The beautiful melody coming from the galley had drawn a new listener.
"Are you going to come in? You don't have to stand outside, Runt." Ardwulf stopped playing for a moment to invite the young eavesdropping little girl inside. He went back to playing as the sound of little footsteps entered the galley.
"I told you, Mister. I'm Stefanie. Not Runt!" The little girl pouted and stomped her foot down hard.
Ardwulf chuckled softly and patted the space next to him in between notes.
"Oh, it's you." Celica looked over and smiled as she watched the young girl take a seat next to Ardwulf. "You hungry, little one?"
"Hmm, yeah, I could eat. What's his story?" Stefanie nodded her head towards the young man playing his harmonica.
"Why don't you ask me yourself, runt?" Ardwulf reached over and gently rubbed the top of the little girl's head.
"Stefanie." The young girl corrected. "Could you...keep playing?" She looked up at Ardwulf with pleading eyes. She smiled happily when the young man rubbed the top of her head.
"Aww. That's cute." Celica smiled and turned around to face the two of them.
"Sure, kid." Ardwulf gently poked her nose in a playful fashion before going back to his music. The tone of the melody had shifted from an upbeat tone, to a more soothed and relaxed melody.
"Hey, that's..." Stefanie looked up at the young man in awe. 'He figured out my home country and decided to play one of our lullabies. Who is this man?' She thought to herself and leaned closer to him. She folded her arms on his lap and put her head on her arms as she gently hummed along to the music.
'Ardwulf...you could probably even soothe a rampaging dragon with that harmonica.' Celica thought to herself with a soft giggle. "There's just something about you, Ardy." She teased and stole Tamm's nickname for him.
"Don't you start." Ardwulf chastised the young woman and continued playing the beautiful lullaby.
After ten minutes of playing, Ardwulf looked down to see the young girl asleep on his lap. "I must be comfortable since both you and Celica enjoying laying on me." Ardwulf scratched the back of his head with a soft smile. 'What led her to Suzanne?' He thought and gently brushed the hair out of the young girl's face.
'He is so gentle.' Celica had propped her elbow up on the counter, her head resting on her palm as she watched the sweet scene in front of her.
"First that woman, and now even my Cabin Girl? Does your lustful ways have no bounds?" Suzanne's voice filled the galley from the hallway.
"Oh, blow me." Ardwulf stuck his middle finger up at the young Captain as she walked into the room.
"Come see me later and maybe we can discuss your proposition." Suzanne retorted and stuck up her own middle finger back at the young soldier.
Young Celica's poor face turned blood red and she almost fainted at their remarks. 'Such vulgar remarks, but...' She looked to Ardwulf with a small smile. 'I'm happy to see him smiling.'
"I'm glad to see Stefanie sleeping. She's been having nightmares for the last three months. How did you manage that?" Suzanne took a seat on the other side of Ardwulf and gently rubbed the top of the young girl's head.
"She's from Nandorien, right?" Ardwulf stared down at the young girl in his lap.
"But--How...?" Suzanne stared at Ardwulf in disbelief.
"Her accent. I'd recognize it anywhere. Mother was from Nandorien." Ardwulf sighed softly and closed his eyes.
"Yeah. She was a survivor of a pirate raid. A Nandorien Merchant Vessel came under attack and we saved her. We may be pirates, but we don't kill needlessly." Suzanne explained young Stefanie's past. "But wait, I thought you were an orphan, though?" She looked up at Ardwulf.
'The poor thing...' Celica gasped softly. 'Wait...Ardwulf's an orphan?' She turned the stove to simmer and walked over to join them.
"That can't have been easy on her. If she survived, she could be used for all manner of wicked deeds." Ardwulf growled as his body trembled with rage. "I hope you killed every last one of them."
"We did. They're all dead, Ardy. We saved her, though. You have to take the good with the bad. Now, back to my question. I'm sure your woman is interested, too. She even came closer to listen." Suzanne gently nudged Ardwulf's side.
"She's not..." Ardwulf's face turned red and he sighed in defeat. "Whatever, but yes, I'm an orphan. Father, or rather, General Robert Estald, took me into his home and raised me like his own. His wife, the woman I came to call my Mother, was a beautiful and kind woman. She didn't treat me any different then her own kids. In fact, I think she favored me. But I digress, she was a Nandorien Mage. Father saved her life during the war and it was love at first sight. She passed away several years ago..." Ardwulf sighed and looked down at the young girl in his lap.
