Creation
Obrey was created by Bronwyn Taggart and penciler Peter Gross in The Books of Faerie issue 1 in 1998.
Major Story Arcs
Auberon’s Tale
Obrey is a hard character to parse. He seems to have two sides, but it is unclear whether they are in conflict, or whether he is truly the one and pretends the other.
Obrey’s title is Lord Windan. He is descended from Haakon and from him in turn from Huon. He is a member of the court of Faerie under King Magnus. As a child, he played happily with Dymphna and Huonnor. As an adult, he partakes liberally of the women available to the court. He speaks often of honor, and seems sincerely unhappy when things are done dishonorably, for instance when a cabal meets to discuss ways to replace the king.
However, when the king is accidentally killed, and Obrey’s name is suddenly brought up as a potential successor, he seems willing to do what it takes to stay in contention. He is unlikely to win outright, but there is also a claim for the child Auberon, and Auberon’s guardian and aunt is Dymphna, his childhood friend. Amadan convinces him to chase after this connection.
Dymphna always had a crush on him; it is unclear how much this feeling was reciprocated. Multiple times, he makes what seem to be sincere declarations of his love and caring for her; other times he seems more calculating in his increasing relationship with her after Auberon’s claim is discovered.
Obrey visits Dymphna and Auberon to let them know Auberon may become king. Dymphna is overjoyed to see Obrey again.
However, Obrey’s cousin Huonnor, Duke of Grimwar, also wants the throne, and the two sides form armies and meet in combat.
Dymphna and her aide Bridey come to the camp and give Auberon his father’s sword. She and Obrey also continue to connect in their relationship. Obrey says he is always thinking of her.
Huonnor comes upon Auberon in the battle, but doesn’t realize who he is because he is so young. When Obrey shows up and explains who Auberon is, Huonnor lays down his sword, saying he cannot fight the child.
Auberon is very happy with how his uncle helped him, but Amadan convinces him to not give him any honors, saying Obrey would not want them. However, Auberon’s lack of official honors for Obrey hurts him, and makes him more willing to throw him over when the time comes.
Auberon is crowned king, and Obrey becomes the regent, governing in Auberon’s name until he is old enough. Obrey then finds Dymphna and asks her to marry him, and she agrees. Now Obrey is both regent and uncle by marriage to Auberon, giving him more power. Auberon continues to manipulate him. Obrey’s plan is to have children with Dymphna and thus create even more of an argument for his own line to be in power.
He is shocked, however, when they find out that Huonnor has been killed (due to Amadan’s manipulations). He would not go that far. Auberon, however, sees what’s going on and runs away to keep from being killed himself. Obrey is now fully in charge as regent.
The Books of Faerie
Over time, Obrey takes the title of King, and Dymphna is his Queen. He now regularly fights wars of succession with Auberon and his forces. Dymphna still seems to care for Obrey, but now takes magical herbs to keep from having children. She spends much time with various Flitlings, dallying in the countryside.
Dymphna finds a young girl, Maryrose, in the woods. She and her fairies help trick her into coming to Faerie, and show her magic. She starts to call Maryrose “Rosebud.”
Unable to handle the fact that he and Dymphna cannot have children, he looks around for a new wife and mother-to-be. Amadan sets up Maryrose is set up as a romantic companion to the King as she gets older.
Obrey enchants Dymphna into becoming an oak tree due to her loyalty to Auberon and her lack of children. There is a rhyme that goes with this transformation: “When the truth is plainly seen, Queen Dymphna’s oak is full and green.”
Obrey pretends that Auberon is the one who turned Dymphna into a tree. Maryrose marries Obrey and becomes Queen Titania.
Obrey is later killed in a battle of succession with Auberon, who finally becomes king.
Auberon marries Titania to make peace.