Eight– Clash of the Crown

"What kind of blood room is this!?' I demanded, holding my hips in anger. "There are five walls and not one of them is blood red!?"

Paola the Cat designer looked up to me, shaking.

I bent down and looked at the cat.

"Th-this is blood red," she stammered. "I-it says so on the tin-"

"I do not care, what it due said, so for now off with your head!" I cried, before standing. "Oh that rhymed… laugh!"

The guards around the room began to quietly laugh.

I smiled before turning back to the cat who was also laughing.

"Not you," I snapped. "You're going to die, get her out of here!"

"No! NO HELP!" The cat whimpered, as the guard tugged her out of the room.

I dipped my finger into the paint and looked at it.

"Oops, it is blood red," I said, wiping my finger along the wall. "No matter, did not like her much anyway. She smelt like fish."

I stormed out of the room and down the corridor, into the throne room and sat down atop the glorious red throne.

"My Lady," Emerella said, walking over and bowing down to me. "How humble it is that you grace us with your presence at this time."

I lowered my eyes and crossed my legs over one another.

"By what do you mean?" I asked, attempting to sound mildly elegant.

Emerella stood up straight; her hair today was spun up into a tight bun.

"Well, we were planning to have our meeting to discuss the plan of attack," Emerella stated, humbly. "But we were not sure if you desired-"

"I AM THE QUEEN HORRACKS!" I snapped, standing up and holding my hips. "I SHOULD BE INFORMED EVEN IF I DO NOT DESIRE TO ATTEND!"

The room was silenced.

I knew I probably shouldn't have yelled like I did, but I was getting extremely tired of not feeling at home anywhere. At Marmoreal I was accused for something I did not do and here everyone is keeping secrets from me!? I suppose I wouldn't trust me either considering I did desert them, but still! I came back didn't I!?

Slowly, I turned around and sat back down on the chair, my long red dress clumping around my legs.

"Yes, yes your majesty, you will be included... of course," Emerella stammered, lowering her head and avoiding my eyes. "Whatever you wish."

I grinned pleasantly, mildly enjoying the power I had over everyone around me.

It was much better than being back at Marmoreal; over there no-one listened to me! Now everyone HAD to.

But… but The Hatter… no, no he didn't listen to me either! So why should I care!? I wonder if he even misses me.

"S-s-so," Emerella began, looking around to the other scared members of the court who had suspiciously moved closer towards the door since my outburst. "We need a plan, a plan of attack to kill both Alice and The White Queen, obtain their blood and with the combined power of theirs' our own Queen's and the mirror's power bring back Iracebeth. Any suggestions as to how to do that?"

The room was silent.

"Oh COME NOW!" Emerella yelled, pacing forward and glaring down at everyone. "SOMEONE must have an idea!?"

"Actually, I do," I said, standing.

Everyone turned to me, scared looks plastered upon their faces.

"Well don't act so surprised," I snapped. "I've been plotting this for months!"

I walked forwards, my red heels clicking on the stone floor. I held my hands in front of me and lowered my eyebrows, grinning tastefully.

"There is only one problem with a front-on battle," I began, loudly. "The White Army would win. So, we must use the one thing that matters the most against them- doing the right thing. They are obsessed with being right, being brave, being the best… and the worst thing about that; is that they can be extremely, predictable."

Emerella looked to me.

"So you suggest… a trap?"

"Exactly!" I grinned; as yet another idea sprang to mind. "Horracks, my mother had a small amount of magic within her blood did she not?"

Emerella nodded, "yes, not much but enough to make a good potion. Why?"

I laughed inside, knowing how wicked my own plan was going to be yet no-one else had any idea.

"Prepare me an army, inform them that they leave at dawn," I ordered, and two guards near the door hurried off.

I turned around, swinging my long cloak behind me and heading for the right hallway.

"Your Majesty what exactly is going on?" Emerella asked, jumping to my side and hurrying along beside me.

"You talk far too much Horracks," I sniggered, storming along the hallway as she tried aimlessly to catch up to me but failing.

I turned another corner and tore into the Library, going down to the back row and pulling out a large blue book, before taking it to the kitchens and opening it to page 593.

