Ch 8
Merlin was nervous as he saw Charming approach the swamp. "What's he doing here? He must be up to something. I'd better warn Shrek and Fiona of this." He thought as he went back into the swamp.
Shrek was in bed with the triplets in his arms asleep. Fiona had gone to Far, Far Away with Snow and her princess friends. He smiled as he watched the triplets sleep in peace. He then saw Merlin come in softly. "What's going on?" he whispered. "Charming is nearby. You've got to be careful, okay? I've a feeling he's after you or… the triplets." He told Shrek. His blood ran cold at Merlin's words. He then wrapped his arms around the triplets to protect them.
"Don't worry. Daddy won't let that vreep hurt you. You guys are very precious to me and Mommy." Shrek said to them softly. Charming cackled as he kicked down the bedroom door. "Merlin take the babies and get out of here until I take care of Charming, okay?" he told the elderly wizard. He nodded as the ogre handed the triplets to him. "I understand. I'll make sure they're safe. Go get that vain, blond haired loser." Merlin said as he vanished. "Where're they?" Charming asked waving his sword around as a threat. "They're not here. Sorry Charming but I'm not afraid of you." Shrek told him.
He laughed at him. "You will. What if I told you your wife and her friends are in my clutches right now?" Charming replied smiling. He knew Fiona was Shrek's other weakness besides his babies. He saw worry in the ogre's eyes. "I know you're freaking out like when you protected Artie from getting beheaded by me. But… if you hand your brats over to me, I might just let them go." He told him laughing. Shrek growled at that. He couldn't believe he was being made to choose between his wife or his kids. "I won't hand them over to you. I have a feeling you wanna hurt them." he told him. "Maybe. But maybe I want to turn them against you and Fiona." Charming replied laughing. Merlin saw the agony in Shrek's eyes as Charming vanished. "I'm proud of you. You managed to save those you care about." he told him.
"Yes I did but now Fiona's in danger because of my choice. I'm worried for her." Shrek replied sadly as the triplets played with his ears. He hugged them as they went back into the bedroom. He'd fixed the door. "It's okay sweeties. I'll get Mommy back, you'll see." he said as the triplets nuxxled him gently. "Thanks guys for youe support." he said softly. Meanwhile Fiona and the others were in a dubfeon cell in Far, Far Away. Snow could tell Fiona was worried. "I'm just worried in case... Charming did take the triplets," she said softly to her. "Don't worry. I'm sure Shrek will protect them. He is pretty strong." Cinderella replied. "I know but he would do anything to save me and Charming knows that." Fiona told them. Snow understood as Fiona fell asleep in her arms. Artie could tell how much his friends were hurting so much at the minute.
He knew Shrek had made the right choice by not giving the triplets to Charming but he knew this would put Fiona in grave danger. "I'm so sorry he's hurting you by putting you through this." he thought as he fell asleep in the living room...