Far from San Lorenzo the bus stopped at a station about five miles from the village. It was a deserted valley, some people were being picked up by carriages, others by wagons.

"The bus can't take us directly to the village since there's no road to travel, but my cousin will be here soon with his carriage." Said Eduardo

A man riding on horseback and pulling two more horses arrived. "Hola, como están?....." said the man.

"Cousin!" Yelled Eduardo, they began talking loudly in Spanish discussion how they were going to travel to the village.

Helga was irritated by the situation."What the hell is going on, are we traveling in a carriage or by horse ride? Because, if they think Helga G Pataki is riding on horseback they have another thing......"

"Shhh.... Helga, I'm trying to understand their conversation." Said Arnold trying to pay attention to what Eduardo and his cousin were saying.

Eduardo walked up to them "Okay amigos, apparently the carriage broke down and will have to travel to the village by horse. So, Arnold you can ride with me and Helga can ride with Jorge."  Suggested Eduardo, Jorge smiled staring at Helga.

She sighed in frustration "I don't think so Eduardo, I don't do horse riding!"

Jorge got close to Helga "Don't worry Helga, I'm an excellent rider." he said delighted by the idea.

"And so am I" said Arnold staring at Jorge. Then he turned to face Eduardo "Eduardo...I can ride with Helga and you can ride with Jorge."

"Are you sure you can control the horse Arnold.? We may have to get the horse to gallop to get there before dark." Asked Eduardo.

"Yes I can handle it." Arnold answered crossing his arms.

"Okay...what just happened?" Asked Helga confused.

Jorge was not happy with he idea of riding next to Eduardo. Arnold noticed it and smiled at the scene.

"Geez...I'm lost Football head and what are you smiling at?"

"Ah,nothing...you'll ride with me Helga."
Arnold check the saddle and mounted the horse.

"It's your turn....just grab my hand, place your left foot on the stirrup and I'll pull you up gently, then bring your right leg over and seat on the saddle slowly behind me."

"Are you sure you ride a horse football head?" Asked Helga nervously.

"Yes love, now come on." Arnold extended his hand for Helga to reach.  

Oh my loving prince, he looks so charming on a horse reaching down to his princess to ride with him in to the sunset together. Thought Helga. She exhaled deeply with her eyes on her dream world.

"Helga, Helga...come on snap out if it. Everyone is waiting on us."

"Oh right Football head don't rush me, it's not as easy as you may think, just don't let me go till I'm safely seated on the saddle."

Arnold smiled "Of course." He pulled her up slowly as she sat close behind him, the horse moved a little, causing Helga to startled and quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and leaned her body on his back, shutting her eyes. Arnold loved the feeling of having her body pressed against his back and feeling her chest as she breathe. He smiled "Helga it's okay you can open your eyes." He said while caressing her hand.

"Vámonos!" yelled Eduardo.

Arnold grabbed the reins and did a light squeeze with his legs causing the horse to move forward. "You're doing good Arnold who taught you to ride a horse." Asked Eduardo.

"A close friend of the family, he taught me to race a mule and my cousin Arnie had a lot of horses at his parent's farm and we use to race together. So, I learn a lot from him too. How far is the village from here?"

"At this pace around forty minutes." Said Eduardo.

The sunset at the valley was warm and breathtaking. The dark orange mixing with the light pink and blue was turning the sky in to a work of art painted by the hand of God.

Eduardo was talking to his cousin in Spanish, while Jorge had his headphone on listening to music. Helga was very quiet, for a moment Arnold thought she had fallen asleep since her head was leaned against his back shoulder.

He turned his head and asked "Are you awake love?"

"Of course Romeo, why wouldn't I be?" she sounded tired.

"Well, because you're so quiet and calm....it's unlike you."

"I'm just dizzy from the horse ride" she whispered.

"You should look at the sunset it's incredible." He suggested.  She lifted her head to see the magical warm colors in the sky. "Wow. I've never seen the sunset like this before it's so, magnificent." Said Helga with her eyes widened.

Arnold POV
It felt so good having Helga leaned against my back, I could feel the warmth of her chest as she breathe, I didn't know she was scare of horses and honestly, I loved the way she wrapped her arms around me for comfort and security.
I looked over and saw Eduardo chatting with his cousins. Jorge looked bored riding with Eduardo and he thought, he was going to ride with Helga, my Helga...not if I could help it.
The sunset was unlike anything I have seen before and I wonder, if it was the same sunset my parents saw many times before, while they were in San Lorenzo. Now, I was sharing it with her, this special moment of us riding in to the warm sunset together.

