The men and Anika lay on the floor most already asleep and the others waiting for it to come. But Anika didn't. Her mind was running with thoughts too graphic for her to just sleep.
If Nimueh was willing to kill a father and his daughter just to have Anika's head on a silver platter made her wonder what other attempts she might have already made and how many people have died for failing.
A rustle in the leaves near her is what woke her from the trap in her head her thoughts had created.
She stayed still, paying attention to every detail with all of her senses. More footsteps approached the group but it was only one set. Anika picked herself up as quiet as she could and lifted her sword ever so slightly above the ground, only enough for her hand to grip around it.
Then she saw her.
Arthur couldn't sleep the worry of losing one of his best fighters again. She wasn't even a royal knight so he couldn't call her his either. The sound of leaves crunching caught this attention. With the earlier attempt on Anikas life, he only felt more on edge. Then more of the crunching neared the group, it only seemed like one person.
It neared them even more and he lunged at the shadowed figure that neared them, his sword aimed at an angle that they would be dead with one strike. Then there was a clash, the most familiar. One that raised Arthur. It was the sound of his sword hitting another.
But he noted it wasn't from the intruder. It was from Anika. She sighed exasperatedly. "You prat, it's Morgana." She raised her voice only enough for them to hear as for the rest not to be awoken for nothing. Morgana let of a breath of relief and she hugged Anika. Anika was surprised at the gesture but returned it.
"Oh Anika. I had only met you once and then poof you were gone. It was a really horrible three years. I yearned to see you again." She released from the hug halfway through her speaking but when she finished she hugged Anika again. Anika opened her mouth to speak but Morgana spoke again. "When Guinevere told me about the girl that had came three years ago I wasn't very intrigued but then she mentioned the attributes, and I just knew it was you. She said you had gone on a trip with Arthur and the knights and I came as fast as I could." She released finally from the hug and Arthur stood there arms crossed looking like... Arthur.
Anika grabbed Morgana's hands and looked at her sincerely. "You really should have stayed. It is very dangerous out here especially on your own. Even I have a companion with me in the woods. You really should have stayed we would have seen eachother when we returned." Anika led Morgana to where she slept and sat her down as Arthur stood watching and Anika squatted down near her, her hand still holding Morgana's.
"Yes but I just couldn't wait. I really missed you Anika." Anika laid her down and covered her with a blanket removing any bags or necklaces Morgana had on. She stayed silent and so did Morgana. "I missed you too but it was still very dangerous. We'll speak more in the morning. You should sleep. Good night." Anika began to stand up but Morgana held a firm grip on her hand holding her back. "But-" No buts Morgana. I promise we will speak in the morning."Anika removed Morgana's hand from her own and stood up walking away from her as Morgana huffed but did as told.
Arthur looked around in the dark but still didn't see or hear a thing. Anika looked over his shoulder. "What are you looking for pretty-boy?" Arthur was so startled when he jumped his shoulder raised and it shut Anika's jaw. Hard.
"Is this what I get for complementing you, you prat?!" She whines holding her chin. He scoffs. "It's your fault for standing so close." She rolls her eyes. "And an enemy is going to attack from a six foot radius instead? Talk about prepared." She mumbles and he slapped behind her head. "Will you shut up it was only an accident. Your being overly dramatic." He looked at her as only half of her was shone with the moonlight.
"No I think I bit my tongue. Do you see any blood?" She stuck her tongue out and her put his hand on her jaw looking at every angle. He felt something bothering him but he saw no blood. "No you're clear." He says stepping away. "Wow thanks captain." She said sarcastically. "Well anyways if you must know. I was looking for her horse. She just came in without one." Anikas eyes widened.
She looked around then back at Arthur. "She probably walked. It's not that far." Anika said feeling something in her boot. Arthur raised an eyebrow questioningly. "But it took us a day to get here on horseback. How could she get her so fast?" Anika sat down on the floor as she removed her boot, shaking it. "Well you were leading us. No wonder she caught up." Anika gave Arthur a smug looked and he rolled his eyes at her.
When nothing came out she placed the boot on the floor but it tilted over. She didn't pay any mind and continued to remove the other boot. That's when her eyes noticed movement.
She looked to where she saw something moving. It was a spider. Coming out of her boot. HER BOOT!
She jumped and hopped onto Arthur, letting him be the first victim if the spider attacked. "What in the hell!" He said as he fixed his posture to carry her correctly. She pointed a shaky finger at the monstrosity that crawled out from her boot. "It's hideous! Get it out of my boottttt!!" One of her arms clung tightly around his neck, not wanting to fall or being any closer to the hairy eight legged creature. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and as soon as she pointed it out she wrapped her other arm around his neck snuggling her face in his neck.
"It's just a spider." He leaned down picking up the arthropod. He held it in his hand and it crawled around his hand never getting off. But Anika didn't like it one bit. "Arthur keep it away from me!" She squealed clinging tighter onto Arthur. Only one part of his body seemed to be attracted to her closeness but he didn't want to be like that so he ignored it.
"It hasn't bitten me, you'll be fine." He pats her back softly but she didn't budge. "If you keep that in your hand, it biting you will be the least of your problems, Arthur." She growled into his ear and he flinched, ever so slightly.
He sighed placing the spider onto a tree and it crawled upwards into the leaves, out of sight.
"It's gone Anika." He says and she peaks her head from the comfort of his neck. "Are you sure? If I do much as see it! You are dead." She looked one more time at Arthur before focusing her gaze onto the floor. She hesitated, one foot nearing the ground but she always pulled it back.
Arthur sighed frustrated. He pushed her off of him and if she was anyone else she would've hit the ground hard. But she wasn't. She was Anika.
Grabbing his shoulders she brought him down with her as his back hit the floor instead and she sat comfortably on his chest. "Thought you were smart?" She mocked crossing her arms.
"No. I thought it wouldn't end well once I did it." He grunted his voice horse. The air was probably sucked out of him. Not the best feeling.
They sat there comfortably, neither saying a word. Not as complaint running through their minds nor a want to move. They were there for what felt like minutes but was enough for the sun to begin to rise. She watched as the blue hues of the night turned orange.
She rolled off of Arthur and hopped onto her feet. She stretched her limbs. "I'm going to go bathe. If you want you could join but it won't be a warm bubble bath, sire." She mocked smirking down at the blonde.
"I can go without warm water. I'm not some prideful prince." He protested standing up and she simply shrugged. "What ever you say princess." She bowed lightly and he lunged at her as if to attack. But she backed away and began to run to a lake she became familiar with after her and Lancelot had held camp here before arriving to Camelot.