After a long period of severe writer's block, I've decided to start something new with a character I've barely written for in an effort to get my inspiration back. Also Cosette seems a bit under appreciated in the fandom, so I figured it would be good to write for her. This will be done in the same style as Éponine's Tale, although I don't think I'll put them in the same universe. Might change that later, though.

Castle on a Cloud

Prologue

"Cosette, listen closely to me."

The little girl looked up at her mother's face, her blue eyes curious. "Yes mama?"

Her mother gently stroked the girls chestnut hair as she looked back and spoke. "I have to leave you, but only for a little while. I promise I'll be back soon. I'm going to get a job and earn money so I can come back for you, then we can be together always."

"No, I don't want to leave you!"

"It will be all right. These are good people, with two little girls for you to play with. Everything will be all right. I promise..."

Everything was wrong. It was all horribly wrong. How could this have become her life? In only a few short months, she had gone from a happy little girl to skinny and frightened.

Her mother had left her there with the Thénardiers when she had been three, with the promise she would return for her. They were good people, with two little girls of their own that she could play with. They had shared a swing together, talked and laughed together while their mothers had spoken, and then her mother had said goodbye and left, promising to be back soon.

Cosette was four now. Her mother still hadn't returned. Éponine and Azelma had turned on her, following their mother's example. She had no friends, she was beaten and starved, and she was frightened.

She still had her hope though. Her mother would come for her. Her mother had promised her. Everything would be all right. Maybe not now, but someday.

Her mother was coming. If not today, then tomorrow, or perhaps the day after that. And on that day, she would be the happiest girl in the world, and all of her dreams would come true. She knew it.