"Do not say such horrid things." Maric pleaded with Nimue as he took her weight as she leaned on him.<br/>Gently pulling her over to a nearby tree, the young knight settled her down against it as soft as he could, taking a seat beside her afterwards. Pulling the young woman to his chest, Maric slowly stroked at her hair as he contemplated what he should say.<br/>"If you think about it, my life was technically over the moment I decided to become a paladin." He finally said, speaking softly after kissing her atop the head. "After that, it belonged to the people. Since that day I have argued and fought and have shed sweat and blood for the well being of others. For justice. What had happened back there was not the justice that I had fought for, for so long. That was fear, anger, and hatred without reason. And I could not just stand by as the woman that I am falling in love with was assaulted  just because she had come to make sure that I was alright."<br/>The paladin's cheeks turned red as he realised that he had pretty much confessed his love for Nimue. Hopefully she'd just assume that the red in his cheeks was a byproduct of the tears beginning to stream down his face. Maybe she wouldn't even catch that part of what he said. For some reason, him saying it out loud made him feel vulnerable. It was not because he thought saying such things would make him less manly, but because saying it out loud made it feel like it was an actual thing he had acknowledged, and could therefore be taken away from him. Maric did not want this feeling to be taken away. He did not want Nimue to be torn from him, he did not want to leave her, and he did not want her to leave him.<br/>"Promise me that you'll never say such things again." He said, clutching her body to his. "You certainly have not done any such thing to me. Without you I'd lose my hope. Without you, my love and my dreams are gone. I need you, Nimue."