"Le Melon, Niko." she suddenly cought her head as it fell forward. How long had they been riding? She looked around at their surroundings. "Niko? How long have we been traveling?" she slowed Raven down slightly. She moved a bit and winced slightly.

'' A few hours at least. If you would like I will ride while you sleep behind me'' The ale had woken him up somewhat and he could see she showed signs of tiring.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, hoping she wouldn't put herself out just for him. ''I wouldn't want you to continue while you are weary on my behalf''

_________________

She shook her head "no, no it's fine!" she smiled at him. She forced her eyes to stay open. Raven was walking at a relaxing pace, and soon her head dropped and she was out. She began to fall forward.

He didn't believe her but nodded nonetheless. A minute later her eyelids drooped and she fell forward, asleep.
Niko managed to catch her and pull her back close to him.
Yes, you are not tired at all.
He reached forward and grabbed the reigns of the horse and ushered into a steady pace. He now sat behind Nienna, with his arms around her, gripping the reigns. Her head fell backwards against his shoulder.
''Sleep well'' he said with a light kiss on her cheek as Raven took them forward.

_________________

She drifted into a dream of her home. And then Elthor. And he was pushing on her wound again, a cruel grin on his face. "No!" she cried, shooting up straight, her side was killing her. She gripped it, falling back against Niko again. The nightmare leaving a cold sweat on her brow.

They had been traveling for some hours without incident.
Nienna began to move in her sleep. She must be dreaming
All of a sudden she started to move slightly more quickly, as if something was wrong.She then let out a scream as she awoke, shaking violently. As she fell back against him, he could see that something had frightened her.
He hushed Raven calmly into a slow walk.
''What's wrong, love?What did you see?'' he said, putting his arms closer around her to make her feel protected.

_________________

She got her breath before she spoke. "Elthor." she said through gritted teeth, waiting for the pain in her side to dissipate. His ghost, the guilt of killing him would linger long. She gladly sat back into Niko's embrace. She turned her head and nuzzled his neck, kissing it in three different places. She kept her eyes closed. "Are we getting close, darling?" she whispered into his ear.

''He can't hurt you anymore''
As she sat back and kissed his neck he let out a soft sigh of enjoyment.
''It should not be too long now'' He smiled, knowing she couldn't see him anyway.
''Sleep if you wish, daybreak is still a few hours away and I am still fit to ride. Without falling asleep'' he added.

_________________

"I know he can't." she whispered against his neck. She suddenly swung around so she was facing him on the horse. Her arms went under his and her hands rested on the sides of his back. "I might sleep." she murmured, "but I'm more interested in you." she took a nibble at his neck, gently using her teeth. She kissed up behind his ear.

Surprised at her words and even more so at her actions, he began to laugh quietly.
But as she began to nibble his neck his laughter turned to sighs, she began to kiss him. He enjoyed it and he desperately found her lips with his, kissing her tenderly. It was only her who could make him feel like this, and he enjoyed how she went about it.

_________________

Her breath cought in her throat as he kissed her, it was unexpected. She kissed him back, loving the tenderness he showed her. she sighed after she broke the kiss and stroked his jaw, her thumb playing over his bottom lip. Her eyes, which had been downcast, now looked up at him. "we are coming close to Bree." she said as she noticed a landmark she knew as they passed by. Her thumb quit its circles over his lip and joined the other one that gripped the front of his shirt. "are you completely sure, Niko?"

He noticed that they were indeed getting close.
Niko enjoyed how she returned this kiss. Nodding at her words, his expression then turned to slight confusion?
''Am I sure of what?'' he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

_________________

Her smile turned teasing "Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with me?" she dipped her head to kiss her favorite spot on his neck, the little hollow at the base of Niko's neck. "because I am." her voice turned slightly husky, and deeper. Her arms moved up to around his neck and she snuggled her head on his shoulder.

''If I was not sure, I wouldn't have returned when you thought I had left.''
His eyes closed as she began to kiss the most sensitive part of his neck.
As she snuggled up to him, one hand left the reigns and rested on her back, keeping her close. He looked over her shoulder and saw Bree come into view. A smirk appeared on his face. ''We have arrived'' he declared.

_________________

She smiled at his words, and reveled in the feeling of his hand on her back. Yet suddenly, as he said they had arrived, she became nervous. She was excited to marry him, yet nervous. Her heart rate speeding up a bit to a flutter.

They entered Bree just as the inhabitants were beginning their days. It was early morning, and people began entering the street going about their respective business, some giving them strange looks as they passed. Before long he saw the sign of an inn, The Prancing Pony.
Giving Nienna a slight nudge, he nodded towards it with a twinkle in his eye.

_________________