A cross the desert and hills, far on the other side of Underland, Bayard the bloodhound galloped1 across the bluffs2 toward the White Queens castle.
In her courtyard, Mirana, the White Queen, was speaking with a Loyalist.
The trees seem sad. Have you been speaking with them?
Yes, Your Majesty, the loyalist answered.
Perhaps a bit more kindly3. Would you all excuse me for a moment? Thank you.
Bayard staggered into the Queens courtyard and she crouched4 beside him, stroking his long brown ears and holding out a dish of water for him as he panted.
What news, Bayard? she asked in her soft, kind voice.
Alice has returned to Underland. He gasped5. A smile lit up the Queens lovely face. Where is she now?
In Salazen Grum, he admitted, flinching6 with guilt7. Forgive me, I allowed her to pert from her destined8 path.
The Queen shook her head, her smile widening. No, no, no, no. That is exactly where she will find the Vorpal Sword, she explained. We have our champion! Rest now. Youve done well.
Exhausted9, the bloodhound collapsed10 to the ground.
In the garden of the Red Queens castle, Alice searched through the bushes. She passed the hedgehog, curled under a wide leaf and cleaning the caked dirt off his fur.
Have you seen a hat around here? she asked him.
The hedgehog pointed11 and watched as Alice spotted12 the Hatters hat, made a delighted noise, and picked it up. With loving care, she wiped off the mud and straightened it out. Whatever it took to save the Hatter, shed have his hat waiting for him at the end.
Evening had fallen, and inside the Red Queens bedchamber, the Queen stood at the window with her Knave13 behind her.
You must find Alice, Stayne, said the Queen, her nails digging into the wood of the window frame.
Without the Jabberwocky, my sisters followers14 will surely rise against me. A note of bitterness crept into her voice. Ugly little sister why do they adore her and not me?
I cannot fathom15 it, answered the Knave of Hearts, careful not to touch her. You are far superior in all ways.
I know, said the Queen without a hint of sarcasm16. But Mirana can make anyone fall in love with her: men, women, even the furniture. She glanced dismissively at the captive animals that held up tables and chairs and lamps around the room. She didnt even see them as animals anymore; to her they were simply furniture, and to discover they had any feelings might astonish or amuse her.
Even the King, said the Knave of Hearts quietly.
The Red Queen turned her dark gaze to the window again, letting it travel slowly down to the grim moat of bobbing heads below. I had to do it. He would have left me.
Majesty, the Knave said, isnt it better to be feared than loved?
Not certain anymore, she answered. Some internal struggle seemed to take place, and finally she burst out: Oh, let her have the rabble18! I dont need them. I have you. She leaned her enormous head back, looking at him with big, dewy eyes. I do have you, dont I, Stayne?
He managed a smile, which, fortunately for him, seemed to be enough of a reply for the Queen.
Alice ducked as she entered the Queens dressing19 room. Strange stars twinkled outside the window in a velvety20 night sky. The room had only one occupant: the Hatter, surrounded by ribbons, bows, veils, and feathers. He hummed happily as he worked. Already several huge, colorful hats were perched on dummies21 and scattered22 across the floor.
Theyre wonderful! Alice cried with sincere awe23. You must let me try one on.
Instantly the Hatter swept a splendid hat off a shelf and perched it on her head. Tall blue feathers bobbed down in her face and tiny diamonds sparkled around the wide rim17. Fake little bluebirds nested among the feathers and an enormous silver veil cascaded24 down her back. Alice giggled25 as she whirled around. If only the hats her mother attempted to make her wear were this much fun!
She struck a grand lady pose, imagining Lady Ascot. Then she grabbed another hat and perched it on the Hatters head. He immediately struck the same pose, and they both laughed.
Its good to be working at my trade again, said the Hatter, removing his hat and stroking it lovingly.
Alice took off her hat as well. She gently placed it back on the shelf. Its just a pity you had to make them for her.
The Hatter looked around the room as if hed just realized what hed done. His face filled with remorse26 and self|recrimination, and he slumped27 mournfully.
What is the hatter with me? Hatter Mmmmm, ma. he asked.
