Frera bowed her head to the young couple before dashing into the kitchen to clear up the dishes. She washed them, dried them and put them back where she found them. A cloth was taken to the worktops to polish them down. The table was turned down, the candles and other decorations put away in the cupboard for another evening. She dusted down her tables, taking care around the ornaments and various photographs of her husband and Thoril. Finally, once the house was spotless she sat down in her armchair with a pot of tea beside her. She closed her eyes and began to imagine what her life would have been like, had her husband not gone off to war.

Thoril walked Callie to his mother's bedroom door. "She is a kind woman. I know she likes you too." He smiled, clasping Callie's hands in his own. "You worry for her," he stated. "Frera Pegason is a strong woman. She will get through the loss of my father."

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"It is hard to get over the loss of one you love so much." she looked down. "But you are right, she is strong." she looked at their hands, and forced back tears again. She had never dreamed she would meet someone like him. Never even dreamed she would even fall in love. Never suspected she would ever give up her immortality for a man. She slowly looked back up at him, meeting his gaze.

Thoril smiled warmly as he held her gaze. He realized then it was not gravity that grounded him. It was the woman that stood before him. Nothing mattered to him without her existence. He was lost without her loving presence. He would have to do everything in his power to keep her by his side. The truth was there was not one thing he wouldn't do for her. Slowly, he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. "Sweet dreams, my love."

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She blokes as she kept her eyes on his. "Sweet dreams, my Thoril." she whispered in return. Shivers ran down her spine at her own possessiveness. Hers. She reached up and brushed a finger along his jaw-line. "I love you." she whispered, realizing there would be no turning back now. She had completely fallen for him, and she wouldn't have chosen anyone else.

Thoril smiled softly and kissed her lips. "I love you too." He bowed his head to her and disappeared into his room. It was now that he hated his mother. Although Callie was only across the hall, he missed her terribly. He could not wait for morning to come.

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She touched her lips, then turned and walked into her room, closing the door softly. With his kiss lingering on her lips, she wasn't sure if she would be able to sleep. She turned and placed her hand on the door, as though he was still in the hall.

Granting Thoril's wish, morning was soon upon them. The smell of freshly baked bread, pancakes and muffins wafted upstairs. Thoril sniffed the air and opened his eyes wide. Suddenly he loved his mother again. He was hauling his clothes on as he rolled out of bed. The bedroom door was open in the next instant. He paused in the hallway, listening for his mother. The clatter and bangs seemed to be coming from the kitchen. Too loud for her to hear. He tapped lightly on Callie's door before entering. "Morning, my sweet." He smiled, crossing over to her.

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She turned with a start from where she had dozed off in the chair after getting out of bed and dressing in a light blue gown that draped around her. The sleeves were off the shoulder sleeves, and hugged her arm all the way to her wrist. "Thoril! Good morning, love." she smiled and gracefully stood, her single braid falling over her shoulder.

Thoril moved to her and embraced her gently. "How did you sleep?" He asked, smiling brightly. He had never felt so elated before. He cast an eye around the room that had played host to his darling love. Nothing had changed. Nothing had moved. He glanced to the bed. There was a slightly larger imprint, the shape of his father. Within this imprint was a smaller one, the one belonging to Callie. Next to his fathers imprint should have been his mothers, but there was only a slight indent. It was clear his mother had not slept in this bed for a while. He frowned slightly, but did not want to push this subject. He returned his attention to Callie. "Hungry?" he asked.

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"I slept fine, and you?" she locked her hands behind his neck and pressed her ear to his chest, over his heart. Inhaling deeply, she smiled in contentment. Nothing could ever top this. The steady drum of his life force was also her life force. "Hm..?" she said distantly as she realized he had asked her another question. "Oh! Yes, only a little though." she opened her eyes to grin up at him.

"Mother has been slaving away, as usual, while we have slumbered." He sniffed at the air. "Smells amazing, doesn't it?" He asked, with a slight longing behind it. One day he would have his mother teach him her skill. That was a power that could not die. He took Callie's hand and led her downstairs to the dining table, which had already been set.

Frera soon emerged from the kitchen, covered in butter and flour. "Oh...morning," she smiled as she saw Thoril and Callie at the dinner table. "I do hope I didn't wake you," she worried as she set the plates, heavily laden with food, once again before the two of them. "Help yourselves. Tea? Coffee?" She asked, hovering back into the kitchen.

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"Tea, if you will? Thank you!" Callie beamed at her, her freckles clearly standing out in the daylight now. "It smells and looks fabulous!" she exclaimed, excited. She was even more hungry now.

"Coffee, please mother," Thoril answered as he laid food onto his plate. "Thank you," he added as his mother disappeared into the kitchen.

Frera soon returned she set the pot of tea between herself and Callie and passed Thoril his coffee. "What are your plans for today?" She asked of them both. "There is plenty for a young couple such as yourselves to do in this city. In fact there's a wedding fayre in the town centre." She stated casually as she sipped her cup of tea.

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Callie nearly choked on her tea, but covered it nicely with a polite cough. "I...?" she was at a loss for words, and nearly ogled Frera. She had by no means expected that! She slowly began eating her food, blinking.

"Ooops," she said unconvincingly. "Did I step on your toes there Thoril?" She chuckled faintly. "You cannot tell me that neither of you have thought about it?" She asked, biting into her toast casually. "I mean...I assumed that was why I was getting to meet you...I mean I know you are the one..." Frera's cheeks flushed slightly. "Thoril did you not check under your pillow?" She asked, indicating her naked ring finger away from Callie's view.

Thoril's jaw dropped. "Mother..." He spluttered, glancing at Callie. "I really...I..." He swallowed, unable to draw a sentence together. He shook his head at his mother. "Your matchmaking skills are impeccable mother."

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Callie swallowed, trying to moisten her suddenly dry mouth. What? She could have sworn that the ocean was rushing in her ears. That's all she could hear through the shock. "I...uh.." she was bright red, having a hard time swallowing her food.