Small tinder-jars of dried pine needles and cedar bark line the edges of the clearing, keeping the shadows at bay and wafting the sweet, earthy aromas of the forest through the night's festivities. The bonfire that roars in the very center of the clearing has been burning since the first light of dawn, flaring up toward the forest canopy with great glittering sparks as the elves of the realm dance and drink and laugh around it.
By now the sun has set low upon the horizon, cooling the air in the clearing. Legolas finds himself leaning against a great oak near the edge of the clearing, a glass of slowly warming icewine cradled between his fingers as he catches his breath. He's been dancing for hours and he can feel the drink warming his chest as he takes a long sip.
Across the clearing, he watches as his mother twirls, a wide toothy grin on her face as his father catches her in his arms and spins them both around, swaying jovially in the firelight. He knows his mother always looks forward to the solstice - be it winter or summer - and delights in planning them each year. Seeing all of her hard work come together and seeing her get to enjoy the fruits of her labor always swells a warm sense of pride in his chest.
Legolas smiles to himself, his eyes drifting over to his small group of friends on the left side of the clearing. All of them are sitting in a small circle, passing around a bowl of roasted cedar nuts, gales of barely contained laughter rising with the smoke of the bonfire. He would join them in a short while and they would drink until the sun set fully - until the lanterns sitting upon the longtables were lit to signal the beginning of the great solstice feast.
Legolas takes the last sip of his icewine, a soft, content smile crossing his features as he pushes himself off of the tree. He quickly grabs a round of wine glasses and heads back into the fray, footsteps light as he makes his way over to his friends.
