He laughed at her reaction. ''Forgive me. I do not mean to make you uncomfortable. I would not make an enemy of you. Nor of your parents. I hear you mother is quite the shieldmaiden'' he said with another sly smile.
''Do not worry. I give you my word I shall treat you no different nor tell anyone of your identity without your consent.'' He removed his hand from his sword altogether hoping to show her that she could trust him.

_________________

She blinked in sudden shock, then her eyes grew into large, round saucers. "But...I...you...?" she shook her head, and notes the removal of his hand from his sword. She nodded "Thank you, it is very much appreciated." she tilted her head slightly "'twas my name, I take it, that you recognized?" she looked down "seems as though I should go by another name." she chuckled and took her hand from her sword as well. "This has been interesting."

''Not only the name. Your actions also betrayed you.Perhaps you should consider another name to go by'' he laughed. He decided not to press the matter incase he made her uncomfortable.
''That it has'' he agreed with her. He saw her remove her hand from her sword.'' I am glad you are not an enemy. Some bands or orcs are seen to be on the move though no sign of them here thankfully''
He looked at her for a moment and pulled out some ale from his possessions. He offered some to her. ''if you would like I will drink first to show you that it is safe ''he said with a laugh.

_________________

She laughed, a quizzical look on her face "my actions?" she hadn't know they would betray her. "Perhaps I shall! I will need to think up one though. And no, I heard they were on the move as well, haven't seen hide nor hair of them yet." she laughed as he offered her the ale "Indeed, I do believe it is safe. But thank you none the less!" she winked as she took the ale and took a swig of it. "that always seems to hit the spot." a breeze went by, suddenly moving her hair. She clutched at it, keeping it over the left side of her face still. "thank you kindly!" the ale left a warm down her throat and into her stomach.

''Actions speak louder than words'' he said with a laugh. He took a swig of the ale. ''I'm glad you like it. It is some of the finest ale available. Absent poison''
He gave her a genuine smile. A gentle breeze passed by. It felt good on the skin. He noticed that Nienna seemed to grab at her hair when the wind moved it lightly away from a side of her face. He wasn't sure what to make of it. ''Is the appearance of your hair of that much importance?'' he said with a laugh, Offering the ale to her once more.

_________________

"poison would make it distasteful indeed!" she laughed, and took the ale once more, enjoyig the dizzying comfort it offered. "ah..." at his comment, she once again became nervous. "it's not the hair." she spoke quietly, offering the ale back to him. "it's what lies beneath it that I am concerned about." she knew that he would see eventually, yet her scars still made her uncomfortable. They were not small by any means.

He took the ale back and took another drink. He frowned at her words and wondered whether to press the issue.
Whatever she's covering with her hair is causing her some distress. If it makes her uncomfortable then it is better if I drop the matter until she herself tells me rather than force my way
He nodded and was silent for a moment. Before offering the ale back to her again. She may have greater need of it he thought to himself.

_________________

She smiled and took the ale "thank you." she pondered for a few minutes. Well, he already knew who she was. She figured why not? It may be disfiguring, but, scars were normal, right? Maybe not scars on the face like that...she shook her head at her own thoughts, then slowly tucked the veil of hair behind her ear. Three, long raised scars ran down the entire length of the left side of her face. They barely missed her eye, and were fairly wide. She kept her eyes downcast, not wanting to see the horror on his face.

Niko couldn't hide the surprise on his face. Three scars on her face, one narrowly missing her eye. He wasn't sure what to say. He looked at her and noticed she wasn't able to meet his eyes. He wanted to comfort her but was not entirely sure on how to approach her.
''You have no need to hide them from me'' said slowly. ''I believe battle scars should be worn proudly and without shame. ''
After a brief pause, he moved closer to her and slowly put his arm around her. He tilted her chin up so she would meet his gaze. '' They take nothing away from you. Neither your character nor your appearance'' he said looking her directly in the eyes..

_________________

Her pinks flushed a light pink, and she nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on his. "I would be proud, if they were indeed battle scars." she spoke quietly, not sure what to think of this man-sure, she knew his name-but she just didn't know what to think of him offering her comfort like this. Although she greatly appreciated and needed it at the moment. "thank you." she smiled a small smile, her gaze still locked on his. She could feel the ale making her brain slightly fuzzy.

He returned her smile hoping he had made her feel better. ''Wherever they come from my words are the same. They make no difference to me.''
As their gazes were still locked on each others Niko had a sudden thought to kiss her. He had had enough ale yet he wasn't sure if it was the ale in itself that brought about the urge. He wouldn't want to do anything that would make her uneasy around him. Especially after she had told him about herself without lies. He moved back slightly but still kept his arm around her. He held her gaze waiting for her to respond.

_________________

She hadn't wanted him to move away, even if it had been only slightly. And, without really thinking of the consequences, she moved closer to him again, slowly. Never taking her eyes off his, she reached up and touched his face with her hand, a sign from her that she was thankful for his words. She didn't know what to say, so she kept looking at him in silence, her hand stayed upon his cheek.

He stiffened, almost in surprise as she moved her hand to his face.
She moved closer to him, still holding his gaze.
He moved closer to her still. He had grown to care for her, even in the short time they had known each other.
Ready to accept however she responded he held her hand to his cheek and gently lifted her chin and pressed his lips tenderly to hers.

_________________

Her eyes widened, yet in the next instant they fluttered closed. This was new to her. Soon she realized her arms had found their way around his neck, and the fingers of her one hand had become entangled in his hair. There was something she was feeling, something she couldn't describe. She kissed him back, her own lips tender. He tasted of wine, and woods. Her thoughts vanished.

As she returned his kiss he felt emotions quite strange to him. Yet he knew he was glad she returned the kiss.
He gently broke off the kiss. He then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave her a warm smile. He took her hand and lightly pressed his lips to it. ''I'd wager you're glad I'm not an enemy now'' he said with a laugh trying to make sure there was no uneasiness now that they had stopped.
He was glad that he had made her feel better and wanted her to be happy around him forgetting any unpleasantness. He pulled her closer with his arm around her, enjoying the warmth she brought to him.

_________________

Blinking rapidly, she tried to clear the fog from her mind. Had he just...did they just...? She looked at him as he spoke, then laughed with him "Very much so! I am afraid I would be mortified to find out I had kissed an enemy!" she chuckled, and snuggled up to him when he pulled her closer. And soon she felt the mixture of heat, ale, and cuddling with him to be a most pleasant thing indeed. She turned her eyes from the fire and looked up at him, thoughtful "what happens after tonight, Niko?" she asked him, studying his face intently.