Here follows the Gwethnoss, the "Bond of Family", an oath of love and family sworn by two Elven women who pledge to be sisters in all but blood:
Heart to heart are sisters bound, fea meets fea when eyes meet eyes,
Elf-maids, bound with joined hands, see your sister recognized?
Not in blood but bonds of love, sister shall she be to you,
Take these words and forge your hearts, together stronger, bonds be true.
Friend Seregrian, see you in Hartagil the sister you desire, the sister you wish, the sister to whom you shall be?
[“I do”]
Friend Hartagil, see you in Seregrian the sister you desire, the sister you wish, the sister to whom you shall be?
[“I do”]
No blood is shared. None is needed. For sisters in all but blood you are and shall be.
For sisters, first over all, are friends. From now, through the past, even Thingol and Melian, Earendil and Elwing, yea, even Beren and Luthien, began thus: as friends first.
Thus now, thus ever: the Gwethnoss has begun.
