Alice sat on the grand stairs that lead to her Queens castle watching as the sun set on the long grueling day. Never had she been thru so much in such a short span of time but at the same time had she never felt more like herself, had she never felt this alive. Her old life allowed no room for growth were as here she could expand her knowledge and skill to her heart's content. Everything about this world appealed to her, called to her even like the sirens from tale in her world of luring the unknown sailors. Suddenly her thought was pulled to the White Queen. Did she not call to Alice as well? Just the thought of leaving her Queen behind caused her great heartache, the kind that she had had after the passing of her father.
Alice frowned to herself at such a thought. Nothing had ever before made her feel such things and for all her knowledge she still did not know how to handle such things. It was all such a big mystery to her and she didn't even know if she wanted to explore such things. That was till now, till she met the White Queen of Maramoreal ruler of Underland. Her heart jumped a couple beats just thinking of the white beauty. Alice couldn't deny that she felt something for her Queen. She knew in the first few moments of facing the Jaberwocky that she would do whatever it took for her to win for her Queen. Anything that would make her happy again Alice would go to the ends of Underland and back again for this woman. She could feel it all the way down deep in her bones.
The more she thought about all this the more Alice realized that she could no longer return to her world for it was no longer hers. If she went back now she would be forced to marry some man that she would never love and bare his children and gone would be her dreams. Nothing else would be expected of her, anything else and she would never be accepted by the people of her society. Holding the vial of Jaberwocky blood in her palm she could do no more than stare at it. If she didn't wish to return to the world she came from, then what exactly would this do? Should she even drink it? Her Queen had given it to her as a reward for slaying the Jaberwock but really truly she no longer knew what she wished for. All she did know is that she did want to serve her Queen as her Champion filling that role in any way necessary. A hand suddenly laid itself on her shoulder capturing her attention from her thoughts.
"Tarrant, my apologies I didn't know you where there." She apologized out of habit from her former life. Her mother would have lectured her to no end if she had seen her so spaced and unaware of the people around her.
"Quiet alright Alice but the Queen has been asking as to your where bouts since the start of the festival. It's supposed to last for five days you know." Tarrant stated happily.
"I didn't as a matter of fact, should be quiet the ordeal I would think. What with it lasting five days and all."
"Alice your still wearing your armor!" Alice could only chuckle to herself at his antics.
"Why yes Tarrant I suppose I am. I may have lost my head there for a few moments. Honestly I don't think I'm quiet all back yet." Alice couldn't help but to confide in the Hatter. In many ways he felt like an older brother to her.
"Well that is a tad bit disturbing than usual. Perhaps you should speak to the Queen; she has a cure for almost anything."
"No!" Alice almost shouted at the Hatter. "It's just I don't want to worry the Queen. I'm sure the Queen has bigger matters to attend to than to listen to her Champion complaining about nothing that really matters." She felt like she was trying to cover up something but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why.
"Very well Alice but we really should make an appearance at the festival. Would you like to change first?" The Hatter asked looking at the most likely bloody armor she still wore.
"No I think I'll be alright for now. Besides we mustn't keep the Queen waiting." Alice started to walk inside the castle. "Are you coming or not Tarrant, I wouldn't want to get lost searching the entire castle just to find where the festival is being held." Alice threw back over her shoulder meant to tease the older man.
Alice couldn't help but to notice all the different types of architecture that seemed to be used in the design of her Queens castle, in some weird way though it seemed to work making the castle look just as majestic as its Queen that resides in it. Starting to notice a pattern in her line of thinking Alice's decision to stay only kept solidifying. In her mind only death itself could take her away from her Queen at this point. The question however was whether or not the Queen would accept her. Even if it was only as her Champion she would still accept that because having her in her life in any way was better than not at all.
Before she knew it they were standing in front of a set of grand doors that somehow seemed so much more magnificent than the rest of the castle. As ever Alice is left speechless by the mere wonderment of this place and again she is left with the feeling that she will never leave here. Something new however did strike her; she wouldn't want to ever leave and that thought made her smile. She didn't think she could ever be any happier than she was in that moment. Then someone opened the doors and the first thing she noticed was her beautiful White Queen setting on the edge of her thrown politely speaking with someone.
That is when Alice noticed the line of men waiting for their Queens attention and she soon after realized these men were all suitors's vying for their Queens hand. Shoulders slumping slightly Alice turned to the Hatter about to ask if they should perhaps wait a moment when he spoke first.
"Come Alice we must let her Majesty know that you are here, she was worried you know." Alice couldn't help but to give the Hatter a small smile. He did try to please everyone in his own crazy way so very hard. Dipping her head in acknowledgement she let the Hatter walk ahead of her threw the dancer's and crowd toward the thrown. Alice couldn't help but to keep her eyes glued to her Queen, she didn't think she could even if she wanted to anyway. Within feet of the thrown her Queen finally looked their way. Dark chocolate eye's locked onto hazel brown and Alice felt as if her Queen were looking deep into her soul, for what she didn't know. Though Alice was sure she didn't really care.