Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Takes place directly after the movie.

Kingsley company out did the Ascot's in a matter of months. Their business boomed and for years they were amazing. Then Time did as he always does, and ran out of days that he could give to Helen Kingsley, knowing how soft he is when it comes to Alice he probably gave her more than he should have.

By that stage, Alice still hadn't found anyone to compare to her Hatter. But then again, how could dull dreariness of English men compare to the fascinating creatures that were Underlain men. The answer, they couldn't.

Margaret was happily married, still to Lowell who told her all about his affair with Hattie, as soon as Alice left for China, of course. They had two beautiful little boys, who were Margaret's sun, moon and stars, especially after Helen past on. Alice, however, was all alone and had all of lost hope of returning to Underland, after all Time told her not to return, she couldn't go down the rabbit hole or through the looking glass as Hamish had possession of both. But most of all, she had expected Tarrant to have moved, if he had even ever loved her.

Alice sold the company after Helen's passing, but not to Hamish, who made several offers, they were fairly substantial amounts too. Instead she sold it to another company who out-bid the Ascot's, much to Alice's delight, even though she would have given it to them without them paying a penny. Then she gave the money received she gave to her sister to spend upon her nephews and gave them her house and possessions as well.

But she didn't know why. It was just instinct. What instinct she didn't know, but she did all anyway. And the same day, that she house was put in the boys' name, Nivens McTwisp arrived at Margaret and Lowell's estate, in the garden waiting for Alice to follow him, and she did.

Chapter Text

Once again Alice found herself falling down a dark hole surrounded by magnificent, marvellous objects whizzing past her. She didn't scream or yell, however she did smile and let herself be filled with joy as she came back home to Underland.

She fell to the ceiling with a thud, but was ready for the decent the floor, this time. Alice drank as much of the pevilldasher as was necessary, but made sure to have the key in her hand first. Then she went through the door and ran to Tarrant's table, where Thackeray, Mallymumkin, the Hightopps, the Tweedles, McTwisp and Time were having tea.

"Do you remember the first time that you came to tea, Time?" Tarrant laughed. Yes you three made a fool out of me, so I stuck you all at one minute to tea Time, until your fair Alice came to tea." was Time's reply. "She's not my fair Alice, she's probably someone else's fair Alice, in overland. Someone who isn't mad, enjoys quadrille and her mother approves of..... Excuse me" at that Tarrant got up to leave the table. "I'm no one's fair Alice, Tarrant," Alice called after him. He spun round, with the biggest smile on his face. "Alice!" Tarrant said. Alice could hear everyone else greeting her too, but she wasn't listening. She stared into the big green eyes of Tarrant Hightopp. "Hello Tarrant." she said wrapping him in a warm hug. When she pulled away, he noticed her hair was shorter than he remembered, not a lot, but a bit. "Is your hair shorter?" he asked, with all seriousness. But she laughed anyway, "yes it is Tarrant, but it was a lot shorter," Alice chuckled. "But why cut such beautiful long hair?" said Tarrant who looked like he might have a fit. "It got in the way whiles I sailed, but I did regret cutting it, just not when I was around my nephews who would have really enjoyed pulling it out strand by strand, and as I am not my mother or sister, I do not put my hair into high elaborate hairstyles, so cutting it was best," Alice once again chuckled, but the laugh and smile had turn in a false one. And this did not go unnoticed by the Hatter. "Are you all right my dear?" Tarrant asked most sincerely. "I'm fine," she lied but she realised that the Hatter saw straight through her lies and corrected herself. "No," she said whiles falling to the ground. Tarrant then apologised to the group saying that even the champion of Underland sometimes needs to be taken care of. Then lifted her in his arms and carried her to the hat shaped house just up the lane and found place for her to stay, and for him to look after her. Meanwhile McTwisp informed their majesties that Alice had returned

Chapter Text

The queens came immediately, to take care of their champion. Days pasted and she seemed to get better, but she didn't open her chocolate browns eyes once. Tarrant grew ever so worried, and suggested that they moved her the castle where she could receive the finest care in the whole of Underland. The queens both red and white took this into consideration, and they both agreed, their reasoning being that she could have been taken care of by women, all day, every day.

So once again Tarrant Hightopp scooped Alice up in his arm and carried her, this time down the lane to the castle. Mirana saw to that she had the finest suite available in the castle.

And all they could do was wait

Chapter Text

Weeks went by and Alice didn't wake up. The Hatter was sitting by her beside, wishing she would open her hazelnut eyes. He talked to her, hoping for a reply.

"Do you remember, when you were just seven years old? You told me a story... You know at this point would've said, 'What story?' And the answer to that is Sleeping Beauty. You told me that the princess fell into a deep sleep and only could be awoken by true love's kiss.... You told me that she was the most beautiful maiden in all the land..... That many described her as young girl with fair hair and a pale completion. To me you are the most beautiful maiden in all the land. And you most certainly are all those other things.... Perhaps you too.......need a prince charming...... to save you."

And with that leaned down and lightly placed a kiss on her lips, alas she did not awaken.

Chapter Text

Tarrant left the room moments later telling his sister to go in and sit with Alice.
By the time she got to the room, Alice was sitting up in the bed and looking rather confused.

"Alice! Your awake!" Hetty exclaimed. "Where am I?" "Oh, the castle in Marmoreal." "Okay, em, why does my hair.... and nightgown smell like..... Mercury and...... Tarrant's tea box?" "I don't know.... speaking of which I should probably tell him that you're awa-""No don't!"

Hetty was very confused by this and continued with,"Okay, why?" "I don't want him to think I'm weak, I mean, he'll just want to take care of me and then I'll really feel weak." At this point Alice was getting rather upset. And Hetty was doing her best to calm her. And forgot to tell her that the Hatter had been taking care of her the whole time and he had only just left the room when Alice woke up.

Hetty was being to realise how strange the pair were. How are Alice felt that she always had to show Tarrant that she wasn't weak, how Tarrant knew that she needed to be looked after even before she collapsed. How he noticed her hair was shorter with moments of seeing her, enough though there was barely a difference. How she only saw Tarrant before she collapsed, even though we were all at tea together. How the site of her and her reassurance that there was no-one in overland who held her hand and her heart, calmed him instantly, when no-one else would probably have been able to do so for weeks.

