Cobalt blue eyes opened and stared upwards. In their view was the night sky. If they shifted to the right, they would notice a crackling fire lighting up the dark world. The flaming tree branches brought warmth to the shivering child. She opened her mouth and a yawn escaped from her throat, alerting the other figure by the fire of her waking. She shifted her arms upwards, stretching the muscles till they felt relief.
Before the girl knew it, a roasted fish in a stick was pushed into her face. "Eat," a nearby voice commanded. The girl flinched, startled. Her eyes slowly traveled up from the hand, to the arm, all the way to the figures face. The girl stared in shock. The one offering her food was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She had emerald eyes, and ebony colored hair. Her skin was fair, and her figure was small, almost fae-like. "Eat," the woman repeated, "you need to eat. Hurry up."
The girl nodded and quickly started to devour the offered meat. As the girl finished eating, the woman was putting out the fire and hiding the still hot coals. "Get up, we're heading to a nearby river to wash up, you look like you need it." Said the woman as she tossed a smirk over her shoulder. The girl nodded slowly, blushing. She rose from the dirt floor quickly and stood, instantly feeling light-headed. She grit her teeth and tried not to show the nausea to the strange woman as it may be viewed as a sign of weakness.
However the woman did notice,and reached a hand out to steady the small girl. "Come on, it's not far from here, but the waters a bit chilly." The woman spoke, her voice softer now. The river was a quick walk away. The water way was surrounded by shrubbery and the current was slow. The liquid itself was clear and, like the woman said, slightly chilly. The girl made quick work of her clothes and waddled into the river. She scrubbed her body and dunked her head under to wash her hair as well. She finished her wash and looked up at the woman, a silent question was seemingly whispered into the wind. "What now?"
"What is your name child?" The woman's voice was carried by the wind until it danced in the young girls ears. What was her name? She knew she had one, everyone did. But what was it? "I- I don't, I umm," the little girl stuttered. "I see. Then how about Edelynn? Or perhaps another?"
"Ede-lynn," she slowly pronounced, tasting the name on her own lips. A smile slowly dawned on her face. The newly named Edelynn nodded and smiled up at the woman.
"Well Edelynn, why don't we get you out of that water? No doubt you're cold." Edelynn nodded and slowly started for the shore. "Miss?" she asked, "What's your name?" Her tone was one that only a child could possess, full in curiosity and innocence. "My name? How rude of me, my name is Alice. Alice Liddell. A pleasure to meet you, Evelynn." She bowed her head as she spoke; and when she raised her head, she too, had a smile on her face.
"Now let's get you dried off."