Mad Woman // Ned Stark // Petyr Baelish (2)

6. Hidden

The Hatter hummed as he worked with ribbons, bows, veils and feathers. Alice entered the room full of huge, colorful hats. 

"They're wonderful! You must let me try one on." Alice remarked as she put Ned and Petyr on the table. He put a hat on her. She posed like a proper lady. She put one on him. He posed like a proper lady too and Alice laughed out.

"It's good to be working at my trade again." Hatter glanced to Ned and Petyr. "I could make a tiny hat for your fellas." He offered staring at them.

"I would rather them larger, so I wouldnt have to worry about them being squished." Alice countered. "And it's just a pity you had to make them for her." Alice added

 Realizing what he's done, Hatter was suddenly filled with remorse and self-recrimination. Hatter slumped as well before looking around. He got caught up in the craft that he forgot his purpose and his mission, his queen.

"What's the hatter with me?" Hatter declared slapping at his head.  The hatter... Mmmmm." He grumbled out as fury filled him. He took scissors and murderously attacked a hat, cutting it to shreds, then another and another. Petyr and Ned were flung off the desk as he started tearing apart the room. Alice ran to them picking them up by the collar of their shirts and putting them on the counter for safe keeping.

"Stop! Stop!" Alice begged. She took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "Hatter!" Looking into his eyes, she can see the fear in them. 

"Have you any idea why a raven is like a writing desk?" Hatter asked softly. "I'm frightened. I don't like it in here," he tapped a finger to his head ''terribly crowded. Have I gone mad?" She brought a hand to his forehead like petyr had done so many years ago.

"I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers." Alice remarked glancing to Petyr. "But I'll tell you a secret...all the best people are."

 He straightened his shoulders with pride. His clothes puffed up as he looked to her.

"Oh, look! Here's another one." Alice declared.  She picked up his hat from behind a box. It's his very own Hightopp Hatter's hat. His eyes filled with tears of joy and pride to see it. She put it on his head. 

"That's better. You look yourself again." Alice remarked. He was too overwhelmed to speak. He took it off and held it to his heart with gratitude.

"Hat Man! Where are my hats? I am not a patient monarch!" The red queen declared.  Her screeching voice reminded him of his purpose. He looked to Alice with complete clarity.

 "I'm told she keeps the Vorpoal Sword hidden in the castle. Find it, Alice. Take it to the White Queen. Help us make the world right again." Hatter declared.  She glanced at the long thick chain from his ankle to the wall and considered another use for the sword, breaking him free.

"We'll go to the White Queen together." Alice declared. He took her hand in his. There was a moment between them that might have been something more if it weren't for her large size. 

"Why is it you're always too small or too tall?" Hatter questioned. 

"I honestly ask myself that all the time." Alice agreed.

Hatter gave the boys a cake, but he didnt have much of the drink shrinking her back down to a slightly less gigantic state and growing Ned and Petyr to normal height. 

"Never thought the nickname little finger ever fit me so well." Petyr murmured having been the size of a finger.  

"Much better." Alice agreed looking between them. "I want you to stay with hatter-"

"No." They said immediately.

"It's dangerous." Alice retorted. 

"Thats why you are not going alone." Ned remarked.