First things first. Soooo sorry this has taken so long, I'd written like 4 different version of this chapter before I decided to do this. I'd written a version in young Alice's point of view but she pisses me off so much I couldnt continue, so sorry thats its a little brief and kinda vague I just figured everyone knew the story of the first book.

ALSO

A HUGE THANKYOU TO

Molly1002

Her reviews are actually what inspired me to write this! I'd kinda lost interest so BIG THANKS to her!

Anyways, on with the show!

...

"Thackery, calm down" Tarrant said, though it was quite hypocritical of him as he was barely able to retain his excitement.

"Sorry…" The March Hare chuckled briefly, they were all overly happy at the arrival of their new guest.

It was quite obvious Alice had arrived the minute she did, something changed in Underland it seemed that all the darkness that had been hanging over them lifted substantially. The champion was finally there, she would save them and return things to the way they were.

Everyone was near hysterics having to deal with the tyrannous reign of the Red Queen, she was a wild monarch with a blood thirst that could not be quenched. In the two months time since Tarrant had found the Oraculum she had beheaded nearly 200 people, thinning out the inhabitants of Underland to a dangerous low.

The Hatter had had his fair share of encounters with the Red Court, especially with Ilosovic Stayne personally marking him for torment. It was clear the Red Queen knew that he was the one who'd found the Oraculum, so for whatever reason he was being kept alive.

This had to be the time where he loved his insanity the most, it kept his mind at peace instead of fretting over the possible price on his head.

Things had been far more peaceful for him than usual, of course his mind occupied more than the average person he seemed to be getting along well with at least one of his company. Though sometimes the hallucinations were not the best, and his rage was getting quite intolerable. Even at the best of times he'd forget completely about the madness slowly consuming his mind, completely unaware of the wild things he was saying and doing.

"Tarrant?"

Mallymkun's voice snapped him out of his thoughts "she's here!" he exclaimed loudly.

He had sent the dormouse to accompany the 'welcoming committee' to see when Alice would arrive, he explained to help her to Ches before returning to report the news.

"She's on her way now, seems as though she's had quite the trip. Ches has taken her on a rather wild chase to get her here"

His anger flashed for a brief second, making Mally ring her tail in worry.

"That damned cat" he murmured "I explained very carefully not to be his usual cryptic self and what does he do-" it was clear he was winding himself up, unintentionally of course "never mind, that's not today's event!"

The dormouse eyed his wearily "Tarrant are you sure you'll be alright today?"

"Course Mally! I've never felt better"

She knew things were worsening for him, she could tell by his ever changing mood and his inability to recognize the change.

Smiling she climbed into her favorite teapot, nuzzling deep into the blankets within to have a quick nap for the day.

Tarrant's ever wandering attention was drawn to a small noise in the distance, the snapping of branches as though someone was nearing closer.

"Do you think-"

'It must be'

"Are you sure?"

'But of course!'

"Finally!"

Thackery watched Tarrant with shaky eyes as he openly talked to himself, watching the mad man play with a teacup spinning it absent mindedly on the saucer.

Pushing his thoughts aside the Mad Hatter watched as a young little girl made her way towards the table from the forest, a confused look on her face as she neared them cautiously.

"Welcome!" he said, a little to rambunctiously though he failed to notice her look of distress.

"You're the Hatter?" she asked in a girlish voice.

It had been so long since Tarrant had seen a child, he forgot how delicate they looked.

"That would be I" he declared proudly, "do I not wear a hat on my head?"

Alice laughed quietly "well any man can wear a hat, that does not make you a Hatter"

"True my dear, but one as fine as this most certainly can" brushing a finger on the brim he grinned "care to join us for tea?"

"Tea at this time of the day? How inappropriate"

"Hardly!" Thackery interrupted, causing Tarrant to explode in a fit of laughter.

"Every hour of the day is tea time here!" he exclaimed, pouring her a glass before serving Thackery.

"The cat was right, do you seem quite mad"

"Thank you!"

Unsure Alice sat beside him on a small stack of books, clearly having been placed to increase her height for the table.

"You all seem rather odd" she stated bluntly "this whole place is almost like a dream, had I not fallen down the rabbit hole I would have definitely mistaken this for a dream"

"One may often do that here" he agreed, sipping his tea "but the ability to decipher the reality from your dreams is a good thing to have in this world." As he finished talking he noticed she had not drank any tea, which in his mind was a crime far more terrible than any other.

"You have not touched your tea?" he cried dramatically.

"Oh how impolite" she spoke, picking up the cup daintily and taking a sip "it's quite lovely"

"Scone?" Thackery cried, hurdling a scone at the young girls head.

Screaming out she flinched, only to find the pastry never hit her but instead was stopped by the Hatter, who quickly returned it to the Hare with a equally forceful throw.

"Now manners may not be the first thing we practice here" he scowled at Thackery "but we do not harm our guests, understand?"

"Really this is all very wonderful, but I really just want to get home" Alice interrupted, making Tarrant's happiness droop momentarily.

"Course my dear but first, have you any idea why a raven is like a writing desk?"

Alice huffed in frustration "how is that to have anything to do with me getting home?"

"Well, I don't believe it has anything to do with that at all"

"Then why ask it?" she snapped.

"Curiosity" the Hatter grinned, completely oblivious to the young girls anger.

"All day I have been led around on a wild chase after a disappearing cat, I've eaten and drank strange things that make you shrink and grow, met flowers that talk and two boys that speak in rhyme. I have about had it with all this nonsense and really would love if someone could help me home!"

Tarrant eyed her curiously "yes following Ches can be quite a challenge, I told him not to be so difficult but he never listens."

"Apparently neither do you!" Alice spat, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

"Neither do I what?" he asked, completely oblivious to her anger and accusations.

"Thank you for the tea Mr. Hatter, but I must be on my way to find my way home"

"Oh, alright!" He grinned, foolishly unaware of what was to come.

...

Review please! :)