(a/n) This story begins in Narnia, before the events of Prince Caspian. It's set in movieverse, mainly since we don't know how old Caspian was when his father died, and for my story it's more convenient to have him die later in Caspian's life when Caspian has a tutor, not a nurse (in the book Caspian's uncle was already in charge when Caspian still had a nurse, implying that Caspian was quite young). I wrote this story after seeing how many stories have Caspian with a sister or cousin who is a perfect relative, deciding to instead make relatives who despise him for good reason. And he's blind devotion to his father always bothered me, so I decided to poke holes in that too.

TW: Sexual abuse - please also note (for full disclosure), the incidents I put this trigger warning for are not based on experiences I have had but rather based on experiences I know of from others.

"Cousin? Cozzie!" my precious little cousin cried as she ran into my room.

I placed my sewing beside me and said, "Wha-What is it-c-cousin?"

"I need to talk with you," she said with wide eyes. She grabbed me by the hand and began leading me out to a deserted room.

I nodded to the other ladies who were sewing with me as we left, but they hardly paid me any attention. My mother, Lady Pruniprismia, pursed her lips and said, "Dolores, be sure to return to your sewing as soon as the two of you are finished."

"What-is… wrong?" I stammered out, realizing from her face that this was more than a normal scare. In fact, Adela hardly ever got frightened.

"Papa, he say that I am grown up enough and I should come to his bedchambers tonight. But, Lola! He seemed scary when he said it! I don't want to go and I said no, but then he got angry and said I must!" she said, clutching on to me.

"Wh-we need to-to leave," I stammered out. I knew what those words meant. Had he not said the same thing to me when I was much too young to be brought to his bedchambers? It was only a week after the first time this happened to me that my stutter began. I had to get my cousin out before he could get to her too.

"Will my brother come too?" she said. I was surprised that she didn't seem to worried about the idea of running away, but she never seemed happy here either. Not that I think anyone could really say they enjoyed this damp, dismal fortress of a castle. But the mention of my male cousin angered me. We used to be friends when we were very, very little. I went to him after his father… and my cousin could see my wide eyes, feel me shake, hear me stutter. And yet he did nothing. He wouldn't believe me. So sure of his father's perfection. He'd rather scorn me than think his father would do anything. I had very little hope that he would believe his sister either. And my parents were too scared to act, saying an accusation would only result in them being expelled and my father's status as next in line taken away. I say it would be worth it since I would be out of this dreaded castle. But now my darling little cousin is about to face the same horrible experience and I could not let that happen.

"N-No. He can't-won't he…. It he, Casp-he," I tried to stammer out. It was always harder to speak when I was upset.

"So he won't be coming with us," my cousin said a bit sadly, saving me from trying to form a sentence. "Do we leave now?"

"N-No. I go-I'll get things pack-ed. For journey. It-it won't be easy. But we need you- to get you away," I said haltingly. "Tonight. And-and cover dar-of darkness."

"What do I do for now?" she asked, wrapping her arms around me.

"Pre-pretend all is norm-normal."

We left as soon as the sun went down. I was afraid he might come for her early, but she was still safe when I came for her. Only her and her brother's Professor were there.

"Tell me, why did you assume the worst when your sister told you what her father said?" he said, peering over his spectacles. "Did… has he done something to you?"

I breathed in tight at his words and he nodded knowingly. "I feared as much. Well, I wish I could give you more help – indeed, I feel as if I am on the verge of discovering something that could help anyone in, well, any situation ever – but all I could give you is this bit of advice. In your darkest times, look to the Lion. He will lead you. And I recommend you head to the forest."

"But the- the forest. It's haunted," I said.

"With Narnians, is the possibility. Old Narnians. But tell them you are running from King Caspian, and they are more likely to help you, no matter how scary they seem. They despise him too, if they even still exist."

"Th-Thank you," I said with a small smile. I had little belief in such fairy tales. Hardly knew them as well. Something about talking animals and strange creatures? There were humans too I think, but I didn't know any of their names.

"Now let's go! Before the King comes. I will accompany you to the stables so no one thinks it is strange that you would travel there unaccompanied."

"Adelita! Take-small-take the-the small bag," I instructed, taking two of the larger bags.

We managed to get to the stables without any problems. He helped us onto a horse and we rode out of the castle. But then a guard saw us and rang the alarm. I kicked my horse to get him to run faster and faster, but she was already going as fast as she could. Soon, several of my uncle's soldiers were after us. I heeded the professor's advice and headed straight for the forest, but it was so far away. But then by the river, there sat a lion.

"Big kitty?" Adela said uncertainly.

"Lion," I whispered back. He looked – intelligent. Like he could speak. Then I remembered what my cousin's tutor had said about some Lion. I glanced behind me. My uncle's men had been gaining on me quickly, but seemed frightened of the Lion too. I decided I'd rather take my chances with a lion than face ever returning and made my horse travel across the river.

When I was in his presence, I suddenly felt peaceful. As if nothing could be wrong. I said, "Can you help us?"

"I can. I will direct you to those who can help you the best. But you will have no ability to return until you have no choice but to return, so make this choice wisely. Dismount from your horse and run towards the forest."

"I do not wish to ever return," I said.

"But you will, no matter what choice you take, unless you should die first," he said sternly.

I shook my head and looked at Adela.

"Let's go," she said. We jumped down from the horse.

"You will be provided for; you needn't take your bags."

I looked at him in surprise, but left the bags. I grabbed Adela's hand and we ran for the forest. I didn't realize until long after that my uncle's men should have long caught up with us. And that I had not stuttered once while speaking with the lion, a nearly impossible task for me even when I was calm and speaking with someone I was comfortable around.

We fought against the many branches and such until they gave way to … fur? Soon we seemed to be surrounded by some sort of fur coats, the likes of which I had never seen.

"It's not so scratchy now," Adela pointed out.

Soon we fell out – fell out? We seemed to have just come from a wardrobe of some sort…

"Ahh! Intruders!" a woman screamed, running out. She was wearing the most peculiar outfit. Soon a man walked in.

"Hm, so where did you come from? Narnia perhaps?"

We nodded silently.

"Well, it sounds like you have quite a story to tell me. I'm Professor Kirke."