i do not own Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland...sadly. :(
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Chapter Five
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Three days Later
Alice stood outside Hatter's door. It was late in the afternoon and he had been working extra hard the last few days to get Alice's dress done. The night before Hatter surprised Alice with a full wardrobe of dresses and hats.
Alice was currently wearing one of Hatter's designs. It was a pale yellow dress with ruffles and white buttons going from her collar to her waist in the front of the dress and the sleeves puffed out in the middle and hung off her shoulders. This dress was one of Alice's very favorites.
Hatter walked out of his room proudly, one arm behind his back and the other holding his jacket collar.
"If I do say so myself, Miss Kingsley, I am very proud of my work." he said happily. Alice laughed, "I'm sure you'll feel even prouder once I see the dress."
Hatter grabbed her hand and led her into his room, "Yes, yes! You're right! Come along!" he chanted happily.
Alice stared at the mess that was Hatter's room. Fabric was everywhere and three times as many tea trays were in the room then the first time, and millions of paper with dresses sketched out on them were scattered all over.
Next to the table on a mannequin was the most beautiful looking dress Alice had ever seen!
It resembled the dress Hatter had made her the last time she was in Underland, when she was only the size of Mallymkun.
It was sleeveless, with two small strings tied behind the mannequin's neck. The dress was pale green with small ruffles around the top rim of the dress. After the ruffles on the top, the rest from the waist up was tight against the stomach and in the corner that seemed to be near the bellybutton was a small flower design with blue petals, then a small, darker green silk bow tied around the waist and under it the dress became a little bigger with the small petticoat under it.
Alice quickly ran up to it, feeling the soft fabric and smiling as she glided her hand over the flower design. 'I'm pretty sure this flower won't insult me.'
"Thank you Hatter. I hope none of this has been too much trouble." She said, turning around and smiling at him. He looked down at the floor, his cheeks heating up some, "It was no trouble, Alice. I was happy to make it for you."
She smiled, "Well, we best be getting ready for the Ball. It's a long way to Marmoreal."
"No, her majesty is going to send some horses here for our trip. It'll only take us a half hour to get here." Hatter explained walking over to the mannequin and helping Alice remove the dress. It closed with a sliver zipper in the back and a button on the top, a small piece of fabric covering the button and zipper so no one could see.
Alice thanked him again as he handed her the dress and walked out of the room. "By the way," She called, stopping in the doorway. "You mentioned a hat…?"
He smiled, "You won't get that until tonight."
Alice half smiled and walked out of the room.
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That night, Hatter, March and Mally stood outside the house waiting for the horses to arrive. March had put on his best suit, but it wasn't long before he stained it with tea and butter stains. Mally wore her best outfit, but the same went for her that she had stained it with tea.
Hatter, on the other hand, was perfectly clean. He was dressed the same, only he had cleaned his jacket and pants earlier. He wanted to look his very best that night. He was escorting Alice, after all.
The front door creaked opened the three of them turned to watch as Alice stepped outside.
Hatter's eyes brightened and his cheeks became a bright pink color and his smile extended ear to ear. He felt butterflies in his stomach, which he found odd. Maybe it was true what they say; if you eat enough butter a butterfly will bloom in your stomach. But he wasn't going to press on to the fact a butterfly was living in his stomach, he was too busy staring at the beautiful Alice before him.
'Not that she hasn't always been beautiful.' He thought.
Alice smiled bashfully at the stares she was getting from her friends. She brushed some of her hair off her shoulders and placed her hands behind her back.
"What are you all staring at?" she asked.
"You look wonderful, Alice!" Mally said.
"Yes! Very!" March said, pulling his ears down to his side.
"Very Beautiful indeed, Alice. I am very lucky to be able to escort you to the ball!" Hatter said happily.
Alice nodded, "You look very handsome yourself, Hatter. As do you too March. And you look very pretty, Mally." Alice commented.
