Oh why thank you my wonderful, wonderful friends for sticking 'round to read another chapter 'o mine. And may I just apologize for my "evil cliffhanger"? ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of AiW. Lewis Carroll, Disney, &Tim Burton do.
Inspirational Song: "Requiem for A Dream" (It's battle music, probably should've been for the previous chapter. If you'd like a more accurate song for this chapter, try "Alice Reprise #2" by Danny Elfman. ORRRRRR "Alice" by Avril Lavigne. There. Three choices.)
. . . . .
Everyone gaped back and forth between Hamish and the lifeless Red Queen, frozen in their spots.
It seemed a lifetime before Stayne pulled his sword out from its sheath and ran towards Hamish with a permanent scowl etched upon his face. "Kill the criminal!" Hamish stood in a defensive position, gripping his sword tightly. He didn't really have to, though, for Hatter had quickly flicked a silver rapier at the Knave.
"Argh!" Stayne stopped midstride and stared wide-eyed at the small blade that had pierced his flesh. "You're bluffing!" he cried at the Hatter, who was, at the moment, laughing his hat right off. He had stopped Stayne with the very same maneuver he had used once before, as everyone was aware. "You've got to bluffing!" Hatter clutched his sides as the Knave yanked the rapier out, wincing at the pain.
"Retreat!" Stayne yelled to his militia of trolls, chucking the rapier at the ground. "Go back! Quickly!" The army of grimace-deserving creatures turned on their heels and sped off, soon disappearing down the hill and into the night.
All of the White Army erupted into cheers and joyful cries at the Red Army's departure. And even more so, the wretched Red Queen's death. She could harm them no more! They were finally, completely free and she was no longer a possible threat to them. Alice, however, was glaring at the space where a certain Red Army once resided.
"Your Majesty!" Alice called. She turned around to spot her, still with the Vorpal Blade in hand. "Do we follow? They're escaping!"
The White Queen answered Alice, although she was staring at the corpse of her elder sister that lay before her. Her moonlit hands rested at her sides as she said, "No, Alice. I do believe. . . there has been enough bloodshed for this lone night."
Alice nodded solemnly, reminding herself that even though the two Queens had been sworn enemies of all of Wonderland, they had still been sisters. Alice tried to imagine what it would be like to lose Margaret forever at the expense of Death. She winced and turned her head from the chill-calling, red-stained corpse.
She promptly spotted Hamish standing a good ten yards away. He stared up at the moon with a inexplicable look on his face. He must've felt Alice looking at him because he turned her way and met her light eyes with his own relieved and calm ones. He shrugged and gave her a sad smile. Alice returned the gesture with a soft smile of her own.
Hamish nodded at her once more and clasped onto something that was pinned onto the front of his armor. Once it had fallen, Alice could see that it was a large, metallic brooch with the shape and color of a Red Heart. The clatter of its crash echoed throughout the battlefield as Hamish broke their deep gaze and strode forward to meet the White Queen. Several Guards put their swords up to defend her, but the Queen sent them away with a wave of her hand. They reluctantly pulled back as Hamish stood in front of the White Queen.
Alice felt the air change besides her and knew Chessur was there. Normally, she would've greeted him with a warm smile. But now she was too busy trying to figure out what Hamish could've been thinking as he kneeled down before the White Queen with his head down. She heard several of the Guards gasp.
"Your Majesty, White Queen. . . " she heard him say. "I would like to apologize for my ghastly and unworthy acts. I swear to you that if I had known the truth from the start, I would have acted differently. I only beg that you do not take for me for an entirely disloyal man. . . And that you do not have my head," he added quickly. He kept his head bowed.
The White Queen watched the man before her strangely for a while with glazed eyes, then slowly looked back up at her sister's inert body. A single tear fell down her pale cheek before she looked back down at Hamish. "Sir Hamish," she began. Alice saw Hamish's form stiffen. "I forgive you for your gruesome acts and openly tell you that as long as your reside peaceful in Underland, you are always welcome here."
She leaned down gracefully and placed a cold finger beneath Hamish's chin, raising it so that she could look him in the eyes. "You are a good man." She smiled despite her watery eyes.
Hamish's eyes widened slightly and he swallowed. "Err, thank you. . . Your Majesty."
Alice smiled and absent-mindedly gazed at the White Army. Each of the soldiers and White Loyalists had a smile on their face or a bubble of laughter escaping their lips. The atmosphere was bright despite the surrounding dark. A few lit torches and ran around, shouting out their cries of final freedom. She laughed when she saw the Tweedles playing a game of tag, weaving in and out of friendly circles of soldiers.
Mallymkun was throwing her little fist into the air besides the March Hare, who was currently Callo-ing and Callay-ing his warm, little heart out. McTwisp was sitting near Ullieam the Dodo bird, watching the others dance and shout. Bayard tromped about happily with his tongue hanging out, looking much like a younger dog. His wife and pups were trailing none too far behind him.
Alice was just wondering where a particular hatter was when she heard a man clear his throat from behind her.
