Disclaimer: I owe no part of the Alice in Wonderland franchise, film, or its characters for that matter. All rights reserved to its creators and respective owners.

Hey guys. This is my first Alice in Wonderland story. This particular idea has been running through my mind since I first saw the film and started reading fanfiction on it. I have fallen in love with this pairing, and am hoping I'll be able to give it some justice. I am currently without a beta, as you can probably tell, and it might stay that way, unless of course anyone be willing to offer their services? If so, please message me, and thank you. Uh either way, here goes, do comment, rate, and enjoy. ^^ Thanks again for reading!

P.S. I am not certain what exactly the Hatter says to Bayard in order to get him to back off, I am simply wagering a guess and putting what makes sense.

Bayard Hamer was a proud hound. He had served faithfully to the White Queen's guard, whilst his brother Braums had served as head of the Red King's hunting party. For years there had been peace and harmony between the two kingdoms, however the fall of the Red King, and subsequently the rise of the Red Queen had changed things. His brother had been slaughtered in attempt to protect his master and warn his family. When the Jabberwocky attack had hit the White Queen's castle, he'd soon found himself captured, barks filled with declarations of loyalty to the White Queen, the one true ruler of Wonderland. His thoughts however had been plagued with those of his family, praying they had escaped along with the Queen.

A week following his capture, during which had been chained to the dungeon like... Well like a dog, nearly starved, unwashed, numb from cold, he'd been summoned before Commander Stayne. The first thing he took note of was his eyes, so devoid of life, smiling darkly. "Have you reconsidered your allegiances?" He asked.

Bayard had growled and snapped at the man's leather clad fingers. Never, was his answer. Stayne, instead of hitting him like he'd expected had merely pursed his lips and let out an almost disappointed sigh. "I was so hoping it wouldn't come to this..." Before Bayard could question what he meant, he heard a sound, a whine, one that he'd recognized anywhere and instantly made his heart and ears still.

Adal, his youngest, and most like his mother, was brought forward, whining nervously as he struggled frantically in the guard's grasp. He was terrified of heights, Bayard recalled, and was now being suspended by his scruff, muzzle over his snout and whimpering pathetically. The guard deposited him into Stayne's lap, who grabbed him roughly, and began to stroke his fur. No. Bayard thought desperately, and wanting nothing more than to rip the fingers from the Commander's hands.

"Yes." Stayne answered his unspoken response. "We found him and the rest of your cowardly family under the bridge by the moat. Apparently your wife didn't want to leave you behind." He barked a laugh. "Pathetic isn't it..."

Bayard growled. "If you've hurt them..."

"Oh. We haven't hurt them... Yet. But we might be inclined to if you continue to fight against us. For every day you do, it'll be one more day your precious pups don't eat.. You're already weakened. How long do you think they can hold out?" He leaned in closely. "Now will you cooperate?"

At that moment Bayard made his decision, knowing he'd do anything they asked. For the sake of his family. He had to... And so, he bowed, swearing allegiance to the Red Queen. At this, Stayne smirked victoriously. "Take this one back to its cell. And tell the queen of the news."

And it was such, that at the Hatter's words of, "Lead them away from here." Bayard found himself at a crossroad of what to do. He knew there was something- someone in the teapot of a human variety. Having heard the distinct clang, followed by the cry of, "Let me out!" seconds after they had arrived. He had considered ignoring it, but his conscious had nagged. Could it be an unwilling victim to pishalver, and now a form of entertainment for the mad crew? Could it be the Alice, though he couldn't imagine so powerful a creature such a stature, therefore perhaps the earlier assessment was more accurate. Nonetheless, he had a decision to make. As every second they searched, another passed of his family's imprisonment. While on the other hand, every moment also signified another in which the girl in question might be able to hide, and be safe from whatever dastardly fate the Red Queen had in store for her, whilst complying with the White Queen's last wishes. All the party waited in anticipation for his signal.

Bayard took a large step back, the relief in the Hatter's eyes shining proudly before it was shattered a moment later by Bayard as he barked, loudly.

All hell broke loose.

