By the time he came back from getting the bucket of water, the wind had picked up and the clouds in the sky were looking ominous. Even Hephaestus had made his way inside. The wind chilled him to the bone, and the sweat he had earned while chopping the wood did the opposite of helping him. So of course he was extremely glad to find the fire started once he went inside. He immediately rushed over to the fireside and began to warm himself off silently thanking Nimue who was in the next room over.<br/>"Please just call me Maric." The paladin replied once Nimue arrived. "And there is no need to think of me as anything but a common man. I am no Lord. I am but a servant for the people.<br/>"And I of course will not eat on my own." Maric said as she handed him the meal. "Please, have some. I have not seen you eat for the entirety of this day. I cannot in good consciousness eat this while the kindest person I've met today goes without anything."<br/>Tearing off a portion of the meal, he held it out to Nimue. He would not take no for an answer, and the only way that he'd let it go is if she took it.<br/>"Why do you dote upon me like this?" Maric asked kindly. "I have not done anything for you to deserve these gifts you shower me with. If you keep it up I will not be able to sleep right. You are too kind to me Nimue. I don't deserve this."