"Ardy..." Suzanne sighed.
"Ardwulf..." Celica gasped and covered her mouth as a few tears slid down her face.
"What happened, Ardy?" Suzanne looked to her father's disciple.
"Ischaemic Heart Disease. Her heart basically stopped working correctly." Ardwulf admitted and shook his head slowly. "Nothing could be done to save her. She was bedridden for the last year of her life. I poured every last penny I had into searching for cures and the best doctor's that money could buy. In the end, it wasn't enough..." Ardwulf sobbed quietly.
"I can't..." Celica crawled up the table behind Ardwulf and looped her arms under his, placing her hands on his chest. "I'm positive she was happy to know how hard you tried to save her, Ardwulf. You did everything you could until her last days on this world. She left knowing how much you loved her, Ardwulf."
'He's had such a hard life. I want to comfort him, too, but...' Suzanne looked back at Celica. 'He's got her now. I guess I waited to long.' She mentally sighed. 'But I wish you both luck and happiness, and Celica, if you ever make the mistake of leaving him, I'll take him for myself, and you won't get him back.' She thought to herself as she reached over and grabbed the young girl off Ardwulf's lap. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go." She held the young girl close as the two of them left to give Ardwulf and Celica some alone time.
"Celica..." Ardwulf reached up and gently grabbed her wrists, leaning back into her as he watched Suzanne carry the young girl, leaving the two of them alone. Ardwulf sobbed a little louder now that the sleeping girl was gone. "I never had the chance to mourn her death, Celica..."
"Ardwulf..." Celica squeezed him and held him tight against her chest. "Why didn't you mourn for her...?"
"I didn't know how..." Ardwulf admitted reluctantly and closed his eyes as a sniffle escaped his lips. "I never had these emotions before..."
"Didn't have...emotions? Ardwulf, how's that possible?" Celica sat down on her butt and pulled Ardwulf's head into her lap. She stared down at the weeping soldier and gently ran her fingers through his hair.
"When I was found, it was on a recent battlefield. No memories and naked as the day I was born, well, I suppose born. My first memory is meeting Emperor Theoden. I have no knowledge of anything before that. He was searching the field for his missing brother. When they found me, I was holding my spear, Luminous Tempest, covered from head to toe in blood, both new and old. They say my eyes held the look of killer. Theoden took me in, cleaned me up and had me interrogated. Ten years old and already a full blown killer, Theoden had plans for me. He gifted me to his most trusted General, Robert Estald. The man who I would later call my Father, and because I had no memories, I held no emotions, either. In short, I was turned into a cold blooded, emotionless killer." A few tears hit Ardwulf's face and he blushed when he realized his head was now in Celica's lap. "Celica..." He reached his hand up and gently placed it on her cheek. "You don't have to cry for me."
"Someone has to Ardwulf..." Celica sobbed and placed her hand on top of his, holding it against her cheek tightly. "Your life must have been so hard. No clue as to who you are and forced into a War against your will. I feel so stupid. My life has been nowhere near as tragic as yours. Can you ever forgive me?" Her beautiful pink eyes locked with his mysterious dark green hues.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Celica. I promise. I don't blame you for anything." Ardwulf gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. "I'm the one who's sorry for making you cry." He sighed heavily and closed his eyes.
"Ardwulf..." Celica leaned down and pressed her forehead to his and cupped his face gently in her hands. 'What are these feelings? I've never been this affectionate with another person, but I...I don't like seeing him like this. My heart gets so heavy.'
"C-Celica...?" Ardwulf blushed a deep red when their foreheads met. 'My heart...' He placed one hand on his chest, over his heart. 'It's beating like crazy. It only does this when she's close to me and acts like this. What am I feeling?'
"Are you okay now, Ardwulf?" Celica lifted her head just enough to meet his gaze, her face still pink.
"Mhmm. I am, because of you, Celica." Ardwulf reached his hand up and grabbed a small bit of her hair. He brought it down to his face and inhaled her scent. 'She smells...nice...'
"A-Ardwulf..." Celica blushed as she watched this man bring her hair to his face. "Don't...I haven't showered since last night..." She pouted and placed her hands on his chest.
