Alice sat with her parents in the room they'd rented at the inn one night.
"So, how's your friendship with that Regina girl?" asked her father as he polished his pipe an elegant instrument made of light brown wood engraved with suns and moons.
"Fun. We both share a lot in common," said Alice. "I think she's lonely."
"I'm not surprised given what I've heard about her mother," said her mother. Alice pursed her lips Regina tended to avoid the topic of her parents.
"Why what is it?" she asked.
"The rumor is her mother's a dark sorceress. Just rumor mind you but...well I'd just be careful."
"You can't just condemn a child by the sins of their parent," pointed out her father.
"No, but the connection can create danger. That's not to say you have to avoid her but as I said, proceed with caution." Alice nodded in understanding. Then was surprised as her mother removed the necklace that held the ring with the familiar R engraved upon it.
"I want you to have this on you. You're old enough now that you should be the one to carry it just in case we were ever separated."
"Can you tell me the story behind it again?" asked Alice accepting it though feeling slightly off balance by the gift.
"That ring has been in my family for many generations. The story that's been passed down is that it was given to one of our ancestors by the Dark One himself to be passed through the family so that should anyone of our blood ever need his aid he would help without question.
"I still don't get why someone in our family was getting gifts from the Dark One," said Alice toying with the ring.
"Question of the century songbird," chuckled her father. "The Dark One isn't someone to be trifled with. If you've got a built-in way towards his favor like this, I'd say that's quite a boon if it's true."
"What do you mean if it's true!? You think I'd make that up Lewis?" asked her mother in mock offense. Her father rolled his eyes.
"No but you know how family tales get mixed up. Your Uncle Carlyle coulda gotten that ring from a fair and made the whole thing up and then the story gets passed down several generations and believed without question."
"You've said madder Papa," said Alice.
"Yes, but I'm from Wonderland madness goes with the territory." chuckled his father. "By the way have you worked out why a Raven's like a writing desk?"
Alice sighed her father had posed this question to her every night for as long as she could remember. It was a popular riddle amongst Wonderlandians and could have a variety of answers. She liked to try and come up with a different one each night if she could.
"They both produce notes," she said with a smile.
"You know that one stumped me the first time your father posed it," her mother told her.
"It does take a roundabout way of thinking," laughed Alice.
"But we wouldn't have you any other way," said her father.
"Of course not, you need someone to match your madness," replied Alice teasingly as she stood to kiss her parent's goodnight.
OUAT
"So they really have butterflies with wings made of bread!?" exclaimed Regina as she and Alice walked through the woods that ran from the edge of town towards Regina's estate.
"Yes, though they love to swarm you. There was someone where we used to live who got chased right off a cliff by the lot of them because he couldn't see where he was going. They aren't as friendly as they look. Which honestly goes for most things in Wonderland," replied Alice.
"I suppose I can see why you left then," said Regina. "Not much fun if everything wants to kill you."
"True. Though I suppose many people stay there because it's the only place the strange can truly feel at home. Nobody is too odd for Wonderland. It doesn't matter if you're a talking white rabbit or a disappearing cat."
"So, people are both welcome and unwelcome. What a topsy turvey world you come from," said Regina with a smile. Alice shrugged.
"I suppose it is." Regina paused.
"I was wondering...when you sing your songs and your father plays his pipe...are you using magic?" Alice stopped.
"What makes you ask that?" Regina bit her lip.
"I've grown up around magic I've seen people be controlled by it...I noticed people seemed OVERLY inclined to give you money when you performed. And when you sang and your father played...there was a heaviness and a power to it. Not the same but similar to what I've seen."
Alice toyed with the ring around her neck. Regina was nice. They'd been spending time together for two months and this was the first the woman had ever asked about their magic. And it wasn't as if lying would do much good...
"You can't tell anyone," she said quietly.
"I can keep a secret," Regina assured her.
"When you're born in Wonderland...you're often born different. My papa was born with the gift of being able to influence people with his music. I can do the same though also with my voice alone. It's just easier to direct the influence for me if I have an instrument. We use that power to increase our earnings in our performances. It's magic but that's all we've ever used it for."
"I see," said Regina. "Well, I can't blame you for making use of what you have."
"You say you grew up around magic does that mean the rumors about your mother being a dark sorceress are true?" asked Alice. Regina looked fearful for a moment and then she nodded.
"They are. Everyone's terrified of her. Then again why wouldn't you be terrified of someone who can rip out your heart? She uses her power to angle herself into a better position. She used to be a miller's daughter. But she's still not satisfied. She wants me to rise higher than she did and live the dream she never got when she ended up stuck with the fifth son."
"That sounds horrible," said Alice sympathetically. "I presume you don't want that."
"I couldn't care less! I just want to get away with the woman and be with..." Regina stopped herself and Alice prompted her.
"With whom?"
"You can't tell anyone either. My mother would kill him if she found out." Alice nodded fervently.
"You have my word."
"There's a stable boy. His name is Daniel and I love him. I want to be with him not whatever royal my mother will plan to foist on me."
