𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. ⏱

6. The Wonder

Alice felt like she was there just for a while, while a few hours passed unnoticed.
As they were sitting in a room by a fireplace and sipping tea, she had a chance to look through the books and maps Time had there. She wanted to see how big this land actually is, and where all the rivers and seas are. He let her unravel a few scrolls on the table.
-Oh my goddess! Look at those mountains! They look like loops!- She laughed.
-The mountains are so tall, that yet no one reached the top and survived to tell the tale - Time said. - But before you get near them, there is a beautiful, almost endless forest at the foot of the mountains...Supposedly, you can find there very rare singing flowers and trees, whose barks are so light, anything you will do with them, would float five feet above the ground. The forest is full of bizarre creatures...
-I've talked to the flowers a couple of times, I have to say they aren't the nicest. I wonder If the singing flowers are different?
-I don't know, but they say their songs have special powers.
-You have to cross the river in the middle of that forest, that's interesting...It's so long and twisted - She moved her finger across the map, the river led her straight to the sea, of course.
-Yes. And there...- He pointed at the black spot on the Great Sea. -...are the unknown waters. They call it 'The doors of the lost Naiad'. Legend says the spirit of a river got lost and fell into the sea. The salty water made her skin burn and rot, she became slimy and ugly and no one of the sailors wished to help the poor creature. Her body melted and poisoned the waters. That's why they are black. If you survive and cross it, there will be no way back - Time showed Alice the picture of a woman-like-creature melting in the water.
-Oh my! Poor thing! Did you know her?
-I don't recall. It's just a myth. There are lots of legends. Whole books of stories.
-I would love to hear them all! Also, I would love to try climbing on the mountains!...and sailing through the sea of Underland. I miss the cold breeze in my hair and scorching, white sun...
-Firstly you need a ship.
-Oh, Yeah. The ship I left up there. If only I could squeeze it down the rabbit hole...-She laughed a bit -It would be tricky to fit it through the mirror too.

He laughed too when she joked and then took a sip of tea.
-Is 'Time' your only name? - Alice asked, looking at him attentively.
-I'm afraid I don't understand the question.
-You know, where I live people talk about time, they don't imagine a person. But I do. And It's hard to separate If I'm talking about the concept of time or you as a person. I mean, you can get it from the context, but not each single time.
-There are plenty of synonyms, let me see...- He was going to reach for his pocket size thesaurus, but Alice stopped him.
- I mean something other than synonyms...I've gotta think about it.
-You worry about something I've never bothered myself about, that's pretty endearing. You fascinate me...I'm amazed by your constant will of inquiring. It's so elationing - He smiled but seemed a bit shy about what he just said.
-It's not exactly what we do all the time? We try to answer questions no one ever bothered to ask before - She replied and smiled back.

***

Alice opened her eyes. She was sitting at the armchair by the fireplace. Someone had to add some wood before to keep the fire on. She had to fall asleep, being held on the lap by her father Charles. She looked up at him. The man was singing quietly. Although she couldn't understand his words, the song was slow and melodic. Man's voice was deep and soothing. His arms were around her, holding her close.
Alice closed her eyes back, relaxed. She was enjoying the moment, breathing slowly, until her mind went conscious enough to notice there was something wrong in that situation.
Her heart pounded hardly in her chest like it was going to break it. She woke up abruptly.
Alice gasped, backing off from the man's embrace and got up, still half-sleeping.

-Are you okay? - Time asked, concerned.
Their eyes met and Alice realized what's going on. She and Time were talking for so long in the night, that they must have fallen asleep together by the fireplace.
It took a few seconds for her to reply.
-I was daydreaming and saw someone... something... I'm fine. - She said and blinked quickly. Her mind was hazy and foregin for a while.
-Are you sure?- He was not convinced, looking at her mixed face expression.
-Did you say something before I woke up?- She couldn't think about anything else or throw that dream out of her head.
-I was just humming a little, didn't mean to scare you - Time was looking at her uncertain -You are safe here, Alice - Time smiled kindly, got up and gave her his hand which she grabbed, then he pulled her closer and hugged. It made her calm down and soon a smile came up to her face too.
-I know, thank you - Alice met Time's eyes again. They both had no doubt that the danger was still there. They didn't know who sent those monsters, which were slayed just a day ago...It was unsure If they ever would find out. They had to enjoy every moment of peace.
-Is it even a morning yet?
-It's 6:18 AM - He replied instantly.
- I'm sorry, I have to go. I should check if McTwisp is feeling better.
-You should, necessarily.
-I have to tell them the good news! - She squeezed his hand, very happy. They both got out of the room and Time saw her off to the front door.
Before she left, Alice came closer to kiss him again. A cold touch of his metal hand on her cheek made her feel a shiver going along her spine. There was always a lot going on in her head, and a thought just came out of her mouth freely.
-You know...I enjoy every second apart with you. - She began. - Because you are always there with me anyway. You are closer hour after hour, passing through until we meet again. - She said and it confused him alot. She was always challenging him, making him uncertain about what he should say or what to do. Time frowned very much, thinking deeply. The same way, when she gave him her father's pocket watch.
-Thank you...for appreciating me. - He replied finally, kind of stiff.
She nodded her head - See you later, Time.
- Goodbye, Alice.
Each of them took a few steps back, ready to go away.
-Alice...? - Time stopped suddenly.
-Yes, Time? - She looked back at him.
-You were right, actually.
-I was right about what...?
-You asked me before about the Light. And The answer is: I do. I believe God is a woman. Now I feel like there is even more light inside me, but It's not God's merit. - He smiled and bowed his head slightly, then turned his back on her - Take your time. I will be waiting. - He said and went his way through the corridor.
Alice's heart was fluttering in her chest when she was walking away.