Jervis opened his eyes, to... snow. Strange, did he not slumber in his own bed? He sat up, brushing powder snow from his attire- lying beside him, that strange mirror. Picking himself up, said mirror was pocketed. Getting to his feet, he looked around. The landscape was a study of greys and whites, snow gently falling- powder-soft, sugar-sweet almost... To one side, a massive forest. To another, rolling white hills. A massive building could be seen in the distance, somewhere between the two. In yet another direction, a building. Vaguely shaped like a particular castle...
Deciding it was closest and provided shelter, Jervis set off for the forest. Very quickly he found a path, marked by flat, even stead. He walked along, footfalls marked by silent crunches. When Jervis ascertained none were around but he, he kicked up the snow, dancing in it. It took him back to boyhood dreams, child-like naivete overtaking him in a moment of wintry wonder. He smiled, throwing himself back.. He moved some snow around, hatted snow angel coming into creation. My, this place filled him with such joy! And a sense of deep familiarity...
Deeper into the woods Jervis went, sense of familiarity growing. He walked, as if knowing this path- walking it a thousand times a thousand times before. Every tree, every bit of grass- everything. Jervis knew it all... But it held something... eerie. Hatter stirred, the darkness calling out to the Other side of his soul. Both of them knew this place, but for different reasons.
And then it all came, finally, crystal-clear.
Jervis stopped short, and both of them stared. Before them was a long table, hidden underneath the trees. Above the table was a canopy, to protect from the elements. Many poles marked points of support, lanterns hung upon each one. Small bottled fairy lights string along added to the soft pale blue glow. On the table lay a wide array of tea implements- cups, spoons, plates. Platters of treats. Teapots adorned the table, fresh tea of all kinds steaming.
It was undeniable now- they were back in Wonderland, at his table. The domain he called home.
Exactly as they knew it. Bright, colourful, beautiful and pristine- every detail straight out of his favourite illustrated book. Fairy lights and lanterns gave a pale blue glow, comforting solace beneath the canopy set out to protect from snow. Gauzy curtains fluttered amid wintry winds, a beautiful allure. Within, tealight candles and lantern poles gave warmth- yet snow dusted the ground... curiouser and curiouser still. Even though it was devoid of the Hare and Dormouse, it was truly the place Jervis- the Mad Hatter- called home.
"My goodness..." Hatter whispered, staring at it all. Jervis could hardly believe his eyes. "I- how did we-"
"Through the Looking Glass." Jervis whirled around to see Vendetta there.
"Where are we?" Hatter eyed her, not one to take what he saw as fact.
"You're in Wonderland. Where else would you be?"
Hatter was aghast. Surely this place couldn't be- "But- But it's not-"
"It's not perfect- that Wonderland has a Hatter. This is all I could do. This is your Wonderland. Tetch's Wonderland. Enjoy it... In all its beauty and splendor."
Hatter eyed her, still slowly soaking it all in. It seemed there were many mysteries to the Lady yet. He eyed her, not sure what to make of all this.
"Is this yet another of your illusions?"
Vendetta shook her head. "No, this is something else. something far more real. A different dimension. A Wonderland made, just for you." Before Hatter could say anything, she went on. "Jervis, you always seemed so... lonely. Pining. Wondering what could have been... I did all I could for your happiness. Well, me and someone else." She gently smiled at him.
"And who might that be?"
"...Hello, Mister Hatter. It- It's been so long... I-I've missed you." Standing there was the one person Hatter and Jervis had been dying to see. A delicate blonde, in a familiar blue dress and white pinafore. Her white stockings were pristine, black shoes and headband shining. She held a basket, filled with all sorts of treats.
"Alice! Oh, it's so good to see you, my darling!" Jervis ran over. The girl embraced him tightly, and they hurried away to sit at the table. Cheshire was already waiting for them, silently watching from above. By now the March Hare and Dormouse, busy sleeping as always, were awaiting them too. Jervis was delighted! It was all he ever wanted- Alice, all his friends- everything! In the rush of excitement, he'd forgotten the shadowy Siren.
Vendetta smiled, a single blood tear rolling down her cheek. She turned, and disappeared... he never noticed her leave. Neither side of him did- Tetch, like Jervis, was busy admiring home.
~
Jervis, Alice and their friends all had such wonderful adventures- it was everything he dreamed of, everything he wanted, and more! Tea parties, snow fights, angels and snowmen. Wintertime in Wonderland was something to behold. The Yule Ball. The Queen outdid herself this time! Blood-dripped white roses, real jewels in all her decor.
Everyone was a study in wintry whites, greys, silver, blacks. Jervis and Alice donned their finest silver and blue, accented in iciest white. They feasted, shared presents, danced the night away. The Queen's temper considerably sweet- nobody beheaded, even! My, this was certainly Wonderland- no, better even! Truly he'd discovered his way back home at last!..
And yet, as Jervis' gaze landed upon the beautiful red-haired woman, Wonderland remained... incomplete. But why? The Queen made her way over, she and Jervis sharing a dance. At her insistence, of course- none refused the Queen in her Castle and lived. Normally, they did not get along... But Her Galas were the times they set their differences aside. The curled red locks, perfect make-up, elegant manner in which she carried herself, opulent gown... it was then Jervis realized whom had made this possible. Whom he left in the Hatterdasherie, whom loved him enough to let him go...
"Hatter. Someone other than Alice has your attention. They have during your entire stay. Shall I have them beheaded?" For all her faults, she was rather damnably accurate.
"No, no. No beheading, please. I- There was a woman I met, while I was... away. She helped me find my way back... She reminds me of you. Beautiful. Deadly. Sweet when you desire to be." He smiled a little bit- just the smallest touch anxious.
"Then perhaps you should return to them." Before Jervis could say anything, she went on. "When someone loves you enough to see to your happiness, at the price of their own, you cherish it for all its worth. Such love is extremely rare- a black rose in a land of white. Something desired... yet ever so elusive..."
Jervis looked at the Queen. Uncharacteristic, the only word to describe Her. In this moment, he could see the shimmer of sadness, longing for the love that Jervis had with Alice... but also, with Vendetta. Wonderland was wonderful and all, but Jervis- and Tetch especially- held affections for the Lady left behind. The Queen smiled, and left a brush of her lips on his cheek. Cherries and cinnamon. Mingled with saltiness of a single tear.
"Find her. If she means so much... She'll ensure you can return." As the music ended, the Queen curtsied and walked away- caught up in another dance. Alice came up to him, tugging gently on his arm. She smiled at him, unaware of what just occurred.
"Did you and Her Majesty have a good dance, Mister Hatter?" Alice had been sitting at a small table they reserved, petting the beautiful Tigress. Cheshire had been keeping an eye out, as she wrote in her diary. She'd even had a dance with one of the Cards. Now she yawned, ready to retire home- Hatter mansion. She hugged his arm, looking at him. "I'm rather tired now. May we please leave?"
"Of course, my dear Alice. Anything you like." The trio went around, saying their polite goodbyes. Jervis led Alice and Cheshire away, beginning the walk in the snow. He sighed, making Alice look over with concern.
"Mister Hatter, is something wrong? Did- Did I do something to make you sad?" Her eyes sparkled with worry.
"What? No, no, my dear! You've done nothing wrong at all! It's just... Well, you see, Alice, I... While I was away, I- I met someone who became... close to me, and-"
"Are- Are you going to- to leave Wonderland again?" Alice teared up, she clinging tight to his arm. She just found him! Oh, she didn't want to lose him once more. What if he never returned?...
"...Yes, and no, Alice dear. I must leave- but will always come back to see you. You hold too special of a place in my heart not to." He held her hand, tender and soft. "Alice, I love you. You are sweet and bright and wonderful- the sunshine of my life. But the Lady I met, she is... like the moon. Special, in a different way. A very dear friend of mine"
Alice pondered this for a spell. "Like... light and dark, you mean? Night and day?"
