Rated T for fluff, will be M later on
AN: I'm so sorry that this is a day late, I had a major case of writer's block for this chapter. I knew where I wanted the characters to end up, but I couldn't figure how to get them there. I also had a hard time deciding whose POV to have the last part be from. I went to see the movie again, and that helped a little, but by the time I got a good idea, it was 2 in the morning and there was no way I could finish it then. But hopefully this will be worth the wait! I hope you're able to understand what I did w/ Tarrant's thoughts; you'll see what I mean. I've been trying to make his thoughts/speech be as in-character as possible, am I doing ok on that? Please keep up the adds/reviews, I love them! Oh btw, I know I messed up the names a few times, but I got my hands on a copy of the first draft, so there should be no more screw-ups. (if you want a copy PM me)
Shisoma- This is a good question. Here's what I think about how Underland works in relation to Alice. If we are to assume that Underland is a real place (which we are) then it stands to reason that it existed before Alice, between her visits, and will continue to exist with or without her. As such, while she is their champion and hero, Underland does NOT revolve around her, any more than France revolves around Joan of Arc, or Scotland does William Wallace. She is their hero, but time has passed, and she has become more history than anything else. A year has passed in our time, but it's been longer in Underland (I probably should've mentioned that before, sorry.) So to answer your question, it's not that he doesn't remember her, it's just that his life has gone on, and so she's not constantly on his mind. Thanks for the great question, I hope this clears things up a little for everyone!
IxAmxThexFivexTailsx- I haven't entirely decided on this. I think I'm going to have it so people do grow older, afterall Mirana and Iracebeth talk of their childhood, and Tarrant looks younger (imho) in his flashback. It's a very slow growth though, I think, because of the way Time runs (when he feels like it). As for whether they grow old enough to die, I'm not sure yet.
Dinner was finished, and Tarrant was making his way to the ballroom with the rest of the crowd. He was conversing lightly with the woman next to which he'd been seated; a lady in Queen Mirana's court. She was friendly, and seemed to have a similar sense of humor to the Hatter. He was trying to like her, to see if there was any chemistry at all. He inwardly commented on her lovely voice, her charming laugh, her attractive features. And yet, even with all these positive traits, he just didn't feel anything other than friendship towards her. But there was nothing bad about that, and so he continued to talk to her, even asking her to dance once they'd reached the floor.
Eventually, however, he got the sense that she was growing a little impatient; perhaps she was looking for more than he was able to offer her. And so, when a gentleman asked to cut in, Tarrant stepped back, bidding a polite farewell to the lady. No sense in keeping her to myself, if I'm not what she's looking for, he thought, not bitterly, merely as a statement of fact. He walked over to the desert table, where Mallymkun was swaying lightly to the music. If she hadn't been the only door mouse he knew, the Hatter might not have recognized her. She was wearing a tiny red ballgown and long white gloves, and there was a bow in her head-fur. She looked quite lovely, for a mouse. Her face lit up when she saw Tarrant coming.
"Hatter! I didn't see you at dinner; they stuck me all the way at the other end, I suppose." He bowed gracefully to her, and she curtsied, turning slightly pink.
"Why Miss Mallymkun, you look stunning this evening. Would you care to dance?" Mally giggled as the Hatter held out his hand. She climbed up, and the two made their way to the floor. Hatter held her in his left hand, his right gently grasping her left as she steadied herself against his thumb. They smiled at each other as they danced, laughing now and then. They got some interested and amused smiles from the other dancers, which made them smile wider.
When the song ended, Tarrant gently placed her on his hat, carrying her around so they could both mingle. Every now and then Mally would lean down over the brim of his hat to see him, and smile. When she would climb back out of sight, she would lean against his hat and close her eyes, sighing lightly and smiling. Unbeknownst to her, Hatter could hear her tiny sighs, and he smiled, somewhat sadly. He knew full well that the little mouse cared for him, but both of them knew nothing would ever come of it. Still, he didn't mind granting her these moments of happiness, knowing that she would tell him somehow if it became too much to bear.
Alice dusted herself off and straightened her dress, now that it fit properly again. She had done things properly this time, keeping the key in hand while drinking the Pishsalver, and taking some Upelkuchen with her to eat once she was through the door, also dragging her dress through with her. Now that she was her proper size once more, she looked around, breathing deeply. A wave of relief washed over her as she took in the familiar surroundings. Wiping away a tear, she started down the path.
After some time, she finally reached the March Hare's house, but something was amiss. The table was all laid out, and yet no one was there. A little worried, Alice walked the length of the table, and on to the abandoned windmill that was home to the Hare, and often the Hatter as well. She knocked on the door, but all was quiet. Trying the door, she found it swung open with ease.
She walked around the little house (which was actually not as little as it appeared from the outside), calling her friends' names. Through a door she found a room that she assumed must be Hatter's workshop, for it was filled with a large array of hats, fabric, feathers, gems, buttons, and all manner of notions. Alice was about to leave, when she noticed something that caught her eye.
Sitting on a chair was a hat box; this in itself was nothing unusual, as there were many hat boxes laying about. But this particular hat box was labeled "For Alice." How many Alice's could he possibly know? she thought to herself, smiling. She leaned down, hesitating for a moment, before lifting the lid. She gasped, her eyes instantly beginning to mist over again.
