Impossible situation
The next day Fiona went to Shrek's dad's house. She had to talk to him about getting out of this situation. She didn't know if he would be willing or able to help her, but she had no other options.
Fiona stood on the porch the shadows playing across her face shortening as the sun was rising. She had snuck out of the house before Shrek was up, not wanting to risk his anger or see him for any reason. Besides she wanted to keep this a secret.
Fiona continued to stand there enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. She hadn't been out but once since she had left her house what seemed a lifetime ago, but for that trip to the park where she had been brutalized by a bunch of strange guys. She still didn't understand why they hated her so, but she knew that she couldn't be alone in this town with hate like that against her. Maybe she could stay with Barthus until she was old enough to be on her own and figure out what she wanted to do with her life. Now she was here, she was hesitating to ring the bell. It must be her fear that this will be a dead end, and her future which had been decided already by others would be inescapable.
Fiona decided to sit in the rocking chair to wait until she felt better. Rocking there Fiona was wondering if this was a good idea. The thought of a way out was comforting, and gave her hope. Without that, she was not sure what she would do. What if Barthus refused to help? She didn't want to even think the unthinkable. He would help her she had to believe that. She thought about the day he had come to pick her up after her dad died. It had seemed intimidating to her at first to have him there, even though she had known him throughout her childhood, but he had been kind as always. He had always had some kind of treat for her whenever he came over, and played with her a little bit. He called her pumpkin as she was round like one. The day after her dad died she remembered him comforting her the best way he could. She had nothing but good memories of him and always had a special place in her heart for Barthus.
Meanwhile in Barthus's house.
Meanwhile in Barthus's house.
Barthus answered his ringing phone.
Voice on the other end: Hi dad, this is Shrek.
Barthus: Hi Shrek, glad to see you are calling. I thought you would stay mad at me a lot longer than this.
Shrek: I am not calling for that. I was wondering if Fiona is over there.
Barthus: No. Why would she be here?
Shrek: I woke up and saw she wasn't here. She has to be there. She doesn't know anyone else, and after the incident in the park the other day, I don't think she would go anywhere else.
Barthus: Incident? What incident?
Shrek: Dad! I need to find Fiona.
Barthus: I am sorry son, she isn't here. I wish I could tell you she was.
Barthus wanted to know about the incident, but realized pushing the issue wouldn't work. He would get it out of him eventually.
Voice on the other end: Hi dad, this is Shrek.
Barthus: Hi Shrek, glad to see you are calling. I thought you would stay mad at me a lot longer than this.
Shrek: I am not calling for that. I was wondering if Fiona is over there.
Barthus: No. Why would she be here?
Shrek: I woke up and saw she wasn't here. She has to be there. She doesn't know anyone else, and after the incident in the park the other day, I don't think she would go anywhere else.
Barthus: Incident? What incident?
Shrek: Dad! I need to find Fiona.
Barthus: I am sorry son, she isn't here. I wish I could tell you she was.
Barthus wanted to know about the incident, but realized pushing the issue wouldn't work. He would get it out of him eventually.
Shrek: Ok thanks Dad.
Barthus: Shrek?
Shrek visibly impatient: What is it dad?
Barthus: Have you told her yet? I need to get these wedding plans going, as a royal wedding takes a good year or more to plan. We can't put this off much longer.
Shrek trying to control his temper: Dad! I need to go find Fiona!
Barthus: Shrek?
Shrek visibly impatient: What is it dad?
Barthus: Have you told her yet? I need to get these wedding plans going, as a royal wedding takes a good year or more to plan. We can't put this off much longer.
Shrek trying to control his temper: Dad! I need to go find Fiona!
Barthus finally comprehending: You mean she really is gone and you have no idea where she is?
Shrek: Genius dad! That is exactly it!
Barthus: What did you do?
Shrek on the verge of ripping the phone in half gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.
Shrek: What do you mean what did I do?
