The night wore on, and Niko put down his fourth bottle of ale, it was empty. Niko was grateful he never seemed to get hangover's, otherwise he knew he would hate himself in the morning.
He lay back down grinning and passed into sleep, snoring loudly.

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She woke up to the sound of loud snoring and knew he had fallen asleep. She broke into laughter at this. She imagined he was quite drunk by now. She shook her head and close her eyes before realizing she couldn't get back to sleep again. She rose and put on her robe over her shift and went downstairs to make herself some tea. She sat at the table and looked out the window as she drank her guilty pleasure, then sat up straight as a shadow passed by the window. It was quick, but it was human. She was suddenly frightened. She knew it was not Elanor. And she had the distinct feeling that whatever it was, that it was not human. She set her tea down with a shaky hand and stood slowly, walking back to the extra room she had been in she laid down, and her eyes went to the window when she saw movement. She screamed. A white face was pressed against the glass, snarling at her. The eyes were blood red, the teeth were more like a mouth of needles. It was suspended in the air at the window, for this window was on the second floor. She was frozen in her fear, unable to move.

Niko woke as he heard a scream. Nienna!
He was still slightly tipsy, he got off the bed, getting his foot tangled in the covers he fell to the floor. Cursing, he stood up and ran to the spare room, bumping into the door as he left.
He entered the room to see Nienna, shrinking away from something at the window. He looked and saw the deathly face, wondering if the ale was effecting him, but Nienna could see it to.
He ran and stood infront of Nienna, pulling her back to exit the room.

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The thing snarled and grinned evilly before turning and vanishing into the night. Nienna covered her mouth, feeling sick at what she had just seen. The horror was real. She had no idea what it was. The thing was nightmarish, but real.

''Come, let's return to our room. The blinds are shut and the balcony is locked.''
He took her hand and turned, walking into the wall behind him. He shook his head, still dazed, and led her back to their room, keeping her close, not only for her safety but also for his balance.

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"You're drunk." she could only manage to say as she walked stiff as a board, her face white. "what was that thing?" she had never seen a creature like it. It obviously wasn't an orc. Orcs couldn't fly. And they looked nothing like that. She purposely kept her gaze away from the window, even though the blinds were drawn. "Don't light a candle," she whispered, "It'll see."

''It was ugly, that's what it was.''
He had not intended to light a candle, yet he felt a desire to as she spoke.
''You speak as if it is watching the house. Did it not fly away?''
He held her closer to him as he picked up one of his swords.
''You shall be safe, and perhaps reward me later'' he said, still tipsy and not aware of the full danger.

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"Niko! I went downstairs and it was watching me down there!" she was extremely frightened. "It was watching me!" she exclaimed quietly in horror. And disgust. She had looked into the eyes of the creature and had seen hunger, evil, and..."Oh Eru..." she whispered. That's partly why she was so afraid. She had seen lust and desire in the creature's eyes. She began to shake.

''Hush, love''he said, pulling her head to his chest.
''Have something to drink and relax. We are safe in here''
His hands found his half full bottle of ale and he took a swig before handing it to her.

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She refused the ale. "We are trapped! That thing is not human! I can't relax! Don't you even see the danger?" she was slightly irritated at him and was about to say something when the doors to the balcony began to shake violently. Someone--er, something, was trying to get in. The thing snarled like and animal as it could not open the doors, then was gone again. "Oh Eru, oh dear Eru...."

He stood up and picked up his other sword, and moved to the bedroom door, meaning to go downstairs and confront it. But something held him back.
He could not leave her. He returned to the bed and sat with her, in a tense silence.

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"What are we to do?" she whispered as she moved closer to Niko, needing his warmth and strength. "That thing...it...it..." she covered her mouth and her face went a few shades whiter as she thought of the clear intent in its eyes.

''It shall not touch you. Look, angel, it shall be daylight soon. We shall be able to think better in the sun.Until then we wait''
He lifted her onto his lap, sensing her need for closeness, he began to rub her back and rock her gently.

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She wrapped her arms around his neck before burying her face in the crook of his neck. She would not look at windows any more either, she thought ruefully. His hands left comforting trails on her back, and she soon began to relax somewhat, yet she was still just as wary.

A while passed, without incident. The first rays of light were beginning to peek through the windows, in spite of the blinds.
He continued to rock her gently, still rubbing her back while another hand moved to her legs.
Niko turned his head and kissed her cheek.

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She nuzzled her face deeper in his neck, her eyes still tightly shut. "Is it morning yet?" she had not opened her eyes from the time she had buried her face there, too frightened to.