Into the Woods

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An hour and half a dozen backtracks later, they settled in a smallish clearing in the midst of a densely forested patch of woodland. It was a good location. Nearby the babbling of a stream could be heard, and the clearing needed only a few fallen branches drug away to make a proper training pitch.

“We’ll stay here ‘til dark,” he’d said. “Then we’ll make for Farowen.”

They slid off of Bandy, (the Hatter went out of his way to lean far back as Alice slipped down), and their mount scampered off into the nearby darkness. The Outlander then set about making a fire so they could see what they were doing later that evening, and once that had been accomplished, he set to clearing the area. As he worked, Alice rummaged through their supplies, taking note of what they would need to stock up on while in town. At the bottom of his leather bag her hands brushed over something smooth and cold. Her eyes lit up.

Eagerly, she pulled out what she had suspected were a pair of throwing blades; and she had been right. She grinned at the small, glinting blades, and tested their sharpness with her fingertips; perfect. A quick glance showed the Hatter dragging a large limb off to the side of the pitch, and an idea struck her. Perhaps now she could show him that she wasn’t as ill-experienced as he had supposed. She was a little more seasoned than all that.

Living on a ship with hard-edged sailors for two years did strange things to a person.

Blades in hand, she wandered off to the opposite edge of the clearing. Finding the appropriate object, she then took ten paces back and focused. The blade between her fingers was much more suitable for throwing than the dagger she’d lately sported, and memories of salted sea air and the laughter of drunken crewmates floated through her senses. A sharp flick of the wrist sent it sailing.

Behind her, Alice’s movement had caught the Hatter’s eye, and he looked up from his appraisal of the ready-made pitch. A corner of his mouth twitched upwards.

She fixed her attention on her mark once more and threw the second blade. It struck just to the left of centre with a satisfying thud.

The Hatter flashed a wide, toothy grin, and ambled over as she bent down to pull the knives from the decaying wood.

“An’ where di’a nice gel like you learn ta throw blades?”

Alice peered over her shoulder and tossed him a cheeky grin.

“A terribly inappropriate skill picked up aboard the trade ships, I’m afraid.”

The Hatter beamed at her, and Alice saw his former, daft self rise to the surface. “Alice,” he lisped, “you became a pirate!” He giggled in spite of himself, and she laughed.

Swinging her hips, she sashayed over to him. “Maybe just a bit,” she winked. “There are a lot of things I learned from the sailors.” She turned back to face the tree trunk and focused on her target. “Learning something new helps pass the time when you’re on a ship with nothing but miles of open ocean around you. It helps keep you sane.”

She flung the small, steel blade again and smirked as it hit exactly where she aimed.

The Hatter peered over her shoulder, half-mad grin still in place. “Well, you would know about madness, I suspect.”

She turned her head and blinked at his sudden closeness. Her throat went dry and she swallowed. “I haven’t practiced in awhile, so I’m not as good as I once was.”

He met her eyes and regarded her cautiously. She was vaguely saddened to see him retreat back into the depths. “Still,” he said, “it’s a good thin’ t’know ‘bout, yeh.”

He straightened and looked around him suddenly as if startled. “This is an excellen’ time ta work on a few basics.” He kicked away a few stray stones, and gestured to the small pitch.

Alice laid the knives down and awaited instruction.

He approached her, eyes a cautious yellow, and stopped a few feet away. “No’ tha’ I would ever wan’ ta discredit our noble Champion, but I thin’ tha’ mehbe some trainin’ migh’ be in order. Throwin’ aside.”

Alice grinned apologetically. “I suppose I was pretty lucky with the jabberwocky.”

He immediately closed the gap between them, and Alice barely had time to gasp; the flame in his eyes was almost frightening.

“Nae,” he said seriously, voice hard and guttural. “Yeh were mean’ ta do tha’. Luck had nothin’ ta do wi’ it. Ya did wha’ you were mean’ ta do then, jus’ as yeh will this time.”

He stepped back a few paces and nodded to her.

“Nauw,” he said, widening his stance, calm restored, “do as I do. Watch yer feet. Always keep them movin’ if yeh can.”

Alice mimicked his stance and nodded. He began to circle, and she followed suit.

“I’m gon’ ta come at you slowly at firs’ an’ show yeh how ta deflec’ a charge. Ready?”

For what felt like hours, he worked with Alice on basic fighting moves, and as their lesson progressed, he grew more and more desperate and concerned.

“No! No’ like tha’! We worked on this ehrlier,” he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, and looked at her anxiously.

“I know, I’m just a bit tired is all,” she justified.

The Hatter nodded and relaxed. “Yer righ’. We’ll break nauw. Yeh’ve done well,” he said, and she got the distinct impression he didn’t entirely believe that.

They rested and finished off the last of the food supplies Alice had brought. Later that evening, they picked up the lesson as the last rays of sunlight filtered through the forest. He showed her how to use her elbows and the heel of her hand against various pressure points. He demonstrated how to use her relatively small stature to her advantage, and when darkness had fallen they were circling each other again with the help of light from their smallish fire.