"You still smell nice." Ardwulf inhaled her scent one more time before letting go of her hair. "Celica. Your eyes..." He reached up and gently grabbed her chin, turning her eyes to meet his own.
"A-Ardwulf..." Celica thought for sure her face would permanently turned red.
"They're so beautiful, and yet, they hold a deep sadness. What's going on? You can talk to me. After all, you know more about me then anyone else now. And could you...press your forehead against mine...again...?" Ardwulf blushed a deep red. 'Why did I ask that? I feel foolish.'
'When he looks into my eyes, it feels like he can see straight into my very soul.' Celica was grinning like an idiot when he asked her for that favor. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind." She leaned down and pressed her forehead against his once more. "You want to know the truth?"
"I don't know why, but I enjoy this affectionate side of you. Why is that, Celica?" Ardwulf questioned and reached his arms up, wrapping them loosely around her neck. "If you're okay telling me. I want to know more about you, I don't know why."
"A-affectionate..." Celica stuttered. 'I guess I am being...pretty forward with him.' She paused when he said he enjoyed this side of her. "Ardwulf, you have such a way with words. It makes my heart flutter." She tilted her head up and gently pressed her lips to his forehead and planted a soft kiss. "Search your feelings, Ardwulf. You'll figure out why eventually. Until then, I'll tell you about my situation."
'Ah...she kissed my forehead...' Ardwulf gasped and his heart started pounding against his chest. 'Search my...feelings...? Does she not know or...am I supposed to figure it out myself?' He swallowed hard and nodded. "Please?"
"My real name...is Angelica Windsor. That alone should tell you much. I am the only daughter of Duke Liame Windsor and Duchess Elyn Windsor." Celica explained. "My father never cared for me, he only cared about whom would marry me to exploit my status and sire an heir. I was just a means to an end for him, a baby maker to expand his power and influence."
"That's why you hated when I called you Lady Celica?" Ardwulf sighed. "I'm sorry." He gently squeezed her neck. 'Did I just feel...rage and jealousy? That happened when she mentioned being married off. The thought of her being with another man...makes my heart heavy, and it feels like it's about to break.'
"You didn't know. And to steal a line from you, you don't have to apologize, either. Well, anyway, Duke Windsor found a man of great influence willing to marry me. Two days before the wedding, I took what money I had saved and fled, with nothing but the clothes on my back. The Duke has spared no expense in my recovery. This is the closest he's ever gotten. Hang on, I'll be back in a second, okay?" She carefully pulled away from Ardwulf and went to grab the food. She turned all the settings to warm to keep the food from growing cold and quickly made two plates.
When she returned, she had piled a bunch of different foods on two plates. Broiled jerky, sweet corn, green beans, and a slice of cherry pie on top. "I um, wasn't sure of your particular tastes. I hope I did okay." She commented and placed one plate in front of him.
'I didn't want her to leave.' Ardwulf thought as he watched her go back to the kitchen. When she came back carrying their food Ardwulf felt his stomach grow louder. "I'm not a picky eater, Celica, and this looks delicious. Thank you." He smiled and picked up some of the jerky. "I wonder..." He bit down on the jerky and ripped off a piece, chewing on the hearty meat. "Yep, boar. Oh, man, that's good." Ardwulf started to dig into the hot cooked meal, sampling everything that was placed in front of him.
'Wow. He's really going to town.' Celica blushed and watched him savor the meal she cooked for him. 'I feel really happy that he's enjoying my cooking so much. Well, time to dig in myself.' She picked up a spoon and started with the corn, before long, she was sampling everything herself.
"Mm. Wow, this is amazing, Celica." Ardwulf complimented and continued eating. "It's been so long since I've had a good meal. My cooking is good, but this is even better. My compliments to the beautiful chef."
"Hehe. I can tell." Celica smiled warmly. "Oh, Ardfulf, flattery will get you everywhere. Hehe." She giggled cutely. 'He loves it!' She screamed internally. "You're still calling me Celica?"
"Well, flattery or not, it is the truth." Ardwulf sighed happily as he laid down his silverware and patted his stomach in content. "Oh, wow. I'm stuffed." He closed his eyes and smiled warmly. "Is that what you want? I could call you Angelica. Whatever makes you happy."
