Almost Alice

It's bugging me grating me and twisting me around yeah I'm endlessly caving in and turning inside out because I want it now I want it now give me your heart and your soul and I'm breaking out I'm breaking out last chance to lose control yeah it's holding me morphing me and forcing me to strive to be endlessly cold within and dreaming I'm alive because I want it now I want it now give me your heart and your soul I'm not breaking down I'm breaking out last chance to lose control and I want you now I want you now I'll feel my heart implode and I'm breaking out escaping now feeling my faith erodeHysteria - Muse

Alice woke late that night, but wasn't certain why. She looked to Tarrant who was sound asleep, curled beside her, his arm thrown over her. His exhaustion clear in his soft snores.

She lay still listening, hearing nothing but far off night birds and his breath. She was going mad. She was just about to fall asleep again when she heard it.

"Alice!" came a low whisper. She sat up in the bed, and peered through the dimness to the moonlit balcony beyond. There, stood a familiar looking figure.

She crept out of bed slowly and carefully, not wish to wake Tarrant from his much needed rest and padded on bare feet to the balcony to face Espelth.

"Welcome back" the witch drawled.

"What are you doing here?" Alice asked casting a nervous glance back at the bed.

The other woman shrugged, "Are you going to sneak into the black castle and place the powder Alice?" she asked.

Alice bit her lip, "I doubt I can. I'm too well known."

"Exactly so" the witch went on, "Give me the powder."

"What?"

"Isn't it best to have the powder in place and ignite it?" Espelth asked.

"Well yes, but.."

"Well you can't go to the castle, I can't stay here. You can't fight an army and I have to prepare it. Give me the powder."

"How?" Alice questioned now.

"Leave that to me, you take a small amount and give it to the Hare. He can make more."

"The hare as in the March Hare!?" Alice cried out, there was a truly frightening idea.

Espelth looked to the bed and back again, "Shhh, daft girl! Yes the hare, give me the barrel before he wakes."

"I'm not certain" Alice said then.

Espelth met her eyes fully, "Think I will betray you Alice?" she asked softly, "This is my death for these small actions of aid. You understand?"

Alice nodded, true Espelth had much to lose and so Alice moved to the barrel. She managed to work the plug free and with Espelth's help she poured a teacup full before resealing it. "That should do it."

"No fire" She warned.

The witch nodded and grabbed the barrel. Her eyes were sad but hopeful as she looked to the bed and back at Alice. "See you on the battlefield Alice."

Then she and the barrel were gone.

Alice stood in the moonlight for long minutes, letting the cool night air chill her flesh and fill her lungs. So many uncertainties. Could she manage?

She stared into the cup before carefully setting it aside. Espelth hadn't been wrong previously, perhaps she could trust such volatile things to the hare.

"Alice!" came a distressed cry and she spun around to see Tarrant frantically searching the bedclothes. She rushed across the room, to wrap her arms around him. She turned up the lamp for him.

"You vanished."

"I'm here Tarrant, I must have had a bad dream" she told him, "I needed some air."

"I was so worried when you weren't here." he told her and she wondered if he held her any tighter if he might edge up underneath her skin.

"I'm sorry." she whispered to him, cupping his face and making him look at her.

His eyes were orange, "Ne'er leave me Alice." His voice was anguished.

"Shhh now, I won't" The words were barely out of her mouth when his lips were there. His hands and mouth so desperate for her that it robbed her of breath. She broke the fevered kiss to look at him.

"Hatter?"

The orange remained in his eyes even after he blinked. His madness stared back at her hungrily.

She felt him bunch her nightgown up around her waist and tear at his sleeping pants. He licked and nipped along her jaw to her ear, "I'll no hurt ye lass." He purred to her, his tongue sneaking out to ghost over her lobe. His hand kneaded her breast through the clothing and his free hand slipped to stroke her.

She shivered, "I know…"

Holding her eyes, he pressed himself inside of her, pressing deep and high within and he began to move. She arched into him. Cried out when he pulled her legs over his shoulders, nearly doubling her and pounded into her. He was rough and she loved it.

"T..Tarrant!" she cried out. He mashed his mouth to her, his tongue stroking her own, then her palate and he slowly lowered her legs and growled against her throat as he felt her tighten and release around him. She gasped when he pulled from her, flipping her onto her stomach and drawing her hips upwards off the bed.

The nightgown slid down to cover her head, but she left it alone. The heated wet mouth of her hatter was currently licking and nipping along her back, his fingers buried in her wetness, driving her high once more. "I'll make ye scream fer me love. So many times."

He nipped her pert cheeks and she gasped again. She wriggled out of the gown now and peered at him over her shoulder. He groaned at the sight, "Do I make ye wanton like ye do me?" he asked.

His fingers twisted within her and she arched back sharply. "Oh! Oh yes."

He lined himself up with her and slammed home, his finger pressing tight circles on her bud as he rode her hard. One hand reached over their heads to tangle with her own. He grunted and groaned and panted against her. "Put yet head down lass" he coaxed and she rested her brow on the bed, "Look at wha we're doin."

