Ch 5
Artie woke up the next morning to the smell of eggs and walked half asleep into the kitchen. "Good morning Artie." Fiona said as she heard Shrek chuckle. He was outside cooking eggs and Eggo waffles on his BBQ grill.
He was wearing a chef's hat and an apron that said Kiss the Ogre Chef! On it. Artie smiled. He was also feeling worried because after the holidays, he'd be going to college. That frightened him.
He knew that the other kids wouldn't accept him and that was what truly worried him. He hid his worry in his eyes. "Here comes breakfast!" Shrek said walking inside with plates of eggs and waffles. "Mmm… thanks honey! These look great." Fiona told him as she kissed him. "You're welcome my sweet Hershey's. You're sweeter than Chocolate Kisses." He replied as she giggled. She then put worm syrup on the waffles. Artie laughed but sighed sadly.
"You guys would be like me and Gwen if we ever dated but it's too late. Maybe one day I'll find my queen. Until then I can't fall in love with any other girl." He thought as he ate.
Shrek then saw the babies blowing up frogs while playing in the mud. He felt relieved that they were no longer without a home. Fiona then put them into high chairs for breakfast. She giggled as they pulled on her ears gently as she gave them bottles of juice. Artie smiled. He remembered when he and Shrek first met, the ogre was worried about being a father but it looked like he was enjoying it now. He and Fiona had to go into the village to get food for the party. Artie was waiting as Fiona got the trolley for Wal Mart. He then saw somebody lying outside the store and was shocked.
It was Merlin. He looked drunk and not been washed for a few days. He had his hat out in front of him with coins in it. "Mr Merlin are you okay?" he asked him. "Do I look alright to you especially when you lose your house to a pair of cheating warlocks at poker. I've nowhere to go kid." he slurred at him. Artie felt sorry for him seeing as Merlin was now living on the streets. Shrek was shocked when Artie told him while they were shopping. While Fiona was getting the wine, he slipped outside and put Merlin into the onion carriage. He reeked of beer and his wizard robes were tattered. "Poor guy. Maybe we can help him." Shrek whispered to Artie as they got into the carriage. Fiona then joined them with the triplets after loading their groceries into the carriage. Merlin groaned as they arrived at the swamp. Artie and Shrek waited ubtil Fiona was in the house before getting Merlin out of the carriage and into the house. ... Merlin wondered what they were doing as they brought him into the outhouse.
"We're going to give you a shower. You could use one after sleeping rough the last few days. Besides Fiona won't let ya stay in the house if you don't." Shrek told him. Merlin smiled hours later as he came into the house washed and in clean clothes. "Thanks guys. I don't know what I would've done if you guys hadn't found me lying outside Wal Mart. I should've just came to you guys in the first place." he told them as he drank warm eggnog. He was feeling better than before but his glasses were broken and he couldn't see without them.
Fiona felt sorry for him after hearing what had happened. She could relate to his condition right now but he was sick and coughing a lot. He was worried. He didn't know if it was because he was getting old or just a bug. "I'm going to lie down, okay? I don't feel well." he said to Artie. The teen was worried because he could see the fear in Merlin's eyes. He had a feeling he'd get worse... He then heard him throw up. "My stomach. It hurts." he moaned gently. Artie was scared as he went to get Shrek. "I think he has liver poisoning. How much alcohol has he had since we found him?" he asked Artie. "I had a lot. I was depressed." Merlin answered softly as Fiona put a hot water bottle on his chest. "Thanks." he whispered as his eyes closed.
Fiona could tell Artie was worried. "He'll be fine after a few hour's rest." she told him. But Artie wasn't so sure she was right. Shrek then watched as he stayed by the older wizard's side. "I hope he doesn't eet worse for Artie's sake." he muttered as he left to get ready for the party...
Artie could hear the sounds as guests started to arrive. He didn't feel like in a party mood anyway, not when his friend was in grave danger.
Shrek then walked into the room carrying a goblet of mulled wine and handed it to Artie. "Thanks man. I needed that. I'm just worried for Merlin. He was the only one that cared about me at Worchester." he told him softly. Shrek understood how he felt. "Come join the party. It might take your mind off things." he said gently. Artie nodded as he followed him into the living room...