Wonderland: 2.

- The queen is back. – announced Cheshire, as if it was something ordinary.

But there was nothing ordinary about their secret meeting. Cheshire Cat, the March Hare, the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, and of course, the Caterpillar.

- You could at least let us finish our tea! – said the hatter, as he was filling his 3rd or 4th cup, his big hands trembled.

- Yeah, we’re in the middle of breakfast! Ain’t ya got some respect for a man’s tea? – the hare came to his friend’s help, but truth be told, his little hands heldhis 6th cup.

Dormouse herself was only able to munch on a sugar cube since the early morning. She wasn’t on the Tea Party mood and she knew her friends weren’t either, although they weren’t willing to actually let the others notice this. The mad ones couldn’t be brought into reality by something so small as the queen’s return, could they?

- Oh, excuse-me, I didn’t realize the queen was going to sit around and wait before beheading us as vengeance for the last time. – Cheshire mocked. His large smile showing while he floated a few feet above the table.

The other three shivered upon his mention of the last time. The last time, not only did they help Alice escape, but they did help Alice to humiliate the queen and her followers which ended on her being exiled. The Wonderland was put at ease and freedom was their ruler as the kingdom kept going. Where? Nobody knew. But at least their heads were safe.

- Please, Cheshire… – it was the first time the Caterpillar was talking that morning, his voice was low and calm and he moved his hand slowly as he looked to the others, as if claiming silence. – We know you are right, but let’s not take our beheadings for granted faster than they should… Shall we?

The cat sat on the table, he did obtain what he wanted, silence and their attention and now the caterpillar was beginning to talk. It was common sense that the caterpillar was one of the most intelligent and wise among the land, but the cat sometimes felt uneasy about his ways.

- So, shall we talk about what happened, or shall we talk about what will happen from now on? – the caterpillar looked around the table.

- The land demands Alice returns. – Cheshire spoke briefly. – People are scared, but they insist that if Alice was able to defeat the queen once, she could do it again.

- Is that even possible? – there was a bit of hope in the Hare’s voice.

- If we can bring Alice back here, than she…

- She what? – Dormouse never allowed the hatter to finish his sentence. She looked furious. – Are you guys saying that this girl we don’t even know where or how to find might be better to solve our problems than ourselves?!? We exiled the queen once, let’s do it again! Let’s look for the white queen! I’m sure her white knights can help us!

- I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Dormouse. Have you seem the castle? The new one. – the caterpillar waited for an answer from the mouse, but little did she say, she just droped her head in shame, she didn’t have. – The new castle floats in the sky, with magic. Its walls are made of liquid red quartz and are kept together only by the wish of the queen. I’m not sure of how she acquired this power, oh no. But she is much powerful than she was before. I don’t think we can battle her now.

- It would be an unwise idea. – said the White Rabbit who had just stopped by, entering the hare’s garden.

After him, stood several card soldiers. It was easy to recognize a few of them, even though they weren’t just cards anymore, but carried some of their features on their bodies. The ace carried a spell book in hand while the jack carried a powerful long spear.

- Well, well… If it ain’t the queen’s favorite pet. – joked the hatter, while he noticed the cards didn’t follow the rabbit in the garden. – Making a few new friends?

- I’m afraid my job requires I work to the queen, even when I’m personally afraid of that. – the rabbit answered a bit too honestly. Or at least, more than most of them seemed to be expecting.

- How is that? – asked Cheshire, who’s curiosity he didn’t seem to be able to hold.

- When the castle began to float in thin air, all of the castle servants felt there was “something” calling for them in the castle. We were all afraid, after all, those who were not exiled were the ones who had previously turned against the queen, but all she did was tell us our jobs and that was it. She is actually pretty different. Well, the whole castle is.

- How so? - this time, it was the hatter who seemed to be curious. He still remembered the bitter time the queen had given him in the castle during trial the last time he was carried there.

- Well… I’m happy to know you are curious Hatter. You will get to see it with your own eyes… – answered the rabbit.

The silence between them extended for a few seconds, but not much longer than Dormouse needed to walk across the table and get as closer as she could to the White Rabbit.

- What? – Dormouse pulled the sewing needle she used as a sword from her belt, but the caterpillar showed her a sign to stop.

- What do you mean rabbit? – the caterpillar asked.

- The queen invited the hatter to the castle. – he moved his ears a bit around. – It was an invite, but… I can’t really go back without you… Actually, I don’t want to… I’m really afraid of what she might do if I fail this. She does look like a different person, but… I’m not willing to be the one to find out… – the rabbit forced his paws together. - Please…

- You can’t be serious! – Dormouse was already screaming. – You came here with soldiers, Rabbit! Don’t act all fluffy, those guys wouldn’t hesitate to enter and kill us so they can get that bitch what she wants, isn’t it?!?

- No, that’s not it! – the rabbit tried to defend himself, paws between the needle Dormouse was holding and his own chest, although this did seem a bit unnecessary. – They’re here to protect me, not to attack you!

- And why would you need protection, old pal? – asked the hare, who was quiet until then.

- Because when people find out I’m back at working to the queen I’ll be a sign of bad luck and… I… I might be endangered! Even Dormouse pointed her sword at me! – the rabbit pointed dormouse with his white fluffy finger.

Their yelling continued on. The caterpillar, though, wasn’t particularly interested in it. He looked the mad hatter who had been quiet ever since he heard the queen had invited him over. He remembered yet her yells at the trial. Her commands. Her unwillingness to do anything to others. He remembered the fire, and that there was no tea. He remembered all the strange people around her and how they treated him poorly because of how he looked.

For once, he felt bad.

Not just bad on his stomach like when he had too much tea and cookies or like the time he ran so much he almost died because he thought he’d never be able to breathe again.

He didn’t want to go back. Simple as it may seem. Simple as it was. He didn’t want to hear her screams. He didn’t want to look at her strange figure and remember all those hats he had to create. He didn’t want to remember. But now, the screams had taken over the tea party and it wasn’t happy screams. It was his nightmares coming back.

- Have you made out your mind? – asked the caterpillar calmly bringing him out of his nightmares back to reality.

Although his voice was low, all the others fell silent, they all looked the hatter with terror in their eyes. Neither wanted to be in his skin right now, but still, they were curious.

- Yes. I can’t let Rabbit lose his head over it. Also, if it is an invitation, who knows, maybe after I make her some hats she’ll let me go. – he smiled sadly. They all knew that was probably not true, but truth be told, hope were their only friend.

- We’ll look for Alice while you’re gone, old friend. We’ll find her and she will save you! – guaranteed the Hare.

- We’ll also go after the White Queen, maybe she knows what to do! – guaranteed Dormouse, who took a hand into her heart, as a sign of honor.

- Good luck, my friend. – Cheshire smiled and waved his head.

- Shall we go now? – asked the hatter, finishing his cup of tea, getting his hat and putting it into his head and walking onto the rabbit side.

- Yes, please. – the rabbit answered, walking back to the gate. – I don’t want to be late.

#english #wonderland #aliceinwonderland #alicethroughtthelookingglass