Thoril winked to her before returning to her house and left through the front door. Thoril walked along the straight, his heart lighter than before. On his journey back into the center of town he passed by a run down house. He stopped outside its creaky gate and peered at it curiously. It was in need of a lick of fresh paint and that was the least of it's problems. Perhaps I can cut down on my shifts at work. He thought a sudden desire to take on the project in front of him. He took a note from his leatherbound book and wrote a note for the seller of the house, detailing where he could be contacted.

A few days passed with no word, but on the fourth day a young lad came to Thoril's work. Thoril agreed to meet him at the local inn on his lunch break. It transpired that the house had in his family for a near century. The lad was wanting to go off on a journey. This town had nothing to offer him, nothing to satisfy his dreams. Later on in the day Thoril met the lad and passed over the money for the house and wished him luck on his travels.

After long discussions with his employer, Thoril and he came to an agreement that while Thoril fixed up the house he would work four days a week. Thoril accepted this and set to work on sorting up his house on his very first day off.

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She smiled as she watched him go, hardly believing he had stopped. But she was happy. She cleaned up the dishes and went back to baling, humming merrily as she did so. Things were definitely looking up.

After several months of work, Thoril's home was finally complete. The house was not particularly big, but big enough for him and a future family should that be his fate. There was a nice, tranquil garden to the south of the house too. It was close enough to the center of town and within walking distance of Callie's home. In the house there were secret passageways for Thoril to wander into and hide should the need arise. There was three bedrooms, a family room, a large kitchen to encourage Thoril's talents with food and a study filled with books. The master bedroom had a balcony that looked over the garden. There was much that was marvellous about this house. Thoril stood outside and looked up at his house in wonder. It became clear to him he really was settling here.

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She had gone out for a walk that day, carrying some bread tithe market to sell. She spotted Thoril in the distance, and saw a house. She knew he had been fixing it up, but she had no idea how nice it would be when he had finished. She walked up behind him and stated at the house. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. It really was. He had done well. "You have a talent, for sure."

Thoril gasped in surprise. He whirled round to find Callie behind him. "Oh! Thank you. It took some time, but I am happy with it. How is your house coming along?" He asked, grinning at her. "Would you like to join me for lunch?"

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She couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. "Mt house is finished." she chuckld as she looked at his house again. "I think I will, thank you." she smiled warmly.

Thoril walked up his garden path. Took out a gold key and slid it into the lock. With a gentle twist of his wrist he unlocked and opened the door. He looked round at Callie. "After you," he said simply with a nod of his head and a broad smile upon his handsomely chisled face.

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She gave him a lopsided grin and stepped in, her jaw dropping slightly as she saw what he had done with the old house. "Phenomenal!" she breathed out. "As I said before, you have talent!" she turned and held her basket infront of her while she beamed at him.

"Would you like a tour?" He asked, without waiting for an answer. He swooped her up the stairs and stopped by the first bedroom. "This is the master bedroom," he announced, extending his arm to the room. There was a large four poster bed in the middle of the room, with crimson decor. There was a desk by the door and small lounge chairs dotted along the walls in the room. The balcony had delicate, elegant furniture too. The two other bedrooms were similar, only one was a deep purple and the other a deep green. There was a large bathroom between the three bedrooms with elegant brass decor. Thoril loved to show off his work. He adored being awarded.

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She laughed as she was taken in a whirlwind. She looked at all the rooms, and found herself quite impressed. "Abdolutely amazing." she walked along with him. "It hardly seems like the same, broken down building! Although you've done well at keeping its character." she smiled up at him. "Almost as nice as mine!" she cracked the joke before moving away from him and re retaliation he might give.

"You are right," he said, leaning against the wall smoothly. "It is missing one thing..." His brow raised as he peered at her. His hand moved to stroke his jaw. "And I know exactly what that is...A woman's touch." He grinned at her. "Well. Feel free to look around while I whip us up some lunch!" He dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen, leaving Callie to ponder his remark.

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She smiled as he left. A woman's touch. Interesting thought. She walked into one of the smaller rooms, the purple room, and walked go the window. She looked out briefly, then walked around the room, looking at the furniture. She ran her hand along the foot of the bed. The house could use a woman's touch. All the rooms needed curtains. She would sew some for him when she got home.

"Lunch is served, my lady." He called up the stairs as he set to plates down at the large mahogany table in the dining room. He poured some wine into two crystal glasses and waited by Callie's seat, holding it out for her.

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She smiled as she walked down the stairs. "A beautiful set up, to be sure." she regarded the table with obvious approval. "Thank you." she said as she took her seat which he held out for her. She set her basket on the floor and waited for him.

"I am glad you like the place." He took a seat across from her and raised his glass of wine. "Here's to finally finding somewhere to settle happily," he toasted and then raised the glass to his lips and drank. He began to eat his lunch, occasionally glancing over at Callie. An inner monologue ran through his head. Would she say yes? She said she liked me, so why not? Is it too soon? What is there to wait for? The world is growing dark indeed. Then again what is the rush. If it is meant to be it will be. How is it meant to be if I don't urge it? It's only asking if she would like to move in, not a marriage proposal, not yet at least. Still she has basically just bought her own home. Oh I don't know... Thoril sighed faintly. "How is the wine? Enjoying your lunch?" He asked pleasently.

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"The wine is fantastic, and the food is amazing!" she grinned at him. "Your place is beautiful. I plan on sewing you some curtains too, the upstairs rooms need them." she laid her hand lightly on his arm. "Thank you, again." her eyes twinkled. "Although you are right, this place could end up looking like a man cave without a woman's touch." she giggled slightly.