Remembering Day (three drabbles)

In my version of the Shire and mentioned in some of the earliest LOTR fanfic I wrote in 2003, Shire-folk keep the custom of carving small boats and 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 following 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.' A 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.

Recently, an anonymous reviewer asked the following question: Can you do three drabbles of Remembering Day? One in Rivendell, one during the Quest, and one after the war, but before the Travellers start out for home from Gondor. I want to see the others reactions to this hobbit tradition. 

I consulted Tolkien's Tale of Years. To meet the requirements (three drabbles: Rivendell, during the Quest, after the War), it was necessary to set the Rivendell drabble after Bilbo had left the Shire for the last time but before Frodo set out from Bag End to Crickhollow and beyond. During the Quest, Remembering Day fell a few days after the Council of Elrond. By the next day of remembrance, the Travellers were back in the Shire, preparing for the Battle of Bywater. Therefore, an "after the War" Remembering Day drabble could not have taken place before the Travellers started home from Gondor. For that reason, the "Gondor" drabble in this set takes place some decades after the War, sometime after Sam sailed to the West to join Frodo in the Undying Lands. I apologise that I could not exactly meet the terms set forth, and I hope that the three drabbles, tied together by the themes of Remembering Day and Bilbo's candle-boat, will serve as the next best thing.

*** 

Rivendell, after Bilbo returned there the final time

Elrond's eyebrows rose as he looked more closely at the object Elladan was carving. 'A ship?' he said. 'You're sailing? Now? Or later?'

Elladan handed him the carving, affording a closer look. He'd etched Bilbo on both sides using the Hobbits' lettering and had excavated a small well in the ship's deck.

'One fixes a wick in the well and pours wax to make a candle.'

'A candle-boat?'

'When Hobbits die, those left behind light the candle, say their name, and set their boat on a river to the Sea.'

Elrond bowed his head, remembering again the pain of loss.

*** 

During the Quest, in Bilbo's room after the Council of Elrond

The Council was behind them, and soon they'd set off for Mordor. Frodo's gaze returned to the exquisitely carved boat on the mantel above the hearth in Bilbo's room. Truly, he'd had hopes of going home again... but he'd spoken his doom himself. Out of his own mouth the words had come: I will take the Ring though I do not know the way.

Who will light my candle, next year on Remembering Day? he wondered in despair. Who will say my name and set my boat upon the water? Will there even be anything left of me to bury?

*** 

Gondor, sometime after the Quest

Elessar turned the exquisite little boat in his hands and spoke the name as he traced it with a trembling finger. 'Bilbo.'

Word had come to Arwen that the old hobbit had finally reached the fullness of his days, there in the Undying Lands in the company of Frodo and Sam.

The King lifted the boat higher, and Faramir dipped his torch to light the wick within.

'Farewell, old friend,' he whispered as he laid the candle-boat upon the water, then stood and watched the tiny beacon recede in the darkness as the River carried it away to the Sea.

***