Thank you for all the kind and encouraging Reviews! And of course, Favorites and Alerts. They make me feel so fuzzy inside! (I say feel because I highly doubt that a fur-like surface has grown and spread around my insides. But hey, what do I know? Your influence on me is so strong it could possibly allow that to happen! . . . This just proves how odd [and proud of it] I am. Then again, it is 1:24 A.M. . . .)

Disclaimer: I don't own SQUAT. Lewis Carrol, Disney, and Tim Burton do.

Inspirational Song: "Savior" -Rise Against

. . . . .

xX-Mirana's POV-Xx

DearestMirana,

It seems as if we are on opposing sides once again, sister. Our paths are always crossing the other with differing opinions, but this time they are far too conflicting for my taste. With that stated, I have valuable information for you. I am giving your Champion a choice, sister. Something you never gave her. Tell your Alice that if she convenes with several Guards of mine at the remains of my Red Castle by nightfall that her life will be spared and she will be welcome to join my fellow Red Ones. She must come alone or her chances will be diminished on sight of any cohorts. If she has yet to arrive by nightfall, we will know of her unwise decision. Feel free to opinionate, sister. Once again, you have the power to choose your Champion's fate.

Iracabeth

The White Queen stood in front of her open window, staring at the scrawl-written letter in the light breeze. It was already late afternoon when one of her sister's Jub Jub Birds had landed right on Her Majesty's balcony. It didn't try to harm her; it only narrowed its dark eyes as Mirana bravely united the parchment from its leg. Right away it flew off, to the east.

The Queen couldn't help but to reread the two lines that had called out to her right when she had unrolled the letter.

I am giving your Champion a choice, sister. Something you never gave her.

Feel free to opinionate, sister. Once again, you have the power to choose your Champion's fate.

Lies. They were lies, of course. She had always given Alice a choice! The lady simply knew what Mirana's opinions were; she was the White Queen! Presumably, she would need a Champion for battle. But as she had told Alice, the decision was all hers. She had to live her own life. Walk her own path.

Choose her own allies.

The White Queen sighed just as there was a knock at her door. She was in her private study, full of stocked bookshelves, scrolls, spell books, globes, and maps of Underland. Everything was a glowing white. The low sun shone through the window on the left wall. Although technically, the left wall was thewindow. The entire wall was made of glass.

"Come in," she called.

It was Lawrence and Alice. They were both a bit on the sweaty side and Alice seemed out of breath. The Queen raised one eyebrow. "I take it training is going well?"

Lawrence nodded. "Very. I knew Alice would be a quick learner. I had predicted it to be so." Alice blushed at his enthusiasm.

"Well, I suppose I had earned a bit of skill when fighting the Jabberwocky," she smiled shyly and shrugged. "We just came to report to you that we believe we're about done for the day. I'll have enough bruises tomorrow for a full week's time."

"I can give you something for that, if you'd like," the Queen offered.

Alice beamed with relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Just then, Hatter walked through the doorway, his footsteps echoing with each one. He nodded at Alice with a smile, ignored Lawrence, and bowed to Mirana. When he stood straight up again, the smile was gone and his eyes were a pale green. "Your Majesty, I don't have great news. Actually, it's not great or good at all. If anything, bad. I'm terribly sorry to be the one telling you this, as well. If you'd like, I can tell someone else who can tell you, and then I will be able to reenter the room. In fact, I wouldn't mind-"

"Get on with it, milliner!"

Alice shook her head at Lawrence and Hatter narrowed his eyes at him, appearance darkening. Mirana cleared her throat. "You may tell me yourself, Hatter. Whatever we must go through, we will go through together."

Hatter nodded grimly. "All the Guards just got back from the search. None could find Iracabeth, Stayne, or even that Hamish fellow."

The White Queen had suspected as such. The letter she had just received didn't seem too old and she doubted that her sister would write the letter if she had been captured. Lawrence and Alice were unaware, though, so their reactions were more responsive. Lawrence glared at the Hatter, as if it was somehow his fault. Which it was absolutely not. Alice's brow furrowed and her gaze dropped to the floor.

"It's actually fine timing that you are all here at this moment. I'm afraid I have some. . . shaking news. Concerning Alice." Three pairs of eyes instantly locked onto hers. "I have just received a letter from my sister by Jub Jub Bird." Alice gasped while the men simply sharpened their gazes.

"Your Magnificence," Lawrence started. "Did this just happen? What exactly did the note say?"

The Queen read the letter again, out loud, to her greatly trusted friends. By the time she had finished, Alice's mouth hung open and her brow was creased. Hatter was gazing at her peculiarly, as if he wasn't sure how to go about perceiving the letter and its contents towards Alice. Lawrence stepped closer to Mirana.

"Your Highness, do not believe what the Red Queen is implying. Your sister is trying to get in your head," he said. "The idea is so futile that it's not worth thinking about."

She nodded. "You're right, Lawrence, of course." She turned her attention to the note's main focus: Alice. Hatter's hand was on her arm and they were staring into other's eyes, as if they could silently communicate with each other to share each other's notions. "Alice," the White Queen said. Hatter and her Champion both looked at her. "What do you make of this?" She raised her hands a bit higher, indicating their current situation.

Her Champion blinked and stepped closer to her Queen, as well. "Your Highness, I would never stand side by side with the Red Queen unless it was to scavenge information. My loyalties have and will always reside with you." Here she bowed, feeling the need to not only express, but show her devotion to her Queen. She stood straight again with hard eyes. "I won't ever let you down, this I swear."

Mirana slightly bowed her head. "Thank you, Alice."

"But this situation should not be wasted," Lawrence chimed in. "We could use this to our advantage!"

Hatter furrowed his brow. "And how is that?"