A while later we arrived at the village, it was small and quiet. Children were playing soccer and families chatting on their front porch enjoying each other's companies. I could see why my parent's prefer to live here than the main town. The houses were simple and cozy, all the houses were close to each other except for one house. The moment I saw it, I knew it was my parent's house, something about it that felt like home. We stopped at a nearby house, Eduardo and Jorge dismounted their horse, as I turned my heads towards Helga, I could hear her snoring softly, she had fallen asleep, I felt bad for waking her but we couldn't stay in the horse. Helga wake up, we arrived.
~~~

"Now what Football Head?" She asked disoriented.
"We're here come on, I'll help you get down." said Arnold as he dismounted the horse, then he grabbed Helga's waist "Come on, I got you." She let go in to his arms wrapping her arms around his neck not wanting to let go. "Oh...how I missed you arms around me." Whispered Helga in his ear.
"Helga not in front of the guys." Whispered Arnold shyly.

Eduardo clear his throat....."You guys must be starving, vamos will make a fire and will have grill chicken and corn."

A short lady walked out of the house overjoyed "Mijo que bueno en verte!" Jorge ran towards her and hugged her. "Mamá it's good to see you too, it's been a long time."
"Ay si mijo, quien son tus amigos?" Asked the lady.

"This is Arnold the son of Miles and Stella and... this is Helga." Said Jorge introducing them.

"No puede ser, te pareces todo a tu mamá"
Said the lady touching Arnold's face.
"Usted conoció a mi mamá?" Asked Arnold in Spanish.
"Yes mijo I also speak little English. Tu mama me enseñó, long ago, come on have a seat, will have what you Americans say outdoor grill...Is she your esposa?" asked the lady excited.

Arnold's face turned red.
"Mamá!?" Shouted Jorge
"Que! I'm just asking, she's very pretty, just look at her blue eyes and her thick eyebrows." Said the lady touching Helga's face.

"Ugh, No ma'am she's my girlfriend, novia Mrs.."

"You can call me Teresa mijo, here's a...chair for your bonita novia." the lady pulled an extra chairs.

"Yo hablo Español, Teresa" Said Arnold to the lady.

"That's okay mijo. I need to practice my English comoquiera, I mean, anyways."

Arnold and Helga sat while Eduardo and Jorge were preparing the grill.
"Can I help?" Asked Arnold
"Don't worry Arnold just relax it's on us, you're our guest." Replied Jorge.

"This Spanish is making me so confuse what just happen?" Asked Helga

"The short lady is Jorge's mother, her name is Teresa. Apparently my mother taught her English while she was here and she said I look a lot like my mother."

"Well you do football head, but what did she said that made you blush?"

"Oh, yeah...ugh, she thought you were my wife."

Helga's eyes widened "Really, oh I like her already!"

Arnold smiled at Helga "It's just, what she said got me by surprise"

"What, you haven't thought about me becoming your wife!!?" She asked raising her eye brow.

"No love that's not what I said!" answered Arnold blushing.

"Then why are you so shy by the comment!? Wait....you have thought about me being your wife!?" She asked with her eyes wide.

"Well...." Arnold rubbed the back of his neck.

"Here are some sodas amigos, you must be thirsty too." Eduardo gave Arnold and Helga something to drink.

After they finished eating, Eduardo, Jorge, Arnold and Helga were seating in front of the fire talking about old stories. Arnold was enjoying hearing stories about his parents and their lives in San Lorenzo. They were laughing at Jorge's funny stories and jokes as well.
"So it was always the three of you, Eduardo?" Asked Helga.

"Yes it was" Said Eduardo looking down.

"Do not forget my brother Pepe!" Shouted Teresa while she was cleaning.

"Oh yeah my uncle Pepe, he was Stella's best friend." Said Jorge.

"Who? What? I'm confused....." answered Arnold stunned by the news of his mother having a best friend.

Jorge looked at Arnold "Yeah Pepe is, well, was my mother's twin brother he use to help Stella on her trips to the villages to help children who needed medical care. Eduardo was your father's best friend but my uncle Pepe was always helping your mother."

"I can't believe this, my father never wrote about him on his journal."

"Mmm....I can't imagine why." Jorge answered.

"I do," Said Eduardo "Your father never like the idea of Pepe being around Stella. Your mother loved Pepe, like a brother and I guess your father was......jealous"

"Wow, who does that remind you off, Football Head." Said Helga staring at Arnold.

"I'm not like that Helga, but this is so strange, I never imagine my mother having a close friend here in San Lorenzo. What happen to him?"

Eduardo and Jorge were quiet staring at each other.....

"What?" Asked Arnold staring at them.

"You didn't know?" Jorge asked

"Know what!?" Asked Arnold with his eyes wide.

"Pepe disappeared too....on the same week your parents did. Nobody has found his body till this day." Said Jorge serious.

Arnold hands began to sweat, while a cold chill run down his body. He leaned back staring at them with his mouth open. "What do you mean he was never found. Was he traveling with my parents when they disappeared?"

Jorge looked at Eduardo, waiting for an answer as well. "I don't know" Eduardo answered.

