When Maric went silent and suddenly interested in his food, Nimue’s sixth sense kicked in. She hadn’t recognized that Maric was dissatisfied with their marriage. In her world, a man and woman often bound themselves without the benefit of any officiate but the moon goddess. She smiled to cover her anxiety and listened to Laana run on about Maric’s wish to purchase a magnificent celebration for their nuptials.<br/><br/>She busied herself with packing her traveling food since the woman was in a hurry to report back to the guild. Her hands were trembling with the effort to hold her tongue in front of the woman. Nimue felt she had already given her enough to talk about without adding fuel to the fire with her personal feelings on matters.<br/><br/>“Well, I didn’t hear of any wedding,” Laana goaded her again.<br/><br/>Nimue put down the knife she was using to  carve the bread with and looked up at the rafters as if seeking the answers to the self control she was in the process of losing. She turned to Laana with a bright smile.<br/><br/>“We were wed according to the custom of my people, Laana. I’m sure if Maric wishes to have a large, elaborate celebration to announce our blessed union, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. He can provide me with a fancy dress and some fine wine if that is his wish.”<br/><br/>Nimue crushed an edge of her gown in her hand as she spoke with sweet politeness. She was careful to speak sincerely and was successful in keeping out any bitterness. She knew Maric loved her and that is all that mattered to her. The realization that she might not be good enough for Maric was starting to dawn on her. That her ways, and rituals might actually be an embarrassment to him.<br/><br/>“Can I walk you to your horse, Laana?” she asked the female knight. “I know you are in a hurry to get back. You need to get to the ferry while Rupert is still sober.”