Maric answered her kindly and sincerely as he always did but he was withdrawn. Nimue had no idea that her words could wound him for she thought of men as creatures who were tough inside and out. She thought that men were incapable of small feelings the way that women were. She knew that they loved, men would die for those they loved, but to be offended at her rash statements was something as foreign to her brain as was purple rain.<br/><br/>“I promise to be on my best behavior with Faren’s love. She is tender and I am brash. She is shy and I talk to all, including trees, dragons and strangers. We are very different, Faren’s love and I. I would not wish to scare her away with riding upon the backs of dragons or horses standing on my feet. I will be a demure wife and will…”<br/><br/>Nimue broke off at his slight smile and she knew something was extremely wrong. She dropped to her knees, next to him seated on the bench. Running her hand over his breeks, she begged,<br/><br/>“What have I done to distress you so, my love? I swear it, I will not be reckless again if it breaks your heart.” She kissed the back of his hand. “ I did not know that you would feel as you do. I will obey you. I will never talk back to you again, “ she thought a minute wanting to be truly honest.” Well, maybe sometimes but I never mean the words that I say in anger. I flare and then it goes away. I love you, Maric, truly.” Tears had started in her eyes and Nimue suddenly stood up, not wanting him to see her humiliation.<br/><br/>“The water is boiling. I will make tea.”<br/><br/>Nimue hurried around, splashing scalding water over her hand, nearly dropping the mug. She sat it down hastily and wrapped her hand in her gown but continued measuring out the tea leaves. She now shook with the effort to disguise her distress at Maric’s aloofness but managed to produce the mug to him. With a whirl of gown, she turned back to toast some of the bread and cheese so he would have something hot for a snack. Slicing through the bread, she sliced too thin and nearly chopped into her finger. Slicing the cheese too thick, Nimue jerked the hunk loose and just stopped, dead in her tracks, breathing deeply through her nose but did not turn around to face Maric.<br/><br/>“The toasted cheese sandwich will be ready in a bit.”