Princess of Thieves
Another school play, another lead role for Arnold and Helga. How will it turn out this time around?

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold.
The 'interpretation' and the basis for the 'script' I have used for the Robin Hood play is based very strongly on the Robin Hood TV Series from the BBC (circa 2006-2009). If you haven't ever watched it, you totally should. However, I would like to point out that I also do not own Robin Hood.

NEWS: midnight-sun-dancer on Deviantart has done some artwork for this story which is fantastic! You can check it out at the link below (minus spaces of course)

browse . deviantart/ # / d5oss2d

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March 26th – Practicing The Last

Today was our final rehearsals before opening night. I looked up as Sid and Gerald concluded their scene on stage, earning a bright smile fro Mr Simmons, who eagerly clapped at their performance and flipped the pages of his script to the next scene.

"It's time to practice the very special last two scenes!" Mr Simmons announced, clasping his hands together in delight.

Sheena and Phoebe appeared on stage, helping Gerald and Sid move props around to make way for the newly built altar and chairs for the wedding scene.

Helga sat along the front row in the audience section of the auditorium, looking like something out of a movie in her dazzling blue dress whilst reading an antique copy of Hamlet with a look of pure concentration covering her face. Slowly, she lifted her eyes from the book and took a glance down at her costume, "Do we need to change into our wedding costume?" she enquired, placing the book back into her bag.

"Boy howdy, I'm not sure I wanna put that big suit of armour on just for practice." Sid whined.

Mr Simmons took a quick glance at his watch, "No, I don't think we have time for a costume change right now." he said, a slight frown on his face at the discovery of just how much time had passed us by today.

"Sheesh, thank god." Helga mumbled, as she climbed the stairs to the stage.

I followed quickly behind her, sitting just off-stage, in preparation for my later entry during the scene.

Sid and Helga took their places in front of the altar, with Gerald standing before him and Lila to the side with a bouquet of flowers.

"Tomorrow, we will have two lovely people as extras, who will stand as Guards behind Gerald. Oh, and we will use dummies as guests on the chairs." Mr Simmons explained, as Helga and Sid eyed the empty seats behind them, "Sid, you can begin."

Sid cleared his throat and turned to face Helga, "Marian, the day has come, we will be wed. I have dreamt of this day."

Marian took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Let us begin." she replied.

Sir Guy and Marian knelt together at the altar.

"We gather here today to witness the marriage of Sir Guy of Gisbourne and Lady Marian of Loxley." the Sheriff began, as he pulled the wedding rings from his pocket, "If any person knows of just cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Genevieve shifted uncomfortably, "Marian." she said softly, "This cannot go ahead."

"Genevieve?" Marian asked, looking up toward her in shock.

Genevieve extended her hand to Marian, pulling her up to stand, "Do not make this mistake." she urged.

The Sheriff moved forward, with an irritated look on his face, "Genevieve, step back." he commanded impatiently.

Guy slowly got to his feet, "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"Her heart belongs to another!" Genevieve insisted.

Marian shook her head cautiously, "My heart is here." she insisted nervously.

The Sheriff sighed in annoyance, and pushed Genevieve back with his forearm, "Step back." he once again commanded.

Genevieve reluctantly stepped back and shook her head.

"Shall we continue?" the Sheriff said angrily.

"You live only once Marian." Genevieve said, her voice carrying a firmer tone.

"WHAT is he doing here?" The Sheriff bellowed as Robin entered the wedding chapel.

Marian turned, gasping as she saw Robin, "Robin!" she called out.

"I told you to stay away from this church today." Guy scolded, as he approached Robin.

"I suppose I have trouble following orders." Robin replied.

"Robin!" Marian repeated, as she ran into his arms.

Guy looked him up and down for a moment, before turning and motioning to the men standing guard, "Guards!"

Robin immediately responded, drawing his bow to shoot the first guard as Marian punched Guy in the jaw.

The Sheriff took hold of Marian and placed his sword to her back as Robin shot down the second and final guard.

"This ends here, Robin Hood." The Sheriff warned him, as Marian squirmed in his grasp.

"This is between you and me Sherriff, leave Marian out of it!" Robin insisted.

"Precious." The Sheriff said, raising his brow at Marian, "You care for her."

"I will not let you kill her." Robin said firmly.

The Sheriff laughed, "You have no choice!"

Behind them, Genevieve drew a small knife from her dress and stabbed the Sheriff in the back, causing him to cry out in pain and fall to the ground.

"Leave now, more guards will come!" Genevieve instructed them.

"But, Genevieve, what will you say?" Marian asked in concern.

"I will tell them rebels came for you, killed the Sherriff and my brother, and took you away... They'll never find you in the forest." Genevieve assured them kindly.

Marian jumped into Robin's arms, "Let's get out of here," she said softly.

"That... was so very special!" Mr Simmons cried out from below the stage, his hands placed on his face in awe.

"Football Head, put me the heck down!" Helga growled in my arms, as I blushed, realising I'd held on a little too long.

"Next scene everybody." Mr Simmons announced joyfully, flipping over his script once again.

I moved to stand inside the tree house hideout, as the props for the scene were switched around from the wedding to the forest.

"We haven't practised the stage direction for your final kissing scene here, so I will guide you through as we go..." Mr Simmons said, rummaging through his bag to find his clipboard, "Okay, go for it."

I began my movements, hanging weapons up in the tree house area, making sure not to glace over to Helga and register the look of bitter disappointment on her face that we would have to practice our final romance scene today.

Marian entered the forest and slowly approached Robin's tree house.

"Marian." Robin smiled, as he turned to face her.

"Robin." Marian said nervously.

