Remembering the Departed

On this Remembering Day, it was Steward and not Thain who held the torch, who spoke the ritual words. 'We gather together for remembering, as is our custom on this day. We remember those who have been lost to us since the last time we gathered so. We are here to celebrate their lives, their memory, our love which can never be lost, and the hope we share.'

The Thain held the wick of the candle-boat to the torch, turned away stiffly, and mourned as he released the boat to the current. Voice breaking, he spoke the departed’s name: ‘Pippin.’

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A/N: In my version of the Shire, Shire-folk keep the custom of carving small boats, incising on the side of the boat the name of someone who has died since the previous year's remembering ceremony. The final steps in preparation entail fixing a candle wick in the shell of the boat and pouring in wax, thus creating a candle-boat. Just after the Sun sets on the Second of November, on the banks of streams throughout the Shire, the heads of families that have suffered losses light torches and recite the words repeated in this drabble. Each mourner lights the wick in the candle-boat from the torch, walks the few steps to the water's edge, stands in silent contemplation of life and love and loss, then speaks the name of the lost loved one and lays the boat upon the water, to be carried to the Sea.