She laughed "ah, yes. You need your ale." she grinned, hopping down from Raven. Almost losing her balance. Her side felt much better, she concluded, very glad for that. She stretched her arms high above he head, stretching her short frame.

He got down of Raven and led him to the inn's stables. As he saw Nienna stretch he noticed her short frame properly for the first time.
''My very own hobbit'' he put his arm around her, ''perhaps Hobbiton is better suited for you?'' As he led her into the inn.

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She crossed her arms "excuse me, but at five feet tall I happen to be taller than a hobbit!" she poked his side before letting the laugh out that she had been holding in. "it's not my fault I am short! My parents gave all the tall traits to my other siblings!"

He laughed at her indignation. ''They did cheat you it seems. Though I am content with your current height. Two cups of your best ale if you please'' he said to the barkeep.
After a pause,'' I did not know you had siblings. Do you not wish for any of them to be here?'' Though he knew that it was likely they were all still in Gondor, with her parents. He felt slightly sad for her. It reflected slightly on his face.

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"my siblings would most likely report back to my father. I don't mind, really." she smiled at him before drinking deeply from the cup the barkeeper brought them. That hit the spot. She smiled, then chuckled, then started to outright laugh. Two of the bar maids were standing near the wall, whispering and pointig at Niko. She found it quite comical.

Nodding at her words, he noticed the ale had finally come. He drank and could not help a smile showing on his face. ''This is good ale''.
She began laughing at something, though he was not sure what.
''What is amusing you?'' he asked her, taking another swig from his ale.

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She pointed at the two bar maids."you have some admirers." her eyes twinkled as she laughed "they like you." her voice took on a teasing tone. "well, what's not to like?" she smiled again

Turning to look at them, he flashed them a smile.
"They're not unnattractive" he said, teasing Nienna.
"I believe you right. I am a delight", laughing.

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She giggled "Indeed, they are flattered that you would give them a smile!" the bar maids were blushing, and Nienna grinned at them, understanding their attraction. "Maybe there was something to you saying you appeared godlike." she winked at him, taking another long drink of her ale. The bar keepers wife came over, asking if there was anything else she could do for them. Nienna smiles at her "No, Ma'am, I believe we are fine. At least I am, I think he would like another glass of ale?" she looked back to Niko, quirking her eyebrow in question.

''Maybe? You speak as if there is doubt about the matter'', draining the last of his ale.
As the bar keeper's wife came over, he couldn't help but laugh at Nienna's reply. ''Yes I believe she is right. Just the one mind, I would like to keep my senses about me'' he smiled at her as she left to bring him another glass and returned promptly.
''Thank you'' he said politely to her. ''This was indeed the better travel choice'' he added, winking at Nienna.

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Her eyes twinkled "Doubt? Only because it just could have been your ego." she laughed. "I can see now that if I take you anywhere where the ale is good you will be happy. It's good to know for future reference." she looked around, the tavern was nearly empty because it was early morning. Her eyes rested on two little children that were playing. They must be the in keeper's children, she realized as the father walked by and ruffled the girl's hair. The little boy was playing with a wooden sword, and it seemed as though the little girl was playing the damsel in distress. She smiled gently as she watched them, chuckling at their antics.

He nodded at her words. "That is true. I am glad you noticed."
He followed her gaze to the two small children. A small swordsman and a damsel. "Does that not stir memories?" He smiled as the boy's sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor a few feet from their table.
Niko stood up and picked up the small wooden sword. The boy froze, watching him.he smiled at him. "Hold your sword like this" he showed him and then handed him back the sword. "Firmly but gently", checking the boy's grip.
He ruffled the boy's hair and then returned to his seat, taking a swig of his ale.

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She watched him with soft eyes. And her gaze followed him as he sat back down. She studied his handsome, rugged features and his gentle eyes. Her hand lightly went to his and she gave a gentle squeeze. "You would do well as a father." she said in a hushed tone, then she heard voices approaching. She grinned and took her hand away as the bar maids approached Niko.

He smiled as she touched his hand.
"As you would make a fine mother I'm sure"
He turned as he heard a voice address him
" Hello. Is there anything we may get for you? Anything at all?" It was the two bar maids he had smiled at before.
He grinned at Nienna before replying, " no thank you, I am content. However please, both of you have a drink on me" he handed them a few coins before taking a hand from both of them in turn and pressing his lips to them.

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Nienna watched with an amused smile. Her Niko certainly knew how to charm. She hid her laughter behind her hand, watching as the bar maids blushed and curtsied to him. Then, she suddenly had a thought. She needed a dress, and they needed supplies. She turned to the bar keepers wife and whispered to her "Is there a dress shop close by? I need a," she paused and looked at Niko, who was still entertaining the two women, "I may need a wedding dress." she blushed and smiled. The other woman sent her a knowing smile "Aye, Lily's dress shop, if you go down to the right about five houses, it sits in between a bakery and a tannery." Nienna grinned "Thank you!" a Tannery, eh? She thought a minute, then looked down at her vambraces. She wondered if Niko even knew or had seen their secret yet. And she wondered if he liked them. She smiled slyly, then hid the sly look and turned back to Niko.

Nienna watched with an amused smile. Her Niko certainly knew how to charm. She hid her laughter behind her hand, watching as the bar maids blushed and curtsied to him. Then, she suddenly had a thought. She needed a dress, and they needed supplies. She turned to the bar keepers wife and whispered to her "Is there a dress shop close by? I need a," she paused and looked at Niko, who was still entertaining the two women, "I may need a wedding dress." she blushed and smiled. The other woman sent her a knowing smile "Aye, Lily's dress shop, if you go down to the right about five houses, it sits in between a bakery and a tannery." Nienna grinned "Thank you!" a Tannery, eh? She thought a minute, then looked down at her vambraces. She wondered if Niko even knew or had seen their secret yet. And she wondered if he liked them. She smiled slyly, then hid the sly look and turned back to Niko.