Disclaimer – See the first chapter.

Warning – Stupid humor, eventual f/f romance.

Other – My note from the previous chapter was directed at an idiot who tried to flame me for using Shrek as a story premise. I just wanted to make sure nobody else made the same mistake. But life is good now.

And I thought the idea to use Malchior was great, so I'm usin' it. And I know Rorek wasn't created by Malchior, and that Rorek was the wizard, and Malchior the dragon, or I might just be confusing myself again, but for the sake of my story's life, please ignore differences from the canon universe.

Another comment -- I thought I'd take a poll. I have two endings in mind right now, but I'm leaning towards the sadder one. But it's not just my opinion that matters. What would you rather see, a happier ending or the sadder one?

When Star awoke, the pain had long since fled her arm. She found herself being clutched tightly to someone's chest, though she couldn't for the life of her see who. There was very little ambient light, which notified her that it was, in fact, later on in the evening hours. The embrace wasn't frightening, and Star felt that she was in no danger, so instead of wrestling herself free, she snuggled closer.

"Star…" The voice came from her captor, and she instantly recognized it as Raven's. There was a hint of panic lacing Raven's voice, though Starfire didn't know why.

"Yes, Raven?"

"You're awake?" The panic grew.

"Yes. Thank you for helping me."

Raven broke her grasp, turning away; she'd never been so glad that it was the dead of night.

"Yeah." Raven closed her eyes, hoping Star wouldn't try to see her face.

"Why do you turn from me?" Star questioned, grabbing Raven's wrist gently. "Does this have to do with your curse?"

"Yes, and I'd prefer if you didn't see." Raven whispered.

"Is it so horrible?"

"Yes."

Starfire loosened her grip, "Please, Friend Raven, allow me to see your face."

"No." Raven limited herself to one word answers. The second she let this turn into a debate, she knew she'd lose.

"Please…"

"No…"

"Do you wish to hurt my feelings?"

"I don't see how that's relevant." Raven let her defenses down for a moment – Star jerked Raven's wrist, turning Raven around.

"You have… four eyes…" Star murmured, marveling. It wasn't in the least bit scary for her. She had an overwhelming sense of curiosity, so rather than be frightened, she merely wanted to learn more.

"I know." Raven tried to turn back away but Star wouldn't let her.

"And they glow red." Star reached forward, brushing her fingertips on the side of Raven's face.

"I know."

"And this is the curse?"

"Part of it." Raven answered, voice returning to its original monotone. "The other part is I'm very prone to anger and my emotions are dangerous. If I feel too much, my powers erupt."

Star sighed, "We must find the cure. Feeling is a most wondrous… feeling."

"I know." Raven rolled her many eyes.

"Sit back down." Star pat the ground next to her, "I was much enjoying your company."

"So you're okay? With my curse?"

"Why would I not?" Star smiled, though she knew Raven couldn't see her face clearly enough to tell.

Grumbling slightly, Raven retook her seat. Star leaned back against Raven's chest, letting her eyes slide shut. Cautiously, Raven tucked her hand around Star's stomach, holding Star securely in place.

"Good night."

Star was already half asleep and only managed a small unintelligible babble. It felt like only a few minutes before her eyes opened again, but the sun was already out in the sky. Raven was rubbing small circles on her arms and at first Starfire didn't move. It was very comfortable, how she was.

But then reality set in and she pulled away. Getting too used to close contact with someone else's bride-to-be was dangerous business.

"Good morning, Friend Raven." She smiled nervously.

Raven tilted her head in greeting, "Are we ready to start traveling again? We should hit the village a few hours after midday."

"Why yes! And hopefully we shall not run into those heroes again." Star giggled.

"Thanks for that. I mean, you didn't have to lie for me." Raven let her eyes drop to the ground.

"For what?"

"Telling them I wasn't a hag. That I'm…" She trailed off. This was an old self-confidence issue that had never been resolved. She'd never had another person actively work for her attention, nor had she experienced someone call her beautiful, so she had come to think of herself as sub-par in the looks department.

"Beautiful? But it is true. I would never lie." Star smiled innocently.

