Unwonderland

The door groaned open and the Queen had stopped talking at first notice, “Miss you wished to see me?” Alexias poked her head in the crack she made by the door.

“Yes, Alexias,” the Queen smiled down at her. Abel turned around and smiled tightly at her. He knew where this meeting was going. Alexias looked inquisitively at him, “I have some business to talk to you about. It seems we have been infiltrated. Abel here updated me on your attack early this morning.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, Miss. I was going to report to you after I knew Sebastian was okay. But it was early, I was tired. I fell sleep before I got to my room. I’m really sorr—”

“Alexias, it’s fine,” the Queen laughed softly. Abel watched quietly as the Queen continued, “but it seems Charudatta has followers. Alexias did you see your attacker’s face?”

“Yes, I don’t know his name but I could tell you if I saw him. He was in Jeston’s group when we rescued Sebastian and Abel from the Read Queen,” Alexias explained quickly. Abel’s anger flared, he spoke before the Queen had a chance.

“You mean one of the two that flanked your sides when Jeston apprehended Charudatta?” Abel demanded through his teeth. He couldn’t stand the thought of Alexias being attacked, much less being attacked by someone they know. Alexias nodded silently at him. Abel set his jaw, clenching and unclenching his teeth, “the older one or the younger one?”

“The younger one with the longer hair,” Alexias said softly, she looked afraid of what he would say, but Abel didn’t say a thing, the White Queen said something before he did.

“I will rally the guards and you can tell me which one attacked you,” the Queen declared with finality. Abel saw Alexias smiled up at the Queen, nodding her head in appreciation.

“Thank you, Miss,” Alexias said her smile growing. The Queen returned it, continuing with her report.

“We must be careful,” she started off, the lines from her earlier smile disappearing, “right now you two are my most trusted pair. You two mustn’t get hurt. I have sent Bayard to stay with one of you, the Bandersnatch in the other room—”

The Queen stopped short in her sentence when she noticed Alexias’ raised hand. Abel had to refrain from laughing at her gesture, “Yes, Alexias?”

“What about Sebastian, Miss?” Alexias blinked, “He was acting weird when we were attacked. Like he was under a trance or something. Very dark, he was acting…very dark,” Alexias muttered to herself. She looked deep in thought, she bit the knuckle on her thumb.

“Ah, Sebastian,” the Queen mused as well, “we could have Ches in there but he doesn’t fight well…hm…let me see…Maliumpkin? No…she’s been lost since the hatter died…” the Queen trailed off. Her eyebrows turned down while she’s stuck in her own reverie.

“Uhm…Miss, how about Jeston?” Abel offered, slowly. Alexias gaped openly at him, uncomprehendingly.

“Jeston?” the Queen asked incredulously. Abel nodded, blinking his eyes a little, what was so wrong about Jeston?

“He did well taking care of Sebastian and I when we were crossing the border. And what I hear from him, he’s a good warrior as well,” Abel said softly.

“That’s a good idea,” the Queen spoke around her thumb nail, “but there’s a flaw in that plan.”

“What flaw, Miss, might I ask?” Abel wasn’t mad or upset that she corrected him. He was purely curious. He watched the Queen intently.

“Jeston is human. Which means he’s a heavy sleeper. If Sebastian were attacked, or were to go dark and leave the room, Jeston would be none the wiser,” the Queen explained, staring down at Abel, “I can’t have that risk.”

“I understand, Miss,” Abel nodded, retreating back to the drawing board. He thought so hard, his brain started to hurt.

“I would suggest Fronia, with her fighting skills, but she’s human as well,” Alexias muttered, her eyes snapping to and fro. Abel could see the thoughts swimming in her eyes. Before either of them could come up with anything, the big double doors creaked and screamed in resistance as they were pushed open. Jeston poked his head in the room.

“Alexias, my Queen, Abel,” Jeston greeted each of them, “Sebastian is awake and kicking. He wishes to speak with you.”

“All of us?” Abel inquired what he knew Alexias was thinking. Jeston nodded once, spreading the door open wide. Sebastian staggered in, with Jeston sucked close to his heels.

