Haldan looks thoughtfully at all the faces around him, even as he sings in a high, boyish soprano, and his eyes rest most often on Caranthir's, whose gaze is almost riveted on Haldan's aunt. Haleth herself keeps her eyes focused calmly on the stars above them--but she is turned slightly towards Caranthir instead of centering herself on the bonfire as she usually would, and Haldan notices it.
When the Haladin are all turning to light each other's candles, he deliberately walks over and lights Caranthir's, waits until Caranthir lights his fellows' candles, and then gestures for them to join in the greater circle. He has the same look of resolution that Haleth often wears, the same quirk of eyebrow that says disagreement would be foolish, so do not argue. The Haladin move to make space for their guests, and smile their welcome. Not all present are comfortable with the Eldar during the day, but on this night none are turned away, for they are all of them Children of Ilúvatar.
Once the Firstborn have joined the circle proper Haldan takes his place again by his mother and aunt, and then Haleth does look down at him, smiling faintly and placing a hand on his head. She glances briefly at Caranthir, then turns her attention back towards the unlit bonfire.
The song has moved on now, telling of how the sun and moon came to be and of their journeys across the sky, how the seasons came to be divided, of how this is the longest and darkest night. And finally, of how the sun will return, and with it warmth and light. Several of the Haladin move at that point and place their stub-candles carefully in the bonfire, and as they step back others move to do the same and pull Caranthir's company to do the same, until all the candles are collected and the bonfire sparks with small flames. Haldan still has his flint and tinder if needed, but there is no need: the small licks of fire from the candles catch hold in the kindling, and from there spread to the larger wood, until there is a great blazing flame before them all, blessing them with warmth.
The song comes to an end in a great crescendo, and then there is laughter and cheering, and many embraces. These are offered to the Firstborn as well, as well as handclasps and welcoming words and smiles, any point of connection. All of it evidence that they are none of them alone in the cold and the dark. Haleth stands by the fire looking pleased by herself, and while she does not move she accepts any clasp of hands or brief embrace or kiss on the cheek that is offered, and her nephew she catches up in a fierce hug of obvious approval and pride.
no subject
When the Haladin are all turning to light each other's candles, he deliberately walks over and lights Caranthir's, waits until Caranthir lights his fellows' candles, and then gestures for them to join in the greater circle. He has the same look of resolution that Haleth often wears, the same quirk of eyebrow that says disagreement would be foolish, so do not argue. The Haladin move to make space for their guests, and smile their welcome. Not all present are comfortable with the Eldar during the day, but on this night none are turned away, for they are all of them Children of Ilúvatar.
Once the Firstborn have joined the circle proper Haldan takes his place again by his mother and aunt, and then Haleth does look down at him, smiling faintly and placing a hand on his head. She glances briefly at Caranthir, then turns her attention back towards the unlit bonfire.
The song has moved on now, telling of how the sun and moon came to be and of their journeys across the sky, how the seasons came to be divided, of how this is the longest and darkest night. And finally, of how the sun will return, and with it warmth and light. Several of the Haladin move at that point and place their stub-candles carefully in the bonfire, and as they step back others move to do the same and pull Caranthir's company to do the same, until all the candles are collected and the bonfire sparks with small flames. Haldan still has his flint and tinder if needed, but there is no need: the small licks of fire from the candles catch hold in the kindling, and from there spread to the larger wood, until there is a great blazing flame before them all, blessing them with warmth.
The song comes to an end in a great crescendo, and then there is laughter and cheering, and many embraces. These are offered to the Firstborn as well, as well as handclasps and welcoming words and smiles, any point of connection. All of it evidence that they are none of them alone in the cold and the dark. Haleth stands by the fire looking pleased by herself, and while she does not move she accepts any clasp of hands or brief embrace or kiss on the cheek that is offered, and her nephew she catches up in a fierce hug of obvious approval and pride.