“But my Lord,” Nimue replied as he handed her a small portion of his bread and meat, “I did gorge on apples today, much like your stallion did. Really, I don’t eat much anyway , but thank you. I will join you in your meal. Eating alone is not good for the digestion.” She grinned at him as she broke off a nibble and popped it into her mouth.<br/><br/>“I am doting on you, as you say, because the Goddess teaches that we represent her to men, to people. She gives of herself that all might have life. She supplies our food and our water. Her trees give us shelter and shade from the summer’s heat. I serve in Avalon and I simply mirror the Goddess, that is all.” Her face grew warm with thinking of other aspects of the Earth Mother but did not wish to make Maric uncomfortable again.<br/><br/>“I know I should not argue with so great a man as a knight, but you are no common man. You go forth on quests alone, without an army to back you. There is no way of knowing the future, unless perhaps you read the pools as the guardian does. You sally forth with no way of knowing if you will come back alive or whole. You are brave and wise and cunning. You are kind and merciful and full of honor. You are strong and gentle and you, you… remind me of “ her voice broke off in a whisper, “Daffyd.”<br/><br/>She put down the last of her meal and drained the gourd, holding it so the last drop would not be lost. Nimue tossed another log on the fire and banked it so it would burn slowly for the night. Finally, she finished her busy work and blew out the candle. The rain still pelted the walls outside, but the room was warm with the fire and the horse’s body heat. The glow from the fire and the occasional popping of sap from the logs lent an intimate and homey atmosphere. Nimue settled herself at Maric’s feet, wrapping her arms around her knees. Looking up into his serious eyes , she asked quietly,<br/><br/>“Tell me a story, my Lord, of your quests in the past or when you were just a lad. Tell me a story of your home.”