Barthus: Shrek, calm down. I know your temper and you haven't exactly been of the sunniest disposition lately, so I was thinking maybe you two had a fight?
Shrek sputtering: Dad, so help me, if you don't stop I will, I will...
Barthus ignoring his son's anger: Look, I will help you find her. Maybe I can find out what her problem with you is. After all I was there right after her father died. I know you aren't the most diplomatic of people and that is the understatement of the century.
Shrek snorting like an angry bull wished he could slam the phone down in his father's ear, but this being a cell phone it wouldn't have the same effect. He satisfied himself by throwing the phone on the ground and savagely stomping it.
Barthus: Son, son?
Realizing he had hung up, he put his phone in his pocket and debated his next move. Where would Fiona be? That son of his really needed to learn how to control his temper. He couldn't have a simple conversation without him getting riled about something. He didn't know why Shrek was angry all the time, but he needed to smooth things out between those two.
Shrek: Genius dad! That is exactly it!
Barthus: What did you do?
Shrek on the verge of ripping the phone in half gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.
Shrek: What do you mean what did I do?
Barthus: Shrek, calm down. I know your temper and you haven't exactly been of the sunniest disposition lately, so I was thinking maybe you two had a fight?
Shrek sputtering: Dad, so help me, if you don't stop I will, I will...
Barthus ignoring his son's anger: Look, I will help you find her. Maybe I can find out what her problem with you is. After all I was there right after her father died. I know you aren't the most diplomatic of people and that is the understatement of the century.
Shrek snorting like an angry bull wished he could slam the phone down in his father's ear, but this being a cell phone it wouldn't have the same effect. He satisfied himself by throwing the phone on the ground and savagely stomping it.
Barthus: Son, son?
Realizing he had hung up, he put his phone in his pocket and debated his next move. Where would Fiona be? That son of his really needed to learn how to control his temper. He couldn't have a simple conversation without him getting riled about something. He didn't know why Shrek was angry all the time, but he needed to smooth things out between those two.
Walking toward his door he had to admit he was worried. Things weren't going as he had hoped. It had been over 6 months since Fiona moved in, and he thought for sure those two would have found love with each other. Shrek sure was bull headed darn his hide.
Stepping onto his porch he heard rocking. Turning toward the sound he saw Fiona sitting there. So She had come here, but why? This couldn't be good. Dang blast his son's stubborn hide. If she came here things must really have fallen apart. He started to panic inside. This wedding had to take place, and he had to find a way to make it happen for all their sakes.
Trying to stay calm he walked over to the other chair on the porch.
Barthus: Well Fiona, what a surprise! It is good to see you again. How are you doing?
Fiona taken off guard at his appearance couldn't speak.
Barthus frowned this was more serious than he thought. She really was upset.
Fiona: Not so good.
Barthus with false jocularity: I am sure that it isn't as bad as you think. Whatever it is I am sure it can be worked out.
Fiona passionately: No everything is not alright! It is as horrible as horrible can be!
Barthus frowned and didn't know what to say.
Fiona calming herself down: Barthus you promised me after daddy died, that you would always take care of me. Now I need you to keep that promise.
Barthus: What do you mean? You are taken care of. Shrek is taking care of you isn't he? If he isn't...
Barthus: Well Fiona, what a surprise! It is good to see you again. How are you doing?
Fiona taken off guard at his appearance couldn't speak.
Barthus frowned this was more serious than he thought. She really was upset.
Fiona: Not so good.
Barthus with false jocularity: I am sure that it isn't as bad as you think. Whatever it is I am sure it can be worked out.
Fiona passionately: No everything is not alright! It is as horrible as horrible can be!
Barthus frowned and didn't know what to say.
Fiona calming herself down: Barthus you promised me after daddy died, that you would always take care of me. Now I need you to keep that promise.
Barthus: What do you mean? You are taken care of. Shrek is taking care of you isn't he? If he isn't...