And Alice craned her neck just slightly and looked past her own stomach to see the hard, thick length of the mad hatter vanish into her body only to return wet with silkily fluids. She watched the erotic display for several minutes, seeing her body part and allow him in. His heavy testacle slapping against her with every hard thrust. Her breasts bounced and jiggled and someone was moaning very loudly.

It was only when Tarrant's name rang out that she realized it was her own voice.

He felt her quiver and buck hard against him and held her hips still as he ground himself into her, making circles with his hips, prolonging her overwhelming orgasm.

He pulled out just enough to let her see the milky fluid erupt from his tip. He caught a small smear of it on his finger. She moaned at the sight and he slammed back into her, feeling his release complete itself within her. As she trembled and shivered around him, pinned to the bedding by his length, she panted.

"Open fer me love" he commanded and she opened her eyes to see that finger before her, "Open."

She opened her mouth and felt him caress her lower lip before sliding his finger into her mouth. It was slightly bitter and a bit salty but when he moaned at the feeling of her mouth, she couldn't help but suckle his finger. His length twitched with her.

"Ahhh" he groaned a moment later and pulled from her lips, "Yer so good."

Alice slumped to the bed as he curled around her. She was tired now, sated and her core throbbed with a pleasant sensation. He had loved her thoroughly.

A moment later, and he pressed his lips to her again, "Was I too rough?" he asked, noting she hadn't moved very much. "Was that too nasty and sticky?"

She laughed lightly, a rich throaty sound, "Yes to all, and I hope you will be again."

He smiled down at her and pulled her closer. Her eyes already closing in sleep. "Get some rest Alice, I am certainly not finished with you."

And Alice drifted, warm, protected, loved. Her lips curved into a smile.

The day was approaching. News of the movement of the horde reached Marmoreal and everyone began to prepare. Tarrant watched Alice like a hawk, fearful that she would somehow be ripped from him again. To her credit, Alice endured it knowing how she felt and truth be told until this battle was over and settled she doubted he would relax with her.

It wasn't that Tarrant was afraid of battle, no certainly not. The only thing he truly feared was Underland falling again and losing Alice. Both were worse than death to him. He knew he could defeat Stayne, he'd hardly tried last time. He knew he loved Alice, she was muchness and that brought rightness. What he didn't know was if he could be king or if he could truly keep her happy for always.

He was a mad hatter, stained and tattered. She was a Champion.

He shook his head, this was no time for second guessing. She was his, he was hers, and somewhere in the middle of it they would find their road. Or make it if they had to.

He ran his fingers over the white sword, wishing for perhaps the hundredth time that the battle was now. Best to get it done and over with. He rose from his seat and went to the chapel. Kneeling before Mirana's tomb he spoke sadly,

I don't know if I can be ruler. And certainly never half as good as you were your majesty. I know I can never be the kind of monarch you have been. And to be honest I don't want to be a king at all. I'm a hatter.. A mad one at that!"

"Do you love Underland?" Absalom asked from the door, he'd just happened by and heard the hatter.

Tarrant looked back at him, "Of course I do."

"What would you do to see it safe?"

"Well… anything."

"Would you accept a ruler who would do less than what you've just said?"

"No. But…."

The butterfly arched a brow at him, "Then perhaps you are more kingly than you imagined. Stupid hatter."

He flitted upwards and away and Tarrant frowned after him, "Great blue nimsypot!"

Alice sat in the tower, leaning against the warm side of the bandersnatch. She was shining her armor with a soft cloth. There was nothing to indicate she'd ever fought in it. All the scratched and dents were gone. It was perfect once more. She rubbed at the golden breastplate, "I really wish I didn't have to put this on again" she muttered.

Behind her the bander snorted and rumbled his agreement.

"The jabberwocky was terrifying enough" she went on, "have you seen this thing?"

Ban tossed his large head.

"How do I best something like that?"

Ban had no answers but he chuffed and thumped his paws on the floor as though reminding her she wasn't alone.

Of all the residents of Underland, only Alice had been the first to show kindness to him. He was a furious beast to be sure but that didn't mean he didn't have feelings and some intelligence.

Alice had never hated him, even when she feared him.

"What if I lose?" she whispered her secret fear aloud.

A large, warm, wet tongue slipped out to lick against her face. Alice recoiled with a scrunched face and laughed wiping at her cheek, "Ew Ban! That's just…..ew…."

But Ban took no offense.

"I thought the vorpal sword could only be used to kill the jabberwocky…"

Mally peered in from the hall, "Well its like the jabberwocky. Only they say it can change its shape. Came to tell you the teas nearly ready."

Alice nodded, putting her sword down, "Thanks Mally."

From the opposite tower she caught the hooting laughter of the hare. She had been very hesitant to trust him with the powder. But his hands had been stable and his eye critical as he carefully measure and crushed and blended.

"Wonder what he did before?" Alice mused to Ban.

"Oh!" Mally joined in brightly, "He's an apothecary. He used to treat Tarrant til the mercury went too far."

Alice blinked at the dormouse. Now didn't that make sense?