As they chatter began on how everyone looked for the Ball, three horses walked up to the house from the path in the forest.
Hatter helped Alice onto hers, Mally and March shared one since they were small enough to share one horse, and Hatter claimed onto his own and the group made their way to the castle.
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Alice was amazed at how crowded Marmoreal was. A band was playing happily and little children were running around, so many people were dancing and so many different creatures Alice had never seen before were there.
Hatter helped Alice down off her horse and locked her arm with his as they walked up the steps to Marmoreal and into the party, March and Mally running off to the tea table that was set up.
As Alice and Hatter walked closer and closer to the castle, Alice saw the White Queen, atop a white horse, her crown seemed so much bigger then her own head it seemed off. Alice just giggled at the sight.
The White queen quickly noticed her two friends walking up to them and had the horse walk over to the two. "Welcome! I'm so pleased you two could come."
Alice curtsied and Hatter bowed to the queen. "It's an honor to be here." Alice commented as she looked up at the queen.
Hatter pushed his hat a little up and nodded to both of them, "I'll be back, Alice. I'd like to go get your hat. Excuse me." and he quickly walked away.
Mirana watched Hatter leave then turned back to Alice, "You're dress is beautiful."
Alice smiled and pressed her hands against the skirt, "Thank you. Hatter made it for me. You dress it far more beautiful though." Alice commented, even though the dress Mirana was wearing looked exactly the same as the dress she's worn since Alice's last trip to Underland.
Mirana smiled, and soon after one of the white knights came and lead the horse Mirana was riding away, the Queen waving goodbye to Alice as she left.
Alice stared around at all of the people. She watched many people futterwacken, although she did admit Hatter's futterwacken was the best, and she caught a glimpse of March and Mally tossing cookies at each other at their own table.
Alice turned in a circle and saw a small entrance leading into another area of the land. She walked over to it, completely forgetting about her hat Hatter was getting, and ran down into the entrance down a moss covered hallway.
"Wandering around aimlessly, are we?" She heard a dreamy and nonchalant voice call from nowhere.
Alice spun around, staring at the sky. "I was wondering when I'd get to see you." she called, smiling.
"Ah, but you can't see me now, can you?" he asked again.
Alice firmly placed her hands on her hips, "Why don't you come out Chessur?"
Slowly, a wide smile appeared at her left side, causing her to jump. Chessur's eyes blinked into view and soon he was just a floating head. "Alice, Alice, Alice. I was wondering when you'd be back." he said.
"Are you saying you missed me?" Alice asked her voice slightly cheeky. Chessur disappeared and reappeared behind her, "I missed you? You could say that. But one person certainly missed you more then the rest." he said, disappearing again.
Alice's face turned to confusion and she started to circle around, trying to find that bloody cat! "Who is this you're talking about?" She called.
No answer came. Instead, a voice came from behind her. The very voice of the Hatter. "Alice, there you are!"
Alice spun around to face him, and saw the mini top hat in his hands. "Hello. Sorry about running off."
He shook his head, "It's alright. Here is your hat." He said happily, holding it up until it was at level with her face.
Alice took it out of his hands and studied it, "It's lovely!" she said, placing it on her head.
Hatter smiled, "Were you on your way to the rose garden?" he asked, looking past her and down the mossy hallway.
Alice turned her head and looked down the hall, "Um, are the roses red?"
Hatter laughed, "Of course not! They're most certainly white!" he said, walking past her. Alice followed quickly and glanced around the air, wondering if Chessur was still there or not. He wouldn't waste his time at the party to stalk Alice, would he? Was he that mad?
Alice shook her head slightly, reassuring herself that Chessur wasn't that mad. 'he only seems that way…he's probably got more sense then the white queen, and she doesn't seem mad at all…well except for the things she puts in the potions.'
They walked through a vine covered arch way and Alice smiled at all the white roses surrounding them. "It's amazing!" She said, running over to the roses and gently touching the petals, hoping they won't yell at her.
