Adventures in Wonderland

Chapter 10

The Vorpal Sword

3rd Person POV

Grampas Bluffs

Bayard races across the bluffs and approaches the White Queen's castle. The White Queen, Mirana, waits for Bayard as he staggers inside. "What's the news?"

"Lily has returned to Underland." A smile lights up the Queen's soft face. "Where is she now?" Bayard shifts his gazes to the floor. "In Salazun Grum. Forgive me, I allowed her to divert from her destined path." She drops down to Bayard's level and pets the top of his head. "But that is exactly where she will find the Vorpal Sword. We have our champion! Rest now, you've done well." Bayard falls to the ground exhausted as the Queen claps excitedly.

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Lily's POV

I search in the bushes for Tarrent's hat and happen to pass the hedgehog I freed earlier. He's cleaning caked on dirt off of himself. "There you are..." I mumble once I spot the hat. It had landed in dirt near some tall bushes. Picking it up I dust it off and straighten the ribbon on it. I stare at it for a minute. It's just a simple hat but its so much more than that. 'How am I going to fix this? Will I even be able to fix it?' I shake my head and focus back on the problem at hand and that's getting everyone out of this he'll hole.

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Alice's POV

"You two must find Lily! Without the Jabberwocky, my sister's followers will surely rise up against me." This lady is so paranoid that everyone is out to get her. 'I mean I would be paranoid too if I did as may terrible this as she has.' I'm so ready to kill Lily and go home and be rich with Hamish. Honestly all of these people are starting to annoy me. That make no sense and talk weirdly. "...ly little sister. Why do they adore her and not me?" Apparently she started talking again. Oh well. Stayne goes and stands behind her but he doesn't touch her.

"I cannot fathom it. You are far superior in all ways." Knowing neither of them can see me I roll my eyes. 'Suck up.' I think harshly. "I agree your majesty." I say in a sickly sweet voice. "Leave us, Alice." I bow. "Yes your Majesty." I turn and leave. 'Well that was tense as always." I walk back to my room and think of ways to lure my sister here. That gay guy will make for lovely bait. Lily always did have a soft for the crazy ones.

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3rd Person's POV

If only Alice had seen the look in Stayne's eye when she left. He always dreaded being alone with the Queen. "I know I am the superior sister, but Mirana can make anyone fall in love with her: Men, women, even the furniture." She glances back at the captive animals holding flag surfaces above their heads. Stayne looks down at the grim moat below. "Even the King?" The Queen looks to where Stayne is. Her gaze dark, bitter, with no regrets. His indifferent with hidden fear in his eyes.

"I had to do it. He would have left me." Stayne's voice becomes increasingly passive. "Majesty, is it not better to be feared than loved?" The Queen speaks barley above a whisper. "I'm not sure certain anymore." She turns to face him and wraps her arms around his waist. "Oh, let her have the rabble! I don't need them. I have you." She looks up at him with her eyes big and dewy. "I do have you, dont I, Stayne?" He manages a smile, but gives her no reply.

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The Red Queen's Dressing Room

Lily's POV

I walk into the room to see Tarrent humming as he works with ribbons, bows, veils, and feathers. The room is filled with huge, colorful hats. I'm amazed that he is able to make such beautiful hard in such a short period of time. I place his hat behind a large box for now. I walk over to a cabinet filled with hard and run my fingers across the tops of a few of them. "They're wonderful. You must let me try one on." He smiles up at and stands up. He picks up a feathery top hat and places it on my head. We joke around and I pose like a grand lady of the court. I giggle and put a floppy brimmed hat on him and he poses like a grand lady as well. We laugh whole heartedly and I realize it's been a while since I've been this happy or laughed that hard and it just feels nice.

"It does feel good to be working at my trade again." He smiles content. "It's just a pity you have to make them for her." I look down at him and notice his smile has slipped and he's staring off into space with a remorseful look in his eyes. His facial expression is pained. 'Oh no...' That's not a good look. "What's the hatter with me? The hatter... Mmm...mmmm, ma, ma." Suddenly he takes scissors and murderously attacks a hat cutting it to shreds. Then he pushes over a mannequin and throws fabrics across the room. "Tarrebt! Stop! Stop!" I take his face into my hands, forcing him to look at me. "Tarrent?" I whisper gently.

I look into his eyes and see fear in them. "Have you any reason why a raven is like a writing desk? I'm frightened. I don't like it in here. It's terribly crowded... Have I gone mad?" I smile sadly at and start to look him up and down them then I turn him around and repeat the process finally I lift up his arms just to put them back down. "Lily?" I eventually turn him back around to face me. "I'm afaid so. You're entirely bonkers. Off your rocker.  It I'll tell you a secret... Are you ready?" He nods vigorously so i lean in close to his ear and whisper. "All the best people are." He immediately straightened his shoulders with pride. We smiled at each other for a bit. "Oh! I almost forgot! I have another beautiful hat for you." He looks very confused and curious. I pick up his hat from behind the box. His eyes widen as i place it utop his head. "There! That's better. You look like yourself again."

He touches the brim gently. "Thank you, Lily." Quickly he turns serious. "I'm told she keeps the Voepal Sword hidden in the castle. Find it, Lily. Take it to the White Queen. Help us make the world right again." I furrow my eyebrows and glare at the long, thick chain that connects his ankle to the wall. 'I could also use it to free him.' He's helped me so much I have to get him out of here. He's only in here because of me. "We'll go to the White Queen together." He takes my hands into his and we stare at each other for a moment. "Why is it you're always too small or too tall?"