"Hehe." Celica propped her head up on her elbow and stared at the handsome young man beside her. "What makes me happy is being beside you, Ardwulf." Celica covered her mouth and blushed deeply, hiding her face behind her hair. 'That just slipped out.' She thought. "Celica or Angelica. Whatever you prefer, but, I think having you call me Angelica would make me happier."
"Ok...Angelica..." Ardwulf blushed at her comment. "Well, I..I'm happy being near you, too..." He reached over and moved her hair from her face then placed his hand on her cheek. "You're so cute when you're flustered, but you don't have to hide your beautiful face from me."
"Oh, Ardwulf..." Angelica leaned into Ardwulf, her palms flat against his chest. 'You know just what to say to make my heart flutter.'
"Thank you, Angelica. For listening to my past, and telling me about yours." Ardwulf wrapped his arms around her tight.
"Ardwulf, are you available for a job? I'd like to hire you as my bodyguard. You would be well compensated." Angelica offered him a job as her escort.
"Yeah, I'm in between jobs right now, and if it means I can stay close to you and keep you safe, then I'm totally fine with the job." Ardwulf smiled softly. 'I don't know why, but I don't want to leave her side, and I don't want her to go back against her will.'
"Oh, Ardwulf..." Angelica giggled happily and closed her eyes, leaning into him a little more with a huge grin.
"You lovebirds done? I'm starving and the little one is about to show up. Gotta keep it PG-13 in here." Tamm knocked on the door and leaned against it after teasing the couple.
"Ahh!" Angelica squeeled and quickly pulled away from Ardwulf's arms. She immediately sat up straight, placed her hands on her lap, and lowered her head. 'How much of that did she see and hear? Gods, I'm so embarrassed.'
"Welcome back, Captain. How's the Runt?" Ardwulf looked over at the young red head.
"I've told you already, it's Stefanie, not Runt!" The young girl stormed into the galley. She stopped when she saw Ardwulf's face. 'Still so handsome, despite calling me Runt.'
"Hehe. Does someone have a wittle crush?" Tamm teased and pinched the young girl's cheek.
"Cap'n!!" Stefanie pouted and folded her arms across her chest. "Hey, Ardy..." She looked down at the ground and blushed. "Thank you. Your song really helped me." She ran over to the young man, stood up on her tippy toes and gave Ardwulf a quick peck on the cheek. After that she ran back to Tamm and shyly hid behind her Captain.
"Oh, it was..." Ardwulf stopped when she ran towards him. 'What's...' His thoughts were interrupted when the young girl quickly kissed his cheek and ran back behind Tamm. "Well, thank you, little lady. Just for that, I'll stop calling you Runt." Ardwulf smiled softly at the young girl.
"Hahaha. Better watch out, Celica, because my girl might steal your man out from under you." Tamm teased and burst into laughter.
"O-oh...yeah..." Celica muttered and looked up slowly. "I best be careful with such a little heart throb running around ki...kissing my...m-my...my man..." Celica stuttered and blushed a deep red.
"Ardwulf you little heartbreaker, you." Tamm teased. "Well, is it alright if we grab some grub?"
"Captain..." Ardwulf walked over and smacked Tamm upside her head.
"Owowow. What was that for you ungrateful cunt?!" Tamm rubbed the back of her head where a bump had appeared.
"I know you put that idea in her young head." Ardwulf whispered in Tamm's ear and then crouched in front of Stefanie. "Well, how about it, little lady, you hungry?" Ardwulf extended his hand towards Stefanie.
"Finally. No more Runt." Stefanie giggled and took his hand. "Cap'n look, he's holding my hand!" She giggled innocently.
'She's so cute. To bad she's way to young for him.' Angelica thought and watched Ardwulf bring Stefanie to the table to sit with them. "Well, it is your ship and food, Captain. I can't refuse to feed you since I used your ingredients. Please, will you join us? Foods in the back still warm."
"Well, for Ardwulf to clean his plate so thoroughly, it must be good. Back in sec." Tamm went to the kitchen and started preparing plates for Stefanie and herself.
"Hey, Tamm. Is it safe to smoke down here in the galley? I smelled gunpowder on the way down so I didn't want to just assume it would be safe." Ardwulf questioned and pulled his pack from his cloak.
