Forever Wonderland CHAPTER 5
Characters: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland characters, and OFCs
Rating: G to PG-13 for some fighting sequences
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to claim Wonderland and all it's gloriousness, I cannot. Therefore, I give all credit to Louis Carroll, Disney and Tim Burton.
Summary: Imagine being the granddaughter of the great Alice of Wonderland. Imagine for a minute that you wished you could go to the place where you heard the stories? Could it be possible? This world makes you think that it couldn't be, but really, could it?
Melody woke to the bright sunlight shining warm on her face. She wrinkled her nose and buried her face in the pillow, pulling the blanket closer around her body. She didn’t want to get up. She knew if she got up, she would have to see Tarrant’s saddened face from last night. And she still would be no closer to an answer than she was.
But she wanted to be the best friend that she could while she was here in Underland. Grandmother would have wanted it that way. She crawled out of bed, stretched and walked lazily to the bathroom. She freshened up and headed down the stairs. No one was once again in the kitchen so she figured that they would be outside frolicking around the table.
She opened the door and there was a dampness in the air, but it smelled fresh. She breathed it in deep. It was almost sweet. Maybe it was the scones and sugar cubes being tossed about by Thackery and Mallymkun. She giggled to herself as she walked over to them, watching them throw things at each other, breaking out into song.
“Good morning,” she said, surprising the animals in the middle of their angst.
“Good morning,” they murmured between sips of tea.
“Where’s Hatter?”
“Maybe he’s still sleeping. He does that on occasion, you know?” Thackery chimed in.
“Very funny, Thackery.”
He gave a wild laugh and smiled showing all his crooked teeth.
“No he’s not,” Mallymkun whined. “He went for a walk. I saw him leave early this morning.”
“How early? The sun has only been in the sky for a few hours.”
“Before sunrise. He does that every now and again. He will go for days and not come back.”
“Days?”
“Yes. Something he does to clear his head. Well, what ever brains he has left. He is mad, you know?”
Mallymkun and Thackery both laughed. Melody couldn’t muster a smile. She knew what had happened to the Hatter in years past, but she didn’t think it was something to laugh over. She shook her head and tried to think of what Tarrant could be doing. He was known for changing moods so quickly that no one could say anything.
“How about some breakfast?” she blurted out.
Thackery and Mallymkun both raised their teacups in response. Melody shook her head. “No. I mean a real breakfast. With eggs and toast.”
“That does sound good. But good luck trying to find anything like that here. We eat tea and scones!”
“We shall see,” Melody said as she got up from the table and headed back into the house.
She searched the cupboards. She thought it funny that the house looked like a little cottage out of a fairytale, but had a running refrigerator. She saw that the shelves were really bare, but there was some stuff that she could use to pull off a breakfast.
She had never used a cast iron stove before so she investigated on how to start the thing.
“Wood,” she said wiping her hands on her clothes. She looked around the kitchen and saw a tiny stack by the fireplace. She grabbed a few logs and lit the fire.
She grabbed the eggs, flour, salt, sugar and butter. She mixed them together with a little water and created a batter. She found a pan and melted some butter in it. Once it was ready, she poured the batter into three little patties. She cooked them until they were bubbling on top and quickly flipped them over. In another pan, she fried some eggs.
She set the little table in the kitchen for four spots. She knew that Mallymkun and Thackery would be itching to try something and she hoped Hatter would come walking through the door in time.
As she was setting the places with the food, the front door slammed open with Thackery attached to it. He bobbed his nose in the air and slowly let it carry him to the table. Mallymkun cautiously enter the threshold and walked to the table.
“What is that delectable smell?” Thackery said peering over the table, placing his front paws on the edge.
“Pancakes,” Melody said placing a patty on the plate in front of Thackery. “And eggs. Would you like some?”
His eyes grew large as the fragrance from the pancake wafted into his nostrils. He breathed in deep, letting out a staggering sigh. Mallykun came up to the table and sat down next to Thackery.
“It does smell delicious. I have never had a pan-cake before!”
“Here, Mallymkun,” Melody said placing a tiny plate and silverware in front of the dormouse. “This is yours. I cut everything up for you already so it’s small enough for you to eat.”
Her eyes grew wide and she smiled big. She quickly picked up the fork and dove into the tiny piece of pancake Melody had cut for her.
“Mmmmm.”
Before Melody could ask Thackery how he was enjoying his plate, she saw him lounging back in the chair, belly rounded, with his hand on it.
“I can’t move. I want more, but I can’t move.”
“I’m glad that you enjoyed it,” she said through a little giggle.
