Disclaimer: I do not own A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Thank you Greenleaf's Daughter and RainWatcher for your review!

RainWatcher,

In the play Puck's gender is not determined so that allows much freedom for the director when it comes to casting. I believe, and I'm not entirely sure on the exact percentages, but I believe about 60% of theatre performers are women. This contrasts with the fact that so many roles are for men (especially in Shakespearean plays, even though in Shakespeare's time women were not allowed on stage). Because of this reason many companies cast females in male roles. My school did a Shakespearean play last year and several male roles were performed by women. As for Puck, I have seen that character played by both genders, my personal favorite happens to have been a female. So to answer your question, since there are more actresses than actors and the fact that there is no specific information on the gender, Puck can be played by either male or female. There are those who argue Puck is definately male because of Fairy's line, "Are you not he that frights the maidens of the villagery?" Act 2, Scene 1, line 35. But it can also be said that the word "he" there is meant to stand for a generalization such as calling a group of humans men. But I think that, with this story anyway, that Puck better suits the plot as a female. Anyway, I hope that answers your question.

On with the story!

The images of the fairies ripping at her flesh flashed through her brain. The leader pulled her up by her curly locks. Puck’s eyes met with the malicious smirk across his face. He punched her in the face then smashed her head into the dirt. Puck tried to scream, only allowing for more dust and mud to enter her mouth.

“How do you like it, Puck?” he laughed. The others joined in with his laughter. “Art thou not pleased when another sets the trap?”

Puck shook and tears fell as she felt a collection of feet smashing against her stomach. She opened her mouth wide to scream only to allow a hoarse squeak to escape her bloody lips. The faceless fairies stood around, each laughing at every tear that stained her face.

Puck screamed and sat up, sweat pouring from every pore.

“Robin!” Cobweb shouted rushing to the fairy’s side. “Robin, I am here. You need not worry any longer.” She wrapped her arms around Puck’s shaking body. The once feared hobgoblin gushed tears.

Puck’s wide eyes met the scared ones belonging to Cobweb. She slightly smiled and petted Puck’s hair. Puck leaned her head on Cobweb’s chest.

“Cobweb, I heard screaming,” Oberon said once having arrived at the bed. His eyes brightened upon seeing Puck moving in Cobweb’s arms. His smile faded upon hearing the muffled sobs from the hidden face. "Is she...?"

“She has awaken,” Cobweb spoke.

“Thank you, Cobweb, you may be excused,” Oberon said switching places with the servant.

Cobweb complied knowing that Oberon’s true intentions were to gather more information from the victim as well as cuddle his dear friend. She only hoped that Titania stayed out in the forest basking in the luxury the other fairies handed to her.

Oberon sat down and motioned for Puck to come closer. Puck tried her best to keep the tears behind her eyes. Oberon grabbed her and gently placed her in his lap, wrapping his arms around her. She shook in his arms. Oberon hushed her and whispered soothing words in her ears. Puck leaned on his chest, grasping his strong arms.

“My gentle Puck, how are you feeling this morning?” Oberon asked.

Puck shook her head. She wanted to smile and let him know she was better, but found it near impossible to make her lips form that once simple grin.

“Better,” she muttered.

Oberon understood that the potion would heal any external, physical wound, but had no affect on the pain the fairy would carry for years, maybe even centuries to come. They sat in silence with the exception of their breathing. Puck’s eyes stared out around her. She accepted the warm embrace her king invited her in.

Oberon put his arm around Puck’s back. He hated seeing her suffering in silence. It reminded him of the time twenty years ago around the end of summer, the time when he first came to realize that even one as tough and strong as Puck fell victim to pain.

Puck had finished yet another of the many errands Oberon sent her on. She took the time as permission to play. Puck snuck off to the end of the forest and witnessed a group of fairies including two that she knew very well lounging around. Puck kept herself from giggling and conjured up a shadow monster from the trees. The soulless image obeyed the motions of her hands and complied at her command to growl. She launched the creature on the unexpected sprites, taking laughter in their fear. Mustardseed offered to fight off the monster, ordering Peaseblossom and the other three in their company to escape. Peaseblossom refused to go without him. Mustardseed snatched a branch off the tree and began to battle with the creature. The shadow appeared to have swallowed his weapon and bared its teeth as it lunged for him. Mustardseed fell to the ground, shrieking in horror. Puck hid her cackling behind his high-pitched yells. She stepped into the bush to take a closer look at her handiwork. Peaseblossom held her breath as she stepped into the creature's territory. She quickly grabbed Mustardseed’s arm and the group of five dashed out of the area. As they disappeared Puck demolished the creature.

She brushed the dust off her hands not caring to silence her laughter. Too caught up in her game she never saw the vine of thorns surrounding the bush. She accidentally ran her arm into the vine releasing a scream that frightened every bird out of the trees. She turned around scratching her back and legs on the rest. She swatted at the branch, knocking a piece to the ground. The back of her right calf slammed into the thorns. She yelped and smashed her bare foot on the part of the vine that fell. Puck screamed, killing the plant and nearly taking the lives of the ones surrounding.

