C. O. Bonham

The votes are in the couples are assembled and the band is playing. Time for the Most Devoted Couple Masquerade Ball.

I know it’s usually an awards ceremony but those are very boring for everyone who doesn’t win so this way at least there is dancing and everyone can have fun.

The five finalist couples are standing in the center of the dance floor. All are wearing masks to hide their identities from those in attendance. As the dance progresses the hosts will pull couples out of the dance one by one until only the most devoted couple remains.

The ballroom is strung with fairy lights and the there are purple banners hung from the ceiling with the names of the most devoted couples from past years: Westley and Buttercup and Nia and Esben. One banner is notably blank, awaiting the names of the newest winners.

The Finalists make a turn around the dancefloor. Then Faramir and Eowyn cut in on a couple. Faramir takes the hand of a tall woman with black hair and a half mask bejeweled with rubies. Eowyn takes aside the man, shorter than his partner, with short curls. Most notably the man has one hand that does not move. It is obviously a false hand. His mask is a simple silk scarf with holes cut into it. Much like a thief would wear.

Once the couple is led off the dance floor they unmask revealing Eugenides and Irene from The Queen’s Thief Series.

The remaining four couples take another turn around the floor. the music swells and Cor and Aravis appear to lead off the next set of finalists.

The woman is another tall black haired woman. This one wearing her hair in a long braid that goes nearly to the floor. Her mask is a made from black feathers.

The Man is equally as tall as his partner and also has black hair. His mask is covered in dragon scales.

The couple is led off and placed next to Eugenides and Irene. They bow and remove their masks revealing Cimorene and Mendanar from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles Series.

The three remaining couples take two turns around the floor this time.

When King Frank and Queen Helen join the dance the third couple seems ready for them. They break apart and take their new partners for a turn around the floor before taking their place beside the others.

They pull at their masks his a royal gold and hers white and non-descript, as if she is skilled at blending into a crowd. They are Halt and Pauline from The Rangers Apprentice Series.

Two couples remain. They turn and spin around the dancefloor waiting for the final set of hosts to appear and declare the winners of the vote.

Nia and Esben Wingfeather, the winners from last year, waltz onto the floor and grab the hands of the couple clad in green, the girl with long hair the color of honey.

Tress and Charlie, from Tress of the Emerald Sea, remove their emerald masks and run off the dancefloor.

The winning couple gets closer to each others and takes a slow turn around the floor. Then, for anyone who wasn’t keeping track, they pull off their iridescent masks.

The Most Devoted Couple is:

Char and Ella from Ella Enchanted!

It’s been a fun night and as the winners are awarded the Silmaril medal by Beren and Luthien, Everyone crowds the dancefloor and celebrates the newest Devoted Couple to join those from previous years. The blank banner ripples and the names Ella and Char appear upon it.

Char pulls Ella close to him and says, “Kiss me.”

She giggles and replies, “is that an order?”

He gasps. “I would never.”

“I know. That’s why I love you.” Ella leans in for their kiss.

Thank you for coming to the 2025 Silmaril Awards. Be sure to check out the other awards ceremonies from my blogging friends.

• Sept 15 https://imperialscribis.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/silmaril-awards-2025-most-epic-heroine-ceremony/ – Most Epic Heroine
• Sept 16 Cobonham.com – Most Devoted Couple (You are here)
• Sept 17 https://bardonpilgrimage.wordpress.com/ – Wisest Counselor
• Sept 18  https://hlburkewriter.substack.com/p/most-nefarious-villain-2025-silmaril – Most Nefarious Villain
• Sept 19 https://tpssarahlightshadows.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/2025-silmaril-awards-results-most-mischievous-imp/ – Most Mischievous Imp
• Sept 22 https://djedwardson.com/blog/ – Silver Tongue
• Sept 23 https://kandijwyatt.com/ – Most Faithful Friend
• Sept 24 https://jenelleschmidt.com/blog – Most Epic Hero
• Sept 25 https://www.jlmbewe.com/blog/ – Most Magnificent Dragon

Did your favorite win? Let me know in the comments.