O.M.G it's chapter 6!

-Alice-

Hatter and I set of to Marmoreal, we where still linked at the arm we weren't near the forest when he said

"Here, let me carry your bag"

"Hatter I am perfectly capable to carrying my own things" he smiled but replied

"Of course you can Alice, I was not suggesting that in the slightest but it shows a woman respect and since we have a long walk ahead of us and that bag looks rather heavy…" he trailed off. There was one thing that I knew most about Hatter, He was the most stubborn person I had ever met.

Seeing the defeat in my eyes, he gleefully grabbed the bag, and as it turned out the best suggestion, at one point we where walking up a steep hill while I was puffing and panting Hatter was cheerfully whistling and walking a couple of meters in front.

"Hatter. Wait" I called, my voice felt breathless. He turned around as I tried to catch up, His eyes turned a fraction bluer as I got closer but as I did, I didn't notice a small branch right in front of my feet, and so in a true Alice fashion I tripped over a fallen branch and I hurtled towards the ground.

I let out a small cry of pain when I touched my ankle. The next second Hatter was next to me.

"Alice! Are you alright" he half way helped me up, before I was fully up I slumped back to the ground again.

"Oh dear" I said as Hatter said "Oh. My. Goodness" at the exact same time. I started to move when Hatter said

"Don't move" I froze. He kneeled next to me

"Hold on" I gently lifted my foot. I grimaced in pain; he took something out of his pocket and started to bind my foot up. When he was finished I had a blue peace of fabric covering the sprained ankle, he helped me up fully this time.

"Are you ok" I nodded.

"Are you sure" I nodded again, he pursed his lips together but didn't comment. He made me put one hand on his shoulder and he held me at the waist, he helped me hobble along and on the way he picked up my bag that he had dropped before.

We walked a long way to Marmoreal; I don't know exactly how far it was but let me tell you it was long. We walked at a leisurely pace since I could not walk properly and just enjoyed each others company, soon it was too late to walk and more we both stopped and Hatter said quietly

"We had better sleep here to night, and then we can finish walking tomorrow…the nearest place to stay is Marmoreal"

"Yes" I yawned, feeling the days walk on my feet and back "We should get some sleep" he helped my lay on the ground careful not to hurt my foot. Hatter took off his big coat and wrapped it around my shoulders, I started to object but hatter shushed me with a wave of his hand

'No arguments, we don't want you to get cold now do we"

"What about you?"

"Oh. Don't worry about me" he lay down next to me. And as much as I didn't want to admit it but he coat was so warm, and within a few minutes I was sound a sleep.

-Hatter-

I lay down next to Alice, her chest gently moving with every breath she took, she was so beautiful. She mumbled unintelligibly for a few seconds then fell back in to a peaceful sleep. I lay motionless next to her, my eyes only on her face hesitantly I lifted my hand and lightly brushed a lock of her golden hair from her face. The brief contact with her skin made my stomach curl and a tingling sensation flooded my body. I shivered, but not from the cold. I closed my eyes and dreamed of Alice…Beautiful Alice…My Alice.

The sun broke through the Mushrooms and cast an early morning glow on everything. Next to me Alice stirred from sleep and sat up. She stretched, and her back arched and her hands in the air her hair was messy from sleeping on the ground. She half turned where she was sitting.

"Morning Hatter"

We both got up and straightened our clothing and occasionally brushing a bit of dirt on the fabric, Alice had the most difficulty and I helped her out.

"Thank You" She blushed slightly.

The reaction my body had to her was astounding, I felt a pressure in my lower body and I had the pain full urge to rap my arms around her and kiss her soft lips. I shook my head trying to get improper thoughts of Alice out of my head. I smiled at her and we started to walk.

The rest of the walk was uneventful; I helped carry Alice after deciding it was to long for her to be walking the rest of the way with her foot. At first she refused so harshly it hurt my feelings she quickly apologized, but before we could get into an argument I picked her up bridal style making her squeak. She didn't talk to me the rest of the way. When we where in sight of the castle I let her down. I helped her walk the rest of the way back. After I put her down I felt the loss of her immediately.

We where met half way by Bayard and the bandersnatch

"Hello Hatter, Alice! What a nice surprise"

She laughed. Her voice was soft and light it felt like music to my ears. I grinned under my broad hat.

"Hello Bayard" she said "How is your family doing?"

"Very well thank you"

The Bandersnatch leaped up to Alice and licked her face. She laughed again, and patted him on the nose. He bent down so she could climb on to his back; I helped her on and then leaped on as well.

We reached the gates in a couple of minutes and where greeted by the queen herself

"Alice…Hatter what a pleasant surprise" she saw Alice's wrapped ankle "Oh dear, come along and I will fix your foot up Alice"

"Thank you your Majesty"

"None of that 'Majesty' business, call me Mirana"

"Thank you Mirana" I helped her off the bandersnatch. And I helped Alice up the stairs.

"I have sent for some one to make a room for you Alice, and you to Hatter if you decide to stay"

"Thank you very much Mirana"

She led us through the corridors and into a spare room.

"Put her down here" I helped her into a chair and then Mirana started to feel her ankle. After a few minutes and much wincing from Alice she said

"A mild sprain, just rest it for a couple of days and then it should be fine. Tarrant I must say you did a good job wrapping Alice's foot up"

"Thank you" I felt my cheeks warm up slightly.

-Alice-

Mirana gently prodded at a tender spot on my ankle, I hissed lightly when she touched it. She nodded her head then said

"A mild sprain, just rest it for a couple of days and then it should be fine. Tarrant I must say you did a good job wrapping Alice's foot up"

"Thank you" he said, a red tinge colored his beautiful pale face.

"I think that a few days of rest and recuperating should do the trick, no pressure on it at all and you should be fine" She smiled at me then left the room. Hatter can over and picked me up bridal style. I squeaked but smiled into his chest

"Where to Alice" Hatter asked, his lips almost touching my ear. I shivered slightly.

"I want to explore the garden" I said, my voice had a slight tremble

"As you wish" Then he whisked me out of the room and out to find the garden.

Sorry it has been I while. Blame school and being sick. Any way this chapter is a little longer and I hope you guys liked it. Thanks to all who have reviewed the story. And a special thanks to Niphuria, you rock.

-TheLiteratureFreak