Hatter took a shuddering breath as he began his meditation, his mind fully occupied by the unusual experience of the night before. He'd felt others' emotions before, let them take over sometimes, but never before had he been in danger of losing consciousness from the potency of them.

This was a completely different kettle of onions. He had felt the emotions of the soldiers in training as if they were his very own. He was sure of it, having enough experience in Alice's world to know what it felt like to be under the influence of another's emotions. Even more disturbing was the fact that these weren't Oysters, just Wonderlanders.

So how could he feel what they felt?

It could be that whatever it was that made up the difference between Oysters and the inhabitants of Wonderland, the very thing that made him so susceptible to his current weakness, was reaching out desperately for what it so vehemently craved in the wake of his withdrawal.

Maybe it was a one off?

It was a fluke, a happenstance brought on by his abstinence after such an intense addiction when he'd been weak and tired, and not likely to happen again.

He really couldn't be sure…

He needed answers from the only person who could possibly understand what he was going through. Abandoning his failed attempt at meditation, Hatter quickly left the room set aside for his use and went in search of Jack.

A few twists and turns through the stone corridors and Hatter managed his way back to the throne room. He heard voices within. Assuming that Jack must be entertaining guests, he slipped in. The Red Knight was glaring at him as he entered and Hatter huddled against an out of the way section of the room, a passive witness to the proceedings.

A messenger in fine clothes was cut off from his rambling flatteries by a curt wave of Jack's hand.

"This is becoming tiresome. I am at a complete loss as to how I can make myself any clearer, having already given the Unicorn my answer in this matter." Jack said firmly, one hand rubbing his temple.

"After today, your Highness, my lord assures that you will have no need to hear from any more messengers. My lord makes a most beneficial offer."

Jack leaned forward, "He intends to bribe me?"

"Your Highness misunderstands," Jack raised an eyebrow at that and the messenger gave a nervous chuckle, "I mean, I must have explained poorly."

"My lord is willing to offer you something for the benefit of your kingdom, a chance at much needed stability… something precious to you."

Jack managed to look both concerned and intrigued at the same time. "Riddles are a fool's payment. Speak plainly."

"It is within the Unicorn's power to provide you with a bride, a new Queen of Hearts."

Jack scoffed, "If he is offering his sister's hand, it is well known that the Princess Lily is but an infant. That's hardly suitable as a queen for a recovering realm."

"No, your Highness, someone more appropriate and, to the point, whose stature is more apt at conveying the high esteem in which the Unicorn holds you as a fellow prince…" The messenger paused for dramatic effect, a too smug smirk lurking on the edge of his lips, "Alice of Legend."

Hatter, meanwhile, felt as though he'd been punched in the gut. The air left him and his heart clenched painfully within his chest. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true.

Jack stood abruptly, his blue eyes piercing as they settled on Hatter in alarm, a gaze that pleaded for a denial which Hatter couldn't give. He didn't know if she was safe. He had left her, left her vulnerable to these power-mad princes.

The horrible thought that she might have followed him entered his mind. She had followed after Jack the first time through, hadn't she? Maybe she had done again and gotten kidnapped for her trouble. Hatter swallowed hard against the tightening in his throat.

"A fine choice." The messenger continued, seemingly unaware of the disturbed reactions of the other occupants in the room. "Especially so since it is said that your feelings for her are what kept you from marrying the beautiful and eligible duchess. Is this not so? Or perhaps she was too much your mother's creature?"

Jack's eyes returned to the messenger, narrowing slightly. Again the messenger chuckled in his uneasy way, understanding that the prince's ire was raised at such a personal remark.

"You're lying," Hatter ground out between clenched teeth.

"The implications of that are grave, sir. It is truth." He smiled and Hatter clenched his fist in an attempt to restrain himself, anger and concern warring for dominance.

"It is beyond the Unicorn's power to offer the hand of someone who is not a subject of the White Kingdom." Jack reasoned, voice sounding stern.

"Though, since there is where she currently resides, that suits the qualifications." The messenger replied a bit too quickly, as though he'd known that would be an issue.

"Can you offer proof of this?" Jack asked him.

"My lord is generous. He will deliver the prize if you trust in him as he trusts in you to back his claim to the throne and so I was given no token but a prince's friendship."

Jack's posture stiffened as though he was steeling himself to do something he'd rather not. "Tell your lord that he is most gracious and I will send a messenger with my reply for I need time to consider his offer."

The messenger bowed and backed away from the throne, making his exit. Hatter rushed to Jack, who collapsed into his throne like a marionette whose strings had all been cut. The Red Knight also approached them but Hatter's focus was on the Prince of Hearts.

"Jack, we have to-"

"Report!" Jack barked out, one hand covering his eyes like he couldn't bear the strain of light.

"Highness," the Red Knight saluted and continued, "while on patrol, I did see a soldier enter the white kingdom with a maid on his horse. It might be she."

"What did she look like?" Hatter asked urgently, hating the way his worry made his voice jump in pitch.

"I was too far a field to get a good look." The knight replied in a condescending tone before fixing his attention back on the prince.

"But it might be Alice being held captive. We have to find out for certain!"

"There's no need." Jack said, voice strained as he lowered his hand and fixed his gaze on Hatter. "The Lion was right. There was a spy in the White Rabbit and he confessed to helping smuggle an Oyster through the rabbit hole. The Oyster he described matches Alice's description."

