Too Late?
Shrek was beyond angry. He whirled Donkey around viciously and kicked him in the ribs. He needed to feel the wind whipping in his face.
Donkey huffing and puffing was feeling resentful of this blob of fat kicking him and forcing him to run at top speed. He was not a horse, but a donkey, there was a difference. He was not made to be a race horse. Every time he slowed down he felt a vicious kick in his sides. He knew he couldn't keep it up much longer.
The wind lashing at Shrek's face like a sand blaster felt good. He wanted to forget the pain coursing through him, and the physical blasting of the wind overshadowed the emotional pain. He couldn't believe she wasn't grateful to him. After all he took her in and since then his whole life had been turned topsy turvy upside down. He felt like she should be more understanding and realize what an imposition her being with him was like. She of all people after losing her dad recently, should know what having everything in your life that made you happy ripped away from you. Growling softly under his breath, he pointed Donkey toward the cemetery his safe place.
Donkey huffing and puffing was feeling resentful of this blob of fat kicking him and forcing him to run at top speed. He was not a horse, but a donkey, there was a difference. He was not made to be a race horse. Every time he slowed down he felt a vicious kick in his sides. He knew he couldn't keep it up much longer.
The wind lashing at Shrek's face like a sand blaster felt good. He wanted to forget the pain coursing through him, and the physical blasting of the wind overshadowed the emotional pain. He couldn't believe she wasn't grateful to him. After all he took her in and since then his whole life had been turned topsy turvy upside down. He felt like she should be more understanding and realize what an imposition her being with him was like. She of all people after losing her dad recently, should know what having everything in your life that made you happy ripped away from you. Growling softly under his breath, he pointed Donkey toward the cemetery his safe place.
Donkey chugged along feeling like his lungs and legs were going to collapse. He couldn't hold out much longer. He was used to carrying large loads, but this blob of fat was extra large.
Arriving at the cemetery, Donkey stopped and refused to go further. He just couldn't go any farther. Shrek impatiently gave Donkey one last vicious kick and that did it. Donkey rebelling reared up and threw this blob off of him. Shrek not expecting this, felt himself slipping from Donkey.
Shrek found himself flat on the hard ground his backside smarting something fierce. He in a way was glad for this pain, because it dulled the other pain inside. This pain he knew how to handle. Also it gave him an excuse to vent his bubbling wrath on something.
Shrek when he got angry talked with a more pronounced brogue: I swear by all that is holy, if ye iver do that agin, I will sell ye to the glue factory.
Donkey neighing in reply: Well that seems a sight more pleasant of a prospect then continuing to be your mode of transportation.
Donkey neighing in reply: Well that seems a sight more pleasant of a prospect then continuing to be your mode of transportation.
Shrek walked over to his favorite bench to sit down and think. He needed to absorb everything. His mind had been reeling for the longest since the conversation with his dad earlier that day.
Shrek sat down and was quickly lost in thought. This place was so quiet and private. He felt that there was nothing that he couldn't find an answer to here.
Shrek's reverie was interrupted by Ariella. She was a frequent visitor to the cemetery as she had lots of family interred here, and was a sort of friend of Shrek, if an ogre could have a friend.
Ariella: Hey Shrek. It has been a while since I have seen you here. What's up?
Shrek: Nothing. I just needed to get away and do some thinking.
Ariella not fooled seeing the frown lines and the deeper than usual scowl on his face: You know Shrek, I consider you a friend, and I hope you consider me one as well. I can see you are upset and would like to help.
Shrek: There is nothing you can do, so I would appreciate it if you just this one time left me alone.
Ariella: Look Shrek, sometimes just talking about things can help. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders all by yourself you know.
Shrek irritated: I don't mean to be rude... but....
Ariella interrupting: Come on Shrek, what can it hurt to tell someone? Maybe there is something I can do?
Shrek realizing she wasn't going away and all of a sudden feeling like he needed to talk agreed.
Ariella: Hey Shrek. It has been a while since I have seen you here. What's up?
Shrek: Nothing. I just needed to get away and do some thinking.
Ariella not fooled seeing the frown lines and the deeper than usual scowl on his face: You know Shrek, I consider you a friend, and I hope you consider me one as well. I can see you are upset and would like to help.
Shrek: There is nothing you can do, so I would appreciate it if you just this one time left me alone.
Ariella: Look Shrek, sometimes just talking about things can help. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders all by yourself you know.
Shrek irritated: I don't mean to be rude... but....
Ariella interrupting: Come on Shrek, what can it hurt to tell someone? Maybe there is something I can do?
Shrek realizing she wasn't going away and all of a sudden feeling like he needed to talk agreed.
Shrek: I have a fiancé....