She flew away from the bush and began pulling the briars out one at a time. A pond of blood lined where she landed. She quickly removed all the ones sticking out of her arms, back, and leg. Puck sat down on a rock and lifted her foot to her face. She took a deep breath and tried her best to yank out the thorns. After a few minutes of doing so she realized they were in too deep for her to get out without causing extreme pain.

Oberon’s voice weaved through the forest entering Puck’s ears. Puck swallowed the agony in her nerves and flew off to where he stood awaiting her arrival. A mischievious smile crept over Oberon's face as the faithful sprite came into his vision. She landed before him careful not to put her sore foot down on the ground.

Oberon looked at her with a wrinkled brow.

“You called me, my king,” Puck said bowing on one leg while trying to sound cheerful.

Oberon erased the previous thoughts from his mind. “Yes, my dear Robin, I need you to torment the group of young human beings who came by and tarnished our forest just an hour prior. They held little regard for the creatures that dwell here, leaving the area in a state of disaster." His smile grew. "You are the only one I know of that can teach these irresponsible youths a lesson. And I’m sure you’ll take pleasure in this mission.”

“Yes, my great Oberon!” Puck yelled. She jumped and accidentally landed on the foot that still hosted the thorns. She howled and grabbed her foot.

“Puck, is there something ailing your foot?” Oberon asked.

Puck let her leg fall down beside the other then backed away. “It’s nothing, my lord.”

“Come here,” he called waving his finger towards her.

Puck cautiously flew over to the fairy she served.

“May I see the injury?” he asked.

“There’s no reason for you to trouble yourself with me,” Puck argued. “I have a quest to complete.”

“It can wait,” Oberon said.

He sat down and ordered Puck to do the same. Puck grimaced but complied. Oberon grasped her foot and examined the wound.

“Puck, what happened?” he gasped. “These must be removed now.”

“I tried, your majesty, believe me,” Puck replied. “It hurt too much to complete.”

Oberon’s eyes met hers and could see she only spoke the truth. Never in their time together had she lied to her king and never had she any desire to do so.

Once Puck let her guard down Oberon grabbed her and set her on his lap. He wrapped one arm around her elbows and put one leg around her waist and the other over her healthy leg. He grabbed the hurt foot and took another look. He handed Puck a thick piece of bark from his pocket, placed it in her mouth, and ordered her to bite down hard on it. Puck obeyed and Oberon went to work on the first thorn. Puck’s scream was muffled by the wood. Her teeth snapped the wood into seven pieces when he yanked out the second one. For some he had to dig deep in the skin to catch a good grasp on the object. Oberon ripped out the other eight, each being followed by an ear-shattering scream from the victim. Oberon finally released her when all the thorns were removed.

Puck immediately rubbed the sore spot on her foot. Oberon snatched her hands and gave her a firm glare.

“You are not to touch it until it heals completely, understand,” he ordered.

Puck nodded and wiped away a tear.

Oberon wrapped her foot with grass blades making sure to repeat his warning a second time. Puck looked down at the dressing then lifted her eyes to meet the gentle ones belonging to Oberon. She embraced him giving him her thanks. Oberon returned her hug and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“Now I believe I gave you an assignment,” Oberon reminded.

Puck nodded and flew off to take care of the teenagers Oberon named.

Puck lurked into the village in which the troublesome four dwelt. She tracked down their houses, planning to make a line through them. She smiled and took pleasure in pretending to be the spirit of wild animals from the forest as she crept into their houses. The first teen she happened to cross was the only female of the group, a young girl of fifteen, loose and untidy. Puck held back a laugh as she began her transformation. She growled and transfigured her shadow into the form of a cobra. The mindless girl screamed and jumped on the highest piece of furniture she could find. Puck darted her tongue, her deep dark eyes glaring into the face of the girl. The girl mentioned screeched, calling for help for one of the three males she spent most of her time with. The oldest ran into the room with a wooden staff held firmly in his grasp. Puck smirked and switched her shadow into the form of bear. The man, a fresh age of eighteen, met with the eyes of the bear and trembled at the fierce roar complete with sharp fangs. He yelled and cornered himself against the wall. The girl fainted landing on, and breaking, her wrist. Puck moved in closer, her claws out and wide, pretending to move in for the kill. The young man grasped the staff and thrusted it at the fairy in disguise. Puck growled and smashed the wood into splinters. She stood on her hind legs and raised her paws above her head, feigning a strike. The youth's face turned white and he too fell to the floor. Puck giggled before moving onto the next victim. She performed the same trick with the other two taking the form of the animal each feared worst being that of a lion and a falcon. The prank left the youngest one in hysterical tears and the other shouting to the heavens. Puck departed having made her point. Once they all woke and regained their sane minds they made a pact to never enter another forest as long as they lived. Puck squealed with glee and skipped away having heard their words. She decided to remain in the village to play a few more harmless tricks on unsuspecting mortals. Around late afternoon she returned to Oberon.