Suddenly, fury seized him. He swiped his hand across the table, sending all the tools of his trade flying.
Alice jumped in front of him, knocked the scissors away, and took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. Hatter!
He froze, and she could see the fear in his eyes. Have you any idea why a raven28 is like a writing desk? I dont like it here, its terribly crowded. Have I gone mad? he whispered.
She felt his forehead with her hand as her father had done to her so many years ago. Im afraid so, she said. Youre entirely29 bonkers. But Ill tell you a secret all the best people are.
The Hatter straightened his shoulders with pride. Even his clothes seemed to puff30 up.
Alice reached behind a box and produced the Hatters own bedraggled TOP hat. His eyes filled with emotion as Alice put it on his head and tapped the rim proudly. Thats better, she said. You look yourself again.
The Hatter was too overwhelmed to speak. He took off the hat and pressed it to his heart with an expression full of gratitude31.
They were suddenly interrupted by the piercing sound of the Red Queens voice. Hat man! she shrieked32 from the next room. Where are my hats? I am not a patient monarch33!
The Hatter seemed to come to. He seized Alices hand intensely, keeping his voice low. Im told she keeps the Vorpal Sword hidden in the castle. Find it, Alice. Take it to the White Queen.
Alice glanced down at the long, thick chain binding34 his ankle to the wall. She still wasnt sure about slaying35 any Jabberwocky, but she could think of something else shed like to do with that sword.
Well go to the White Queen together, she said, taking his other hand. They looked into each others eyes for a long moment, and Alice found herself wishing she werent quite so absurdly huge.
The Hatter grinned ruefully, evidently having the same thought. Why is it youre always too small or too tall? he asked.
Alice slipped away to find her courtroom while the Red Queen was busy trying on hats. The Tweedles were stationed outside the door, one on each side.
Tweedles! Alice said happily when she spotted them. Considering how silly and maddening they could be, she was surprised at how delighted she was to see them. She only wished it were in better, less prisoneresque circumstances.
They each took one of her hands and shook them vigorously. Alice! they cried in unison36.
Howdoyedo again, said Tweedledum.
Wheres the Rabbit Alice started, but Tweedledee interrupted.
How is it youre being so great big? he asked.
She aint great big, said his brother. This is how she normal is.
Im certain she is smaller when we met, insisted Tweedledee.
She had drank the pishsalver, to get through the door. Recall it? said Tweedledum.
Wheres the Rabbit? Alice asked again.
Over theres! they chorused together, but each pointed in the opposite direction. Alice sighed. These two werent exactly the most reliable guides, but when they set off, she had little choice but to follow them.
Much to her surprise, after some walking and climbing stairs and roundabout wandering, they actually came to the White Rabbit. He was whispering with a chambermaid, but as they got closer, Alice realized the maid was actually the Dormouse in disguise.
What are you doing here? the Dormouse asked.
Im rescuing the Hatter, Alice replied.
Im rescuing the Hatter, the Dormouse corrected her.
He told me that the Vorpal Sword is hidden in the castle. Help me find it, Alice said.
The Tweedles immediately hurried off, but the Dormouse and White Rabbit remained. I dont take orders from big, clumsy, galumphing The Dormouse stood her ground.
Alice loomed37 over her and pointed imperiously. Shoo!
With a humiliated38 squeak39, the Dormouse stalked off. Alice turned and saw that the White Rabbit was still there.
What is it, McTwisp? she asked.
He paused, then looked up at her with serious eyes.
I know where the sword is.