There was only one thing for it. She had to find her brother. And talk sense into him, before he broke the love of his life's heart. But it was sunset before she had any time to do so, and she knew Tarrant's schedule, like it was the back of her hand. A sunset walk, daydreaming the whole time. Then tea in the moonlit balcony, like he was reliving a memory. After that he went to bed. And didn't wake again until morning. Also he didn't like to be disturbed during any of this, the same as whiles he was taking care of Alice if you entered her suite, you had to be as quiet as a mouse, or else Tarrant released this biggest Hightopp anger that there had been since his great-great-grandfather. His voice turns strange, its an overland accent Absolem says, his eyes turn orange, usually its just orange but during his nightly routine and his time looking after Alice there were glints of purple in them. No other living Hightopps have ever been that mad, and that alone, for so long. But she knew what had to been done, no matter how much she didn't want to do it.

Chapter Text

Hetty found Tarrant on his way to the balcony. "Oh my dear hat! Hetty you startled me!"

"Sorry Tarrant, where were you all day, anyway? I only ask because a certain someone, who you're madly in love with, opened her lovely brown eyes today. Actually, she had was already sitting up when I came in..." Hetty teased but he didn't deny it.

Tarrant looked like he could explode with happiness. However he did look rather confused. Then, that confused expression turned into a crestfallen one. "But it didn't work, she would have woken immediately. It had nothing to do with me, maybe someone else did it. Maybe it was time for"

"Tarrant!" Hetty stopped him in the middle of his rant.

"Fez. Yes?" He frowned at her, it was rather un-Tarrant like.

"What or who are you talking about, I take it that its Alice, so something didn't work, your attempts to - I don't- help Alice? You didn't try to hurt her did you!?!" Hetty was in tears at this point.

"Hetty, be reasonable. Why would I wish to hurt the fair Alice? Can you give me reason? No, because I could never bring myself to do such a horrible thing.... I love her, and I wasn't there when she awoke, and I had disappeared all day, when she finally came back to the land of the living." Now Tarrant's green eyes were swimming in tears.

"You love her? Why don't you tell her? And what didn't work?"

"One question at a time little sister, but yes I love her. I cannot tell her, because she probably does not feel the same about me, so I must hide my feelings, and be content with her friendship..."

"And what didn't work?" Hetty asked finally stopping crying, but she had blotches all around her eyes.

"Did she ever tell you the story of 'Sleeping Beauty'?"

"No, can you tell me?" He gave her a warm smile, the tears still filling his emerald eyes.

"The best place to start is at the beginning and so that is where our story commences." He then poured tea for himself and Hetty as they sat to rest on the ornate bench that resided on the balcony.

"Along time ago there was king and queen....." and he told the story, painting vivid imagery for her.

Tarrant Hightopp had always been an excellent story teller, most of the pauses he made were just for affect. However when came to the part where the prince reached the tower, he sighed, stopped completely, and allowed Hetty shake herself out of the trance she always seemed to get into when her older brother told stories.

"Why did you stop?" she questioned, she loved his stories.

"Sorry, I didn't realise that I had." Tarrant muttered, there was silence for a moment.

"Are you going to continue?........ Or should I ask Alice, I hear she's a better story teller than you anyway," she always knew how to tease her brother into doing exactly as she wanted, she always could.

"No, that won't be necessary.... Okay where were we? Ah yes! The Prince was bloodied by his battles but he didn't care, he saw the fair maiden, she was even more beautiful that the legends foretold. Her fairy God mother's appeared by his side, complaining about his appearance, despite the fact he just destroyed Maleficent, after escaping her dungeons and guards the fought through the briars. They healed his injuries and tidied him up. Then he asked 'How do I wake the fair princess?' 'True love's kiss' he was told. And with that he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips and the princess awoke along with the rest of the castle's sleeping members," with that Tarrant concluded the story.
Hetty was quiet for a while, thinking about the story and what it possibly could have to do with what didn't work. "No! You didn't?!" She shrieked.

"What assumption have you made now?" Tarrant sighed.

"Did you kiss her?"

"Yes..."
"That means you woke her, meaning she's your true love and you're hers!" Hetty was getting very excited and Tarrant believed that she needed to calm herself, a lot.

Chapter Text

Once Tarrant calmed his sister, he went to bed, he figure his Alice would be asleep by now and he lay awake no sign of sleep coming to him. But Underland's champion was not. She was awake and could not find rest, but then again she had just slept for six weeks. She started to think back to six weeks ago when she ran the the hatter's table.

Flash Back*

Falling down the rabbit whole, from Margaret's estate. Not saying goodbye, ah well! Tumbling, plunging, descending further and further down the dark hole. Objects like pianos and bookcases came hurdling toward her but never hitting her, she bounced of the bed and fell further down the dim passage. Shrinking to the right size to fit through the door, opening the minuscule door, to her truest home. Brambles and briars clogged up the path way, but she ran through anyway. One such thorny branch, sky blue with purple thorns, was hissing and snapping at her feet, legs, hands and arms. it managed to stab her, on her upper torso, over her heart. It stung, but not too terribly, so she ran on. She reached the table, the hatter was about to leave because he was upset, whiles everyone else was going to stay to finish tea. She talk to Tarrant, set his mind at peace, suddenly her mother's death, which she hadn't really been believing, hit her like a rock, along with every other sad event that ever happened to her. Her felt like it was spinning out of control, her heart pounding off the insides of her chest, ready to burst out. Tarrant noticed her sudden feeling of illness. She tried to wave it away, as if it was nothing. Then she collapsed, and her memory of the event went no further.

Flash Back ends*

The memory kept taunting her, like it was an awful secret she alone had to keep. But she couldn't. She didn't want to wake the hatter, again she didn't want to seem weak. Instead she went to wake another dear friend, Mirana. However she found the white queen wasn't asleep either, but sitting at her fire side, catching up with her older sister, who's head had shrunk tremendously, Iracebeth looked unrecognisable. Apart from the red dress of course.

