Fear
Fear

by: Vema

As I silently slid the wood back into place that night, I reflected on Shrek's words. They judge me before they even get to know me… It sounded a lot like my situation. I was Princess Fiona, a beauty from a far land, and yet half of me did not fit that description. I should have shown Shrek. We look so much alike, at night anyway. Certainly he would understand, if anyone could.

…wouldn't he?

Women weren't supposed to look like this; green skin, pudgy nose, excess weight. Women, and princesses in particular, are supposed to be beautiful, thin and delicate. I was…part of the time. I quietly reflected on the story my father had told me about how I'd gotten this condition. When ye were but a babe in my arms, Fiona, he began¸ an evil sorceress snuck inta the castle and cast a spell on ye… When ye find yer true love, me bonny girl, ye'll be one again.

True love. Ha. My true love was supposed to rescue me from the dragon, whisk me into his arms, and end this hell of an existence. I peered outside and watched, as Shrek and Donkey were getting ready to turn in for the night. Shrek shifted his bulk about a bit, finally settling on his back. The night air was fragrant with flowers, and I wondered briefly where they were, before I settled my eyes back to my huge, green hero.

He wasn't what I'd expected. …No…not at all. My knight in shining armor was an ogre in a rusty old helmet. Still, I wasn't completely let down. Certainly he was brave, or he wouldn't have come for me in the first place, and intelligent enough to stop the dragon without even really entering battle with it. …Was he my true love? Of course not, my logical mind said. He is an ogre, and princesses do not fall in love with ogres, so Lord Farquaad must be your true love. Then again, Farquaad hadn't come to save me himself. I wondered what Donkey and Shrek had been talking about when they had seemed to be making fun of him earlier. Perhaps it was something I would have to see to understand.

A small sound from outside made me turn my thoughts back to my rescuers. It sounded like a hurt animal; not small, but hurt nonetheless I was tempted to leave the shelter of my cave and check to make sure the poor creature was all right, but I was afraid that Shrek would see me. It was a silly fear, one borne of habitual worry. I gazed out at them more and saw Shrek sit up and make sure that Donkey wasn't watching before placing his head in his hands. It hit me suddenly that the sound I had heard must have been a cry from my savior. My heart went out to him, and I wished for the first time that I could let someone see me, so he'd know he wasn't truly alone. I could have hugged him tightly and assured him that I would be there. He'd never be truly alone with me here.

But I couldn't. Princesses married courtiers, knights and lords; not ogres. Obviously I had to push him away and marry Lord Farquaad. Certainly I could understand this concept if both Shrek and the donkey could. Shrek would be a revered friend of the family's, and I would be Farquaad's wife, Queen Fiona of Duloc.

Still, that didn't keep me from being nice to him, right? I'd start righting my treatment of him in the morning and let the poor og- man know that I appreciated him at least. In the meantime, I'd better get some sleep.

The last thing that ran through my mind before I slept was a picture of Shrek sitting before that full moon, his form alight with silver.

End