It's always been an interesting Tellius topic to write about: Soren being raised as the Prince of Daein. But, I wanted to take it in a little different direction. Soren does find out he's the prince, but only after being rescued... Not by Ike, but by a little Daein girl named Adeliza. So the story will follow from both Soren and Adeliza's perspectives as they're forced to take opposite sides during the Mad King's War. And here begins the first chapter: hope you enjoy!

[Also, Adeliza's first meeting with Soren will probably sound similar to Ike's b/c I found setting something else up and having it be as powerful was harder than it looks]

Young 6- year old Adeliza had been talking a walk that day, her mother was busy in the market and she promised her mother she'd return shortly. Her wavy brown gently pulled into two pigtails was bouncing as she walked. She quietly was humming to herself, it was the only sound to be heard in the whole forest. She listened to the sound of her own voice as she admired the many flowers and birds. She was interrupted however when she heard a different noise. It sounding like someone was crying, and I was coming from near the big oak tree in front of her.

Quickly Adeliza ran over to see what was the matter and sure enough, there was a little raven-haired boy there, and he was indeed crying. Curious and empathetic as ever, Adeliza bent down to talk to him, "Hey, uh, are you okay?" She asked as politely as she could. The boy then wearily sat up and Adeliza noticed how thin he was. He was covered in various scars and bruises, however she could see his pale skin shining through where the tear tracks ran from under his eyes. His eyes were a piercing red and he gave a glare like he wanted her to leave- right now- But, something about his gaze made him appear afraid. Adeliza could tell that the boy didn't mean her harm, he was just scared. "What's wrong?" She asked, "I heard you crying, are you okay?" She then took a seat on the forest floor nearby him.

The boy continued to look at her, it seemed as if he was going to speak but then...wouldn't. Or- perhaps couldn't. Just then the boy's stomach let out a loud growl and he immediately clutched at it. "Are you hungry?" Adeliza asked, "Here. I have some food you can have. It's just an apple my mommy gave me for a snack. But you need it more than I do." The boy didn't say anything but was hesitant to accept Adeliza's gift, after gazing at her he just lowered his head back down.

(If he could speak he would tell this girl what had happened to him, he could ask her questions, but he couldn't talk. No one had taught him to)

"Go on," Adeliza said, "Take it, it's for you." Finally the boy relented and grabbed the apple from Adeliza. He ate it like he had never eaten before in his life. Adeliza watched and smiled, "I'm glad you like it!" She said happily, "My mommy always picks the best apples from our garden." When the boy had finished he looked back at Adeliza, as if pleading for more food.

"I'm sorry..." Adeliza said disappointedly, "That's all I have. But Mommy and Daddy have more food at our house. You shod come visit, you could stay for dinner!"

The boy suddenly began to look more frightened, and shook his head. "Why not?" (The boy longed to tell Amelia why he was afraid but he still couldn't speak) instead he just hung his head and looked quite saddened, like he had before. Adeliza then scooted over closer to him. "hey! Don't be sad!" She said with the usual smile on her face, "Let's be friends okay?"

'Friend' the boy had heard the word but he never had anyone in his life he could call 'friend' it had just been empty letters on a page. He looked up at Adeliza and smiled. He did want to be her friend, she was kind enough to give him food, the only one who ever did. Instead harsh words, she spoke kind ones, and she had such a warm, comforting smile. He nodded as a way is agreeing

"Ok! So what's your name?"

Name? The boy had one, he knew it- but had spent most of his life being called 'you' or 'boy'. But he wanted this girl as a friend more than anything, so he had to try to communicate it her.

"S-s...rr.." "S...S..n-n.." Adeliza looked confused, "are you trying to say... Sar-, no... Suu- no... oh, i I know! is it Soren?" She asked.

Soren? Yes, that was his name- she must've understood him! The boy happily nodded. "I like that name! I'm Adeliza!" She replied with a nice big smile. Adeliza, the boy thought It was a beautiful name, "a-A...dl...a.."

Adeliza continued to smile, "yeah that's it! You can't really talk can you?" The boy shook his head sadly. "That's okay!" Adeliza said, "We can still be friends! Why don't you come back to my house?" Again the boy looked fearful and wanted to back away. "Hey, wait! Don't be scared!" Adeliza said, "I won't hurt you and neither will Mommy and Daddy. You can trust me."

She held her hand out for the boy to take. Slowly but surely he crawled back up and hesitantly took Adeliza's hand. "There." Adeliza said, "it's okay, here I'll show you that you don't have to be afraid." She then gave Soren a big hug, which he was startled by at first. But then he felt the warmth of Adeliza and instantly hugged her back, tightly so as not to let go. He had always wanted someone to lay a comforting arm around him whenever he was afraid, but instead all he would ever receive were beatings and scars.