"Majesties, my apologies for interrupting -" "Not at all Alice! If it weren't for you we probably still couldn't sit in the same room still!" Iracebeth stopped her. "Come join us," Mirana beckoned. "Yes your majesty." was the reply, then Alice crossed the room. "Oh and Alice, do just call us by our first names, we want you to consider of friends," Iracebeth smile kindly, the woman truly had changed. Or maybe she just let her true self show because all of her anger had gone away.

"Okay, em, I was wondering or hoping that you could tell me a about a certain type of plant,"then she continued before they could interrupt her, "I know it seems of no importance but I just remember being stung by this plant, before I reached Tarrant's table...." "Could describe this plant? In detail?" Iracebeth asked. "Yes," Alice replied. "It was as blue as the clearest sky, and purple deep and dark like the last of the setting sun." "Oh, my dear word! Then it is a miracle that you are are alive, and if you do survive this poison, you are put in a sleep like death, one you can only be awoken from by true love's kiss..... But who is your true love? There isn't any other to awaken once you have been struck with the dagger like thorns of Wordsworth!" The red queen sounded shocked, then happy for Alice finding her true love, and finally dead serious when she said the name of the deadly abomination.

"But who could possibly love me enough, to call themselves my true love, to wake me from my slumber? There is simply know one who would love me that much!" Alice believed this to be very true, and that is no lie. "Is there anyone that you love that much?" Mirana asked after a moment of awkward silence. "I don't know, maybe? Possibly....." Alice muttered. "Who then?" the red queen asked softly. There was long silence that felt like centuries to the two queens. And then barely louder than a whisper, "Tarrant Hightopp."

Chapter Text

The next morning Tarrant rose before dawn to try to figure out how he was going to tell Alice the truth. At exactly eight o'clock McTwisp blew a trumpet signalling everyone in the palace must rise, and attend a meeting.

Tarrant, who was already dressed made his way down to the throne room. Alice and the queens were already there chatting. "Tarrant, please join," Mirana beckoned however declined.

"No thank your Majesty, somebody has to be ready to calm Mally when she arrives, hat pin in hand!"

He laughed, they both knew he was right, no matter how much Tarrant wanted to join his fair Alice.

Five minutes later than door mouse arrived, ready to kill! However Tarrant went slyly in his tact and said: "Mally, how would you like to view this early morning meeting from the brim of a top hat?"

Of course, she didn't refuse. Whatever ill-will Mallyumkin bore towards the queens red and white for waking her at this "Godly hour", in her words, hand melted away thanks to the hatter.

Before long, the whole castle had come to the throne room. "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. My apologies for the early hour. However, something was bothering me, of course the guilty party is not in trouble, for it was not a crime. Because of them we can rejoice in the wonderful news that our Champion has awoken." Mirana said then the hall burst into cheers, no one happier than the hatter.

After the cheers died down Mirana continued. "We discovered the cause of Alice's illness and found that was lucky that our Champion survived. A poison called Wordsworth was injected into her system, via the forever moving Wordsworth plant. For those of you who do not know, Wordsworth is a blue and purple bramble bush with deadly poison on its thorns. One is sent into a deep sleep, if they even survive the poison, a sleep like death and only can be awoken by true love's kiss."

Tarrant was staring at Alice, he was her true love, and he knew with all his heart that she was his.

Chapter Text

Tarrant didn't speak out in the crowded thrown room, instead decided to find a moment when his love was alone. Of course Mally wasn't helping.

The Mallyumkin was no longer on top of the hat, but siting across from Tarrant in his parlour. The pair were enjoying breakfast. Until Mally began a rant about his fair Alice. "Its always all about Alice! Honestly!," then the dormouse continued to complain about Alice, complaining about things that she didn't ask for. "She must remember! Only Alice can save Tarrant! You must help us wake the champion! Get out of bed-" "MALLY! Alice did not ask for any of this she didn't ask us to bring her back to a land she couldn't even remember or ask if she could save me OR to be poisoned! She didn't even ask to fall down that rabbit hole when she was seven years old! No the first time she came to Underland was was an accident, then McTwisp lead her down that rabbit hole when we needed her to slay the jabberwocky AND during my illness she saved me because she was my friend. She didn't even give it a second thought, the same as I would have done if it was the other way round!" Mally wasn't pleased to hear that and didn't hide it. "And then, she returned to us grieving and most unfortunately ran a foul some Wordsworth! So Mallyumkin when you have thought of all of this and not your bloody bed I will continue this conversation with you!"

With that Tarrant stormed out of his suite in the castle. He regained composure headed for the gardens.
The gardens always provided him with peace and a slight bit of sanity when he truly lost his temper. They were a safety net to catch when he went just a tad too far . However, it seemed to Tarrant that it wasn't going to be quite as easily as merely sitting in the the flamboyant gardens for a while, not taking a leisurely stroll through them, but he had to try.
The peevish hatter sat on a less ornate bench than the one on the balcony, for an hour with no prevail, so started his stroll the garden, but it was more like a trudge through it. And it wasn't working. Until he was joined by a familiar smiling face. And it was not Chess, between you and me probably would have had the opposite affect, if it had of been that wretched cat.

Chapter Text

"Alice! What a pleasant surprise, truly at the best moment. You have no idea how glad I am to see you and ne tha' wretched cat or bloody doormouse-" Alice grabbed his face to calm him down as his voice had changed, once again his Scottish brogue shown through and his emerald eyes flamed orange, it all faded once Alice caught hold of him.

"Hey what ever is the matter? If something is wrong you can tell me Tarrant." Alice's voice was soft and sweet and barely louder than a whisper, but enriched with concern for the love of her life, she'd just never admitted those feelings to anyone other than the two queens. Yet.

A big smile appeared on Tarrant's face and his eye newly restored to green melted into a soft purple, then a dark, rich and bold purple, and Alice felt as if it was her sworn duty to find out why.

