A/N: Well here's chapter 15 and I can't believe it's been over a year since I wrote and I apologize deeply for it! I've been so busy raising a two year old, getting my Bachelor's degree and my husband's getting out of the military for medical reasons so life keeps throwing stuff at me but I promise this story is going to get finished along with others I have going. I truly enjoy writing!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Lewis Carroll's, Disney, or Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass. The plot and the characters I create, I do.

Rating: T

*The Journey to Town*

After Alice was finished shopping for dresses that would get her by for the next few weeks, her and Tarrant started to head back to the castle.

As they started down the road, Alice remembered that she forgot that Tarrant was going to ask her something earlier that he never finished.

"Tarrant? I believe you never finished the question you were going to ask me earlier." She said.

Tarrant knew exactly which question she was referring to and instantly got nervous. Tarrant had been somewhat confident before but since she had spoken of another man, he wasn't so sure if he'd get the answer he wanted. He also knew if he didn't ask her now then he might miss his chance.

"Tarrant?"

He stopped and turned towards her taking her hands in his, which set off butterflies in Alice once more.

"Oh yes! I'm terribly sorry as I get lost in my thoughts sometimes but I was wondering if you would..."

BOOM!

He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because a huge explosion of fireworks sounded from the town's square which sent them both to the ground. The explosion of fireworks was followed by the roaring and shouting of the townspeople running to where the commotion had begun.

Tarrant helped Alice up off the ground.

"What was that?" Alice asked as she dusted herself off.

"I don't know my dear, but let us find out!" He said taking her hand in his.

They ran to catch up with the other townspeople. The villagers seemed to be gathering around what sounded like a fight.

"Excuse me! Coming through!" The Hatter yelled as he and Alice made their way through the crowd. Alice gasped once they got a look at what everyone else was looking at. There was a massive lion and a unicorn that appeared to be engaged in battle.

Tarrant knew these two from experience. He also knew the only way these two would stop fighting would be to run them out of town. He was also curious as to why they were in Marmoreal. They watched as the two fought all over the town square. It was clear that the lion was winning.

Tarrant having witnessed this before whipped out a cup of tea and two pieces of buttered bread seemingly out of nowhere.

Alice noticed and gave Hatter an odd look.

"Oh! Terribly sorry! Would you like some tea and some buttered toast?" He asked with said items in his outstretched hands. Alice took them but couldn't help but ask why.

"Why are you drinking tea and eating toast during a fight?"

"Do you not remember Alice? Everyone feasts on white bread, brown bread, and plum cake when the lion and the unicorn fight in town!" Tarrant stated matter-of-factly.

Alice looked around the crowd only to confirm the Hatter was right.

"I'm sorry Hatter, but not all of my memories have returned." Alice said sadly.

"It's alright Alice, you were very young then." He said softly.

The lion and the unicorn took a break from fighting and joined in the feasting.

Hatter took Alice's hand and led her over to where the lion and unicorn were seated.

"Pardon me for interrupting your break but could you tell me why you are fighting so close to Marmoreal?" Hatter asked.

"We are fighting for the crown of course!" The unicorn stated proudly.

"Yes, yes, I can see that but why now and why so close to Marmoreal?" The Hatter demanded.

"We heard that the Red Queen was going to challenge the throne again and a rumor started flying around that someone else should rule instead of the Red Queen or even the White," said the lion.

Tarrant could feel his eyes changing with worry but Alice squeezed his hand, which kept him grounded. He didn't like the idea of other Underland residents wanting to fight for the crown and he didn't think Mirana would take it well either. Underland did not need a game of thrones right now.

Tarrant wanted to contemplate more or get more questions answered but the pounding of the drums started and the lion and the unicorn ran out of town followed by angry townspeople.

Alice was still trying to make sense of what had happened.

Tarrant knew they had to report to the queen and let her know what they had heard. He looked at Alice apologetically.

"I suppose we must hurry back to the castle and inform the queen." Hatter stated.

"Yes, I suppose so! Do you think it is anything we should be worried about?" Alice asked.

"I don't know. The lion and the unicorn have always fought for the crown for as long as I can remember but neither of them ever truly wins the crown. I'm not worried about them so much as I am about the rumor they heard. It wouldn't do for us to have another ruler especially if they are anything like the bluddy bheg hid! Only da White Queen Mirana deserves da crown!" He rambled slipping into his brogue.

"Hatter?" Alice said.

"I'm sorry Alice. I just don't think Underland can handle another war right now even though the oraculum seems to show otherwise." Tarrant said in a tired voice.

Alice felt sorry for him. From what she had gathered on her last trip there, he had been the leader of the Resistance. She could only imagine how long he had been fighting for a better Underland and he had lost his whole family in the process.

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. He smiled down at her making her heart skip a beat.

"It'll be all right Hatter. We'll figure this all out together." She said determinedly.

"Yes, we will." Tarrant said with more confidence. They had somehow made it back to the castle. They went in to tell the queen the dreaded news.

*End of Chapter 15*

Reviews welcomed! Again, I can't believe I haven't updated this story in so long! Now I hear they are making an Alice in Wonderland sequel and mostly the whole cast is returning with the exception of a few. There are also some new characters. It's already being filmed and under a different director, James Bobin but yay for Johnny Depp and Mia W. returning! I got my fingers crossed for an Alice/Hatter thing but if not, thank goodness there's always fanfiction. Anyway, I'm going to try to keep updating as much as possible!