#white rabbit

~

The university dean frowned at Alice and the letters of recommendation from her tutors, acquaintances and the legal office her father convinced to hire her for administrative work. “You understand that even if I allow you to study, the law prohibits you from practising at all?”

“Laws are perfectly changeable when evidence and cause is provided.” Alice replied curtly, “And understanding the legal system I live in enable greater understanding of what evidence and causes will improve our country by the changing of the laws.”

“And is that why you wish to earn this degree?” The dean asked.

Alice shook her head, “I’ve seen the courts be guided and misguided over evidence in my years of interest over how they work. I wish to have the knowledge to never be misguided by simple words in a legal situation.”

“Very well.” He piled her papers together and filled out the sections to approve Alice’s enrolment. “Find Eliza Orme for aid in adjusting to your studies when term begins.”

~

Even before joining the university Alice knew different countries had different laws and legal systems. She knew that suppression didn’t mean shoving someone in a bag or sitting on them as was done in Wonderland too. It was a small start, but she looked forwards to learning more.

“And I already know the king being the judge in Wonderland was wrong.” She mused, reading over a case law article and trying to figure out what roles everyone in the court she remembered happening should have been. “The Queen would have been the prosecutor, no, the one bringing it to the court would be a claimant perhaps. Her representation would be the prosecution.”

She carried on reading and nodded resolutely, “So the king couldn’t be the judge as he’d be biased in the case. Then the knave is the defendant, or is he the prosecuted? I think I’m getting these terms all mixed up.”

“You definitely are.” A man agreed, sitting down opposite her. “Not sure if I should tell you to give up on law and go home or offer to tutor you.”

“I’m not listening it you tell me to give up, Sir, but some company as I study would be nice. Are you also working towards a legal degree?” She replied.

He nodded, holding a hand out, “It’s my second year. Since I’ve not seen you around before, I take it you’ve just started?”

Alice shook it, but noted the lack of introduction. She didn’t think he’d be seeking her out after today so also didn’t introduce herself. “It is, and yes I’ve been warned that the professors expect me to take longer to earn my degree due to being female. It’s rather demeaning of them to keep repeating it, I believe.”

“Quite so.” He looked at the test she’d been studying then asked, “Were you trying to understand how the court works by placing people you know into one?”

“Characters from a dream I once had. It was supposedly a courtroom so, I’ve always wondered how incorrectly it was done.” She admitted. For a passing acquaintance that was enough of an explanation.

~

Eliza was going to campaign to have her degree let her practice law. Alice would be grateful if she succeeded, but was more interested in travelling after she got her degree. The world had a lot of legal systems, and while there might be one country that would let her become a lawyer and take cases, she wanted to know how as many of them worked as she could.

She wanted to be ready in case Wonderland ever pulled her back for another trial.

A World to Learn

“The fight to practise law here is not mine yet.” Alice told Eliza when she got her degree. “It likely will be in the future though, and then I’ll seek you out, my friend.”

Eliza’s lips twisted in thought for a moment, but she nodded, “Then I will anticipate the day, Miss Alice, but what will you do instead?”

She turned to look over the park Eliza had invited her to to discuss how to make the courts respect their qualifications. It was a pleasant place that many students visited to take a break from studying so Alive was grateful to visit it one last time.

“I’m going to travel.” She sighed, certain it was needed but also aware that the costs of travel would become a burden on her family if she went too far. “I want to learn the legal courts of the world, so I’m going to travel as much as I’m allowed.”

“Then fair travels, Dear Alice. I hope life brings you back to us.” Eliza smiled as she stood, nodding once as she left.

~

A cousin in France managed to let Alice see a few trials there, but had no contacts willing to discuss the differences in laws with an English Lady.

Some scholars in Germany were very excited to explain their laws and legal systems, but disappointed when Alice declined their invitation to stay. She had been delighted to meet Miss Johanna during her visit who suggested visiting the America’s next.

Through all the monarchies she visited, Alice asked if the monarch’s led trials as judge as well as if they still could when they were the one directly bringing a case against someone.

