Elves Make For Strange Bedfellows

Chapter: 23 - While You Were Sleeping…

“Oberon?” Titania words were soft as she saw the King standing outside of Kimber’s bedchambers. He looked up to see his wife; she was smiling quaintly as she slowly walked over to him.

“Yes, My Queen?” he looked into her dark eyes as if seeing her for the first time in years for what she was, a beautiful visage and his wife.

“I was worried about you. I looked for you in our room but you were not there,” she spoke softly as placed a hand on his shoulder, which he touched with his hand; hers skin was warm and delicate. He inhaled deeply; she smelled of fresh lilac blossoms.

“Have you seen Kimber yet?” the King whispered, ashamed that he had yet to see his daughter.

“Yes I have,” she took his hand and led him to the door, “Come, let us go in together,” The King became uneasy before feeling his wife’s warm touch which eased his insecurities as they entered the bedchambers.

Nothing in all of Middle-earth could have prepared the King for what his eye bestowed upon. Quickly, he pulled away from Titania as he was now led by his fatherly instinct and swiftly made his way to his daughter’s bedside.

“Kimber?” he whispered as a look of panic came over his face before looking to his wife once more.

“She is sleeping Oberon and will not waken until she is ready,” Titania offered walking over to the window; she stared out into the darkness and sighed.

The King sat down on the bed beside his daughter and gently placed a strong hand upon her bruised cheeks; tears began to trickle down his face as he thought of all she had to endure at the hand of that maniac; the one he had let into their lives.

“Please Oberon, do not blame yourself my love,” the Queen now stood beside him and stroked his chestnut crop of hair. “No one could have foreseen this,” she whispered trying to stifle her tears.

“Talk to her, “ the Queen instructed, “she can hear you.”

Oberon took a deep breath and leaned down a bit, lightly stroking his daughter’s cheek, “Kimber, it’s me; Father. I am so sorry,” he whimpered resting his head on her chest.

“I want you to get better, Daddy loves you so much!” he whispered in a pleading tone.

“Oberon…” the Queen motioned to him; he stood from the bed and walked over to where she was now standing by the window once more. “We need to talk,” she whispered, “though you have been here with us, you have been gone many years,” she began.

“I know, my Queen, I know,” he sighed, thinking of the years he had lost with his family; the years he would never get back. He looked to Kimber who still remained motionless; eyes closed with no _expression on her face. How he longed to simply see her smile; he would do anything to see that now.

He looked back to his wife once more so that she could continue when they were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. The King walked over and opened the door to see Legolas standing before him. To the surprise of the Queen, he invited the elf in.

“There has been no change?” a weary look came upon the Prince’s face.

“I am afraid not, “ the Queen whispered as she moved toward the two them.

“I am sorry for the intrusion my lady and my lord, I bid you goodnight,” Legolas bowed and inched
slowly back towards the door.

“No, Legolas, please stay,” the King insisted, “My wife and I need to leave for a bit and it would please me if you stayed here with her,” he asked.

“I thank you, your highness,” Legolas bowed once more and watched as the King and Queen exited the chambers.


**********


It took all of Haldir’s energy and strength that he had left in him to finally catch the menacing fairy before he entered Felicity’s bedchambers.

“Come with me, would you,” Haldir gasped short of breath, trying to keep his composure while taking Puck by the arm and leading him away from Felicity’s door.

“Oh come now Warden! Surely you want to tell Felicity the good news about her squeezing out that watermelon!” Puck grinned widely, trying to push Haldir’s buttons.

Haldir bit his lip seeing the smirk upon Puck’s face; what he wouldn’t give to choke the little bastard right then and there; he inhaled deeply.

“What’s the matter March boy, certainly Felicity should know what lies ahead of her,” Puck teased.

Haldir quickly took charge of his anger, and offered Puck a concerned, hard stare, “Honestly Puck, do you think that it is wise to tell her? She has been through so much today, it would only upset her more,” he thought of his wife now, and how he left her. It took nearly every ounce of energy the poor midwife had to get her into bed; she was not happy about it. He thought of the look on her face when he walked out of the room, she looked as though he had abandoned her, but that was not the reason he had left for he knew as long as he were present she would be unsettled and would not heed the advice of Arianna.