穿过沙漠和山丘，在地下世界遥远的另一边，猎犬贝亚德正越过峭壁朝白皇后的城堡飞奔而去。
白皇后莫安娜正在庭院里跟一个效忠者谈话。
那些树好像不太开心，你陪它们说话了吗？
是的，陛下。 效忠者回答。
或许要更亲切点。目前，可否原谅我失陪一会儿？谢谢诸位。
贝亚德跌跌撞撞地走进白皇后的庭院里，白皇后立马在他身旁蹲下，爱抚着他棕色的长耳朵。他大口喘着粗气时，白皇后立即给他端出一盘水。
有哪些消息吗，贝亚德？她轻柔和善地问道。
爱丽丝回到地下世界了。他气喘吁吁地说。白皇后迷人的脸上露出一抹微笑，问道：她目前在什么地方？
在阴霾城堡，他老实地回答，内疚地往后退缩，原谅我，我看着她偏离了既定的路线。
白皇后摇着头，露出了灿烂的笑容。不不不不。她正好可以在那里找到屠龙剑，她讲解道，大家的勇士归来了！去休息吧！你做得非常不错！
此刻猎犬已经筋疲力尽，一下子瘫倒在地上。
在红皇后城堡中的花园里，爱丽丝在灌木丛里找来找去。这个时候她遇见了小刺猬，它正蜷缩在一片大叶子下，清理着毛皮上的泥块。
你在这附近见过一顶帽子吗？她问。
小刺猬伸手指了指，爱丽丝看到那顶帽子，开心地叫了起来并走过去捡起了帽子。她小心翼翼地拂去上面的尘土，又把帽子理平整。不论要付出哪种代价去救疯帽子，她都会守着这顶帽子一直等着他。
夜幕即将来临，红皇后站在卧室的窗前，黑骑士站在她身后。
你必须要找到爱丽丝，斯塔亚尼！红皇后把指甲抠进窗框的木头里，咬牙切齿地说。
没炸脖龙，我妹妹的拥护者一定会站起来反抗我。红皇后的语气中携带几分怨恨，可恶的小妹为何他们喜欢的是她不是我？
我也弄不知道，黑骑士回答，生怕触犯她，你什么都比她好。
我了解！红皇后毫不害羞地说，但莫安娜能让任何一个人爱上她：男性、女性，甚至连家具都会爱上她。她轻蔑地瞥了一眼房间里被囚禁的动物，它们有些撑着桌椅，有些挂着吊灯。红皇后甚至从没把它们当动物看过。对她而言，它们就好似家具；假如发现它们也有感情，那她才会感觉惊讶或者好 笑呢。
就连国王也是。黑骑士小声地说。
红皇后转过身，忧郁地注视着窗外，目光日渐落到漂浮在护城河中的脑袋上。我是被逼无奈！要不然他会抛弃我的！
陛下，黑骑士说，叫人畏惧不是比叫人喜欢更怎么样？
我也不再那样确定了。红皇后回答。她内心好像在挣扎，终于大叫起来：哼！让那些乌合之众随她去吧！不要也罢！我有你！她把那颗巨大的脑袋向后靠了靠，用水灵灵的大双眼看着黑骑士。我真的拥有你，对吗，斯塔亚尼？
他挤出一丝微笑。幸运的是，这种表示就足以回话红皇后。
爱丽丝溜进了红皇后的更衣室。窗外天鹅绒般柔软的夜空中闪烁着奇特的星星。更衣室里只有一个人疯帽子。他被丝带、蝴蝶结、面纱和羽毛环绕着，正一边工作，一边哼着曲儿。几顶色彩绚丽的大帽子已经做好了，它们或是戴在模特头上，或是散落在地板上。
它们真漂亮！爱丽丝惊叹道，你必须要让我试一试。
疯帽子一挥手从模特架子上拿下一顶华丽的帽子戴在她头上。蓝色的长羽毛从她面前垂了下来，镶嵌在帽檐上的小钻石闪闪发光。一只小巧的蓝色假知更鸟嵌在羽毛里，背后宽阔的银色面纱一倾而下。爱丽丝一边转着圈，一边咯咯地笑。假如妈妈要她戴的那些帽子也这么有趣就好了！
她脑海里想象着阿斯科特夫人的样子，摆出一副贵妇人的姿态。随即又抓起另一顶帽子戴在疯帽子头上。疯帽子立马摆出同样的姿势，然后两人哈哈大笑起来。
