#engbelg

original:

-

The next time he saw her he didn’t have a chance to actually talk to her.

She was drinking beer with some German men, and laughing at their jokes.

Arthur felt a weird feeling in his chest but decided not to intrude and instead ordered another drink at the bar.

“They have no idea who they’re dealing with,” the barman said to him as he rolled his eyes.

Arthur laughed but it didn’t meet his eyes. He proceeded to down his drink in one go.

“Tell me about it,” he just said, before paying and making his way outside.

He did briefly make eye contact with her and saw her eyes widen, but as she turned back to her German men and made them laugh by saying something he just shook his head and stepped outside.

He swore he heard her shout his name as he left the bar, but he ignored it in favour of going to his ship to sleep out the alcohol.

In the morning one of the men from the port informed them one of the German’s ships had been stolen, the one which stored all their treasure and they had not a single clue of who could have been behind it.

Arthur was not one to enjoy someone else’s misery but hoped it had been the ship of the white-haired German that had been sitting a bit too close to Emma yesterday.

The British captain felt himself smile and whistled all day.

---

A few weeks later he saw her again, miles away from where he had last seen her, walking away from a ship he recognised but couldn’t really place.

“Emma?!” he called after her and she tensed before smiling as she recognised him, “Aaaah Capitaine! How are you doing?” she said, as she took his arm and pulled him into the direction she was walking.

“Oh I’m doing just fine, say do you know that ship?”

“What ship?” she asked, frowning a little.

“Ah, nevermind,” he smiled, “so what brings you here?” he asked, curious as he did not expect to ever meet her again.

“Oh, you know, business.” She answered, waving her hand.

“Business? Of what kind if I may ask?”

Emma, frowned as there was a sudden ruckus behind them.

“Merde,” she muttered, ignoring the man’s question, and pulling him into an alley.

Spanish curses and swearwords shouted in the street and the Englishman wanted to step out and look if he didn’t recognise that voice as belonging to Spanish captain Fernández Carriedo.

“You know hi-hmpff” he was cut off by Emma slapping a hand over his mouth, pressing him into the wall.

“shhh” she whispered into his ear, and he just nodded, dumbly.

Look, he was a sea captain, he was definitely strong enough to escape her hold, and yet…

“¡Esa bruja belga robó mi dinero, encuéntrala a toda costa!” could be heard from the main street they just escaped from. That Belgian witch stole my money, find her at all costs!

“Do you know what it means?” He tried; speech muffled against her hand.

“No, do you?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

He shook his head and she smiled, “good.”

Then there was a “¡no la subestimes, todos ustedes no tienen idea de con quién están tratando!” Don’t underestimate her, you have no idea what you’re dealing with!

A couple of minutes of silence when she suddenly relaxed, “Where are you staying?” she asked.

“On my ship.” he answered.

“Could you give me a lift to the next port you are stopping at?” she asked, batting her eyes at him.

“But of course, how could I say no to such a beautiful lady,” he said, taking her hand and giving it a kiss.

“You charmer,” she giggled, satisfied with his answer.

-

She sailed with them for a week, and the crew absolutely loved her. She sang songs to entertain them and helped where she could. At night she went into the captain’s cabin where she kept trying to assure him that he was allowed to share the bed with her, it didn’t have to be scandalous!

Instead, he insisted on sleeping in the hammock he installed, as he said it would be improper of a gentleman like himself to do so with an unmarried young lady.

“You’re clearly not one of those privateers that became as such after having been a pirate.” She mused one night lying in bed while he was laying in his hammock.

“You’re right, I came from a good family, and became a privateer to escape it all.”

“You may not believe it, but I relate,” She whispered.

The last night, as he started falling asleep, he felt her join him in his hammock.

Nothing happened.

He just remembered he felt safe and comfortable.

When that morning the ship arrived into port and one of the crewmembers went to wake him up, he realised she was gone.

He sighed, disappointed she didn’t say goodbye, but not that surprised.

---

The next time he saw her it was at a ball of a distant cousin of his in Denmark.

He saw her dancing with various noble men, twirling around the room and clearly having the time of her life.

He himself was dressed in formal attire, and while he thought he looked dashing it was nothing compared to how magnificent she looked in her emerald gown.

“Ah it seems you have noticed Charlotte,” a blonde man said next to him with a grin.

“Charlotte?” Arthur repeated, checking if there was another girl as beautiful as Emma that he could have mistaken his interest for. But, no, she really stood out, he must have been referring to her.