She swiftly turned around and smiled softly at the colorful, whimsical, and wonderful man before her. Hatter was grinning at her from ear to ear and the smile caused Alice's heart to leap. All that time of missing him and wondering if he was safe caught up with her, and before she could even think to control her actions, Alice was hugging the hems out of the Hatter.
She entwined her hands together behind his neck and breathed in his musky scent. "I missed you," she whispered.
She heard and felt Hatter sigh. "I missed you, too." His voice was soft and he returned her embrace, but there was also something else. . .
Pain!
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Alice quickly retreated from their hug and hastily ran her hands down the front of his jacket. As if that would do anything! She wantedso badly to help him! Alice hadn't missed the quick ghost of a grimace that had crossed his face. She had forgotten how badly injured he was. Temporarily, of course. "We need to get you back to Marmoreal right away. To the infirmary."
Hatter shook his head, and only now did Alice realize that he was putting the majority of his weight on his right foot. "Alice, I'm fine. The wee little scratches can wait." He smiled at her, but Alice didn't return the friendly glance. She put her hands on her hips.
"Hatter, that is utter nonsense. You are hurt very badly- no, don't you look at me like that, I can see that you're in pain!"
"Everyone's having a joyful time rejoicing the Bloody Big Head's death. We can't just get up and leave for one person's sake, Alice."
"But-but, you're hurt badly!" she pouted.
"I believe I could be of some assistance," a voice purred. Alice jumped. She had forgotten that Chessur was right next to her. She blushed, although there really was no reason to be blushing.
The feline floated into view and grinned at Alice's discomfort. "Why, hello, Alice dear. In need something?"
Alice narrowed her eyes at him. "Hatter needs medical attention."
The cat's grin grew as Hatter began to protest again. "Well then call me Doctor." He vanished and quickly reappeared at Hatter's side. "This might feel a bit. . . peculiar. Although I can easily mend your wounds with my exceptional evaporating skills of superiority, they will make your blood run cold for a while."
Alice gasped and smiled. "Thank you, Chessur!"
He cocked his head and smiled, then vanished. It was an odd thing to watch. Chessur seemed to materialize into blue and purple specks of dust, carried by an inexistent wind. Chessur, in his dust-like form, traveled up the Hatter's sleeve.
Hatter's back arched and his face paled. His eyes widened and locked onto Alice's worried stare. She had to strain to hear Hatter mumble, "I feel very odd. . . " Through his discomfort and trembling, Hatter attempted to smile at Alice. "Odder than usual," he added. Alice smiled weakly at him, still concerned about his shaking form.
Suddenly, Hatter's arm shot forward and Alice had to quickly lean back in order to. . . not get smacked in the face. Hatter's leg stiffened and then abruptly relaxed. Hatter's brow furrowed before he closed his eyes and sighed peacefully. The blue and purple specks of Chessur's form was blown from his sleeve and swirled round and round until the cat's head had fully formed. He grinned. "Feeling better?"
Hatter smiled tightly at him, although it was obvious that it took some effort. "Thank you, Chess."
From the corner of eye, Alice saw Hamish speaking with someone. He would've looked afraid if his stance wasn't so stiff and orderly. Curious, Alice turned to see who he was speaking with. Alice's brow furrowed when she saw that it was Sir Lawrence decked out in silver armor.
Hamish and him seemed to be having an intense and concentrated discussion involving only the two of them. It looked like Sir Lawrence was lecturing him. Alice stifled the urge to snort at the man. It would be so typical of him to immediately badger the new man. Then again, a part of her brain reminded her. He was just standing side by side with the Red Queen, and after that, battling me.
But still.
Alice saw the White Queen gracefully stride over to the two men and politely interrupt their conversation. Alice had to strain to hear, and she couldn't make out a few words, but she could tell from the unshed tears in Mirana's eyes that it involved her sister's body. Assuming correctly, Alice witnessed Sir Lawrence nod his head and call a few of his Guards to him. Him and three men made way to the former Red Queen's body. Alice turned away.
Suddenly, a horn sounded and everyone quieted. McTwisp's voice rang out: "This battle between Red and White has finished! The White stands Victorious once again! All head back to Marmoreal!"
Alice looked at Hatter and Chessur and raised a single, blonde eyebrow. "Shall we?"
Chessur grinned and Hatter nodded. "Aye."
All of the White Loyalists turned and (much more cheerily than the trip to the Checkerboard Battlefield) made their way back home. To Marmoreal.
Alice walked side-by-side with Hatter the whole way.
. . . . .
Insanity: Note! This is NOT the end! I mean, come on, people. We've still got to write the full resolution!
Rachel: I shall definitely tell you when it is the end, though!
Insanity: . . . . . You mean, WE will definitely tell them when it's the end.
Rachel: Oh, right, right. . . How do you know what part of my brain you reside in, though?
Insanity: Furthermore, how do you that I am not Rachel, and you are not Insanity?
Rachel & Insanity: OMG WE ARE THE SAME PERSON/FIGMENT OF THE MIND!