Inside was a beautiful miniature top hat, all in shades of blue. Alice immediately recognized the fabric. She lifted the hat out of the box with great reverence, examining it from all sides, her smile wider than Chessur's. Seeing a mirror on the wall, she stepped towards it, placing the hat atop her curls at a jaunty angle and tying the ribbon beneath her chin. She was beyond pleased, and truly touched that her Hatter had made this for her. Looking down, she saw the invitation to the White Queen's ball that night. Checking herself in the mirror once more, she hurried from the house, hoping it wouldn't take long to reach Marmoreal.
Hatter sighed heavily as he walked out onto the balcony. The party was still going, but the excitement was starting to wear thin for him. He'd danced with a few more ladies, more out of boredom than anything else. It was beginning to bother him somewhat, the fact that he didn't seem to be even the slightest bit attracted to any of them.
Maybe there's something wrong with me. I know I'm mad, but could I possibly be too mad to experience love? Am I truly that far-gone? He sighed again, leaning against the railing. He thought of all the females he'd come in contact with over the years, searching for any recollection of romantic feelings for anyone. He vaguely remembered having a crush or two when he was much younger, but as for real love, nothing. The only females he'd ever been truly close to in any way were Mally, and... Alice. One or two of the voices in his head snickered, and he furrowed his brow in annoyance.
It's not like that with her. Are you so sure? Of course, I think I should know my own heart, shouldn't I? Have you ever tried to think of her as a possible romantic partner? Well, no, I suppose not. She and I have always been very close friends. Well how do you know you don't love her if you've never tried to love her? I... Hm. Well anyway, she isn't here, so its a rather moot point, isn't it? She did say she was returning, did she not? Well, yes, but who knows when she'll be back, if ever. Anyway, even if I did love her, who's to say she would love me in return? Highly doubtful, in my opinion. And why might that be? Well I'm half-mad, for one thing. Didn't she admit to being half-mad as well? That was when she thought this was all a dream. Surely she doesn't think herself mad now that she knows it's all real. I still say you should give her a chance, when she returns. If she returns, you mean. Oh believe me, she'll be back. Did you not see the look in her eyes as she left? Of course I did, but she still left, didn't she? This is ridiculous. Arguing with myself... perhaps I really have gone mad. All the best people are, or so I've heard.
Tarrant sighed again. This was getting him nowhere. Not that he had anywhere he wanted to go, but still, aren't thoughts supposed to lead somewhere, instead of going round in circles? Not that there was anything wrong with circles. Some of his favorite things were circular; hats, teacups, thimbles, cookies.. Tarrant shook his head, breaking himself out of the list he'd begun. Looking back towards the ballroom, he supposed he ought to go back inside. Perhaps Mally could help him make sense of things. As he made his way through the crowd, he could hear his friends tiny voice, and he headed towards it. But when he saw who she was conversing with, he stopped in his tracks.
It was the hat he noticed first. The hat he had made for Alice was currently sitting atop a mass of blond curls, and for a moment he grew angry. Who on earth is wearing Alice's hat? And how did they get their hands on it? But then the crowd parted, and he could see the hat's wearer. It was none other than his dear friend Alice. She was dressed in a gown that seemed made to go with the hat, and that fit her body perfectly, accenting all her curves, reminding Tarrant that she was no longer the young girl he'd first met. He felt himself blush slightly as half-formed thoughts floated like mist across his mindscape. He approached her finally, saying her name gently. She froze for a moment, her eyes closed, as a strange smile, almost sad, crossed her lips. When she turned to face him, her eyes were glassy with held-back tears. Before Hatter could say another word, Alice had thrown herself upon him, clutching him tightly.
"Oh Hatter, how I've missed you! You have no idea what it was like. I thought of you every day." She looked up at him, her eyes full of joy, and... could it be... love?
Oh. Uh-oh...
Tarrant smiled down at her, placing his arms around her, hugging her lightly. She smiled wider, and leaned her head against his chest. For a long moment, neither one said anything. The Hatter's mind raced with possibilities and questions. Was it true, did Alice really love him? If so, he needed to sort out how he felt about her, and fast. He was still in shock somewhat from seeing her back. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her. He leaned his head against hers, inhaling her scent. It was so familiar, like sugar cookies and jasmine. He tried to examine what he was feeling, but it was more elusive than Chessur. He heard Alice sigh contentedly, and it made his heart do a funny little skip.
"Alice," he began, and she pulled back to look in his eyes. "Not that I'm not immensely pleased to see you, but what about the things you needed to do, the questions you had to answer?" Alice's smile faltered slightly, and she looked down for a moment before answering.
"I've done what I set out to do, and answered all my questions. There's nothing left for me there," she finished sadly. Hatter had the urge to touch her cheek then, and so he did, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Alice, you are more than welcome here for as long as you'd like, my dear friend." Alice had beamed at him as he spoke, until his last word. Her smile remained, but her eyes went unfocused for a moment. She blinked a few times, shook her head lightly as if to clear at it, and took a quick breath, smiling again, but it seemed ever so slightly different to Tarrant. Not forced, exactly, but not quite right, either.
"Alice, dear! How wonderful it is to see you!" Alice and Tarrant both looked up at the sound of Queen Mirana's voice. Alice looked back to him for a moment, before walking over to the queen. He watched as they hugged and began talking animatedly, both obviously glad to see each other again. One or two voices in Tarrant's head sighed irritatedly. Perhaps I'm mistaken. Surely she couldn't... feel that way for me. We barely know each other. I'm sure she's just glad to see me, her friend. That's it, just a simple misunderstanding. Misinterpretation. Mix-up... muddle... mess... A fine mess indeed... The Hatter shook his head in an effort to silence the voices, but they merely laughed.
Meanwhile, Mallymkun looked on from her spot on the table, sighing sadly.