Arnold stood up "You don't know.... a minute ago you said it was always the three of you traveling and then, I find out Pepe was with them as well..... but you knew that already! How come you never mention him, Eduardo!?"

"Calma, don't think wrong of me Arnold. It's just that, sometimes he tagged alone, but it was usually just us three."

"Wait a minute, Eduardo how are you related to Jorge again?" Asked Helga confused.

"Eduardo is my father's brother." Jorge answered.

"And where's your father Jorge?" Arnold asked.

Jorge looked down in sadness "He....was kill, by some corrupted solders that worked for La sombra, when I was a child. The solders came to our town to cause problems and my father stood up to defend us....he was stabbed."

Helga placed her hands on her mouth, shocked by what she heard. Arnold walked towards Jorge and lay his hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry for your loss" Jorge wiped his tear and lifted his head "He died protecting us and... that's why I'll give my life to helping others in need, just like he gave his life, for us."

"That's a very honorable way to keep his memory alive." Said Helga.

Arnold returned to his seat and was pondering about what Jorge said about Pepe. He never imagine the possibility of someone else being with them on their many adventures.

"Eduardo, I need to know more about Pepe, maybe he knew more about the green-eyes and just maybe, he was there on their last journey my parents took. Did Pepe ever told you about the eye of the forest?"

Eduardo yawned....and said.
"Ya es tarde, it's late Arnold and you and Helga need your rest, for tomorrow will follow your father's map to find clues to there last whereabouts. Jorge's mother has been keeping your parents home clean this past couple of years and I told her we were coming. She place clean sheets on your parent's bed for you to use. Now, I don't know we're Helga will be spending the night, unless...you both will be spending it at your parent's house."

Helga immediately answer "Doi, of course I'll stay with...."

"I just need a sleeping bag Eduardo and I'll sleep on the floor, Helga can have my parents bed." Interrupted Arnold knowing sometimes Helga said too much.

"Very good amigo. I'll come by in a couple of minutes to bring you a sleeping bag and some supplies for the trip and tomorrow will talk about all your questions about Pepe. By the way your parents house is unlock."

"Thanks Eduardo" Replied Arnold

Jorge walked over to Arnold "I'll be ready too, I want to help you in finding what happen to your parents as well. I know the pain of losing a love one and I'll do what ever it takes to help."

"Thank you Jorge and I didn't mean to get upset a minute ago, I just feel like something is not adding up about the last trip my parents took to the jungle."

"I understand Arnold, I would be the same. Well, good night and see you both tomorrow."

Arnold turned to Helga and saw her yawning.
"You look tired Helga."
"It was a very long day for me Football head."
"Come on let's walked to my parents house."

Arnold and Helga walked over to his parent's house, the village house looked simple and small. To Arnold is was the most beautiful house anyone could have, it represented family and love.

Arnold POV
As I walked up to my parents house, I was anxious. I gulped trying to clear my throat and wet my lips trying to keep some moist in my dry mouth. I was standing steal, staring at the door shut. "Is the door unlock?" she asked me concerned by the way I looked. "Yes it's unlock....it's just that, my parents lived here with me for a year and besides from the boarding house, this was my home, my first home with my parents."
I opened the door and it squeak while it opened wide. I began walking slowly through the house absorbing my surroundings, to what it felt like old treasure memories from my past, like a forgotten dream of a life I once had. The house look so small, there was a full-size bed next to the window, an old table with two chairs in the middle and a very compact, to what it may have been the kitchen area and I see.....something that got my eye, a tiny old child's play toy on the kitchen counter. I stared at it, imagining how many times I must have play with it while my parents laughed. There was an oil lamp on the counter with matches, I lighted it up to bring some light in to the room.

Helga POV
During dinner Arnold was very active in the conversation, we talked about his parents and San Lorenzo stories, he even laughed a couple of times by hearing Jorge's jokes, but the moment he walked up to his parents house, he changed. He was standing there, looking at the wooden door but I knew his mind wasn't there, he was lost in a memory. "Is the door unlock?" I asked, to see if he would respond.
Arnold said the door was unlock and began talking about the house being the first home he had with his parents. I could see the sadness in him, almost forcing himself to push the door open, like if he wanted to treasure that moment , that memory shut in his life, like it's always been. He walked through the house gently almost not wanting to apply to much weight in to the old floor. The old wood squeak with every step he took, announcing the true owner had arrived, the long time awaited prince came back to his first home.
~~~