Hatter nodded, "Naturally white roses. Not like the Red Queen, with her painted red ones. Ghastly, I say."
They heard a slight grunt and rustling coming from somewhere in the bushes, but brushed it off, thinking it was a rodent.
Alice chuckled slightly, "Sorry 'bout that. I just thought this place was all a dream as a child. I thought painting flowers wasn't too important." Hatter laughed, "Oh, it's quite alright, Alice. It's all behind us now, and now all the flowers are back to their rightful colors."
Alice nodded, "Speaking of colors," She started, "What made you come up with the color of this dress?" she asked.
"Oh it was quite hard! There are so many colors that would look perfect on you! Like blue, pink, gold, teal, violet, aquamarine, almond, apricot, chestnut, copper, dandelion, gold, cotton candy, fern, gray, indigo, jazz berry jam, lavender, maroon, orange, peach-!"
"Hatter!" Alice called.
He closed his mouth, "I'm fine." he squeaked out.
"Whatever the color, I love the dress. Thank you again." She said, walking up to him. He nodded, "it was no trouble Alice! You can stop thanking me."
She laughed, "I know but I can't help it. You made me so many dresses I keep thinking I need to thank you."
He shook his head, "You being here is thanks enough."
Alice blushed.
"Tell me Alice, what was it like up there? Certainly it is fun!" Hatter asked. Alice turned around and walked over to one of the rose bushes. "No, not really. There are so many rules up there. People telling you how to talk and how to dress. And if you are the slightest bit mad they send you to a mental hospital." Hatter made a face, "That doesn't sound fun at all."
Alice shook her head, "It isn't. What's worse it the way woman have to act."
"Certainly like everyone else!" Hatter huffed. Alice shook her head, "Why, if Underland was "up there" they'd over throw the White Queen, probably, thinking a woman could not rule the country by herself."
"Preposterous!"
"No. It's true. And sometimes even woman are forced into arranged marriages, and they have to go through men courting them and the rules of society of how a lady should act." Alice explained.
"Don't tell me you had to fallow all these rules! Certainly a champion like yourself was given some sort of special treatment." Hatter asked.
Alice shook her head, "If I told anyone up there that I was a champion for slaying the Jabberwocky they would have locked me up in the loony bin and I'd never be able to come back to Underland."
Hatter was dumbfounded. He never thought "up there" could be such a place! He thought it was different from Underland, but by different he meant it in a good way. Not in the way Alice was explaining it.
"So…you were courted? Married?" Hatter asked, his eyes shown his sadness. Alice laughed and shook her head, "Heavens no. I could never marry a man like the ones courting me up there. One of the reasons I came back to Underland was to escape those men." she explained, studying the flowers again.
Hatter blushed slightly. He had tried many times to tell Alice he loved her the last time she was here. But was too afraid to confess to her. Now the subject of marriage was up and it was perfect time for him to confess but he couldn't find the words.
"A-Alice." he mumbled. She looked over at him, "Hm?"
"I-I-" he paused, removing his hat from his head, "I've…I've been investigating things that begin with the letter 'm'." he managed to say.
Alice chuckled and raised an eyebrow, "You must really like M. You've been investigating it since the last time I was here."
Hatter nodded. Hopefully this was the right way to put it. "Here's what I've come up with. Muchness, Marshmallow…M-Marriage."
Alice nodded, "They do begin with M. Why did you think of them?"
Hatter took a step forward, "Well…I thought of Muchness because you had gained your muchness back and it appears you still have it."
He took another step, "Marshmallow because they are soft and sweet and the few times I was able to touch your arm, it was always soft and you are very sweet."
Alice blushed. Where was Hatter going with this?
Another step, this time he was right in front of Alice, "And marriage because I've thought about it, and the only person I could even consider marrying who I thought could possibly handle my madness was-"
He was interrupted by the sound of McTwisp hoping over to them. "Ah! Tarrant there you are!"
