"People don't always get what they deserve in this world"-Lemony Snicket

Got my first review for this story :D it made me soooo happy that I was already trying to come up with this chapter in my head here it is! The real plot-line is starting right...about...now! I'll put the meaning of some of Tarrant's swears at the end ;)

Happy Reading!

Kylie the Kiwi

Mirana of Marmoreal, 20 years old

Horevendush Day. At first, I didn't think it sounded that good, but then I remembered what I was doing on that day. I was going to a festival with Tarrant! His Clan, the Hightopp Clan to be exact, was holding a festival to celebrate the Gribblic Day, whatever that was about. The Hightopp Clan was basically my second family. I'd spent way too much time there in the past few weeks.

I sat on my horse and watched everyone around me: Children playing and singing, jugglers, dancers, parents talking of their children, my court. One particular person in my court stood out like a sore thumb: Tarrant Hightopp. His shoulder length orange hair and brightly colored clothes were all I could see. He was looking about too, clapping his hands in time to the music.

I was about to look at a little girl, Tarrant's 8 year old sister Nennie, when a dark shadow caught my eye. I cautiously looked up a bit and gasped in surprised, my eyes widening. My breathing became rapid and shallow as the giant Jabberwocky blew flames over everything. My horse bucked, flipping my head forward, and then throwing it back. I noticed a lack of weight on my head, but it couldn't possibly concern me now. Tarrant was trying to get my horse under control, and then leading us away.

"We have to go back there! Where are you going?" I was shouting at him now, wondering why he wasn't going back to help his family. He was running now, bobbing me up and down on the horse. Tears were steadily streaming from both our eyes.

"I have to get you to a safe place."

"What about the rest of your family!"

"You're a bit more important. To me at least." That's what I thought he said, but I wasn't sure. I gave up on arguing for now, but this wouldn't be the end of the conversation. Not by a long-shot.

"Tarrant Hightopp. Find him and bring him to me. Now." The guards walked away heavily, searching for the madman. I sat in my throne with whatever make up I had on running down my face. I was a complete mess, but nothing compared to what I saw as he walked through the door. His eyes were redder than normal and his eyelids were black, as well as his nails.

"Remove this gentleman's weapons and leave us, please."

"But majes-"

"I said leave us." He ran out of the room with the sword as fast as he possibly could. I stood up slowly and floated over to him, waiting- just waiting- for him to explode. And then it happened.

"The behg bluhdy hid! She keeled 'em all! Every lahst one of 'em! Slurvish git! Wha' a shinach! Aye can't believe the woman! She's gone fucking bonkers!" I watched calmly as he swore and ran around, pounding at the walls. I wondered quietly who he was talking about. I didn't understand much of what he was saying, except "The big, bloody head. She killed them all. Every last one of them." It was a woman...with a large head. Oh my lord, he was talking about Iracebeth.

"Tarrant! Tarrant, stop this!" I ran over to him and spun him towards me. I slipped one hand into his and hoped he would stop. All he did was squeeze my hand until I was sure it had broken. I heard a snap, then a pop, and then it felt as if my hand had been crushed. I dropped to my knees, tearing my hand from his, and clutched it to my stomach. I gave a tiny cry of pain and bit my lip. This was nothing to cry over.

"Mirana! Are you alright? Did I hurt you?" I shook my head but couldn't look him in the eye. He peeled my left hand away from my right studied it. Then he held out his hand to look at the next. I gave it to him shakily, and hissed in pain when he touched it. (A/N this is supposed to be exactly like Tarrant's flashback)

"I knew it," he mumbled. "You should've told me right away, but you didn't. That's not fair." It sounded oddly familiar, so I gave the answer I thought should go with it. One that I felt I had said before about something similar.

"All's fair in love and war, Tarrant." He lifted me to my feet and looked me in the eyes.

"And is this love or war?"

"I can't tell anymore."

"Well, on the topic of war. I must go out there and fight for your crown. It's missing from your head you know." I nodded shamefully. Losing my crown in one moment of clumsiness.

"You can't go out there! Not in a...in a war! You'll get yourself killed!" He took a deep breath.

"I have to. I must defend my queen." I noticed the way he said my and not the.

"Just tell me that you know this isn't a mistake?" My voice broke a few times, making me sound weak. He pulled me into a hug, his hair tickling my nose.

"It's not."

"Will you come back to me in one piece?"

"Promise."

"Just as long as you promise me you'll answer when I call..." What most people don't know is that Underland has quite a few advancements. Radio, telephones, mobile telephones, and the researchers are even working on something called television. Tarrant and I each had a telephone, and a researcher was going to give him a mobile phone before he left.

"I will. Good-bye now. I'll be leaving." He gently pulled away from my grip. I doubt he knew I was holding on with all my strength. Just before he was about to walk out the door, I called to him.

"Wait! One more thing." I ran up to him, grabbed his collar, and pulled him down to eye-level. Then I kissed him with everything I had. We pulled apart, amazed by our first kiss.

"I love you, Tarrant."

"Love you too." And he walked away. From me. From safety. From a loving and caring life.

From everything.

Okey dokey, so here's meanings of the few Scottish/Gaelic and British swears Tarrant used-

Git- bastard

Shinach- sly bastard

Slurvish- (I'll get back to you on that one)

Bloody- Damned; damn

Bonkers- crazy; mad (not really a swear...)