Puck went silent for a moment pondering what Haldir had said.

“I know you are close with both sister’s, but to endanger someone’s health simply for one’s self amusement is not very wise my friend,” Haldir paused, wondering why in the hell he had referred Puck as his friend. He moved his hand from Puck’s arm to the nape of his neck; his grip was loose and firm at the same time.

“Warden,” Puck looked to him with a small smile, “I must admit that I am surprised by your intelligence …” Puck paused waiting for Haldir’s reaction, to his amazement, his _expression remained unchanged and unreadable. “I mean all of the stories I have heard of you and what a selfish, inconsiderate son of a bitch you are,” Puck continued, he was loving every minute of this.

Haldir felt his blood begin to boil slightly as Puck went on rambling. He knew he had to keep control of his temper for if not, Puck would surely find a way to tell Felicity the ‘news’.

“So I gather you are agreeing with me?” Haldir interrupted Puck’s ranting.

“Sure thing, Warden!” Puck grinned widely, while patting Haldir hard on the back, “Oh, I can call you Warden can’t I?” Puck wiggled his brow.

Haldir only offered him a nod as he gritted his teeth.

“Well it’s been a long day,” Puck languidly stretched his arms and let out a loud yawn, “Suppose I will turn in for the night…Got to get a good night’s sleep for I am sure that I will be ‘extremely’ busy tomorrow.” He smiled coyly.

“Yes Puck, why don’t you do that,” Haldir managed to utter through clenched teeth.

“Thanks for the talk Warden, it was most inspiring!” Puck called out as he walked away, “Goodnight Warden, see you in the A.M.!”

Haldir looked on as Puck slowly strutted towards his room, “Oh Puck, I almost forgot, I have one more thing to ask of you” Haldir called to his retreating back.

Puck swiftly spun around to face Haldir, “Sure Warden, whaazzzuup?”

“Our people are not accustomed to seeing such ‘bareness’.” Haldir stated flatly waiting for a reply.

“And?” Puck raised an eyebrow at the tall elf.

“And as the March Warden of this forest, I am telling you to find some suitable attire,” he peered at the fairy down his nose, “The Lady was taken a bit off guard by your choice of clothing, or rather, lack thereof, “ he continued.

“Really?” Puck questioned, “I could have sworn I saw her checking me out…” Puck’s words drifted off.

“Puck.” Haldir began before the impish fairy cut him off.

“Well what woman wouldn’t be intimidated by this,” Puck motioned to his body, “I tell ya what, I’ll see what I can do,” he grinned before turning and heading to his room once more.

“I thank you Puck for your consideration, as does Lady Galadriel.” Haldir stifled a small smile; pleased with himself. So he had lied! Not as though anyone would challenge his authority. What was the matter with that jackal anyway? Walking around here with flimsy piece of fabric around his waist, giving a peek to anyone who wanted a gander at the menacing ass.

What had he taken them for? King Oberon and Queen Titania dressed as the elves did; Kimber and Felicity dressed...hmm, he paused for a moment thinking of the way in which his wife dressed; a smile came across his lips for a moment before he thought of the jackal once more. The last thing he needed was him running around the Golden Wood in a washcloth, he decided as he headed back to Felicity’s bedchambers.

**********

Legolas gingerly crept up to the edge of Kimber’s bed. In his eyes, she looked like and angel, save the bruises, as she slept soundly.

Wanting to take a seat next to her, a nearby chair had caught his eye. He walked toward it yet stopped midway and sat down next to her on the bed anyway. Slowly he moved toward her so as not to jostle her fragility in any way.

Overcome with emotion, he looked away from her as tears streamed down his pale cheeks; he had only known her for a few days and yet he was dying as she lay there; and he knew it. He could feel his heart breaking and his soul fading with every moment that she lay there motionless. Wiping the tears away with his hands, he turned to look upon her face once more. She was so delicate as porcelain; as he gently placed his hand upon her abdomen, he just wanted to touch her; to be connected with her in some way.

“Kimber?” he whispered. “Kimber?” he breathed, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

“My love,” he whispered once more, “I pray that you are well, that you will be healed so that we can be together,” he took her small hand into his.

