Welcome back! Thanks for reading, everyone! Sorry the wait was a tad longer, but dang, was I busy. Anyways, read on!
Disclaimer: I own naught of Alice in Wonderland.
Inspirational Song: "I'll Follow You" – Shinedown
. . . . .
Their party still stood on the balcony, each lost in their own deep thoughts. Mirana debated with herself if she was yet again asking too much of Alice. Alice herself was contemplating plans on how to corner Stayne so that she had him all to herself. Sir Lawrence was trying to figure out what Absolem had told Mirana to make her comprehend the situation better than he had. McTwisp was glancing at his watch periodically to determine if he had digested his dinner of buttonberry squash yet.
Absolem twitched in Alice's hands. The color drained from his face. He'd felt a sudden shift in the air that often came with the changing of the-
SWOOSH. Alice looked up briefly to see Chessur floating ahead of them all off the balcony. He nodded to the Queen respectfully. His smile was grim, a mask of sorts. Alice was about to ask him if all was right when he spoke.
"Stayne and his army of beasts are on their way."
At first, Alice assumed she'd heard him wrong. The wind was so fierce that it was a definite possibility. The look on his face, however, proved that theory incorrect.
Her eyes widened. Sir Lawrence's arms fell to the side. McTwisp began to heave. Absolem was still. The Queen's jaw had dropped. "But- Why so soon?" Her voice had gone up an octave.
"The Orraculum predicted that Stayne would come in two days' time!" Sir Lawrence exclaimed. His nostrils flared, as if the blame of the alteration rested on Chess's shoulders.
And it did, in a way of sorts. "I may," Chessur began slowly, avoiding each pair of eyes, "have angered him. Provoked him, if you will." His smile was tentative, large eyes begging for forgiveness.
Mirana attempted to keep her calm. "How so?"
"I had hoped to retrieve information as I did with the Hamish fellow." His voice quickened. "Because as you know, that mission wound up very successful, might I add. I was only planning on doing that again."
"You should have told us," Alice said softly. Chessur's ears sagged at the disappointment in her voice. "Stayne isn't like Hamish. He's crueler, cleverer. You should've told us," she said again. Alice was hurt because she thought they were all a team and had to work together, yes, but she was also hurt that she wasn't the one to reach Stayne in the first place. She folded her arms across her chest like a child.
"Is-is this true, Absolem? Are they coming?" McTwisp stuttered.
Alice opened her hands slightly to hear what Absolem had to say. He looked at her, face grim. She winced with an unfortunate realization before he even spoke. "Tell them that I've felt the change. He will be here within the day."
Alice bowed her head before looking up, her expression equally as dismal. "He confirmed it." She ignored Sir Lawrence's deep sigh. "He and his army will be here within the day."
McTwisp fainted.
Perhaps eager to redeem himself in some small way, Chessur quickly materialized near the rabbit to catch him with a single paw before lightly leaning him against the wall of the castle. His eyes glanced at Alice, willing her to witness his small, good deed. She nodded a reply. His brow furrowed with concern before settling himself on the banister.
"What shall we do, Your Majesty?" Sir Lawrence asked Mirana. His eyes were hard; Alice could already see gears turning in his head. He would be confident and knowledgeable throughout this slip in the plans. He was a man of action.
Mirana took a deep breath, placing one hand on the railing for support.
Alice stepped forward, hand out to help. "Are you alright?"
Mirana turned her face from Alice. "I'm fine, truly," she whispered. Alice rarely saw her so shaken. Sir Lawrence's eyes showed concern for his Queen.
A thought came to her. "Do you need a strengthening potion? Chess could-" Here Chessur began to nod furiously, but Mirana interrupted.
"No!" They all jumped. (Exluding the unconcsious rabbit in the corner.) "My apologies, but no, that won't be necessary," Mirana said kindly. Alice continued to look at her with watchful eyes.
There was a moment of frenzied silence. The air was full of electricity. They all waited for Mirana to collect herself and slow her breathing.
"What would you have us do?" Sir Lawrence asked again. Alice glanced at him briefly, seeing his eagerness to act. Stayne and his army were on their way and yet their party still stood on the balcony! Alice had to fetch the Vorpal Sword and get into her armor.
"Erm, I-" Mirana shook her head, starting to sweat. She was in desperate need of a potion.
