manniness | The Champion’s Hatter: Epilogue

The queen considers her champion across the fine, white bone china tea service. “Alice...”

“Yes?”

Mirana winces at the young woman’s apprehensive tone. The queen is tempted to drop the subject she wishes to discuss entirely. But she had reinstated their teatimes for a reason! Determined, she continues, “I would like to share with you an... option.”

Alice takes a sip of tea, her brow arched with condescension. “An option or an order?”

“An option, Alice, for you and... Tarrant to consider.”

Across the table, Alice sets her teacup down with a graceless clatter.

Mirana still finds it difficult to believe that Tarrant is still... that it’s possible Alice truly sees... After all, Mirana knows of no precedence for this... But, however...

She takes a deep breath and says, “Were you to decide that life here in Mamoreal is not to your liking, there are... other posts you might consider. On the border of the Outlands, for instance, where you would be expected to maintain the border and resolve local disputes... at your discretion.”

“And you would trust my judgment?”

“Alice,” the queen assures her, “although many question your sanity, I have never questioned your sense of right and wrong.”

For a long moment, Alice says nothing. Mirana watches as she spins her half-empty teacup in its saucer slowly. One rotation... two...

“This offer,” Alice says finally, glancing up. “Would you be making this because you still believe me to be... mad?”

“Alice, my champion,” Mirana replies with a heartfelt smile. “I make it because nothing would give me greater pleasure than to believe that you are not.”

And when Alice looks up over the tea service there is a gentle smile curving her lips – a smile free of bitterness and stress, a smile the queen has not seen in what feels like a very long time – and a warmth in her eyes.

“I’ll have to talk to Tarrant first but—”

Mirana frowns slightly as Alice glances to the side, her gaze moving from up high to lower. She grins at the neighboring chair as if someone has just seated themselves in it. Mirana suppresses a shiver at the thought of Tarrant sitting so close to them despite his... deceased state. The thought doesn’t appear to bother Alice, however. She reaches out a hand to that invisible guest and when she turns her attention back to the queen, Mirana sees her answer in her eyes.

“We accept.”

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*flails* I love it!

That was emotionally exhausting to read, you know! (That's a good thing, though.)

Not even death can get between those two. Comes of being that stubborn. ;)

*sobsobsob* I hope they enjoy their hilltop overlooking the wilds of Witzend for a long, long time. so bittersweet.

<3

Oh! And, p.s. I loved Chessur's bit[s]. *sniff* It's a good thing he doesn't need friends. *sigh*

I'm glad you liked this fic, Nom. I tried to write a story about the challenges Alice faces when she's seen as being "mad" by everyone rather than writing a straight-forward ghost story. Still, I kinda feel like I cheated... making Tarrant "real" but with conditions. *sigh* I really CAN'T write death!fics. My characters always come back to reality somehow or get reincarnated or something.

Well, that's not necessarily a BAD thing! Especially in this instance. This is a very special little fic. And, perhaps Alice IS mad. Does it matter as long as she's happy?

Hee!! Yes, you are exactly right! Alice *could* be mad, couldn't she? There are a couple of things that argue against that, though (which ought to jump out upon a careful re-read). Still, for all intents and purposes, Alice *is* mad, isn't she? I love that.

I love it! "We accept."

That's all I really need to feel that, even if you mean this to be ambiguous, that Tarrant IS real and is truly with Alice, and either her belief, of what he said earlier about both of them being partially "in" the other, makes them able to be together.

Lovely piece, and a wonderful job. I wish I had just a few of the molecules in that marvelous brain of yours! <3

The story isn't ambiguous. There are several hints and clues (as well as Chessur's POV) that are meant to make what's going on very clear. I'm sure re-reading helped a bit with that.

In this story, I broke out my "artist cap" for writing. Everything is very carefully balanced and weighed not to give too much away and not to be too blunt. The reader has to "discover" the truth rather than have me spell it out. So, yes, the story is supposed to make you think, gather evidence for what you suspect is really going on, and then form a conclusion all on your own. Not your typical fanfic, I know. But when I write my "serious" stuff, this is what I go for. (Most of my AiW stuff - even OPK - has been "fun" rather than "thought-provoking", IMO.)

So, with that in mind, perhaps this story will be a bit clearer? I like making people think. And "The Champion's Hatter" is a puzzle with all the pieces laid out... you just have to put them together to see the Big Picture. (^__~)

Yep, I have to do the re-read in one sitting. If I still miss it, I'll give up. But hopefully that won't happen!

Thank you for saying that it is not ambiguous, tho. That is a huge help so I won't be thinking it's an "open to interpretation" thing. :)

*WEEP*

I'll edit this when I''m coherent...just...*WEEP*

I'm sure you're THRILLED that yet another reader is sobbing hysterically over this story. :P
But seriously, this was BRILLIANT! I think in the future I WILL re-read just to enjoy all the hints that you so expertly weaved throughout the story. And even though I knew both Hatter and Chessur HAD to be dead, it was still a giant punch in the gut to read that line about the bloody hat.
But oh! That hope in the end, and Chessur revealing that he's the product of a living/deceased couple = BEYOND AWESOME. I had the most gigantic grin on my face with those parts. :D :D :D
::ABSOLUTELY MEM-ING LIKE A MOFO!!!::

I am thrilled when people love and/or appreciate my piddly little fan fics. Tears and hysterics... those are a nice bonus. (^__~)

I'm so glad you enjoyed The Champion's Hatter! Thank you so much for letting me know.

And, dude, awesome icon. (^__^)v

The Champion’s Hatter: Epilogue

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OMFG, TEARS. TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE.

Re: OMFG, TEARS. TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE.