Feint left. Lunge. Parry. Keep feet apart, arms loose. Sharp rapping sounds as their wooden rapiers made contact. Fencing was a lot like sword fighting but with quicker and more precise movements. Mr. Heyerdahl was a petite man, but he was highly skilled, incredibly fast, and a good teacher. Arnold didn't even have time to wipe the sweat off his brow before Mr. Heyerdahl lunged at him again and Arnold had to twist his wrist in an attempt to parry it. But in a sudden blur, Mr. Heyerdahl swung his fist at Arnold, missing his face by a mere inch.

"Ah!" Arnold stumbled back in surprise, his feet tangled, and he fell on his rear.

Mr. Heyerdahl chuckled good-naturedly and offered a hand to help him up. "My apologies Sir Arnold, but I figured you should be used to foul play, dealing with pirates and all."

"I haven't had much practice at all, but thanks."

Arnold winced at the still present ache in his shoulder. It was healing and well bandaged, but exertion still made it sore. He took Mr. Heyerdahl's outstretched hand and stood, brushing the dirt off his rear end. It didn't do much for his appearance though considering he was drenched in sweat and was dirty all over. They had been sparing for a while now in the Heyerdahl's dirt backyard. The Fox Hole crew had decided to make port at Providence to finish repairs on the ship sustained by the storm and sell the goods they had stolen from the merchant ship. Most of the crew was staying at the local taverns while Helga stayed here. At least, that's where she told the others she was staying. If it wasn't for Arnold's training with Mr. Heyerdahl, he would never see her. She had a tendency to disappear throughout the day and despite Arnold's best efforts, he was never able to find out where she always disappeared to. He took a moment to cast an eye up at the house. In one of the upstairs windows, he could just barely make out her figure along with Phoebe's. When she was here, Helga spent time nearly exclusively with her. Arnold tried not to feel too jealous, but...

"Would you like to take a break, my lord?" Mr. Heyerdahl guessed with a laugh.

Arnold's face flushed and he tried his best to feign innocence. "If that's what you want, sir. I mean, we have been working for a while."

Mr. Heyerdahl gave his assent with a bow which Arnold returned with an awkward nod and handed him the wooden sword. After spending so much time being ill-treated by the pirates, it was starting to feel awkward being treated with respect by Mr. And Mrs. Heyerdahl. It made him realize just how surreal his whole situation was. What would it feel like to go back to a world where everyone bowed before speaking to him? What would it feel like to stay in a world where his wrists were tied and he was pulled around like a pet by a beautiful, ferocious pirate?

Arnold shook his head, unable and unwilling to think that far ahead. There was nothing he could do either way but wait for Fate. Working the water pump until a cool stream of water burst out, he rolled up his dusty sleeves and submerged his forearms under the spray. Since they made port, everything seemed to be at a stand-still. There had been no word on his ransom letter, neither assent nor refusal from Port Hillwood. And Captain Roth hadn't said anything about what would happen to him if they didn't raise a ransom. He would probably become a slave to them. Or to her.

The thought made him glance up at the window again and he was disheartened to find that she was gone. Feeling his heart speed up, Arnold quickly splashed some water over his face and neck to rid himself of the musk of sweat and rushed into the house to catch her before she left. Inside, he could hear Mrs. Heyerdahl in the storefront talking to a customer, but there was no sign of Helga. The hearth was un-attended which meant that Phoebe could still be upstairs. He rushed upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time so he could ask her where Helga might have gone.

"Hey, Miss Pho-mph!"

A hand suddenly covered his mouth and he felt himself being pulled sideways, into a dark space. His back roughly hit was felt like shelves and he heard the clink of metal.

"Are you running like a dog hoping to find me, my lord?" A voice purred in the darkness.

"M-My lady?" Arnold blinked, trying to adjust to the low light. He seemed to be in a long narrow room, the only light coming from a small, high window. The shelves seemed to be filled with weapons and armor parts.

There was another soft, sly chuckle and Helga stepped forward crowding his space. Arnold wanted to take a step back for the sake of propriety, but secretly, he was pleased that there was no room for him to move. Even in the dim light, she was beautiful. Her smirk was teasing but her eyes were soft.

"I was just, um... I just wanted to make sure you had comfortable lodgings, my lady," He half lied, "I see you so rarely that I wondered where you disappear to every day."

"Liar," Helga breathed. Her arms came up on either side of his head to grab the shelves behind him, boxing him in. "I know you've been trying to follow me, my lord. Admit it."

They were close. He could feel the body heat coming off of her and he wondered if she could feel his heart about to beat its way out of his chest. His hands itched to touch her, but if this was all a game, and he was determined to beat her at it. En garde.

"I don't know what you mean, my lady," He lowered his voice and stared directly back at her, "Perhaps this is some fantasy of yours?"

Helga leaned back a little, leading Arnold to believe that he may have won a point in flustering her. But then she scoffed and took another step back from him, the opposite of what he wanted.

"Though I am curious to know where you go to every day," He added quickly, hoping to draw her back.

"Are you now?" Helga's expression was hard to see in the dim light, but he detected amusement in her tone, "Just how curious are you?"

Before Arnold could think of a response, he felt her fingers slip underneath his shirt and slide across his abdomen. His muscles constricted at her touch and his breath hitched.

"Are you bursting with curiosity, my lord?" She whispered. She was close again, her lips brushing his ear, her cheek against his. "Would you give anything to know?"

"Yes." Arnold breathed, giving into her touch and giving up the game. He didn't even care what he was saying yes to. Feeling bold, he turned his head to brush his mouth against her ear, hoping to make the meaning of his next words clear. "I'll do anything, my lady."

"Oh?" Helga's head moved and her lips brushed his. His eyes closed and he waited for her kiss.

There was a breath of air and a sudden flood of light made Arnold wince and open his eyes. Helga was now standing by the open door. Fast as usual, she had moved before he even had a chance to register it. She gave him a devilish smirk, "What could you possibly give me, my lord? You're just a prisoner, remember?"

She disappeared with a mean laugh that set Arnold's blood on fire. It would serve her right if he repaid her unkindness. If he stoked the flames of her desire and just to leave her burning like she so loved doing to him. Arnold released his breath with a sigh. No, that wouldn't be the gentlemanly thing to do. No matter how he felt, he wouldn't stoop to her level. Even if he was more than tempted to grab her by the waist and-

"No," Arnold sighed again and shook his head, "A gentleman must never lay his hands on a lady unwarranted. No matter how... crazy Helga makes me."

Taking a moment to smooth out his hair and straighten his shirt, Arnold stepped out of the storage room and into the hallway. Helga was nowhere to be seen which meant she could be either downstairs or gone for the day as usual. Which was fine. If she wanted so little of his company, then he had no choice but to oblige her. He was more than happy to spend the rest of the day training with Mr. Heyerdahl.

Stepping out into the yard again, Arnold realized that this was actually perfect. One thing that he remembered was that she hated to be ignored. So how would she react if he started ignoring her for real? With the idea set in mind, he made his way over to Mr. Heyerdahl only to find Helga casually chatting with him. A smile started but then immediately stopped on his face. He schooled his expression into one cool detachment and only then approached them.

"Ah, my lord," Mr. Heyerdahl greeted him with a bow, "shall we continue our lesson? Helga says that she would love to observe."

Arnold let his eyes linger on her for a moment but he looked away as if it didn't matter to him. "If she so wishes."

"I do so wish," Helga's tone held only a hint of irritation, "I'd like to see if you have any... skills. With your sword I mean."

Arnold's face flushed and his head snapped to her before he could stop himself. Helga gave him her infamous smirk, triumphing in making him break his indifferent façade. He did his best to ignore her again, picked up his fencing sword, and got into ready position in front of Mr. Heyerdahl.

"When you are ready sir," He said tightly.

Mr. Heyerdahl bowed and got into ready position, "En Garde!"