There was a beat of silence, and then-
"All prepare for battle!" Sir Lawrence shouted, running off the balcony. Alice sighed with relief. He was taking matters into his own hands. She heard him still. "Light the smoke signal! Alert the troops! Find that blasted Bandersnatch! Summon our allies!" Finally, she heard his voice fade with distance.
She placed her hand on Mirana's back. "Your Majesty, will you be alright?"
Mirana nodded. "I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that man." She laughed nervously with Alice before the smile fell from her face. "Alice, you must prepare yourself. Leave me now. I will be fine."
"It is my job to-"
"Leave Absolem with me. He'll know how to help and what to access. I just need a potion, is all." She nodded encouraginly at Alice. "Go! That's an order, Champion."
Alice took a step back, releasing Absolem. He fluttered in front of her face for a moment. "Good luck, Alice. Be careful. And please," he said, "use that brain that's inside your head for once. It is often a practical thing." He settled on Mirana's shoulder.
"Where will you be?" Alice asked Mirana, ignoring Absolem's jab.
She glanced downwards at the unconscious McTwisp. "In the infirmary, aiding those who need my help." She met Alice's brown eyes. "It is best for me to be there."
Alice nodded. "I'll be back to see you soon!" Already, a countless number of troops were milling around in the halls, working quickly to get where they were needed. Alice squeezed herself in between two of them and let herself get caught in the flow of the crowd towards the armory. Noise thundered around her, but she could still hear the lightning striking from outside. Alice looked back at the open balcony and over the heads of all her comrads. She could see Mirana, leaning down to help the poor waking rabbit, growing smaller and smaller with each time she was pushed further away.
An elbow caught her in the gut. She groaned.
"My apologies, Champion." And the voice moved on.
"Well, I wouldn't say that bruising yourself before the fight actually begins is a good idea," someone purred.
Alice looked up to meet Chessur's large eyes and wry smile. "Chess! Where are you going?" That cat better had been off to do something useful.
"I was actually just on my way to the kitchens." Alice glared at him furiously, wanting to get her hands around that feline's neck. He rolled his eyes. "To fetch the March Hare! Jeesh," he said. He made to leave, starting to vaporize.
"Chessur! Wait!" Her shoulder was bumped again.
The cat floated back to her easily, raising a brow at her. She envied his ability so much at the moment.
"Where's the Hatter?" she asked breathlessly.
His brow furrowed. "Was he not with you?"
xX-HATTER'S POV-Xx
Mallymkun and the March Hare had finally been filled in on everything. Well, everything that Hatter was aware of, at least. And of course he was not aware of everything or else there would be nothing else to be aware of! The mere thought of it really was silly.
The trio of friends, these friends who had long spent countless days together at their Mad Tea Party, had set off together once again. They were walking through Snud to reach Marmoreal when Mally, who'd been sitting inside Hatter's shirt pocket due to the fierce winds, shrieked.
Hatter hadn't heard her, for he'd been too busy contemplating the meaning of doilies. Thackery, however, had jumped and nearly smacked his furry, little head on a low branch.
Mally skittered onto Hatter's shoulder. "'Atter!" she cried.
Hatter blinked and looked at her. "Oop, my apologies, Mally. Say, do you know what purpose doilies serve?"
"Nevermind doilies, Tarrant! Look!" She pointed with her pin at the farawy castle of Marmoreal. They weren't exactly close yet, but it was in view. Its pearly elegance seemed to glow against the dark, night sky. The occassional lightning strike would only enhance that effect.
"Why, yes, I suppose we are getting closer." Hatter looked quizzically at Mallymkun. Perhaps her mind was going.
Mallymkun slapped herself on the forehead. "No, you great brute. Look closer. Above the castle."
He sighed wearily and looked again, only to gasp in horror. He felt the color drain from his face. The smoke signal had been sent high into the sky, the great, white plume of smoke traveling around the castle for all to see.
Immediately, he thought of Alice. How could he not? He absentmindedly patted his pocket, where his precious item lay tucked inside. He felt his eyes burn as the thought of an unprotected Alice fought without him. And here he stood, taking his own time wandering through Snud.
He practically growled. "We hae tae gie back. Immediately."
"How?" the March Hare shrieked. He yanked hard on his ears so that they covered his eyes. "So far away!"
