A/N Hey, it's me! Thank you kitty-kat-girlyyyxxx, Pca student, jimxariel4everfan19, x XRoweenaJAugustineX x, startrektnggirl33, redrosegirl3, CrazyPops D, and XAngelWingsx for reviewing! I love you guys! Warning: this chapter is full of ArtiexEva fluff! lmao I just wanted to post this chapter before school started for me...tomorrow. This is also a songfic chapter. please Read and Review, since I love them and you get any dessert you want for it! ^_^ Oh, and the updates will be slower, since i'm starting school and i won't have as much time to write as usual! Sorry about that!
I stepped out the door and stopped a servant, requesting a bowl of salad to be brought to my room. Once the servant scurried away to fill my request, I stepped back inside my room and flopped onto my bed.
Spirits, I'm tired.
A knock sounded on my door just as I was starting to doze off.
'Come in', I said, muffled slightly by the bed.
The door opened, then closed. I felt someone sit beside my sprawled-out figure and place a bowl of salad beside me, a fork already in it.
'Sleepy?', a playful voice asked, making me grin.
'Yep', I muttered, reluctantly rolling over and sitting up to face Artie's smirking face.
'Aww, poor wittle Eva needs a nap', he mocked with a smile on his face.
'Call me "wittle Eva" one more time and you'll pay', I threatened playfully, reaching over for my salad, freezing when Artie repeated his taunt.
'Ooh, that's it!', I stated, tacking him to the floor where we wrestled playfully.
This time, Artie won by finding my sensitive area on my stomach and tickling me until I gave up.
'O-ok, o-ok, you win!', I said between gasps of laughter.
Smiling triumphantly, he stopped and sat up.
'Ha', he merely stated, helping me up from the carpeted floor.
I glared at him playfully and started on my salad.
'Do you remember when we first met?', Artie asked suddenly, leaning against my pillows.
'Ya, I believe you got kicked out of Alchemy and was sitting in the hall', I stated after swallowing a lettuce leaf.
He chuckled at the memory.
'Who would of thought that simple act would begin an awesome friendship?', he asked, closing his eyes and grinning his lopsided grin.
Smiling, I laid down beside him, just gazing at his face. Eventually, he sensed my gaze and opened his eyes.
'Is there something on my face?', he asked, startling me out of my trance.
'N-no, you look fine', I stuttered, turning away to hide my furious blush.
Only when I was sure my blush went away did I turn back around. Artie, being the oblivious boy he is, didn't notice my blush, thankfully.
'So, how long are you staying?', Artie asked, a bit of sadness in his tone.
'Not until Monday', I said, giving him a sad smile.
'But it's Thursday!', he exclaimed.
'So? It gives us four days to hang out', I countered.
'Ya, only four days', he snapped back.
'Dude, what's your problem? You're not the one who is gonna be on there own for gods know how long! You're the one who will be living in a castle, pampered hand and foot!', I snapped, then taking a deep breath.
In a calmer tone, I said, 'Look, Artie, I don't wanna leave on a bad note. Let's just enjoy the remaining time we have together instead of arguing'.
At this point, he had his back turned to me. When he didn't respond, I reached out and hugged him from behind. He sighed and let me hug him.
'I don't know what I should do when you're gone', he confessed quietly. 'I mean, we've been through practically everything together. I can't see myself going on without your support. I don't know how to go on without your support!'
My arms tightened around him as I let my chin rest on his shoulder.
'You'll have the support of your aunt, your subjects, Shrek and Fiona, and mine, too. I'll just be in another place, that's all', I murmured into his ear.
There was silence for a minute or so.
'You're right, as always', he admitted with a sigh.
Satisfied, I let go and leaned back.
'Well, what do you expect! I'm always right', I said with a laugh.
He smiled, chuckled and shook his head.
'So, how were your lessons?', I asked, shifting so that I was laying on my belly.
'Meh, they were boring and tedious at the most', he replied with a groan.
Smirking, I patted his arm sympathetically.
'You never told me what happened between you and Shrek', I stated, laying my head on my folded arms and gazing at Artie.
He smiled down at me and told me what transpired between him and the green monster. When he finished, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his body, pulling him down onto the bed with me.
'Why the hell would your dad do something like that to a great person like you?', I whispered, gazing at Artie with sad eyes.
He shrugged and sighed.
'I really am gonna miss you', he whispered so quietly that I had to strain to hear him.
'I know. I'm gonna miss you, too', I responded, unwrapping my arms and placing them back beneath my head.
We just laid there, enjoying each-others' company until I heard Artie start to snore softly. Smiling to myself, I lifted my head and gazed at Artie's sleeping form. He's such a sweet guy, and looks so peaceful when he's sleeping. I shifted so that my head was beside his.
Leaning up, I pressed a small kiss to his forehead and laid my head back on the mattress.
The sound of his rhythmic breathing gently lulled me into sleep.
Lillian
Oh, where has that boy gotten to? I walked through the halls, looking for that nephew of mine. After checking his room, I headed to the other place he might be at.