"Can't your father do anything? He's the Prince right?" said Alice. Regina scoffed.
"Papa loves me but he's as scared of mother as I am."
"I'm sorry you're trapped. I'd offer to let you come with us when we leave at the end of the next month if I thought it would do any good," said Alice. Regina smiled sadly.
"It would only put you and your family in danger. But I appreciate the thought." Alice had never felt more sympathy for someone than she did in that moment Regina looked lost. Then the brunette shook her head.
"Let's talk about something more entertaining." Alice nodded in agreement not begrudging her friend the change in subject. It made her realize how lucky she really was to have such loving parents.
Still, Regina's mother might be awful right now but surely her friend could find an escape and it wasn't like Alice and her family would be touched by the woman. However, even as the thought occurred a shadow passed over her heart.
OUAT
Regina was glad that the day that she was planning to run away with Daniel was also one she would normally meet Alice in the woods. At least this way they could say goodbye.
"What has you so excited?" her blond friend asked in greeting as Regina dismounted from her horse.
"I'm doing it I'm running away with Daniel!" she whispered.
"What!" exclaimed Alice with a smile. "What prompted this?"
"I've no choice. Mother is trying to force me to marry King Leopold. I saved his daughter Snow White and as a reward he wants to make me his wife."
"You mean make you Snow White's mother," said Alice raising an eyebrow. "How old is this girl?"
"Twelve," replied Regina. "And Leopold is old enough to be my father. Which isn't unusual in our class but still..."
"You already have a love and a crown isn't enough to make you give it up," said Alice. Regina nodded.
"Right. Snow caught me kissing Daniel last night. I'm lucky I was able to make her promise to keep quiet."
"For your sake I hope that stays the case," replied Alice. "Well, I shall miss you." Regina smiled.
"And I you, you've been a true friend Alice."
"I've not had many friends but I'm glad to have been yours Regina. Fairfarren," said Alice squeezing Regina's hands.
"Fairfarren," replied Regina who had grown fond of the Wonderlandian greeting. Perhaps when she was far away living with Daniel she'd adopt it.
OUAT
Things had not gone according to plan. Her mother had somehow learned of her flight with Daniel and crushed his heart in front of her, insisting that Regina marry the King. Regina wanted to find her best friend, for that was how she had come to think of Alice, although only and best were synonymous here. Unfortunately, she was scared of leading her mother to her friend. She knew the girl and her family were due to leave soon.
It was after she'd come from a gown fitting that Regina overheard her mother speaking to her father.
"Henry there's a Piper in town with his family performing have you seen them before?"
"Yes, dear I do believe Regina and I watched them perform a few times."
"I see. Well, I'm going to pay them a visit now."
"Whatever for my love?" asked Henry. Regina heard her mother scoff.
"Do leave off the pet names Henry. We both know there's no love in this marriage. That Piper and his family have magic I can sense it. POWERFUL magic that could be used to my advantage. Now whether they do it willingly is another matter but I will have their powers to utilize."
Regina's eyes widened and she swiftly snuck away. She hurriedly put some coins in a purse and rode off with a spare horse.
She rode hard towards town though she knew her mother could be at Alice's families in an instant if she wished. She was halfway through the woods when she came across Alice.
OUAT
Alice had decided to go for a walk in the woods. Her hope was that she might run into Regina. Despite the girl's assurance's that she was going to run away with her stable boy, something Alice wholeheartedly supported, there had been a huge announcement about Princess Regina marrying King Leopold.
Alice couldn't help her sense of foreboding. It was as she was walking through the woods that she heard hooves and Regina rode up with a spare horse at her side.
Her friend's face was flushed with panic as she dismounted.
"ALICE!"
"Regina! What's wrong?" asked Alice in concern.
"You have to run right now!"
"Run? Run from what?" she asked.
"My mother she's worked out your family has magic and she's after it. I overheard her say she's coming for you now!"
"I have to warn my parents!" exclaimed Alice turning to run back but Regina grabbed her arm.
"Don't! If you do that she may already be upon your family. I'll go and try to warn them. If she hasn't reached them I'll send them two towns over if they don't meet you there after three days..." Regina broke off and Alice understood the implication.
"Keep moving," she said quietly. Regina nodded. Tears slid down Alice's cheeks it went against everything in her heart to abandon her family but a part of her knew it was what her parents would want her to do. To try and save herself.
"Promise me you'll try," she said.
"I will," Regina assured her. As Alice mounted the horse she asked.
"What happened to Daniel?" Regina met her gaze with glassy eyes.
"She killed him."
"I'm sorry. I hope you escape someday. Thank you, Regina," said Alice tearfully before turning her horse and riding off leaving half her heart behind with her parents. Regina could try and save them but deep-down Alice knew she'd seen them for the last time.
Author's Note: Wellll…it's not a good fairytale without a dead parent or two! Once again this gives a bit of context towards SOME of Alice's revenge on Cora in TBTC. I hope you like the story if you do please leave a note below! Thanks for Reading!