Misadventures in Overland Chapter Six

Revelations and Conversations

It was at that moment that Tarrant Hightopp, Hatter to the White Queen, Hero of the Frabjous Day, and former Leader of the Resistance did something he had never done before. He fainted dead away.

Alannah gasped with laughter. She clamped her hands to her mouth, trying her best to keep from bursting. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful, and began laughing so loudly people turned to look.

Alice turned, wondering what the source of the amusement was. She gave a gasp of alarm as she noticed Tarrant lying prone on the ground. She ran over to him, glaring in anger at Alannah, who was giggling uncontrollably. "I do not see what is so funny, Alannah! Tarrant could be seriously hurt, and you are laughing! Was that a part of your Oath, to ridicule those that might need your help?"

Alannah smiled. "Alice, Tarrant is not hurt in the slightest. He was merely surprised by something I told him." She nudged him with her foot. "Oi! Tarrant! Wake up, ye bloody great lump!"

Tarrant's eyes popped open, and he sprung to his feet. "Alannah! Was I imagining things or did you tell me that Alice is…you know? And did I actually faint?"

Alannah laughed. "Yes she is and yes you did. Why?" Tarrant grinned in elation, and pulled her into a hug, gently kissing her cheek.

"Because I wanted to make sure that this was not a dream. Thank you so much, my friend. You have no idea how long Alice and I have dreamt of this moment. This is truly marvelous."

Alice stared from Tarrant and Alannah in confusion. "I'm not sure I understand what is going on. Have I changed in some way I'm not aware of?" Tarrant and Alannah smiled at each other, and then Alannah nodded.

"You have, but it is a change that I know you have been dreaming of for many a year. Alice, you are rather intelligent. I'm sure if you thought carefully, you would be able to realize what Tarrant and I are speaking of."

Alice's eyes narrowed in thought then flew open as she reached a conclusion. She looked at Alannah, who nodded excitedly. Alice's gaze shifted to Tarrant, who was grinning wider than Chess. She whooped, and mindless of the fact that they were on a crowded street, and that people were stopping to stare, leapt into his arms and kissed him with every ounce of strength she possessed. Tarrant swept her up, kissing her just as fiercely.

Alannah watched, and realized that she was missing her husband terribly. She sighed so deeply that Alice and Tarrant turned to look at her. "Are you alright, Alannah?" Alice asked in concern. Alannah smiled briefly.

"I'm fine, but I miss Ilosivic. I guess seeing you two kiss made me think of him. He is such a marvelous kisser, you know. The things he can do with that mouth of his…" she trailed off, smiling dreamily. Alice laughed, and then looked over at Tarrant. "I do believe Alannah is lost in a daydream. Perhaps we should just go into the bookshop without her?"

Alannah looked at her, startled. "Bookshop? We've arrived?" She turned to where Alice was pointing, and grinned. The building in front of her was small, with two large windows set in the front. Piled in both windows were books of all shapes and sizes. A sign on the left window read The Tattered Remnant. Alannah sighed happily, and entered the shop. Inside, it was small, with shelves piled high with books. A small counter was set in the back wall, and squashy chairs were arranged higgledy piggedly throughout the shop. There was another small counter piled high with scones and other pastries.

A small woman, with snow white hair and a face wreathed with wrinkles, came hobbling towards them, leaning heavily on a cane topped with a silver knob. She beamed up at them. "Welcome to my shop, dears. My name is Bridget McCann, owner and operator for these past eighty years. Will you need a specific book?"

Alannah immediately liked her. "Yes, Mrs. McCann. Would you happen to have any books written by Shakespeare?" She looked over at Alice. "That's the one you told me about, right? The one that wrote the story about the ghosts and witches?" Alice nodded.

Mrs. McCann smiled. "Do you mean Macbeth, Miss...?" Alannah smiled.

"Lady Alannah Stayne, Healer and Singer to Mirana, White Queen of Underland, at your service." She curtseyed.

Mrs. McCann looked at her. "Healer? What does that mean, if I might ask?"

Alannah smiled. "It means just what you might think. I guess the equivalent in this world would be a doctor. There are some similarities. From what I understand, the doctors here have to take an Oath to do no harm as well. But why do you ask?"

Mrs. McCann smiled, shaking her head. "No reason. Now, if you will follow me, I will find you a copy of Shakespeare's work."

Alice and Tarrant had found books, and were reading when Tarrant looked up, and began laughing uproariously. Alice turned and joined in the laughter.

A pile of books was heading towards them. If one looked closely, they would catch a glimpse of brownish red hair, but not much else. The pile stopped in front of them. Tarrant grinned. "Alannah, are there any books left on the shelves?"

Alannah grunted, and then deposited her pile on an empty chair, glaring in mock anger at him. "Ha, Ha. I can't help it if these Overland authors fascinate me. They're all so skilled."

Tarrant laughed, and then began sorting through the books. "Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, Hunting of the Snark, Sherlock Holmes? Who's he?"

Alannah grinned. "A detective. Mrs. McCann said that he's well worth reading."

Tarrant smiled. "You realize you have six copies of Alice and Looking Glass apiece? Surely you know the story well enough. You're an Underlander, after all."

Alannah nodded. "I know, but I still want to read the Overland version. After all, it's supposed to be perfectly marvelous nonsense." She swept the pile onto the floor, then sat down and began to read; only pausing to giggle at certain passages in the book. Tarrant watched, and noticed she skipped a large portion of the book. "You missed a bit."

Alannah sighed. "It's the chapter with Ilosivic's Trial. He still has some bad memories associated with that day. He's grateful that Alice tried to stand up for him, and I know you have worked out any differences between you, but I don't think he's ever fully forgiven you or Thackery for your testimonies."

Tarrant frowned sadly. "I cannot say I blame him, but I was rather intimidated. After all, the last time I was in the presence of the Red King and Queen I nearly had my head chopped off, and was cursed to a never ending Tea Party. So the fear that I might be beheaded was never far from my thoughts."

Alannah smiled grimly. "That's another reason to be glad the Bloody Big Head is gone. We don't have to worry about losing our heads at the capricious whims of a mad monarch." Tarrant nodded in fervent agreement.

Author's Note-There will be a bit of Stayne/Alannah in the next chapter.