He lunged forward but Arnold jumped back to keep from being hit. He feigned to the right and then went left, aiming the point of his wooden sword at Mr. Heyerdahl's shoulder. He parried and tried to use the momentum to twist the wooden rapier out of his hand. But Arnold moved with the momentum, swinging his body around so that he was now behind his opponent. Mr. Heyerdahl was just as fast though and nearly got him with a sharp, backhanded swing. Arnold was far from done though. Helga was watching him and he was not going to give her something else to tease him about. He kept his feet moving and his focus sharp. If Mr. Heyerdahl had any clue of his real intentions or sympathized with him, he gave no sign. If anything, Mr. Heyerdahl seemed to fight against him even harder than before, wearing the same patient smile that he had before.

"You seemed to have improved, my lord," Mr. Heyerdahl said with only a hint of breathlessness, "Perhaps your... motivations have improved?"

Arnold heard Helga giggle behind him and he felt his teeth clench. Sweat began to sting his eyes and the back of his shirt began to feel damp. He took a quick couple of steps back to distance himself from his opponent.

"Sir, may I?" He requested, tugging at his shirt.

Mr. Heyerdahl nodded his consent and Arnold stripped off his shirt. He pretended not to hear the sharp intake of breath from a certain blonde pirate. Satisfied nonetheless, he returned to the first position. Perhaps it was the change in body temperature or the brief respite, but Arnold felt his second wind return.

"Wait."

Arnold straightened and looked up in surprise. Helga, her eyes locked on Arnold and a devious look in her eyes went over to Mr. Heyerdahl. She spoke to him but her eyes never left Arnold.

"May I sir?" She asked holding out her hand.

"If you so wish," Mr. Heyerdahl nodded and handed her his rapier.

Arnold's jaw dropped as he realized exactly what she intended, He hesitated, "My lady..."

Showing off in front of her was one thing. But part of him was still frustrated with her earlier antics and combined with the adrenaline that was still coursing through his veins from sparing with Mr. Heyerdahl, he didn't know how much he would be able to hold back. Helga must have been able to read all that in his hesitation because she scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Relax, my lord," she chuckled, "I've fought among pirates half my life. I doubt you can do me much harm. Even with training from pops here."

Arnold's hesitation diminished greatly at her haughty tone. He could always so easy on her. He raised his rapier again and got into the first position. "Whenever you're ready, my lady."

Helga rose an eyebrow at his change in tone and shared a look with Mr. Heyerdahl, "Oooh, I think I made him mad."

"Go easy on him, please," Mr. Heyerdahl replied, "He's only just begun."

"And what better way to teach him then?" Helga chuckled.

Arnold tensed, expecting her to now get into the first position, but again he was floored. Instead of preparing to spar with him, Helga began to untie the front of her dress. Heat slammed to Arnold's face and he turned away hastily.

"Mm-my Lady!"

"Oh, relax my overly pampered, highly sheltered lord," Helga laughed and when he dared to look, he saw her calmly pulling off the top half of her dress revealing a sleeveless chemise underneath. Mr. Heyerdahl calmly took her dress and stepped back raising his hand. Only then did Helga get into the first position. Arnold swallowed hard but made the extreme effort to keep his eyes on her face and got back into the first position again.

"And..." Mr. Heyerdahl backed up a couple of steps to give them room, "En Garde!"

Helga leaped at him faster than Arnold had a chance to react. He stumbled back, feeling the harsh shudder go through his arm as her sword made contact with his. Get it together Arnold! He gritted his teeth and tensed his muscles to fight back. He swung his sword at her to fend her off and then lunged. His aim was for the right, her upper arm in fact. But then as she sifted to avoid him, his eyes drifted to the front of her chemise and he stumbled. He realized his mistake and knew what was coming but that didn't stop his cry of pain as her sword hit him in the back. Arnold straightened quickly, mentally kicking himself for getting distracted.

"My lord you disappoint me," Helga chuckled, circling him, "To think that you'd be so easily distracted by something so trivial."

"It's far from trivial, my lady," Arnold replied without thinking. He almost regretted it if not for the light blush that spread across her cheeks.

Helga lunged at him again without warning, barely giving him time to parry. She moved faster this time, her eyes focused with only a small hint of amusement in them. Arnold could only parry and barely that. With Mr. Heyerdahl and even Edmund, he was able to read at least some of their movements and give a few counters of his own. But with Helga it was different. Regardless of her apparent ease, Arnold was still a gentleman and couldn't allow himself to stare at her (no matter how tempted he was). So focused he was on not letting his eyes wander to inappropriate places, that he couldn't watch the movements of her sword very well.

