Thread:Maltalidenta Kwuitidherali/@comment-26295802-20160106024429

What if Itallie met Herendil in Khazad-dum shortly after the death of Travious and helped him out of his grief? Like this:

Slowly, day-by-day, Herendil began to get over his depression, but the grief clung to his heart like a fell roach. He would keep expecting to see Travious behind a pillar or around a corner, and the joy was sucked forever from his heart.

One month after the death of Travious, Herendil began to make plans for moving away from Khazad-dum. After all, he couldn't live in Thorin's guest rooms forever: it was good to help him get over his grief, but he certainly could not expect Thorin to let him stay until he died. . . Herendil was pondering this near the bridge of Khazad-Dum when. ..

"What are you doing, Herendil?" came a calm voice, female and fair

Herendil twirled around in surprise to see a beautiful elven maiden with blond hair, long and fair: it was Itallie Cal'endure whom he had not seen in many years!

"M'lady!" exclaimed Herendil "It has been too long!"

"Indeed, Herendil. . . I've been living in Lindon for the past few months"

Herendil was silent for a moment to allow the joy of her presence to fully enter his being.

"Would you care to have lunch, m'lady? It is about time for lunch in the royal dining room and I'm sure Thorin wouldn't mind another guest. . . "

"Well, Herendil, It would be wonderful! "

And so they walked side-by-side through the forest of pillars in the direction of the dining halls. And with every step they took the weight of grief began to lift from Herendil's back.

"It's been a while, Herendil!"

"It has indeed, Itallie. . . "

"When they told me about your adventures I was worried you had died with Travious! Little did I know you almost rescued him! Warpig would have surely died as well if not for you!"

Herendil reddened

"They would've been alright. . . Warpig is a brave warrior."

"Nonsense! You saved his life and almost saved Travious. . ."

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil couldn't help smiling. And it seemed to him as if his smile was returned by Itallie.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil and Itallie strode into the dining room a moment later, side by side and laughing as if one had just told a joke.

<p class="MsoNormal">"By Aule!" whispered Warpig to Thorin "Herendil is laughing! I never thought I'd see him laugh again!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Indeed" whispered Thorin in reply "Nor did I think Itallie would. . . She is very grim and proud, I've never seen her laugh before. . ."

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil and Itallie made their way over to where Thorin and Warpig were sitting. The table was made of stone, engraved and about the size for four to eat at.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't mind if we sit here, do you Thorin?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"No, my boy, of course not! Please, take a seat!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil sat acrossed from Itallie and Thorin acrossed from Warpig. And so, with delightful conversation, they passed away the afternoon, and Itallie and Herendil walked in Khazad-dum throughout the evening.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">The next day Herendil burst into Thorin's throne room, whistling and almost skipping.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Good morning, Thorin!! How are you?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"You seem happy this morning, Herendil. Everything okay?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Thorin, I feel as one newly awakened! As one raised from the dead! The black grief has been washed from me and my soul is as white as snow!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil was overflowing with joy and Thorin wondered at the change.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Tell me, Thorin, has Itallie left this morning for Lindon like she said she might?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"No, she's still here. She said she wanted to stay in Khazad-dum a few more days."

<p class="MsoNormal">To Thorin it looked as if Herendil was doing all he could not to leap in happiness and click his heels together.

<p class="MsoNormal">Herendil jolted out the door like a young page, with nothing but a quick 'farewell'.

<p class="MsoNormal">As Herendil's footsteps faded down the hall, Warpig stepped beside Thorin's throne and put his hands on his hips.

<p class="MsoNormal">"By Gror! Can you believe that boy, Thorin? One day he's a drunk, the next day he's suicidal, the next day he's sprintin' after the first lass that comes his way!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Whatever Itallie is, she's certainly not 'the first lass that comes his way'. They go way back, Warpig, back to Herendil's days in Numenor. I would be surprised if we didn't hear the dwarven bells chime with news of a wedding within six months. . ."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Really?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Really." said Thorin, smiling faintly. <ac_metadata title="Another story"> </ac_metadata>