Learning that in most cases this was entirely the monarch’s choice was not pleasing to Alice, even if she would never question the King of England doing so. Perhaps her view of the Wonderland trial was changed due to her meeting the King and Queen of Hearts.

~

“Each state has its own legal system,” Alice was told when first meeting a contact of a company her father worked with.

Mr Hilliard had agreed that she could do some work in the school her ran while learning about the US legal system and had taken her interest to mean he should explain all her could immediately upon meeting, “Of course there are nationwide laws and the supreme court but most things are dealt with at a state level and the differences between states can feel stark. For example, most states haven’t dealt with Addams.”

Alice looked at him curiously, “Addams? If that a well known lawyer here?”

“A family you should probably avoid.” He grumbled and swiftly focused the conversation on laws around education in the state.

~

If Alice wished, she could have studied to be a lawyer in America and argued her own cases there. The laws would have allowed it and seemed more reasonable on only that front than those in England. She could see plenty of issues in the country beyond that though, and didn’t feel the need to prevent her travels with more study at that time.

Resolved to work for Mr Hilliard only as long as it took to fund her further travels, she focused on the tasks the reception of a school required of her, as well as reading about the laws and trials of America when her tasks were quickly finished.

“You’re new.” A gentleman greeted, stopping in front of her section of the reception desk and getting glances from the few others working nearby that said he was familiar. “I’m Gomez Addams. Mr Hilliard asked I meet him.”

Alice stood, holding her hand out, “I’m Alice, sir. I think Mr Hilliard mentioned you’re a lawyer. I’m here learning the legal systems of the states before I carry on to other countries.”

Her hand was shook enthusiastically, before Gomez almost threw both their hands towards the door as he spoke, “Riveting stuff, isn’t it? I’ll tell you more after my meeting with Mr Hilliard, if you’d like?”

Remembering she was meant to announce visitors and let them through, Alice did so and wondered if she’d actually get to learn from more than trail records soon.

~

Alice didn’t remain at the school for long after encountering Gomez Addams. He had willingly offered to fund her further travels with no work required beyond staying in touch. He even offered her letters of introduction to Arabella Mansfield, Lenna Barkeloo and Charlotte E. Ray, who knew various cousins of the Addams’s and were seen as close acquaintances of the family.

Grateful for the offer, Alice soon carried on her travels across the United States.

~

In no country Alice travelled to did she find a legal system which would call someone to be a witness without either telling them before a trial, or the person actively volunteering during it.

Plenty of people she encountered claimed it would happen in this or that country, or among such and such groups of people, but all were wrong. Alice would follow those comments but avoid mentioning them as she learnt about new systems and found no matter how different they were, they still didn’t call for witnesses without warning.

~

The man had so much bluster Alice wondered if he was trying to fly with no other assistance. “Well, of course it’s illegal. It’s, well, it’s morally wrong and-”

“And-” Alice cut him off in annoyance, “There are actually no laws against it in England and very few other countries have laws that could be interpreted as making it illegal.”

“How would a lady know that?” He scoffed, “Legalities are no place for a lady.”

“Yet my degree is in law, and I’ve plenty of records of my travels to learn about the laws of the rest of the world.” She curtly replied, “Politics and Laws, by your rational, shouldn’t be where those, like you, unstudied in it try to make their place. Since laws impact everyone, I have a far more generous view of who can comment and learn about the subject.”

As the man hurried off, Alice’s sister approached. “Must you chase gentlemen away, Alice dear? They could become good friends if you let them.

“I don’t refuse them, merely correct the lies about laws and politics they tell me.” Alice replied with a glance away. “It’s not unknown to society what I’ve studied, so I don’t see why I should pretend to accept their lack of knowledge.”

Her sister shook her head, “Yes, you became a very attentive student and seem set on proving it to everyone.”

There was movement outside the window they were near and Alice wondered if it was an animal trying to get attention.