Hatter's eyes flashed yellow but he took a breath and they changed back to green. He refused to let himself get angry in front of Alice. "Yes, old friend?" he asked, looking down at the little rabbit.
"Everyone has been looking everywhere for you! They're waiting for you to do your Futterwacken." McTwisp said.
Hatter completely forgot about his annual dance, "Give me a moment, McTwisp."
McTwisp huffed and pulled out his pocket watch and tapped at the screen before hopping away.
Hatter turned back to Alice, who gave him a confused look. "What is it that's making you put off your Futterwacken?"
Hatter sighed. "I need to tell you this first, Alice! It is far more important and I must tell you before I lose my courage."
Alice nodded, edging him to continue.
"I-I…" he paused. "Marriage came to mind because I've thought about it…with you." he finally said, a little weight being lifted off his shoulders as the words finally came out of his mouth.
Alice's eyes grew wide. She didn't know what to say! Did this mean what Alice thought it meant? Did that mean Hatter liked her? Loved her? She blushed madly at the thought.
"Alice?" Hatter whispered. She looked up at him. "What would make this moment a lot less nerve-racking would be if you said something." he whispered.
She gulped. "I-"
"Ahem!"
They both looked behind the Hatter and McTwisp, who was probably unknown as to what he was interrupting, tapped his watch again.
Hatter groaned, his eyes flashing back and forth from green to yellow. "Your answer will have to wait then, my dear. Please tell me after the dance." Hatter asked, taking a few steps back.
Alice nodded, "I-I'll catch up in a moment." She called. Hatter nodded, slightly sad that Alice was going to miss part of his Futterwacken.
He turned and ran out of the garden, following the small white rabbit.
Alice sighed and placed her hands on the side of her face. 'Oh dear! Oh my! He has feelings for me! Tarrant, the mad hatter, has thought about marriage and marrying me! Me of all people.' She thought frantically, pacing back and forth.
'And Hatter wants an answer from me once he's done with his dance. And his dance is only a few minutes long. I-I do know I have feelings for Hatter…it's just so confusing right now! I don't know if it's love or like…or even a little crush! How do I explain this to him? I'd feel completely terrible if he became upset because of me.'
Alice tapped her chin. "Maybe if I just tell him I need some time to think about it, he'll understand and not be sad." she mumbled.
Alice jumped and spun around. Their was a rustling in the bushes again. She gave the bushes a curious look, before turning back around, preparing herself to walk out of the garden and back out to the party.
"Alright, I've made a decision. I'll just tell him I need more time. That I'm confused. I'm sure he'll understand." she announced to no one. She moved her foot forward, ready to take a step and get moving, when she felt someone grab her right arm and a hand covered in black leather covered her mouth.
She tried to scream, but it was muffled, and she was sure no one would hear it over the sounds of music.
She tried to kick at her attacker, even hit him with her free hand, but was drawn motionless when her eyes met ones belonging to a babuls head.
'The Red Queen!!' Alice screamed in her head.
She grinned at Alice, her teeth showing a tint of yellow. "Hello Alice." she said grimly.
Before Alice could try to fight back, Iracebeth threw off Alice's hat and struck her on the head with a thick piece of plywood she had found outside the castle.
Alice's world went dark. The last thing she was able to see was her green hat, upside down across the garden.
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To be continued.
A/N:
here it is!! the moment you have all be dreading....Alice's kidnapping!!! GASP! lol.
yeahh...awww..poor Hatter! Alice was kidnapped before he found out his feelings...tho its kinda good...since Alice really did have an answer for him, only that she needed more time. awww. now did anyone this when i wrote "Their was a rustling" that that was The Red Queen and Knave's in the bushes??? oooh. lol they got a front row seat to Hatter and Alice's little confession. XD lol.
okie-dokie, idk when the next chapter will be since my Spring Break is over. sadness. but I'll try to get the next one up ASAP! alrightie!
review/alart/fave/all that jazz(:
tootles!
~Taylor