and the Hatter about the lock". Sophie reluctantly agreed.
Alice and the Hatter were quite out of breath by the time they found the right set of stairs leading up the Red and White Nurseries. Alice was so worried about her daughter being hurt that she had no time to admire the fading splendor all around her. They passed by parlors and a Ballroom, a Dining room and a sizable Library that Alice made a mental note to check later. There were also moldy portraits on the walls hinting at the great royal family of Underland.
"Tarrant why does everything here have to be so complicated?" Alice asked finally as they trudged up the stairs.
"What do you mean Alice?"
"Well for instance why is the base of the White and Red Tower not connected to the top?"
"So that the family could still have all their functions together. The two Queens did not get their own towers until they were much older."
"Couldn't the nurseries have just been in the main tower?"
"Well then what would be the point of having the Red and White Towers?" Asked the Hatter.
"Well since you put it that way." Alice said leaving the matter in her mind unfinished. They reached the landing and raced to the red door. The key was still in the lock.
"Mummy?" Came Sophie's muffled voice from the other side. "Are you there?"
"Yes Sophie dear, I'm coming, are you hurt?"
"No, she's fine! But bring the key with you when you open the door." Came Tweedledum's instructions. "This here is one of them doors that locks itself even when you unlock it."
Tarrant turned the lock and pulled open the door. A petrified Sophie ran in and buried her face in her mothers dress. Tweedledum trotted in behind her and thanked the Hatter for helping. Alice knelt down and hugged her daughter.
"It's alright, your alright". She soothed. As soon as Alice was sure her daughter was unharmed she held Sophie away from her at arms length.
"Now tell me why you were on the Red Bridge? You said that you were going to the White Tower. You know you are not supposed to lie to me. What if you had been hurt in there? If we had come looking for you we would have gone to the White Tower. Do you understand?" Alice said seriously. Sophie nodded, her expression remorseful. She had not meant to lie but sometimes she couldn't help it.
"Because of that, you need to be punished; you will spend the rest of the day in the library copying."
"Wait a moment, Alice, isn't that a tad severe?" Said the softhearted Hatter.
"Are you saying that you think lying should not be punished?" Asked Alice, a dangerous tone to her voice.
"No, I am not saying that at all!" Tarrant said swiftly, well aware of the danger his words presented. "But before she is shut away for the day, perhaps we could all go and see the Red Nursery together?" He held up the red key and smiled.
"Come on Alice. Aren't you the least bit curious?"
Hi Everyone, thanks again for reading my newest Chapter, please review and let me know what you thought.
Up next is a journey into the Red Queens Childhood...what will we find?