A Grudge in Wonderland

Madness is expected. Life in Wonderland is mad and everyone there has their own kind of madness that’s become expected.

Scratches being done to every hat the Hatter had stocked was not expected.

The only person a little less confused by it was the Hatter himself. He identified the Cheshire Cat as culprit and began listing possible causes. As the Dormouse and March Hare watched, the single word suggestions grew more absurd.

How could kisses and care by cause for a grudge?

~

After the hats, it was shoes that the Cheshire Cat targetted. Laces were shortened and soles were punctured. Everyone was hearing about the grudge and wondering what caused it.

In the court of Hearts, people said the Hatter had refused to sell a hat to the Cheshire Cat because the rhyme was crass.

The Mock Turtle and Gryphon were of the opinion that this was an old grudge over a school dance, resurfacing to breathe and it would swim to the depths again soon.

The Duchess was sure it was because the Cat sneezed too much and the Cook offered pepper for the resolution. The staff of the Duchess’s manor took exception to that and ensured everyone was on the wrong side of all the doors for a week.

In fact the only things anyone could agree on was that the Cheshire Cat had a grudge against the Hatter and it didn’t seem likely to be resolved.

~

In her studies Alice had learnt the neccessity of being rational and gathering evidence of what had happened or was happening. She probably would still run after unexpected animals talking and dressed in clothes, but to gain evidence of their existence or proof that Wonderland was more than a dream.

A week after talking to her sister about correcting men had Alice used to glimpsing animals at the edge of windows. She’d seen plenty more since the first one; They’d peer at her for barely a second before leaving again so she was sure it was her attention the small creatures wanted.

“If they came to doors this would be easier,” Alice decided, climbing onto a chair to open the window. “Though I am assuming the creatures will wait for me to follow too, which I have no evidence for.”

As she considered this, she climbed out of the window and started to look around.

The garden she’d climbed into wasn’t as familiar as it should have been. If she’d simply climbed out of the window this would be her family garden, but the plants were in the wrong places and no path would start beneath a window at all. Alice would have to explore to confirm where she had now found herself, and find evidence for her hopes that this was the Wonderland she’d explored so very long ago.

Alice Involved

As Alice moved along the path she’d climbed onto, she trailed a hand over the flowers absently. In the looking glass they’d talked but in Wonderland they’d been painted and she’d sometimes wondered if the two places were connected.

While figuring out where she’d reached through the window, the flowers could help perhaps.

One gave a sleepy mumble after she passed it, “Let us sleep unless the cat turns on us too.”

“Pardon?” Alice asked, turning to see a drooping white rose.

“We want to sleep through this feud. Please let us.” One on the opposite side of the path answered.

She looked between the roses curiously. “Can you tell me who the feud is between please? Then I’ll leave you to your rest.”

“The Cheshire Cat is raging against the Mad Hatter,” came the grumbled response, leaves shifting to frame the Rose’s thorns in warning.

Alice curtseyed in uneasy thanks. “Rest well. Thank you for telling me.”

It struck her as odd for the Cat and the Hatter to be feuding, but she hoped she’d be able to resolve whatever disagreement had begun.

~

“Alice? The growth slowed after the trial?” Being recognised wasn’t something Alice had expected, so she turned around for a moment, trying to locate who’d spoken.

Standing about her knee-height was the White Rabbit in the same uniform he’d worn for the trial so long ago. Alice smiled to see him and greeted politely, “Hello White Rabbit, How have you been?”

“Busy. Nasty business keeping that Cat’s grudge told to everyone important but they need to know. Must you really be so tall?” The repeated comment about her height made Alice recall how much her height had been changed during her first visit to Wonderland.

With how much she remembered it occurring it felt natural to reply, “I’ve had no chance for refreshment since arriving.”

“Very well. If we stay in my garden, you may take some refreshment with me.” The Rabbit offered, twitching his nose, “Though I hope you have learnt more than you knew on our previous meetings.”

Trying to reassure him but fairly sure she’d fail, Alice agreed, “I’ve studied a great deal and travelled to study more so I believe so.”