Robin walked to meet Marian and confidently took her hands in his.

"Will you marry me?" Robin asked.

"What?" Marian responded, a look of confusion on her face.

"They say that, when something feels right, you just... know." Robin began, as he looked Marian in the eyes. Helga shuffled her feet, refusing to meet my gaze. "I will protect and look after you, if you will protect and look after me."

Robin stepped back and dropped to one knee, still holding Marian's hands in his.

"Marian, I love you, will you marry me?" Robin asked sincerely.

Marian smiled slightly, "Robin, of all the men in the world, I think you're the only one who would propose to a woman after witnessing the death of the Sherrif-"

"Well, is that a yes?" Robin asked impatiently.

"Will you let me finish?" Marian said, a smile still on her lips.

Robin shifted nervously, "I'm sorry."

Marian laughed, "And the only one who would propose without a ring, after just aiding my escape from my own wedding." she finished.

"Is that a no?" Robin enquired.

"I will... I will live in the forest. I will ... fight by your side. I will marry you." Marian said.

Robin grinned and rose to his feet, "Sounds like a plan."

"Okay Helga, you need to jump into his arms." Mr Simmons instructed, with his eyes firmly fixed to the bright clipboard in his hands.

Helga hesitated for a moment, seemingly taking a breath before beginning, and reluctantly jumped into my arms. I caught her with ease, she was so light and feminine, so pretty, so amaz-

"Now Arnold, you will spin her around and kiss her and... Helga, when he spins you, you'll need to laugh happily." Mr Simmons instructed further.

Helga giggled, the most adorable little giggle, as I twirled her around in my arms on stage. I gulped, it was like a dream, Helga firmly held in my arms, giggling happily, her long dress gathered up at the sides. I never wanted to put her down.

"It's important that you spend a moment or two after your kiss looking into each other's eyes, I want to feel the very special chemistry!" Mr Simmons urged excitedly.

I shifted my gaze to meet Helga's blue eyes, she was biting her lip gently and her face seemed flushed but her eyes were bright. Helga shifted slightly in my arms, her eyes avoiding mine as she moved. I exhaled suddenly, not aware that I'd been holding my breath for so long.

"Okay, now you can put her back on the ground Arnold." Mr Simmons told me, "Then you will kiss her hand."

Helga seemed dazed as I placed her onto the ground and I felt her hand shake as I lifted it gently toward my face, feigning a kiss.

"Now, grab her waist and pull her close." Mr Simmons directed.

I felt my heart pound harder as my hands landed gently around her waist, resting on the curve of her hips. Helga shut her eyes dramatically, like she was scared to look as I pulled her toward me. I felt the warmth of her body close to mine, her eyes searched my face and her expression was unreadable.

"Oh, fantastic! Now, Arnold, you will kiss her shoulder and neck and then, Helga, you will run your hands over his face and down to his chest." Mr Simmons said joyfully, seemingly unaware of the magnitude of awkwardness he was creating.

Helga's breathing became apparently to me, it was rushed and heavy as I leant in toward her, faking kisses on her shoulder and neck. I bit my lip as I felt the touch of her hand on my face, her fingers spreading over my skin as she moved down toward my chest. I couldn't hear a thing besides the deep thumping of my heart, and I couldn't even remember the last time I'd taken a decent breath.

"Okay, say your next line Helga." Mr Simmons voice rang out and, thankfully, promoted me to take a gasp of air.

Helga gulped loudly, "Take me inside." Marian said, it came out a little rushed, a little raspy and I felt a shudder pass through my body.

"Now?" Robin asked.

"Now." Marian confirmed.

"Now, scoop her up bridal style..." Mr Simmons instructed, eliciting a few gossipy whispers from our cast mates.

Helga observed me warily as I moved closer, snaking one arm around her upper back and hooking the other beneath her legs. Helga's fingers lightly brushed against the skin of my forearm as her body slid to nestle beside my chest.

Mr Simmons clasped his hands together with a proud grin, "Wonderful, wonderful! Now, walk over to the bed area in the tree house, and remember on the night to kiss her as you walk! Once you lay her down on the bed, the curtains will drop."

Helga pursed her lips together as I carried her slowly toward the tree house. I would be kissing those lips on opening night, it was so soon, yet I wanted it now. Carefully, I knelt and lowered her onto the poorly painted 'bed' prop. Helga's eyes caught mine as I tenderly lifted my hands away from her, and I quickly reminded myself that there was an entire audience in front of us before I did anything crazy.

Applause from our classmates filled the air, breaking my gaze from Helga long enough to remind me that this was just acting.

"It's wonderful! Wonderful!" Mr Simmons sniffled, "You two are terrific! So special!"

Helga shakily moved beneath me, her unsteady hand pushing me backward as she stood herself up. I locked eyes with her again for a fleeting moment before she fled down the stairs toward the dressing rooms.

"Uh, that's a wrap for today everybody." Phoebe announced, glancing anxiously down the corridor Helga had just disappeared into.

Mr Simmons, with his sniffling now under control, looked around the room to ensure everybody was paying full attention, "Tomorrow is the day, our opening night! I want you all to arrive here at 6 to begin set and costume preparation for the performance. The show begins at 7:30. Make sure you all get a good rest tonight and come back super excited for our very special production tomorrow night!"

Phoebe quickly scurried off down the hallway, as Sheena reminded everybody to ensure their costumes were stored safely and correctly in their rightful places, ready for opening night.

Gerald caught up with me as I made my way toward the dressing room corridor, "I gotta admit, you two look pretty perfect together." he said, giving me a supportive pat on the back.

I sighed, "Yeah, I think we do too."