Aragorn filled the plain turned-wood cup, of his own making, almost full of the dark, heady Elven wine. The first mouthful went to the fire, for the Valar; then he drank and passed the cup to his left, sunwise, to Legolas. The cup continued around the circle, each member drinking and passing to his left.

Finally Boromir took the cup and drank. He passed the cup to Aragorn, who met his eyes, and slowly drank from the same spot, draining the cup. A challenge... and a promise.

Perhaps for some among the Fellowship, the Longest Night would pass quickly.