He smiled at her touch.
''New to the both of us.'' he said softly He moved closer and softly pressed his lips to hers, while one hand moved to the back of her head, gently pressing her closer to him. He was glad he was now able to act while being certain his actions weren't impacted by the ale.

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She returned the kiss, matching his eagerness. Her hands moved to cup his face, her fingers curving over the masculine cheeks bones an jaw. Her breath all but left her body. She moved closer to him still, moving her hands from his face to around his shoulders. Too shy to deepen the kiss, she still returned it. Her heart was beating faster, she realized, and she relished the feel of his lips upon hers.

Niko had no desire to break away. The taste of her lips on his was new and very alluring to him. He gently moved her closer so she rested on his lap, with his arms around her, enjoying her touch and the warmth it brought him. He slowly deepened the kiss slightly somewhat nervous as it had been a long while since he had felt any true compassion for anyone. Yet he hoped she could tell how he cared for her.

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Her senses went wild. The closeness to him, the scent and taste of him was addicting, like the finest of wines. As he deepened the kiss, all thought and sense she had left her in an instant. She felt protected within his arms. Out of breath, she slowly broke the kiss and rested her forehead against his. She gulped for air, too content to speak. She enjoyed the comfortable closeness she felt with him, not wanting it to end. She smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead then.

He couldn't help but give her a smile. The recent surge of emotions had all been strange and new to him but he welcomed them. He gently caressed her hand. ''Perhaps now we can enjoy the ale without a weighing conscience'' he said with a laugh. One thing he had found enjoyable was to make her laugh. He gently reached for his ale to find there was not much left. '' Ale well spent'' he said showing her the near empty flask.

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She looked from him to the bottle, and broke out laughing. "I suppose we shall need a refill!" she eyed the bottle slyly "you'll have to fight me for it." she speculated, then quickly jumped up and grabbed the bottle, skipping to the other side of the cave before holding out and wiggling it in the air at him. "Or catch me and take it." she sent him a grin filled with mischief.

Niko broke out in laughter. He got up and moved slowly towards her. He picked up one of his swords and looked at her with a mock evil expression on his face. He held her gaze and then started to laugh. 'Where is the fun in fighting you'' he said tossing his sword away.'' i would only embarass you''
He moved nimbly towards her and grabbed her around the waist as she attempted to dodge him. '' Perhaps you should reconsider'' he whispered in her ear.

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"oh-ho! You have not seen my fighting skills!" she laughed, then squealed as he captured her. His breath tickled her ear as he whispered. She giggled "reconsider? And, do tell me kind sir, what are my other options?" she nuzzled his neck, pressing small kisses here and there "or, do I even have other options?" she leaned back from his neck before reaching up on her tip toes and nipping the end of his nose lightly and grinning rather wickedly.

Niko laughed. '' Let us hope your bartering skills are better'' he joked.
As she kissed his neck he said to her '' perhaps they are''
He then put on a mock serious voice '' well my dear damsel in distress, you may surrender the ale to me or I will have to take it from you by any means necessary'' he told her, while keeping his grip around her waist gentle but firm.

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"surrender? Never!" she laughed, then kissed the corner of his mouth "don't you know you can't tame a wild spirit?" she teased. She leaned foreword, meeting his gaze "you'll just have to find a way to take it!" she poked his side playfully with her free hand, still holding the ale out to the side. She chuckled before suddenly twisting in his grip, attempting to escape her captor.

He let her break free of his grip. Catching her twice would be more entertaining he thought.
''Perhaps I should change my tactics'' he said to her. He knelt in front of her and said in a mock pleading voice '' I ask you Nienna of Gondor, to please return my ale.Name your price'' He took her hand and kissed it and smiled slyly up at her, hoping she would take the bait.

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Trying to keep a straight face, yet failing miserablyy, she stood tall, remembering her days at court. "This ale is very fine," she said in a serious and "royal" tone, "Sir Niko, perhaps the question is what would you offer for it?" she giggled "That is,If I am even willing to give it up." she held the ale up, swirling it in the bottle "I could just be a selfish wench and keep it to myself, you never know!" her eyes twinkled.
She again made her face as solemn as she could "Well, name your offer and I might consider it." she paused, looking at him, and grinned crookedly "Might." she repeated.

He looked up at her, enjoying their game. He slowly stood up '' I would be in your debt.'' He moved and now stood behind her.
'' Whatever you would ask of me I would oblige'' he said slowly, lightly kissing the back of her neck. He then moved closer yet, kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear '' I would give myself over to you in return...yours to command''
He then moved back in front of her and got on his knees once again and in a mock scared voice he said ''what do you say my Lady Nienna? ''

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"hm..." she said, then a breathless "oh!" as he kissed her neck and cheek. His breath warm in her ear. Her heart fluttered. Yet she kept her head in the game. As he knelt in front of her, only her eyes twinkled. Betraying her stone faced expression. "That's a heavy offer, are you sure you are ready to give your life to me?" she leaned down, putting her face inches from his, "are you sure you want to risk that? Not knowing what horrific tortures I may put you through?" she spoke in a husky voice, thoroughly enjoying this.

He could tell she enjoyed the thought of his offer as well as the manner he had brought it about in. He looked up at her and started reply slowly. ''My Lady..'' He paused. He had now seen his chance, his hand went towards the bottle half hoping he would be able to snatch it from her grasp and half hoping she would react swiftly and he would be caught out. If not, I would look forward to whatever she may have in store for me.

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Her eyes and reactions were sharp and swift. She twirled away from him with the bottle. "Mine!" she cried out joyfully, laughing as she nimbly danced away. "If there's a drop left I may share it with you!" she leaned her back against the cave wall, laughing. "I told you I never surrender!" her cheeks had a glow to them only true laughter and fun could bring to them. After her laughing fit had ended, she reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear, now tilting her head back and resting it on the cave wall as well. She was grinning and breathless.