𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. ⏱

2. The Queen

   Wilkins went to the Marmoreal Castle, where the Queens White and Red lived together. Times have changed a lot through those ten years. Believe it or not, they became family again and led a quite harmonious life.
Don't get me wrong, the Red Queen was still grumpy and envious about her sister, but she finally accepted her fate. While the White Queen learned that people aren't just black and white and there is a huge grey area between good and bad.
Everything you've been through - matters.

-Your Highnesses...- Said the butler Wilkins when he made it to the Queens. -I'm sorry to bother you, but we were attacked. My Master was stabbed...
-Oh...Tick-Tock is hurt? - Iracebeth raised an eyebrow, but her interestment went out pretty quickly - And...?
-... The attackers said nothing specific, but took the clocks of some of the Deceased Underlings and unfortunately...probably... someone might be coming for you too. My master insisted on warning you. He insisted that you will not bring her back.
-Bring back who? - White Queen asked and got up from her throne.
-Miss Alice.
-I see...well, thank you, Dear. No worries, we will be prepared - Mirana said quickly. Her hands were floating involuntarily like always.
-What does that mean they took the clocks?- Iracebeth showed some curiosity.
-I don't know. But Time seemed to be very nervous about that.
-Excuse me, we don't have time for that. Time needs our help. Hold on here for a moment, please - White Queen ran out of the room seeking someone to help them.
-I will stay here, If they dare to come meet me! - The Red Queen announced. Her grumpy face made Wilkins look away from her. He was waiting, jumping from foot to foot. As the White Queen came back, he took her and her people to the Castle of Eternity.

***
Time was waiting impatiently, sitting on his black throne.
A Second made a noise that took him out of his thoughts. His little helper was wandering around, bumping into other robots. It was struggling to walk properly.
-Come here. - Time said, but it was going away. Having Its head rearward.
-I said: Here! Follow the voice, idiot!
Finally, when he was able to reach it, he took it on his lap and turned Its head.
-Here you are. I will fix you all later. - He remembered there were a lot of Seconds which fell apart during the battle. -Collect the pieces at one place. You will be fine. - He instructed the Second and let it go. The creature hopped away, happy to be fixed.

Mirana brought into the castle two of her servants, a doctor and an engineer. They all made their way to Time's throne room, just where Wilkins left him. The Master of Time was surrounded by Seconds.
-I'm back, Sir! Help is here! - Wilkins called.
-Did you warn them?- Time asked firmly. He acted really weird. Like there wasn't anything else he could be thinking about.
-Yes, of course! - Wilkins replied nervously and then the Queen took his struggle on herself.
-Hello, Time - Mirana said and curtsied gracefully - I've heard you have been injured. We came here to help - Her voice was soft and calming as always.
- No need for that! - He refused harshly, raising his hand to stop them.
-But...-Wilkins tried to say something.
-The White Queen of Marmoreal.-Time spoke and let her, and only her approach.
She leaned down closer, touching his shoulder as she felt he wanted to tell her something important.
-They took the clocks of Haddock...Jabberwocky...Jubjub Bird and Raths. Also some of those nasty Snarks. - He whispered to her ear - I assume they are going to set them free...bring them back to life.
-Why? Who were they?
-I don't know. They were knights. Their faces were black. Reddish-glowing eyes. It can't be good. Be prepared. Don't call for that Kindergartner again.

Mirana straightened up - Thank you for your help - She answered. She may have looked steady, but inside she was frightened.
The woman walked away, trying to hide her emotions.
The queen needed to calm everybody down. They were confused for sure. This whole situation was very tense and unusual.
- We will find those men who attacked you. Let yourself rest.
- You can't bring her back here! -Time's voice thundered again, ignoring her words.
Mirana didn't say anything, but bowed slightly.
-Also, tell your sister I want my thing back. She knows which one. You can go now.
-Of course. Farewell, Time.
They all headed towards the door.
Wilkins escorted them all the way.
-Well, the intentions were good. - He said and sighed.
-You think he'll be alright, my Dear?
- I think so. He needs...some time. Thank you, anyway, your Highness. - He bowed deeply and took them outside.

The time was passing slowly.

