"What would I do without you?" He asked as he leaned in to kiss her. His hand caressed her cheek gently. He tore himself away from Callie and slinked up the stairs to his bedroom. Would it now be their bedroom? He wondered as he removed his clothes and slid under the covers. A sigh of relief escaped him as the large mattress hugged his body. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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Callie smiled at him as he trudge up the stairs. She was proud of him, and so thankful he was back home, and alright. She began singing softly and set about to making him a fabulous dinner for when he would awake.

Thoril woke to the smell of delicious food wafting up the stairs. He rummaged in his closet for some loose and comfortable clothing. Once dressed he glided down the stairs, as though floating on the scent trails. He floated into the kitchen to find Callie slaving away at the stove. "It smells delicious in here," he whispered as he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "And, I'm not just talking about the food," he chuckled softly.

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She jumped in surprise when he came up behind her, and she smiled and leaned back into him. "You, Thoril, are a charmer." she closed her eyes and sighed. This was something she could get use to. Her eyes opened again and she started tending the food again, taking the finished dinner off the stove. "Whenever you are ready, so is dinner."

"So i've been told. I must say, though, I mean every word." He kissed the hollow of her neck before reaching into a cupboard for some plates and into a drawer for some cuttlery. He glided through to the dining room and began to set the table. "I do believe I am ready. It really does smell amazing." He called through to the kitchen.

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She smiled and followed him, balancing different serving dishes loaded with food. "I hope it tastes just as well, if not better!" she chuckle and set the dishes on the table. There was salad, roast beef, baked potatoes, assorted fruits, bread, and corn as well as cooked carrots.

Thoril laid his plate with the food Callie had set down in front of him. "I am sure it will," he said before eating a mouthful of roast beef and potato. He swallowed with pleasure. "My love, the food is magnificent." He smiled to her softly as he stood and held out her chair for her. "Now, it is your turn to enjoy."

Once they were seated his mind fell to the wedding. He assumed there would be family members they would need to consult first. His mother was definately high on that list. He wondered if Callie had relatives she would like to tell.

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She grinned "Thank you, love." she grateful sat down, taking some portions of everything. She ate the food slowly, savoring the moment more than the taste. She smiled at him and poured some wine for him and herself. She took a sip. "I can't tell you how happy I am that you are home."

"Thank you," he said shortly after her own, as she poured him some wine. "I am glad to be home too. For a short while I thought I was never going to come back..." his voice faded and his eyes became distant. In his minds eye he was back in Minas Tirith. Orc after orc flew at him, desperate to destroy him. It was like there was no end to the sea of orcs that pounded Minas Tirith's walls and grounds. His limbs remembered the feeling of fatigue and the longing to give up. Thoril shuddered involuntarily. Then more images swam before his eyes. His comrades lay slaughtered all around him. There blank, empty eyes staring up at him. They always looked so betrayed. He wished he had got to them sooner. Tears trickled from Thoril's eyes. He cleared his throat roughly. "Sorry," he murmured, abashed, as he rubbed at his eyes. "Those times are behind me now. Now I can long forward to happier times, with you by my side." He offered her a small smile as he raised his glass to her.

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"Thoril." she whispered, grasping his hand. "There is no need to apologize." her eyes were filled with sorrow and concern for him. "I am sorry for what you saw. Those things are impossible to forget. The pain may dull, but the memories never fade." she spoke from her own experiences. She smiled softly. "And you can bet your shoes I'll never let you leave like that again."

Thoril gently squeazed her hand. "I doubt I will ever want to leave like that again," he smiled faintly to her before tracing light kisses over the back of Callie's hand. "Now...There must be someone you wish to tell about your engagement. What say you to visiting them?" He tilted his head to her. He spoke carefully, in case he upset her. It suddenly donned on Thoril that he did not know all that much about Callie. He did love that they had their whole lives to get to know eachother, though.

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She looked down and quietly cleared her throat. "I was my parents' only child." she tried to think of someone, anyone. But she had traveled so much she had never had the time to make any long term friends.

"That is quite alright Callie. Not to worry. I did promise my mother we would visit her. I would like to give her some time to grieve for the loss of my father first though. Not that she would not greatly accept the good news. I just think it might be a little too soon." He finished the food before him and proceded to take a second helping. "You really have outdone yourself," he said with a smile as he continued to eat.

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She nodded. "I am sorry to here..." she said softly, then smiled. "This is nothing close to outdoing myself. You would know if I had." she grinned, glad he was enjoying it.

Thoril chuckled softly. He finished his second helping and sat back in his chair. "If I enjoyed this so much I am worried to taste what you make when you do outdo yourself. I am afraid it may put me into a comma of happiness." He stood up and began clearing the plates. He brought them into the kitchen and began to clean up.

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She flew from her seat. "Thoril! You need to rest!" she cried, trying to grab his hands from the soapy water, splashing them both in the process.