"Well, ain't it obvious?" The March Hare peeked at the Dormouse from behind one ear. "We 'ave to find a form of transporation! Somethin' faster than our own feet." She gave Hatter a long, knowing look.
Hatter's eyes simmered down to a sallow color as he understood. "You can't mean. . ."
"You know I do, 'Atter. Call 'im." Mallymkun said. She placed on her hands on her hips and began tapping her foot impatiently.
"There must be another way," Hatter said half-heartedly.
Mally stared at him.
"We could find something, surely!" he tried.
Without a doubt, that sensation Hatter was feeling was her staring deep into his soul.
Hatter thought for another solution. "We could sprint?"
She raised her brows at him.
Finally, Hattter groaned. "Alright, Mally, alright. You are correct. Again," he added miserably. He plucked her off his shoulder and gently set her into the March Hare's open palms. He looked at Thackery. "Hold tight, now. One more great gust and she could be blown halfway to Crims."
Thackery's fist closed so tight around her that Mallymkun thought her ribs would shatter. Hatter merely nodded. "Good."
Hatter slowly made his way over to an empty, open space where all was barren. He stood by a leafless tree and sighed deeply, shaking off his fear. He began to jog in place for a moment before he heard Mally yell over to him. "Oh, get on with it!"
"I am!" he yelled back, with much more confidence than he was feeling. "I am," he whispered to himself for conviction.
With a deep breath, and a great feeling of remorse, Hatter placed two fingers on the inside of his lips and blew. Hard.
His sharp whistle resonated between the trees, bouncing back and forth, farther and farther away from where they stood. Completely limp, Hatter stood there to wait. And wait. And after that, he waited a bit more.
"Did ya do it?" Mallymkun called over, leaning out of Thackery's stone grip to see.
Hatter rolled his eyes. "Not sure, Mally. Do you see the Bandersnatch hiding behind any old, buttonberry trees?"
"Oi! I didn't ask for sarcasm!"
"I didn't ask for this job! It may not even work! I've only ever seen Alice do it," he admitted.
"Or your whistle is just wrteched!" she yelled.
He took off his hat, gripping it hard in his hand. "Think yours would be better, do you?"
"Oh!" the March Hare yelled. "I can whistle! I can!" Hatter winced at the whistle that was to come as the March Hare galumphed over to where Hatter waited, Dormouse still in hand.
The March Hare was halfway to Hatter when they all heard it. Thackery stopped in his tracks, ears slumped down completely. He turned to see what Hatter was already gaping at.
A great roar sounded from inside the Woods. In the distance, Hatter could see a tree fall to the ground. He gulped. The Bandersnath came pounding at them full-force.
It broke the line of trees and was heading for where they stood.
Right at the March Hare.
He must have realized this, for his fist opened up to release Mallymkun, who scampered away to watch from behind Hatter's ankle.
"Thackery, move!" Hatter shouted to no avail.
The Hare's eyes grew wider and wider and became more crossed the closer the beast neared. Hatter thought he heard Thack mutter, "Oh, dear," right before the Bandersnatch was on him.
And then it stopped. Nose-to-nose with the March Hare, the Bandersnatch stopped.
There was a beat of silence as Hatter waited for the Bandersnatch to completely engulf the trembling Hare.
Instead, the beast took a great, long lick to the March Hare's face so that his hair all stuck up. His nose twitched. The March Hare's head tilited quizzically at the thing before screaming, "For Alice!" He leapt onto the Bandersnatch, nearly stepping on his eye, and settled himself behind the head. Mallymkun whooped and followed suit. She scaled up the beast's side before clinging onto its fur.
Simultaneously, the three of them turned to stare at Hatter. He still stood there, twiddling his thumbs. "Yes, for Alice," he muttered. "For that blasted girl in blue."
Finally, Hatter climbed on behind Thackery. He'd barely gotten his hold when Bandy immediately set off, with Hatter nearly falling off the end. The enthusiastic cries of his friends could still be heard through his terrified one.
. . . . .
Insanity: There's Hatter again, not taking advantage of these amazing, ridable creatures he seems to keep stumbling upon!
Rachel: The first one did want to kill him, however.
Insanity: Details.
Rachel: Please leave me a Reiew letting me know what you think so far! Also, I apologize if there's an excess of errors in this chapter. It seems that my spell check felt like suddenly dying. Whatevs. Thanks for reading and reviewing!