"Oh, Alice! You don't have to pick me up when I fall...." "No.... But I want to and..... You picked me up when I fell. Literally." She managed to pull a weak smile out of him. "So what's bothering the maddest Hatter of them all," she laughed. "Well the bloody cat pops up out of nowhere all the time and it gets annoying but I can deal with that..... But Mallyumkin blew me over the edge today.." "What did she do, and do not tell me that it does not matter. Because if it didn't matter it would something like missing tea or just being late for it. But this bothering you..... And I want to help....." There was along pause before Tarrant answered. "Mally was extremely rude about someone I really care about perhaps even love, but I doubt that she loves me back. She is amazing loved by all of Underland and would do anything for any of its inhabitants, even me..... And nothing like her and don't deserve-" Alice had to cut him off because what he was saying broke her heart. "Tarrant you deserve any woman that you truly love, even her, okay and from what your say it sounds like you haven't told her. And from what you are describing, she sounds like nothing compared to you because you have done so much for Underland, you nearly got beheaded, I know your sentencer was crazy and not in a good way at the the time. But you made sure to save so many people from the dungeons that day. And if this girl doesn't even recognize that well she doesn't deserve your attention or your thoughts, okay?" Tarrant just smiled up at her. Gold flicking through the purple in his eyes. "But she does and I know now that she truly loves me. Alice since this morning I have been trying to figure out how to find her on her own for a single second, let alone long enough to tell her how I feel. Then what would I say to her after I have found her, but now I know what I have to say." Alice gave him a sad smile, she was glad that she could help an old friend, she was just sad that's all he'd ever be, a friend.
But the hatter didn't lose her attention for he continued with this, "then she just happened to wander up to me, all alone and just when I needed her the most." She looked up at him, in shock. "I love you Alice Kingsley. With all my heart." The Champion of Underland was lost for words and happy tears flooded her caramel eyes. "I love you too, Tarrant Hightopp!" With that they leaned in and kiss one another passionately.

A hundred meters away the queens, Chess and Mally watched from a distance. "Sorry we had to cause an argument between you and Tarrant, Mallyumkin-" Iracebeth began but Mally cut her off. "No your majesty, Tarrant and Alice deserve to be happy. Together."

Chapter Text

Time is a strange fellow, sometimes he is slower than a snail, other times he passes quicker than the blink of an eye. It all depends on your mood, if you are joyous and well, or if you sad and miserable.

And it would appear that Alice and the Hatter were happier than anyone could possibly be as a year had passed in no time all. This year had progressed with a mixture of moonlit picnics, strolls through the gardens and sneaky kisses. There could not have been a happier soul than the pair.

One snowy afternoon was when the pair sparked excitement in Underland. Early that morning they went out in the snow, and returned inside to warmth of the fire by noon. However reentering the house their conversation went a bit like this.
"Alice, I truly must insist that we go back out later on... About 3 o'clockish." Tarrant said smooth as you please.
"Why on earth would you wish to venture out into the cold later, at a pacific time?" Alice inquired coyly.
"No reason for the pacific time, I just heard a rumor that something very beautiful was to be revealed, under our favorite tree at 3.15, that's all my dear." Tarrant replied losing his cool slightly, but not completely.
"Ah I see... You know very much like a man hiding something." Alice teased, knowing that if he was, his voice would get very high pitched, his bushy eyebrows would rise and he wouldn't be able to look her in the eye. And sure enough he replied, "Not at all my dear," with all of these symptoms.
"Whatever you say Tarrant."

So at exactly 3 o'clock, Tarrant was rushing her out the door. They made their way to a tree where the pair had shared many picnics, kisses and had fallen asleep in each other's arms. It had begun to snow again when they arrive to Break Heart Tree, Tarrant and Alice's favorite tree, for some reason the most magical, beautiful place in all of Underland had a very depressing name. Break Heart Tree was a sheltered area away all the bustle and chaos of the Castle. It wasn't far from the Hightopp hat shaped manor, either. Currently there were icicles glistening down the curly branches of Break Heart Tree. The snow was swirling around the heads of the couple, creating a very romantic setting.
They stood directly beneath the tree and that is when Tarrant began his speech. His eyes were the deepest purple and flecked with the purest gold.
"Alice Kingsley, I love with all my heart and soul. I now know what exactly I must say. I spent all of my free time that I wasn't with you, wondering what I should say at this exact moment, Chess believed it had to extravagant. Mally believed it had to be short and to the point. However Thackery told me it had to he from the heart. So that is why I brought you here. Extravagance is out in the snow, under the Heart Break Tree, the place we love to spend time together. Short and to the point is what I'm about to say and all if this is from my heart. Alice Kingsley will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Tarrant was now on one knee with a beautiful silver engagement ring with a diamond surrounded by tiny sapphires, in a small blue box. Alice was in complete bliss. "Yes Tarrant. Of I will marry you!"

Chapter Text

A wedding is very stressful to plan in Overland, but in Underland everything is quite different, and one tends to relax more during the process, however that didn't stop Alice worrying about what her husband to be was up to behind the locked doors of his study. Tarrant's study is always full of fabrics and buttons and feathers and pins and needles and ribbons and of course hats. And now wedding plans have exploded all over the room and the already messy room became almost impossible to navigate through the jungle like room.

Tarrant refused to allow Alice to plan the wedding as he knew that women from Overland became extremely stressed when it came to affairs such as this. They had both agreed on being married on the anniversary of the Frabjous Day. The Queens red and white were working on Alice's dress as Tarrant was not allowed to see it as per tradition of both lands. Tarrant had designed what everything else. From the ballroom to the garden in which the wedding would take place, from the cake to the meal, from the entertainment to invitations.

Tarrant had asked to have the wedding in the castle garden and Mirana and Irasebeth were thrilled to have the castle as the wedding's venue. The couple were to be married beneath an arch way that was intertwined with white and pink roses. The guests would sit on individual chairs, which were covered in white satin with blue ribbon wrapped into bows at the top of the chair. A pale blue runner would placed on the aisle, on the path way to Alice and Tarrant's new life together. All this under a white canopy to protected the beautiful scene from the rain.

Indoors the largest ballroom in the castle would be filled with round tables, surrounded by chairs of the same design as the one as outside, apart from the rather spacious dance floor. A band that could play any song that was requested, even Overland ones! They would sit on a stage just in front on the dance floor.