At a crucial movement their swords locked and suddenly they were face to face.

"What are you doing?" She asked breathlessly, "Is it really that hard to fight me?"

"Is it really so hard to be kind to me?" He countered, "We could get along so much better if you were."

Helga smiled and pushed him away, breaking their hold, "If you defeat me, I just might."

"Is that a promise?"

"You have my word."

It was the word of a pirate, but it was good enough for him. With a new incentive before him, Arnold allowed himself to push aside his gentlemanly instincts and even his baser ones. He sharpened his focus and reset his stance. This time when Helga lunged at him, he was ready. She came at him from the left, crossing right and aimed low for his hip. Arnold caught her rapier with his and swung upwards, hoping to disarm her. But her grip was firm and she went with the momentum bringing them face again.

"Hmm, you have improved," Helga laughed, "You must really want me to be nice to you."

She thrust her arm out hitting his chest with the flat of her palm. Arnold cried out in shock and stumbled back.

"Point!" Mr. Heyerdahl yelled.

Arnold's mouth dropped open, stunned, "B-but- she-"

"I told you when fighting with pirates, they may not always fight fair," Mr. Heyerdahl chuckled.

Arnold felt an angry pout form on his face and reset himself into the first position. Helga grinned and did the same.

"Ready?" Mr. Heyerdahl lifted his hand again, "And..."

This time, Arnold didn't wait for him and immediately lunged at forward, striking Helga into the shoulder.

"Point!"

"You- you connard!" Helga flushed angrily and placed a hand on the place where Arnold had struck her, "That was my breast!"

"No, it wasn't!" Arnold felt his face flush as well, "I hit your shoulder!"

"En Garde!"

They leaped at each other again, both trying to hit the other and avoid being hit. Arnold noticed that Helga fought a little differently than Mr. Heyerdahl. His recent teacher used the rapier as an extension of his arm but kept his body as far away from Arnold as he could. Helga was fast like him but seemed to throw her whole body into each of her strikes. It should have left her more open to attacks but since Arnold was keeping his body away from her, he never seemed to make it in time to land any blows. But he was hanging in there. This was his chance to both earn Helga's respect and earn some kindness from her as well.

"I'm not giving up, my lady," Arnold panted, "But to think, we could have spent time together doing something much more pleasant."

She arched an eyebrow, "Is that a suggestion, my lord?"

Her tone was more of a suggestion in itself. Arnold faltered and she almost hit him in the chest which he barely managed to side-step. He swung, just reacting to her proximity and the fact that she was open to attack. He aimed too low though and watched in horror, as if in slow motion, as the rapier swung down and thwapped Helga right on the rear end.

"AHH!" Helga squealed and whirled around, matching Arnold's look of utmost shock, "Did you just-"

"Point!" Mr. Heyerdahl yelled.

Arnold rapidly shook his head, "My lady I-"

She didn't give him a chance to answer and lunged at his head. Arnold parried and countered her attack, fearing the new fire in her eyes. Now she was the one with the second wind, coming at Arnold faster than before.

"My lady- I insist- it was- an accident!"

"Like hell it was!"

"You know that I would never-"

"Like hell, you wouldn't! You're a man, aren't you?"

"But I'm a gentleman first!"

And he was, he really was. He didn't even want to be fighting Helga in the first place, but as she thrust forward, aiming for his head no doubt, he saw an opening he could take. As she went high, he shot out his foot and tangled hers. Helga cried out in surprise as she fell forward and Arnold moved in front of her to catch her. She fell faster and harder than he was expecting and they both crashed to the ground. His head hit the ground hard and he saw stars. It took him a minute to shake his daze and realize that Helga was still laying on top of him. He was all too aware of his rapid pulse and the way her breath fanned across his collarbone as she stirred with a groan and lifted her head. They came face to face. Her intense blue eyes stared into him. Arnold swallowed nervously, expecting any moment for her to explode at him. But something passed through her eyes, something soft, and Arnold had a sudden revelation. Helga had been fighting for years, he'd been training for two days. There was no possible way he was anywhere near her level. Which meant that she let him win. A smile bloomed on his face and she rolled her eyes.

