Feels Like Friendship

Artie was with Shrek and the others at the swamp having a party and everything going berserk and wild. But Artie was distracted somehow in the middle of the merriment.

Shrek found him outside star gazing.

"You okay? Why're you not in there?" he asked him.

"I'm just thinking..... about things." he answered softly. The look in his emerald eyes gave a hint of what he was thinking about.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Shrek said to him.

Artie nodded in reply.

But then they saw Fiona and the princesses join them.

"Artie it's Marissa.

She's going to have a baby." Snow told them.

A shocked expression was on Artie's face hearing that. He knew he wanted her to be his queen but he wasn't sure.

"Artie wait!" Shrek told him seeing the young king run off....

Lillian was excited about Marissa's news. She hadn't been like this since having Fiona. She saw sadness in the young girl's eyes.

"What's wrong dear?" she asked her.

"I know that soon I have to decide whether or not to stay here or return to my world. Here I'm more than I could ever be and in love with Artie.

I don't want to leave." she told her. Lillian understood how Marissa felt. Like after the ball and Fiona had decided to go back to the swamp with Shrek.

"Do what you feel is right for you. I know you would be a great queen if you stayed and you and Artie were to get married. I've seen the sparks of love between you." the woman told her.

Artie then came into the room and kissed Marissa.

"Put your hand here." she told him as he put it on her chest. Suddenly he felt something kick against it.

"It's the baby, isn't it?" Artie asked smiling.

Marissa nodded in reply.

"There's something I want to tell you." Artie said getting down on one knee and bringing out a box from his vest.

He saw her eyes go wide like Puss's as she opened it. It was a ring with an emerald green diamond in it.

"I know we were meant to be from the first moment we met so I.... was hoping if you'd...... become Mrs Pendragon but also my queen.

Will you marry me?" he told her.

"Yes I will!" Marissa told him without hesitation. Lillian watched as they kissed.

"She's chosen to stay. I was hoping she would. Now soon there will be more additions to the family soon. I only wish Harold was here." Lillian thought sadly.

"Aunt Lillian you okay?

You seem sad." Artie said to her.

"I'm fine, okay?" Lillian replied walking out of the room.

"Excuse me I've got to take care of something." Artie said to Marissa as he kissed.

Charming was surprised seeing Artie return to the dungeon. He wondered what the king wanted with him this time.

Artie unlocked the door and walked into the cell.

"What do you want?" Charming asked bitterly.

"Was what you said eariler true?" he asked him.

Charming nodded sadly. "Yes it is. Taking over was Moomy's idea. I went along to make her happy. I just wanted to be a thespian." he replied looking away.

Artie sighed sadly as he prepared to speak.

"You're going to have me slain, aren't you?" Charming asked shakily.

"No I'm not. Even though you've done some things that hold you accountable for death, I'm not going to. I can see you're just sad and hurting like I used to.

I might let you go if...." Artie told him.

"If what?" Charming asked worriedly.

"If you stop trying to take over the kingdom and trying to hurt my friends, you'll be set free but my knights and I will be keeping a close eye on you and if you try anything, I'll have no option but to have you killed.

Do we have a deal?" Artie explained.

Charming nodded.

"Yes I understand." he replied as he cut the shackles off Charming's wrists.

"Get out of here before the others find out my merciful act." Artie said as he left the cell.

He saw Shrek waiting for him outside the dungeon. He knew what Artie had done and was actually impressed by his plan to let Charming go but having him watched in case he pulled anything.

It was their little secret.....