“Your father,” he paused wrestling with many emotions at once as she remained docile, “your father has given me your hand, Kimber,” he tried to smile but only tears came once more, “You are to be my wife. Can you her me Kimber? We will be together…please come back to me,” his voice was peeked as he brought his lips to her forehead once more.

*********

King Oberon looked to his wife upon entering their room. Through all of their years together, he had never seen her look so worn and full of despair.

“Tataina,” he whispered as he drew her into an embrace, “Do you know how much I love you?”

“Oberon, please…” was all she could manage to say before being silenced by a warm yet gentle kiss from her husband.

“I love you so much Tatiana, that it pains me so to see you like this,” he whispered to her once more as he looked down intently into her weary charcoal-colored eyes, “But I promise you from this day forth to make up for all I have done to you and our children,” he lowered his head and took her lips once more.

Tatiana felt a warm desire run through her body, one that she had not felt for centuries, as her husband began to kiss her more passionately, and soon found herself being scooped up in the arms of her beloved. Oberon slowly carried his wife to their bed and gently placed her down on the soft mattress, their lips never leaving one another’s.

“Oberon…” Tatiana gasped, pushing him away slightly “I really should be going to check on Kimber…”

The King let out a low sigh as he looked to her with a pained _expression, “Please Tatiana, do not leave me when I am in need of you most!”

The Queen looked to him with a soft smile, “Oberon, I am not leaving you,” she spoke softly, lightly rubbing her hand on his cheek, “I am only going to check on our daughter,”

Lowering his head to hers, he looked to deep into his wife’s eyes, “You need your rest, Tatiana. Legolas is with Kimber and I am sure that he will take good care of her, besides I think it is for the best if he had sometime alone with her. I owe him that.”
Tatiana, though true were his words, gazed at her husband in mild disbelief. “I maybe out of place in asking, but why the sudden change in heart?”

“Out of place? You, my Queen you are never out of place in asking me anything,” Oberon’s
_expression became serious, “For I have learned many things in one night than in all my year’s that I have walked this earth.”

Tatiana offered him a warm smile, “Then tell me my husband, what have you learned this night?”

“I learned that I have been a fool. Judging others by their race, refusing my own children’s happiness, a fool for indulging in my own selfishness, and a fool to have denied my wife to be treated as the queen she is,” he sighed.

“And might I ask how you gained such insight?” Titania was a little amazed at how open he was now being with her.

“My dear wife, if you stand in the shadows long enough you hear many words being spoken into night,” Oberon offered before kissing her softly.

“Forgive me Tatiana please, for I would not be able to live my life without you,” he pleaded, whispering softly into her ear.

“I will always forgive you Oberon, I love you to much not too” she sighed happily, her husband, the man she had married centuries, had finally returned.


*********


The hallway was darkened as Felicity crept out of her room and tip-toed to Kimber’s bedchamber. No one was telling her anything about her sister; she deduced they didn’t want to upset her. As far as she was concerned they had left her no choice she figured as she quickly descended the steps to her sister’s door.

Opening the door slowly, she was startled to see Legolas sitting on top of the windowsill.

“Felicity?” he whispered, walking over to meet her by the door.

“Yes?” she replied trying to see past him.

“Why are you not in bed?” he insisted, “You should not be here” he continued knowing full well that Haldir would not approve.

“Legolas,” she whispered sharply, “I will go to bed,” she paused, “after I see my sister.”

He stood there for a moment wondering what to do. There was no one about at the moment and as he looked down at the fairy oncee; he; he noticed that she was offering him a pleading look, which he could not refuse.

“Very well, Felicity,” he let her pass and made his way to the door to leave, “but I did not see you.”

“As you were, Legolas,” she whispered after him before turning and heading toward the bed where her si lay lay; the room was illuminated by a small candle on the bedside table.

Felicity gasped to herself upon seeing her sister, “Kimber? Kimber?” she wept for a moment laying her head on her sister’s chest. She looked at the wrappings on her delicate frame and was overcome with grief. She sat there for a moment and composed herself brushing a few locks of hair from her sister’s face; sobbing would do neither of them any good she deduced.

