Next up is the montage, and a bit of romantic tension. Go back two days and it was about six years since I last saw the movie. I only just saw it again, and this time I was old enough to appreciate the innuendos in some scenes and like the romantic scenes.
It didn't take too long to get to Duloc, but the whole time, Fiona practically ignored me. I know she didn't mean to, though. It wasn't like she had planned to get close to Shrek. No, seriously, that was why. It was like they were kindred spirits, in spite of her "act like a princess" thing she was always on about. I didn't feel too left out most of the time, though. I talked to Donkey. Well, I say talked, but it was surprisingly hard to get a word in edgeways. OK, so maybe I was exaggerating, because he did ask me questions, but I never really chose the conversation subject.
It was near sunset by the time we got in sight of Duloc.
"You know," Donkey said, "Shrek thinks Lord Farrquad is compensating for something, which I think means he has a really – ow!" Shrek had stopped him pointedly.
Fiona was starting to panic. She was still worried about her curse being shown off. This time, instead of yelling that they had to camp out, she claimed that she thought Donkey didn't look too good. We all went along with the charade.
When I got Fiona alone, I whispered "Did you really think Donkey was malnourished or whatever?"
"Not at first." she admitted. "Maybe what I said set him off. You better stay with him, OK?" She was going to get firewood, and Shrek had gone to find something for us to eat.
"I can't feel my toes!" Donkey was exclaiming, then he looked down at his hooves. "I don't have any toes!" He sat down, looking lonely. "I think I need a hug."
I laughed and hugged him. "There. Are you happy now?"
Donkey's trademark smile appeared again. "Of course."
"So..." I said. "I actually do have a question. How'd you end up here? I might have been locked up for twelve years, but I'm not innocent enough to not know when people aren't particularly friendly. Shrek seems like the type of guy who'd just want to be alone." Then I smiled. "Although I think he'd make an allowance for my sister. They were so obviously flirting this afternoon. So?"
"He saved me from Lord Farrquad's guards, who wanted fairytale creatures banished to...Shrek's swamp. I got away from them. The only reason he even did this was to get the deed to his swamp back. Our swamp. He says he wants to live alone, but I think he likes me really."
I smiled, suddenly realizing how much I was going to miss this. I'd only known both Shrek and Donkey for less than two days, but hanging around them was just fun. Also, I could tell Fiona and Shrek had chemistry. It was getting so noticeable. They were talking quietly all evening until Fiona realized it was sunset, and started panicking all over again. There was an abandoned structure near, which we went in.
The minute we were in, I asked "Fi, do you really still want to go to this Farrquad?"
"I have to marry my true love to break the spell, don't I?" Fiona said, sighing. "Wait a moment." She stepped back as the cloudy magic swirled around her before she became an ogress.
"But are you sure your true love will be this guy?" I persisted.
"I can't be a princess with this curse!" Fiona pointed out. "It's for your benefit, too, Nance. I have to do this. I need the spell broken, and you need to be accepted as a princess."
"But I don't want to be a princess." I protested. "Seriously, I'm not sure whether you should do this."
Fiona refused to discuss the matter any further. "Nancy, I'm marrying Lord Farrquad to break the spell. Nothing can make me change my mind." Like I said, standing up to Fiona hardly ever worked. This was the furthest I'd pushed it, and this time, it didn't work.
That night, I woke up to a familiar voice and the door creaking. "Princesses? Princess Fiona? Nancy! Where are you? It's very spooky in here."
"Donkey?" I mumbled, opening my eyes.
And then Fiona accidentally showed herself. I knew everything was going to go to hell.
Donkey started screaming when he saw the ogress girl. "What did you do with the Princesses!" he yelled.
"Shh, it's me!" Fiona said.
Donkey glanced at me. "Keep away from her, Nancy!" he turned back to Fiona, thinking that this ogress ate the real Fiona. "Can you hear me?" he yelled. "Keep breathing! I'll get you out of there!" He turned towards the door "Shrek! SHREK!" Fiona had to forcibly cover his mouth before she could get a word in.
"This is me." she said quietly.
"It really is her." I added. "I've witnessed this since I was born, practically."
Once Donkey had calmed down enough to understand us, we explained. This was why Fiona was so desperate to be out of sight after sunset, and why she wanted to get married to Lord Farrquad before even meeting him.
"It's the only way to break the spell."
Donkey paused, but then he said "Well, at least you've gotta tell Shrek the truth."
"No!" Fiona cried. "No one must ever know! You shouldn't know anyway. The only one who knows is Nancy, and she has to know for sisterly reasons."
"What's the point of talking if you've gotta keep secrets?" Donkey sighed.
"Communicating." I muttered under my breath, but added "Would you want to tell anyone if you were cursed so every night you turned into something you didn't want to be?" I sighed. "It seems like every princess has a secret. This is Fiona's." I had no intention of telling mine.
"Promise you won't tell." Fiona said urgently.
"All right, all right, I won't tell him. But you should." Donkey said. He walked out, muttering about having therapy.
"Are you going to?" I asked. "You two were getting pretty close."
"Me, with Shrek?" Fiona said. "We're just friends, I guess. If I do ever see him again, it probably will be in a long time."
OK, next chapter will tell you about Nancy's fate during "Hallelujah". I'm not sure. Farrquad isn't one to let relatives around, but he might do it for his bride.
Now, no one has reviewed since the first chapter. Why won't anyone review? Doesn't anyone like this story? *sobbing* Please do it! Everyone who takes the trouble to review gets a virtual treat next chapter!