Cosette was a bastard child. Her mother was a whore and she did not know her father. When she was young, her mother placed her in a temporary home, so she could continue to work, sending money back to the family who took in Cosette. The family, however, did not provide for her. They merely spent the money on themselves, ignoring and inslaving Cosette. They demanded more and more money as the months went on. Cosette was mistreated and verbally abused by the caretakers. Fantine continued to sell herself for money, yet began to grow ill, chasing away business and customers.

Halend, a young blacksmith, found Fantine lying in the street one evening nearly dead. He took her to an Inn, where she was cared for and nursed to better health. However, it was not enough. Before she died, Fantine asks that Halend go and take care of Cosette. He agrees and heads off to search for her. Cosette is found when she is six, and Halend takes her away to Bree.

Years go by, and Cosette grows up basking in Halend’s love and what he provides for her. She soon began to grow curious of her past, and questions Halend about her mother, and from where she came. He refuses to tell her anything about her past, not wanting to upset Cosette.
By the slow decay of time, Halend soon grew sick and old. In his last few moments, he told Cosette everything about her past. Who her mother was, what happened, and how he came to be her guardian.
Cosette was stunned at this information, but did not hold it against Fantine, or Halend. To this day, she thanks them both for the life they struggled to give her. Although it was hard at first, Cosette keeps her spirits up, trying to forget and hide her past.