ONE SHREK TO BRING THEM ALL

Chapter Five: The Fellowship

Shrek turned back to Elrond. "What if I should fail? What then?"

Elrond closed his eyes. "Then Middle Earth is doomed, and your swamp will be lost forever…along with most life as we know it."

Shrek considered this. "Pretty bad. Hmm." He smiled. "OK, if it'll save my swamp, I'll do it."

Boromir stood back up. "Whoa…time out. Um, Elrond? Shouldn't some of us go with him? You know, just to make sure he doesn't take off with the Ring and turn evil and kill us all?"

Elrond thought this over. "Yes, that's a good idea. Why don't you go along, Gandalf?"

"Always me." Gandalf rolled his eyes, but went to Shrek. "I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear."

Shrek gave him an odd look. "Burden? That's not nice…it's just a donkey."

Donkey grunted from his corner. "I heard that."

Aragorn also got up and went to Shrek. "If by my life or death I can serve you, I will. You have my sword."

"Uh…" said Shrek, "if you really want to come along, that's great. But I think I can fight for myself. I am an Ogre, after all, and quite fearsome."

Boromir, not to be outdone by Aragorn, came forward. "If this is indeed the will of the Council," he paused and Elrond nodded tiredly. "Then Gondor will see it done."

Legolas came forward as well. "And you have my bow."

Shrek tried to take the bow from him, "Thanks."

Legolas swatted him. "Not so fast! That's not what I meant!"

Gimli didn't particularly care to go, but Legolas had a foot in the door, and he couldn't let the Elf out-volunteer him. "And you have my axe…but…er…I'm not giving it to you, you understand."

Shrek was getting confused. "If you say so…is this all necessary?"

Frodo went and stood with Shrek. "It's my fault the Ring is here. Bilbo left it to me. I'll go and help, if I can. Although, I do not know the way."

Sam jumped in too. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!"

Elrond waved him on. "Go, then. It's impossible to separate the two of you. Does anyone else find that a little creepy?" Everyone except Sam raised his hand, even Frodo.

Sam blushed. "Hey…I'm just defending my friend."

Merry came up and slapped him on the shoulder. "If you say so, pal." He winked at Sam. Sam blushed even redder, if that was possible. "Me and Pip are going too! This'll be fun!"

Pippin grinned and stood up too. "Yes, maybe we can find some good taverns along the way."

Elrond looked relieved. "Good, you'll be out from under my feet then."

Shrek looked at Donkey. "Well?"

Donkey looked back at Shrek, challenging him. "Well, what?"

Shrek threw his hands up in the air. "All right! I'm sorry! Will you please come with me? At least I'll have somebody I'm familiar with on this trip."

Donkey smiled (if donkeys can smile). "That's more like it!" He trotted to stand with Shrek. "Shrek and Donkey! Two stalwart friends on a whirlwind adventure…with all these other guys too."

Shrek rolled his eyes. "Why do I feel like I'll regret this?"

Legolas glared at Gimli. "I already do."

Gimli growled at him. Legolas shrieked. "Okay, he's scaring me now."

Elrond sighed heavily. "Eleven companions. Very well, you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." He waved them away. "Now get the hell out of here. I'm going to bed."

They all shrugged, and turned to depart.

A/N: This has possibilities. Are you liking it? Review! Hehe.