“Yes, Charlotte. But don’t be fooled, she plays with the heart of men and even more with their belongings.”

Arthur frowned and scoffed, the other man turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

“I’m sure someone as beautiful as her could commit no evil.” Arthur just said, not sure what to believe now.

“I’m Matthias, of the Danish navy.” the man held out his hand.

“Arthur, privateer under the British crown.”

“Well, Arthur, I don’t want to break any of your delusions, but I would suggest you avoid her as you have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

Arthur just rolled his eyes, “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

The other man just laughed, “See the brunette she’s dancing with? He’s a sea captain. Knowing her style by the end of the night she will have stolen his heart, but most importantly his ship.”

And Arthur looked over at the gentleman in what looks to be the Italian uniform. He tried to ignore the jealousy boiling inside of him.

“Really?” he asked, wondering if the man was right and he had been used after all. He shook himself out of it. What they shared all those weeks ago was magical, and he refuses to consider it anything else.

“Yup. I am good friends with her older brother who she keeps running away from.”

“She has an older brother?” She mentioned having family, but never in detail.

“Yeah, one older and one younger, and both are very high standing tradesmen in their respective regions. As a woman, she was not allowed to follow in their footsteps and was instead promised to some nice German man that would tighten the ties between their respective families.”

“Poor girl,” he murmured, understanding now what she had meant that night on his ship.

“Hmm, well I’m not sure if “poor” is accurate, she’s one of the most successful female pirates of the North Sea and the Atlantic.” The Dane mused, taking a sip from his drink.

“She’s a pirate?” Arthur swallowed, realising that if the Dane was saying the truth lot of things about their previous meetings now made sense.

“A deadly one at that.” Matthias glanced over at him and grinned.

“She really doesn’t look like it.” He breathed out, watching as she smiled, being twirled across the dance floor by men in fancy uniforms and suits.

“It is part of her gimmick, anyway I suggest that you go and take her dancing now, because her brother has tasked me to bring her back in exchange for my weight in gold.” The Dane commented suddenly serious.

Arthur was feeling such a myriad of emotions, on the one hand he felt betrayed by her in the worst of ways, but he also felt scared for her, understanding and relating to what she had to have gone trough and dreading what would happen if she were forced to return to her brother.

She never stole your ship, did she? A thought surfaced to the top of his mind.

No, indeed she didn’t…

She only stole your heart.

As if he was on autopilot Arthur walked to Emma, ignoring everything else around them.

She noticed him just before he reached her, eyes widening and letting go of her current partner.

“Arthur,” she murmured, and for a second, he feared she was going to run away.

He stepped closer to her and bowed, “my lady, could I have this dance?”

The man she had been dancing with glared at being interrupted but she waved him away with a curt hand movement. Fully turning her attention towards the British privateer.

He put his hand out, waiting for her to take it.

She hesitated, eyes so full of emotions, and Arthur realised that, yes, she did steal his heart, and no he didn’t blame her for one second.

She put her hand in his and Arthur’s heart felt so full as he guided her into a gentle waltz to the music. He briefly noticed Matthias in the crowd giving him a thumbs up and a nod, and he smiled slightly before turning to her.

“Emma, or… rather, Charlotte,” and as he said that name, he felt her stiffen.

“Arthur,” she started.

“No, let me finish.” He said, not taking no for an answer.

She nodded, feeling like it was in her best interest.

“If you want to get out of this evening as a free woman you’re going to have to do exactly as I say,” he murmured against her ear, before twirling her around.

If Emma was confused by what he said she hid it well.

“There are a number of men here that have been paid by your brother to bring you back, but I should have a plan, just keep dancing with me and I’ll give you a sign.”

She cursed under her breath, and he raised an eyebrow not having expected such language from her. The lady raised an eyebrow, “oh come, Arthur, that’s what’s making you pause?”

“No, no, it’s just, yeah I’m still coming to terms with the fact you are an actual pirate.”

She and Arthur were lost to the crowd around them, just gently swaying to the music.

Emma looked sad before looking away, “if it means anything to you, what we had was real, I know it is hard to trust me after all-“

Arthur shushed her gently, “For me… you’re Emma, a beautiful and lovely lady whom my crew adores, and-“ he paused, unsure if this was really the right time to say this. Something inside him snapped, realising that if things went wrong tonight, she might be married to some German guy in weeks, and it was important for her to know!

