Niko barely caught Nienna as she fell. He was stunned. Nienna, the next ruler of Rivendell?
Nearwen just gave them her mysterious smile. Niko nodded, not finding any words.
He carried Nienna all the way back the their house an laid her down on the bed. Niko left and got her some water and returned to her side and lifted the cup to her lips.
''Drink''

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She pushed the drink away after she came to, unable to drink it. "What...ruler? Me? No...no no no no..." she sat up and drew her knees to her chest. "No no no no no no..." was all she could say. She couldn't rule! She didn't know the first thing about it! Naerwen was just joking. She had to be. Nienna covered her face with her hands. This was not happening.

Niko could see she was beginning to panic. Not that he could blame her, it was no small thing to learn that you may soon be in charge of one of the last elven havens.
He brought her face close to his, ''I do this because I love you'' he said as he tossed the water in her face. He put his hands on her shoulders.
''Relax, love''

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She stopped, mouth open, eyes wide. She blinked once, then twice. "What do I do?" she whispered, she could not believe it. Everything she knew was changing, nothing was what she thought it was. The ruler?

Niko began to laugh. He wasn't sure why but he could not stop himself.
''Firstly, you must completely calm yourself.''
He sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
''What you do is your decision. It is you who will be ruler, not I.''

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She blinked a few more times. "We shall be in want of nothing." she finally managed to say. She leaned into Niko, then reached over and touched his chest "How does it feel?" she asked, concerned for him.

He wondered what she meant, then realized.
''I have not experienced any discomfort or any moods since we arrived here. Whether that is due to Rivendell or mere coincidence I do not know''
He wondered if the rage he had experienced was only able to get to him outside Rivendell, though he could not be sure. He trembled slightly as he remembered what happened the last time. He had almost killed her.

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"good." she held him, feeling his trembling. She kissed his cheek, his neck, his ears, and his jaw. "I told you to bear no more guilt about it." she tilted his face to meet her gaze "I mean it. There is no guilt that needs bearing. You were not yourself, that much is clear." she moved her thumb along his jawline "Now, will you try? Or will I, as your queen, have to command you to not be guilty?" she winked and kissed the tip of his nose to show she was joking. Kind of joking.

Niko gave her a small smile at her words. He bowed his head and spoke.
''I will try to, my queen''
He wasn't entirely sure if he would be able to, in fact he doubted it but he wasn't a fool enough to argue with her.
''You mean to accept the title then?''

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She looked down "I do not think I have much of a choice. If Naerwen deems me fit, then I should not argue." she bit her lip, what if she was not fit? What if Naerwen made a mistake? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. There was no turning back now. She opened her eyes "Think you could help me find a dress fit for a coronation?"

He nodded as she spoke.
''Of course'', he took her hand and led her to pick out a dress.
Niko's smiling face did not reflect what he was thinking, He wasn't sure what to think about what was going to happen. Nienna was to rule Rivendell, which meant it was unlikely they would leave. Niko was enjoying their time there and was happy stay there for a time. Would it become tiresome after a while?
Niko understood that it would be dangerous for them to be around Gondor and Rohan but the fact remained that he enjoyed his time wandering the forests and towns.

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She picked out the dress, not smiling. She set it on the bed then walked silently down to the balcony next to the kitchen. Maybe she did have a choice..."Niko? I'm going to go find Naerwen." she called up the stairs as she grabbed her cloak. She donned her cloak and slipped out the door to Naerwen's home. She knocked on the door.
"Yes?" came the reply and Naerwen opened the door, then smiled "Nienna, it is not yet time for the coronation." she opened the door wider and Nienna stepped inside. "I cannot accept." she stared at the floor as she spoke. "Nienna, you are fit to be ruler. I chose you for a reason." Naerwen looked confused.
"I cannot." Nienna whispered.

''It's too early'' he called down the stairs, he looked down only to see she had left.
He guessed what she was intending to do and quickly went after her.
She shouldn't refuse the opportunity. There was a reason she was chosen. The elves would not have chosen one to rule lightly, he couldn't help but wonder if she was meant to rule.
He opened the doors and found both Nienna and Nearwen turning to stare at him.
A slight tinge of red appeared on his face. ''Apologies'' he said sheepishly.
''May I have a word?''he took Nienna's hand and spoke to her. He turned his back to Nearwen but realized she could probable hear everything that was said.
''I know what it is you are trying to do, and I can't allow it. You deserve to rule, Nearwen would not have chosen you for no reason. You were meant to do this.
I want you to do this'' he added with a small smile.
It was true. No-one deserved such a title more than her, she would make a fine queen.

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Nienna opened her mouth, speechless. He wanted her to? But she couldn't. "Niko, I---" Naerwen spoke up, "She has made her decision." she sounded angry. "My lady, I am sorry, I just..." Nienna could not explain exactly why she refused.

Niko spoke up in Nienna's defense.
''Surely you can accept that she would be nervous when thinking of this request.It is no small thing you ask of her. You yourself chose her, for a reason I'm sure. She would make a fine and fair ruler.''

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Naerwen nodded "I know she is nervous, but I also know why she would make the sacrifice of refusing." she sat down "There is still time to decide whether or not you will accept. Go home, think about it more." she dismissed them with a wave of her hand. As they walked out the door, she knew Naerwen was right about why she would make the sacrifice. "Niko, why do you want me to so this?"