“Kimber?” she whispered for a moment, inching up next to her sister on the bed. She propped herself up on a pillow next her sister and adjusted Kimber’s head so that it rested comfortably on the crook of her shoulder.

“This is no way to get rest Kimber,” she tried to smile as she stroked her sisters hair. “If you wanted some time to yourself all you had to do was ask,” she continued trying not to sound nervous.

“Oh, I see, you aren’t in a talkative mood tonight so I guess I’ll have to carry the conversation yet again,” Felicity continued, offering a yawn.

“Oh I’ve got a funny one for you, you’ll like this…” Felicity began as she sat beside her sister and recanted her window excursion with Puck that morning. Though she could not see it deep down she knew that Kimber was smiling; even though she wished that she could see it; as seeing her sister’s welcoming grin always brightened the darkest of her days. And today was the epitome of that! She wasn’t sure if she could go on living without her sister; for not a day had passed that they were not together and now she lay in the perils of sleep. Felicity sighed once more and smoothed Kimber’s hair.

“Everyone misses you sis, but no one as much as I do,” she whispered to Kimber and kissed the top of her head, “no one as much as I do,” she repeated softly before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.


***********


Legolas waited patiently outside of Kimber’s door while Felicity visited with her sister. He hated being separated from Kimber, but he knew that he had done the right thing. The bond that the two sisters held was closer than he had ever seen before. wer were practically inseparable. A smile came over his face as he thought back to when he first saw them; tied to the tree and how they bickered constantly back and forth with one another. Yes, they were like night and day, but they both complimented one another so perfectly.

“Legolas?” Came a low whisper from over his shoulder.

So consumed within his thoughts, he had not heard Haldir approach him.

“Legolas, is everything alright?” Haldir became concerned when he did not receive a reply.

Legolas shook his head slightly, unsure as to how he should answer.

Haldir placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “Kimber still sleeps I take it. I am sorry Legolas.”

“Ai,” was all Legolas could offer in return as he bowed his head.

“She is in all of ouryersyers, Legolas. We will not give up hope.” Haldir offered.

“Thank you Haldir, I appreciate your kind words.” Legolas looked back to him, his eyes slightly glazed.

“That is what friends are for and please know that I am your friend and I am here for you. Whatever you need do not hesitate to ask of me.” Haldir offered.

Legolas nodded his head in acknowledgement once more before Haldir turned to walk away. He stopped and turned to face Legolas once more; a somewhat curious _expression now formed on his face.

“Though I maybe out of line Legolas, may I ask what is it that finds you standing outside of Kimber’s door?” Haldir’s appearance dimmed slightly, “Please do not tell me that her father still refuses to let you near her!”

Legolas felt himself give a small smile. Haldir was never the one to beat around the bush when it came to Kimber and Felicity’s father. Though Legolas’ smile soon faded when he realized that he now had to explain why,factfact, he was waiting outside.

“Actually Haldir, The King and I have spoken and he has given me his blessing to take Kimber as my wife,” Legolas began to explain.

“Well wasn’t that mighty nice of the cold heartless bastard! If only he had done that to begin with we would not be here now!” Haldir raised his voice slightly.

“Haldir please, we cannot blame this solely on his majesty. He was under the influence of that beast…” Legolas stopped short, feeling his anger flare.

Haldir seeing his friend starting to become enraged; grabbed hold of his shoulders, “Legolas, I am sorry. I should have held my tongue, especially knowing what you are going through.” Haldir apologized for re-opening Legolas’ unhealed wounds.

“Tis alright, Haldir,” Legolas gave him a look of reassurance, “But I am afraid that you will not be so happy with me when you find out my real reason for not being in Kimber’s room.”

Haldir gave Legolas a puzzled look before a known one appeared on his face, “Felicity is in there, isn’t she?” Haldir asked, slightly annoyed.

“Yes. I could not deny her Haldir, for if you could have seen the look on her face…” Legolas confided as he watched Haldir slowly open Kimber’s door and peek in before quietly shutting it and looking back to Legolas.

“Haldir?” Legolas asked, seeing the solemn look on Haldir’s face, “Is everything alright?”

“Ai, though it look’s as though the two of us will be keeping each other company,” Haldir smiled at Legolas as he leaned against a nearby wall.