Wonderland: 14

Later that day, although not that much later, even though it felt like a whole different day, the Jack arrived at the castle with the Diamonds Guard.

Although their walk from the Diamond Keep to the castle was a short one, they called a lot of attention, especially because they all marched impeccably united, as hatter would later find out Jack had taught them.

There were all kind of man in the Diamonds. The ace was a pretty tall brown-haired boy. He was clearly the younger amongst them, as Willard had told Vincent before and had his long hair tied together in a braid.

The other ones were all charming as well, hatter was sure. He could see the way some people gathered close to the floating stone after she had left the guard on the castle looking more curious.

The maids themselves seemed even more agitated then they sounded the morning before.

- Jack, Ella, are they all accommodated yet?

- Yes, they are. - Ella had a joyous smile on her face. - Even though this was quite difficult, I made it.

- Of course you did. I knew you could do it. - the queen answered, sincerely. - Also, the people outside… Are they…?

- Wonderlandians. Most of them curious about your new forming guard, my queen. Some looked pretty interested. They might try to join now.

- Amazing. Thank you, Jack. It’s time we begin part 2.

- Part 2? - asked the hatter who seemed to be the only one who didn't understand.

- Yes. - the queen answered. - The party.

When the queen said “party” you can be absolutely sure that the hatter wasn't expecting something like THIS. But the others looked quite happy with the results.

The Wonderland Card Fighting Contest, or WCFC, as Jack had called, was essentially a fighting contest were similar fighting-style people were going to fight one another until they couldn’t continue.

The remaining fighter had then to fight the card of the diamond guard whose style was closer to theirs and if they seemed fit, they would be the winners.

Winners got to live in the castle, with their meals and any necessity granted ald they would of course be paid for their services as well.

- You think this is going to work? - the queen, who was up considerably early was looking to the city under her terrace. It was silent, but it was possible to see little lights shining through their windows.

- I’m sure it will, my queen. - Ella had one of the calmer smiled ever while she prepared the queen’s breakfast table.

- What if nobody shows up?

- Then you just offer them more money.

- Ella, they hate me…! - she looked away from the city, her red pupils reflecting the sun rising to the east. - That’s not something money can change!

- You are right, that’s not. Not here, at least. But I’m sure that if there is something which can make it change, and there is, it’s you, my queen.

- How can you be so sure?

- Heh. Because I see it every single night, when the castle go silent and the lights turn dim… - Ella closed her eyes, sweetly as she finished the preparations on the table. - I see it on their eyes as they show their marks off. You are not their puppet anymore. You are not bound by the old rules. You are yours now, my queen. That's why they will love it.

Ella held the queen in a strong hug, as the queen seemed to regain her breathe. She could do it. She had to. And not only for who she once was, or for the wonderlandians, but for herself. She would prove to herself and whoever tried to mess with her, that she was a new queen. A stronger and even merciless one.

Later that morning, the hatter could hear noises from outside of his room. Before the person there even had a chance to knock, he opened the door, finding a surprised Willard outside.

- Willard…!

- Oh, ahn, hi! I hope I’m not bothering, but... I was wondering if you will join the others watching the contest.

- The others? - the hatter seemed confused.

- Well, Bilac said fighting wasn’t really his thing, but I think that he holds himself responsible to keep the queen company when Jack and I will be busy testing the winners. I thought it would be good to have a second person close to the queen… Someone, well, taller. Might help to discourage any kind of suspicious people.

- Oh, I see. - the hatter wanted to see it, of course, he was curious as this would probably be the first fighting contest in the story of wonderland, but he was unsure if he should.

- Everybody understands if you would rather stay… You are… well… A rebellious face and we thought you might not want to see if there are any friends amongst the enlistments… But since the Diamond Queen can’t go as well, we just… We didn't want to rely only on Bilac with so many people around.

The hatter wasn't sure why the ace was there. Had he thought all that on his own or might someone have sent him? But truth be told he did have a good point.

- I see. I don't know what I’d do if I saw a friend there, that's true. But you are right, the more people we have, the better. Wait me downstairs. - as the ace was almost leaving, Hatter seemed to remember something. - Ah, and Willard?

- Yes?

- It is extremely rude to say she will be “only” with Bilac, especially after he was the one to take the blow for her… Not you guys.

The hatter could listen to the ace gulping hard, almost regretting what he had said. He signalized politely with his head, apologetically and then left the room.

It wasn’t as if the hatter and the rabbit were best friends, they weren’t as close even before the queen’s fall, but truth be told, he did know the bunny better than the rest of them.

Also, it sounded pretty obvious how the rabbit was willing to give his life for the queen,

They left when the hatter arrived, talking about how many people they would gather… They expected a lot of people, at least watchers if not contestants. But they weren't ready for what they saw when they reached the Coliseum, that’s for sure.

There were huge lines for enlistment. People from all the land, of all heights and ages. They were separated into main groups, swords, spears and bows. Hatter and the ace were still dumbstruck when they heard a loud laugh after them.

- A-ha! That's amazing, isn’t it?!? Who’d know there were so many fighters in Wonderland! - the jack had a huge smile across his face while he guided the queen by her arm. - Ain’t you happy, my queen?

- If you’d like to know if I’m happy that they might be able to defend themselves should we fail? Yes I am. - the queen agreed. - But I’m pretty surprised myself. Wonderland was never an armed land.

- True to that. - Bilac came from one of the barracks, walking fast. - It gives me goosebumps just to think about what might have guided all these people to arms. - and for a second he looked the hatter. - I hope they came here for the prize, not for your head, my queen.

- Well, that would be a hell of a prize. - the queen answered, seeming unworried, but when she noticed the look on Bilac’s face she regretted it immediately. - Don't mind me, I was just kidding, don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be alright.

The rabbit stretched his back a little bit and then agreed to the queen, in a single head-bow.

- Well, we should get going. Jack, Willard, prepare yourselves and come meet us. I’ve got a better idea since there are so many of them.

- Yes, my queen. - they both bowed and left.

- My queen… - Vincent called, looking the queen who was now between him and Bilac. - Where will we watch it?

- The coliseum has a space separated to the throne. Let’s go.

She began walking, and differently from Jack, who was guiding the queen by the arm, Bilac followed by her side, without touching her. Vincent followed his lead, without really understanding. As far as he knew, the rabbit looked much closer to the queen then the jack.

They walked to one side entrance and the queen handed the hatter a small map.

- This is how you get to the throne balcony. Bilac and me will make the event opening and will soon join you. I understand you might not want to join us, and that is why I made this map.

- I-I can… - he could, of course. He could go and open the event with the queen, but he was unsure if he wanted to be seen with her, even worse, if he could help her and not be a bother. - Ok, I’ll meet you guys there. - and then, he started following the map.

- Do you think his friends will try to get him back, my queen?

- I don’t know. I would if I were them. - she had an stern face, one unusual of her. - But it’s up to him if he will go or not. He will be alone, after all.

The rabbit looked the queen for a short second, before touching her back with a single hand, it was not a strong and intertwined touch as the arm-holding Jack had been doing before, but it was light and supporting and the queen smiled with it.

- Sorry, let’s go. - the queen smiled to him now, caressing his head, between his long ears before beginning to walk again, now, directed to the middle of the Coliseum.

#wonderland #alicethroughtthelookingglass #aliceinwonderland #english