I scanned my eyes along the page, taking the ingredients out from the cupboard and beginning the potion.

"There you are," Emerella cried, walking into the room and leaning over my shoulder to read the book. "'Mirror Image Potion,' is this what I think it is?"

I smiled as I placed a five inch nail into the bubbling pot.

"I told the army that they would be leaving at Dawn, and they will… just, not in the way The White Army will be," I said, maliciously.

Emerella laughed and lent against the table.

I had never seen her soo… happy.

"Your Majesty," said a voice from the doorway.

I looked up, throwing a Green Nettle into the pot and causing it to go a bright purple colour.

"Yes Guard," I said, politely.

"The Rabbit is getting restless… he tried to break out, again," The Guard replied, slowly.

I clenched my teeth and breathed in deeply.

"I shall speak with him," I ordered, handing Emerella the Troll's hand I was holding. "Break off the fingers and add them in, then finish it off. I'll be back soon."

Emerella was taken-back but held the hand none the less, looking as if she were about to throw up.

I walked out of the room, along the corridors and down the dungeons steps. Frobis allowed me entrance to the cells and I walked along until reaching the cell which held the small white rabbit who was curled up into a little ball in the corner near the door.

I reached my pointed heel through the slender bars and kicked him square in the stomach, causing the rabbit to lurch and sit up quickly, grasping his ears and shaking madly.

"Nivens, Nivens, Nivens," I chanted, leaning down and looking at the little, squirmy creature. "You should know by now that there is no way out of your predicament- only death. Which luckily for you, awaits you tomorrow."

I stood up and ran my finger along my red lips, visualizing the fried rabbit I shall be served tomorrow night.

"No, you wouldn't!" The Rabbit argued, jumping up against the bars and grasping onto them, looking up at me ever soo frightened.

"Oh but I would you fool!" I snapped. "You lot deserted me, treated me like some stupid child who didn't deserve anything! Everything was fine until you chose that betraying LIAR over me!"

I wasn't aware how loud I was being until I spied Frobis at the entrance to the cells looking at me with concern.

I sighed and looked down; sitting back on the cold stone surface with my long dress spurted around me.

"I would have stayed with you all, forever," I finished, slowly. "I was free, for the first time in my life. I had friends, I had a family… I had everything I had ever dreamt of… and it was all taken away."

I looked up to Nivens who was now looking very much more relaxed, his eyes now looking sad and ears were drooped to his sides.

"You are still in there, aren't you Ari," Nivens said, after a while of no-one talking. "The one, who saved The Hatter, befriended a mouse and single-handedly made Queen Mirana smile after being the saddest I have ever seen her. You know this isn't you Ari… you're just pretending."

I could no longer speak.

I tried… but no words left my throat.

Nivens was wrong, he HAD to be wrong. I would never go back I'd just get thrown out all over again.

I looked up, contempt in my heart and I stood.

"Guards, take the rabbit to the throne room- he will be released," I said, hastily.

I knew that Nivens was looking at me, with gratitude deep in his eyes but I could not meet them.

The Guards heaved the rabbit out of the cells and I watched as they took him up the stairs and away.

After remaining where I was for a while, I went after them, Frobis glaring deeply at me but I pushed past him.

I made it to the door outside the throne room where Emerella caught up with me.

"I finished the potion, but what is this -may I ask- about the betrayer being released?" she demanded, angrily.

I shook my head and grinned. "It is all part of the plan."

Emerella looked confused.

"We need a way to draw out the White Army, and this is the best way."

Emerella's eyes lit up.

"Ohh I see," she said, quietly and nodding.

I led the way into the throne room and sat down at the throne with Emerella behind me.

"Well, get rid of him!" I demanded, as the guards began to tug him away. I turned to Emerella, "So the plan begins at dusk tomorrow. We will attack Marmoreal and kill all inside."

"Is there any way of them beating us?" Emerella asked; playing along with what I was saying as Nivens was still in earshot.

"Only one, if they attack first," I continued. "But they will have no idea, after all how would they know?!"

