Kyn was positive the letter hadn’t been on his dresser when Serena left their room, but there it was now. He stared at it for a moment, taking in the golden sheen, almost like dragon courage, but he didn’t know of any gold dragons.

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