[piosenniel]

The hall smelled of fresh cut pine and fir boughs. Winter had lingered in Rivendell just as it did the rest of Northwestern Middle-earth, and there were few Spring flowers blooming to add their scent to the fresh, clean scent of the trees. Nieninquë - snowdrop, and yellow elanor, both winter flowers had been gathered in great bunches and graced the tables. Simbelmyne, ‘evermind’, lent its small white flowers to be laced in here and there amid the greenery.

Elrond sat at the high table with Bullroarer, on a slightly raised dais. There were a number of Elves who sat with them, one of whom was Arwen. Bullroarer found her absolutely enchanting. So lovely, that he became almost tongue tied when she spoke to him. But her gracious manner put him at ease and he managed not to stumble clumsily over his words.

The companions sat at tables near them, and elves sat among them, enjoying the rare company of the Periannath. Servers with platters of all sorts of food from meats to pastries passed among them and others filled their cups from ewers of fresh ale, wine, or sweet spice tea.

Walking about the tables were roving Elven minstrels, the beauty of their voices mingling with the notes from their flutes. The songs they sang were all in Elvish, but they conjured up lovely pictures in the minds of the smiling companions. During a lull in the music, one of the Hobbits stood up, and bowing to Lord Elrond, asked to be allowed to sing one of the songs from the Shire.

The strong, clear Hobbit voice rang out in the Hall singing of gardens, and plants, and the good rich earth. Simple Shire things. The Hobbit blushed when the song was ended, but the Elves were delighted and several of them stood to sing an answering song of rain, and sun, and the slow passing of time through the forest and the trees. For all its pleasant images, it was a melancholy song. A song of remembering from a brighter time.

The night passed quickly in singing and in pleasant conversation. Tired Hobbits drifted off to bed in the wee hours, though as they slept the Elves till sang. And in their dreams the Hobbits heard them.