Ariella squeeing in delight: Oh Shrek that is fantastic. It is about time. I never thought you would find someone. I am so happy for you. "squee"
Shrek stood there eyes rolling, while Ariella continued to gush. He wanted to be mad, but he knew she really was genuinely happy for him.
Shrek finally having enough: Ariella, will you please let me finish?
Ariella: Oh I am sorry Shrek. Of course. Please continue.
Shrek: As I was saying, I have a fiance. This was not my choice. Her father sold her to my father in a contract when she was 10 years old. She came to live with me 6 months ago after her father killed himself.
It wouldn't be so bad if she wasn't so hideous. She is an ogre like myself, but even she repulses me.
Now that he started the telling of it, he found he couldn't stop. The words poured out of him like water out of a dam.
Shrek continuing: Do you know what it is like to have your whole world spinning out of control?
Shrek explained everything including about what his father had revealed to him.
Shrek wrapping up: Now she hates me, wants to leave the house and I haven't even told her about her past yet. I don't know what to do.
Shrek explained everything including about what his father had revealed to him.
Shrek wrapping up: Now she hates me, wants to leave the house and I haven't even told her about her past yet. I don't know what to do.
Ariella thinking: This is a lot of spilled juice, water under the bridge. She was sympathetic, but thought Shrek was being unreasonable and a little babyish.
Shrek: Now life is all messed up, and it is like I have a black cloud hanging over me.
Ariella: Shrek, I don't see the problem. It sounds like Fiona likes you. I mean after all you admitted that she tried to cook your favorite meal, and seemed according to you, to be trying to get along.
Shrek: How come you are taking her side?
Ariella: I am not taking sides. All I am saying is maybe you both, being too close to the situation, can't see that you two can be happy together. Shrek, just meet her halfway. She is a lonely girl, frightened, lost her beloved dad not too long ago, and was taken by a stranger she never met, to a house, to live with a fiance she never knew about. Can't you understand how scary that would have been for her? Any girl of her age would feel lost and angry.
Ariella: Shrek, I don't see the problem. It sounds like Fiona likes you. I mean after all you admitted that she tried to cook your favorite meal, and seemed according to you, to be trying to get along.
Shrek: How come you are taking her side?
Ariella: I am not taking sides. All I am saying is maybe you both, being too close to the situation, can't see that you two can be happy together. Shrek, just meet her halfway. She is a lonely girl, frightened, lost her beloved dad not too long ago, and was taken by a stranger she never met, to a house, to live with a fiance she never knew about. Can't you understand how scary that would have been for her? Any girl of her age would feel lost and angry.
Shrek shaking his head: Look, it is too late. Even if I can concede you are right, and I am not saying you are, we have said some very hurtful things to each other that can never be taken back. Plus are you forgetting the way I slapped her?
Ariella: Shrek, it is never too late. Go to Fiona, tell her you are sorry and that you would be willing to make things work.
Shrek shouting out of frustration: I tried oooo kay? I told her I was willing, and she told me that I was an ugly, hideous ogre, and she wanted nothing to do but get away from me.
Ariella looking sad: I am so sorry Shrek.
Shrek annoyed: I don't need your pity. I told you that you couldn't help. If it wasn't for the contract my dad signed making me king, I would just let her leave and I wouldn't care if she ever came back.
Ariella: Why don't you let me talk to her? Maybe I can help explain things.
Shrek angry once again: Forget it Ariella! I will figure out a way to get out of this and let Fiona have her freedom. That's what she wants that is what she will get.
Shrek agitated again walked away. Why was he hurting so? Why did he even tell Ariella the story? Was it just to unburden himself or was it in the hopes that somehow she could help?
Shrek walked to his mother's grave. She had died many years past and he still missed her. Nobody was like his mother. He tried to imagine what she would say in this situation.
Shrek: Mother I need your help. Please tell me what I should do.
He waited, but all he heard was the rustling of the trees, and the sounds of the ghosts whispering to each other.
Shrek had never felt more alone. He thought of what Ariella had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe he hadn't tried hard enough.
Shrek stood by the grave for a long time thinking of everything that had transpired since Fiona came to him.
Shrek realizing that the sun had started to rise walked back toward Donkey. He was glad that he had come to the cemetery. He had made a decision and he was going home to talk to Fiona.
Ariella saw Shrek leaving, and sighed inwardly. In spite of what Shrek said she could tell that Shrek didn't hate Fiona like he claimed. She was a good judge of people, and unless her instincts, which had never been wrong before were failing her now, she would swear Shrek was in love! She just hoped he would see it himself before all was lost.
Ariella saw Shrek leaving, and sighed inwardly. In spite of what Shrek said she could tell that Shrek didn't hate Fiona like he claimed. She was a good judge of people, and unless her instincts, which had never been wrong before were failing her now, she would swear Shrek was in love! She just hoped he would see it himself before all was lost.