Nimue stared at Maric. He was so magnificent. After he removed his helmet, she could see his rugged good looks, not like those court pageboys who never had a golden hair out of place. Maric was a man who took care of business and the natural way his hair and beard grew were marks of his confidence. Nimue had to pinch her own thigh to make sure she was awake. He had come to find her, she thought. He had ridden the long way across the valley, over the bridge and up the Tor, to find HER!. She was overcome with elation and did what Nimue did best when she was excited.<br/><br/>"Did you not like the monks? Did you find them friendly? Did you have trouble crossing the bridge? Sometimes the water is high and the bridge a difficult crossing. Did you finish your quest? I wish I could go on a quest. I would love to be part of an adventure. Are women ever allowed to go on quests? I wish I could be a knight. I will send some one to care for your stallion. We have fresh hay and lots of apples. I think I heard that we had some oats as well. We don't have many horses but we do have a drag..."<br/><br/>Viviann, Lady of the Lake, cleared her throat and nodded graciously to Nimue.<br/>"Allow the man time to catch his breath and perhaps even answer you, child" the Lady said with a soft voice and a kind chuckle.<br/><br/>The guardian slipped off unnoticed  by the party and went to consult with her reflecting pan on this mission that summoned the knight. If he wouldn't tell them, the water would.<br/><br/>The three of them, Nimue, Maric and the Lady arrived in a lavishly appointed sitting room.<br/><br/>"Take your ease," the Lady said to Maric, indicating the plump cushions on the floor around a roaring fireplace. "Nimue will attend you, I shall send for refreshment."