He held her close in his arms and pondered her question. '' We may need to get more ale'' he said with a laugh.
His tone then turned serious, ''though also,-'' he was cut off by a scream in the night.
He froze.''Don't move'' he said. He scanned the area and saw what looked to be a large band of orcs in the distance Some leagues away. They looked to be heading in their direction. If we leave now they wont be able to catch us
''We need to leave, now'' he got up and kicked dirt over the fire to put it out. '' Saddle your horse, we will not be able to overcome an entire band by ourselves. ''
He hated that they had been interrupted, but resolved to answer her question once they were safe.

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Her own face grew gravely serious, and she quickly saddled Raven, her thoughts racing. "how far behind are they?" she asked as she finished saddling Raven. She swung up onto her back, offering her hand to Niko. "I guess there are some consequences to that wanderlust. Being in the middle of nowhere with a band of orcs." she offered a tight smile, knowing full well the gravity of the situation.

Niko packed his things hurriedly he moved to take her hand but then turned back. ''The ale!'' he said, quickly scooping it up and putting it in his pack. ''It would be far worse without the ale'' he said to her. He was about to take her hand and get up on the horse. '' They are not far,but they are distant enough. If we move now and quickly we should avoid them com-'' his words were cut short when an arrow whistled past his shoulder. He turned to see an orc, most probably a scout shooting another arrow at him, he ducked yet it grazed his shoulder. The orc drew yet another arrow with astonishing speed and aimed this time at the horse.
Niko picked up a stone and hurled it at the orc, catching him square on the nose, knocking him out.
He jumped on the horse '' Go!'' he cried, ''I know of a place we can stay further forward.''

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Her face white, she urged Raven on. The horse obediently picked up speed, sensing the urgency of the situation, Nienna leaned low over the animal's neck, hoping to the Valar they reached wherever they were going safely, after a bit, she spoke, loud enough for him to hear yet not loud enough to carry to the orcs. "how much farther?" she never took her eyes off the path, listening intently for the sounds of any orcs, and her keen, well trained eyes scanning left and right and ahead.

''It is not far'' he said. After riding for a slight time the sight of the orcs disappeared. ''There'' he said pointing to the edge of the woods. He got off gently, and scanned the area quickly before offering Nienna his hand.
He moved towards what looked like a thick layer of overgrown vines over rock. He pulled them apart slowly to reveal a small opening to a cave though just big enough for the horse to get inside, which none would notice unless they knew it was there.
He had stumbled upon it by pure luck many years ago.
''We will be safe here tonight. Orcs rarely travel in the daytime, perhaps we could move at first light. ''

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After hopping down from Raven, she went with him an looked at the cave "this will do fine." she nodded. She moved inside, leading Raven in too. After they were inside, she leaned her back against the cave wall. "That was far too close." she breathed out, herbeyes closed. She felt as if she had been holding her breath the entire ride. "so, now we wait?" she kept her eyes closed, giving herself some time to relax.

''And now we wait'' he said. ''Here'' he said tossing her the ale that he had saved. He felt a sting in his arm as he threw it. He looked to see that his shoulder was cut and was bleeding slightly. No doubt from the arrow of that foul orc he thought. He sat down and was getting things out from his pack to clean and bandage the wound. ''It doesn't seem to be poisoned'' he said, indicating his wound. ''Quite fortunate''

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She took a sip of the ale before kneeling next to him. "Here. It's hard to bandage your own arm right." she took the supplies, and expertly cleaned the wound, and wrapped it in the bandages. "you are lucky." she said, referring to his statement. She replaced the supplies and handed him the ale. "drink, it'll help take the sting away." she made sure Raven was comfortable, then grabbed a peice of dried meat from her saddle bag. "here, I heard your stomach growling earlier." she gave him a smile, that also had a hint of mischief in it.

He took a swig of the ale. ''Ale always helps'' he said with a smile.
''Thank you ''he said after she had finished tending to the cut. ''You spoil me'' he laughed.
He started to eat and within minutes was finished. He leant back against the cave wall . All was silent outside. He looked to Nienna, almost not believing how much had happened in one night.The kiss, the orcs, the arrow
He extended his hand towards her '' Come, sit with me''

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(sorry about that...last night my Internet quit workin.)

She went and sat next to him, her own thoughts pondering the same thing. They had both been drunk, she decided, there could be no other explanation, not for a kiss like that. She too leaned back against the stone, grateful for the support they offered "where do go to in first light?" she asked suddenly, letting her head lay back against the wall as well. Her eyes had shut again, but only because she was thinking.

Niko stopped to think for a moment. What should they do? He saw two possible courses of action. They could alert others to the growing presence of the orcs or there was the slightly more perilous choice of attempting to find out what it was they were up to. ''I would think that we should either alert others or try to find out what it is they are doing. Perhaps..'' he said slowly. ''We should sleep on it. We may be able to think better with the sunlight after a sound sleep.''
He thought he saw a troubled look on her face. He wondered if it was what had happened just before the orcs had shown up. Was it the ale? he mused. No. Perhaps the ale just caused it to happen faster? Whatever it was, i do not believe it was a mistake
''Nienna'' he began, trying to find a way to bring up the subject.

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She opened her eyes and smiled at him "I see either way would be good. Although, if we try to find out why the orcs are doing this, we may be able to reach the scource of it and stop it. I am not sure if I will be able to sleep, I am still having a bit of an adrenaline rush!" she laughed lightly. Then, when he said her name, she looked at him curiously, "yes? What is it?" she tilted her head to the side.
Her thoughts were still on the kiss. She had never been kissed before. Ever. It was new to her.

He looked back at her. He had never been one who was good with words.
''Before the orcs interrupted, you asked me what would happen?'' He paused and then looked at the floor, trying to pick his words carefully. '' I have no answers about what tomorrow may bring. Yet I know I would wish you there with me. The kiss may have been spurred on by the ale. But I do not regret the action.'' He stopped, not knowing how to continue next or what to say.

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A gentle, happy smile broke on her face. She reached and tentatively set her hand on his arm. She spoke softly, just above a whisper. "I would like that. And," she paused, looking down breifly before looking back at the side of his face as he looked at the ground, "I do not regret it either." a slight tremor ran through her body at the bluntly spoken truth she had said. It was a tremor of emotion, excitement, and, in a strange way, a tremor of caring. She blushed and looked down as well. Surprised she had been so forward with him.

He smiled, meeting her eyes again. As her hand moved to his arm and she told him she didn't regret it either he couldn't help his smile growing. He took her hand.
''We are no longer under the influence of the ale'' he said with a bit of a smile. He put his arm around her and tilted her blushing face back towards him. With a soft expression on his face he gently moved his hand to her cheek, paying no heed to the scars.

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her blush turned a bit darker, and her eyes closed at the sweet caress she had never experienced before. A soft sigh escaped her slightly parted lips as she leaned her cheek into his hand. Her own hand moved up to cover his. She smiled ever so softly. A look of peace playing on her face. "this is so new." she whispered, eyes still closed.