She watched Thackery try to sit up to get another pancake on his plate but he gave up and fell a back in the chair and began snoring. Mallymkun was enjoying her pancake between sips of tea. Melody watched the door hoping that the Hatter would come waltzing through and sit at the spot next to her. She wait ten more minutes and no one entered the house.
Thackery and Mallymkun had left the kitchen and went on about their business. Melody cleaned up the table, filled the sink with soapy water and cleaned the dishes.
“Oh, Hatter,” she whispered to herself as she dried her hands. “I do hope that you come home soon. I don’t want to be left here alone in Underland!”
*****
Tarrant had left early in the morning. He checked on Melody before he left and saw that she was slumbering peacefully. He stood in the doorway with his hand on the knob watching her breathe lightly. The sun was going to be rising soon and Mallymkun and Thackery would be waking, causing a commotion. He didn’t want Melody to be startled to see him leaving. He was told by the White Queen to keep mum; Melody didn’t need to know what was going on at the moment.
He tried walking quietly down the stairs, but the heels of his shoes clicked against the aging wood and the stairs beneath his feet creaked with every movement. He winced with each step but made it to the front door without anyone noticing.
As he was leaving the house he saw a little flash of white jut out in front of him. He put his finger to his lips motioning for the dormouse to be quiet. He lifted his eyes to staircase signaling that Melody was still sleeping and he didn’t want her awakened.
He walked out of the house and turned around after a few steps. He sighed heavily staring at the rickety house. He closed his eyes and began walking away into the forest.
He was getting tired but he could see the White Queen’s castle coming closer. He had been walking for hours and his feet were starting to tire.
He made it to the front doors of the castle and wrapped against the colossal entryway. They slowly opened and he walked in and heard his steps echo off the walls.
“The Queen is in the library. You can meet her there.”
Tarrant bowed slightly and headed up to the the library. He knew exactly where it was since he was there the previous night. He knocked lightly on the door three times and entered. The Queen was standing in front of the bay window looking out into her garden.
“I did not think that you would come, Tarrant,” she said turning around.
“I cannot change what the Orcaulum says. I did not come on my own accord.”
Mirana walked up to him and placed her hand on his white cheek. The purple coloring around his eyes faded slightly. His face looked more saddened than it did the previous night.
“Can’t there be another way?” he whispered.
Mirana slowly shook her head. “I am afraid not. If you do not follow the Oraculum, Underland could and will be under serious attack. It is your duty to fulfill what it says.”
He turned away from her and walked over to the bay window. His shoulders felt heavy and he found it hard to swallow.
“She will be fine.”
“Who will?” he asked turning to his right to look at Mirana.
“Melody. She’s a strong girl. At least from what I have seen so far.”
“She doesn’t know Underland.”
“But she trusts you. I saw it in her eyes.”
Tarrant looked back outside. “She doesn’t even know me.”
“I saw it, Tarrant. She knows you. She knows Alice's stories. She believes them. If she did not trust you, would she have come with you to see me yesterday? Would she not have run when she saw you by her side?”
Tarrant did not answer her. But he felt a twisting in his stomach at the thought of letting Melody down. He barely knew her, but he felt like he had known her for years. He was, after all, starting to grow fond of her.
“When must I go?” Tarrant asked.
“Immediately. The Black King is on his way to Marmoreal. The troops are ready and willing to fight. All you have to do is lead them into battle. They will follow your command. And it is you that is to take on the Black King, Tarrant. You and you alone.”
“Just like Alice and the Jabberwocky.”
“Yes.”
Tarrant turned to face Mirana. He took her hand in his and drew it to his lips. “I may be a mad hatter, but I know my heart. And it belongs to you, your Majesty, and to Underland.” He kissed the top of her hand. “I will not let you down.”
“Go, my friend.”
Tarrant swallowed hard and walked out of the room. Holding his head high, he marched down and out of the castle. He stood in front of the troops and looked at them. They looked strong and willing to fight.
“You might need this,” he heard behind him.
He turned to see the White Queen carrying the Vorpal sword in her hands. He took it from her and held tight to it. He raised it above his head and mounted Renervere. Bringing the horse around, he led the troops out of the castle yard and into the open area waiting for the Black King to arrive.
“Alright, you filthy pig,” he said in a thick Scottish whisper. “You shall not rise. As long as Alice’s descendant is alive and in Underland, you shall not get passed me.”
He waited patiently as he watched figures slowly emerge over the crest of the hill. He felt his stomach turn and rage rose his heart. He lifted the sword, held it in place and waited till the opponent drew closer.
PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Rating: G to PG-13 for some fighting sequences
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to claim Wonderland and all it's gloriousness, I cannot. Therefore, I give all credit to Louis Carroll, Disney and Tim Burton.
Summary: Imagine being the granddaughter of the great Alice of Wonderland. Imagine for a minute that you wished you could go to the place where you heard the stories? Could it be possible? This world makes you think that it couldn't be, but really, could it?
Melody woke to the bright sunlight shining warm on her face. She wrinkled her nose and buried her face in the pillow, pulling the blanket closer around her body. She didn’t want to get up. She knew if she got up, she would have to see Tarrant’s saddened face from last night. And she still would be no closer to an answer than she was.
But she wanted to be the best friend that she could while she was here in Underland. Grandmother would have wanted it that way. She crawled out of bed, stretched and walked lazily to the bathroom. She freshened up and headed down the stairs. No one was once again in the kitchen so she figured that they would be outside frolicking around the table.
She opened the door and there was a dampness in the air, but it smelled fresh. She breathed it in deep. It was almost sweet. Maybe it was the scones and sugar cubes being tossed about by Thackery and Mallymkun. She giggled to herself as she walked over to them, watching them throw things at each other, breaking out into song.
“Good morning,” she said, surprising the animals in the middle of their angst.
“Good morning,” they murmured between sips of tea.
“Where’s Hatter?”
“Maybe he’s still sleeping. He does that on occasion, you know?” Thackery chimed in.
“Very funny, Thackery.”
He gave a wild laugh and smiled showing all his crooked teeth.
“No he’s not,” Mallymkun whined. “He went for a walk. I saw him leave early this morning.”
“How early? The sun has only been in the sky for a few hours.”
“Before sunrise. He does that every now and again. He will go for days and not come back.”
“Days?”
“Yes. Something he does to clear his head. Well, what ever brains he has left. He is mad, you know?”
Mallymkun and Thackery both laughed. Melody couldn’t muster a smile. She knew what had happened to the Hatter in years past, but she didn’t think it was something to laugh over. She shook her head and tried to think of what Tarrant could be doing. He was known for changing moods so quickly that no one could say anything.
“How about some breakfast?” she blurted out.
Thackery and Mallymkun both raised their teacups in response. Melody shook her head. “No. I mean a real breakfast. With eggs and toast.”
“That does sound good. But good luck trying to find anything like that here. We eat tea and scones!”
“We shall see,” Melody said as she got up from the table and headed back into the house.
She searched the cupboards. She thought it funny that the house looked like a little cottage out of a fairytale, but had a running refrigerator. She saw that the shelves were really bare, but there was some stuff that she could use to pull off a breakfast.
She had never used a cast iron stove before so she investigated on how to start the thing.
“Wood,” she said wiping her hands on her clothes. She looked around the kitchen and saw a tiny stack by the fireplace. She grabbed a few logs and lit the fire.
She grabbed the eggs, flour, salt, sugar and butter. She mixed them together with a little water and created a batter. She found a pan and melted some butter in it. Once it was ready, she poured the batter into three little patties. She cooked them until they were bubbling on top and quickly flipped them over. In another pan, she fried some eggs.
She set the little table in the kitchen for four spots. She knew that Mallymkun and Thackery would be itching to try something and she hoped Hatter would come walking through the door in time.
As she was setting the places with the food, the front door slammed open with Thackery attached to it. He bobbed his nose in the air and slowly let it carry him to the table. Mallymkun cautiously enter the threshold and walked to the table.
“What is that delectable smell?” Thackery said peering over the table, placing his front paws on the edge.
“Pancakes,” Melody said placing a patty on the plate in front of Thackery. “And eggs. Would you like some?”
His eyes grew large as the fragrance from the pancake wafted into his nostrils. He breathed in deep, letting out a staggering sigh. Mallykun came up to the table and sat down next to Thackery.
“It does smell delicious. I have never had a pan-cake before!”
“Here, Mallymkun,” Melody said placing a tiny plate and silverware in front of the dormouse. “This is yours. I cut everything up for you already so it’s small enough for you to eat.”
Her eyes grew wide and she smiled big. She quickly picked up the fork and dove into the tiny piece of pancake Melody had cut for her.
“Mmmmm.”
Before Melody could ask Thackery how he was enjoying his plate, she saw him lounging back in the chair, belly rounded, with his hand on it.
“I can’t move. I want more, but I can’t move.”
“I’m glad that you enjoyed it,” she said through a little giggle.
