Ok, I am so sorry about that last chapter definitely not some of my best work lol This has been a super busy week with classes starting back, so I apologize for the late update.
Now on to more exciting news! I am going to be co-writing a Green Knight/Merlin crossover with the marvelous Anne-Lilian! I'm so excited about this guys, and I really want you to go and check out her Merlin fics! They're awesome, and I think you would really enjoy them! :)
Chapter 29
The next month passed in a flurry of dress fittings, feasting, and celebration for Felicity. Her mother-in-law was beginning to warm to her presence and Thea was becoming very dear to her.
Oliver was on her mind constantly. She loved the way his lips curved in a smile when she entered a room, or the way his eyes grew stormy when they argued. Which was the look she was receiving at the moment.
"My love, she is your mother and as such she should be given a place of honor at our wedding", Felicity said with a caring smile.
They had been sitting by the fire in his war room talking of their upcoming nuptials when the argument ensued. Oliver had yet to forgive his mother for her hurtful words spoken out of fear.
Felicity had explained to him that she and his mother had made peace. However, the stubborn man still saw his own mother as a threat.
"You do not know her! Even now, she is planning to tear us apart", Oliver said angrily.
"Can you hear yourself? You are raving like a madman!"
"I will not lose you", he said hoarsely.
Felicity gently grabbed his hand as he paced by, tugging on his arm until he took his vacant seat. His fingers melded with hers, and she took the opportunity to study his hands.
From the moment she'd met the Green Knight she had been fascinated with his hands. For a man of war they were graceful, his fingers long and thin, callouses from his training marring the skin.
Felicity ran a delicate finger over his hand, tracing the white, jagged scars that stood out against his tan skin. She smiled into his blue eyes, her eyes caressing his stormy features.
She watched as his anger faded, replaced by a soft smile.
"You will surely be my undoing", he said with a chuckle.
"If your are not mine first, sire", Felicity grinned.
Oliver sat back in his chair, his eyes going from the beautiful woman beside him to the fire roaring in the hearth. His skin tingled with her touch, and warmth spread up his arm, seeping into his heart.
There was no woman as merciful or kind as the woman about to become his wife. Another might have held a grudge against his mother for what she'd sought to do, but not Felicity- not his Felicity.
She truly was his, as he was hers. Most might not consider his heart to be delicate and breakable, but the little blonde treated him with such care and understanding. He felt safe to be himself, safe to love and be loved in return.
"You are a remarkable woman, my lady", he said moving his gaze back to her pretty features.
"Thank you for remarking on it, sire", Felicity said with a wink.
Oliver's deep, rumbling laugh caused her smile to widen. After everything that had transpired over the past few months, his laughter had been a fleeting sound- here one moment and gone the next.
She hadn't realized how much she'd missed it until it echoed out in the quiet room. His smile was brilliant and she could never get enough of it. It transformed his face, and seemed to take away all of the pain that at times shadowed his features.
"I can not believe that tomorrow I become the Queen of Starling", Felicity said in awe as she stared thoughtfully into the flames.
"You will be a great queen, my love. I have no doubt. The people adore you, and my men would follow you anywhere", Oliver replied lovingly.
"You have changed my life, and have enabled me to do things that I never thought possible. If that girl in the village had been told all those months ago that she would become queen of a large kingdom and marry a wonderful man, she never would have believed you."
"Yes she would. This is the same woman who dressed as a young boy and followed me to Starling. The same woman who is to this day the best armor bearer I have ever had. You say I changed your life, but I whole heartedly believe that you changed mine", Oliver said stroking her cheek.
Felicity smiled tremulously at his words, the pride in his voice causing her heart to swell with love for the man beside her. He was the only man she would ever love. After knowing Oliver of Starling, it was impossible for her to fathom caring for another the way she did for him.
"I love you Oliver", she said kissing his palm.
Oliver stared into her big blue eyes before standing and pulling her to him. His lips touched hers tenderly before pulling away. He smiled at the dreamy look on her face and then lay his forehead against her own, his arms wrapped securely about her waist.
"I believe you have a wedding to attend tomorrow, do you not", he said with a grin.
"You are correct, sire. I have a very important wedding to attend."
"How did I become so blessed? Tomorrow I wed the love of my life surrounded by our friends and family", he whispered.
"I believe it all started when you were defeated by a group of bandits in a tiny village, sire." Felicity replied with a smirk.
"I believe you are right, my sweet. Thank you for reminding me. Now you must get your rest", Oliver smiled as he kissed her nose.
"Goodnight, Oliver", she replied before moving to the door.
The next morning, Felicity woke slowly, opening her eyes to see brilliant sunlight filtering into her bedchamber. Her mind immediately moved to Oliver, and what he must be doing at that moment. The thought that she wouldn't see him for hours yet made her want to see him all the more.
She was pulled from her musings by a light tapping on her shoulder. She looked over and found Thea hovering over her with a huge grin brightening her features. The younger woman's eyes sparkled with merriment, and she looked much too put together for such an early hour.
"Good morning, Thea", Felicity said with a smile.
"Good morning, Felicity. We must get you prepared, I fear my brother is driving John mad with his anxiousness."
Felicity laughed at the picture her new sister painted. She could just see Oliver pacing his chambers in his black breeches with his white shirt open at the collar and sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. John would be leaning against the wall, a look of exasperation settling on his features and his arms folded across his chest.
"By all means, let us hurry. We do not wish for the great king of Starling to move his men to insanity", she said with an amused smirk.
Felicity rose from the bed with a stretch, her hands reaching for the sky as she worked to rid her limbs of their sluggishness. She made her way to the steaming tub, and then disrobed.
The warmth enveloped her as she sank into the heavenly smelling liquid. She was only allowed a moment before a maid began to wash her hair, the scent of lilac filling the room.
When she was finished, Felicity stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel. She sat by the fire as a maid brushed her hair until it was dry. Her golden locks were styled elaborately atop her head, Thea nodding in approval, before she was ushered into her wedding attire.
The material was silken and the color of fresh cream. Beading, elaborate and sparkling, adorned the bodice while the skirt was full and elegant. The sleeves hung to her wrists, loose and flowing.
She stood before her mirror, a smile on her face wondering what her husband would think of her finery. Suddenly, a necklace appeared and a voice sounded behind her.
"I wore this on the day that I married Robert. I thought that it would be appropriate for you to wear it on your special day", Moira said with a smile as she clasped the beautiful emerald around Felicity's neck.
Felicity's eyes filled with tears as she stared at Oliver's mother in the mirror, her hand settling over the lovely piece of jewelry.
"Thank you, Moira. I will wear it with pride."
"You are welcome, my dear. Now let us get you to my son before he paces a hole in the chapel floor."
Felicity stood at the doors of the chapel and watched as Moira and Thea took their seats. She smiled at John as he approached.
"Are you ready, my lady?"
"Yes John. I don't think I've ever been more ready for anything in my entire life."
Before she could take the knight's proffered arm, something banded around her waist and she was hauled backward. The feeling of hot breath on her neck made her shudder and a hard metal plate pressed into her back.
She watched, terrified, as John was clubbed over the head. A scream tore from her throat as she watched her friend's body crumple to the ground, and she struggled madly against the force that held her.
"Shhh, my lady. We don't want your husband to find us."
Felicity felt a chill race up her spine. She knew that voice, had loved that voice, but it was impossible because he was dead! She felt the shock of her discovery as only one name fell from her lips.
"Cooper."
Ok, what do you think of Cooper's appearance? Yes, no, maybe? Also, what do you think about the crossover? I'm anxious to hear your thoughts, so please review and tell me all about it :)