"Yeah, the galley is safe. Just use the ashtray. Should be on the other table." Tamm hollered back from the kitchen.
"I'll get it, Ardy!" Stefanie hopped up on the table and leaped to the other one. She picked up the ashtray and returned to Ardwulf's side. "Here." She held out the ashtray nervously.
"Hehe. Thank you, Stefanie." Ardwulf smiled and took the ashtray. With his other hand, he gently rubbed the top of Stefanie's head. He pulled out his zippo and lit the tip of his cigarette. He took a long drag and exhaled slowly, dropping the lighter back into his cloak.
'He called me by my name!' Stefanie squeeled internally. "Hehe, you're welcome!"
Tamm returned with two plates and sat one down in front of Stefanie. She sat the other one down beside Celica and went back into the kitchen. "Celica, you drink?" She called out.
"Um, not much, but if you're offering, I can drink." Celica tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked over at Ardwulf. 'He's so gentle. He'd make a good father.' She thought to herself. She was pulled from her thoughts when Tamm returned with a bottle of rum and three glasses.
"Ardy, you're drinking, too. No excuses for you." Tamm sat a glass in front of them and filled them high.
"Wow. This is so yummy!" Stefanie commented and continued to dig into the food on her plate. She eyed Ardwulf. "Can I try that?" She pointed to his cigarette.
"How old are you, little lady?" Ardwulf took another long drag and nodded when Tamm put a glass in front of him and filled it high.
"I'll be fifteen next month." Stefanie said with pride.
"Hm." Ardwulf exhaled slowly and sighed. "Sure. Knock yourself out, kid." He held out the cigarette to her.
She leaned over and placed her lips against the cig. 'His lips were on this.' She blushed and took a small drag. As she exhaled she started coughing slightly. "Hm. It's not bad, but I don't think I could enjoy that like you and Cap'n." She spoke between coughs.
"Good." Ardwulf patted Stefanie's head and smiled. "It's definitely a bad habit to pick up." He continued. 'I can't say nothing since Father got me smoking at the age of twelve.'
"Haha. She just wanted to try because your lips had touched it." Tamm called Stefanie out and took a long swig of rum. "Ahh. This food paired with this rum? It's like heaven on earth."
"Cap'n!" Stefanie shouted loudly and blushed. She started to dig into her plate again with renewed vigor. 'Stupid Cap'n. Just because it's true doesn't mean she had to say it!'
"Haha. Tell ya what, Stefanie. Come back in about six years and we'll talk. I'm Twenty Six years old, after all. You've still got some growing to do." Ardwulf gently poked the young girl's nose and then ashed his cigarette once he had smoked it down to the filter. He grabbed his glass and took a big swig himself.
Celica picked up her own glass and started sipping on the rum. She eyed Ardwulf and couldn't help but smile at him. 'He's something else.' She thought as she watched the conversation between Ardwulf and Stefanie.
"Celica..." Tamm whispered softly and nudged the rainbow haired woman. "What happened between you two? Did you kiss?" She grinned mischievously.
"Hm?" Celica turned around when Tamm nudged her and listened to the young Captain. Her face lit up at Tamm's nosey question. "K-kiss...? W-why would we...? It's not like we're together or anything..." Celica had to strain hard to prevent herself from shouting. She stole a glance behind her at Ardwulf. He was still doting on the young cabin girl. Celica placed one hand on her chest, just above her heart and smiled.
"Oh, boo. You're no fun." Tamm sighed and shook her head slowly. "And here I even gave you ample alone time, when he was the most vulnerable, and you didn't even take a leap of faith?" She chuckled softly. 'Something happened, though. The beating of their hearts and the aura they emit are almost perfectly in sync. I wonder...'
"Tamm, please!" Celica squeeled softly and covered her mouth quickly. "I didn't like seeing him like that..." She spoke honestly after some time had passed. "I wouldn't take advantage of him like that when he was so vulnerable." She admitted.
"Good. If you had, I would've had to do something about it. Ardy's a good man. I don't want him to be hurt, toyed with, or taken advantage of." Tamm admitted.
"Tamm...do you...?" Celica looked up slowly at the red head and then peeked back at Ardwulf.
