It had been the most stressful celebration he’d ever pulled off, and it was time for the final announcement. The guests had all arrived, they’d all eaten their fill, and now were milling about awaiting the moment.

Somewhere across that field of people stood his best friend—the one he’d just stormed away from. And here he was at a celebration of friends! And not just any friends. No, this was for the best friend of all.

Taking another deep breath, he reached out mentally. Raya, he called.

I’m here. Ben’hyamene’s voice was as strained as his own.

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t… Kyn tried to force his thoughts into a coherent stream, but they milled about, and he was supposed to climb the platform in mere moments and address the crowd.

No, Raya, Ben’hyamene said. Although I have a dragon’s conscience, that doesn’t mean I’m always easy to get along with. I’m the one who knew you were stressed, and I yelled at you. I’m sorry.

It was as if Ben’hyamene clapped him on the back, and some of the burden of the moment lifted from Kyn’s shoulders.

Thank you, he thought to his friend. Can you do your part?

Of course, Raya. The familiar warmth of their friendship flooded Ben’hyamene’s words. Why don’t you start this celebration?

With a nod, Kyn climbed the stairs to where the five top friends of all time and the friend of all friends sat waiting for him. He could do this, even if they didn’t have fire dancers. It just wouldn’t be the same.

As he reached the top, the crowd came into view. He swallowed. It was always hard to stand in front of the youngling challenge, but this was many more than any challenge they’d held.

Taking another deep breath, he mentally nodded to Ben’hyamene. An ethereal, enormous scarlet dragon swooped across the field toward him. When it reached the stage, it exploded into red sparks.

Their guest of honor, Samwise, applauded and said, “Mr. Bilbo wouldn’t have liked that, but Merry and Pippin would’ve.”

Kyn raised his voice to be heard. “Peoples of the worlds, tonight we celebrate friendship. I present to you, the most honored friend of all, Samwise Gamgee.”

The stocky young man shook his head and strode to take Kyn’s place. Kyn sat down in the chair provided for him, satisfied he’d done his part.

“I’m not sure about most honored bit,” Samwise said. “But tonight, I’ll be awarding a silmaril. Those who’ve made it to this platform have proven their friendship by gaining the attention of our voters.” He looked to the sky, as if seeing the unknown people who’d decided the fate of those on stage.

“In fourth place, we have Gurgi of the Chronicles of Prydain.”

A man whose long arms were covered in fur and leaves stood and waved.

“In third place,” Samwise went on. “We have…” He looked down at the paper in his hand. “Sorry. Jo Shanks from The Green Ember.”

A rabbit hopped forward and raised a bow and shouted, “Till the green ember rises!”

There was a small group that called back, “Or the end of the world!”

Samwise waited for quiet, then continued. “Tellie of Moonscript and Pet of The City Between.” He gestured for them to come forward.

A young girl that didn’t appear to look like she could hold her own in any fray stepped forward, but as she did Kyn could sense her courage and determination. The other girl was only a few winters older. The two walked to the front of the stage, and Samwise grinned at them.

“Second place is a tie between these solid friends who stepped up in hard times and showed their true selves.” Samwise nodded to them, and they sat back down. “Now for the winner of the 2025 Silmaril Award.”

A balding man pulled a pipe from his mouth and glanced about. Seeing all eyes on him, he straightened his coat and vest around his wide girth as he stood. “Ah-ho!” He took off his round spectacles and cleaned them with a handkerchief. “As the great Shank Po wrote—”

But his words were drowned in the cheering. Samwise raised his hands for silence, but it was the sun glinting off the green gem he held aloft that brought a collective gasp from everyone.

Samwise nodded. “I present the 2025 Silmaril Award for best friend to Oskar N. Reteep from The Wingfeather Saga.”

A bright light of reds, greens, and blues lit up the sky. Kyn’s head shot up. Fire? But from where? Then he saw them. The dragons of all riders who’d assembled flew across the company raining sparkling dragon courage upon the guests.

Then there was a beat of drums, low at first, but then building, and down the aisle came a man spinning a staff of fire. The crowd parted, and as if on cue, he spewed fire from his lips like a dragon.

Kyn didn’t know how he’d misplaced the fire dancers, but someone had found them, and for that he was grateful. He could relax now. The award had been presented and everyone would eventually head back to their own worlds. All that was left was to enjoy the time with his friend.

