Thank you all so much for sticking with me during both Alice's Choice and Alice's Turn, especially those that left heartwarming Reviews. Here is the end to that storyline. (Though I can ensure you that when the sequel to AiW is released in May of 2016, chances are I will be writing another major story.)
Disclaimer: I still own nothing of AiW. With that being said, Lewis Carroll, Disney, and Tim Burton do.
Inspirational Song: "Alice (Extended)" - Avril Lavigne
. . . . .
The Orraculum had foretold of the Simulus Day* eons ago: the joining of the hands of the Champion and the one she would eventually choose for her own. Not only did the two join families, but the two joined worlds. This would be the first, lasting connection between Underland and the Otherworld. Were more to come? Only Absolem knew.
The Simulus Day occurred thirty days after Valian Day, when the people of Underland had to finally say goodbye to dozens of their best soldiers for the rest of Time. Her Majesty, The White Queen, had gathered everyone together in the green-glowing field just outside Marmoreal's walls for the ceremony. They didn't exactly call it a wedding - they referred to it as a Joining. When Alice learned this, she'd confusedly turned to the Hatter, wondering how he'd heard of marriage.
He'd laughed. "A wee, little lad from up above had mentioned it at a tea party once. Remember?" Alice rolled her eyes at the memory.
Alice hadn't wanted anything big, but Mirana insisted. The Champion agreed, if only to see Mirana's beaming smile. It had been a while since Underland had anything like this to be excited for. And everyone was taking full advantage of that. For what felt like weeks, all Alice heard of was this grand Joining. Honestly, all she wanted was to have Hatter finally move in with her, in Marmoreal. (As Champion to the Queen, it was her duty to stay within the castle's walls. Hatter didn't mind; this meant he would be able to work on hats more often, for courtiers and those of the like.) It was almost like being up in London once again, with all these festivities.
That had been her greatest concern for the wedding. Alice was finally getting married, the one thing her mother had always wanted for her, and she would never know. Hatter had held her for hours inside his workshop, just stroking her hair, singing softly under his breath to her. They both knew nothing could be done. Even Mirana had said so, so long ago. Perhaps one day, Alice could sneak back up to the Otherworld, just to see if they were alright. And if they were, she would then hurry back down home to Hatter, no questions asked.
But today was not that day, so Alice continued on with the ceremony, shaking these thoughts out of her head and finally focusing back on her surroundings.
She stood in the middle of the field with only a circular tea table in between her and Hatter. Alice wore her armor, though the Vorpal Sword was not on her. Hatter was wearing his kilt. Perhaps it was best her mother was not present - if she could see that Alice would not be getting married in a long, flowing, white gown, but in a full suit of armor instead, she would suffer a heart attack. When she saw the kilt, she would then actually croak.
On the table were only two teacups. The one set in front of Alice held a rich, earthy tea - Hatter's favorite. The one set in front of him was clear and sweet - Alice's favorite. Both were steaming. Alice looked up and saw Hatter smiling at her through the steam. She smiled back and looked around at their friends.
She didn't know most of the attendants, but the ones she recognized stood in front. The crowd formed a large circle around Alice and Hatter, giving them more than enough room. Mallymkun, the March Hare, Chessur, the Tweedles, McTwisp, and even the Dodo bird were in front. In that row's hands were two thick, intertwining ribbons of both blue and green that stretched all around the circle. Alice smiled at her friends; they nodded encouragingly back.
Unbeknownst to Alice, Absolem had come to land on the Hatter's shoulder. By the time she noticed, Hatter had paled and Absolem had flown away. Alice stared quizzically at Hatter.
"I believe," he lisped, "my life was just threatened by a butterfly if I were to do you harm."
Alice's laughter was cut off by the sound of Mirana's voice calling everyone to attention. She stood gracefully at one end of the circle, speaking about the importance of the day and what it meant to Underland. In addition to that, what this particular pair of people had done for Underland. Though Alice wasn't one of their own, she had grown to be a most valuable being in their world. The cheers of the crowd made Alice blush.
When Mirana came to the part about the welfare of the couple, Hatter took her hands into his. She was surprised to feel that he was sweating. Alice caressed his palms reassuringly, for which he seemed grateful for.
"And now," Mirana's elegant voice said, "for tea." She gestured to the cups, smiling at them.
The couple grinned at each other over their teacups before sipping. Alice enjoyed hers - she could see why it was his favorite. It was warm as it raced down her throat. She set her cup down and looked at Hatter - a chortle escaped her lips. He seemed to be fighting the drink down very hard. Either that, or resisting the urge to vomit. He set the cup down hard and smiled sheepishly at her after a great gulp. Alice shook her head at him, reigning in more laughter.
"Underland, I present to you Tarrant and Alice Hightopp! You may now kiss the Champion."
Hatter practically lunged across the table at her. They rested their hands on the sides of the table and kissed, the soundtrack of disorganized applause and cries of joy clashing in the background. She thought she heard music began to play, though she hadn't seen a band earlier.
Still lost in the moment of Hatter, she heard a whoosh of air to the right of her. "Now, now, Alice," a voice purred in her ear. "You're going to suffocate the poor man."
Hatter pulled away from the kiss and swiped at the vanishing form of Chess. "Argh, who needs air, you scoundrel?"
Alice laughed and looked down, only to note that the table was gone. Chessur must have made it vanish, along with his body. That didn't make sense until she noticed her friends all charging at her and Hatter with the ribbons still in their hands.
"Oh, dear," Hatter muttered.
Their friends tied them up like cattle, running around the pair in a circle. Mallymkun rode on top of the fumbling Hare's head, ribbons flying from her small paws. The Tweedles kept pushing past each other, trying to run faster than the other. Chessur played with the ribbons as he flew with them. McTwisp was just trying to not get trampled. Successfully, Alice was glad to see. Even Uilleam was trying to keep up with the others.
Finally, Alice and Hatter bumped into each other, tied so tightly together with blue and green ribbon that they stood nose to nose. She beamed up at him, and he down at her. He was her future. She would see that gap-toothed grin and ginger hair every morning for the rest of her life. They would wake up, drink tea, dance around together, protect the land, keep each other safe and sound, and love one another. Underland was her future.
"I am the luckiest Otherworlder," she said to him.
"No," he whispered. "Alice, you earned everything you have here. It's all yours."
"And now you, too." She grinned.
He shook his head. "You had me long ago, lassie."
Not knowing what to say, Alice filled the gap with a kiss. The cheers around her grew, reminding her that she wasn't alone. Never in her life would she be alone again. It had finally been her turn in life to think for herself, and this was the reward.
And by God, was the reward sweet.
THE END
* Simulus: Simul is Latin for "together"
* Valian: Vale is Latin for "goodbye"
Rachel: Thank you very much for reading! If you ever feel like revisiting, or want to remember how this all began, feel free to go back and read Alice's Choice. Or just start over here.
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Rachel: Each and every reader/Reviewer of mine is awesome. Thanks for sticking around. I'll see you next time.
Insanity: AND in May of 2016. . . DUN. DUN. DUNNNNNNNNNNN.