Thoril had long finished with his breakfast. His plate was pushed to the edge of his small table, waiting for the waitress to collect them. A large tip sat beside the plate. His feet were propped up on the chair in front of him and his nose was stuck in his book. He read with pleasure. He was lost in his book, completely unaware of his surrounds.

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She came down, ordered her breakfast and went to sit down next to Thoril with her plate, then, thought it might be awkward if she sat right next to him, so she sat two chairs down from him. "Good morning, Thoril." she said quietly, her eyes looking at him inquisitively, as though trying to gauge what he was thinking.

Thoril peeked up from his book. "Good morning Callie," he smiled faintly as he laid his open book on the table. "I hope you slept well and feel better this morning." His smile was sincere. His expression gave nothing away of the thoughts that ran through his mind. In truth he had nothing much to think about except the storyline of his book.

(I'm going to head to bed lovie. I'll be on tomorrow after work )

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(ok, love! Sleep well!)

She nodded. From what sleep she had, she had slept well. "I did, I hope the same of you, as well?" she also gave him a warm, somewhat relieved smile.

"My sleep was relatively undisturbed." He smiled to her. "Do you have any plans for today, Callie?" He asked casually as he closed his book entirely.

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"plans? No, not really. Do you?" she shifted over to the seat next to him and grinned.

"Not as yet. I was pondering exploring this small town. Perhaps picking up a few jobs. You can never be short of money in this travelling life of ours." He glanced over to her. "Either that I was going to move on to the next town. Although I think that is my last resort. I do quite fancy settling here for a while."

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She smiled and nodded. "I think you would do quite well here. I could show you around, if you like? Help you find jobs."

"That would be nice." He smiled thoughtfully. "Do..do you plan to stay here long?" He asked her quietly, almost timidly. His eyes flashed down to his book. It was his turn to blush.

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"For the time being, yes." she smiled softly, her eyes going to the table. She planned on staying as long as he did.

"That's is great!" Really great! He looked up to her and smiled. He knew he had made a friend in Callie and that it was a friendship that could possibly last his lifetime. He smiled at the thought.

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"Well, shall we get started?" she rubbed her hands together and stood after finishing her food and laying her pay on the table. "What kind if work do you enjoy doing?" she asked thoughtfully. It would help her find one he would like.

"I really don't have many preferences. All I ask is that I am kept busy and the pay is reasonable." He stood and closed his coat around him and headed for the door. It was clear that Callie cared for him and liked him, but Thoril could not surmise much more from her. It was as if they had never kissed. Perhaps Thoril had been traveling for too long and was clinging to the hopes of having some company. For the most part he had travelled alone and had never made any companions he was eager to keep in touch with. Maybe he should be more open minded. He grinned at the thought.

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She looked at him, wondering at his change in manner. Maybe he had thought he made a mistake in kissing her. She blushed. "Alright." she said a bit quietly before leading him out. A man who made leather goods gladly accepted him for a job. Callie smiled and waved as she went to shop for a cottage. Perhaps it was time to settle down and forget her dreams. She found a cute one, just on the edge of town. She purchased it, then went to work fixing the fence, painting it, planting flowers, and building a gate to go with the fence.

Thoril raised his brow at her blush. Had he read her wrong, again? He decided he would allow her some time to think and take some time to think himself. Besides Callie had had her fair amount of heartbreak and betrayal, who could blame her if she was not ready to make another commitment just yet? The travelling life suited her well, she did not have to tie herself down to anything. She was free.

Thoril started work immediately with the leather-smith. He was glad to turn his hand to work. He picked up the trade quickly too. A few weeks had passed. He had saved up a handsome amount of money. He pondered buying a house and settling down. Then again, who would he settle down with? He had asked around the town, looking for Callie. Had he missed his chance? Had she moved on? Many had told him she had a cottage on the outskirts of the town. This surprised Thoril greatly and at first he did not believe them. He assumed they were mistaken.

On a rare day off, Thoril explored the town. He found himself walking around the outskirts of the town. He stopped by a cottage of the same description the villagers had given him. On an impulse decision he walked up the garden path. With a raised fist he tapped on the door hesitantly.

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She had been baking, her cheeks rosy from the heat in the kitchen, but white there they were smudged with flour. She wiped her hands on her apron, her eyebrows knitting together in puzzlement. Who could that be? She wondered as she opened the door and peeked out. Her jaw dropped. "Thoril?" she squeaked in surprise.