I began to laugh just as the two doors were closed behind Nivens and the guards, blocking them from us.

"Do you think it worked?" Emerella asked, as I stood and stepped forward.

I took a deep breath in, remembering all the things Nivens had said to me down in the dungeons.

"I hope so," I said, and I really did- for Nivens's sake.

Nivens scurried into the throne room, falling down onto the floor in pain.

"Nivens," Mirana cried, scurrying over to him and looking down in shock. "Nivens are you alright? You have been missing for weeks, days in fact!"

Nivens coughed and stood up, his red outfit tattered and torn from his cross country run to get to safety.

"The Red…. The Red Army nears," Nivens stuttered, grasping onto Mirana's outstretching arm for balance. "They plan to attack tomorrow at dusk. The… the only way to beat them, is if we attack first."

The room was silent as Alice and The Hatter slowly came in, Alice shocked at the sight and sounds she was hearing.

"I told you, I told you all did I not!?" she said, quickly. "Arietta is the enemy, she plotting against us. Look what she has done to Nivens! Is that not proof enough!? We must attack first, defend our boarders and keep that Bloody Big Head far away from here!"

Mirana looked up, a tear in her elegant eye.

"The proof is now overwhelming," she said. "If we must, we must. Bayard, prepare an army, we attack at dawn."

"Yes Majesty," Bayard said, dashing out of the room as fast as his little paws could carry him.

Mirana looked down to Nivens before returning her gaze to Alice.

"Do you really think this is best?" she asked, slowly.

Alice nodded.

"Well we have to," she said. "I am not letting you down."

Suddenly she turned to The Hatter, who had not spoken a word.

He eyes were golden and tired and his hair droopy, hit hat was held between his hands.

"Hatter," Alice said. "I need to know you're with me on this."

The Hatter looked from Mirana to Alice and shook his head slowly, meaning he would help.

"Alright, we leave at dawn," Alice said, looking to Mirana. "Although, you should remain here."

Mirana nodded, unwilling to argue and she began to stoke Nivens on his sore and tired head.

"You have done well Mr McTwisp," she commended. "Rest now, we shall not expect any more form you."

Nivens breathed silently.

He was soo glad to be home, however part of him wished he could have done more to return Ari to her rightful home… Marmoreal.

"They're here," Emerella said, leaning away from the binoculars and smiling.

I peered over the edge of the balcony, looking down at my "army".

I couldn't find the right words to say, or even to think.

My life had gotten worse and worse and there was nothing I could do or say to fix it anymore.

I had given up- on both myself and everybody else.

Mirana had done exactly what I knew she would do and now the plan which I had soo eagerly created was happening right before me and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"Majesty," Emerella said, grasping my arm. "We must get going."

I managed a smile and followed Emerella away, as the White Army approached the castle.

Alice lead the army, feeling braver that she did the last time she was thrown into battle.

Unlike last time, her heart was not pounding hard within her chest it was beating at a normal, steady pace.

She was not scared, she was eager.

Eager to finally end this and bring peace one and for all!

She was not about to let some silly girly-girl come in and bring back the creature that had destroyed soo many lives, including one of her dearest friend The Hatter who was walking quietly beside her.

He hadn't been the same since Arietta had left; Alice began to ponder if he really did care for her.

They reached the grounds in front of castle Crims, the soldiers all lining up in a row behind Alice, the Hatter, Mally, Thackery and the Tweedles.

This time, it was going to end.

Alice took a deep breath in and looked to The Hatter who was glumly looking down at his long broad sword yet hadn't touched it.

"You are with me, right?" Alice asked, hopeful.

The Hatter did not respond. He hadn't spoken for hours.

Alice stepped in front of the army and looked out at her troops that she would lead to victory.

"Today," she yelled, pacing before them. "Today we finish this, once and for all. No more horror, no more nightmares of what could happen. Today we attack, and today we win. For Mirana! For Marmoreal! And for Freedom!"

The Army erupted into cheers and screams in agreement.

Alice looked to The Hatter who was still yet to smile.

"Come on Hatty," Alice encouraged. "We need to be strong."