“A-and who I’ve fallen just a little bit in love with.” He breathed in, “I just wish I could have told you before you left us all behind without a goodbye.”

Emma was bright red, mouth agape, staring at him as he continued.

“Now if that Emma turns out to be Charlotte, then it will just take me a little bit to adapt.” The Englishman said, smiling despite how nervous he was feeling on the inside.

“Arthur.” She just murmured with a smile, “My full name is Charlotte Emma Marie Van Den Velden.”

“Oh,” Arthur said, blinking, realising she didn’t actually give him a fake name.

“Yes,” she giggled but then she turned serious, “but what was that about my brother?”

“Ah, yes, I’ll explain, but we really need to get out of here.” He turned to look over to the Dane who seemed to be distracted by the Italian man Emma had been dancing with earlier.

“Now should be our chance,” he blushed, knowing it could come over as a dumb flirting technique but also knowing it to be the most suitable cover.

“My apologies, for what I’ll ask but, I believe this is our best shot... You should pretend to kiss me and then drag me outside, after which we shall go to my ship and try and sail away.”

Emma was looking at him with a funny expression, “Alright, if this is what must be done, better make it believable! And to be fair, I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a while."

Arthur’s eyes widened but he had no time to say anything as she licked her lips before pulling him down by the collar to kiss him.

Arthur swore he could fly with how light he felt. Only the idea that if he would actually take off he wouldn’t be able to access those lips anymore, grounded him on earth.

Emma nipped at his lips and whispered into his ear, “Arthur let’s go,”

He nodded dumbly as she dragged him outside.

The Danish man was still occupied and didn’t notice, however the Italian did and looked sad and defeated.

Arthur grinned victoriously at him.

“Behave,” Emma muttered to him not having missed the interaction,

“Like you didn’t just want him for his ship,” Arthur snorted, unable to grin and smile like the happiest man on earth. Completely forgetting they were trying to escape.

“I was first going to have an enjoyable time with him before I did so,” she raised her eyebrow at him.

Arthur’s eyebrow twitched and she laughed at him.

“No no, no worries, tonight I’m all yours!”

They got to the ship safely and without any trouble, it almost felt too easy, Arthur mused to himself.

But as Emma dragged him into his chambers and he finally gave in and shared the bed with her, he completely forgot about that.

---

That morning Arthur was woken up by frantic knocking at his door from his first mate, “Captain, please get to the deck, there’s a Dutch ship sailing towards us at high speed, and we will not be able to take her on seeing the amount of cannons she has!”

Arthur cursed, jumping out of bed but not before staring in awe at the naked beauty that was still snoring peacefully, not having been disturbed at all.

Part of him wanted to celebrate his luck, if he didn’t already suspect who the Dutch ship belonged to.

Dressed and armed, he decided to leave the cabin and join the rest of the crew as the ship approached. The Dutch ship oozed wealth and extravagance, interesting for someone who Emma had told him tended to be a bit of a cheapskate.

Arthur watched as they were boarded by 4 times the number of men his crew contained, knowing it was mostly scare tactics.

Finally, as they were all surrounded he simply told his men, “raise your hands, you have nothing to fear. I’ll handle it.”

A snort from a tall blonde man who finally crossed the plank to his ship, “Captain Kirkland, I presume.”

“The one and only. Who am I speaking to?”

“Willem Van Den Velden, older brother to Charlotte Van Den Velden, whom I suspect is aboard this ship somewhere.” He grinned looking around the ship.

“She’s in the cabin sir,” one of his men stated, but he was bright red.

“So bring her here so she can join us for this lovely discussion,”

“I uh.. sir, you’ll have to wait a minute.” The man said, nervously.

“Why?” the Dutchman frowned, eyes shooting daggers and Arthur tried very hard to stop the grin from forming on his face. Now was not the time!

“Omdat ik gans naakt ben en vol met zuigplekken sta, lieve broer,” was shouted angrily from the cabin and Willem visibly went trough all stages of grief before settling on resigned. Because I’m completely naked and covered in hickeys, dear brother.

Arthur doesn’t know what she said but it must not have been good as her brother stared him down with murder in his eyes.

He raised his hands, and grimaced, trying to look apologetic.

Emma, who apparently had no desire to calm her brother down, came out in one of Arthur’s shirts, his red coat, and a hat of his. She looked beautiful and Arthur felt a surge of possessiveness seeing her in his clothes before being reminded by a cough of who they were dealing with here.