"How long have you known?" Hatter uttered in shock.

"Just since this morning. I was coming to find you when I was delayed by the envoy's arrival."

"We have to get her back!" Hatter urged, his guilt at leaving her behind spurring him into action.

"The Unicorn will only give her up if I agree to his terms." Jack said, voice soft and solemn.

Hatter's heart seemed to be twisting painfully as he was hit full force by the unspoken message suggested by Jack's tone. It was regret. Which could only mean that Jack wasn't going to agree, wasn't going to help Alice.

"Which you won't do." Hatter spat accusingly.

"Don't you think I want to?" Jack stood, sneering. "I can't. If I agree to back the Unicorn, the Lion will wage war on us and this kingdom is still rebuilding. We've haven't the numbers and ones we do have are no where near ready. I can't risk their lives for my own desires. That was how my mother ruled, not I."

Hatter's eyes narrowed, his anger at himself now finding a new Target in Jack. "And speaking of which, who was it that you entrusted with the stone of Wonderland and helped secure your position as ruler, eh? She risked everything for you and you're going to just turn your back on her!"

"I care for her more than you can possibly imagine but I swore to be neutral and I am honor bound to hold to my word. There's nothing I can do." Jack nodded to the Red Knight, who smirked. "And I cannot risk you interfering."

Hatter's confusion by Jack's last statement dissipated as a pair of suits seized him from behind. He struggled as the two men held him fast and attempted to secure him in manacles.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Alice was supposed to be safe until his return but by leaving he'd somehow further endangered her. It was all going so terribly wrong.

"Jack!" Hatter cried, frantic now that his arms were chained behind his back, "You can't think she'll be safe if you turn him down? We have to rescue her! You can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"I have a kingdom to consider!" Jack said, his composure cracking.

Hatter was painfully forced to his knees. They hit the stone floor with a jarring force and he bit his tongue, hissing at the pain. He shouted defiantly, "Coward!"

"Off-"

"Say it!" Hatter challenged, even as he interrupted the Prince's command, his anger acting now to mask his fear. "Go on, then! Say it. It's what she would've done, yeah? The quick fix?"

Jack stepped back, his anger seemed to drain out of him and the look on his face was both ashamed and appalled. Hatter felt tendrils of guilt and heartache wrapping around him and realized with a sense of disquiet that the feelings weren't entirely his own. His reason for seeking Jack in the first place came to him but it seemed so unimportant now.

"Off to the prison with him." Jack's quiet voice addressed the Red Knight. "Just keep him out of the way until we have the situation in hand."

Hatter didn't resist as he was hauled to his feet. He regretted his harsh words to Jack. Hatter knew how much he cared about Alice, felt it himself even, but that was no excuse for not taking action. She could be in great danger.

He was marched along, a suit to either side and, if the slight jingle of armor was any indication, the Red Knight not far behind them. He was ushered up the spiraling steps that led to the tower. When they stopped, Hatter chanced a glance up to view the inside of his cell; three stone walls and a line of bars.

The Red Knight moved into sight. Hatter raised his eyes, though his head still hung dejectedly. The knight sneered.

"Look at you…pathetic."

Before he could respond, the knight struck him. Hatter's head was ringing from the force of the blow, resentment that wasn't his own coiled in his gut like an angry viper. Hatter glared at the knight, his cheek and jaw stinging from the hit. He was still recovering when an armored fist buried itself in his midsection.

Hatter doubled over, the suits releasing the dead weight, and he collapsed, gasping, to the cold stone. He could hear the suits leaving as the Red Knight crouched before him.

"That was for my father." He whispered venomously.

"What are you talking about? I barely know you!" Hatter managed to choke out the words.

"No. But you knew my father Haigha well enough, didn't you? Or maybe it's easier for you to kill the people you barely know."

"I don't know any Haigha. You're mad."

The Red Knight grabbed a fistful of Hatter's hair, jerking his head so he was forced to stare into his furious amber eyes. "Mad? Yes, you knew him as Mad March… and you killed him for the second time."

"The Queen was the one that brought him back, remember. By then, he wasn't your dad anymore. I destroyed a ceramic rabbit." The knight released him and stood. The anger he felt from the boy, combined with his own, was threatening to choke him.

"Hn," the Red Knight grunted, "Just like the Hearts, you keep passing the blame. An emotion peddler, addicted to his own wares and an ineffectual prince. I honestly don't know what she sees in either of you."

"You've seen Alice?" Hatter scrambled to stand, his voice hopeful as he clung to his anchor.

The knight circled Hatter so that his back was to the awaiting suits and he stepped closer, whispering triumphantly. "Who do you think it was that delivered her to the Unicorn?"

"One hair," Hatter growled, his expression promising violence, "Even one on her harmed and you'll regret it. I'll make what happened to your dad seem like a bit o' mercy."

The two men stared silently for a moment, a contest of wills before Hatter felt something underneath this boy's rage that surprised him; the sweet and simple flavor of love and concern. In that moment, Hatter knew it was towards Alice because he'd felt the same when he'd met her. "Fine, you don't like me. I get it. But…the Unicorn, if he doesn't get his way, can you keep her safe?"

The knight stepped back, eyes widening in surprise and confusion. He turned abruptly and left. He cell door slamming with a clang of finality.

*~*~*~*~*

To Be Continued…

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