Thoril's hand raised to his cheek to feel the warmth of Callie's touch. He watched as she passed him by with a smile. She was magnificent in her control of her animal. She was magnificent full stop. He wondered how he had managed to be so lucky. Never did he imagine that this would be the end to his story. A beautiful wife to live out the rest of his life with. The patter of little feet running throughout the house. He pictured them old and grey sitting on the porch, watching as their grandchildren ran around in the front yard. In that moment Thoril realised that if that was all he was to have in his life, he would die a happy man. Caught up in his imagination, his steed had lost speed. With a small chuckle, he nudged his horse onward, gathering speed to keep up with his whole world.

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Callie glanced back and grinned at him. Her horse was at full speed, neck stretched out. In that one glance, love could be seen glowing in her eyes. She looked back in front of her and leaned over, giving the horse free rein.

Thoril's horse fell into pace beside Callie's. "What can I do for you ma'am?" He asked signalling her victory. He looked ahead, in the distance he could see the white city loom up from the horizon. Home.

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"What?" she looked back. "We passed it already?" she grinned over at him. "Stay by my side. That is all I wish. And perhaps carry a bag or two for me." she winked.

"I had no desire to leave your side, my love," Thoril answered, smiling softly to her. "I will be happy to carry any burden that you may have from now until the end of time," he added, with a small wink. He started his horse again, taking a gentle canter. "Are you ready?" He asked, glancing over his shoulder at Callie.

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"As ready as I'm going to get!" she laughed and slowed her own horse down, matching his speed. "Does she live right within the city?"

Thoril nodded in reply to Callie's question. "On the sixth sanctum. She works in the King's court and finds it best to have her house close in case of an emergency." Thoril laughed. "Not to mention, my mother is very nosy and is in both eye shot and ear shot of all the goings on." Thoril glanced over at Callie. "It was very hard to keep you a secret."

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"At least that's over." she smiled over at him. "She sounds like a very interesting woman. I cannot wait to meet her!"

"You might not feel so eager once you have met her, my love." Thoril chuckled faintly. "My mother is easily excited. Very easy to anger too. She has high standards to boot." Thoril rolled his eyes as he dismounted his horse and handed him to a stable hand on entering Minas Tirith.

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"We'll see if I can charm her, then." she whomped and dismounted from her own horse.

"I am sure you will," Thoril smiled, offering her his arm. He looked around the great city. Evidence of the great battle could still be soon. That was to be expected. There were some scars that would never truely be healed.

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"The battle was hard." she could see from the marring in the city. She slipped her hand into his. "Thoril...I'm so happy you are safe.." she whispered.

"Yes..." Thoril spoke quietly and softly. "We lost many lives. However our spirit will never fade and the memory of those lost will stay with us until the end of time." Thoril bowed his head, his fingers closing around Callie's hand. He looked to her and smiled as they climbed up to the sixth sanctum of the city. Thoril bowed his head to those he knew and even those he didn't. He wondered when he would get used to the attention, if he ever would at all. The women stared at him in silent awe. The men nodded to him and to Callie, the trophy wife on his arm. Thoril was sure he would prefer to have remained invisable.

They eventually reached the sixth sanctum. Thoril wound their way through the streets to his mother's home. His jaw dropped to see that she was standing outside, waiting on their arrival. Frera Pegason was a larger lady, although rather curvy. She had a very bubbly personality and was always warm and welcoming. She stood on the stoop of her home, peering over the sea of faces, looking for her son. She had heard he was bringing his girlfriend home. Frera could not wait to put the girl through her paces. Only the best for Frera's son indeed. It was clear she had just been baking, going by the flour stains on her apron.

"Thoril!!" She screeched, running through the crowd and engulfing her son in a huge bear hug. Thoril spluttered, the wind having been knocked out of him. "Hello...mother..." He wheezed.

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Callie had to let out a merry laugh at the way Thoril's mother greeted him. She stepped back, letting the two have a moment. She beamed, watching them.

Frera patted her sons back as she stepped back. "Let me have a look at you," she said placing her spectacles on the bridge of her nose. "You look skinny...You haven't been eating." She said, looking him up and down.
"Oh Ma'..." Thoril sighed. "I'm fine and you know it. Now Ma' I have someone I would like you to meet," He settled his arm around Callies's shoulder. "This is Callie Seastar...Love of my life."
Frera looked round at Callie, her beady eyes searching her behind the spectacles. "Yes, Callie," Frera smiled. "I have heard so much about you. Is this when I find out what was true and what was false?" She asked, glancing to Thoril as she held her hand out to Callie.

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Callie smiled and took her hand. "I am so happy to meet you! Thoril spoke so fondly of you, and I am happy to finally meet the woman who raised the man I love, and taught him to be so wonderful. You have certainly done well." she grinned again.