Alice rolled away from his latest lunge. As instructed, she whipped around anticipating the follow through, and deflected the fist that went flying towards her face.

“Good,” he smirked and straightened. “Again.”

Alice exhaled and rolled her shoulders with a soft groan. Her body felt like how she imagined the stump target did. “We’ve done it at least a dozen times.”

Tarrant looked at her and frowned. “An’ a dozen more are needed ta ge’i’ down. Muscle memory, Alice. Yeh only thin’’ yeh know it,” he stopped short and turned away, frustrated.

She yawned and dropped her hands to her knees in exhaustion. “Well,” she said around another yawn, “I’m no good without rest.” She straightened up and stretched her arms. “And neither are you.”

He ignored this and bent down to reach for something on the ground. “An’ wha’ happens when yer tired at th’ba’tle? D’yeh thin’ Stayne will stop ev’rythin’ ta let ya get yer rest?” he sneered.

Alice fought the urge to stick her tongue out behind him.

“Vigilance!” he shouted, abruptly turning and hurled something at Alice. She instinctively curled away and ducked, narrowly missing the stone that whizzed by.

Catching her breath, she grinned triumphantly. “See? Even through fatigue I’m attuned,” she joked.

The Hatter dusted off his knees and slowly approached the Champion, less enthused. “Is tha’ so?”

She smirked up at him, feeling the first wave of ill-timed sleepiness wash over her body, and nodded cheekily.

“I see.” Without warning he grabbed her, and pivoted behind, locking his arms around hers. He had her held completely captive.

Alice struggled against him and grunted with effort. “You cheat! You tricked me!” she bit out, bending over to try to slip her arms free.

He held on firmly and kept his hands clasped; waiting for her to remember the technique he’d taught her. “Trick? Did I trick yeh?” he mused through gritted teeth. “Or were yeh distracted? Yeh le’ yer guard down.”

“You weren’t a threat,” she groaned, still trying to wriggle free. His hold was much more secure than when they’d practiced this before. And perhaps there had been some truth to what he’d been saying…

“Wasn’ I? I approached from an angle, no’ dead on,” he recited, his mouth near her ear. “It’s easier ta attack if yeh come a’tha side.”

She huffed in frustration and suppressed a shiver from the breath upon her skin. Also, she was fervently trying to ignore the feeling of his chest pressed against her back and his hands holding her so possessively…

“Yeh need ta stay focussed. There are distractions ev’rywhere. Fatigue, an injured warrior, a foe in disguise…” His lips were suddenly at her neck and Alice jumped in surprise, inhaling sharply. Her body froze against him and her lips parted when he began sucking on an incredibly wonderful spot just below her ear. She tilted her head and gasped. Her treacherous mind began falling in with the surprising demands of her body and she wasn’t sure whether to make him stop or beg him to keep going.

He decided for her and broke away with a sharp exhalation.

Her heart was slamming against her ribcage, and when she turned to face him he looked disappointed, despite decidedly flushed cheeks. She felt incredibly confused. And ashamed.

“Is tha’ all i’will take?” he asked sadly.

Alice’s jaw dropped. “I beg your pardon?”

He stepped directly in front of her and glared. “No’ every weapon is bows an’ swords.”

His words stung, but she didn’t look away. He had tested her and she had failed.

For a moment she saw a glimpse of the frightened, anxious Hatter she remembered in the Red Queen’s workshop. “Alice,” he lisped. He took her hands in his and stared down at her with desperate, almost green eyes. “This isn’t like before. The Vorpal Sword knew what it had to do. You won’t have that advantage this time…” he blinked, and Alice watched as Dark Hatter returned. His eyes flamed a deep orange, and his hold on her hands became nearly uncomfortable. “Yeh have ta try harder.”

He turned away from her and assumed an offensive position. “Again.”

Alice felt her chest tighten as she gazed at his determination. She widened her stance and began to circle him. Her left foot crossed her right, mimicking his. He crossed in front of the fire, instantly blacking out his features against the flickering flames. He lunged at her, and Alice spun away, ready to deflect his arm, only this time his leg swept out, knocking her off her feet.

“Ge’ up!” he yelled, coming at her without pause.

She scrambled to her feet, and ducked at the swing he threw at her jaw.

He changed direction and came at her again, and she spun out of the way of the hand reaching for her arm. Instead, she grabbed his and twisted it up behind his back. He was quick though, and with his free one he grabbed her round the waist and slung her aside.

“Harder!” he cried. “Attack me!”

Alice gasped for breath and waited again for his next assault. As she focused, she could feel his desperation, and suddenly everything around them seemed to disappear. No forest, no fire, no lingering threat. It was just the two of them.

He came at her again, and Alice growled. She would go on the offensive. Her body slammed into his side, and a foot kicked out, sweeping him off balance. He grabbed at her arm, and she spun around to get loose, elbowing him in the ribs. The hit didn’t seem to faze him, and he redoubled his efforts to take Alice down.

