1 Mr. Golden Spoon

Anika's Pov

Anika stomped out of the smal house, slamming the wooden door behind her. She stalked down the dirt roads, the city dead at this time of night besides the drunk men and women leaving taverns.

The chilly and dark night seemed to calm her as she slowed her pace. Nights were amazing to her, she was always mesmerized by them. They can be beautiful and calming, but can bring the darkness out of people as well. Nights brought opportunities to do something different and it gives you the ability to be yourself.

She began her way to her destination when she passed the castle gates.

'Curse Uther and his ways. He kills innocents, for what? His pride?' She thought to herself.

"Tch."she muttered, turning so she could get to where she wanted to go.

'What a bunch of golden spoons-' her thoughts were cut off when she crashed into someone.

She began apologizing as soon as she saw their belongings spattered on the damp cobblestone. "Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't see you!" Anika said bending down to pick up everything, standing back up with her arms outstretched— the objects in her waiting hands. "Oh no it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." The young woman she had bumped into said. Anika opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself short when she saw the face of the woman.

It was Guinevere.

"Well have a nice evening."She said breaking the silence. She smiled at Anika's puzzled expression before walking off into the castle gates. Anika stared at her until she was out of sight.

She probably just saw her one day when she was out. Right?

Anika was clouded by her thoughts as she walked the rest of the way to her destination. Walking past brush and moving leaves and branchces from her face, Anika finally made it to her real home.

It was a small 2 bedroom cottage Anika had found a year ago. She went here when her father was too much for her to bear, which was basically everyday. Behind it was a clean water river that she showered and got her food and water from.

A large green field lay in front of the cottage where she trained to keep herself fit. The leather large land was surrounded by large woods that it took at least five minutes to get through.

She em opened the oak door removing her boots at the entrance. She was hit by the chilly air that had set in from little cracks around the cottage.

She began removing her leather jacket and with her free hand, aimed it at the fire place. Her once chocolate brown eyes went a bright turquoise and the fire place erupted in flames, lighting the room with a warm orange color. She put the heavy jacket on a sofa chair in front of the fire place and she sat herself down in the longer couch.

She let her body sink into the leather that she had put onto the couch, one of the many furnitures she had built for herself. She stared at the orange and yellow flames, memories of her mother coming back to her.

In the fire appeared six figures. A woman, a man, and four children. They were her mother, her father herself, and her three siblings— Rebecca, Michele, and Micah. They were all girls. Anika was the youngest at 17 years old.

Then in the fire, four figures disappeared, the woman and three of the children. Only one girl and the man were left. It was her father and her. They hated one another but if they were to separate it would damage her fathers image.

Her mother had died four years ago— executed by the knights of Camelot after being accused of practicing sorcery by no other person than her father. Anika adored her mother. She was witty and strong, never let any man no matter the class, determine her worth. Her mother knew of Anika's gifts and took that secret to her grave.

When she died, Anika's sisters had left, leaving her to be with her father. She despised him. He spoke poorly of her mother calling her names like "crazy", "a bitch", and "a traitor". He kicked dirt onto her name when he would bring random women from taverns home at least 3 times a week.

The flames showed the image of her father. And her anger caused it to dissipate into smoke. she clicked her tongue infuriated by the simple thought of him.

She laid herself down on the couch, too tired both mentally and physically to go to the bedroom. Then her mind drifted into the small space where she thought of nothing and felt nothing, that place you went to right before sleep. Then she fell asleep, and he came again.

Merlin.

Ever since she was a toddler she'd have dreams of a boy named Merlin. They sort of grew up together but only in their dreams. She had no idea if he was a real or just an imaginary person who's come with her since she was young. But she had no idea why a three year old was already dreaming of boys.

"MERLIN!" Prince Arthur's voice boomed through the castles walls, reaching the raven hairs boy. He lifted his blue eyes to see the dirty blond walking up to him, messy haired with his shirt hanging weirdly on his torso.

"Yes sire?" Merlin asked as Arthur stomped up to him. "Where in the Camelot have you been? I almost sent a search party for you!" He exclaims throwing his hands up."Sorry..?" Merlin said confused. "You better be, I could have you thrown in the dungeon for that! Now go get my things! I need to be dressed." Arthur says turning around and walking away from the pale skinned boy. The rest of the dream went on as usual, Merlin serving Arthur then him getting home to help Gaius. Then when he fell asleep Anika awoke.

Anika rubbed her eyes as the sun stung her eyes. Somehow the bright rays of the star had managed to go through her curtains with the plan of blinding her.

She ran a hand through her boy-short brown hair. Her father had disliked it as he did everything she did. He said it wasn't 'lady-like' to have Jaír this short. But Anika like it this way, she didn't have to worry about accidentally burning it when she cooked or keep it tied up when she was practicing. And it added extra heat in the summer time. She always reminded her of the positives of her hair choice. Her mother's death had impacted her a lot and one day a few weeks after her execution Anika had just snapped and cut it all off. But she doesn't regret it anymore.

She was teased for looking like a boy with her small breasts and hair choice. And she couldn't protest. If she didn't know herself she would think she was a boy. If it weren't for her slightly higher than male voice and the small bump on her chest she could have totally passed for one.

The boys gave her looks anytime she went to the school classes. It wasn't a big thing now but it was expected for women to continue staying at home and for men to become educated. But when Anika went everyone knew there was los topping her from attending but that didn't keep the looks and rude remarks at bay.

Anika didn't really know where her magic came from. Her mother said she didn't have any and her father... well if he did he must've been crazy for killing people like him all these years.

Anika stood up stretching and listening for the pops that came from her sore muscles. She aimed her hand at the fire place and shut it off before fixing her clothes and grabbing her heavy coat putting it on over her blouse. She slipped on her boots and took a bucket outside, walking into the chilly morning air- the cause of the coming winter.

She brought the bucket inside, rinsing her face and brushing her teeth,throwing the water out. She went to the bathroom and washed her hands before going to the front door and grabbing her sword.

Anika's body was built like a knight with a good set of muscles on her stomach, arms and legs. Those along with many scars lined her body, she wasn't the average large breasted and clean skinned woman in town.

She walked into the nearby forest and began sharpening her sword with the rocks available, a metal screeching sound in her ears. But at the new found sound of footsteps she stopped what she was doing, ears perked and listening to anything and everything.

A twig snapped behind her and she spun around bringing the boy down, her sword to his neck in a threatening gesture. Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw the face of the boy. "Merlin?" She spoke bewildered at the familiar face.

Before she could say anything she felt a cold metal being put at her neck, slightly learning the skin. "Drop you weapon and remove yourself from him." An awfully familiar voice spoke.

Anika turned hallways just to get a peak at their posture. They stood legs closed with both their hands on the sword. Anika looked back at the raven haired boy, giving him a small smile.

He looked at her confused before she ducked her head beneath the sword and stood behind the man kicking him in the back making him fall forward. Anika stepped onto his back trying to keep him there but he was able to push her off as she stumbled back.

She grabbed her sword as the man under the metal helmet took his sword out. The swords clashed ear piercing sounds surrounding the two. Anika was able to get rid of his sword, throwing it to the side as he was left vulnerable.

She kicked behind his knees and he fell onto his knees. Anika quickly went behind him and held him in a headlock. She removed the helmet to held keep her grip when she felt a painful slice at her waist.

She groaned and loosened her grip on the man. He took it as a chance to break free. Anika fell onto the floor panting at the immense stinging she felt from her side.

A bald man stood with a bloodied sword in hand, most likely the man who got me. Anika looked behind him where another man stood. A dirty blond. It was Prince Arthur,

Mr. Golden Spoon.