Fiona starting to get angry thinking of what she had been through stood up as if the chair was too small to hold her with all the emotion inside her: I have everything physically a person could ask for, but I can't stand your son! I know you love him, but he hates me, and doesn't miss any opportunity to let me know. He is bad tempered, ill mannered, irascible, stubborn, and a slob and those are his good points. I had to live in a prison of grief and pain after momma died when daddy stopped living and gave up. Now I live in a prison of a different sort, but no less horrible! I can't take it anymore! You have to help me! You have to get me away from Shrek and help me start new somewhere else.
Fiona moved closer to Shrek's father: Please Barthus, Please help me!
Barthus backed away uncomfortable with her raw emotion. He had never seen anyone so broken up. Anger he could deal with, but this pain was beyond him.
Barthus clearing his throat looked down.
Fiona looked down realizing that her last chance at help was drifting away.
Barthus: Look Fiona, I don't know if Shrek has told you about our conversation.
Fiona: You mean about me being a princess and his future kingship after we marry? Yes he has. If he was telling the truth.
Barthus: He was Fiona. You must understand how important this is for all involved.
Barthus lying: I know Shrek loves you, Fiona. He just doesn't know how to show it.
Fiona softly: If that is love I sure would hate to see how he treated me if he hated me.
Barthus backed away uncomfortable with her raw emotion. He had never seen anyone so broken up. Anger he could deal with, but this pain was beyond him.
Barthus clearing his throat looked down.
Fiona looked down realizing that her last chance at help was drifting away.
Barthus: Look Fiona, I don't know if Shrek has told you about our conversation.
Fiona: You mean about me being a princess and his future kingship after we marry? Yes he has. If he was telling the truth.
Barthus: He was Fiona. You must understand how important this is for all involved.
Barthus lying: I know Shrek loves you, Fiona. He just doesn't know how to show it.
Fiona softly: If that is love I sure would hate to see how he treated me if he hated me.
Barthus stood there looking at Fiona: How could Shrek not love this woman? She was lovely, passionate, gentle, and caring. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and comfort her. He wanted to hold her and tell her that she didn't have to go back.
The thought of this delicate lovely ogress being the wife of his ungrateful, bad tempered son broke his heart. He didn't know how it had happened, but he realized he was in love with her, and wanted her for himself. It was impossible though. Problem was would his heart let him do this? He had to try for all their sakes, because of that darn contract. He silently cursed himself for ever agreeing to it. Now he had to send the woman he loved off to marry his son who didn't appreciate her, and watch them together knowing she will never be his to hold and love. The pain was indescribable. Maybe he should tell her how he felt and let the cards fall where they may.
Barthus hesitating clearing throat: Fiona, I...er.. He stopped. He couldn't go on.
Fiona looked at him seeing the intensity on his face. He almost looked like he was pleading with her somehow.
Fiona looked at him seeing the intensity on his face. He almost looked like he was pleading with her somehow.
Fiona softly: Yes Barthus? She felt herself softening at his expression. He really did care what happened to her after all. He was acting like a man in love. Could he in fact be in love with her? She wouldn't mind being with him as he was kind and had been her father's friend. Yes the thought of that made her very happy. She knew she was already half in love with him being so kind. Fiona held her breath expectantly. She hoped that she would hear those sweet words Fiona, I love you, will you marry me? That would solve everything.
Barthus stood there watching Fiona wondering what was going through her mind.
Barthus stood there watching Fiona wondering what was going through her mind.
Barthus sadly: Fiona, we should talk inside and call Shrek to let him know you are here. Whatever problems you two have will have to be worked out as you two will be husband and wife in less than a year and a half. We need to get the wedding plans going soon.
Fiona: I thought that... she stopped. What did it matter? Obviously she was wrong.
Fiona: I thought that... she stopped. What did it matter? Obviously she was wrong.
Barthus upset turned and walked into the house leaving Fiona on the porch. She stood there numb. So all hope was gone. She would go inside eventually, but for now she just needed to stand here and think and feel nothing or she would go insane. Yes, she would go face her future, but only when she had the courage to do so.