~

It was quite frustrating to have comments on her height overrule any attempt to ask about the legal system that Alice made. Her manners told her to wait until tea was poured before taking any cake, but vexation had her reaching out early.

Her memories of what increased or decreased her size had grown unclear over the years but she was grateful to find herself shrinking after an experimental nibble.

“You really were tardy in returning to a polite size,” The White Rabbit scolded. “Now you had some questions?”

“Yes, I remember witnessing for a trial on my first visit here. It quite directed what I’ve made of my life in fact, so I’m interested to learn about the laws of Wonderland and how the court systems work.” Alice explained, checking her pockets for the travel notebook she tried to keep with her.

“Most vital to understand is that the Queens believe what they say is done,” he began, appearing mildly vexed at having to explain more, “But it’s perfectly simple from there.”

The laws he remarked upon were not as simple or reasonable as the White Rabbit thought. There were rare ones which would be something found in places Alice had visited, but many more seemed nonsensical.

One notably frustrating point came in the discussion of how trials were run. Where, in most countries of the world, jurors are either randomly selected citizens or peers of an equal social standing to the accused, Wonderland’s jurors were ever the same; a fixed role the people who had it would have for life unless accused themselves.

Contrariwise, Witnesses would be picked from any inhabitant of Wonderland at random instead of focusing on people who might have actually witnessed the situation a trial was for.

No wonder the trial Alice had been pulled into before was so chaotic.

~

After talking over laws and legal systems for a fair amount of time, the feud the Roses had mentioned before was brought up. Since the White Rabbit had been ordered to keep the Queen of Hearts updated with any developments in it, he offered to accompany her to find the March Hare’s home, certain the tea party would be continuing.

While Alice was fairly good at learning her way around places now, as well as figuring out the paths she wanted to take, she was grateful for his guidance. Wonderland managed to bring interesting events to her whenever she took her time going between places, and resolving whatever the feud was about seemed important.

The table set for tea was in a sorry state, even beyond the dirty abandoned cups that had been there years before. Alice could tell that at some point the cups, places and other crockery had been cleaned, probably many times, but now it was scattered in broken pieces for seats ahead and behind of the three sat at the table.

“Good afternoon, might I be allowed to join you?” She called, waving from the gate as she knew how fervently they could insist upon good manners being followed in joining the table. Aside from the fact that she did not care for wine, whether it was present to be offered or not.

The Mad Hatter and March Hare turned to her in suspicion before gesturing to one of the seats with broken cups. “Alice? Come and sit. So wonderful to see you again. Have you been enjoying your unbirthdays?”

“I have, as much as I’ve been able to celebrate them.” She agreed, taking the seat but electing not to try pouring tea into the broken cup. “Have you?”

The Hatter’s expression couldn’t have been more despairing if he’d had tears form in time with Alice’s question. “Recently no. The Cheshire Cat insists upon tormenting us. I can barely drink my tea for having to repair and replace the hats I sell or shoes we wear.”

“Do you know what began this? Why the Cheshire Cat has decided to act in such a way?” Alice asked, pouring the sympathy she felt into her voice.

“None.” The March Hare moaned.

The White Rabbit hadn’t sat down at the table when he approached beside Alice but was noting the things broken on the table down as she tried to learn more about how the Hatter had interacted with the Cheshire Cat recently.

~

Excusing herself from the Tea Party, Alice wondered about where she might find the Cheshire Cat to ask his view of what was happening. She could only remember him appearing as she walked through the woods at first, but soon was certain that he’d also been at the palace during the croquet game and before that had seemed to live with the Duchess.

Deciding the Duchess was the best place to start, she had left the Hatter with a promise to try her best to learn what had begun the torments from the Cat.

“Why it’s Alice. Have you turned any more babies into pigs?” The Cheshire Cat called from a tree as she tried to decide which path to follow.

Alice straightened, taking in all the details of the cat, including how relaxed it was. “I haven’t, but I heard you’ve been angry recently.”

