Mother Night

The procession set out an hour before dusk.

There was no snow, but frost was already forming on leaves and branches, and hardening the ground underfoot, and the merry-makers’ breath mingled with the evening mist.

Legolas and Eowyn led the way, with little Eldarion walking between them. Then came Aragorn and Arwen, Eomer and Lothiriel, Thranduil and Cyllien, Gimli with Hentmirë, Haldir and his brothers—for the March Warden’s human friend preferred to stay, as yet, out of sight at the back of the throng—and all the citizens of Eryn Carantaur, carrying lanterns and softly singing an elven melody.

…

When they reached the fallen tree they arranged themselves in a circle and Legolas, bowing his head, spoke words of thanks to the spirits of the Forest.

Then Hentmirë (blushing) draped a garland of ribbons over the log, and Gimli poured a libation of wassail, and Haldir and his brothers (with Camthalion and Orodreth) lifted it onto their shoulders and, amidst much dignified revelry, bore it home.