Laughing at her words, he stood up.
''I am going to get some ale and food. Come join me?''
He extended his hand to her, a grin on his face.

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She took his handbthen playfully swatted his arm "First, I change." she grabbed a plain grey, wool dress from closet the and held it up "how's this one?" she asked

Niko smirked at her.
''Any dress you pick will suit you.Though I hope you know I do not need you to wear a dress'' his eyes twinkled as he spoke.
''Though if you insist, put it on. I shall be in the kitchen'' he waved and turned and left her in the bedroom, his laughter could still be heard by her in the bedroom.

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She rolled her eyes an laughed with him before looking at the other dresses. Her gaze caught a royal blue gown they flowed when it moved. She put it on and went down to the kitchen "Dear, is there hot water for tea?"

''Yes, I think so. Though I prefer my ale.'' He sat down and began eating some bread and grapes, as well as sipping his ale.
''It does not get much better''
Niko stretched back in his chair, relaxed.

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"No, it doesn't get much better!" she agreed and made herself some blueberry tea before walking out on the balcony. "I could live here till I die." she sighed and sipped her tea. She noticed Naerwen waving to her, and she waved back, grinning.

At her words, Niko's thoughts from the previous evening came back to him.
''If you die'' he murmured.
He did not know what he was feeling but if she was to become immortal he wasn't sure what would happen between them. She could want someone of elf-kind who would be able to live with her forever.

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"if?" she walked over in front of him "of course I'll die. I am only half elven. But even if I was to become immortal," she caressed his cheek, "I would choose a mortal life to live with you."

He gave her a sad smile and took her hand.
''I don't want to speak of such things'' Niko didn't even want to think that far into the future.
What matters is here and now
He finished his food before finishing off with a swig of ale.

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She nodded and finished her tea before there was a knock at the door. Nienna glanced at Niko before walking over and opening it. Naerwen stood there, smiling. "My lady." Nienna dipped into a curtsy. "There is no need to lower yourself to me, either of you." Naerwen grabbed Nienna's hand and beckoned to Niko. "Come, there are things I must teach you, and show you." Naerwen smiled mysteriously. Nienna looked at Niko, begging with her eyes for him to come with them.

At Nienna's look Niko nodded. He stood up and followed them.
Things they must be shown and taught? He wasn't entirely sure what she could mean. Did it have anything to do with what had happened to Nienna's ears?
Apprehensively, Niko let the door of his house shut behind him and nodded in confirmation that he was ready.

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Naerwen took them around Rivendell, showing them the different official buildings and telling them about different things. They got to the city's center and there were people gathered about. Naerwen took Nienna and Niko up a few stairs, and had them sit down on two big stone seats. Naerwen then turned to Nienna "There has been a troubling dispute between two women. Each claims a baby to be their own, and no one knows who the mother is. If they do, they are not standing up and admitting it." the two women approached, and a guard was holding the baby. The women quarreled with each other. Naerwen once again spoke to Nienna,, "How would you decide who the baby goes to? This is why they are here." Nienna looked at the women, and the baby, not sure what to do. Naerwen smiled encouragingly "Your orders will be done as you speak them." Nienna had an idea "Take the baby and cut it in half, giving each woman a part." the guard raised his sword, but one of the women screamed "No! Please do not kill my baby! She may have it bu please do not kill it" Nienna called out "Stop! Give the baby to her, for she is the rightful mother. The other raised no objection, therefore she cannot be the mother." the mother sobbed as the baby was given to her. Nienna looked down, it was a harsh thing to do, but she knew the rightful mother would plead for the baby's life. Naerwen studied Nienna thoughtfully.

Niko could only marvel at the sights as Nearwen took them around Rivendell. It was truly a place unlike any other he had seen or even dreamed.
Niko followed to sit on the stone seats.He could only watch as Nienna worked to solved the dispute of the two women. He reached out and laid his hand on her shoulder as she looked to the floor.

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Nienna looked at Niko, grateful. "Was I right?" she whispered. Naerwen broke in before he had a chance to answer "Nienna, you did what had to be done, and the result was finding the right mother. This is why I have chosen you." Nienna looked up, shocked, "Chosen?" she was confused. Naerwen nodded and again smiled mysteriously before leading them to the archery practice fields. "You will learn to shoot." she picked up a bow and quiver of arrows and handed them to Nienna. Nienna swallowed "I don't think that's such a good idea..." she remembered the last time she tried shooting bow, and flinched.

Niko was out of his element.
Chosen? Chosen her for what?
He found himself at the archery practice field. As Nienna was handed the bow he could sense her worry. His skill was with blades but he was a fair shot with a bow.
He moved behind her and had her lift the bow. Covering her hands with his as she drew the bowstring he offered advice.
''Keep your draw arm firm but soft at the same time and make sure your bow arm relaxed as you shoot. You shall do fine, love.''
He moved back and observed.

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She nodded at him "Thanks..." she drew the bowstring, took aim, and let the arrow fly. It went wide, causing several people to duck and look over with wide eyes. Nienna's own eyes went huge and she covered her mouth, her face beet red. Naerwen laughed "Try again, you'll get it." Nienna drew back the string again, keeping both eyes open, she concentrated on the target. She found the spot, an released the string. The arrow actually hot the target this time, not center, but somewhere close to it. "Well done! You can go home now, and I will be back later to take you to the coronation." Nienna's jaw dropped. "wait, what?" Naerwen smiled and laid her hand on Nienna's shoulder "I am sailing to the Grey Havens. I have no children or kin close to me. I am appointing you the next ruler and guide of Rivendell." Nienna stared, then dropped over in dead faint.