New Friend?
Fiona was grateful to Donkey for continuing to let her ride some more. She knew he was tired and would have to either rest soon, or she would have to go back there. She shuddered at the thought. She knew at night with Donkey she was safe, because most people were in bed. She knew though if someone wished to do her harm, with Donkey being so tired, she might not be able to get away. Right now though she was willing to take that chance. She felt guilty for pushing Donkey though.
Fiona: Poor Donkey, what a life. Like me you are a prisoner to a tyrant, and now with you being tired, I am pushing you on. Donkey, why don't we find a place to rest. I don't know where we are, so I will let you take the lead. Fiona trusting Donkey gave him his head.
Donkey thought of the perfect place. It was quiet and not generally frequented by people. It was still a little distance to go, but he instinctively felt this place would bring Fiona some peace. Poor tortured soul. He might just be a dumb animal, but he could feel her deep sadness and pain. It was like a cloak wrapped around her. He wished he could really talk, so he could comfort her somehow. He decided no matter how tired he was, he would get her to that place. It had a big building, and stones all around the place. He saw people sometime there crying over those stones, and didn't understand why the stones made people sad. He noticed though on his trips with Shrek, the people always seemed to be less sad after they left there. He hoped this place would do the same for Fiona.
Fiona: Poor Donkey, what a life. Like me you are a prisoner to a tyrant, and now with you being tired, I am pushing you on. Donkey, why don't we find a place to rest. I don't know where we are, so I will let you take the lead. Fiona trusting Donkey gave him his head.
Donkey thought of the perfect place. It was quiet and not generally frequented by people. It was still a little distance to go, but he instinctively felt this place would bring Fiona some peace. Poor tortured soul. He might just be a dumb animal, but he could feel her deep sadness and pain. It was like a cloak wrapped around her. He wished he could really talk, so he could comfort her somehow. He decided no matter how tired he was, he would get her to that place. It had a big building, and stones all around the place. He saw people sometime there crying over those stones, and didn't understand why the stones made people sad. He noticed though on his trips with Shrek, the people always seemed to be less sad after they left there. He hoped this place would do the same for Fiona.
After a quiet walk with Fiona lost in silence and Donkey trudging on like a trooper in spite of his great weariness, he soon saw the place come into sight. The thought of a rest made him speed up to get there.
Fiona was oblivious to her surroundings until she felt a jolt as Donkey's gait increased. She looked up. Where were they? Looking around she was surprised to see what appeared to be a cemetery. Why had Donkey brought her here? Puzzled she looked around. What was here for her? Why had Donkey brought her here? At this moment being here brought the pain of losing her dad and mother back again. This was the last place she had expected Donkey to bring her. Maybe she thought Donkey knew something she didn't. At this point she knew Donkey couldn't go any further. For better or worse he needed to rest and this place was it. At least it was quiet and she wouldn't be disturbed. Truth be told she was weary herself and riding for so long she was getting sore in places she didn't know could feel pain.
Donkey walked into the cemetery. He stopped and waited for Fiona to get off. For some strange reason she felt reluctant to get off of Donkey feeling like she was losing her protection, but this place had only ghosts in it, and she knew ghosts were as reluctant to bother humans as humans were to see a ghost, so she would be safe here. Donkey stamped his foot impatiently and just at that moment Fiona started to get off him and this caused her to take a tumble. She wasn't mad at Donkey, as she knew he didn't mean it.
Fiona took off Donkey's saddle so he could rest. After taking off his saddle, Fiona noticed the sun was rising, and she got scared. She didn't want to be out during the day, but she reassured herself all she had to do was stay here until Donkey was well rested, and he could get her home safely. Fiona turned and saw a man. His back was to her. Why was he here? Had he seen her?
Not willing to take a chance Fiona started to run behind the mausoleum. Why did someone have to destroy her only place where she could perhaps have felt safe?
Fiona chest heaving in fear stood behind the mausoleum hoping the man hadn't seen her, or if he did, he would ignore her. She waited her ears strained so she could hear him coming toward her. What would she do if he did? Would he try to harm her? Donkey was too tired to flee. She was on her own. Fear, her best friend for a long time now, enveloped her like a long lost lover. She waited, waited, and waited. Nothing happened.
Fiona finally not being able to stand the suspense anymore peeked around the mausoleum to see where the man was. To her surprise, the man was standing in front of a grave in the back of the grave yard crying. She felt ashamed of herself. What was wrong with her? Why, just because some men had ill used her, should she think every man is out to get her? This man wasn't here for her. He was coming to grieve. Poor man, she knew how he felt. Her heart moved with pity at the man's heaving sobs of grief. She battled within herself. She wondered if she should intrude on this man's grief to offer consolation, or not? Truth be known the fear was making her hesitate. Then she berated herself. Had being with Shrek turned her into a monster just like him? Wouldn't any normal human being seeing pain want to try to alleviate it? Was she going to let Shrek turn her into a cold hearted ogre? Where was her humanity? No, she wasn't like Shrek. She would be who her father taught her to be. In the past she wouldn't have hesitated to reach out, and she was thoroughly ashamed of herself for even questioning what she should do. Having decided, she, timidly it was to be admitted, ventured out and walked toward him making her presence known by purposely crunching on leaves. She didn't know what she could do, but her soul knew the pain of loss, and maybe somehow she could make a connection and not only help this man find release from his pain, but she could find release as well.
The man heard heavy footsteps and continued to cry or gave the appearance of crying. He smiled through his hands. Perfect his plan was working. His plan made up was made up at the spur of the moment. All he had to do was play his cards right so as not to spook her. He couldn't have planned this better if he tried. The woman he had been looking for a quite a while was here, and better yet was coming to him!
The man heard heavy footsteps and continued to cry or gave the appearance of crying. He smiled through his hands. Perfect his plan was working. His plan made up was made up at the spur of the moment. All he had to do was play his cards right so as not to spook her. He couldn't have planned this better if he tried. The woman he had been looking for a quite a while was here, and better yet was coming to him!