"Sap," Helga mumbled but made no move to get off him.

"Game Arnold!" Mr. Heyerdahl declared.

"What!?" This time Helga did roll off him and glared at Mr. Heyerdahl, "How?"

He nodded at Arnold, "He still has his weapon. You do not."

Arnold looked down and saw that he did still have his rapier in his hand. Helga had dropped hers when they crashed.

"Hmph, cheats," Helga huffed and stood up.

Arnold quickly stood up with her and offered her a bow, "My lady, I apologize for my roughness. I hope there are no bad feelings between us?"

Helga laughed at him, taking the top part of her dress from Mr. Heyerdahl, "Has anyone dained to tell you to your face that you take yourself way too seriously, my lord?"

"Only you," He smiled fondly.

Again, she only rolled her eyes at him, but she didn't tease him this time. Carrying her dress over her arm, she walked over to him and patted him on his still bare chest. "Get dressed unless you're planning on walking around in such scant attire."

Her hands dragged across his chest as she walked past him and headed to the water pump. Arnold quickly picked up his shirt from the ground and followed after her. She started the water pump first and began splashing her face and neck. Arnold bit his lip, fighting himself, and respectfully turned his back to give her some privacy.

"You really are too good for your own good," Helga hummed.

"I value your comradeship," Arnold peaked over his shoulder to see that she was finally trying her dress back on. He stepped over to the water pump to splash his chest and neck, "And because I value your comradeship. That means respecting your personage as well."

She didn't comment on that but he felt her fingertips ghost across the back of his shoulders, raising goosebumps. When he looked up though she was already moving towards the house. She glanced at him over her shoulder, "You coming?"

Arnold quickly pulled on his shirt and followed her to the house. Inside, she grabbed a small leather satchel off of the table, waved goodbye to Phoebe and her mother who were working in the front of the store, and headed out the front door with him following close behind. The port town was only slightly less busy during the daylight hours. The drunks were nowhere to be seen, probably in taverns getting their fill, or in inns sleeping off their drunken stupors. But rough men were still roaming the streets, burly shopkeepers called out what weapons they had for sale, their wives what goods they had, and children dressed in rags ran amuck. It wasn't the ideal place Arnold would choose to spend time with a lady, but he supposed he had to take what he could get.

"This town is so very different from my own, and yet I also see similarities between them," He mused out loud. He didn't add that in this port it seemed that the businesses here seemed to be doing better than the ones back home.

Helga shrugged, "The more you travel the more you realize that people are basically the same. Doing whatever it takes to get by or get ahead."

"Not everyone is like that," He smiled at her fondly and offered her his arm, "Now where may I escort you?"

"Oh, spare me the flowery speech," Helga rolled her eyes and lowered his arm, "you aren't escorting me anywhere. I'm just letting you tag along with me so you'll stop whining."

"Whatever you say, my lady."

They strolled through the streets together with something more than just companionable air between them. She wasn't saying much but there was a small smile on her face that made Arnold wonder if she enjoyed being around him just as much as he enjoyed being around her. He also wondered if she was as nervous as he was. Did pirates ever court? He himself had always been so busy, with first his grandparents and then with his governing duties, that he never attempted courting anyone before. His manservant Robert taught him how to be courteous, polite, and well-mannered, but he had even less experience with women than Arnold had. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

"Isn't it a lovely day for a stroll?" He started looking around him, "The sky is so beautiful, it reminds me of-"

"My eyes?" Helga fluttered her lashes dramatically, "Really, my lord. Surely you have better material than that."

"No, I was going to say it reminds me of the sea," Arnold floundered a bit, as that had been exactly what he was going to say. "Not that your eyes aren't beautiful of course."

Suddenly, Helga's face became serious, "Tell me something real. No flattery. No polite-talk. No Lord Governor Shortman."

Arnold bit his lip and glanced away for a moment considering. No flattery and no polite-talk? What else did he have? Boring talk about paperwork, floundering budgets, and committee meetings. A seagull suddenly wheeled into his view, giving a loud cry. Arnold smiled and turned back to Helga.