“Angry?” He appeared closer to her, interest oozing from him as if he was genuinely unaware of what she meant, “Whatever for?”

“Everything you’ve been doing to the Mad Hatter and his things?”

The Cat span in the air, face disappearing but leaving his mouth behind long enough to reply, “It’s merely a game. I thought the Hatter liked these games.”

The Queens Meeting

While Alice was still trying to understand why the Cheshire Cat thought all the destruction he’d been doing was a game, the White Rabbit caught up to her, checking his watch as he did.

“Queen Alice! You are making us late!” He called sharply, tapping the clock face.

“I am?” She exclaimed, turning away from where the Cat had most recently been. “I didn’t know we had an appointment anywhere. Who is it with?”

“The Queen of Hearts! Hurry up!” He snapped, already turning to run along the path as Alice gathered her skirts up to catch up with him.

Only as she caught up did Alice question the title used, but there had been a crown given to her in the Looking Glass she supposed.

~

They’d slowed from an almost jog to a walk after a while so Alice felt comfortable asking, “Why does the Queen wish to see me? When did you tell her I am in Wonderland?”

“When I updated her on the Mad Hatter’s situation and because you’re interfering in it to try to resolve it.” The White Rabbit explained as if it should have been obvious. Perhaps it would have been if Alice knew how long the way to the castle was, but it did seem a rather short time had passed for such an update to have been made.

Deciding not to question that and potentially cause offence by not knowing the geography of Wonderland, she asked, “She doesn’t want it resolved?”

“Of course she does, but Her way.”

“And every way must be the Queen’s way, I remember.” She nodded despite the Rabbit never turning to look at her, or reducing his pace more than it had already slowed.

After a moment of consideration though, the White Rabbit did concede, “Or yours. You were crowned as I’ve been harshly reminded of.”

“I’d forgotten that as well so it’s perfectly fine,” She easily replied. “I suppose if I’m a queen, I need to ensure wherever I rule over have sensible laws.”

The White Rabbit made no reply so she spent the rest of the short walk considering what laws she should enact over her kingdom.

~

The courtyard of the Hearts Castle remained as Alice had remembered it, although the roses now looked genuinely red instead of painted so. There wasn’t a croquet game occurring so it seemed like all the game equipment was left to freely roam as flamingoes and hedgehogs were scattered around the gardens, relaxing in groups or lazing on their own.

Before letting Alice enter the castle, the White Rabbit produced a small trumpet and blew two notes from it, calling, “Queen Alice has arrived to see the Queen of Hearts.”

“Your Majesty,” Alice greeted with a shallow curtsey, given they would be of equal standing now, “I’m grateful for your invitation.”

The Queen of Hearts returned the curtsey. “Queen Alice, of course I’d invite you. From the report I’ve been given you’ve learnt well from the times I directed you to learn peoples stories.”

“Of course, though many find asking about their stories impertinent or intrusive I find.” Alice replied with a wry smile, considering the stories she might ask for during this meeting. If there were stories behind the laws of Wonderland, she’d very much like to understand them.

“Yet the ones who try not to share their stories often have the most educational of them.” The Queen replied, “Have you perchance learnt stories relevant to the Cheshire Cat before? I’ve been told you hope to reconcile him with the Hatter.”

Alice sighed at the expectant look accompanying the words. “I did speak with the Cheshire Cat for a while but so far he has shared nothing about why he started this beyond that he thinks of it as a game.”

“A game!” The Queen exclaimed, “Off with his head the moment he’s found.”

The familiar line had her trying to think of a law she most wanted the story for. Hopefully it would distract the Queen of Hearts from trying to get more people beheaded.

~

They must have been hours deep into discussing how various laws were introduced when the White Rabbit blew his trumpet again. “The Mad Hatter requests an audience with the Queen of Hearts and Queen Alice if she is still present.”

“Enter.” The Queen of Hearts ordered, returning to the throne she’d vacated at some point in their discussion.

