Nimue laughed at the question of the awareness of budding love for Maric. She thought back to the first time she had seen him, there at the Twin Springs. Her face softened and she turned to gaze at her husband, tenderness in her eyes.<br/><br/>“"I was picking apples and there was a  knight who was on a quest. He knelt at the Twin Springs where, both he and his magnificent black stallion both drank. Good health and general wellbeing flooded his face and it was  as one of the angels the monks speak of.   Before you ask, no, I did not throw myself at him , but we did talk. This is how I knew he was on a quest, you see, although he did not say what. He asked for a place to lodge and I did but take him to the monks. As we are women we do not lodge the common fighting man, only nobles  lodge under our roof. Oh, Sir, he was tall and broad but he was oh so gentle with me. When he covered my hand with his he could have been handling that sacred messenger, a butterfly. At that moment I think I fell in love with Sir Maric!”<br/><br/>Nimue cradled his face in both her hands and rested her forehead against Maric’s. A great sense of peace settled over her and a sigh escaped her lips. Then she straightened, and explained,<br/>“The Lady will accept your lord at the Tor. He would be worthy to share the table of Avalon. I will find out now and be back quite soon. Excuse me, sir.“ Nimue said gravely.<br/><br/>She slid to the floor and went to the front door, where she sent out the call to Layla. Without looking back to her guests or Maric, Nimue crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. Finally, the house rumbled with a great shaking of the ground and Nimmie ran out, leaving the door ajar behind her.<br/><br/>With a swift movement, Nimue leaped lightly to her back and gestured for away.<br/><br/>At the Tor, Nimue found the guardian and explained her esteemed guest’s need for lodging. The guardian closed her blind eyes and nodded. She left to find the Lady who after much persuasion, agreed. She wrote an invitation on parchment and blew on it to dry the ink. Once dried, she rolled it up and gave it to Nimue,<br/><br/>“Give this to this great man and have it present it at the gate. We will make Avalon a blessing to him.” The Lady said serenely. “and by the way, I will send word to Rupert to be sober enough to ferry him across no matter what time of night he should wish to go. Now back to your guest, lest you shame your husband with your absence.”<br/><br/>When Nimmie arrived, Maric and the older man were telling tales on each other, making Samantha dissolve in gales of merriment. Nimue paused on the threshold to survey the happy group and take joy in the peace of her home.<br/><br/>“All will be prepared,” Nimue said without ceremony, upon entering the room and holding out the parchment. “Present this to the gatekeeper and you will be treated with the highest honor. The ferryman will take you at your leisure, my lord. The Lady has spoken.”