All the next day, Nimue couldn’t get the expression of sorrow etched on Maric’s face from her mind. She went about business at the Tor like a wraith and even the guardian hissed a warning at her carelessness. She was given permission to take two of the older tapestries home with her. The larger one had severely worn spots on them and she thought they would make an excellent floor covering over fresh straw and the other had faded badly in spots but would still produce the required privacy needed. Layla was waiting for her, kneeling for Nimue to clamber abroad her wide back. After struggling with the unwieldy bundles, Nimue gave the signal to fly.<br/><br/>Once airborne, Nimue would usually signal for the dragon to fly among the clouds and to swoop like a swallow while she shrieked with laughter. Today, however, she held back her hijinks for a more sedate pathway home. The wind in her hair and an unobstructed view of the landscape were her only reward today and the knowledge that her husband would not have to worry with his disobedient wife.<br/><br/>She still wasn’t sure of what had brought the cloud to his eyes and Nimue was sad that she had hurt him with her words of anger. Today, she would work hard to prepare a chamber for Faren and his lady. Maybe being surrounded by his family and friends would bring back the shine in his eyes.<br/><br/>“Truly, Nimmie” she said to herself aloud, “what made you think a great man and a paladin would be content to stay with you as his only companion? You must have been mad and puffed up in some dream world to think that small insignificant you could maintain such an allure. Go home and be a good wife, a loving partner. Forget yourself and be what you should be to honor such a husband as yours.”<br/><br/>Layla set down as gently as a thistle’s down and waddled off to visit the Black. Nimue struggled with first one roll of tapestry and then the other, puffing breath at the curls which had fallen in her face. She surveyed the small chamber and was glad to see that Maric had completely emptied and cleaned it. She could see a pail with a scrubbing brush buried in murky water. He had even scrubbed the surfaces with sweet smelling soap. How thoughtful he was.<br/><br/>Nimue went to the paddock and began to gather armfuls of straw which she began to layer on the dirt floor. When the area was sufficiently covered, she went out to gather sweet rushes to add a delicate pleasing fragrance. Now that there was ample padding underfoot, she unfurled the tapestry with the worn spots and covered the straw. She paused to wipe the sweat from her face and wonder where Maric was. He rarely stayed away from home so late. With a shrug, she found some empty ticks which she filled with more straw and sweet rushes and covered these with quilts. She added some pillows and an overturned but empty crate for a small table. Surveying the chamber, she thought hard. They would need a small lamp, one made from lard and a rag would do nicely and maybe two pegs to hold cloaks or a dress. Once all this was assembled, she went out to find a way to put up the privacy curtain.<br/><br/>Out in the stables, she found a mallet and some pegs. Putting her finger to her lips, she looked around until she found an awl. Those should do the trick. Once inside, she set down to punch holes in the top of the tapestry. Once this was done, she pulled the table closer to the lintel to the chamber and struggled to attached the tapestry to the wooden support. Finally, her arms too weary to hold the tapestry and drive the pegs home at the same time, Nimue climbed off the table and sat to wait for Maric to come home.