The Wonder of Love

A Victory Tea Party

CONTEXT:This story picks up at the very last Wonderland scene in the Disney's first live action movie. Alice is given a choice. Shall she take the invitation given by her dear friend, the Mad Hatter, or return home with the vial of Jabberwocky blood?

Hatter stood behind her, Alice, as her lips poised to drink the blood of recently slain Jabberwocky. In mere seconds, she would be gone. Her dream was finally ending. She was slipping through his cut and bruised fingers. The fight, along with his trade, had done them in; yet hers were pristine as ever. He'd wished he'd might hold them someday. That would never happen if he didn't speak, raise to her muchness. He had to at least propose a different route. "You could stay." He ventured softly.

She turned around to face him, her silver armour shimmering in the dusk light. "What an idea." She said with a soft smile. His heart fluttered with hope. Curious how her answer seemed so much to affect him. Almost as if... he would crack if she left so soon. Slowly, she watched hope spread through his large vibrant green eyes, "A crazy, mad, wonderful idea." She agreed with herself. She glanced down to the vile in her hand, thinking over her options.

"So you will?" He furthered softly, moving a pace closer. "With me..?" His eyes widened slightly at his mistake so he continued on quickly, "With the White Queen? Chesser? Bayard? Mally?" He asked very quickly, his yellow eyes darting around.

What about her mother? Her sister? Hamish. Oh Hamish. Her betrothed. What of him? She didn't love him. She might not have known her answer mere weeks ago, but she certainly did now. Assuredly, she didn't have a life at home. Perhaps some more time alone to his thoughts, he'd realize how foolish an arranged marriage was.

"Hatter!" The March Hare yelled before jerking his head and breaking into a cackle. 

His speech stopped abruptly. He gulped and nodded before speaking again, "I'm fine." He said quietly, sounding nearly choked.

"I think I've got time for a proper visit." She told him with a smile. Perhaps all her family thought her a coward for running, but what did they matter? Here she had people whom respected her. She looked up to her dear friend...whom loved her for who she was. Maybe here, she could have the life she'd always yearned for. "Besides we still haven't that tea party, Hatter." She said with a wide grin. She looked down to the sword in hand and put it away in its sheathe.

A grin much like hers spread cross his face. Hatter clasped onto her hand and raised it to the sky, "Excellent! Tea! Tea!"

The crazed hare looked up and threw a spoon,"Tea! Tea?!"

"Ready yourselves for tea everyone, chop chop!" He broke into a roar of laughter then began leading her down the long path to the White Queen's castle.

Rabbit followed after them with a grin on his furry face. "You did it, Alice." He congratulated as he hobbled after them.

"Ya killed him Alice!" Tweedledee said with a grin and a goofy giggle.

Alice looked back and down at the rabbit. "Thank you, Rabbit." She said over her shoulder with a smile.

"Ya killed him Alice!" His brother echoed, earning himself a jab in the ribs.

Tweedledee gave him a frown too,"Hey! I said that!"

"No you didn't, I did!"

"Boys." Rabbit dodged out of the way as Winter Hare ran past, bagging his spoons together in excitement. He smiled and followed at a slow hop.

"Very well indeed, Champion," Marina commended with a nod before flouting ahead.

Bayard howled and ran ahead of them all, his tail wagging vigorously. Alice smiled and watched her friends. Her golden blond hair bounced with her steps. "I honestly can't believe I did that." She said with a small laugh, continuing much more softly. "Suppose father was right." She said with a smile.