The Red Queen - (Alice In Wonderland)

Planting Misdirection - Chapter 21

They didn't stay much longer with Jabber, there was only an hour until dinner and they had an argument to stage. Making their way back in quiet contemplation, as Peter was talking excitedly beside them. Hatter and Alice made the necessary responses, smiling indulgently at the boy when he repeated how much fun he had.

When the mansion finally came within sight, Peter ran off after thanking them both again and waving goodbye. Before they entered the house, Hatter spoke up once they reached the foyer, "We will figure everything out, it's going to be okay, Love. I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you, of that you can be sure. I know we will be able to take down the Basilisk, not to mention Magdala, once and for all. Now, why don't you go get ready for dinner, after all, you wouldn't want to miss the show." He winked as a smirk played out on his dashing face.

Kissing his cheek, Alice winked back as she said, "I know we will figure it out, together. Just like we have been doing, and will continue to do. You're right about dinner, I don't want to miss the show, it's going to be hard not to give anything away. Don't worry though, I won't, I plan to look at you guys with curiosity and then raise an eyebrow as if I'm wondering what is going on. Babe, before you go, make sure you check to see if you heard from Cat, I'm worried about her." She went from giggling over how it would go, to a somber expression as she remember that her friend could be in danger.

"Count on it Love, I'll see you in a little while. Now scoot!" He pushed her gently in the direction of the stairs, a gentle smile on his face. She blew him a kiss over her shoulder before turning around and heading up to her room.

Entering her room caused her to catch her breath in surprise, there were fresh red roses in a vase on her nightstand. Her room had changed considerably, the bed frame was beautiful with its four posts twisting and stretching up into tree branches. All of them connected at the top with intricate leaves, the bedspread had soft cotton red sheets with a lovely quilt on top, it was red with a black paisley design. There were red and black pillows matching, and the wooden floors now had a luxurious rug to match.

There was a lantern hanging in the corner by the bookshelf, that was now full of fantasy books, like the one Alice had been reading last night. On one of the walls hung a set of mirrors that went through the phases of the moon. Another wall had a ship on the ocean with the moon glowing down on it, one of a beautiful tree with fairies flittering all around it, and the last of the Jabberwocky that had been hanging in the hallway.

The sofa chairs were now black and red to match the rest of the room, everything blending in perfectly, making Alice feel as if the room was hers. She felt the room fit her perfectly, her heart swelling with love for Hatter as she saw all the improvements. There was even a fascinating clock in the bathroom that looked similar to her pocket watch, he had thought of everything.

Squealing in delight, she twirled around happily as she took it all in. Alice wanted to run out and thank him right then and there, but she knew she would have to wait until later. Besides, later she would be able to thank him more properly, without interruption, and she knew just how to do it.

Realizing that dinner was getting nearer, she went about her room and got ready. Alice arrived at her chair exactly at 6 o'clock, getting there at the same time as Dodo and Fern got to theirs. The Tweedle twins and Duchess were already there, Duchess sending a sneer to Alice as she sat down. The clock struck six, and one of the twins spoke up, "That's odd..." Alice thought it was Dee, but maybe it was Dumm. It was hard to tell as they looked exactly alike.

"I was thinking the same thing, Dee," Dumm responded. So she had guessed right, surprising herself. They both turned to Alice as they said at the same time, "Where is Hatter?"

"He is always here before us, so what's keeping him?" Dee finished their cohesive sentence. It was impressive how they finished each other sentences, and also a little unsettling. Their grizzly tenor voices sent an unnerving feeling down her spine, Alice couldn't quite put a finger on why, but there was just something about them that was off.