You may say there were no promises made on that, but someone went against Time's will, anyway. About two days later, someone went to the upper-world to find Alice Kingsleigh. And brought her back.
She was ten years older than the last time she visited Underland. She was about her 32 birthday. Life has left an imprint in her face and heart. Years of living on the sea...The mother she lost too soon...
It was a life full of adventures, but also, full of struggle and uncertainty.
She was more mature and experienced, for sure.
After her arrival, she came to see her dearest friends and was happy to find out they all were doing fine.
But we will go back to them later.

Her friends weren't the only people she needed to see.

***

-Please. I need to talk to him. - The doors creaked.
-I don't think it's the right time, Miss...! I think you should wait outside...!
Alice ignored butler's requests and entered the room. Her long golden curls covered her arms. She was wearing high-waisted, long beige trousers, a sky-blue ruffled shirt and a long brown coat. The shoes were high, brown with golden toe caps.
-Hello?... It's me, Alice!
-You shouldn't be here! I have no me to deal with your juvenile high-jinks!- She hadn't seen him, but the loud voice of Time led her to the black curtains at the end of the room. She assumed it was his bedroom. It was quite dark there. Every window was covered, the only light came from under the curtain she stood by.
-Wilkins let me in. - Alice replied.
-I don't mean 'here' here!
-I wanted to come back. - She said clearly. -It was my choice, imagine that.
-What?! Why?! - He yelled terribly angry.
Alice hadn't the patience to let him scold her. She wasn't here without a reason. The woman violently uncovered the curtain and the bright light behind it blinded her for a while. She almost bumped into him. He was standing next to the window. Shirtless, back to the mirror, holding a looking-glass in his left hand. It helped him to see his back. His right arm was robotic, made with metal only, and he was able to curve it so much to sew up a sword-wound on his back. He was inspecting his hand which was tying the knot at the end of a deep cut.
It looked so grotesquely Alice was speechless for a few seconds. Her eyes ran around the room, which she could see now. It was rather small. There were mostly shelves, filled up with curious trinkets and books. The enormous bed stood out weirdly, but she felt cozy here.
-To help you all...To help you -She said finally and shaked her head slightly.
-'To help me'?.- Time snorted and took a quick glance at her.
-What's the matter?
When he finished his work, he straightened his arm and set it back in his shoulder-joint. Then turned around and grabbed a shirt and a jacket, putting it on. She noticed that his chest was like an opened metal panel. The working gears and cogs were clearly visible. In It's center, there was a clock she already knew. Without his clothes he looked less impressive. Like he was(almost)a human.
-You shouldn't be here, I'm serious. What did I told you lately? - He wouldn't let go. They were standing face to face.
- Stop it please, you are being ridiculous right now! I'm not afraid of Jabberwocky! I slayed him!
-You wish for this to be just as easy.
-I need to know everything about these men. Who were they?
-I've said it already! I don't know. Bunch of savages...nothing familiar.
-You just want me to leave, don't you? It isn't about the danger.

He laughed nervously, shaking his head.
-Silly, don't you see they're going to kill you If they find out you are here?

She took a deep breath to calm herself down.
-They won't dare. We have Mirana's army. Those men, whoever they are... They are just cowards, who are afraid of a fair fight against Time. I will defeat them. I am Mirana's Champion.
-Why are you always so stubborn, girl?
-I was going to ask you the same, Mister... - She raised her eyebrow.-And why are you so upset? I thought all of this was not your business!

He frowned. -... It seems I forgot I don't care, my apologies - He said harshly. He wanted to say something else, but after a second thought he quit and turned his head from her.
She understood the mistake she just made. He won't tell her anything anymore. Dang it!
-I didn't mean that! I've just...-She was struggling to get out of this situation.

WILKINS!!! - Time yelled.

-Yes, Master? - The head of the butler emerged from behind the door.
-You know what to do. - He knew, Indeed.
-I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm going to ask you to leave...

She looked up at Time again, but he wasn't going to change his mind. -Goodbye. - She said and turned her back. She heard Time's bitter words echoing while she was walking away.
-I'm going to need a fiery moat or even better a giant dragon to keep those HU-MANS away from my castle!