A.N. : Thank you for the kind reviews I appreciate them so much. I will try to update this story as often as I can. Don't freak out if I hadn't updated in a while as I'm always thinking of this story and ways to develop it. I'm thinking of the plot as I go so it's a true work in progress. Thank you x
Alice and Tarrant reached the hall and he let go of her arm. There was a long table set up in the middle of the room with many seats surrounding it. Mirana, unaware of their presence, was seated and chatting with members of her court whose backs were turned against them. "Can we have these," she said picking daphne flowers off the table and pointing to where Alice and Hatter stood, "over- Alice!" Mirana finally saw the couple standing there and immediately got up and walked over to them. McTwisp, Bayard and Mallymkun were also in the room and ran over to their friends. "You're back," McTwisp smiled up at Alice before hugging her leg. "You're late, as always," Mally scolded her. Mirana gave Alice a quick hug then grabbed both her hands, "How are you, dear?" Alice looked at her, "A bit confused if I'm honest." The queen led her to the table by one hand, "I have exciting news to share with you." She stopped before getting to her seat and turned to Alice, "I'm getting married!" The White Queen had the biggest smile on her face. "I thought I had to save Underland again," she commented, "but that's indeed very exciting. Congratulations, your majesty." She hugged Mirana once more. "I'm also so glad you could make it. I sent the Hatter to go fetch you." Mirana then turned to Tarrant, "Excellent job." He showed off a proud smile. At that moment, Alice realized something. "Your majesty, I don't mean to rude but actually the reason I went through the looking glass was to see if my mother was here. I couldn't find her in our shop. I was led to believe she accidentally traveled here," she told the White Queen with hopeful eyes. Mirana looked at one of her court members and said, "Go get Helen, please." Then she said to Alice, "Oh yes, there was a strange woman passed out right outside of Marmoreal. When she regained consciousness, she told us she hadn't a clue what happened and how she ended up here. I was very certain she was related to you. She looks so much like you. We put her under medical care to make sure she was alright, though she seemed absolutely fine." Alice let out a sigh of relief at Mirana's words. Mrs. Kingsleigh came into the room guided by a guard. "Mother!" Alice ran to her and engulfed her in a hug. "Are you alright?" she asked her noticing her mother's puzzled face. "Yes, but where am I, where are we?" Alice thought of her response, fearing it might alarm her. "We're in Underland, mother." Helen fainted and fell back in her arms.
Mrs. Kingsleigh awoke in the same room she was in hours before. "Good you're up," Alice smiled down at her. "Are we still in 'Underland'?" Helen rose from the bed and asked her daughter. Alice hesitated before answering with simply a yes. "How did you even get down here in the first place?" Alice asked. "I don't know. All I remember is waking up in this room." Helen said. She waited a while before responding, "I'm sure this is just a bad dream." Alice accepted her mother's comment and left it as is. Mrs. Kingsleigh stood up and Alice grabbed her hand and led her back to the grand hall. "Come, there's some people I want you to meet." She walked to the table and introduced Mirana to her mother. "Mother, this is her majesty, Mirana." The White queen smiled at Helen and said, "Nice to formally meet you, Mrs. Kingsleigh." Alice butted in, "The Queen is getting married." Mirana told them both, "Tomorrow's the day, ladies. Please stay, Mrs. Kingsleigh. I'd love to have you here, along with your daughter, to celebrate with me on my special day." Helen hesitated and said, " Your majesty, I apologize but we must get going back to our home. There's much work to be done. Come along, Alice." She took a hold of Alice's wrist and was about drag her out of the room to look for an exit. "Mother, please, let's stay. It's the queen's big day. She's my friend. Please," Alice begged. Helen thought and looked back at the queen, who displayed a sorrowful face. "Fine. I'd be happy to attend," Mrs. Kingsleigh announced and faked a smile then walked back with her daughter to the table.
"This is my closest friend, Tarrant Hightopp," Alice presented Hatter to Helen after introducing her to almost everyone in the hall. "Hatter, this is my mother, Helen Kingsleigh." Alice smiled at both of them then stepped back a little. "It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Kingsleigh," Tarrant grabbed Helen's hand and planted a small kiss on it. He caught her off guard, "Oh, what a gentleman." She smiled at Alice. 'So far, so good' Alice thought. She went to stand next to Mirana, "So, who's the lucky groom?"