The Hatter’s entrance was filled with a lot of chatter from him that Alice struggled to hear, directed to the White Rabbit as it was. When he saw her and the Queen however he dropped into a low bow, “Your Majesties, I’m a poor man, but these damages that the Cheshire Cat is doing to my life are too extreme. I wish to take him to trial for all that he’s recently done.”

“Exceptional idea! We’ll summon everyone immediately! Herald, get the trial arranged!” The Queen ordered, yelling and gesturing broadly.

Alice coughed once, politely enough to get attention, “Perhaps I could help in the trial, practised in law as I’ve become?”

“A queen helping in the trial how?” The Queen of Hearts seemed dubious of the idea, though she and the King had been very involved in the trial years ago.

“In selecting witnesses with information regarding the trial as well as with locating and interpreting evidence. The work that a lawyer would usually do in a trial where I live most of the time,” Alice explained with a smile.

The Queen didn’t seem happy, in fact she was positively glaring at Alice, but nodded eventually, “And I will do the same when necessary.”

Preparing the Trial

Alice regretted never taking the chance to present a case at trial now that she would be doing so in Wonderland. She knew the normal steps most countries used and knew a few changes the White Rabbit had let her know so far.

“We are having relevant witnesses for this.” She decided, leaving the Queen of Heart’s castle with the Rabbit beside her. “Does the Cheshire Cat actually live with the Duchess?”

“So far as we know, he’s just seen there frequently,” He replied.

Alice nodded, “I’d still like her to be called to witness. Who discovered the things the Cheshire Cat had done?”

“The Flowers once, but mostly the Hatter, Hare and Dormouse,” The reply was promptly given.

“The Hatter and Cheshire should both be questioned regardless of getting called or not as they’re who the trial is between, but perhaps the March Hare or if the Flower who saw most is able to be brought in to witness, they should be summoned. How many witnesses are allowed?” She couldn’t imagine the Queen of Hearts being patient enough to allow an unlimited amount of witnesses.

The White Rabbit needed a moment to recall that information, checking some notes he carried. “Four and not one extra more.”

“Best keep it to two if we’re insisting on questioning the two involved. Is there any evidence we’ll need to review? The damaged items perhaps?” The check wasn’t necessary. She’d decided that slowing the trial for looking at damaged items was probably going to result in calls of ‘off with their heads’, as would pointing out that typically trials in England would have two lawyers to argue the two sides of the case. She could not force Wonderland to change its routines completely.

“I’ll go and see what can be acquired.” The White Rabbit dashed off them, leaving her to debated what other trial preparations she had time for.

With the Mad Hatter in the castle behind her already, Alice set off to try and find the Cheshire Cat again.

~

A Hand was gesturing from the middle of the path to something in the trees. Alice would have assumed it was someone else who could vanish and leave body parts behind, except the Cheshire Cat’s voice replied to it, “I know the Mad Hatter is taking me to trial, but I’m not sure what you mean, saying I need representation for it.”

“Because most trials involved lawyers presenting the accused and the person bringing the charges,” Alice called, getting their attention. “May I be introduced to-” she gestured at the Hand, uncertain how to politely refer to it.

“Alice, this is Thing Addams. Thing, this is Alice. Are you here to tell me about the trial?” The Cheshire Cat lazily said, forming curled in the roots of a tree.

Alice offered a shallow curtsey and leant down to offer to shake hands. “Pleased to meet you, Thing. Are you perchance connected to Gomez Addams? He helped fund my travels and studies after I met him in America.”

Her hand was given a firm shake before Thing seemed to knock the air and do a few other gestures Alice couldn’t interpret.

The Cheshire Cat grinned at her, slowly translating, “He is a part of Gomez’s family and wants to know if you’re the law student who travelled the world to learn the different legal systems of everywhere. He’s also asking about presenting me in the trial that’s happening shortly.”