"One of my favorite things to do back home is sneak out and walk along the beach under the cliffs," He chuckled thinking about it, "Used to drive the servants crazy. For the first year and a half, they thought I had been... kidnapped."

They looked at each other then and burst out laughing. It wasn't really that funny, it shouldn't have been that funny. But the irony was there. What should have been the worst situation to happen him was the best thing to ever to him.

"You hungry?" Helga asked, "Come on, let's get you something to eat."

Arnold felt his heart jump as her fingers closed around his. She pulled him over to a stall selling food items.

"What are those?" He pointed at what looked like round, brownstones covered in fuzz, "Furry rocks?"

"What? These?" Helga dropped his hand to pick one up and the look she gave him was partly incredulous, "Kiwi's haven't made it to Port Hillwood yet?"

"Kee-wees?" Arnold repeated and gingerly took the item from her. It was lighter than he expected it to be and handling it carefully he could tell that it was soft. The fur was like a bristle, rough and short.

"You gonna buy it or what?" The woman tending the stall snapped.

"Yeah, yeah, keep your socks on lady," Helga handed the woman a few coins from her bag and snatched up a couple of more kiwis, tucking those in her bag. Helga took Arnold's hand again and they found a little area in the sun to eat in peace, sitting on spare crates. Helga then produced a small dagger and took Arnold's kiwi from him. "Here, let me show you."

She cut a thick wedge from the fruit revealing bright green flesh underneath the skin. Arnold didn't even bother to hide his gasp.

"Only eat the green part," she instructed, handing the wedge to him.

He hesitated. She gave a semi-impatient sigh behind a smile and cut another wedge for herself. She ate it without hesitation leaving only the brown layer. Now Arnold took a bite for himself and nearly choked.

"It's so sweet!" He exclaimed, "And juicy! How has my port not received this delicacy already?"

Helga giggled at his excitement, producing another knife and a kiwi so he could continue eating without her assistance. He watched her carefully, copying the way she separated the flesh of the fruit from the skin, and eat with the knife without cutting herself.

"You know, your port is locked down pretty tight," she explained after a while, "If I remember correctly, these little beauties were brought in our side of the seas when a pirate crew from the east made an emergency port at a non-pirate safe dock. In exchange for not hanging them, the crew guarding the dock that night got a crate of the pirates more exotic wares. Tell m, governor, do you think that sort of thing could ever happen in Port Hillwood?"

Arnold immediately shook his head, "No. It's pretty much drilled into us that if any pirate or pirate affiliate steps foot in Port Hillwood they should be immediately thrown in jail. I can't think of anyone who would willingly break that rule."

"I guess visiting you is out of the question then?"

She smirked when she said it, but Arnold shifted uncomfortably and stuffed his face with more fruit. He didn't want to think about what would happen if- But there was no reason to think of that. Instead, he thought more about this strange, tasty fruit and its origins. There would definitely be a boost in exports if Port Hillwood could get their hands on these. What else out there were they missing on?

"You know, I just thought of something," he said, "these kiwis are a lot like you, my lady."

"Really?" Helga looked at him in utter surprise, "how?"

"Well, even though they're rough on the outside, they're sweet on the inside," He spared her a smirk, "Though of course, you're also very beautiful on the outside too."

Helga turned crimson and busied herself with her fruit, trying to pretend that he hadn't fazed her. Which he totally knew he did. "You really are hopeless, my lord."

"I know," Arnold laughed. He went back to his earlier thoughts though, "If you would allow me a hypothetical question- if you were to ever become weary of piracy, would you perhaps consider a life of privateering instead?"

Helga seemed to consider the prospect seriously for a moment, her lips pursed in thought.

"Maybe," she said finally, with a shrug. She went back to eating, "If I had a good reason."

"Hmm," Arnold hummed under his breath, "a good reason indeed."

A/N- Hey everyone! Trying really hard to come back to this stories and others that I had in progress for forever. I actually do have some new HA stories I eventually want to do but I promised myself that I would finish my WIPs before I started anything new. Consider this a bridging chapter to get me back into the mood of this story. Hope you enjoy :)