The meal would consist of 3 courses. The starter was a range of soups or a fruit salad. The main was anything you desire and the desert could be chosen from a range of ice creams, jellies and cakes, such as brownies, chocolate fudge cake, batten berg and many others.

The cake is three tiers high. The bottom and largest one is Victoria sponge Alice's favourite. The second one is orange chocolate fudge and the last one is chocolate twirl, a mixture on vanilla and chocolate cake swirled together perfectly. The cake is decorated with a large colourful edible hat which has two long edible ribbons running from the hat around the whole cake and roses in many shades of blue sit on said ribbons.

The Queens worked on a dress for Alice. It was white silk with white roses sewn onto different places around the dress. There was a train following the dress. The veil was plain and simple and would be held into Alice's hair by silver and gold hat shaped slide.

Alice decided that she would ask Time to stand in place of her father, who he referred to as the fallen soldier. Alice believed that from what little she had been told about her wedding and the fact she knew her hatter would make sure that the day was amazing, she would have the best wedding ever.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

The day before the wedding had arrived and the castle was buzzing. And Tarrant and Alice were enjoying their last few hours together, before the men would drag Tarrant off for a night of horrors unknown, well according to Tarrant anyway.

"I love you, cricket," he whispered softly into Alice's ear. "And I you, my mad man " Alice replied. He then placed a gentle kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, a thought that had been eating away at him arose in his head, what had Alice planned for tonight, or worse still, what torture was she in for? Naturally curiosity got the better of him. "Alice, my love?" Alice hummed in replied. "What's in store for you this evening, my dear?" A shadow of fear crossed Alice's face and Tarrant frowned at this. "I honestly have no idea. Like most things about my wedding, I wasn't allowed plan this evening." Alice said seriously, but then laughed to show Tarrant that she was just teasing. "I truly have no idea of what their Majesties have planned for me. But what about you what do you have to do on your last in night without me?" She asked coyly. "I have no idea, and it scares me, a little bit, not a lot......." The hatter admitted. "Oh you poor baby, something scares the big bad mad hatter," Alice replied, false sympathy laced thickly in her tone. "Oi!!!!!! You cheeky little cricket," then Tarrant looked at the clock, "Oh my dear, sweet cricket. I will see tomorrow, when your all dressed up, and I'll marry you." "You better." They shared one last kiss and then Tarrant left to face the last night would ever have to face without Alice by his side.
And Alice enjoyed a pamper night with all her friends, well the female ones anyway.

Chapter Text

Alice awoke at the crack of dawn, along with Hetty, who was just as excited as the bride to be. It was too early to begin to prepare for the wedding, so the pair decided to have tea.
They were enjoying telling each other funny tales about the groom, when a servant arrived with a knock at the door with two messages on a silver tray.
"These arrived for you ladies, I assume that your messagener has left their names on the messages because they didn't leave their names on the notes that lay on top of each of them say that they were to be delivered to you two." He announced to the pair, then left to return to his duties, leaving the duo to read their messages in private.
Alice's note read: Return home Alice ~ Overland.
Hetty's note read: Every book has ending, and this one has reached its end, so it shall begin again ~ Underland.
The pair exchanged confused glances and showed each other the notes.
"Let's not worry about them today. After all it's your and Tarrant's special day." Hetty said. "Your right, but we must look into this tomorrow." Came the reply. "Surely it can wait until after the honeymoon?" Hetty asked mischief clear in her voice. "Yes, your right as always Hetty," Alice smiled. Smiling back Hetty exclaimed, "Finally! Someone realizes that I'm always right!" Then they both burst in a fit of laughter.

After that they began to prepare themselves for the wedding. Mirana did Alice's makeup and Iracebeth did her hair, then Hetty helped into her dress. Then the three bridesmaids got themselves ready. They put on the teal, floor length dresses that Alice had picked out months prior to the wedding, as it looked well on all three of her chosen bridesmaids. After that they arranged simple up styles into each others hair.

Tarrant was also readying himself for the best adventure he would ever have. He wore a brilliant new suit, shiney new shoes and his customary Hightopp hat. He was going over his speech, which be made before dinner, with Thackery. And wondering how amazing Alice would look walking down the aisle. Then he remembered just how gorgeous his bride to be was, and that it would be impossible to make her even more beautiful.All of this whiles wearing a smile bigger than even the Cheshire cat could ever manage.
Speaking of which, he would be officiating at the ceremony. And was currently in the vanishing world, practicing the ceremony in peace, where could not be interrupted.
And the man who would escort Alice Kingsley down the aisle to the alter where she would become Alice Hightopp, and embark upon her life's greatest adventure yet, was making his way down from his castle, after all Time was never late, because he waited for no man.

Chapter Text

Alice was joined by Hetty, Mirana, Iracebeth and Time at the top of the aisle just out of site of the mad hatter and of the guests (the whole of Underland). Alice was as nervous as can be, when she remembered the note she received earlier, a voice invaded her mind, it sounded like Hamish's mother, Lady Ascot, only couldn't possibly be, because it expressed genuine concern, kindness and destress, "Return home Alice," it pleaded, but Alice replied, "I already am," defiantly.
And once again she forgot the message, when Time asked, "Are you ready?" Alice felt as if she had swallowed a whole nest of bread and butterflies. But she nodded with a huge smile on her face, courage evident in her eyes and said, "ready for the greatest adventure of my life? Definitely."
Alice took Time's arm when he offered it and the began the short journey down the aisle. Tarrant and Alice's eyes just locked onto each other as soon as they could see one another, as if nothing else mattered. All Alice's nerves just melted under his gaze. All the guests just stared and admired Alice's beauty, with jealousy. The men were jealous of the hatter, who didn't care how beautiful Alice was and the women were jealous of how beautiful she was and how she found one of the rare men in Underland who did not believe looks mattered. But Alice and Tarrant didn't even see them, only each other.
Time and the bride reached the alter and he gave away her to her groom, and then took his seat.