She watched Thackery try to sit up to get another pancake on his plate but he gave up and fell a back in the chair and began snoring. Mallymkun was enjoying her pancake between sips of tea. Melody watched the door hoping that the Hatter would come waltzing through and sit at the spot next to her. She wait ten more minutes and no one entered the house.
Thackery and Mallymkun had left the kitchen and went on about their business. Melody cleaned up the table, filled the sink with soapy water and cleaned the dishes.
“Oh, Hatter,” she whispered to herself as she dried her hands. “I do hope that you come home soon. I don’t want to be left here alone in Underland!”
*****
Tarrant had left early in the morning. He checked on Melody before he left and saw that she was slumbering peacefully. He stood in the doorway with his hand on the knob watching her breathe lightly. The sun was going to be rising soon and Mallymkun and Thackery would be waking, causing a commotion. He didn’t want Melody to be startled to see him leaving. He was told by the White Queen to keep mum; Melody didn’t need to know what was going on at the moment.
He tried walking quietly down the stairs, but the heels of his shoes clicked against the aging wood and the stairs beneath his feet creaked with every movement. He winced with each step but made it to the front door without anyone noticing.
As he was leaving the house he saw a little flash of white jut out in front of him. He put his finger to his lips motioning for the dormouse to be quiet. He lifted his eyes to staircase signaling that Melody was still sleeping and he didn’t want her awakened.
He walked out of the house and turned around after a few steps. He sighed heavily staring at the rickety house. He closed his eyes and began walking away into the forest.
He was getting tired but he could see the White Queen’s castle coming closer. He had been walking for hours and his feet were starting to tire.
He made it to the front doors of the castle and wrapped against the colossal entryway. They slowly opened and he walked in and heard his steps echo off the walls.
“The Queen is in the library. You can meet her there.”
Tarrant bowed slightly and headed up to the the library. He knew exactly where it was since he was there the previous night. He knocked lightly on the door three times and entered. The Queen was standing in front of the bay window looking out into her garden.
“I did not think that you would come, Tarrant,” she said turning around.
“I cannot change what the Orcaulum says. I did not come on my own accord.”
Mirana walked up to him and placed her hand on his white cheek. The purple coloring around his eyes faded slightly. His face looked more saddened than it did the previous night.
“Can’t there be another way?” he whispered.
Mirana slowly shook her head. “I am afraid not. If you do not follow the Oraculum, Underland could and will be under serious attack. It is your duty to fulfill what it says.”
He turned away from her and walked over to the bay window. His shoulders felt heavy and he found it hard to swallow.
“She will be fine.”
“Who will?” he asked turning to his right to look at Mirana.
“Melody. She’s a strong girl. At least from what I have seen so far.”
“She doesn’t know Underland.”
“But she trusts you. I saw it in her eyes.”
Tarrant looked back outside. “She doesn’t even know me.”
“I saw it, Tarrant. She knows you. She knows Alice's stories. She believes them. If she did not trust you, would she have come with you to see me yesterday? Would she not have run when she saw you by her side?”
Tarrant did not answer her. But he felt a twisting in his stomach at the thought of letting Melody down. He barely knew her, but he felt like he had known her for years. He was, after all, starting to grow fond of her.
“When must I go?” Tarrant asked.
“Immediately. The Black King is on his way to Marmoreal. The troops are ready and willing to fight. All you have to do is lead them into battle. They will follow your command. And it is you that is to take on the Black King, Tarrant. You and you alone.”
“Just like Alice and the Jabberwocky.”
“Yes.”
Tarrant turned to face Mirana. He took her hand in his and drew it to his lips. “I may be a mad hatter, but I know my heart. And it belongs to you, your Majesty, and to Underland.” He kissed the top of her hand. “I will not let you down.”
“Go, my friend.”
Tarrant swallowed hard and walked out of the room. Holding his head high, he marched down and out of the castle. He stood in front of the troops and looked at them. They looked strong and willing to fight.
“You might need this,” he heard behind him.
He turned to see the White Queen carrying the Vorpal sword in her hands. He took it from her and held tight to it. He raised it above his head and mounted Renervere. Bringing the horse around, he led the troops out of the castle yard and into the open area waiting for the Black King to arrive.
“Alright, you filthy pig,” he said in a thick Scottish whisper. “You shall not rise. As long as Alice’s descendant is alive and in Underland, you shall not get passed me.”
He waited patiently as he watched figures slowly emerge over the crest of the hill. He felt his stomach turn and rage rose his heart. He lifted the sword, held it in place and waited till the opponent drew closer.
PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4