All the fairies were extra careful to return to their homes before nightfall. Both the king and queen worried over the legends of the rogue fairies and, although none had ever laid eyes on any, they were not willing to take any chances. In fact Oberon often warned his servants that if they ever came across a strange fairy to let him pass first and do nothing that could be mistaken for ill will.

Puck was the only one to ever encounter said fairies.

Oberon now held her tightly wishing he had never sent her out in the first place. He held his head high, rocking her at a steady rate. Every now and then she would sniff. Oberon kept his eyes from her face for fear of what he’d see. Puck kept her eyes closed trying to imagine every flower in the forest if only to keep their faces from her mind.

Oberon swallowed and gave into what needed to be done.

He looked down at the smaller fairy.

“Puck,” Oberon softly spoke.

The fairy lifted her head at the sound of her name.

“I understand the thoughts of yesterday cause you agony,” Oberon said. “My intentions are not to conjure up horrid memories. But I need to hear the story of what happened. Have you remembered?”

Puck looked down trying to gather all the events of what happened yesterday.

Puck nodded.

Oberon lifted her face to meet his. “Puck, you must tell me everything.”

“Yes,” Puck said wiping away another tear. She sniffed and said, “You told me to get a flower. A blue one. I left.” The memory of Cobweb popped into her head. “No,” Puck said suddenly. “I met Cobweb before my departure. I played a prank on her and she said that I would someday regret my actions.” She looked up at Oberon, “Is that the reason I was attacked, my king?” Her eyes formed tears again.

Oberon held her tighter. “This is not some kind of punishment, Puck, you must understand that. At least not as far as Cobweb is concerned.” He rubbed her head. “Now explain what happened when you left the forest. Can you remember the sun’s location?”

“It was afternoon,” Puck replied. “About one, no later than three, I'm sure.”

Oberon nodded. “What happened?”

Puck tried to remember. “I left the forest in search for the flower.” She began to weep, “I’m sorry, Oberon.”

Oberon pulled back.

“What did you remember, Puck?” Oberon asked. “Please tell me, I shall not be angry with you if you only speak the truth of what you know. Had you done anything to provoke the other fairies?”

Puck shook her head.

“You need not keep anything from me,” Oberon said.

“I didn’t,” Puck cried. “I…I, I didn’t get the flower. You sent me to…I failed you."

“Nevermind that, Puck, that is not important,” Oberon said placing two firm hands on her shoulders. “Understand, Puck that flower holds little significance to your safety. I am content in knowing that you survived a brutal attack and are now healed.”

Puck dried her tears.

"Now, Puck, can you remember their faces?" Oberon asked.

Puck's eyes became distant. "Vaguely." She rose her eyes to meet Oberon's. "If I were to see them again I'd know."

"Then they were not someone of our kingdom?" Oberon asked just to be sure.

Puck shook their head. "Not of ours or any of our allies."

Oberon inhaled deeply, satisfied to hear that his friendly neighbors dared not to begin a war. Not once since the end of four centuries before had his kingdom needed to fight another. He and the neighboring lands agreed to a peace treaty, each keeping true to their word.

"And you are not at all mistaken when you say that you did not begin the fight?" Oberon asked once more.

"No, I did nothing to anger them," Puck screamed removing herself from Oberon's grasp.

She fluttered up the branch trying to keep her tears from falling. Oberon stood up and gestured for her to return to his side.

"I only needed to be sure," Oberon spoke. "I believe you."

"Do you?" Puck asked, her eyes watering.

"I do, now return at once," he ordered extending his arms.

Puck sniffed then flew down beside her king once more.

"What precisely happened between the lot of you?" Oberon asked putting an arm around Puck.

Puck shrugged. "We exchanged a few words. I thought they meant no harm at first. My thoughts being that they wanted to play." Her face became pale. "Then they surrounded me." She began to shake. "They refused to let me pass. They blocked any exit my eyes found." Her lips trembled. "Then he pushed me." Her fingers grasped her hair. "They would not leave. They hit and kicked me every chance they could. So many. I begged them to stop. Their laughter. Oh, their laughter."

"Puck," Oberon said grabbing her shoulder. Puck's eyes shot open being immediately followed with tears. He sighed and embraced her tightly.

"They knew my name," Puck spoke in between sobs. "He laughed saying it was what I deserved for all my years of trickery." She looked up at her leader. "I did not recognize his face, Oberon, I swear it. I know not how he knew mine."

Oberon whispered sweet words to her, his hands soothing her aching and shuddering body. His eyes became cold and full of fury. The only thing that now held any significance in his heart was to track down the fairies responsible for her scars.