linna na gelaidh

The evening air in Celondim was mild and despite the sun setting early in this season, a soft glow of twilight still lay over the horizon where the vale opened West towards the sea.
In the circle of statues overlooking the river a bit away from the docks, a chatter of glad voices indicated a meeting of friends. The gathering seemed merry and relaxed, fair faces and voices sharing their stories.
A round of applause indicated a story had just ended and the storyteller, a beautiful elf-lady clad in green robes, bowed and smiled into the round.

Any good Hobbit banquet is long. The music, dancing but mainly the eating carried on throughout the night, the Hobbits eating continuously except for pauses to refill their plates or glasses. The Elvish guests could find nothing to complain about - the Hobbit food was delicious and varied. There were pies of all sorts (though the Hobbits were eager to offer biscuits to the Elves, perhaps guessing that the rich food was not always to their palate), delicious fresh spring vegetables and even the last of the fruit stored over the winter.