A/N I'm sorry for not uploading this earlier, i had some thing to take care of before i could write. Thank you kitty-kat-girlyyyxxx, Pca student, and Chipette Star for reviewing! Here, have some cake and a cookie! (::) The next chapter is the fire scene, and a revelation. I don't own Shrek 3 and its characters, i only own Eva, , Maiaera, and any other OC that's in here!

Artie

I knew this was too good to be true! I'm just not ready to be king, why can't Shrek see that?

'Shrek!', Donkey yelled, sounding panicked.

The green monster and I looked up at the same time and saw that the ship was heading for some sharp looking rocks. Shrek hastily put the wheel back inside of the hole and desperately tried to steer the ship.

Wait, where's Eva?

I glanced around for her and what I found make my heart stop for a beat or two. She was passed out by the foot of the stairs. Without a single thought of my own safety, I rushed down the stairs and grabbed Eva's lifeless form right before the ship jerked violently and sent us into the water.

Somehow, Eva and I were separated as we both tumbled into the cold, salty abyss. Violently kicking my legs, I surfaced and looked around for that familiar blue dress. When I didn't find any trace of it, I took a deep breath and dove under, desperately searching for my best friend. I had to surface twice before I found her. Quickly grabbing her arm, I kicked to the surface again and swam to shore.

She didn't look good at all. Her skin had a deathly pallor to it and her head lolled from side to side. I silently thanked the gods for land as my feet hit the sandy bottom. I picked Eva up and quickly splashed my way to the beach, where I set her down on the sand. She wasn't breathing. I panicked and started doing CPR on her. I pinched her nose and took a deep breath, quickly covering her mouth with mine and breathing the air into her lungs. I pumped her chest a few times and repeated the process again. This time, she coughed violently and rolled over to spit some salt water and bile out. Only then did I notice that we were wet and that every curve on her body showed. I felt my cheeks get warm and I looked down at the sand to prevent me from staring at her.

'W-what happened?', Eva asked, struggling to sit up.

I gently pushed her down again and said, 'We basically crashed.'

She blinked, trying to comprehend my words.

'What the hell do you mean "we crashed"? How in Maiaera's bloody name do you crash a freaking boat?', she yelled, struggling to sit up again before I pushed her back down.

'Someone decided not to be king and tried to turn the boat around!', Shrek yelled from behind me.

She glared at him then turned her gaze to me, her scalding look softening.

'Why don't you wanna be king?', she asked gently.

'I'm not ready', I mumbled, looking away from her questioning violet eyes.

'Well, you comin' or not?', Shrek yelled from behind us.

We looked up to see the ogre looking at us expectantly at the mouth of a trail. I heard a grunt and saw Eva struggling to get up.

'Here', I murmured, sliding my arms under her legs and back, easily picking her up.

Wow, she must be tired, she didn't protest at all. She only sighed, leaned her head against my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck. I've never seen her this weak and vulnerable. My heart immediately started to speed up at her soft touch. I wonder why.

We passed Shrek and he immediately tried talking to me in "hip and modern" language.

'Shrek', Eva called softly. 'Shut up!'

He kept going as we reached a clearing with a house.

I ran towards it, yelling, 'Help, We've been kidnapped by a monster that's trying to relate to us!'

Eva started laughing weakly, her chuckles vibrating my body slightly. I set her down on a log and pounded on the door. Suddenly, the crystals that were beside the door lit up and a familiar head appeared in the glow. I heard Eva yelp, a dull thud, and an 'ow'. She must of fallen off the log.

'Greetings, cosmic children of the universe. Welcome to my serenity circle. Please leave any bad vibes outside of the healing vortex', the head said, then sputtered out.

Someone opened the door and came out.

'Oh, I knew I should of gotten that warranty!', he stated irritably, punching the crystals and making it spark into his eye.

'Mr. Merlin?', Eva and I asked in disbelief.

'You two know this guy?', Shrek asked me.

'Ya, he used to be the magic teacher at the school, before his nervous breakdown', I explained.

'Technically, I was merely a victim of level 3 fatigue and at the request of my therapist...and the school authorities, I retired to the tranquility of nature to discover my divine purpose', he retorted before adding, 'And you still owe me a detention, young man!'

'Ha! I told you that'll bite you in the ass one day!', Eva shouted from her perch on the log.

I turned my head and said, 'Ono waíse hljödhr, vanyali!*'

She smiled and retorted, 'Séhr eka, knurlag!**'

While I was having my little "argument" with Eva, Shrek and Mr. Merlin were having an argument themselves.

'Look, can you just give us directions to Far far Away?', Shrek groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

'I would, but since you two are in the middle of a self-destructive rage spiral, it would be karmically irresponsible', Merlin retorted.

'Self destr...look, we don't give a shit about your fucking karma crap, just give us directions!', Eva called angrily from the log.

'One, it's not crap, young lady, and you need to watch your mouth. Two, I might, but only after you take the journey to your soul!', Merlin retorted angrily.

'Uh, no', Shrek stated, glaring at my former teacher.

'Look pal, it's ether that or some primal scream therapy', Merlin retorted, then started to scream.

Thankfully, Shrek shut him up and said, 'Alright, fine, journey to your soul it is.'

With that settled, I went over and sat beside Eva on the log.

'You ok?', I asked.

She nodded and said, 'Ya, Just a bit tired and sore'.

I smiled I relief and placed a hand on her shoulder.

'I'm just glad you're alive', I murmured, thinking about what could of happened.

I felt a hand on top of mine.

'I am to', the elf whispered, smiling with a faint blush on her cheeks.

I felt heat seep into my face as I gazed into her violet eyes. I've never really noticed that she was, actually, really pretty, beautiful even. No, wait, stop! She's my best friend, I shouldn't have these feelings for her! I shook my head slightly and slid my hand off of her shoulder. I swore I saw hurt and disappointment flash across her eyes before she disguised it with a look of calm. Eh, it must have been my imagination.

Glancing around for anything to look at besides Eva, I saw Donkey and Puss giving us knowing looks before busying themselves with getting wood for a fire. Ok, that was a bit strange.

'You never told me you were royalty', Eva commented from beside me, sounding a bit hurt.

'I thought they forgot all about me. Apparently, the king asked for me personally', I stated with a shrug.

'That's great!', Eva exclaimed.

'I guess, but I'm not nearly ready to be king, and I highly doubt I'll ever be ready', I retorted bitterly.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

'I think you are', was her comment, then she slid her hand off of my shoulder.

I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed at the lack of her touch. Hearing a small grunt, I glanced up to see Eva standing above me, swaying slightly.

'I'll be back', she muttered before wandering off towards the trees.

Sighing, I got up and started to help look for firewood.

* Ono waíse hljödhr, vanyali- you be silent, elf

** Séhr eka, knurlag- make me, human