Between Two Worlds
Disclaimer: I do not own the Alice books or films. This fanfiction is entirely for fun and no money is being made.
Chapter 2: Mirana's Dilemma
The Royal Council of Mirana, the White Queen of Marmoreal and ruler of Underland was a spectacle that would have made most sane observers think they were the victims of some feverish dream.
Mirana's throne room itself, despite its starkly white and austere appearance was the most normal thing about the entire scene. The inhabitants of the room were much more startling.
The Queen was the only one of them who actually looked human but even her appearance was unusual. Although she was still a fairly young woman in the prime of life her hair was shockingly white, as white as her ornate gown and almost matched by the extreme pallor of her skin. This overall aura of whiteness was rather eerily contrasted by Mirana's darkly painted lips and nails.
Her advisors were a much more diverse group and none of them was even remotely human. Resting on an ornate red cushion was a huge blue butterfly, puffing on a hookah. The disembodied head of a large ginger cat floated in the air, sporting a wide and rather manic grin. And standing in front of Mirana's throne, sometimes twisting his paws together and sometimes pulling nervously at the buttons on his waistcoat, was a large white rabbit.
The butterfly was Absolem, the Sage of Underland and its most ancient inhabitant. The others were the Cheshire Cat and Nivens McTwist, the White Rabbit. All three were among Mirana's most trusted advisors but the fourth member of her Council was missing and it was this person who was the current topic of discussion.
"Really, it's just too bad!" The White Rabbit complained. "Tarrant Hightop is nothing but trouble!"
"First it was his parents he was depressed over and now it's that silly girl Alice." Absolem commented. "If he's been in love with the girl for so long why not just tell her before she left the last time? Or that other time after she killed the Jabberwocky?"
Mirana smiled wryly. "When has our Hatter ever been that direct about his feelings?"
"Perhaps the best thing would be to send for Alice and let the two of them sort it out?" The White Rabbit suggested.
"I am reluctant to do that," Mirana admitted. "We cannot keep sending for our Champion every time there's a problem here in Underland. She has her own life in her own world. And we can't even be sure if she would return Tarrant's feelings."
"Oh, The Alice likes our Mad Hatter all right!" The Cheshire Cat's grin widened, becoming rather salacious. "You just have to watch the two of them together to see that!"
"Even if Alice returns Tarrant's feelings that doesn't mean she would be willing to abandon her world and stay here with him in Underland," Mirana reminded them. "I have been observing our Champion since her last visit here. She has fashioned a very successful life for herself in her own world, as well as rebuilding her relationship with her mother and sister. Can we really ask her to give all that up?"
"Well something needs to be done!" Absolem said testily. "That wretched madman is affecting the whole of Marmoreal with his gloom and depression. I haven't seen so many glum faces here since before the Jabberwocky was killed!"
Mirana was about to reply when the doors of the Throne Room burst open and a rather bizarre figure entered. She was a woman of about Mirana's height and wore a deep red dress, but the most remarkable thing about her was her head, which was enormous and completely out of proportion to her body.
This was Iracebeth of Crims, Mirana's sister and former rival, although since Alice's last visit the two of them had reconciled and settled their differences. There was an expression of alarm on the woman's' rather gaudily painted features.
"Racie, what's wrong?" Mirana asked worriedly, rising to her feet.
"Mirwanna!" Iracebeth lisped. "Tarrant has just tried to strangle his father!"
"Oh dear!" Mirana said faintly and quickly collapsed back onto her throne. "Is Zanik all right?"
Iracebeth nodded her overly large head. "Fortunately some of the White Guard were nearby and pulled Tarrant off him in time. They've confined Tarrant to his chambers here in the castle."
"Well that's something," Mirana sighed. "What set Tarrant off like that?"
Her sister seemed to hesitate a moment before answering.
"Zanik told Tarrant he should just forget about Alice and find a girl here in Underland to court."
"Oh he wouldn't like that!" The Cheshire Cat muttered.
"I see!" Mirana pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply. Then she turned to address her oldest councillor.
"I'm afraid we have no choice now. Absolem, you will need to seek out Alice at once!"