The Ballad of Hortense Hare

UPDATE:
Hortense has chosen, and Harriet will be going to live with Witchy J (who is now in contact with Captain Horatio to arrange passage)
Thank you all for your lovely comments :D


Welcome to my offering for this years Mad Tea Party.

As promised I bring you news of Hortense, Horatio and Harriet.

To begin I will share one of Horatio's favourite little ditties, to be heard, sung with gusto and glee amongst the sailors of the Red Queens fleet...

The Ballad of Hortense Hare

Hortense Hare has a most arresting stare,

some people say as it's quite haughty.

But for those who would dare, to challenge her glare,

They find her deliciously naughty!

With a glance that would kill (if she e'er had the will)

She holds her nose ever aloft.

Though some will attest, that when she gives her best

Her nose is most downy and soft!

With the flick of an ear she inspires most to fear.

While the glint in her eye may spark danger.

But you may see her blush, and her face all a flush,

At a glimpse of some pretty new stranger!

For Hortense you see, was born wild and free,

For no man to tame or to tether.

So though Lady she's now

With the lift of a brow,

She'll be found running wild in the heather!

Now Hortense's stare is beyond compare

And could hypnotize all in a flash.

And on hot summer days when folk meet up to graze,

It can lead her to being quite brash!

(usually ending with a loud chorus of cheers as Captain Horatio enters the room)

Now Hortense Hare is a very strong willed Lady. Let's face it, you have to be if your going to survive in the employ of Her Majesty the Queen of Hearts.

She is the lead seamstress to Her Maj, which means that she spends many hours in close company with her, gossiping about other courtiers and swapping personal successes.

One of Hortense's favourite pastimes is winding-up Her Majesty. As you are already aware, Hortense has many suitors, one of whom is an extremely officious gentleman, with a penchant for white cotton gloves and pocket watches. He is also one of the Queen's favoured Croquet partners. Hortense  will regularly entice him away, just to make him late for a match.

Her second favourite "wind-up" is to tease the Queen about her rose garden.

"Red to white...white to red...why don't you just settle for Pink?" she will jibe.

Hortense has a lovely garden filled with pink roses, all lovingly delivered by her only "True love" Captain Horatio Hornbeam.

Horatio is an avid explorer, searching the world over for the reddest of red roses, or the snowiest of white roses,(depending on what mood the Queen is in as he sets out). But the most fragrant pink blooms he brings home to Hortense.

He is fully aware of Hortense's "partying"in is absence, but as he says "She is a Fine, Energetic woman, who would expect any less of her?", and the second his ship is spotted on the horizon, Hortense's door is closed to all but him.

The third member of our happy little trio is Harriet.

 She is Hortense's daughter(but clearly NOT by Horatio). Hortense was originally quite concerned as to how the gallant Captain would react to the news of Harriet's arrival, but true love heals all. Horatio merely pointed out that, had he been home more often, Harriet would be one of many children running around their home. He had kissed the little furbub and smiled, naming himself her Protector, and had raised her as his own. (it is easy to see why Hortense adores him so)

When the Queen asked Hortense about her "arrangements" she was quite candid.

"When one takes up with a Sea Captain, one can never be sure he will ever return. So a smart woman plans for all probabilities!"

This time when Horatio landed, he was greeted with a new rumour about Hortense. Usually he puffed up with pride at her outrageous antics, but this time he was worried.

You see, Harriet's parentage had always been a matter of interest to most everyone at Court, especially the Queen. This was the one secret Hortense had refused to share even with her. But as Harriet was reaching maturity, little give aways were becoming plainly obvious. Her complexion was VERY pale, and she had a much smaller, softer muzzle than her mother's......she had taken to wearing white cotton gloves(no matter what the colour of her gown), but most notably, she was a fanatic about never being late!

The Queen was starting to put 2 and 2 together, and getting Harriet! Her Majesty was rumoured to be VERY angry that a certain Croquet  partner may have been deliberately late in order to embarrass her, and Horatio was extremely concerned about her new habit of "head removal".

The kind hearted Captain has decided it would be best if Harriet went away to live with friends. Hortense was quite upset at first, but the Captain presented them with matching pendants as a remembrance of each other. He was also concerned that Hortense's other suitors may start getting ideas about Harriet having similar "habits" to her mother, so Hortense has agreed that Harriet should adventure elsewhere, on condition that she gets to choose the destination.

Hortense is inviting anyone who thinks they would be a suitable companion to leave a message in the comments section of this post. After careful consideration she will make a public announcement, and Captain Horatio will arrange safe passage for his beloved bunny.

In the meantime, they are off to enjoy a fabulous day together at the Mad Tea Party. (Hortense is under strict instructions NOT to annoy the Queen....until Harriet is safely away). Once Harriet is safely ensconced in her new home, Horatio has promised he will retire and keep Hortense company from now on (hopefully with her head intact!).

Enjoy :D XXX