They walked along, Nimue shocked into silence. She had opened her mouth several times to speak but each time found that no words would come out. She batted her eyes and tried to make sense of what she had just heard. Finally she said,<br/><br/>"I had never thought to hear that word applied to me from a nobleman. Wife? I? your lady wife?" she leaned against him, gently resting her head against his brawny arm. "I would be your lady wife? Me? the widow of a farmer? the serving wench of the Lord and Lady of this land? I would be lady wife to Sir Maric, the Paladin Knight."<br/><br/>Nimue's face was bright red and a wide smile split her face.<br/><br/>"Yes! Maric. I would be honored to be your servant or even your comfort woman, but to be your lady wife!....."<br/><br/>Nimue danced across the meadow, her arms outspread as if she were flying. She whirled around, making her black hair and dirty robes swirl around her. She threw her arms around the startled man and covered his face with kisses. "I love you and vow to be with you forever. From this day forth, I hold myself to only you. I will be at your back and I will help bear your burdens. Where you go, I will go. But Maric,"<br/><br/>Nimmie stopped short and looked very serious,<br/>"I don't obey well. and I don't stay, like a pet animal. That might be a problem."<br/><br/>She wasn't prepared for Maric's hearty laugh at this revelation, but smiled in radiant joy.<br/><br/>The black stallion caught wind of them and galloped across the meadow and Layla caught sight of the stallion and roared a jubilant greeting to him. Nimue laughed,<br/><br/>"I'm afraid we couldn't leave Layla behind either because your stallion has thoroughly captured her devotion."