能重操旧业真好。疯帽子说着，拿下头上的帽子，深情地爱抚着。
爱丽丝也拿下帽子，轻轻地把它放回架子上，然后说：可惜的是你要给红皇后做帽子。
疯帽子环视四周，好像这才意识到自己在干什么。他满脸的悔恨和自责，悲伤地跌坐在地上。
我这个疯帽子是如何了？疯帽子嗯他自言自 语道。
忽然，他变得暴躁起来，扑到桌子上用力一拂，所有些工具都被打翻在地。
爱丽丝飞速跑到疯帽子面前，推开那些剪刀，双手捧起他的脸，迫使他与自己对视，喊道：疯帽子！
他愣住了，爱丽丝可以看到他眼中的恐惧。你了解为何乌鸦像写字台吗？我讨厌这里，这儿太拥挤了。我是否疯了？他小声说。
就像多年前爸爸对她那样，爱丽丝用手摸摸他的额头说：恐怕是如此。你已经完全疯了。不过我对你说个秘密成功人士都如此。
疯帽子顿时骄傲地挺起胸膛，就连身上的衣服好像都变得笔挺起来。
爱丽丝挪到一个盒子后面，拿出疯帽子那顶破旧的高顶礼帽。爱丽丝给他戴上帽子并骄傲地拍了拍帽檐，他露出了感慨万千的眼神。好多了，这才像你。爱丽丝说。
疯帽子激动地没办法言语。他满怀感激地脱下帽子按在 胸口。
忽然间，他们被红皇后刺耳的叫声打断了。帽匠！她在隔壁房间尖声喊道，我的帽子呢？我可不是个耐心的主儿！
疯帽子好像这才回过神来。他紧张地抓起爱丽丝的手，压低声音说：我听说他们把屠龙剑藏在城堡里。找到它，爱丽丝！携带它去找白皇后！
爱丽丝低头看着那条把他困在墙边又长又粗的脚链。到目前她也不确定自己要去杀什么炸脖龙，但她感觉自己可以用这把剑干点别的啥事儿。
大家一块去找白皇后！她牵起疯帽子的另一只手说道。他们彼此注视了许久，爱丽丝这会儿真期望自己不是这副荒谬的大块头。
疯帽子咧着嘴，伤感地笑了笑，显然他们两个想到一块儿去了。为何你一直要么太大，要么太小呢？他问。
红皇后忙着试帽子时，爱丽丝悄悄溜走去找审讯室。双胞胎兄弟一人一边，把守在门外。
双胞胎！看到他们时爱丽丝开心地叫道。尽管他们非常傻非常疯狂，但她也没想到自己见到他们时会这么高兴。她只不过期望，大伙能在更舒适、更自由的地方见面。
他们各自拉起爱丽丝的一只手激动地晃着，齐声喊道：爱 丽丝！
你还怎么样？咚咚说。
白兔子在哪？爱丽丝开口问道，但这个时候叮叮打断了她的问话。
你如何变得这么大？
她一点儿也不大，弟弟说，她平时就如此。
我敢一定当初见面时她比目前小。叮叮坚持我们的看法。
她为了穿过那扇门喝了缩小药水。还记得吗？咚咚说。
白兔子在什么地方？ 爱丽丝又问。
在那里！他们齐声回答，但各自指向相反的方向。爱丽丝无奈地叹了口气。他们两个绝对不是最可信的领路人。但出发时，爱丽丝别无选择，只好跟着他们。
令她大吃一惊的是走了会儿路，爬了会儿楼梯，兜了会儿圈子后，他们居然找到了白兔子。他正在和一个女仆窃窃私语。走近时，爱丽丝才发现这个女仆事实上是乔装打扮的睡鼠。
你来这儿做什么？睡鼠问。
我来救疯帽子。爱丽丝回答。
我才是来救疯帽子的！睡鼠纠正她。
他告诉我屠龙剑就藏在城堡里。帮我找到它。爱丽丝说。
双胞胎听完后匆匆跑开了，但睡鼠和白兔子仍然待在原地。我才不听你这又大又笨，走起路来得意扬扬的人发号施令睡鼠毫不让步地说。
爱丽丝慢慢向她逼近，傲慢地指着她说：嘘！
蒙受羞辱的睡鼠气愤地尖叫了一声后扬长而去。爱丽丝转过身，发现白兔子还在那儿。
如何了，白兔子先生？她问。
白兔子顿了顿，然后抬起头严肃地看着爱丽丝。
我了解屠龙剑在什么地方。
