As he pulled her onto him entirely, she let her lips fall to his again. She kissed him deeply. Then grasped his shoulders and they both rolled. Now he was on her. She felt no pain, even with his weight on her. She pulled his head down, kissing him again. Her hands moved over his shoulders, down his arms, then to his back. She sighed at the feel of him. This was as close to heaven as one could get without dying. She knew that. Her lips found spots under his chin, and once more down his neck.

Each kiss they shared was more passionate than the last. As she pulled him onto her he was careful not to hurt her.
He kissed her deeply before breaking the kiss. He looked at her lovingly, his adoration showing on his face as he stroked her hair from her face.
''What have I done to deserve you?''

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"it's not what you've done, Niko, but who you are." She whispered, breathing heavily underneath him. Her cheeks were glowing. She stared at him, not wanting the moment to end. Her hands cupped his face lightly. "You mean the world to me. You are my everything. Le Melon, Niko." she knew she was ready to spend her life with him. Ready to marry him.

As she spoke his heart leapt and at her elvish words tears brimmed in his eyes. His love for her was absolute. He found himself lost for words again.
Instead, he lowered his head rested it on her chest, willing her to hold him. The sound of her heart made him happy.He was complete with her. ''Le Melon, Nienna'' he whispered. That was all he wanted, for them to share this moment. He could not wait until they were married, until he could proudly officially show the world that she was his.

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She cradled his head on her chest, one hand resting on his cheek, the other clasping him to her by his shoulders. Her damp brow was slowly cooled by a breeze coming through the cave. She closed her eyes, pressing a kiss to his head, her lips lingering. Such a strange twist of fate that brought them together and bound their hearts together. She savored every moment she spent with him. Her Niko. She sighed. If they wanted to escape they should leave. Yet she could not find the words, wishing this moment to last.

After a few minutes Niko lifted his head. '' We should leave'' He had no desire to end the moment but it was safer this way.
He stood up and offered his hand to Nienna to help her to her feet.
He packed the rest of their belongings.
''I shall ride this time'' looking over his shoulder at her with a smile.
He helped her get up on Raven before joining her.
''Where to?'' he asked.

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She allowed him to help her onto Raven. As he got up behind her and asked her where to go, she thought a minute. "They will not expect us to go East of here." she urged Raven on into a smooth canter. Nienna's mind pondered everything.

''You mean towards the black lands?''
He wasn't sure what to do.But he knew that she had more experience in Gondor and would know more than he about how they operated. ''I trust your judgement, whatever you choose''
He held onto Nienna as they made their way out of the cave. One day we shall return It was a place that held much meaning to him now, so much had happened there, things that he would never forget. He moved closer to her with his arms lightly around her waist and his head on her shoulder.They were together, that was all that mattered.

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"I am sorry, I mean south-east. If we head in the direction it will take us away from Minas Tirith. There is a road that we can hook onto that will lead us around past the Bay of Belfalas. Once we pass that we can cut back around north-westwards and go to dunland or Bree, if we go more west." Rohan was too close to Gondor. She thought. "Dunland or Bree?" she inquired of him, enjoying once more being with him. It was all she needed.

After thinking for a moment, ''Bree. The ale is better'' he said with a laugh.
''As long as we keep our heads down and do not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves we should be fine''
In all truth he was not sad to be leaving Gondor, however he was not sure if the same could be said for Nienna. This was her home, he knew leaving it behind was no easy task. Yet she was doing it for him.
He took her hand ''If you are ready.''
He thought for a moment and then spoke'' once we arrive, I intend to make you my wife''

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She laughed at that. But he had a point, "Well spotted, they do have fine ale!" she smiled "I am more than ready." after a moment's pause, he spoke again. And what he said made her heart leap. "I would be honored." she leaned back against him, careful of his wounds. Then she said teasingly "That is, if we can find an officiate that will marry two wounded wanderers in bloody clothes." she chuckled and squeezed his hand.

He laughed at her words and his heart jumped as she squeezed his hand.
''If the ale is as good as I remember, after a few glasses orcs themselves would be granted the chance if they desired it.''
She moved back closer to him, which he liked.
''Let us go then. To freedom, marriage and happiness. though I hope marriage does not take away what freedom I have left'' He laughed avoiding her gaze.

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She laughed as he spoke. Then turned serious "I have no right to take away any of your freedom. It is your life, Niko, I would never ask you to give that or any of your freedom for me." silently she thought to herself that it would be wrong if she did ask him to do that.

He paused to think for a moment. '' Stop the horse''
''Perhaps you're right. I may have not thought this through. '' He rubbed his neck as if thinking, panicking. He slipped off the horse and spoke, he couldn't meet her eyes. ''I'm truly sorry. '' He turned and walked away to the night.

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"what? Niko! Where are you going?" she stared after him, dumdfounded. What had she done wrong? Why was he leaving her? She stared after him still. Her heart was breaking. Her face went white. Raven began walking again. Nienna didn't notice until the horse stopped again. She slid off Raven, and huddled against a rock. She was cold. She couldn't cry, or speak. She felt for the necklace around her neck. He had forgotten it. She took it off and held it in her hand, staring at it.

''You did not follow me'' Niko said emerging from the darkness wearing a half amused half hurt look on his face. He knew it had been a cruel joke but he could not stop himself.
''You were content to let me leave without a fight?'' his mouth slightly open.

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