Adeliza gave a shy laugh, "You like hugs don't you?" She said, "heheheh, that's okay, that's what friends do." Still Soren refused to let go, he didn't want Adeliza to ever let go either. But she had to, (she still held his hand)

"Come on Soren, lets go back to my house. Soren nodded and slowly stood up, walking was a little difficult since he had twisted his ankle. But Adeliza slowed down to walk at his pace. "You'll like it at my house Soren." Adeliza said, "it may not be real big but it's still good. It's better than staying in the woods!" Soren nodded in agreement as he held on tight to Adeliza's hand. "What were you doing all alone out there anyway?" (Cursed. It's because I'm cursed... Soren thought, you're supposed to hate me like everyone else- but you don't. Maybe I'm not cursed after all, if only I could tell the what you be so nice means to me.) at a loss of words, Soren just looked sad as usual and nervously pointed to the red mark on his forehead.

"What because of your birthmark?" Adeliza asked, "Well that's silly! I like your mark, and I like you!" (She... Likes me? Soren thought, maybe I'm some not cursed child- if this girl likes me then... Then maybe there's hope.) she smiled again, Soren was finding that he loved to see her smile.

"Are your parents going to come looking for you?" Adeliza asked, "I know if I got lost my parents would be really sad and come try to find me." Soren looked down towards the ground, wherever his parents were they didn't seem to care for him at all. He shook his head 'no' to try and tell the girl this.

"Oh... ...do you not have any parents?" Adeliza asked. Soren shook his head again. Quickly Adeliza responded, "That's okay! You can share mine! My mommy and daddy are really nice they love me very much and I'm sure they'll love you too!" Soren smiled at Adeliza again, If only he could speak to her! to tell her how much this meant him- that someone would be so kind to him after all the suffering he's had to endure. He had thought he was supposed to be hated, that be was dying, but there she was- she had saved him. He had to try to tell her this! hmm... what was the word she uaed before?

"mmhm... ... F-f..rr...nd.."

"You mean to say..., friend? Yeah Soren! We're friends now! Best friends!" "Anyway- my family and I are judging visiting Gallia, we live back in Daein. That's north of here. You'll like it there- I know I do!"

Soon they arrived back at the house, Soren never let go of Adeliza's hand as they walked (he still didn't). "Mommy! Daddy!" She called. Soon both of her parents came over to Adeliza, Soren though moved a little further behind- he was nervous of what may happen now. "Mommy, Daddy, I found a boy out in the forest- he was all alone and hungry so I thought we could help him." She said, "c'mon out Soren, it's okay- Mommy and Daddy won't hurt you. Slowly he crept out from behind Adeliza to look up at her parents, they looked like nice people. But then again, enough 'nice' people had turned right around to strike him.

"Oh you poor little thing!" Adeliza's mother said, "Adeliza, it is good thing you found him." She then bent down to Soren's level, "Don't worry sweetheart everything's going to be alright." Then her father spoke, "Yes, come inside and we'll get you cleaned up and well fed."

Food? A Bath? Soren had either in so long, maybe he could trust Adeliza's family. He then started to head inside, taking Adeliza with him. "Mhmheheh... You don't want me to leave do you?" She said smiling, "you haven't let go my hand yet."

Once again how Soren longed for the ability to speak- he would tell her just how much this meant to him, someone finally showing compassion. He had to try- she had ask if he wanted to her leave, that answer was simple-He shook his head no in response. "That's okay, we'll like having you here! You'll like it too! I bet Mommy and Daddy could even teach you how to talk!"

Soren smiled at that. Never again would he leave Adeliza's side.

Soren stayed in the care of Adeliza's family for a few weeks before they headed back to Daein. Upon reaching Daein, there came a starling revelation, Soren's parents were indeed still alive, and more important- they were none other than the King and Queen of Daein themselves. That little boy who's life Adeliza saved, was Daein's very own crown prince.

It was a little unsettling for him at first, to think that these were the very same people who abandoned him and left him for dead. Almedha, his mother (the queen) was more than delighted to have finally found him at last. His father, king Ashnard, had decided to give the boy a second chance to prove himself. He managed to survive this long so the boy must have a great potential to become a strong warrior, he thought. So Soren stayed at the royal court, he found it hard to forgive his parents at first, he got more accustomed to his role as prince as time went on.

And at every step Adeliza was right close behind at his heels. He wanted to keep her close to him, for she was the one person he trusted above all else. The only person he truly loved.

And sometimes, on a few occasions, he would wish himself in her place, to live a life free of princely duties... To live free of trying to meet his father's impossible expectations. Some days his new life felt just as dreary as his old.

And then... There was the day Daein invaded Crimea, and nothing would ever be the same.