Helga continue to stare at Arnold giving him space and quiet to savor the moment, after almost twenty years he was home again.
"Someone left some sheets here." Said Helga grabbing the folded blankets from the bed.
"Jorge's mother left them here, she mentioned she's been taking care of the house all this time. I never imagine the house still existed. It's a miracle this house is still here." Said Arnold has he was waking through the house.
"I'm glad I'm here with you Football Head to enjoy this moment."
Arnold walked towards Helga and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Wow Arnold, I still need to breathe." he stared at her eyes almost trying to look in to her soul.
"What Football Head?"
"I'm just so lucky to have you in my life."

Knock, knock...

Arnold opened the door to find Eduardo standing with a sleeping bag and some camping supplies. "Here you go Arnold, tomorrow we leave by sunrise, sleep well, if you need anything I'll be staying at Jorge's house."
Arnold grabbed the supplies and the sleeping bag. "Thanks Eduardo and thank you for everything you have done for us." Eduardo smile. "Sure it's the least I can do, for your father."

Eduardo left and Arnold closed the door and lock it from the inside. He began to unpack some stuff from his backpack.
"So are you sleeping in the floor Romeo?" Asked Helga.

Arnold smirked at her gazing at her beautiful blue eyes as he pulled her towards his body firmly. "I don't think so love, not after the night we had."

"So, what are your plans then?" She asked gazed at his eyes.
"My plans is to sleep on the bed...with you." he pressed his lips softly on her, kissing her slowly down her chin in to her neck.

Helga moan, delighted by his warm kisses.
"In that case...why did you ask Eduardo about the sleeping bag?" She asked softly.

"They don't have to know we sleep together, that's between us love." he whispered on her ear.

Helga began to yawned as her eyes were watery and tired.

"How much sleep did you had last night?" He asked.

"Maybe three hours, I woke up in the middle of the night after I had the dream I told you about and...I couldn't sleep again. At what time are we leaving tomorrow Football head?"

"By sunrise, which it should be around 5:30 in the morning."

Helga walked towards the bed and began taking her hiking shoes off, while Arnold walked toward the table to organize the supplies they were going to take the next day and said "I still need to fix my backpack with the supplies will need to bring tomorrow and will also take the sleeping bag just in case if we spend the night at the jungle....I left my luggage at Eduardo's apartment and I didn't bring much, since we left his apartment in a hurry. Good thing I brought my pocket knife, mosquito repellent and my father's whip...he use to have it clip on his belt somehow...Oh here it his, my grandpa must have clip the holder on the whip before I put it on my bag, this way I can clip it on my belt and....."

Arnold turned to look at Helga and she had fallen asleep on the bed. He smiled as he stared at his beloved Helga snoring, he loved the sound of her soft snore, it was sweet music to his ears. He finished preparing his backpack and Helga's and climb on the bed gently, he didn't want to wake her. He kissed her forehead and whispered "I love you Helga and I promised, I will always protect you...even in your dreams." He lay down next to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and felt asleep with the sound of her breathing.

Back in San Lorenzo, La Sombra was reading the book he took from the historian office about the legend of the green-eyes and the eye of the forest. "Julio tell la bola de cabrones to be ready, we leave tonight."

"Si señor I'll tell the man and where are we heading sir?" Asked Julio.

"To the village, to meet the chosen one." he said with his evil smile.

Notes:
Arnold can ride a horse 😁 and I really wanted the both of them to have a romantic ride towards the sunset and it turn out great.

And who is Pepe? The next chapter will bring a lot of surprises and well more.... I don't want to say too much.
Thank you for reading and till next one.