Raven cleared her throat, unused to receiving compliments, "Can we just go now?"

Star nodded and they headed through the woods, keeping a wary eye out for idiots dressed in green. Their travel was undisturbed, however, and they made excellent time. The first plumes of smoke signifying a village came into view shortly after their lunch-break.

Upon entrance they were met by a tall man with jet-black hair that blew about even though there was no breeze.

"So you have destroyed my dragon."

Raven stared at him, "Who are you?"

"Malchior, user of the dark arts." He cocked an eyebrow at her, "Your brother called upon me to safeguard you in your tower. I could only help you when my dragon was slain or reimprisoned, which I assume he has been."

"Yes, locked in a tomb of paper." Raven had stored the book in one of Star's packs, and cast a glance in the pack's general direction.

"I will take the book off your hands in return for giving you the information you need to break the curse." Malchior walked confidently towards Raven, hands out-stretched.

Starfire watched, quite interested in the exchange. Her own desire to break Raven's curse was still growing. Once Malchior had the book, he placed his hands on Raven's shoulders, staring her deeply in the eyes.

"The key to breaking the curse is the free admission of love. From another freely unto you and from you freely onto another."

Raven's eyes opened slightly wider, "What kind of curse breaker is that?"

"The kind someone thought you'd never be able to use." Malchior shrugged, "Thank you for the book, but now I must return to the village. You are welcome to stay the night with one of the people here, but I don't recommend staying past early morning. From what I hear, you have quite the journey ahead of you."

Raven was left slack jawed. She had expected something slightly more… magical. But something so stupid… and so hard to crack. Starfire was obviously going to drag her to Robin and make them express their undying love, but that surely wouldn't solve anything.

"Raven? Should we… head to the kingdom now? The sooner we get back, the sooner the curse is broken…" Starfire murmured.

"I don't want to." Raven turned her back on the red-head, arms crossed stubbornly. Seeing that prince wouldn't solve her problems. It would probably give her more problems, namely being put in jail because she wouldn't marry him.

Starfire sighed loudly, "Please, dear Raven, I wish for us to return."

"What was that?"

"I asked, Friend Raven, for us to return."

"You didn't say Friend." Raven accused.

"What does it matter?" Star whined quietly; she really wanted to just get this over with. The sooner she was away from temptation, the better.

"We're staying here for the night, okay?" Raven argued back.

"If you insist." Star's shoulders slumped forward in defeat.

They wandered into the village and were immediately taken under an elderly woman's wing. The woman ushered them into her home and fed them a lovely mixture of local cuisine, and gave them a room to share overnight.

"Well, the people here are very kind." Raven commented as she ran her hand over the sleeping mat that was spread on the ground. It was barely wide enough for the two of them, but looked comfortable enough.

"Will you promise that we will go back right away in the morning?" Starfire stood near the door, trying to put enough distance between herself and Raven.

"If I must." Raven sniffed, "I'd rather just stay here with you. My offer still stands, you know."

Blushing, Star shook her head, "I am afraid I do not know what you mean."

"Marriage. I'd rather marry you than him." Raven pat the bedspread, "Come on."

"Do you promise not to touch me?"

Raven sighed disdainfully, "So many rules now."

Starfire waited, expecting a promise. When she didn't receive one, she warily walked to the bed, "I am most serious, Raven."

Raven merely raised a single eyebrow, "Get in, Star. No use putting off the inevitable."

With a final distrusting gaze, Star slid onto the mat, flipping over so Raven had to stare at her back. To Raven it was a sign that Star wasn't as against her attention as she let on. Raven waited until Star's breath relaxed and fell into a steady rhythm before tucking her legs behind Star's and casting an arm over Star's side. She nuzzled her nose into Star's mass of hair and settled in for the night.

Raven greatly enjoyed the proximity. She'd been locked in the tower alone for so long, and just before her imprisonment, nobody would go near her for fear of the curse. Nobody except her mother had ever allowed her to cuddle in bed and even in Star was unconscious, it still was an ego-boost that Star didn't push her away.

Her final thought before sliding into the land of dreams was a small humorous one towards what Star would think upon waking the next morning.