The Champion’s Hatter: Epilogue

[manniness]

 

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.”

 

Comments

[niphuria.livejournal.com]

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. :)