Jervis nodded. "Exactly like night and day, my dear. You know how we have picnics, play in the snow, and have tea parties in the day? It's the same with her and I, but at night. Do you understand?"
Alice nodded. She resisted the idea of him being away at first. But he wasn't replacing her- he just had another companion. Alice had Dinah, her cat. The Queen Of Hearts, Dormouse and March Hare. They were other dear companions of hers. Why couldn't he have other special friends too?
Slowly, but surely, Alice came around to his way of thinking. They shared a special friendship- like a nice sunny day. But there had to be that night-time side too, whatever that may be. Alice did not wish to know. She nodded, trusting him. "Do what makes you happy, Mister Hatter."
Jervis nodded, taking her home. Once Alice was in bed, and the duo retired to their own chambers, Jervis stared at the looking glass he used to get there. The glass was dark, just as before. He had no idea how he got there, let alone how to get back. "I have no idea how she did it... Shame, really. I love being here..."
"But we miss you, sweetly wicked Vendetta. You are the darkness I need, to Jervis And Alice's Light." Hatter sighed, looking to the mirror. "How do I get back?" He was surprised to find the glass illuminate. He was surprised to find the mirror in the room- a full-length mirror- also illuminate. Silvery-white swirls appeared, and Tetch- holding the smaller mirror- tumbled through the (hopeful) Looking Glass...
He was back at the Hatterdasherie. Exactly the same as he left it. Looking around, back in his own room. Silently, he crept down the stairs. Lady Vendetta knelt by the fire, silently crying, bloody streaks down her face. She missed him dearly- weeks had passed. Time moved in seven ways; so what seemed like nothing to him, or her, was plenty to those around. She figured he'd never return. While he was happy, her heart broke. She'd been abandoned.
"Gods, do I miss them... I miss how sweet Jervis was. The fun Hatsy and I shared... Damn it all, Vendetta, why would you do this to yourself?!" The glass in her hand shattered- shards and rivulets of blood spilling from her hand and arm. She didn't seem to care. "I know what I did what was right. He was so happy... Even if I have no place with them anymore, I would do it again."
Tetch and Jervis felt pangs of sadness- watching Vendetta lament, brought a stain of shame, for the hurt they'd caused. She rose, speaking only to herself, and began to bank the fire. "One of them once said, they were concerned of being a Fool; they were wrong- that Fool was me all along... me, and my broken crystal heart." Cleaning the blood and glass, Vendetta crossed to look outside to the street- rain filled the night, very little snow remaining. They'd been gone for at least three months... Shadows danced in her presence, melancholic malady filling the room.
"I wonder, now- whatever will I do with the Hatterdasherie, in his stead?.."
"Besides keep it in pristine condition?"
Vendetta whirled around. Her face lit up, she flying into an embrace. "Hatsy! You came back!" She held tight, never having been so happy before to see someone.
Hatter embraced her in kind, kissing her with passion. He looked at her, brushing away her blood-laced tears. "I'm happy to find my way back... Despite Wonderland's candy-coloured charm, I... We missed you."
"I missed you too. Three and a half months have passed... I've kept things running in your stead, darling." She sniffled gently, looking up at him. "I presume Jervis will be going to Wonderland, and you'll come back. I expect you to be in and out, am I right?" Her eyes glittered in amusement.
"....You know us well. I- We can't thank you enough... for everything. You've made my wildest dreams come true. How can I ever repay all your kindness?"
"By being with me. Staying by my side."
"We are not eternal, my dear."
"Not yet, at least." There was that signature smirk of hers again. Hatter just smirked in kind and kissed her once more. It seemed this winter, Jervis and Hatter had gotten the best gift of all- paradise for them both. Wonderland and Alice for Jervis, a city and Vendetta for Tetch. It couldn't have been more perfect if they tried.