Alice was pleased to find that the key did in fact fit the intricate door. And as she turned it, the handle turned too, and the door swung open of its own accord to familiar white halls.
Taken aback, Alice stepped through the door, trailing her hand behind her, the walls smooth as the ivory it was made from. Behind her, the heavy door closed and disappeared. Her footsteps were loud in the deserted hallway, echoing in her ears like drums.
The distant sounds of laughter were far down the hall, coming from open doors and pooling together to make a lovely symphony of happiness.
"You there! What are you doing in the Queen's castle without her knowledge?"
Alice turned to see a familiar white face looking expectantly up at her.
"You!" McTwisp nearly dropped the papers he was carrying and his customary pocket watch along with his stern expression. "Alice! What are you doing back in Underland?"
Alice wondered what to say. What was the reason she had returned? Then she decided. "I'm just back." Alice answered simply.
"Hmph." The White Rabbit huffed. "You're just back after all these years? Well, better late than never, I suppose." He gathered his pocket watch and his stern expression. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must give the Queen these papers!"
"Wait!" Alice called after his retreating back. "Where is she?"
"In the Happiness Room. Keep up! I don't have time to dally!"
Alice picked up her skirts and rushed after him. And yet he was as fast as ever and it was hard keeping up with him in her dress and shoes. When he skittered around a corner, she almost fell at the sharp turn.
"'Ey!"
"Watch where you're goin'."
"I'm terribly sorry." Alice said, pushing her hair out of her face. "Oh!"
"Is that-"
"No, it couldn't be."
"But surely-"
"If it was she, she would look different after all these years. 'Member last time?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Boys," Alice said, addressing Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum as the White Rabbit disappeared from sight. "Could you show me to the White Queen?"
"Of course, Alice!"
"I just told you she's not Alice."
"If she is then she was."
"Seeing as she's not she can't."
"How do you know? She may very well be she and in turn that makes Alice."
"We'll take her to the Queen to decide."
"Fine." Tweedle Dee said, taking her hand.
"Fine." Tweedle Dum said, taking her other hand.
"We'll escort you," they said together.
Alice laughed. "My, your manners sure have changed."
The boys simply smiled.