“I am. I returned to England a couple of months ago and reached Wonderland this morning, or perhaps last week,” Alice smiled at Thing, having learnt that she shouldn’t address the person translating for her during her travels. Trying to say how long she’d been in Wonderland was only slightly less confusing than it was when she was a child, even if she hadn’t been changed quite so constantly now. “But trials in Wonderland work differently than you expect. From the one I’ve seen, all questioning was done by the judge and not by any representation. I have agreed with the Queen of Hearts to separate that today, with her or the King of Hearts being the judge while I ask the questions of the witnesses and such, but I didn’t know there would be anyone else willing or able to do so in Wonderland to ask for two.”

“How strange and complicated other places make trials.” The Cheshire Cat remarked, “I would love to visit this England to attend one if you’ll take me home with you.”

Thing however sank into the ground a little, flicking some of the earth around.

Alice gestured at him after a moment, hoping that in refusing to answer the Cat she’d get a translation first.

“He’s merely upset that he can’t represent me. Apparently he never gets to help in trials and thought Wonderland would let him.” The explanation didn’t seem to be a translation, but she hoped it was accurate enough.

“Given how the jurors were during the trial I saw in my youth, perhaps Thing could help direct their work.” Alice mused, remembering clearly the jurors struggling to write their names and deciding to write with their finger when their pencil was taken. The Cat’s request was easily replied too as well, “I know some people from Wonderland have visited England before, so if you decide to do the same, I’ll try to find a trial you can watch.”

Thing flipped to give her a thumbs up and the Cheshire Cat grinned broadly just as a trumpet could be heard echoing along the path. Together they turned towards it, realising it meant that the trial was expected to begin soon.

First of Many

Alice and the Cheshire Cat reached the trial before noticing that Thing had left them. Having met Gomez, it made sense to Alice that he’d left them, probably having decided that something else needed his attention.

Since the White Rabbit was nowhere to be seen, she let herself into the Castle, expecting the Cat to either follow or appear before her to argue whether they really must have the trial. One of the cards pointed her further through the Castle for the courtroom, bowing as she passed.

After a couple more times being pointed in the right direction, Alice could hear a clamour she assumed was the trial waiting to begin. Occasionally a call rose loud enough she could understand it and most were wondering where she was, or if the Cheshire Cat would actually be appearing for his trial.

“I’m here!” She called, walking through the doors and getting everyone’s attention. The last time she’d attended a trial in Wonderland she had needed extra height to feel confident enough to speak up and argue with the Queen of Hearts, but now she had knowledge of how the trial should progress and the wisdom of years giving her resolution beyond that confidence.

The White Rabbit gestured to a new box built beside the thrones for the King and Queen of Hearts, opposite the witness stands that had been there before. “Queen Alice, here to examine the evidence and cross-examine witnesses. With all vital parties present, the trial of the Mad Hatter verses the Cheshire Cat can begin.”

“Read the accusations!” The King of Hearts ordered, once again wearing a judges wig under his crown.

The White Rabbit cleared his throat, stepping forward and unrolling a scroll.

“The supply of hats has been scratched

All boots left in disrepair

A destructive game has now hatched

Leaving the Hatter in despair.”

Hearing the rhyme made Alice wonder for a moment when it was written before deciding that Wonderland was usually a very poetical place and she should be more surprised that no other poems or rhymes had actually been said while she was there this time.

“Jurors, now consider-” The King turned to the jury stands as Alice stood herself.

She spoke over him deliberately, “Herald, please decide whether evidence needs considering first or a witness needs calling.”

“Witnesses first!” The Queen of Hearts commanded when the White Rabbit looked uncertain.

“Dandelion to the witness stand!” The Rabbit called then, prompting two cards to carry in the flower who’d been moved into a flower pot in order to get transported.

Alice stepped out from the box provided for her to sit in, smiling calmly at the Dandelion who seemed somewhat nervous. “Hello, You’re here to tell us about what you saw happen regarding the damages done to the Mad Hatter’s things.”

“I didn’t see anything.” The Dandelion promptly objected. “I heard the meowing and chuckles from inside the Hatter’s shop.”

