“A surprise?” Nimue exclaimed, leaping to her feet. She clasped her hands together and was fairly bouncing with anticipation. “I love surprises! You made me a surprise? What did you make? No, don’t tell me. Let me guess.” Her face was rosy with excitement as she spun around with joy.<br/><br/>“You made a rocking chair from willow withes?” She stopped and put her hands on his knees, looking intently into his eyes.<br/><br/>She knew by the look on his face of patient tolerance that she was wrong. Maric crossed his arms and tried to look stern but she was caught up in guessing.<br/><br/>“You made me a saddle so I can ride the horse?” She hugged herself as if this had been her fondest wish.<br/><br/>Maric opened his mouth to interrupt but she held up her hand,<br/><br/>“Do not spoil my surprise! I get three guesses. I think there is a rule on that somewhere." Nimue tried to look as stern as the Lady. " Let me think.. You made me a treehouse so that we can be alone in the forest?”<br/><br/>Maric looked so pained at her guessing that Nimue had to laugh.<br/><br/>“None of them are even close?” she said, snuggling back up to him. “Then tell me. Don’t make me wait any longer.” and she kissed him prettily on the cheek.