The Hatter looked up and nodded his head, clutching his sword but still not taking it.

Alice turned around as the draw bridge of the castle behind her began to lower and a giant army began to emerge, the numbers not seeming to end as the soldiers in red kept coming.

Alice retreated back to her army, suddenly seeming scared.

Thackery shuddered as he held his soup ladle and Mally began to panic before jumping atop The Hatter and standing on his shoulder.

The Red Army stopped a mere meter from the White Army, but neither side did attack.

Out of no-where, as if by magic the image of Arietta appeared, right in front of Alice.

"My dear, dear Alice, it's been far too long," Arietta said, grinning as she wore her long red gown.

Alice stepped forwards.

"How did you do that?"

Arietta laughed.

"Hello? I'm the Red Queen's daughter? I do obtain a small amount of magic in my blood," Arietta said, as if she were right there. "But you should know that since I'm magic I do have some very special powers, and one of them is the ability to create the illusion of someone or something that isn't really there. For example, right now I'm a million miles away… actually to be precise, three hundred and twenty eight miles away."

There was a glint of sparkle in her eyes that only The Hatter noticed; he could tell she was excited about something.

"Marmoreal," he said, inventively.

"Oh Hatter you really are a smart one aren't you," Arietta said grinning. "So I thank you one and all for coming to my little show, but by the time you return home… it'll already be too late. Oh and one last thing, thank you Alice. No really thank you, if it weren't for your betraying, backstabbing trick I never would have thought of this idea, so thank you. Now, my little White Chess pieces, RUN! Run back to your Queen. You heard me, RUN!"

With one quick and foul laugh Arietta disappeared, along with her large army. The Drawbridge was raised once again and Alice turned quickly to The Hatter.

"All we must do is wait," Alice said, cleverly. "There is only one way out of the castle and they have not snuck past us!"

The Hatter's eyes widened.

"No, there's another way," he said. "A way only she and I know. Quick, to the castle!"

I pulled myself up through the tunnel.

Hastily, the Red guards spread themselves around the garden and I sent the others off to obtain the other sectors of the castle.

We had to have control of every ounce of Marmoreal if we were to succeed.

"To the throne room," I ordered, "This way."

I led Emerella and five other guards through the castle, weaving along the corridors and entering the throne room.

Mirana was pacing across the room with The Dodo and Nivens sitting down on the stairs looking glum.

With one swoop Emerella snuck up behind the beautiful Queen, holding a long dagger to her neck and before The Dodo or Nivens could do anything they were obtained by two of my guards.

I walked into the room, a dagger in one of my hands as I ran the blade over the tips of my fingers but no deep enough to cut them.

"Oh Aunty, why did you have to be soo predictable?" I asked her, leaning close but Mirana looked away. "Honestly? I knew exactly what your pathetic troops were going to do from day one!"

I stepped away and grinned down at the Dodo and Nivens.

"Did you honestly think I'd let you go?" I hissed to the rabbit, who couldn't keep my eye.

I returned to Mirana and smiled, before pulling out the small heart shaped mirror from my back pocket.

"You know what this means my dear Aunty," I said, wickedly. "But first we must wait for dear, dear Alice who will heroically run through the door in three… two….one….?"

"Your majesty!?" Alice cried, pushing through the door wearing her full armour suit.

Alice, along with The Hatter, Mally, The Tweedles and Thackery all looked absolutely exhausted from their quick trip back, but the first thing I did was smile.

"Oh how nice of you to join us," I said, grinning. "I was wondering if you'd ever make it. Oh look Hatty… it's nearly six o'clock, dinner time."

I looked to The Hatter who looked sadly back at me and I suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

But as soon as I saw the stubborn face of Alice Kingsely beside him, the guilt was gone.

So what did you think? Sorry this took soo long by the way, my bad :( Haha. So yea, I still have a few more chapters in store so I promise you all that I will finish the story! I am determined! Haha. Anyway, please do review and I hope you are all excited as to what happens next; will Arietta bring back her mother? Will she and The Hatter ever be together? Will Mirana live? Will Ari live? Well, you'll just have to wait and find out! MikiChik x