"Ah!" Nienna cried out as a blinding pain rushed through her head, someone struck her! She tried to turn, but became dizzy and fell into a table with a loud crash. She felt blood seep from her nose, then all went black.

Elanor had done it! She quickly dragged Nienna out of the door and towards the empty small house she had been waiting in after the coronation. Luckily for her it was a little way from others and it was unlikely she would be disturbed. Niko would be all hers soon!
She hurriedly entered the house and turned to look behind her, no- one was there. Niko doesn't even care! Perhaps this is what he wanted, for me to prove my love to him?
She put Nienna in the bedroom, the furthest place in the house so it was unlikely even the ears of the elves would be able to hear anything.
Elanor tossed her on the bed hard, and bound her tightly to it before stuffing a rag in her mouth to keep her from speaking.She waited for her to wake so she could begin.
Soon this shall all be over.

Niko sat up when he heard the crash. He looked around the room and made certain Nienna wasn't present. Picking up one of his swords he slowly moved out of the room, ready should anyone attack. He moved from room to room, leaving no shadow unchecked until he saw what looked liked signs of a commotion.
''Nienna'' he called. He opened the door and could see signs of something or someone being dragged. He began to follow them cautiously.

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Nienna's eyes fluttered open, and she groaned. Where was she? Why was she tied up and gagged? She saw Elanor and her eyes glowed gold. She tried to scream and shout through her gag, but it only came out as muffled moans. She then had an idea and reached out to Niko through her mind "Niko! Help me, please!" she was desperate. She glared at Elanor.

Elanor smiled as she saw Nienna awaken.
''Well, hello there. I'm glad you're awake '' As she noticed how Nienna glared at her she moved forward and slapped her hard across the face.
She gripped her face and spoke ''You will look at me with respect, wench'' She slapped her again before gently tracing Nienna's scars with her fingers. She then drew out a blade and held it to her throat.
''Should I?'' Elanor wanted to but something held her back. Nienna needed to pay. Sighing, she set the knife down and sat down next to Nienna. ''Maybe you would like some scars to match?''

Niko heard Nienna in his head. ''Do not worry, angel. I'm coming.'' he thought as well as said out loud. He followed the trail, as quickly and cautiously as he could. Niko found himself in front of a house. Climbing in a window so as not to risk any noise he drew his sword and began to search the rooms.

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"You will address me as queen. I am queen of Rivendell." she spoke to Elanor through her mind. She would do anything to stall her, anything. "Niko does not love you, he loves and is married to me." Nienna's eyes glowed gold and she brought wind, and sent it to Niko, tugging him in her direction. "Hurry, Niko, she has a knife!" she addressed Niko this time.

Elanor laughed, no longer cowed by her magic. '''Queen, you? You are nothing!'' She slapped her again.
''Niko deserves a queen more fitting than a commoner such as yourself. I have had enough of you.''
Elanor drew the knife and yanked Nienna's head back, ready to strike.

Nienna's words made Niko's actions even more frantic. A knife? She means to kill her?
He suddenly felt wind pulling at him . Nienna's magic? Niko followed it up the stairs and he came to a bedroom with the door slightly open.
''...have had enough of you.'' he heard. Peering inside he saw Elanor, holding a knife to Nienna's throat. With a cry he sprang through the door and pulled Elanor from her, as they both clattered to the floor, the knife fell from her grasp.
She stood up and looked between Niko, Nienna and the knife. She decided to flee. One day soon! Elanor turned and ran. Niko followed her but as he reached the stairs he stumbled and fell. He could only watch as Elanor fled from the house, away into the night.
Cursing his luck he turned and walked back to the bedroom. As he entered he suddenly saw how comical Nienna looked. Now that they were both safe he could smile. He lay down next to her, making no move to untie her nor remove the gag. He grinned at her.

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She glared at him "I could have just died and all you do is sit there grinning at me? Untie me you big oaf!" she spoke through her mind, but her gaze softened, relieved he had found them in time. "I'm sorry...I didn't see her in time..."

He laughed as he heard her thoughts.
''Perhaps you should be a tad nicer to your hero? Apologize and I will free you.'' he poked her side.
''Do not apologize. It is clear now that she is not of a right mind. I'm glad that you are safe.
That is why I grin'' he added with another poke to her side.

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She quirked her eyebrow at him and squirmed as he poked her "Alright then. Untie me or you're not getting any for two weeks!" she smirked behind her gag. She wondered if he would take the offer and untie her, she hoped so. The rope was beginning to cut into her wrists.

Niko's mouth opened in surprise at her words.
''That, I did not expect. How very rude of you.''
He lightly tickled her foot for a moment before moving so he sat atop her.
''I could have you, right now if I wished.'' His hands moved under her dressing gown until they reached in between her legs, he began to move his fingers slightly.
''Though I think I would be correct in saying that should I do that now it would be the last time for a while?''

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She squirmed as he tickled her foot, then gasped as he sat atop her. Then his hand found her. She gasped and moaned "if you untie me, you can have it whenever you want!" the pain in her wrists was almost forgotten. How could he awake such desires in her so soon after what had just happened?

''I already can, love.'' Niko turned her over slightly and slapped at her behind.
''But I can't leave you like this, it wouldn't be kingly of me.''
He took the rag out of her mouth and pressed his lips to hers before proceeding to untie her.
After he had finished he kissed her again and picked her up. Carrying her, he walked back to their house, keeping a look out should Elanor appear.
He bolted the door behind them and took her upstairs and set her on the bed.
''Are you certain you are all right love?'' he asked as he began to rub and kiss her wrists, hoping to comfort the pain.

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"Yes, Niko. Thank you." she couldn't meet his gaze. Elanor had threatened to give her more scars before she tried to kill her. She remembered the murderous look in Elanor's eyes, then shuddered. She wiped at the blood on her face, aware that her nose was still bleeding. She couldn't believe how vulnerable she had left herself. She felt like an idiot.

''Do not blame yourself, love. It wasn't your fault''
He tilted her chin up and washed away the blood that remained.
''You are safe. That is what's important.''
Niko wanted to see her smile. It was clear she blamed herself. She needed something that would take her mind off those events.
''Though I will admit. After Elanor left I was tempted to have my way with you'' he laughed as he spoke, half joking, half serious.

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She couldn't help the chuckle. "Oh? How tempted?" she met his gaze, and was reminded of their first kiss. He had put his arm around her. Then he had moved away. She had not taken her eyes off his then and she didn't now. She had gotten lost in those eyes as she had looked into them, and would every time.

''So tempted that even if there had been the slightest increase, you would still be tied, though I am sure you would be enjoying yourself more than you were with Elanor.'' he said with a suggestive wink.
His hand found her thigh as he held her gaze.

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