“Are you done being a stubborn child and bringing shame upon our name.”

Emma’s eyes widened comically before she burst out laughing, “I bring shame upon our name? Oh brother, you are a blind fool.”

“I’m a fool that waited way too long before deciding to get involved in bringing you home.”

“And you’ll remain a fool if you think you’ll actually manage bringing me home.”

“Luister hier jij koppig ondankbaar-“ Willem started but was interrupted by Emma holding up her hand into the sky. Listen here, you stubborn ungrateful-

Arthur gasped as he saw an object he thought he had lost forever.

“Anyway, about you saying I bring shame upon your name, you won’t have to worry about that anymore. I’m going to be Charlotte Emma Marie Kirkland soon.” She grinned showing off the ring with the beautiful green emerald.

Arthur quickly recovered understanding the bluff she was playing.

“You’re going to marry a commoner?” Willem murmured, disgust clear in his voice and Arthur never hated a man more in his life.

“Oh boy, brother, I thought you were smarter and more informed than that. You knew of captain Kirkland but didn’t look into his history or what family he is from?” Emma scoffed, crossing her arms and standing next Arthur, glancing at him with a look that said, “I got this.”

“Arthur may have been the last of the Kirkland brothers, but even he will inherit a huge estate once he stops doing a wonderful job as a privateer, which he has done out of moral duty to his country. This is something that someone who actively paid and begged father not to be sent to the army, could learn from.”

This was apparently not well known, and Willem’s men glanced at each other, and at their captain with frowns, while looking at Arthur with newfound respect.

“And what will you do? Live on his ship and raise his children on this rat infested ship? Or go and live in those dreary British lands, raising your kids alone and waiting for your man to come home every six months if a storm hasn’t taken care of him?”

Arthur almost choked on his spit at the mention of kids, having a brief vision of blonde and brunette children running around the deck, and him teaching them how to navigate with the stars.

It’s just a bluff, Arthur. His mind told him.

“I’ll have you know I’ve always been better at you at sword fighting, I could prove it to you but don’t want to undermine you more in the eyes of your crew.” Some of the people actually snorted, quickly shutting up when the Dutchman glared at them. “And I have accumulated quite the wealth for myself from sources you shouldn’t look too much into for your own sake. Where or how I live my life with this man, and where and how I will raise any of your nieces or nephews is none of your business and this shall remain so if you ever hope to meet them.”

That seemed to hit the man where it hurt, and he huffed out a sigh, “but-“ he started before being interrupted by a newer voice.

“For god’s sake brother, just let her go and be happy!”

Arthur looked up to see a younger man, also in finely dressed clothes, and immediately realised this must be the younger brother.

“Gilles! Mon frère adoré!” Emma shouted as she jumped up and threw herself at him, almost making him fall over the railing had it not been for some of the Dutch crewmembers grabbing his shoulders.

“It’s good to see you too, Emma.” He smiled at her, as she peppered his face in kisses.

The two started speaking in rapid French to each other and Gilles glanced at him multiple times with various expressions Arthur didn’t bother to read.

Instead he decided to look over to Willem, who had a look on his face betraying that he clearly craved similar affection but was to proud and stubborn to admit it.

Arthur realised that, even though Willem might come over as a complete bastard, all he wanted was what’s best for his sister. That it was just not what she considered best for herself, was of course the issue.

He stepped closer to the man and put a hand on his shoulder, clearly feeling the man flinch at the unexpected touch.

“I know what it’s like to have a complicated relationship with your siblings, I understand. If it will assure you Mister Van Den Velden, I will do everything within my power to give your sister everything she may want and require, and to keep her safe at the cost of my own life”

The man sighed, “I don’t think you know who exactly you’re dealing with.”

Arthur smiled and tried not to look too besotted as he glanced at Emma, still holding on to her little brother and pinching his cheeks, “That may be true, but I’ll accept her and love her no matter what she throws at me.”

“Even if this would not be figuratively?” Willem raised an eyebrow, and Arthur grimaced before realising the man was joking.

“No matter what she throws at me,” he repeated with a small grin.

“Well then,” Willem sighed, and put out his hand, “Welcome to the family, mister Kirkland.”

Arthur was caught of guard for a second, not having expected it to be that easy, he took it and shook the man’s hand, “Thank you, I’ll promise to make the family proud.”

