Authors Note: Yes I have changed the title, I don't really think the previous one represented the story as I wanted it to. I don't really think the one I have now fits either, nor the summary. I can't seem to sum this story up without revealing too much of the story that is supposed to be a surprise. There is a chapter coming up where the identity of Anna is finally revealed, I can't wait to hear your suggestions on that. Anyway, sorry for the wait. There is no excuse since it was edited and completed on my laptop, I blame laziness.

Chapter five: Run.

Anna spent the next day brooding in her room mulling over what she should do next. She knew for certain that she didn't want to marry Gareth, he was a nice guy but he wasn't right for her. She knew she could do better and so could he. Although they clicked and there was some good chemistry that's all it was. Anna couldn't think in her room, the atmosphere was stifling. Anna got up wrapped a shawl round her shoulders and stormed out of her room. In her haste to get to her special place she almost ran the distance. Once she got to the little clearing with the clear pool Anna sighed in relief, she finally felt free. But the anger was still swirling away inside her as she sat by the pool and closed her eyes. When she opened them her mother was staring back at her. She was in what looked to be the council chambers in Camelot talking to someone, she couldn't see who it was as his face was in the shadows. Her mother looked desperate, gesturing wildly as she spoke. Anna wished she could hear what was being said so that she could understand. The sight of her mother's bump made bile rise in her throat as she sneered down at the pool. The man gestured angrily and then stepped out of the shadows. Anna lost her balance as the face came into view falling onto her behind in her shock. It was him. Why was her mother talking to him- her worst enemy?

The anger that had been trapped within her for so long exploded outwards like a stone dropping into a pond, the trees surrounding her setting on fire. The flames licked the branches rising higher and higher caressing the leaves in their suddenly deadly beauty. Anna stared in wonder at the power she had released. She felt much calmer, but as her mind wandered back to Uther the flames blazed higher. Anna was startled by a scream of terror and she turned quickly to see a woman from the local village staring at her in horror and revulsion. Anna started forward wanting to calm the woman or something but before she could the woman turned and ran, and Anna gave chase.

Anna ran faster than ever before to catch the fleeing woman. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage and her dress floating around her the woman sprinted faster trying desperately to get away from Anna. Panic was clawing at Anna's throat, her stomach in knots she was desperate she couldn't have people finding out about her magic, if they did she didn't want to know the consequences. If Uther found her she would be executed- burned at the stake, beheaded and that was not a fate she wanted to bestow herself, not now and not ever. She had to make the woman understand. She had to make her see that she wasn't evil because she wasn't evil. Not at all, not even a little bit and she had nearly caught the woman now

"Stop, please" Anna screamed at the woman, who impossibly managed to increase her speed further. "You have to listen to me, I need to explain!" Anna half sobbed through her scream, the woman ignored her, why wouldn't she listen? Why was she so blinded by fear? The peasant woman was approaching the edge of the forest by now and Anna knew she had to stop her before she reached the open. If she reached the village Anna didn't want to know what the consequences would be. No one would protect her so in a last ditch attempt Anna threw her hand out, a hard gust of air erupted from Anna's palm knocking the young woman of her feet. The force of the air catapulted the woman into a large oak tree, her head snapping back with a sickly crack. The woman dropped to the ground and lay still and unmoving. Anna screamed in horror and dropped to the ground beside the woman. She turned her over brushing her brown hair out of her eyes. But the woman's eyes were open but unseeing- wide with fear. Blood flowed from the wound on her head. There was nothing to be done. She was dead. Anna was terrified, what would happen to her now?

Anna had killed her. Anna flew into panic mode, fleeing the scene going back to the clearing with the pool and pacing in panic. The air was no longer serene and full of wildlife, Anna's temper tantrum had seen to that. The air was heavy with smoke and the once beautiful place was charred and spoilt. Anna paced anxiously pulling at her hair. She had killed the woman, she felt bad about that but it was better than her and her unborn child dying. No it was an accident but she had done the right thing. But she could no longer stay here, they would find out it was her. She knew they would. They probably already suspected, everyone probably already knew. Maybe Gareth had warned them all. No she couldn't stay, she had to leave. But where could she go, who could care for her. She couldn't look after herself. Her mind made up Anna twirled on the spot and picked a direction, and then she walked. Still stricken with horror and fear she numbly made her way away from Caerleon and Gareth and the care she had had their. Yet again she had been forced to flee. Yet again she had nowhere to go. Walking aimlessly Anna stumbled and tripped her way through the thick forest, getting snapped and cut by branches and brambles.

