Arthurian Knights

About two hours before dusk, they stopped in a clearing. There were tents all set up, and there was a fire going with a pot over it cooking the meal for that night. Since there was enough light left in the day, Guienefaer let Arthur know she was going to pick up some extra kindling for the night. She stopped where she found some good-sized sticks. She also picked up a rock. There was something not right in the forest, and she figured she might be able to throw it if she needed to defend herself. As she gathered up the kindling, she heard the rustle of leaves that were on the forest floor. She had had enough and was about to turn around to go back to the camp when a stick snapped behind her. Guienefaer turned around, dropped the kindling, and grabbed the rock in one fluid motion. She turned around fast, throwing the rock at the bulky torso of a man. The only indication that she hit her mark was a groan of pain. She swiftly turned and ran, grabbing some vines that hung on a nearby tree, then went into the bushes to hide. She waited there, slowing her breathing to make it steady so she would not give herself away. She smelled his boot leather before she saw his boots. He had paused long enough for her to tie the vines around his shoes and secure them. She was going to confront him on her terms or not at all. He turned to walk away and instead fell hard to the ground, letting out a surprised yell. She did not hesitate; she pulled out the dagger she had on her belt and emerged from the bushes. She jumped on him, pinning his arms to his sides, securing them with her knees. She placed the dagger she pulled from her belt and put it up to his neck to show him she meant what she was about to say. “How dare you sneak up on me, sir? State your business fast, as I am not unwilling to draw your blood!” She felt the blood rushing in her veins as the world around her slowed down when the adrenaline kicked in. The man’s face was in the shadows, and so there were no distinct features she could make out. “Well! Speak now or you will find your blood feeding mother earth’s plants with it!” She was shouting. The man spoke in a panicked tone, though he did not raise his voice. “My lady, please, it's me, Gawain! I was coming to help you with gathering kindling.” His deep highland accent confirmed it. Before she could get up, he flipped her onto her backside and sat up. He reached down to cut the vines around his ankle. “That was a nice throw. Any harder and you may have done some real damage. I had no idea you were so efficient at defending yourself.” He did shoot her a dirty look and shook his head, sighing with frustration. She was a little breathless herself and was trying to calm down before she spoke again. “My father’s doing, he did not want me to be helpless in case someone tried to harm me.” Her words reminded Gawain of the Tournament of Children, which he had all but forgotten that day. She tried to stand up. Gawain saw her struggling and offered his hand once he was back on his feet. “So, tell me why you thought it was necessary to sneak up on me? Were you honestly thinking of catching me out?” She had a fleeting thought that he wanted to show her she could not get the best of him. “Silent movements are a habit for me, my lady. I am a hunter by nature, so it is a necessity. I will be more cautious next time, I assure you.” He was helping her up as he spoke, and he brushed the leaves in dirt from her skirts. They heard other men in the distance approaching with torches, and she moved behind him quickly, her dagger behind her back. From the look on his face, Gawain was tense and ready to defend her if necessary. As the man got closer, she saw him relax, and curiosity got the better of her. She looked around him and saw Arthur and his knights running toward them. Guienefaer stepped to his side; she had mischief dancing in her blue eyes.