*I haven't fed y'all with content in a WHILE.*
Sooo. here's a small oneshot.
(Cookies will go by human names in this.)
Oberon expected this when he heard his eldest's words when she returned from the Land of Silence. That she, Pandora, witnessed the truth of the past of her Beast.... Of his .."relationship" with the faerie king himself.. He wasn't embarrassed or ashamed by it. He treasured those secret truths like it was his own breath, knowing those other Beasts might try to use it against him. Listening to Pandora's findings were a bit bittersweet though..
What he didn't expect, was the announcement from his Silver Tree Knights bursting into his throne room that the Beast of Silence was at the gates.
The Faerie king never realized he was walking fast to the gates until he was outside, blinking at the moon's light around him. Pandora was following him, shouting that he should rest or slow down. But he couldn't. He wouldn't. He needed to see this himself. This couldnt be just a ploy or trick.
He found his younger daughter, April, pointing her staff to Beast's neck, along with more knights pointing their weapons at him and his horse. He pushed past them and their worried shouts, walking closer to the Beast of Silence.
The eons of being trapped within the tree had been worse on him. His armor was still covered in dried blood and wood dust, the tremors in his hands worse for wear as he held his sword. How long has gripped his weapon? Did he stay in one position all this time?
This was no trick. This was him. His dear Solidarity. His Solomon.
With no hesitation, he opened his arms, a gentle yet tired smile as he approached them. He watched as the corrupted knight dropped his sword, hearing a chocked breath.
The Beast practically fell into the weary king's arms, letting out a choked sob as he clung to Oberon's robes. His helmet practically tossed away to the side by the king, revealing his face.
The Faerie king remembered all too clearly as he checked over his face. Solomon looked.. So much like Pandora, he could see that now.. Which he knew surprised the Ancient of Freedom immensely. If he could rewind the time, curse and all, the resemblance would be much more clearer. Dark cracks-like scars traced across his face like dark chasms, an inky black substance dirtying his eerily pale face. In his mind, he remembered clearly the beautiful white and pale green upon the knight, now all just corrupted into sickly purples and blacks.
Oberon knelt down, cradling the knight's head to his chest as he ran a hand through the fallen knight's dirty black hair, causing the Beast of Silence to grab his arms with a trembling grip. The Faerie king gently brushed his thumb his sweaty skin, worry and dread in the king's eyes as he felt the heavy wheezing of the Beast tickling his chin. He soon turned to his daughters.
"Quickly! Tell the servants to draw a bath and get Wyrll to fetch his herbs immideatly." His voice was hardened, laced with his authority but yet with the softest hints of relief.
" But Father, that is a Beast in your arms!" April spoke with vemon in his voice, holding her spear tight. She stared down at Solomon like he was nothing but a pest. "This could be a trick, a ploy-"
Did you not HEAR me, Daughter??" Oberon snapped back, his voice commanding more strength than he had been steadily recovering over the past 14 months. He held the Beast tighter to his chest, his wings unconsciously wrapping around him like a shield from his own child.
Pandora stepped forward and gently placed a hand on April's shoulder, shaking her head. "Do as he says, little sister." She said calmly, confusing the younger woman.
"Do you not see how he clings to father like a lifeline? How his weapon and helmet was dropped and cast aside?" Pandora spoke, recalling everything she learned from her journey to the Land of Silence. "If Father deems the man safe, then it must be true.."
The Faerie king's eyes softened at his eldest's words, seeing the look of pity in her eyes. He knew she will explain to her sister her understanding later. For now, they had to deescalate the situation and leave them be.
As soon as the two women left after shooting away the knights, Oberon turned back his attention to the Beast trembling in his arms. ".....You have returned to me, my knight..." He whispered gently, running a hand through his dirty and sweat filled hair. "My beloved Solidarity.. My dearest Solomon.."
Solomon slowly lifted his head from Oberon's chest, opening his mouth to speak. "Ob.. Oberon..." He spoke with shakiness and strain in his voice, having not used it in so long... just to whisper his love's name. "My... My faerie.."
"Ssh.. Ssh.." Oberon spoke softly, catching the dirty tears on his fingers."Your noble sacrifice was well done, my friend..."
He slowly stood up, holding Solomon's arm to bring him up with him. "There... That's it.." The faerie king gently coos, smiling. "Oh my beloved... Let's get you cleaned up alright? Nox tell taken care of by my servants..."
The Beast of Silence blankly stared at Oberon, a tired look well indention in his expression, but tried to stay strong. "I...I do not deserve your hospitality..." He weakly stated, looking at the strain of black he left on Oberon's beautiful pristine robes. "I...I a-am a wicked Beast.." Solomon described himself dryly, looking away.' I-I cannot be seen with a pure being a-as you..."
"Nonsense, my knight," Oberon said assuringly as he cupped his face within his hands, feeling Solomon's cold skin. It painted him to see how broken his beloved was, after eons of holding his sacrifice within the great Seal tree..
"You are exhausted.. You can barely stand upon your own feet..." Oberon spoke. "Enough with the "Beast" or "Devil of Silence" and of that... Right now.. in this moment.. You are Solomon... My beloved knight who finally returned to me.. Who now I must return the favor in protecting as you have protected all of living...."
He would feel Solomon nod, leaning against his hand.
Please..." Solomon begged, his knees almost buckling again, resting his head against the faerie's shoulder with a shaking sob.
"Please.. I-Im so.. so tired..."