After a couple of hours of walking Anna reached a small river which she decided to set up camp at, except she didn't have any food or any material to start a fire with- which was of course brilliant in this situation. She also had no skills to start a fire, she had never been taught, after all she was a Lady and Lady's didn't need to make a fire. So in the end Anna sat at the side of the river shivering uncontrollably from the cold bitter winter air, shrouded in self-pity and her own hopelessness and silently cursing everyone who had caused this. Anna kept the same routine for the next few days, the only things she had eaten where some berries she had managed to find and she'd had some water. Anna followed the river; she had no other idea where to go so that's what she did. The river offered her a sense of calmness that nowhere else could; it was the epitome of nature and magic. Anna had never felt so hungry in her life her stomach was grumbling constantly and she nearly doubled up from the pain of her belly's emptiness. She was very conscious of the little life inside of her that needed food. She had to find some way of providing for herself and her growing baby, she couldn't handle the thought of being alone and survivors instinct stopped any thought in its tracks that suggested she simply give up, she was stronger than that and certainly stronger than your average woman. Anna hadn't wanted this baby and she still didn't but the thought of carrying around another little person made her feel less lonely. Even if she was bringing a baby into this situation Anna couldn't find it in her too care. It would be a pitiful existence for the both of them, but as least she would have someone. She knew that she could not keep this up for much longer she had already started to become weaker. Eventually this cursed forest would claim her and her child, she just had to try and last as long as possible. She wondered what Gareth was doing; she wondered if he was worried about her or just glad to see the back of her, probably the latter. No one had ever wanted her. No one ever had. Everyone in her life had been so quick to cast her out and quick to replace her. Now though she could have this baby, and the baby would need her. Would need her to feed it, need her for everything. She would not be replaceable. That's all she wanted; someone to depend on her because she was so sick of having to depend on others.

Gareth had returned from his patrol and instead of a warm greeting from Anna welcoming him home, it was the grim face of Gemma.

"Gemma what's happened." He said quickly, recognising from her expression that it was something serious, his stomach instantly knotted up in worry.

"It's about Anna" she said wringing her hands in front of her.

"What about Anna? Has she gotten sicker?" He said in a panic turning to run up the stairs.

"No sir, she left."

"Left?" Gareth questioned, his mind not comprehending what his ears had just heard.

"Yes two days ago."

"Why?"

"I don't know sir." Gemma lied. "But on the same day there was a fire down in the forest and a girl from the village was found dead." The suggestion in her voice was palpable.

"Anna would never..." He said looking into the distance his eyebrows knotted as the fear that she would do it. She had it in her, he knew that.

"Sir, she was in a state the last time I saw her."

"Then why didn't you stop her!" Gareth said furiously, Gemma flinched back from Gareth's hard words.

"Because I didn't think she would leave sir, I just thought she wanted to get out of the house."

"She wouldn't hurt anyone, would she?"

"I don't know sir."

"Did you know about her Gemma?"

"Know what sir?"

"Don't be coy Gemma, it does not suit you."

"I knew she was from a high ranking family and I knew she had some magical abilities" Gemma bit her lip in worry as Gareth stared at her.

"Do you think Uther's right, that magic does corrupt?"

"Sir I don't think you should be asking me, I am just a servant."

"I trust you."

"I think all power can, and I think she was more powerful than what she could deal with."

"Do you think she killed the girl" there was a pleading look in his eyes, he was begging her to say that she didn't think Anna would do that. However she had to tell him the truth.

"Yes I do sir."

"I do too." He gazed at the floor sadly "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." He sighed "I saw it in her, but I thought I could change her."

"So did I sir, we were both wrong."

"She was already too far gone."

"We do not know that she murdered the girl, it could have been an accident."

"But it also could have been on purpose" Gareth said bluntly. "I suppose we shall never know now."

"I know I just wish I could know for certain" he said pausing as his eyes boring into Gemma's "is there anything you aren't telling me?" He asked.

"No sir" She replied before turning away from him and walking off. On her face was an incredibly guilty expression, she didn't want to keep secrets from Sir Gareth but she knew she had to. It was for the best.

If he knew the truth he would only go after her, but Gemma knew the time had come for Anna to leave. Gemma knew in her heart that Anna was full of hatred and bitterness. Sir Gareth didn't deserve to be poisoned by her and Gemma could only hope that the child would be saved from that.

Now Sir Gareth could move on with his life, she thought as she folded some washing. The kitchen was quiet as she worked, the smells of Maddies cooking had long since faded and the guilt lump in her stomach wouldn't go away and she somehow doubted that it ever would. She had told Anna what right she had to lie to Sir Gareth, but now that Gemma herself that begged the question that would she had done was infinitely worse.

Feeling increasingly guilty Gemma finished the washing and left for the short walk home. Anna hadn't belonged with them, she was different and magical. These didn't bode well for those trying to hide.

She had done what she had thought was for the best, now she could only hope the consequences weren't too severe.

Authors Note: So did you see that coming? Oh you did... I love Anna's character but I feel she has no depth, mainly because I hate her as a character. She is a shallow and bitter character and though I empathise with my own character I still think she's a right cow.

The adventure continues Next week:

"Is that how you druids are? Preach peace and then kick out all those who disagree with you? Who feel the anger of their kind? Who want vengeance for the death of our kin?" Anna questioned, her voice alight with malice. The stony faces that answered her question gave her a sick sense of satisfaction. She had won.