''Thank you, love. We shall leave when she is gone'' he whispered to her.
He turned and walked towards Elanor and helped her up. She obviously took that the wrong way. ''I knew you would come around'' She hugged him, being sure to smirk at Nienna as he returned her hug.
''I am sorry, Elanor.'' Her smirk widened, ''It does not matter, my love, we are happy now''
Niko paused, his arms still around her. ''Not for that. For this.'' Niko picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and walked to the entrance of the cave and threw her out.
''I'm sorry'' he whispered to her. ''Go summon the guard, I will keep her here.'' Elanor gave him a surprised smile and sprinted off.
Niko returned to Nienna. ''Angel?'' he was cautious, she may be angry.

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She stood with her back to him. Her arms crossed over her chest. "i hope she is gone." she did not turn around, she had used the full extent of her power, and she was weak. The blood still dripped, and she did not want him to see. Perhaps Elanor was right. Her face was horrid.

He could see she was upset. ''Yes, love, she is gone. and we should be leaving now too.''
Niko went to her and faced her and saw the blood. He reached out and wiped the blood away. ''Are you well?'' He was concerned, not only because of the blood, but she seemed sad.

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She turned away and began packing things away. "I am fine." he had said nothing. He had not said a word when Elanor had attacked her verbally. She was hurt. Why had he said nothing? Maybe he agreed. She continued to silently pack things away.

He followed her. ''You are not fine. Tell me please, while we have time'' Niko took her hands so she would stop to look at her. He was concerned, he hoped that she had not taken anything Elanor said to heart.

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She didn't meet his gaze. "You said nothing." was all she could get out. She turned the side of her face that had her scars away from him. She didn't understand. He seemed amused by the whole thing, treating it as a joke.

He looked at her and realized what she was talking about. She was right.
''I said nothing because I was scared that you were going to kill her, the look you gave even scared me. I was more preoccupied with making sure you didn't make a mistake than to challenge the beliefs of an angry wretch.''
He paused and turned her face back to meet his.
''I am sorry I did not speak up. But I hope you know by now that your scars aren't and never were an issue or problem for me.''
Niko turned her face and once again, pressed his lips to each of her scars.
''They do not bother me. Her opinion is of no importance. Angel, you are beautiful, even more so through my eyes''

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As he kissed her scars, she knew he was telling her the truth. She nodded and looked down. "We need to leave." she whispered as she wiped two tears away, frustrated.

He nodded and packed the rest of their belongings before quickly checking outside. ''It is all clear. It should take her at least a few hours to reach Gondor, let alone return with soldiers should she mean to''
Niko led Raven out and climbed on. He held his hand out to Nienna with a smile.

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"She means to." she took his hand and swung up behind him, gripping her new flute close. No way was she forgetting it. She clutched the flute in her one hand as her arms went around his waist, and she leaned her head on his back. On to Rivendell, she thought.

''Well of course she does. Look at me.'' he said with a laugh. He leaned back against her slightly, he had missed riding and the closeness they had while doing it.
''Le Melon. and Thank you for not killing Elanor''
He set Raven to an average speed, making sure to take the route that would take them away from Gondor, it may be longer, but it was safer and that's what mattered to Niko.

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"Yes," she said dryly "Look at you, a married man." she hugged him closer even still, she did enjoy his closeness. She heng on to him, Raven's gate soon rocking her to sleep. Before she went to sleep, Nienna stuck the flute in her bag Sondheim wouldn't drop it. With the bag tightly shut, and her arms around Niko, she fell asleep.

They had been riding for hours, night had fallen.Niko wondered if they should stop to set up camp.He himself was growing tired, and he didn't want Raven to be too tired in case they needed too flee at a moment's notice, which he hoped they wouldn't.
He sat there, still riding and thought.

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She woke up and stretched as much as she could on horseback. "Niko, you are tired. Let's stop for camp, I can keep watch, love." she squeezed him slightly closer.

He nodded and slowed Raven down before sliding off the horse. Niko was already half asleep. He set his bedroll on the floor and lay down.
''Good night, dearest. Wake me if you need me'' He fell asleep almost as soon as he finished his sentence.

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She got off Raven and got her own bags down. Sitting beside Niko she watched him sleep, keeping herself alert and ready in case anything should happen. She gently moved his hair from his forehead. "Le melon, sleep well." she whispered. She feared building a fire, she didn't want the light or smoke to be seen. She grabbed her own blanket and slipped it over him, tuckin it in around him. Hopefully Rivendell would allow them to stay. Her mind went back to the the other night, and she glanced at Niko's face, he had not been himself, and she did not blame him in the least. She hope that mood never came onto him again, though.