Pressure of being royal
Fiona was sitting up in bed thinking. It was her and her husband's first night as King and Queen of Far, Far Away. She was also worried for her father. Harold was on his death bed and she was worried for him. He was her father after all. "I hope the kingdom will accept us as rulers of the kingdom even though we're… different. Mom needs to take care of Dad at the moment so it's only right that Shrek and I take over for a while. Only I'm keeping something from him. He doesn't know that I'm pregnant with his children." She thought as she watched her husband sleep. He seemed at peace but not really. He was worried about the royalty thing big time. He knew that he would never fit into the kingdom no matter how hard he tried. He then watched Fiona fall asleep. So much had happened since they'd first met, fell in love and got married. One day if they had children, they would tell them all this. He then got out of bed and went for a walk.
He was walking through the forest to Duloc. His heart was crying out for the one place it belonged more than ever- the swamp. He knew that he couldn't stay long even if he wanted to. He then walked down the hill and came to his house and the swamp. It was still as he left it, humble but perfect. He sighed miserably as he opened the door and went inside. So many memories were here but he felt soothed being here than in Far, Far Away. "I miss this place so much. It's been the only place that feels like home to me. I've got to figure out this royalty thing or I'll have to leave this place forever. I can't do it, I can't!" he thought as he picked up a book full of photos and hid it under his vest. He saw the sun rise and sighed sadly. He then walked out the door and closed it. He took one last look at it before walking up the hill. He arrived back at the palace before anyone noticed he was gone. He sighed as he changed into his night clothes and slipped into bed beside Fiona. The kingdom was expecting so much of them that they had to act regal. It was easy for Fiona but not for Shrek. Fiona woke up and stretched. She got dressed and went downstairs. She could tell from her husband's mumblings in his sleep that he was unhappy but shook this off. Her mother Lillian was sitting at the dining table sipping tea. "Morning Mom!" Fiona said to her as she joined her. "Good morning dear. Where's your husband?" she said to her. "He's still asleep. He seems upset about something. I think he's missing the swamp." Fiona told her quietly as she drank some coffee. "What do you mean?" Lillian asked curiously. "It was the one place where he was happy and could be himself but here… he has to be prim and regal and that doesn't fit him. He went off last night to Duloc to see it. But I don't know." She explained to her.
"I see. There is nobody braver like him. Your father thought it would be okay but I can tell this might hurt him having to be something he's not. But maybe he hasn't told you because he thinks that means letting you down. You know he would do anything for you." Lillian said softly. "You're right. Maybe I should talk to him…" Fiona thought as she left the room and went upstairs. She entered their bedroom. Shrek was still asleep. The book he'd brought was in his arms. Fiona then pried it out of his arms gently without waking him up. She flipped through it. There were many photos in it especially of them. She smiled at this. She knew how hard it was for him. Royal life came easy to her because that was all she knew but it would be harder for him to adjust to this.
But she knew he was strong and could face this even though he was far from the only place he called home…