''If you do not stop feeling guilty this instant, I will die. Do not make me do it'' His tone was light but the intent behind his joke was clear. He did not blame her and she had no part in what had happened. The blame rested with Elthor who was now no more.
''My life was taken by Elthor's witchcraft. You, yourself brought me back''

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She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it. She broke eye contact with him and nodded. "Alright." she whispered. She brought more ale to his lips, then dabbed his face with the cloth. She was overjoyed he was alive. She spoke her thoughts, "I am so overjoyed that you are alive..." she choked up again, her throat closed and she could say no more.

''It would take much more than Elthor to finish me''
He accepted the ale she gave him, finishing the cup. His hand then found hers and he brought it to his chest. Niko knew she felt guilty and that hurt him, to see her so, reminding him of how he saw her after he had brought her in from the rain after Elanor's antics.
''You did not bring this upon me, you saved me. I was willing to face whatever happened to protect you. I will always return to you.''

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"I..." she couldn't find words "I love you..." she laid her forehead on his, feeling, finally, the warmth of life in his skin. "You died...in my arms...I couldn't..." she trembled again, tears coming again. The horrible memory would always remain in her mind. Suddenly, she remembered what had happened when she walked toward Elthor. The wind, the lightening. She glanced at the broken window. How had it happened? How had she...? She looked at her hand. Had that come from her?

Niko began to grow tired. He was now becoming warmer by the second, his face no longer pale and his chest pain had subsided.
All thanks to my Nienna
He held her hand to his chest so she would be able to feel his heart beat as he slept, so she wouldn't worry for him.
''Nienna..'' he began to speak but drifted asleep before he could finish his sentence. As he lost consciousness he felt safe, with her watching over him.

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He slept, and she knew he was out of danger. She let out the breath she had been holding. She felt his stronger, more steady heart beat and knew he would be able to sleep and not be snatched by death again. She watched for a bit to be sure, then slipped off the bed after tucking the blankets tighter around him. She walked to the window and the wind blew cold against her skin. She felt an odd sensation, she tingled from head to foot. Love can make you do funny things...even though there was nothing funny about the situation, it was just strange. Had she controlled the wind? She held her hand out into the wind, closin her eyes, testing her theory. Her hand grew cold, and the wind seemed to concentrate around it, swirling in and out of her fingers, curling around her hand. She gasped and jerked her hand back, stumbling back from the window. She quickly walked back to Niko, sitting by him. She had only heard of elves being able to control different things....but how had she? Her eyes remained on Niko as he slept, glad he could not see the fear and confusion in her eyes. She placed her one cold hand protectively over his.

Some hours later Niko woke again. He kept his eyes closed and lay still, knowing and dreading moving as he knew his body would be stiff and sore.
After a while he opened his eyes and shifted slightly, groaning at the pain. He turned to see Nienna, watching him. Had she been up all night?
Niko smiled at her, his thumb stroking her hand which she had put over his.
'' Good morning, angel''

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She smiled softly at him, aware she looked worse than him. She had taken a peek in the mirror, and had seen dark circles under her eyes and a sickly caste to her skin. But she didn't care "Good morning, love..." she was surprised at her voice, for she had nearly lost it. "How did you sleep?" she focused all her attention on him, momentarily shoving last nights issues to the back of her mind. He didn't need to know about her and the wind. Mainly because she wasn't sure herself. She brought water over to him, lifting his head to drink.

''Better knowing you were beside me. Though I feel guilty I kept you from sleep''
He accepted the water. Niko tried to sit up but his ribs wouldn't allow him to, he lay back down with clenched teeth.
''How are you, dearest?'' He hoped she would begin to feel better, now his health was improving.

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"Don't feel guilty, it was my own choice to remain awake." she arranged his pillow so that it kept his upper body more upright, careful not to cause him pain. She thought about his inquiry before answering. Should she tell him? She looked at him, then back to the pillows. No. She shouldn't. "I am fine." her answer was shorter than she planned, and hoped he didn't notice. "Are you feeling better?"

''I can breathe without much pain now, though I think it will take a day or two to heal fully.''
He thought she looked odd, as if something was wrong. She had not slept, he decided. She was just tired.
''Thank you for taking care of me''

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She nodded "that is progress, but you are right about it taking a few days more." she adjusted the blankets, "Don't thank me for taking care of you. You are my husband, it will always be my pleasure to take care of you." she looked at him in the eyes then, "I ask nothing in return, only that you fully recover." she got up and walked to the broken window again, the wind still blowing in, as if tryin to get her attention. She held her hand in front of her again, curious once more. The wind responded instantly, swirling and dancing around her hand, almost, it seemed, ready to do as she bid. She snatched her hand down again, fisting it at her side.

Niko watched her as she moved to the window. She seemed to pause and wait for something, her hand outstretched.
''Are you well? Come lay next to me and get some sleep. I shall recover quicker with you at my side''
He thought something was troubling her, perhaps sleep would do her good.

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She turned, unable to smile right then. "I am alright. I should stay awake though." she went and sat next to him, caressig his face and offering a half hearted smile. "I cannot tell you how happy I am to have you back." she then realized she was touching him with the hand she had held to the wind, and as before it had grown stone cold. She pulled that hand away and continued with her other hand.

Niko could tell something was troubling her but he decided to let it slip for now.
He was no longer in as much pan as he had been in. He was warm and safe all thanks to his beloved wife.
'' that is my only wish. to make you happy''
Before long he began to become drowsy again, he tried to stay awake for Nienna but sleep took him again.

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She held his hand as he slept, grateful he could get more sleep. He needed it for his recovery. She watched him, then sat back against the headboard of the bed and looked out the window. Morning drifted into afternoon, and afternoon faded into the time before evening where the red sun caste fire on everything, lighting up the world. So beautiful she could hardly breathe, it was gorgeous. She just sat with him, holding his hand in her lap.