Niko had rarely been in situations of this kind. Yet remaining calm he went and kneeled before Faramir. ''My Lord'' he said respectfully. ''Your daughter speaks the truth. We ourselves saw one of these groups yet we evaded them. I humbly suggest you follow your daughters counsel'' He stopped, wondering what would happen next.

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Faramir nodded "I shall inform the king. Thank you, Niko. Any friend of my daughter's is a friend of mine." Faramir eyed Niko, nonetheless, wondering what his intentions were with his daughter. Faramir turned to Nienna. "Your mother will want to see you." he smiled, taking in his daughter's appearance. "She will most likely want you out of those pants." he laughed "Niko, if you need refreshment, Nienna can show you to a room." he left then.
Nienna smiled "Come." she grabbed Niko's hand, pulling him towards some more stairs. Once they got to the top, Eowyn was waiting for them and embraced her daughter warmly, eyed her clothes, and promptly called for servants to attend her. Nienna pointed Niko to a door "You can use that room." she grinned, then her eyes got wide as the servants came for her. She liked wearing pants! She was all but dragged away, looking back at Niko and mouthing "Help me!" silently to him.

He waved at her with a smile indicating she was on her own. He then walked into the room and shut the door behind him. He took out the last of his ale with a grim smile and finished it. He went and attempted to make himself more presentable, washing any dirt and signs of travel from his clothes, hands and face. He was able to see outside and took in the view of the horizon. Beautiful He then saw a bed. Even more beautiful he laughed.
He lay down on it and decided to wait. No doubt Eowyn would wish to speak to her daughter and he was certain Faramir was still not entirely sure about him.
He let out a soft sigh and put his hands behind his head and waited.

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She sighed in defeat. Once in the room the servants washed her hair, bathed her in perfumed water, and dressed her in a white dress of satin. It flowed about her like water. The gown was sleeveless, she thought, glad because it offered more comfort. When they finally let her go, she knocked on Niko's door lightly "Niko? Are you awake?"

He had almost drifted to sleep. He lay on the bed waiting silently and patiently. He was still not quite sure how he had ended up here. An odd twist of fate.
He heard a knock on the door. Sighing softly as the door opened.
''Nienna' he said with a smile. As his eyes took in her appearance he couldn't help his jaw drop slightly. A radiant sleeveless white dress that was only matched by the person wearing it. There was no words for it. She looked stunning. He found himself lost for words.

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She blushed and looked down at the dress, picking at the skirt of it a bit. "I know, I don't even look like myself." she sighed, she had never been fond of dresses. She suddenly looked up in concern "I didn't wake you, did I?" she asked, worried.

He smiled at her. ''No'' he said. ''In any case I would've been glad too be waken by you. You look beautiful'' He took her hand and kissed it.
''How does it feel to have returned?

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"alright, I am glad though, that I did not wake you. Thank you." she smiled and looked down when he kissed her hand. "It is both a good feeling and a bad feeling on being back." there would always be one thing on her mind while she was here. She shook her head, dismissing it. "I am having food and ale," she nodded to the empty bottle, grinning, "brought to your room while you rest up. I need to go back to my room for a few minutes, but will be back shortly." she smiled and reached up to give him a hug, standing on tip toes because of her short stature. "thank you for coming with me." she whispered.

He couldn't help a smile and a laugh as she told him what was being brought up. '' You now know me too well '' he said to her. ''Thank you'' he said,inclining his head.
He was pleasantly surprised when she gave him a hug, he returned it lifting her off her feet slightly and then kissed the top of her head. ''Your welcome'' he said giving her a smile. ''I'm here if you need me''

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She nodded, and, smiling, closed the door and went back to her own room. She had not been there long when there was a knock on the door. She opened it, peering curiously out. There stood her nightmare. Her eyes went wide, and she tried to shut the door, but Elthor forced his way in, smiling wickedly. She backed away from him, trembling. "Is that anyway to treat an old friend? Shutting the door in their face?" he closed the door behind him. "Elthor, please leave." her voice was tight. "leave? Now you're just being insulting. I came as soon as I heard you were back." he approached her, and she backed away more. "I still intend to marry you. Now that you are over eighteen your father will no doubt allow it." she hit the wall behind her "I will never marry you, pig!" she cries out. He leapt foreword, holding her against the wall by her neck. "I will not tolerate insolence!" he squeezed harder "especially from my future wife. I am talking to your father tomorrow." he stalked out the door, leaving a trembling Nienna sinking to the floor, coughing. She gasped for breath. She had known this would come.

Niko had been waiting for a little while. The ale and food had come and he thanked the servant and waited still. He began to grow uneasy. She said she would return within a few minutes He left to look for her now slightly worried. He left the room and turned to the hall looking for a servant to ask directions.
He noticed a man walking towards him, as they passed the other made no attempt to move out of the way causing them to bump shoulders a little harder than normal. Niko turned to look at him but the other made no move to even look back, just continued to walk on.
He is lucky I am in a hurry he said to himself. He turned a corner and finally found a servant. ''excuse me, where is Lady Nienna's room?'' She gave him directions and he soon found her room.
He knocked softly '' Nienna? Are you alright?''

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She sat curled up against the wall, her head buried in her knees. Silent sobs wracked her body. She heard the knock, and recognized the voice. Now her sobs broke out, she couldn't move. She couldn't speak. Please just come in... she thought in earnest. Her throat hurt too much to call out, and she knew the red marks were bright red on her skin.

He knocked again. Still no reply. He put his ear to the door and listened. He heard nothing. Just as he was about to turn and leave the thought he heard what sounded like sobbing.
He moved to open the door but hesitated still not sure. Perhaps it's empty He opened the door slightly and peered inside.
At first he saw no-one yet he then noticed a figure on the floor. Worried, he quickly closed the door behind him and went over.
''Nienna?'' he timidly spoke to her. She was trembling badly and he didn't want to frighten her. He sat down next to her ''What happened?'' he asked though he felt he knew the answer.

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"Niko." she managed to rasp out and reached over to grasp his hand tightly. She shuddered, yet felt instant comfort at the contact. She raised her head and leaned it back against the wall. Her breath rasping through her windpipe. "I am sorry. I did not mean to worry you." she whispered, gripping his hand tightly.

''What's wrong with your voice?'' he said. Noticing she seemed so speak with difficulty. Yet as she leaned her head back against the wall he saw red marks on her throat. He stiffened.
''What did he do'' he said to her struggling to remain calm.He knew Elthor had something to do with this. His hands began to tremble not out of fear but out of anger.

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She swallowed with difficulty. "He...he is going to speak to father in the morning." she couldn't say what he had done. She just couldn't. She blinked her red rimmed eyes, her breath coming a bit easier now. "I...you...you..." she didn't know what to say, or how to say it. Her fate was sealed. She would most likely be betrothed by tomorrow afternoon.