Arthur couldn't sleep. He didn't know what it was, but it kept him awake, like a thorn in his side. The prince got up, sitting by the fire watching the dancing flames. The fire's fading light made him weary, and his eyes heavy. He closed his eyes, and was almost asleep when he heard a rhythmic clatter from beneath his window.

Frustrated, he marched to the window, staring out over the courtyard below. He froze. Instantly he recognised Cara's white dress and her long brown hair. He was about to go after her when something else dawned on him; she had been alone; Richard was not with her. He thought for a second, convinced her brother would not let her leave alone, and that she would not abandon him.

Before Arthur realised what he was doing, he was fully dressed, sword strapped sloppily round his waist as his feet carried him down the stairs. He ran to the stables, finding the stable boy about to leave. 'You!' Arthur called, 'Did you just give a horse to a young woman?'

The boy looked puzzled, 'Yes sire.'

'Where was she going?' Arthur demanded.

'She didn't say, nor did the King for that matter; then again, it's not my place to ask my lord.'

Arthur caught himself, 'The King?'

The boy looked just as confused now, 'Yes sire, he told me to bring her food, a weapon, a horse and some boots.'

Arthur paused, 'I need a horse now!'

The stable boy obliged, saddling another horse and handing it to Arthur. Arthur handed it back to him, 'Wait for a moment, I'll be right back.' Arthur ran down the cobbled street to the barracks, silently waking his friend. 'Murnh! Get off.' Sir Bors grumbled. He looked up wearily, ready to shout at the man who had woken him, but looked confused as he saw Arthur.

'Sir Bors, I haven't time to explain, but I must ask a favour of you; if I'm not back by tomorrow, tell my father I've gone hunting. I should be back before then. If he things I'm missing he'll send someone to bring me back, and that can't happen until I've figured out what's going on. I know I can trust you old friend.'

Bors sat up, who you calling old? But don't worry, I'll cover for you. Good luck with whatever you're doing my lord.' Bors said, still not fully awake.

Arthur slapped him on the shoulder, 'See you soon.' After racing back out the barracks, and to the stables, Arthur found his horse ready, the stable boy looking apprehensive. He smiled reassuringly taking the reins, 'Thank you. Tell no one we saw each other, and I will reward you friend.' Arthur said quickly before racing out the gates of Camelot.

* * *

Cara stopped the exhausted horse, its flanks heaving, and coated in sweat even in the cold of the night. She guessed she had been riding for roughly three hours, but she needed sleep, and was far enough from Camelot to feel Richard could not follow. Dismounting from her horse, Cara took off its saddle and walked off the road, leading the horse by its reins. She found a section of trees with a little brush, in which she tied up the horse, gathered a pile of scrub, and used it as a pillow. Taking one last glance at the star lit sky, Cara fell asleep.

Arthur felt the gargantuan muscles of the horse ripple beneath the animal's soft coat. He had been riding for a few hours now, and was completely worn out through lack of sleep. He sighed, hoping he would pass a tavern that he could stay in for the night. Then he saw it. It was so faint in the dark he almost missed it. Arthur yanked hard on the reins, stopping his stallion before it hit the familiar white horse that belonged to Morgana. It was stood in the middle of the road, chewing on some long grass.

Half falling from the saddle, Arthur approached the animal, noticing a snapped branch caught in its reins which it had been tied to. Arthur glanced around, seeing another piece of white in the dim light. He recognised Cara's white dress instantly, just able to make out her sleeping form through the brush. Silently the prince led both horses to where she slept, tying them properly to two firm trees. He crouched by the sleeping girl, studying her peaceful face. It would do no good to wake her, seeming that it was too late to travel, and he was far too tired. He noticed her bare skin had small goose-bumps from the cold; shrugging off his thick jacket, he laid it over her; this would be a cold night for him, he knew. Arthur cleared a patch of ground nearby, and lay down, tumbling into the darkness of sleep immediately.

* * *