“Good morning, Sebastian,” the Queen greeted. Sebastian basked in the warmth from her smile. Sebastian returned hers with one of his own.

“Thank you, my Queen,” he bowed. He winced for the movement must have caused him pain. Abel watched him, his gazed softening some at the pathetic sight of him. Abel wished it was him who had gotten hit instead of Sebastian.

“We were just talking about you,” the Queen informed, blinking, seriously, down at him. Sebastian sweat dropped, staring back up at her.

“Me?” his voice rose several octaves in incredulity. He fidgeted some, obviously uncomfortable with them talking about him.

“Yes,” the Queen nodded in acquiescence, “we were thinking of means of protecting you. Alexias and Abel have Bayard and the Bandersnatch, but who could protect you?”

“What about me, Miss?” Jeston stepped up to Sebastian’s flank with his hand slightly raised. The Queen slid her gaze to Jeston.

“We already discussed that was well,” she advised, “you’re human which means you’re a heavy sleeper. There’s a lot that could go wrong with that option,” she shrugged, going back to thinking. Abel noticed, she was thinking so hard he was surprised not to see smoke coming out of her ears. Abel held in his laughter.

“Maliumpkin? Or maybe Ches?” Jeston basically repeated what they had said earlier. The Queen familiarized Jeston of what they had said earlier.

“Thought of them as well,” she responded around her thumb nail absently. Abel heard Jeston sigh.

“Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?” Jeston chuckled in spite of himself. Everyone but Abel laughed. Who was Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?

"I didn't think you hated Sebastian that much," Alexias sounded as if she were joking. oh God, don't let Jeston hate Sebastian. Jeston smirked at her. Abe relaxed some, but he was still a little worried.

"I promise, girl, I don't hate that loveable piece of bugger," Jeston laughed. Abel was taken aback. What had he said? Bugger...what was a bugger? The Queen seemed at a loss for words as well.

"I'm not sure if I should take that as an insult or a compliment," Sebastian scratched his head with his good arm. Jeston smiled patiently.

"It's a compliment, I promise," Jeston nodded, patting him on his good shoulder. Sebastian smirked at him, turning his gaze back to the Queen. She resumed thinking.

"Unless Sebastian is willing to be checked on by our attendants every hour on the hour," the Queen offered. Sebastian immediately complied.

"Anything to keep me from becoming the distraction again," Sebastian said softly, "I don't wish to cause her or anyone harm."

"It's alright, Sebastian," the Queen smiled softly down at him, "now another matter I must discuss. There is a war brewing between our two sides once again."

"A war?" Alexias said before anyone could. The Queen looked worriedly at her, slowly she nodded her head. Abel suspected this. Before Abel could control it, he laughed.

"Abel, are you okay," Alexias blinked at him. Abel beamed at her.

"Yeah," he drew out the word giggling hysterically. He began to babble on and on.

"I'm sorry my Queen, this is just a bout of madness," Alexias apologized, touching Abel on the shoulder. He stopped at her light touch. His eyes widened and he stared at her. She smiled.

"Wh-wh-what happened?" he rubbed his forehead at the confusion settling in.

"You zoned out for a minute," she giggled at him. Abel blinked not remembering a single thing. At least he wasn't on that medicine anymore. He looked to the Queen apprehensively.

"I didn't interrupt you, did I?" he asked quietly, scared.

"No, no you didn't, hun. You're fine," the Queen smiled down at him. Abel breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good," Abel sat down, exhausted.

"Abel, do you need to leave?" the Queen inquired leaning forward as if yo see him better. Abel shook his head, not looking up.

"May I sit here? I promise I'll listen," his voice took on a wispy tone.

"Yes you may," the Queen allowed. Abel stared at his knees as the Queen continued, "to answer your question, Alexias, yes. A war is forming. The Red Queen is upset by our new comers. She wants them back, but we aren't budging. If we play our cards right, we could win this war and disband the Red Kingdom all together."

"That sounds great!"