I knocked on the door to Eva's room, only to get no response. Trying the doorknob, I slowly opened the door to her room.
The touching scene made me smile.
Eva had her head resting on Artie's chest while his arms were around her waist. They were both snoring softly.
After softly closing the door, I started for the library. Mind as well let them rest, they need it.
Well, I think I might have some grandnephews and grandnieces running around in the near future, along with some grandchildren.
Chuckling to myself, I pushed the wooden door open and headed for my study.
Eva
A small click of a door shutting woke me. Breathing deeply, I felt that my head was on something warm and was gently moving up and down. I also felt something wrapped around my waist tightly.
Wow, déjà vu.
Smirking to myself, I released the breath and waited for Artie to wake up. After about 15 minutes, I heard a change in his breathing pattern. He shifted slightly underneath me. Feeling his warm breath flutter my hair slightly, I guessed he lifted his head. As soon as he lifted his head off of the mattress, I heard his heartbeat start to race. He shifted again and breathed my name. That sent an involuntary shiver up and down my spine. He probably felt it.
'Hey, Eva, are you awake?', he breathed again.
'I've been awake for the past 15 minutes', I murmured back, not even attempting to move.
'Hmm, can you get off of me now?', he asked, making me pout slightly.
'Well, I would have 15 minutes ago if somebody didn't have their arms wrapped around my waist like ivy on a building', I muttered, a hint of annoyance in my voice.
There was silence, then a muttered, 'Sorry', and the feeling of him unwrapping his arms.
Finally opening my eyes, I sat up and stretched, yawning loudly. The parts of my body that were touching Artie suddenly felt cold in the afternoon air.
'Well, that was a good nap', I commented lightly.
He hummed his answer as he got off of my bed and turned on the radio that was on the wooden desk. Music filled the air, making the atmosphere a little more homey. As soon as the song started playing, I sighed in bliss and closed my eyes.
'I adore this song', I sighed, smiling and swaying to the relaxing beat.
'Sleeping Sun?', Artie asked from the direction of the radio.
I nodded.
Hearing muffled footsteps, I opened my eyes to see Artie standing in front of me, looking a bit embarrassed.
'May I have this dance?', he asked timidly, reaching out a hand.
Smiling, I took it and allowed him to pull me up. He led me to a clear area and placed his hands on my waist while I put my hands on his shoulders. Just as we started to sway in place, the singer started to sing.
The sun is sleeping quietly
Once upon a century
Wistful oceans calm and red
Ardent caresses laid to rest
For my dreams I hold my life
For wishes I behold my nights
A truth at the end of time
Losing faith makes a crime
I got slightly bolder and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. Artie had no choice but to wrap his arms around my waist and continue our dance
I wish for this night-time to last for a life-time
The darkness around me - shores of a solar sea
Oh how I wish to go down with the sun
Sleeping
Weeping
With you
Sorrow has a human heart
From my God it will depart
I'd sail before a thousand moons
Never finding where to go
Two hundred twenty-two days of light
Will be desired by a knight
A moment for the poet's play
Until there's nothing left to say
I wish for this night-time to last for a life-time
The darkness around me - shores of a solar sea
Oh how I wish to go down with the sun
Sleeping
Weeping
With you
I wish for this night-time to last for a life-time
The darkness around me - shores of a solar sea
Oh how I wish to go down with the sun
Sleeping
Weeping
With you
We stayed in that position for a few moments after the song ended before we pulled apart.
'I think I see why you like that song so much', Artie commented, his cheeks slightly pink.
Smiling, I turned the volume down a bit as a louder song came on.
'I'm glad you like it', I stated, sitting back down on the bed.
He sat down beside me and we just listened to the songs the radio station decided to play. After awhile, I felt like I was being watched. Turning my head slightly, I saw that Artie was staring at me through half-lidded eyes. He was gazing at me with the same dreamy look he used to get when he saw Guinevere. I lifted my eyebrow and tapped him on the arm, startling him out of his trance.
'Hu-what?', he asked, jumping slightly at my touch.
'Oh, nothing, just wanted to bug ya', I said, smiling to myself and swinging my legs.
He only raised an eyebrow and shook his head in defeat.
'For as long as I live, I will never be able to figure you out', he commented.
'And why would you want to do such a thing? It's funner to be a mystery', I asked in a cheerful tone.
'See, like that! One moment you were brooding, and the next you're happy and cheerful! I don't get how you can change moods so quickly', Artie exclaimed.
'Just because you have an emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have', I retorted, smiling to indicate that I was just playing.
He only pushed me lightly.
'Hey, why don't we check the stables for a horse for you?', Artie suggested, standing up and reaching a hand out towards me.
'Sure!', I said, taking his hand and letting him pull me up, following him out the door.
A/N Song: Sleeping Sun- Nightwish
You guys have to listen to Sleeping Sun, it's a bloody epic song! i mean, the song is an absolutely georgous piece of music! I don't own Shrek 3 or its characters, i only own Eva, Maiaera, and any other OC that is in here! please R&R and have a great Sunday! ^_^
~Meerkatgirl13