The tarts were delicious and the queen was quite pleased.
After that Alice went to the guard room. She told the men and women to put their spears away and to change the color of their uniforms to something less bloody looking. Then she set about making plans.
Meanwhile, the dormouse told everyone the guards had taken Alice. There was a flurry of activity, but nothing much came of it. The Cheshire cat said he would see what was going on and report back. Which is exactly what he did. He said that Alice was baking and telling others what to do. He said the queen was napping between snacking and reading.
No one knew what to do with that information, so they basically did nothing at all and sat down to have tea and cake, that they no longer enjoyed eating.
Alice, on the other hand, knew just what to do. She asked the secretary to whip up a batch of invitations for every being in Wonderland, inviting them to a grand party on the castle grounds, on Saturday.
"Tell them it's kind of like a grand opening, or revamping of things that once were, but use your own words," said Alice. "And be absolutely sure to send one to the KRAKEN."
The kitchen was making lists and ordering special ingredients. Everyone was excited, since they had been making the same dishes for years and they were bored. Alice told them they could make anything they wanted to, as long as it was delicious. She sent a the Ten of Hearts to inform her friends that she was fine and planning a party.
Alice looked for the king, but couldn't find him, although she did hear train whistles now and then.
She had the groundskeepers make patterns in the grass and told them to do whatever they wanted to do. "Be the artists that you truly are," she said, and they set out immediately, to trim this and that.
Alice continued to make tarts and share them with everyone in the castle. She taught the bakers how to make them, and let them take over.
Time when by quickly, since everyone was so busy. Flags were made, gifts were tied with ribbons and excitement was high.
Then Alice left the castle and wandered around Wonderland, talking to everyone she could find. She told them that things had changed and they should not miss out on the most wonderful party ever. Few believed her. Most said they wouldn't think of going to the castle for any reason.
She went to the caterpillar.
"You must convince them to attend," she said. "The queen has to see that the people..."
"What? Care about her?" he laughed. "They don't."
"You can change that," she said. "I know you can."
"What if I don't want to," he said, looking away. "You never visit, or make cakes for me."
"You're right. I'm sorry."
"Humph," he said.
"Please," she said. "Please do this one thing. Do it for Wonderland."
"Chocolate with chocolate frosting," he said.
"Done."
"Fine," he said. "Deal."
She ran to the tea party and told them what was happening. They agreed to help. Although the dormouse said he was limited in what he could do, he would still do his best. She nodded and went back to the castle.
The pendants were hung, the trees and shrubs had been shaped into animal and bird forms. Everything looked perfect. The kitchen was filled with food and deserts that looked incredible. The guard's uniforms were pale pink with blue trim and the flamingoes were back on the lawn.
The next day, people began dribbling in around eleven. They were stiff and nervous. Although the tables were laden with piles of food, no one was eating. Alice began to worry. She started working her way through the small crowd. Laughing, shaking hands and handing them plates. Things began to get a bit lighter. The Hatter, dressed to the nines, and the rabbit, wearing a new waistcoat, arrived, carrying the dormouse in his teapot.
More and more beings, started to step forward and then...the QUEEN came out of the castle. Some dropped their plates, others turned to go, but Alice said, "Hi, Queen, welcome to the party."
"Hello," she said softly. "I do hope you'll will all enjoy yourselves. My staff, has been working day and night to make sure you have a wonderful time. Thank you so much for coming.
Alice thought she could have heard a pin drop, on grass, it was so quiet. She started clapping and slowly, others joined in. The Queen bowed and then said, "There is a table set up for you to write down what needs to be done in Wonderland, to make it as happy and peaceful as it can possibly be. I hope you'll tell me what I can do to speed up that process. As of today, my door will always be open. I may live in this castle, but it yours as well, and you are always welcome.
Music suddenly filled the air and slowly people began to once again move around.
"You did a good thing, ALICE," said the KRAKEN."
"Thank you. I hope you're enjoying yourself."
"I am," he said, fluttering his tiny wings. "People aren't afraid of me any longer, and that's nice."
The day went on, ebbing and flowing, until the sun dipped below the horizon. When that happened, thousands of twinkle lights came on, filling the garden with sighs and sounds of excitement.
The Queen stood next to Alice and smiled. "This is what I've always wanted."
"Now you have it. You'll have to keep working at it though."
"You can go home, Alice. I can send you there."
"Home?"
"The sound you hear on the wind, is your sister calling your name. She's looking everywhere for you."
"Why didn't the Hatter and the cat tell me?"
"Love can often be selfish, Alice," said the Queen. "They don't want to be without you."
"I..."
"If you so choose, I can send you now. You've made a difference in Wonderland. Thank you."
"Will you say goodbye to them for me," she said, a sob, catching in her throat. "Tell them I love them?"
"I will," said the Queen. "You will not be forgotten."
And just like that, Alice was gone. And Wonderland would never be the same.
The End
Picture: Haley Lawrence
Unsplash
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