"Dearly beloved," Cheshire began. "We have gathered here to celebrate the union of Alice Kingsley and Tarrant Hightopp in holy matrimony. Anyone who has any reason to object to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." Alas no one spoke during the moment of silence after the question was asked. "Right then let's get on with this wedding! Do you Alice Kingsley, take Tarrant Hightopp to be your lawfully wedded husband? For richer, for poorer? In sick and in health? 'Till death do you part?" Alice smiled and said, "I do." Then chess turned to Tarrant and repeated his questions. "Do you Tarrant Hightopp, take Alice Kingsley to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer, for poorer? In sickness and in health? 'Till death do you part?" Tarrant gave a goofy smile, "Most definitely!" Then Cheshire announced, "May I have the rings?" Which the Tweedles brought up to the alter on pale blue velvet cushions. The best man ane maid of honor, Thackery and Hetty, removed the rings from the cushions and handed the bride and groom, one each. "Now Alice," chess recommenced. "Repeat after me, I, Alice Kingsley." "I, Alice Kingsley." "Take thy, Tarrant Hightopp." "Take thy, Tarrant Hightopp." "To love and to cherish." "To love and to cherish." "Until the end of Underland." "Until the end of Underland." All this whiles Alice slid the ring onto Tarrant's finger. The Cheshire cat then had Tarrant complete the same process, with Alice. After the ring was firmly on Alice's finger, the grinning cat proclaimed, "You may now kiss the bride." Tarrant didn't need to be told twice.
Everyone clapped and cheered for the newly weds. When they pulled apart minutes later. Tarrant whispered in Alice's ear. "There's an inscription on each of the rings, yours says 'mo chroí' and mine says 'mo ghrá' which means"- but Alice never did find out what it meant as the ground began to shake and the sky began to spin.

Chapter Text

Alice's world turned upside down that day. She remembered it vividly.
Flash back
The sky and earth continued to shake and spin as a tornado wind swirled. All the inhabitants of Underland disappeared into the wind apart from Alice, even Tarrant.

Then everything froze. Alice stood on the ground, in her white wedding dress, but she was no longer in the castle garden. She appeared to be in a white throne room. But it wasn't in Marmoreal, no it was much grander, larger and even more pristine -if that was possible, than the throne room in Marmoreal.

There were two thrones at the end of the hall, one pure sapphire, the other pure ruby. There was also the broken remains of an emerald one, as if it had only been broken only moments ago. Upon the ruby throne sat a woman with blonde hair and brown eyes, as dark as an oak tree. She wore a pale pink dress. On the sapphire throne sat a woman with brown hair and eyes as blue as the clearest sky. She wore a dark purple dress dress, it reminded Alice of Tarrant's eyes most of the time these days- Alice believed that that colour meant love.
"Come forward, Alice," commanded the blonde woman. "Who are you? I don't know you. How do you know who I am?" Alice demanded. "Be calm daughter of Kingsley, wife of Hightopp," the brunette said. "We are the daughters of the earth, Underland and Overland. We have another sister, her name is Jealousy. She was banished from this land of beauty, between our worlds, it has all the most beautiful things from both our lands and they are enhanced in some little way so they are some how different, such as this holds a resemblance to throne room in the castle of Marmoreal. Jealousy was banished from here because of a terrible faith she has befouled to Underland. To you," the brunette, named Underland explained. "You still haven't really answered any of my questions, and what has Jealousy done to me?" Then Alice was answered by Overland. "Alice, its because of Jealousy you are here. But we must explain who we are, before we tell you what horrendous thing she done to you. Underland and Overland has always had a concept of mother nature. We are it, we are each land's versions of decider of life and death, the weather and natural things. They also have the green eyed monster, of greed and envy. Jealously always hated the happiness we spread to our lands, so every so often she would spread sorrow to the lands and make an individual or individuals sad, by taking a loved one from them before their natural time, but never has she don't something on this scale..." "I still don't understand what Jealousy has done." "Jealousy despises anyone who is happy. And you were marrying the man of your dreams, surrounded by all your friends. Tarrant was marrying the love of his life, with his family- who he once believed to be dead, by his side. Jealousy could not be more -well....jealous. So she sentenced you to a life of misery because you were too happy." " Forgive me for saying so, but you seem to dancing around my question Overland, so perhaps you can answer me Underland. What has Jealousy done?"
"That brings us to why you are here. You have a decision to make. Jealousy has put Underland on a loop, Alice after, after Alice is now to face the challenges you had to face in Underland. They will wander into Underland in their childhood, then will be recalled to Underland when they are older they will be recalled to Underland to slay the Jabberwocky. If they survive or wish to, they will return to be faced with a dying Hatter, and they may not be able to return the chronoshpere on time, or may not be brave enough to face Time. Or Tarrant might not even trust the Alice. Believe me there will be many of these combinations. Tarrant will not fall in love again though, and neither will you, no matter what you decide." "What decision do I have to make?" "Will you stay in my land, and watch your love suffer, without even knowing you're there for him? Or will you return home, to your sister and her husband and your nephews?" "Its was Overland who asked me before the wedding to return home. Ask your sister what my exact words were." Overland then spoke first time since Alice cut her out of the conversation, "She told me- a most defiant tone, that she already was." Underland frowned, "You do realize that this decision cannot be changed," then Alice nodded. "And you will watch those you love be born, live and die over and over again, but shall you not age." Alice nodded once more. "Very well. You know Jealousy probably will not allow you to interact with your friends. And also now Underland and Overland's time lines will now be out of sinc, so for all you know some of the Alices that venture here could be descendants of your sister Margaret." "Thank you ladies, I will put the information you have just given me to good use. Tell me though, how am I supposed to leave?" Underland's champion asked. "Our butler who waits for you outside the door will show you out. God bless you, child of my land," Overland said as her way of wishing her well. "Thank you," Alice said politely, then turned on her heels to leave when she was called back by Underland. "Alice come here for a moment. I have something for you, please allow me to give it to you before you leave." "Okay," Alice replied unsure of what to do. Underland arose from her grand sapphire throne and handed Alice a mahogany box. "Open it once your back in Underland." "Yes, ma'am." Then exited the hall to the butler, who gave her a small cake that looked rather like a large slice of Thackery's batten berg. He instructed her to eat the whole thing. Then the great white castle disappeared and she was in Tuggly Wood. She opened the box it had a note in it the read, I think it is best you have this, rather than allow Jealousy destroy it~ Underland. Beneath the note there was a gold ring hanging on a dark blue ribbon. Tarrant's wedding ring.
End of flash back
It had been a year since then and Alice watch the timeline tumble out in all ways, shapes and forms but never properly. And in all that time Alice kept Tarrant's ring on the ribbon around her neck, close to her heart where he should be, her own ring beside it. Both looked after carefully, as if they were the children they would never have the chance to have.