"Well," he started. "There are a plenty of ways, really. One suggestion-which would work very well, I'd think- is to send Alice to whoever will be waiting for her at the Red Castle. She could act as a scout for us and escape sometime-"

"You want to send Alice over to the Bloody Big Head!" Hatter's eyes glowed a ferocious red as his hands shook. "And what if our lass isn't able to escape? Are yea able to keep that on yer conscious, laddie? Well?" He stood closer to Lawrence, got in his face. It was as if he couldn't feel Alice tugging on his arms.

"Hatter, please," Mirana tried. It was to no avail.

Alice was somehow able to swiftly turn Hatter around. She had both her hands on his forearms and she stared deeply into Hatter's slowly lightening eyes. Hatter sighed and closed his eyes. "Thank you. I am sorry." Alice removed her hands from him, but kept her gaze locked on. "I just. . . don't believe that is the right way to do things."

The White Queen nodded. "Hatter is right, Lawrence. Alice is too valuable to send as a spy. In addition to that, it's far too dangerous." She turned to her Guard, who was glaring at the Hatter. "Lawrence? Have you any other suggestions?"

His eyes softened and looked at her. He ran his hand through his pink hair. "Well, since Alice isn't the least bit interested in joining the Red Queen, we don't need to fret about being caught with her. So, I say we send our Guards to the remains of the Red Castle to attack and capture whoever will be waiting for her."

Alice shook her head. "I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. If we are going to send anyone to the remains of the Red Castle, I will be among them." Lawrence grinned at her. Hatter gave a strange look to Lawrence that Mirana was not able to decipher it. He took a step back, his eyes on Alice now.

Her Majesty chose to turn down this offer, as well. "No, Lawrence. Thank you for your astute suggestions, but we are going to play it safe. I will have no senseless casualties spent on my side of the battlefield."

Alice nodded and Lawrence spoke. "I respect your knowing decisions, Your Majesty. They were merely ideas." The White Queen nodded.

A sudden swooshing sound claimed their attention from behind them. They all turned around to see Chessur laying on air on the balcony. He glanced at his paw as he said, "Oh, does this Cheshire Cat have news for you. . ."

"Chessur, where have you been?" Alice asked.

He met her eyes. "To see that friend of yours, that Hamish fellow." The White Queen cocked her head and Alice gasped. Lawrence strode closer to the cat, only for him to vanish and appear at the other end of the small balcony, frustrating Lawrence. "Personal space, dear lad."

"Where is Hamish?" he asked. "Where did you find him? Is he with the others? Speak!"

Chessur rested his head on his arms. "Temper, temper. . . " the cat tisked. Lawrence glowered. "I found Hamish in the Outlands, close to Greenwield's Shack. I only spoke with him, but he implied that he was residing with the former Red Queen and her Knave. Oh, and many, many others."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

For once in his life, Chess got to the point. "The Bloody Big Head is planning a deadly battle between Red and White tomorrow."

The White Queen gasped and she heard Alice's intake of breath, as well. "Battle between who? She and her knave are alone, deserted, besides Hamish. Isn't that right?" Chessur gave her a solemn look. "Isn't that right?" she repeated.

Chessur shook his head. "She has gathered many natives from the Outlands as soldiers for her army. Hamish will be leading them."

"Hamish?" Alice questioned. "Why would Hamish lead them?"

Chessur shrugged. "Little lass, I do not know. All I know is that he is."

"We shall have to prepare for battle right away!" Lawrence barked.

The White Queen nodded sharply. "Yes, please go warn the troops and tell them to get ready for battle." Sir Lawrence quickly ran off and out of the room.

A battle? Mirana wondered. How she hated to fight. . . but how she needed to defend her people! Why couldn't Iracie ever settle long enough and calm down enough to simply speak about her problems? If she hadn't tortured, killed, and imprisoned so many creatures. . . Then none of this never would've had to occur.

"Your Majesty!" Alice yelled. The White Queen blinked. Alice must've called to her several times.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Alice. What was it?"

Her Champion merely looked at her for a moment. She then placed her had on her Queen's arm with a sympathetic look on her face. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Mirana nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. There's just been a bit of stress put on me lately." She tried for a smile and Alice joined her. "What was it you needed?"

Alice's smile vanished. "Chessur says that he just saw Hatter run out of the castle." Mirana's smile fell at her words. She turned around and indeed, there was no Hatter there. He had slipped out, unnoticed, a long time ago.

The two women ran to the edge of the balcony. They stood next to the Cheshire Cat, all three of them staring at what lied below.

They could see Hatter sprinting down Marmoreal's entryway from his orange hair glowing in the setting sun. He was midway down the cobblestoned path. He held his hat in his hand.

"Be right back," Chessur said.

They saw him vanish and materialize by Hatter's side within a second's time. Hatter was running so quickly that Chessur had to keep disappearing and reappearing to keep up with him. Chessur seemed to be trying to speak with him, but they could not hear. They could see that Hatter was either ignoring him or was unable to notice him. He just kept sprinting on until he faded into the trees and down a hill. Chess stopped midair in front of the edge of the trees for a long moment.

Within a blink of an eye, Chessur was floating between Alice and the White Queen. He was giving them a calm grin, but it seemed plastered on. "Alice, Your Majesty," he said. "It seems as if our Hatter is heading for the remains of the Red Castle in Salenzum Grum. Alone."

. . . . .

Insanity: The story certainly seems different from the White Queen's point of view...

Rachel: Shushhhh! The readers are supposed to get a grip on the story all on their own!

Insanity: Well, then they should be Reviewing so I know what their views on the story are!

Rachel: Oh, that was a sly move you just pulled there about Reviewing. ;) Nice one.

Insanity: Thank you.