A/N

This was inspired by something somebody said in a review for my other Shrek story, A Precious Time of Friendship and wanted me to write a story about Artie and Shrek but I had this idea in my head all day after reading that review but I hope he likes.

Artie learns he has to go back to Worchester Academy so he can graduate but the kids there are still mean to him like before and Artie runs away back to Duloc and Shrek finds out and decides to help him stand up to the kids that have been mean to him most of his life.

I hope you like.

Artie sighed as snow was falling on his head as he was dressing warmly to go out for a while but was distracted as it was Christmas Eve but the young King wasn't in the mood as he'd received some depressing news that he was returning to Worchester Academy as he hadn't graduated after leaving to become King but he shook with fear knowing that the kids would pick on him worse than before now he was King.

He shook those thoughts away as the carriage was ready as he and Lillian were going to the swamp for a Christmas party but he sighed getting into the carriage as Lillian was already inside but sighed stepping inside.

"Artie you okay?

You seem quiet." Lillian asked her nephew.

"I'm fine Aunt.

Let's just go." he told her.

She had a feeling he was upset about going back to Worchester after Christmas but hoped he would be okay.

She hoped he would be okay hearing from Shrek how Artie had been treated at school before he found him.

But right now wasn't the time to think about it.

Artie sighed as the carriage set off...

Shrek sighed as at the swamp, the Christmas Eve party was turning into it's usual chaos thanks to Donkey and the other members of their so called family but knew if he tried to get things under control, Fiona would stop him but he shook his head hearing the door open but saw Artie and Lillian enter as Fiona hugged Lillian but he was happy to see his cousin as he hadn't seen him since he was King.

"Artie you okay?" he asked him.

"It's nothing.

Merry Christmas man." he told him.

He smiled seeing the triplets running around getting carried away and playing knights as the young King thought it cute as he knew their father was loving and kind unlike his own father to him.

"Uncle Artie!" they said hugging him.

"Hey guys, it's good to see you." Farkle heard Artie say.

But they heard laughter outside as Shrek knew that the annual snowball war was happening as he knew Snowgre his wild teenage cousin was leading the charge as the triplets dressed warmly and ran outside.

"Artie come on!

We gotta cream Rumpel!" Snowgre yelled.

Shrek wasn't happy hearing him say that and had regretted telling Snowgre the time when Rumpel had tricked him and sent him to an alternate Far, Far Away because he'd probably told Fiona but hoped she hadn't believed him.

"Come on Artie, let's get this over with." Shrek said.

He nodded going outside after him.

Telling him could wait, right?...