Chapter Text

Alice sat watching the latest Alice, with the Hatter. He had just told this Alice of his belief that his family was alive. And had tried to tell him that his family were dead, because logic said so. Every Alice made that mistake, even the one was watching this scene from afar.
Tarrant was pushing her out the door. "Your not my Alice. My Alice believed me." Its was as if for a single joyous moment Tarrant had remembered. But his Alice could see the sudden rememberence fading from his eyes quickly. It was Jealousy teasing her. She had done this constantly over the past year, so Alice was used to it. That didn't make it any easier, in fact tears stil spilled down Alice's face.
Other tantalizing moments that Jealousy had produced were also moments where Tarrant could remember her.
One such moment was when he was imprisoned in Red Queens castle. Calling out for Alice, which ever one there was at the time. But then he would call out for Alice Kingsley, Alice Hightopp. Those names he would call out would go unnoticed by his companions.
Another was when he was dying, and the current Alice had given up hope. He was alone and that life, that false life, was fading fast. He called out for Alice as loud as he could, which was barely more than a whisper. But he called out, his voice was rasping. "Mo chroí? Alice? Are you there? Alice, my love, my wife? Please come back to me?" Then he passed on.
That one was heart wrenching for Alice. Alice's life was eternal, but every time Alice watched Tarrant remember and forget, she would die on the inside, because she couldn't die any other way.
You might be wondering how Alice was all these scenes. You see she was being tortured by Jealousy, so anything that had a reflection, the rings that she so desperately wanted destoried, for God knows what reason, hurt her enough, she would dispose of them and they would be gone forever.
As for Alice herself, she very much alone, she lived in the Outlands, didn't make many connections as no one would remember once the story played out. However she didn't isolate herself though. She met different people-at different points in their lives, lived her own life, spend her free time trying to figure out how to reverse Jealousy's curse, helped out at different events in the Outlands but never once became attached to anyone because it hurt too much when she lost them, and never let anyone into her heart, because she no longer possessed, and hadn't for along time, Tarrant did.
She chose the Outlands because Tarrant said that the inscriptions were Outlandish. So, on one of her many private excursions around the Outlands, she met up with an old black smith. That meeting goes like this.
"Excuse me, sir. But may I have a moment of your time?" Alice Hightopp asked. "Of young lady! What is it you need?" The elderly black smith questioned. "Well you see my husband and I got married recently but he was........" Alice didn't know how to continue, tears filled her eyes as she thought of the day it happened. "Taken from you?" The old man suggested. The woman merely nodded her head. "Yes, it is cruel how the world works. My condolences, dear.... However I do not think you came her looking for sympathy, did you?" He asked kindly. Alice shook her head and dried her tears. "No sir, there were inscriptions on the rings. And I was wondering if you could tell me what they mean? I not from around here, and so was unable translate them myself." She said, voice shaking the whole time. "I see, may I have a look?" Alice nodded and removed the ribbon from around her neck. The old man pulled out a pair round, brown rimmed glasses concealed in a small red leather pouch, from the top pocket of his brown leather waistcoat that sat on top of his faded white shirt. Put on the glasses and reading the rings he said, "ah yes! This one says 'mo croí', which means my heart. And this one says 'mo grá', which means my love. Very traditional inscriptions on rings for the weddings of clans, a very well known one being Hightopp. Did you hear Zinc's eldest son Tarrant recently left home?" "Yes, I did." Which was half true, she watched it. The old man then handed her back the rings. "Thank you sir, for telling me what the words ment. Really I should have known, he was quite romantic, my husband.... But anyway how much do I owe you?" "Nothing my dear," Alice was about to protest so he continued with; "because when you came in here you looked as if nothing could ever make you happy again, apart from the man you love. I'm just glad you smiled. For me that is payment enough- no arguing!" Then she laughed and he laughed with her. "You better go have fun now, Alice." That's was when she froze. She had never said her name. She was going to ask how he knew her name, but the old man was already walking away and she saw that there was no point. As he left the room though she noticed a lock of curly orange hair falling out from underneath his straight white hair. This time she was going to say something about it but was already gone. Two years later she still pondered who the old man really was. And she also wondered why he felt so familiar. But as well as all that, she wanted to know why she cared about it.

Chapter Text

Alice was still haunted by the memory of the old man. His odd familiarity confused her, as despite her time in Underland, wasn't familiar with many in the Outlands, especially men. She avoided men. Simple reason, in underland there were three types of men.

The first were men who were rude and arrogant and who treated women like dirt, they reminded her of Hamish. Then there was the few who treated them like goddesses, worship the ground like walked on and loved them dearly, pacific ones though, they reminded her of the way Zinik treated Tyvia. And last but not least were the ones who treated them like they were equals, fairly and never said a foul word towards them, they reminded her Tarrant.

This old man hadn't shown any these traits, and was oddly familiar. She didn't know many in the Outlands, but she asked around a bit, but no one had heard of this black smith and when Alice when back to find him, he wasn't there. It was as if he never existed. And Alice didn't know where else to look. She missed Tarrant, he'd know what to do. then it hit, her he reminded of her husband. 'Come to me, mo ghrá.' Alice thought.

Chapter Text

"Oh, my dear, if you can hear me, come back to me."
Said a chimney sweep, in the alley of Witzend that Alice was walking through. She didn't often travel into the town, however it was the anniversary of the Frabjous and the festival there was beautiful. This Alice died whiles destroying the Jabberwocky.

Alice looked around, the voice lisped, and croaked. Alice was looking around to see if she could help the poor soul. She bent down and into the big bewitching green eyes, she placed a hand on his face.