"Doesn't matter. I know where his heart lies. Now, let's get drunk!" Tamm shouted, quickly putting an end to their conversation and drawing Ardwulf's attention to them. She downed the rest of her glass and poured another full one for herself.
'Tamm...What did she mean where Ardwulf's heart lies...?' Celica thought and shifted nervously on the bench. 'Would they have gotten together...if he never met me..?' Celica's thoughts were racing and her heart felt like someone was squeezing it.
"Celica...?" Ardwulf reached over and gently grabbed her shoulder. "What's wrong? You look upset."
"Ardwulf..." Celica looked down and closed her eyes. 'What do I say? I mean, he's handsome, kind, intelligent. Just being with him puts me at ease, but am I developing feelings for him? If so, should I act on those feelings? Do I even have that right?' She covered her face with her hands and pressed her forehead against Ardwulf's chest. "Yeah, just a little motion sickness. The boat rocking must have finally gotten to me."
"Oh, hang on then." Ardwulf rubbed the top of the Angelica's head with one hand and with the other he reached into his cloak. "My comrade used to get motion sickness all the time. Here it is." He pulled out a small bottle of pills and gave two of them to Celica. "Dramamine. It should help, but I'd recommend not drinking anymore until it passes."
"Thank you..." Celica blushed and popped the pills into her mouth.
Ardwulf went and grabbed a glass of water and passed it to her when he returned. "Here. Drink up. It'll help." He placed his hand on Angelica's back and started rubbing up and down gently.
"O-oh..." Celica muttered and took a small sip to help her swallow the Dramamine. Her body shivered at his touch. 'Ardwulf...you aren't helping my case...' She mentally sighed, but a small smile appeared on her lips. "You're amazing." She whispered.
"Hm? Did you say something, Celica?" Ardwulf looked down at the young woman. 'I didn't catch what she just said. Wait...' Ardwulf's hair on the back of his neck stood up. "Celica, Stefanie. Stay down. Captain, prepare your men. Now!"
"What..?" Tamm watched as Ardwulf sprung from the table and bolted out of the galley. "Stefanie. Stay with Celica. Please watch out for her!" She bolted out after Ardwulf. "Men, prepare for combat!" She shouted loudly as she stormed down the halls. The pirates all started grabbing their flintlock and cutlass and rushing to the top deck. The men below deck started lining up the crates of cannon balls and loading the cannons.
Ardwulf made it to the top deck first and started scanning the horizon. 'Something is coming, but what...?' He looked up at the crow's nest and started climbing the rope ladder, skipping several steps each time.
"Get that map and a compass now!" Tamm barked out and her first mate appeared at her side, already holding the instruments. "I swear if one of you screwed up..." She laid the map out and started to chart their course. "That can't be right. We should still be in Longrest's Waters, but..." She looked up at Ardwulf as he ascended the ladder. "His instincts are never wrong. Then what's coming...?"
Ardwulf reached the top of the nest and grabbed the telescope that was tied to the nest. "Is it another ship?" He used the scope and started scanning the horizon. The seas were getting choppy, but the height of the nest allowed him to see over the waves. "That's...!"
Off in the distance and on an intercept course, was a black galleon, flying the Eimrand Duchies Flag. "Tch. Captain, we got an Eimrand Galleon on intercept off the starboard side!"
"Starboard..." Tamm looked down at the map in front of her and did some more calculations. "They're trying to push us into Eimrandian Waters and their jurisdiction! Well, they made one big mistake, underestimating me. Men, hard to starboard! If they want us that bad, then we're gonna ram this boat straight up their Asses!"
"Yahhhhhh!!!!" The pirates all screamed in unison.
"Ardy, I'll leave disabling the galleon to you. You're only gonna get one chance! Make it count!" Tamm looked up and grinned wide. 'I'll show you a real woman, Ardy.'
The Stormy Serpent began to stir and the bow of the ship was soon pointed straight at the galleon. They were headed straight for a head on collision. "Man the swivel guns, but don't fire first!"
Ardwulf called for his weapon and Luminous Tempest appeared at his side. "I've come to rely on you so much, without even knowing who gave you to me, but nonetheless, I couldn't ask for a better partner." Ardwulf smiled and gripped the spear in his hands tightly.
The galleon in front them grew ever closer, the heat of combat lingered in the air, and Ardwulf's blood started to bubble in anticipation.