“Chuckles?” She pressed, “Even the Cheshire Cat usually purrs when happy rather than chuckle. Are you certain that’s what you heard?”

The Dandelion nodded, a few petals falling from it. “But nobody could have been in there. I grow in front of the store and the Lilies grow near the backdoor of it. Only someone who can disappear and reappear at will could have gone in.”

“Irrelevant! Next Witness!” The King of Hearts called before Alice could ask her next question.

She sharply glared at him, “Ensure the Dandelion is returned to their usual growing place, if the Judge insists on cutting short the questioning.”

“Or you’ll be executed.” The Queen of Hearts agreed, getting an eye-roll in reaction to the comment.

Sighing Alice gestured to the White Rabbit for the Duchess to be called.

“Tell us about the Cheshire Cat.” She asked once the Duchess was in the witness stand. Perhaps if her questions were short she wouldn’t have the time to ask them cut short unexpectedly.

The Duchess paused for a moment, greeting Alice fondly before clearing her throat and reciting;

“Many cats grin,

a very common thing,

but the Cheshire cat won’t stop,

aiming to be on top.

He lives to play and laze around

Moving in I unexpectedly found.

Whatever game has Cheshire’s time

Will own end with a pleasant rhyme.”

Alice took a moment to try and understand the poem instead of dismissing it as meaningless. “So you think the destruction of the Hatter’s things is a part of a game?”

“Of course.” The Duchess agreed, continuing, “And the moral of that is; Too much fun for one can become distasteful to others.”

“Do you know what game this could be? The Hatter seems unaware of it.” She asked next, having wondered about it since the Cheshire Cat first mentioned a game.

The Duchess scoffed at her, “Of course I don’t. It’s not something I needed to be told about and got the Cheshire Cat out of my manor and the moral of that is; Learn to know where your presence is wanted.”

“I can tell you about the game, if you’d like?” The Cheshire Cat said, grin and then the rest of his body slowly appearing over the Duchess’s shoulder.

“Duchess you may return to the audience seats or wherever you were before being called.” Alice said quickly, “Cheshire Cat, if you’re prepared to explain your views of what you’ve been doing, I’m sure the court would be grateful to hear it.”

The Cat’s grin widened, “Because we’re playing a game. I wanted to join in but carry no watch.”

“What game are you referring to including a watch?” She quickly asked, noticing out of the corner of her eye that The Queen and King were frowning at her instead of the Cheshire Cat.

“Enough!” The Queen snapped, “He’s admitted to doing the crimes! Off with his head!”

Alice closed her eyes for a moment, unsurprised that when she reopened them the Cheshire Cat was only a head. “Let him answer the question first!” She yelled, restraining herself from starting the argument over how to behead someone who is only a head years after she first heard it.

“Their game over fixing the pocket watch, of course.” The Cheshire Cat replied. “I hoped they’d let me suggest ways to repair something that was broken.”

“Fantastic, Hatter, would you be happy to revoke your charges if the Cheshire Cat works with you in repairing the hats, shoes and everything else that’s been damaged?” She clapped, talking quickly to hold everyone’s attention and try to avoid anyone being taken for execution before she could stop it.

The Hatter startled at being addressed, knocking over the bench he’d been sat on as he jumped up and leaving various creatures and people scattered over the floor. “With needle and thread?” He exclaimed, and Alice couldn’t quite tell if he was confirming the repair method or simply confused.

“I thought with petals and wine would work better,” The Cheshire Cat replied, appearing close to the doors to the courtroom.

The Hatter started heading in that direction too, “Better use a honey wine then. Red wines leave everything an atrocious colour.”

“Did he just call red an atrocious colour?” The King of Hearts asked uncertainly.

Alice sighed into her hands, deciding to also leave the courtroom as the Queen predictably started yelling for the Hatter’s beheading.

~

Upon leaving Wonderland, Alice went straight to her address book. After that trial, she was getting in touch with Miss Eliza Orme and joining the fight to be able to practise law in English courts.