The intrepid travellers reached the seashore on the fourth night, gentle sands and vast blue ocean stretching as far as the eye could see. Another day's travel would take them to Widow's Cove, a sharp headland where the shore held underwater rocks hidden from view – the cause of many a shipwreck. It was in a cave at Widow's Cove that Maria Fortuna had hidden all those years ago and, it was thought, where she would still be found. Merryweather had provided Lillian with a map of the coast and now she unfolded it as the 'boys' set up camp for the night. Harold jumped onto her lap to see the map and she stroked his back absent-mindedly as they read. Meanwhile, Shrek and Donkey collected firewood while Puss made a circle of their camp, searching for enemies. The cat had taken to sleeping by day on Donkey's back and patrolling the camp at night such that there was always a guard on duty. So far, however, they had encountered no trouble whatsoever – except for a small group of mountain trolls that had run off as soon as they saw Shrek. Donkey was busy singing as he collected firewood, the lack of danger taking his mind back to his family. He started singing "Danny Boy" to a melancholy beat while Shrek lit the fire and Puss returned from his patrol.
"Nothing boss. Just like last night."
"That's good – that's exactly what we need right now," said Shrek, relieved that the feline had found no trouble. "We need to get to Maria quickly." He looked out towards the shore dreamily, remembering his honeymoon.
"It's too quiet boss, I don't like it," replied Puss tensely. "I can't explain why – it's just not right! There should be something this far away from civilisation – even if it's only a tramp or a highwayman!"
"Perhaps they were scared off by you Puss," said Donkey, "from what I've heard, you can beat the fastest retreat in the west!"
"You weren't there," said Puss sadly, his tail and head dropping as he remembered how cowardly he'd been. "I couldn't take them all – not without killing them at any rate. And they were my friends."
"I know, I know, no need to get all het up about it. Seriously, do you think anyone would pick on us with an ogre by our side? The big guy's been scaring them all off for us, haven't ya? Shrek? Now where's he gone to?"
'The big guy' had wandered off to sit by the shore, throwing stones into the sea with some force. He was missing Fiona and spending days with her parents in her absence was rather surreal for him. Especially when the royal couple were so obviously in love. Shrek sighed and watched the setting sun dipping over the royal blue sea, the waves slicing the image and slowly hypnotising him, sending him into a gentle doze. He remembered sitting on a shore similar to this one not long ago, watching the same sun with Fiona. Why was their world constantly in danger, why did it always have to end with him on a quest to save their little family? Shrek sighed and stood up, heading back to the campfire.
Puss completed his tenth circuit of the camp and cast a lazy eye over the sleeping companions. Lillian was curled onto her side, her head cradled by her arm. On her pillow, Harold tried to nestle close to her. Shrek lay flat on his back on the opposite side of the fire, snoring loudly. Donkey was curled like a puppy not far from Shrek. It struck Puss that the sleepers were fully reliant on his protecting them – he would have laughed a year ago if you had told him he would be guarding royalty. He wondered if his life had been simpler then, or he had just ignored all the complications in favour of fighting. Puss gathered his sword and started yet another circle of the camp, knowing in all probability that he would find nothing again. This peaceful atmosphere was starting to ring alarm bells with Puss. Surely adventures were supposed to full of danger and swordfights? Preferably with people you're allowed to kill, he thought, remembering Gingy and the others.
The next morning the party headed towards the final leg of their journey, the last few miles to Widow's Cove. They arrived at the rocky outcrop that formed a series of caves just before midday, the hot sun beating down onto the bleached white rocks, baking the rockpools and forming crystals of salt at their edges. At the seafront itself, Lillian spotted a woman sitting on a rock, throwing stones into the sea. The group approached cautiously. The woman was thin, with long black hair. She was wearing a long, emerald green cloak wrapped tightly around her. Deciding that Lillian was the least unusual of their number, they sent her forward to greet the stranger.
Lillian walked loudly up to the woman, crunching seashells underfoot as she got closer. She knew she had been heard, but the other woman did not acknowledge her presence until Lillian had drawn level with her.
"Hello? Are you Maria Fortuna?" asked Lillian, more than a little nervous.
"Yes. And who are you?"
"Queen Lillian of Far Far Away. I am here with my husband to beg your help in dealing with a new threat to our kingdom."
"I know." Maria stood and looked up into Lillian's face. The queen was taken aback – apart from the hair, Maria looked like a younger, kinder version of Fairy Godmother. Maria did not wear glasses, her crystal blue eyes burning into Lillian's with a fierce intelligence. She smiled at Lillian. "I understand that you and yours are responsible for the death of my dear sister."
"Yes."
"Is that the ogre I have heard so much about?"
"Yes – how have you heard of us?"
"My dear girl, were you not told that magic runs in families?" She laughed and pushed off her cloak, revealing scarlet wings. She sprung easily into the air and flew over to Shrek. "I should thank you, brave ogre, for ridding the world of such an evil and twisted individual. Few could have possessed the courage to stand up to her. I know – I lived with her for years!" She giggled and picked up Harold. "Perhaps we can work out how to turn you back one day, hmmm?" At that moment, she spotted Puss and Donkey. She patted Donkey's nose and then stroked Puss under the chin. Puss purred, enjoying the attention. Maria turned back to Lillian. "Cup of tea?"