From the ground he tossed leaves at her face, and Alice was temporarily blinded. She heard him behind her.

“Dodge, swing!” he yelled.

Blindly, she pivoted and struck out, connecting the palm of her hand to his jaw. He staggered back, momentarily caught unawares, and in the flickering firelight, Alice saw her opportunity. Again, she swept her right leg out against his ankles. He stumbled and, as Alice had anticipated, reached for her with his left arm. He wasn’t quick enough and down he went.

Alice was at him a heartbeat later. She dove at his prostrate form, secured his limbs, and jammed her forearm against his throat.

She’d won.

Their breaths came quickly, and every muscle in Alice’s body stayed tense while she savoured her victory. He swallowed against her arm at his trachea, and she quickly gave him slack, but did not remove herself. Their faces were inches apart. Unbidden, he stretched his neck forward and placed a quick kiss on her cheek, grinning.

Alice didn’t move. “Was that supposed to be another trick?”

He smirked devilishly. “Nae. Tha’ was a reward.”

Alice blinked at the unexpected remark and her eyebrows arched to her hairline. The Hatter smirked and in one fluid movement, bucked his hips, instantly throwing her onto her back before she knew what had even happened.

He leaned over her now, pinning her to the ground, the damned smirk still in place. “Tha’ was a trick.”

His weight pressed down on her; hips against hers, legs laced over her thighs. Weight issue aside, Alice still would have found it very difficult to breathe. The memory of the feeling of his lips on her neck floated to the top of her mind and lodged itself firmly at the forefront.

“How did I do?” she asked nervously.

The Hatter peered down the length of her and then shrugged. “No’ bad. Ask my jaw in tha mornin’.”

She blanched. “Oh! I’m so sorry!”

“Don’ be” he interrupted, still not moving off of her. “Yeh did wha’ yeh should ‘ave. Next time—”

“Hit harder?” she offered.

He chuckled and nodded. “Aye.” The rapid movement against her brought a blush to her cheeks; which he appeared to enjoy.

Silence stretched between them, and Alice’s breath came quicker. She gazed up at him and watched the shadows play across his face from the dying fire, and a thought occurred to her.

He was beautiful.

His eyes softened as he studying her face and locks of hair fanning out against the ground. All tension had melted away as if he had even forgotten their current position. Or, she thought, perhaps he knew exactly what he was doing. Alice’s stomach promptly dipped, and her head swam with possibilities. The latter issue, however, was really unsurprising to find it swimming off somewhere. She’d never really considered hers to be firmly attached anyway.

He released a wrist and gently brought a hand up to brush a stray curl from her eyes. “Alice,” he said to himself and closed his eyes.

She stared up at his lips and found she sincerely hoped he would reward her again with another kiss.

His hand lingered at her temple, and with a softness that surprised her, his fingers whispered down her cheek, coming to rest on her throat. She watched as he carefully examined his hand against her pale skin with intense fascination.

Really, something very interesting was going on inside Alice’s belly now. Every movement from him seemed intensified. With some embarrassment, she realised she wanted more. Longed for it even. The feel of him above her was delicious and thrilling, and probably other words that Alice couldn’t even imagine existed; but even still, she clamped down on the urge to twist her hips just so... She opted instead for nervous babble.

“Do you always distract your opponents with a kiss?” Her voice cracked, and she knew he’d caught it.

Still toying with the dips in her throat, his fingers glided across her collarbone and further along to the other side of her jaw. “Jus’ tha special ones.”

Alice stiffened beneath him and narrowed her eyes. He gently laughed and the shaking sent a jolt straight to her core. She twitched and swallowed a moan.

“Easy lass,” he murmured, lowering his head.

Alice tilted her chin, mesmerized by the deep red-orange his eyes had taken on, contrasting against the shadows. Or were they glowing? A lock of auburny-orange slipped over his shoulder as his nose dipped lower, and the scent of him, of wild, slightly spicy man filled her senses.

‘Yes,’ she mentally encouraged. Tingles formed at her lips, his chest pressed against hers; it was the most exciting kind of anticipation. Her fingers itched to reach up and touch him.

Warm breath against her skin immediately raised gooseflesh in its trail, and she closed her eyes against the rush of emotion. He nuzzled at her ear and she gasped when she felt his lips open and very lightly whisper over her lobe. Instinctively, her free hand reached for him, and tentatively placed it on his thigh at her side.

This had the unfortunate effect of pulling him back to his half-senses, and he startled back to reality. His eyes were nearly green now, and he blinked down at her with something resembling fear. Immediately, he sprang up and jumped to his feet. Alice winced at the sudden absence, and felt her face heat with embarrassment.

He mumbled something about packing up, then turned and left, kicking up several leaves in his trail. She lay on the ground at a total loss, and listened to his hasty departure into the woods.

Her Sensible Alice mind clashed with Present Alice mind and for a brief moment she felt as if she could throw a tantrum to befit a four year old.

“Well done again, Alice.”

She rubbed her palms against her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest.

Truly, it was an unfortunate time and place to develop feelings.




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