Fairfarren (Book 2 of Return to Wonderland)

Chapter 11

"W-what..?"

Alice stumbled back, a hand gripping the table for support while trying to gather the thoughts spinning around her head, "N-no it can't be."

Their heads turned when a sound came from the door but no one was there, they must have been passing by or heard the conversation then left before they were caught. All Alice knew was that she had caught a glimpse of orange before it disappeared. She'd know it anywhere.

"Oh no.." Alice whispered, putting the book back on the shelf, running out into the hall, searching every corner. It was empty except for a few servants but not the one specific person she was looking for.

"Alice!" She heard someone call, half hoping it was him but knew that voice wasn't. Mirana placed a hand on her shoulder but she barely felt it, staying in place.

"Come, the others might be waiting for us." Mirana said gently, leading Alice (who kept turning her head back every few seconds) to the dining hall where they're friends were, sitting at the table.

The queen took her seat at the front while Alice sat on the left side next to her, letting out a small sigh. Almost every seat was filled. Almost. The place on the other side of the table, across from Alice, was empty.

**Scene Change**

Tarrant walked back and forth in his and Alice's room that they were given whenever they stayed at the castle. The pieces trying to be put together to solve the puzzle.

'Maybe I heard it wrong. Maybe they said something else.' He thought then shook his head. Those words were clear as day, burned into his mind so there was no way he misheard that.

Slowly making his way out of the room and down the hall, the surge of curiosity kept popping up. Alice's curiosity must have rubbed off on him just like his madness did to her.

"Not now.." Hatter whispered to himself, not knowing whether he should just let it go or be bothered by the fact no one told him. He was pensive about anything that concerned his wife, good or bad. In this case, it was probably neither.

Taking a breath then straightening his hat, he pushed open the double doors, walking a few feet in. The noise quieted when they all looked up. He stood in place, as if his feet were planted to the floor.

"Tarrant, we're glad you could make it!" Mirana spoke up, beckoning him over with a smile. How could she stay so calm, happy? Did she know he heard them?

He hesitated for a second, keeping his eyes glued to the ground but no one noticed something was going on, they continued their casual, mad chit chat. No one except Alice, he caught her gaze for a moment before they both looked away.

The food came out and dinner started, everyone talking over the other and emptying their plates but filling their stomachs. All except Alice and Hatter, they pushed their food around, sneaking glances at one another. The queen obviously felt the tension between the two, knowing that they needed some alone time to figure things out.

After it was over and they were done, they left one by one, saying their goodnights, only Mirana, Hatter and Alice remaining, shifting in their seats, all three of them lost in their thoughts.

"It seems to be getting late, I should get some rest, I'm sure you two must be tired." Mirana hinted, rising and gliding out of the room with a wave.

Silence was the only thing that passed between them till Hatter was about to leave when Alice quickly got out of her chair, "Hatter I..."

She reached for his hand, holding it, a warmth inside them that happened the first time they met, it never disappeared, that's how much they knew they loved each other.

"Let me explain, please. I know how you must be feeling." She pursed her lips while he stared at her, specks of yellow in his eyes. He then nodded, both going toward their room, the door closing behind them.

"Alice is it true?" Hatter whispered, sitting next to her on the bed. He could see she was avoiding looking at him, her hands folded in her lap.

"Yes. It is." She said straightforwardly, finally gathering the courage to look him in the eye, "It was difficult for me, I was nervous to see how you'd take it.. afraid you would treat me differently."

Hatter saw Alice's face soften, her chocolate brown eyes so bright and innocent, her long golden hair framing her face, bringing out her features, smooth pale skin and thin pink lips. He always knew she was too perfect for him. Sometimes he couldn't believe someone like her loved him but Alice always reminded him why, queen or not he still loved her but didn't deserve her.

"My dear.." He gently reached out, touching her cheek gently and making small circle motions with his thumb, "You'll always be my Alice, no matter what. Royalty or not, you'll always be a queen in my eyes, it's me who wants to give you more."

Alice's eyes filled with tears of joy, her mouth curling into a smile then whispered, "I don't want more, I just want you.."

She held his face in her hands, leaning in without a second thought and kissed with all the passion and love she had. He kissed her back, his hands resting on her arms, that moment clearing his head, making it completely empty, enjoying the moment with his Alice.

"I'm scared.." She breathed quietly, both slowly pulling away but not letting go of the other, "I don't know how to rule with Mirana, especially a kingdom.."

"It is your choice Alice, no one can decide for you. You must do whatever you think is right." Hatter shared an assuring smile, "And I'll support you through it."

They embraced in a hug, each feeling a safeness whenever they were together, a happiness repaired when they were apart. Laying in bed, they fell asleep in each other's arms. It would have been perfect, that nothing could tear them apart, that their life was peaceful.

But it wasn't. And not everything turns out the way you want it too.

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I'm back and I tried putting a Hattice moment in this chapter, enjoy reading and Fairfarren all!