Other Ceremonies

Most Nefarious Villain — H. L. Burke
Most Epic Hero — Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
Most Epic Heroine — Marie Shen
Most Silver Tongue — D. J. Edwardson
Most Mischivous Imp — Sarah Taleweaver
Most Faithful Friend — You are hear
Most Magnificent Dragon — J. L. Mbewe
Most Devoted Couple — C. O. Bonham
Wisest Counselor — Grace Tabor

As he picked up the missive, his hand tingled, and the gold radiated outward. He shuddered, and began reading.

To the Frithwyn of Three Spans Canyons,

I am writing to request your help in an epic portion of friendship and peace across mulitiple universes. Friends from many different lands will gather to learn who has been voted as the best friend of all. As a friend of peace and the organizer of the youngling challenge for dragon riders, I am asking you to host the award ceremony.

“Kyn.” Serena poked her head in the door, then came to him. “Is everything alright?”

He nodded, trying to understand the import of the words.

Serena wrapped her arms around him, her blond hair sliding along his shoulder as she peered at the letter. “What is it?”

Without waiting for a reply, she read aloud, “I know you have the space to host this year’s ceremony. The question is will you?”

With a squeal, Serena spun around. “Well, I’ll go get the supplies for a trip to the El’Shad’n. You’ll need Benhyamene. After all it said friends, and he’s more like a brother to you. And the El’Shad’n know how to put on a party.”

“Yes,” Kyn said. “But we don’t know when this is to be held.”

That steadied his wife for a bit. “Well, read it and find out.”

Kyn skimmed the letter, then nodded. “We have a moon to get everything ready before our guests will show up.”

“Good! Then come have breakfast, and we’ll leave as soon as we’ve cleaned up.” Serena waltzed out of the room, a spring in her step.

If only Kyn had the same confidence as his wife. As he went to set the missive down, a section at the end glowed.

Knowing you need more time at your disposal to prepare, I’ve worked a bit of magic. You won’t feel it, but your days will be sped up so that all preparations will be finished when the nominees and the dignataries arrive on Tuesday, Sept 23.

Despite your own misgivings, I know that you have resources that will enable you to pull off a party worthy of Bilbo’s eleventy-first birthday.

With a backward glance at the item that had turned his day upside down, Kyn strode toward his breakfast and a new adventure. Already, the excitement of seeing his best friend was building. And yet, he wondered about the five special people chosen for the Most Faithful Friend Award.

Top 5 nominees

There were a total of 88 nominations with several ties. First place had a tie so they are listed in the order they were nominated. The fouth/fifth place was a tie and was settled by judges.

Thanks for all your wonderful memories by mentioning favorite characters and giving me new books to want to read.

1. Oskar Reteep (Wingfeather Chronicles)

Oskar owns Books & Crannies and helps the Igiby family. In his own words, he’s an “appreciator of the neat, the strange and/or the yummy.”

2. Tellie (Moonscript)

Tellie was orphaned at 14 years old and washes dishes at her guardian’s inn. When she finds a necklace, she goes in search of the next elf king.

In so doing she meets Errance when she’s captured by the Darkness (villain of the story) and thrown in the dungeon cell near his. Rather than being terrified by the scarred and sharp-edged prince, she sticks by him faithfully, helping him to escape the prison in both body and heart and return to the land and faith of his youth. Even when he snaps at her and her companions or tries to run off on his own, she refuses to leave him or be left behind.

In other words, she looks at this angsty, traumatized elf-man and says “He needs a hug. And a friend. And a little sister. I can fix that!”

3. Jo Shanks (Green Ember)

Jo Shanks is an archer who despite being orphaned and paying back his father’s debts, worked his way to a defender position in the Bracers to protect Heather and Picket Longtreader

4. Pet (The City Between)

Pet is a girl living in her dead parents’ home. When a dead man shows up on her doorstep, she ends up with three fae visitors to investigate his death. She loves to irritate JinYeoung, one of the fae who only speaks in Korean.

5. Gurgi (The Chronicles of Prydain)

Gurgi is a cross between man and beast with long arms covered with fur and leaves. He speaks in rhymed pairs and redundant phrases, but he’s loyal and caring especially to Taran the hero of the story.

Voting

Other Category Nominees

• Most Epic Hero – Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
• Most Epic Heroine – Merie Shen
• Most Faithful Friend – You’re Here
• Most Nefarious Villain – H. L. Burke
• Wisest Counselor – Grace Tabor
• Silver Tongue – D. J. Edwardson
• Most Magnificent Dragon – J. L. Mbewe
• Most Mischievous Imp – Sarah Taleweaver
• Most Devoted Couple – C. O. Bonham