The Hatter jumped down from the table, pulling the table cloth such that it fell towards the guards in attempt to halt their approach. Mallymkun shouted "Traitor!" into the air, raising his sword expertly, only to be stopped by a guard's fist tightening around his form, effectively immobilizing the brave rodent as he pushed through. While the March Hare, lost in the hysteria, ran for safety.

Stayne however had not be deterred at all, having dropped the cup and leaped gracefully onto his mount who trod on top and over the table, leaping when he reached the edge to land clearly in front of the Hatter, who was in mid-escape, teapot clutched tightly to his chest. "Leaving are we?" The Knave jeered, looking down at the man impassively.

"Simply off to find some tea... It's all gone quite mysteriously you know." The Hatter said, bubbly as ever, turning to his side as though searching for an escape, only to find himself cornered from all sides by the Red Knight's blades. The Hatter, being the Hatter shrugged, giggling lightly from nerves or madness, of which neither individual was certain.

"The teapot?" The Knave questioned, hand outstretched. Noting the Hatter's reluctance, he motioned for one of the knight's to use some more 'forceful' persuasion. One knight, slapping the Hatter's hands with the flat of his spade, causing Tarrant to yelp and throw the pot in the air, which landed soundly into the knave's firm grasp. All the while, the Hatter lunged in a futile attempt to take it back, crying, "Down with the bloody Red Queen!"

Stayne ignored the mad man, instead opting to take the pot from the guard, and twisted the lid open to peak at what exactly had caused such an aggressive response...

A flash of blond hair and a light forceful scream made him snap the lid back in place, opting a moment later to open it once more, where a miniature figure of a girl stood, clutching a strand of fabric to cover herself with whatever modesty she could afford. At first the Knave was disturbed, curious at the sight and its meaning. After a moment's pause however, a familiar malevolent look took its place.

"Why Hatter. I had no idea you played with dolls..." He gave the man in question a sly look. "Rather bare, isn't she?" He asked, noting the indignant flush of the girl's cheeks, who had yet to speak.

The Hatter coughed. "If you would allow me..." He quite shakily reached for a piece of fallen fabric from the ground, unknown to Stayne and the others as part of Alice's old garments, as the remaining pieces were hidden effectively under the overturned table. He quickly shaped the fabric into a doll-like, ruffled dress, passing it nervously to the Knave, who had yet to make a move from his mount. Ilosovic stared at the garment pensively before thrusting it into the teapot, simultaneous shutting the lid, much to the obvious relief of the girl who sighed heavily and quickly dressed from within the pot. Meanwhile Stayne settled the object in one hand, grabbing the reigns with another.

"Now that that's settled... Guard's! Take him back to the castle dungeons for further questioning! The search must continue after all..."

"And the girl, sir?" One guard questioned gruffly.

"I will personally inspect the evidence in my chambers. The queen is not to know of this, do I make myself clear?" He barked, noting with satisfaction as the knight's flinched and bowed their heads respectively in submission. "She must not be troubled with such insignificant details. Now go, and take the rat with you." He spoke, watching as the knight's followed through with his orders, falling into formation with the two prisoners trailing in front.

Bayard, who had been watching carefully as Stayne's fingers stroked the pot, chose in that moment to speak up. "Sir?" He rasped.

"You are free to go." Stayne snapped. "We have what we need. The Hatter will reveal all, and the girl will be found." With that he clicked at Erebus, signaling for the dark horse to canter forward.

Bayard ran to catch up, halting the horse as he stood in front of its path. "What of my wife and pups? You promised me their freedom..." He had found a girl. Perhaps not the girl, but the meaning was the same.

The General looked pensive for a moment. "Oh yes, I did, didn't I... Well then, I was lying." He said, barking a laugh. "Don't worry daddy dearest. I'm sure I'll find use for the little tykes yet." He continued to chuckle. "Perhaps a new coat." With that he thrust his leg into Erebus' side who knowingly began to gallop at full speed towards the castle, prize in hand.

Bayard, left motionless by both shock and betrayal, sat painfully on the now cluttered ground. In that moment, all travesty and injustice settled heavily upon his heart. He threw his head back and howled mournfully to the sky, cursing the heaven's for his foolishness.

He had failed.