Stayne strode through his courtyard where Espelth and the dead Hightopp walked among the horde. They moved from corpse to corpse placing a small bag round the neck of each.

"And What is that you're doing there?" he demanded.

She kept moving, "A weapon Stayne" she answered honestly.

"What sort of weapon?" he wanted to know, suspicious of her.

"One that Underland is quite unprepared for."

"How does it work?"

She dipped her hand into a small sack and drew out the fine black grains, she blew some at him and laughed when he waved it away nervously. "Exotic magic Stayne. I promise you will be most impressed."

He drew himself taller, "I'd better be." He glared at her with his good eye and then turned away, "Come there is something I wish to speak to you about."

She moved to follow, the Hightopp keeping pace.

"Leave that" he pointed at her husband, "Here. Its not like it can get hurt feelings over being left behind.. She gave her long dead husband a nod and then hurried after Stayne. Unseen, the Hightopp's hand tightened on his sword.

Stayne threw himself into the black throne, sprawling indolently as he stared at her. This was a dark and dangerous castle, he had swathed it in black. The living furniture was gone, replaced by the remains of their bones instead. The whole place stank of death and dark desires.

She looked up to find him smiling at her, and she didn't like it.

"Would you consider remaining at court once that hatter and Alice are dead?" he asked baldly, "You are quite lovely and I could use those strange skills you command."

She shook her head, "I am not for court Stayne, I will serve and go back to where I came from. With my husband."

He slapped his arm rests angrily and rose to his feet, stalking neared to tower over her. "A creature, a golem, a thing!" he shouted at her, then his voice dropped, "I could give you more."

His long fingers like spider legs stroked against her cheek and she jerked from his touch. "I doubt that" she said coolly. I serve for the future of this world and nothing more."

He grasped hold of her face, his fingers digging into the soft flesh painfully. She refused to back down.

"When I am king" he snarled inches from her face, "You will do as are told."

" I won't be your consort."

"Whatever made you think I would allow you that honor?" he asked darkly, "I am a man of needs, my bed grows cold, I am sick of waiting for you to give me Alice…. And I think you miss the touch of a man."

She felt a cold fear seep into her belly but forced her gaze to remain bored. She would allow him no satisfaction. "Are you finished?" she asked.

His eyes traced the length of her body, "Not hardly but you may go for now."

She turned, spine straight and walked from the throne room as though she was unaffected. But inside she felt sick and fearful. Stayne was just the type of man who would and could force a woman. He was hard hearted and vile. She suddenly wished she could run to her husband, throw herself into his arms and be comforted. But alas, that could not be.

"Witch!" Stayne called from the throne, laughter in his voice, "I will have you until I tire of you. With or without your consent. Perhaps you should come round to my way of thinking to make it less painful?"

She stepped into the hall and shut the door.

Clutching her skirts in her hand, she hurried across the courtyard, the small bag of black powder thumping between her breasts with each step.

Once at the Hightopp's side she began calling out orders as though they had not been interrupted. She felt him move beside her and glanced in his direction. His eyes fell on her face without expression but his hand lifted in the air between them, very nearly touching.

She stepped back, knowing the marks on her face were plain to him. "Its nothing" she said

The challenge arrived two days later. They would meet at dawn on the Chessboard in three day's time. Stayne's message taunting the hatter, promising to kill him and use Alice atop his corpse. Tarrant hadn't allowed her to hear that little tidbit. It didn't matter as he would never allow it to happen.

For the most part the hatter was calm as he received the message. His eyes went orange and remained that way for a long time, and then he spoke, "Everyone ready?"

There were nods and uncertain glances. This war was different. There was no champion, they would all have to fight.

"Send word" he commanded, "Challenge accepted."

He had glanced to Alice then, saw her pale face and her fisted hands. "I won't let you down Alice" he said quietly.

She shook her head, "Its my failure that worries me" she admitted finally.

"But you won't fail" he told her, "I have absolute trust and faith in you."

She was bolstered and humbled at the same time. She hoped she was worthy of such high praise.

There was a scuffle at the door and all eyes turned to see the Hare rush in with a glass pail.

"Its ready!" he crowed proudly, lifting the pail high into the air. Inside the powder shifted and shimmered.

"Looks different" Alice pointed out.

He lowered the pail to peer inside, "Aye, well I spiced it up a bit" he admitted.

She leaned closer, "Will it still work?" What if he'd damaged it?

The hare frowned at her for a moment, "it's a verra simple formula once ye know all the parts to mix in what amount. I made it better." he reached a paw inside and took a small amount of powder out. Then he set the pail aside and reached in his coat to pull forth a small metallic ball. Carefully he funneled the grains inside. "Its gotta kick now."

"It had kick as it was" Alice defended.

"Ah, but this is much better now." He flung the ball in the far edge of the gardens. There was an impressive detonation and the castle shook a little.

Alice jumped, then eyed the tinkling chandeliers. "That's… that's very good hare" she admitted.

"Thank you verra much daaaaaaa" He looked around seeing everyone properly awed. "A few more o these and I think the horde will lose their heads."