Emma glanced over and her mouth opened in surprise as she saw her lover and her brother shake hands.

“Anyway," Willem said, voice loud enough for his siblings to hear, "Be sure to invite us and the rest of the family to the wedding, or it won’t be us you’ll have to fear, well not only, but our dear and beloved mother.”

Emma and Gilles both grimaced and Arthur felt his heart sink in his stomach at the thought of a woman who could instil such a reaction into all three siblings’ hearts.

The Dutch man beckoned all his men and went back to his own ship.

“Hey, I had such a good speech prepared as well, to convince him to let you stay!” Gilles said, with a mock-sad look on his face.

“I’m sure it was wonderful, mon cher,” she grinned, before hugging tightly and letting him go.

She walked back to Arthur’s side.

“Thank you!” she whispered to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek, and hugging him as well, making him turn bright red, to most of his crew members amusement.

“Uh, Emma, I have to ask…” he started after a while.

“Hmmm?” she asked, from where her face was pressed into his front.

“Are you serious about getting married?” he rushes out, nervously.

“Look, initially it was going to be a bluff,” she shrugged, “but then, thinking about it, it seemed so right,” she whispered mostly to herself.

Arthur let out a sigh of relief and kissed her forehead, “I agree,”

“Plus, now that he's going to bring our dear mother up to date, there’s really no way we can back down now,” Emma pretended to sob.

Arthur grimaced, “Is she truly that terrible?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you will have no idea what you’re dealing with.” She laughed.

But then she pulled him into his cabin to show him why it will all be worth it in the end!

---

The clock was five hours and fifty two minutes in the afternoon when the bell on the door of the cafe announced the departure of these two – regular patrons of that comfortable corner at the end of a London street, lovers of the tea and cakes served there.

Arthur and Laura had found this cafe at random, in a rain escape; and since then they had become customers.

On that winter day, when the skies announced a rain like the one that had brought them to this enchanted place, they asked for green tea and lemon pie – and were well served.

So they left that establishment with happy smiles, holding hands.

"The lemon pie here is excellent," Laura commented, her eyes on Arthur. “And the tea matched very well. You chose well, Artie. ”

"Why," Arthur smiled, a smile from those sincere ones Laura loved so much. "It was the owner's suggestion."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, I asked the other day we ate the same pie," he said, a proud expression on his face. He was glad Laura had enjoyed that combination. "All for you."

"You know how to please me, Artie!"

Laura hugged Arthur's arm without releasing his hand and felt a drop fall on her nose. She muttered an "ah" before several more drops fell on them. Grudgingly, Arthur broke away from the hug and opened his umbrella; he was already used to that rainy weather in the English capital. He just wished it hadn't started to rain at that moment of affection.

To his surprise, however, Laura turned away from him.

"Laura, come under the umbrella!"

Her response was a laugh, like a child doing tricks. Laura spun around, her long coat and scarf swirling with her in that charming grace.

The rain carried a fey air around Laura; this is in Arthur's opinion, a passionate romantic by profession. Luckily, no one else was there to see how lovely Laura could be.

"Drop the umbrella and join me!"

"I'm afraid we'd be sick later," Arthur said, approaching her to shelter her.

"It won't be a rain that will put me to bed."

"It happened to you once."

She pouted, sulking, but then smiled again. Laura held out her hand.

"Would you give me the honor of dancing with me?"

"It should be me asking that," Arthur replied and closed his umbrella, dropping it to the floor. "But I do."

He grabbed Laura's hand and pulled her to him. That moment seemed to stop in time, only the drops that insisted on falling on the dancing bodies.

But in a strange paradox, this moment was also ephemeral, too fleeting for Arthur. He wished that would last forever.

Laura's laughter made him happy. The music to his ears.

For her part, Laura also felt something similar. The desire to stay with Arthur forever, to travel and try new things with him, to venture out with him. Maybe it was a cliché, simple and childish wish, but it was what she wanted, and seeing that tender expression of Arthur, she knew he wanted it too.

They both stopped dancing when they heard the bell of a nearby church announcing the six o'clock sharp.

"Ah, your favorite series will start soon, Laura," Arthur commented and bent down to pick up his umbrella. "Let's go home? I'll make you some hot chocolate when we arrive.”

"That's indeed an interesting proposal, Artie!"

Arthur opened his umbrella and sheltered Laura from the rain, although both were already quite wet. And that didn't stop Laura from jumping into the puddles, soaking her boots.