"Tarrant? Is that you?" Alice asked.
"Yes, Alice. I'm here, I'm always here." The hatter replied.
"Oh Tarrant I missed you.... Wait a minute! You were the old black smith, weren't you? Helping me figure what's going on. Although, I don't really understand what's going on...." She said
"Yes, that was me. And well you see it's all Jealousy, she wanted you to believe that I lived happily ever after with all of these other Alices. And for you to be miserable. Whiles I could only watch you from a distance, seeing your suffering and pain, it was killing me. But I knew that there different this time around, you were braver, more sure of yourself, you had your old flare back and I knew that I couldn't let this golden opportunity pass. So I went to a doormouse and asked them to whisper in your ear at night until you were influenced to come to blacksmith shop. And you did come. I was happy. Then Jealousy stop me from telling you that was me. And you slipped out of my reach again......" Explained Tarrant.
"But I'm here now." Alice comforted.
"Yes, yes you are, but how did you know it was me? I look very unlike myself...." The hatter rambled.
"I guessed you were you. I knew who you were after I met the blacksmith." She wiped a bit of soot from his cheek.
"How?" He lisped.
"A ginger curl fell from under the wig." His wife giggled in reply.
"I love you," Tarrant lisped.
"I love you, too!" Alice said kissing him passionately.

Chapter Text

The pair set out to the out the Outlands, hand in hand, to where Alice had spend majority of her time. They then planed how they were going bring everything back to normal. But the hatter was finding it difficult to get a word in.

"What are we going to do? I mean, its preposterous!" Alice shouted.

"Alice-" Tarrant tried to cut in.

"We need to do something, this world is horrible!" But she ignorred him.

"Dear-" Tarrant raised his voice

"It's nothing like home, everyone is not themselves and even the land is slightly disorientated-" She continued.

"Alice!" Tarrant demanded. "I thought I was the terror for rambling!"

"You are, I was thinking out loud, and well my thoughts are..... very loud." Alice blushed.

"I wouldn't have it any other way now lets discuss this together. " He laughed.

*Later that day*

Alice and Tarrant had spent most of the day coming up with a plan and went in search of Jealousy. They were walking through Tugely wood when Alice remembered something.

"TARRANT!" She yelled.

"What!?" She scared the poor man who had been lost in thought and bliss.

"I should haven this to you earlier, but I didn't because forgot alll about it!" She sighed.

Alice then began to fiddle with something at the back of her neck lost in her curls. "Alice, my dear what are you doing?" The hatter laughed.

Removing the blue ribbon from around her neck she said, "Giving you....."

She pulled at a circular object on the the ribbon. "This!" she said showing him his wedding ring.

"How did you get this?" Tarrant said staring at the ring in awe.

"It was given to me, by Underland herself, rather than let Jealousy get it." He smiled at her.

"That was rather thoughtful of her. I'm glad she did, I thought that she had destoried it, until you showed me it, at the blacksmith's. But I knew she was using yours as a torture method for you." Then she returned the smile.

"How?" Alice questioned.

"She told me, she told your suffering was believing that the other hatter was me. Mine was not being able to tell you that it wasn't real, therefore not being able to interact with you." Her smile faded.

"Why did she tell you this?" He intertwined his hands with hers.

"Because there was nothing I could do about it." Tarrant said, putting his ring on his finger

"Oh, Tarrant!" Alice said sympathically, kissing his cheek.

They didn't notice but a golden glow then appeared around them. Suddenly an emerald figure with auburn hair and eyes darker than the night sky, "No!" it screamed.

The pair spun round to see this figure and Alice identified it as Jealousy.

"Jealousy?" The champion asked.

"You!" Jealousy finger pointed at her.

"You were not supposed to win, it's not fair!" she whined.

"You know it doesn't have to be like this, you could do anything. Come back to Underland with us and try find happiness there. Or return to your sisters. They're your family they'll forgive you." Alice tried to comfort her.

"Would they?" she sounded like a child.

"There's only one way to find out" smiled Tarrant.

After taking this in consideration for a moment she said, "You're right, very well."

Then she began the counter incatation.

"Home is where you belong,

Love is in true loves arms.

Time is healing,

I speak these words to reverse my curse, I'm sorry".

And the world spun once more.

Chapter Text

As the world spun and everything became normal again they were once again in the land of the enities. Alice looked around the thrown room once again. The emerald throne that was smashed last time she was there was once again standing pristine, elegant and strong like the other two.

"Good evening! Alice I'm glad you found the Hatter, and are safe," Overland greeted, smiling more brightly than the stars themselves.

"Good evening, thank you. We brought your sister back. She want to ask your forgiveness," Alice replies in all seriousness.

"We know, that's all she needs for redemption, forgiveness." Underland said with soft, gentle kindness.

"Thank you, I'm sorry. I love you both," Jealousy smiled.

"We know and we love you too," Overland whisped. "Now it's time to get you two love birds home. How about five seconds after you left?"

The couple smiled and nodded vigorously. Jealousy walked up to her sisters and hugged them. "Send them home and then you can take your place back at our sides." Underland told her baby sister.

"Alice and Tarrant Hightopp I am sorry for all I have done to you. And for possibly ruining your wedding....." She smiled. And with that she sat down and the sky and ground spun and swirled and turned and Lord and Lady Hightopp returned to their wedding day, hand in hand.

Chapter Text

As the swirling sky came to a stop and the ground settled once more, Alice and Tarrant looked around to see that they were back at their wedding day. Alice was once again in her snow coloured silky dress but the once white roses on the dress were now a perfect orangey-red and a light blue.

They both look around and laughed elated that they hadn't really missed any time any their families weren't missing them or worried for very long.

The congregation looked up at the couple with confusion, no doubt they would have questions later but for now they let the couple have their moment.

"Now where were we?" He whispered into his wife's ear, grabbing her by the waist and kissing her softly.

"I believe that we were getting our happily ever after." Alice giggled in his ear.

"No cricket, our happy beginning."

Tarrant grinned at the world, with his wife on his arm he led his friends and love to the ballroom where they danced all night, until they heard the cock crow and saw the sun begin to creep across the gardens. But they didn't go to bed until one last futterwacken was danced, Tarrant leading everyone of course.

The newly wedded Hightopps waltz to bed ready to spend the rest of their lives together.