After growing up in Wonderland, one doesn't have a fear of heights- makes sense considering we don't see the ground. So it never occurred to me that someone would have a fear of heights. I took a few steps closer to her.
"Why couldn't they have built this place on the ground," she muttered. She barely glanced at me before looking to the edge again…still. I have often wondered that myself, but it would make no difference. It was what the Queen wanted and that's what we all got.
"Alice," I said softly as I held out my hand. She didn't notice because the edge was still entrancing her. "Look at me," I said harsher then softy, "Okay?" That got her attention, and she gently unwound her arm from the ladder and placed her hand in mine. I had the feeling this would be the only reason she would ever hold my hand. This, for some unfathomable reason, made my heart clench. Ignoring that strange feeling, I told Alice to keep looking at me as I helped her forward.
As I lead her, I couldn't help but wonder why I was helping her. But when I pulled myself out of my thoughts, after getting Alice off the ledge, and finally saw just how brilliant her eyes are, I figured it out.
Did I really need a reason to help a very pretty girl in a very wet dress?