A/N Hopeful tracks were played: "Elbereth Gilthoniel III" by Tolkein Ensemble, "High Elves of Waterfall Sanctuary" by Brandon Fiechter.

It was dark and the stars were numerous in the sky. All who were not elves felt the cold, but Estel did not mind it at all, given his own formal gear was quite warm.

Some were already lifting soft and gentle songs and hymns into the air. There was appreciation for the good they had been blessed with this year, but with a hint of solemnity for the bad too. In the tones were of hope for an even better year.

Estel was in the twins' suite, as Elladan helped Elrohir braid his hair (and to conceal the shaved part on his scalp).

They had their regalia donned: long tunics of silver and their over robes of white. Golden strands were sewed into various places to create the vague image of feathers.

To the mortal, elven formal gear was something very otherworldly; it numbed his mental faculties to enter a state akin to dreaming. It indeed made his brothers look like they stepped out of the sky, or out of Valinor. Their wing-like cloaks did not help a lot in keeping his ability to think intact.

Elrohir sat in a slouch, his arms loosely folded as his twin finished the simple braiding. Elrohir revealed almost nothing in his expression, except intense focus, and it made him appear mildly stern as a result. He would not embarrass himself this night, he would exert his very being into making that happen.

Elladan set the circlet on Elrohir's head. After a moment of stillness... "Are you ready?"

Elrohir said nothing in response. He reached for his stave, and stood up and leaned on it. It was obvious that he leaned heavily on it, but to Estel's eyes if he did not know what had happened, he would not have suspected anything was wrong, as Elrohir looked like a sage.

Which…would be a true thing.

Estel stood up and left the room, while the twins made their way at Elrohir's pace, and they got made good distance all things considered.

Elrond stood nearby at the entrance to the festive field, where garlands with blue lights sat in stone pedestals and garlands in the bare trees. When he saw his progeny, he smiled at them, while simultaneously trying not to let fatherly concern for Elrohir drown out the pride he felt in him. Estel took his position next to his father: the left side. Elladan remained with Elrohir while the younger twin also stood to the left, after waving his hand to shoo Elladan's help away. Elladan's face fell slightly. Thankfully the look did not last long, and he stood to the right.

They proceeded in this way.

The field was large and much of the snow had been cleared away from it. Almost all the elves present wore blue and white, to represent the stars above. The three that did not wear those colors, were Glorfindel, Tathardes, and Erestor. The laiquendi wore the colors of dark green and had draped preserved foliage as their mantles and woven into their hair. Glorfindel wore the colors of his household: white and gold.

The three figures stood in a line: Glorfindel at the center, Erestor to the right, and Tathardes to the left. The Vanya held a glowing orb in his hands, and the laiquendi each held an instrument in their hands: the elf-maid a harp, and the elf-man a flute.

A few elves of like manner stood around the perimeter: one with an orb not nearly as big as Glorfindel's, while others had their respective instruments.

Elves were already slowly dancing within the perimeter when their respective lords came into view. Some showed very respective looks towards Elrohir, and he tried very hard to ignore that uncomfortable feeling of being watched, not wanting to waver now.

All watched Elrond, and the lord of the Vale gave the silent command for all to commence.

The orb-bearers lifted their lights up: they glowed a bit more intensely than before. The musicians began their music, the dancers resumed their graceful steps. Before long, the first hymn was sung.

The house of Elrond sat at their respective table and watched as the ceremony took place. Estel sat entranced by the sight, his soul rejuvenated by the beauty of this spectacle and the music being played. Most of the atmosphere expressed appreciative joy, hardly any sadness was present, but the solemnity kept its presence known, even if it was subtle. All else embodied good and uplifted hearts.

The event drifted long into the night. Estel had fallen asleep in his seat and dreamt peacefully. Elladan tried so very hard to not take part in any of the dancing, wanting to stay true to his word about the non-importance of it and to suffer with Elrohir's inability to participate in full, but an elf-maid kept on insisting. When he looked at Elrohir, to convey his message, the younger twin looked at him with a pleading expression.

The look said: 'Enjoy yourself, do not let me hinder you.'

Elladan felt void and resigned as the elf-maid practically dragged him out of his seat, leaving a sleeping Estel, their father, and brother alone. The feeling did not last forever, and Elladan felt a glimmer of happiness fill his heart again.

Elrond did not pay much attention to the dancing or the music, instead his eyes were constantly to the sky. Eärendil's star flickered brightly as midnight passed and another hymn was being sung. Then he turned his attention to Elrohir.

Elrohir had reached his limit, and the forced overpowering of his body via his fëa was beginning to disappear. His eyes did not stay in one place for long before moving onto the next thing of interest. Yet there were no obvious signs of sorrow or other ill emotions. If anything, he was content.

Which made Elrond feel glad, more than this whole ceremony ever could.

Elrond rose from his seat and gently pulled Elrohir by the arm, knowing well his son did not want to cause an episode now, especially not after everything had been going so well thus far. No one noticed them leave the field, or if they did, they kept their peace and did not stare.

The lord of Imladris and Elrohir walked (the twin being guided, rather) to a quiet corner. A shudder went through Elrohir and he stumbled; Elrond kept him up while the twin gripped his sire's forearms to support himself as he regained his equilibrium. He kept his head bowed.

Elrond waited to see if Elrohir would speak. The second son of the elf-lord lifted his head, and though he looked like he was in another delirium, he was happy, given the smile on his face.

"I did it." He whispered slowly.

"Yes, you did." Elrond indulged, "How do you feel?"

"…I'm…re-vived."

The father's heart soared.

Elrohir finally made eye contact. "Thank you, Ada."

Elrond smiled, "You are welcome, my child. I believe you have earned your rest now."

Elrohir hummed in response.

With that, they went back to the main house, hearing the last few lines of a hymn from afar, and with a good start of a new year.