Disclaimer: I neither own Gondor nor the White Tree. They were just inspiration.
Author's notes: This story was written years ago for a competition on a message board having to do with your race's symbol and it's meaning. I had been a human, and this was the story I came up with. Not very good, but I hope you might enjoy it. Comments and con crit welcome!
Calenharma ran after her father, trying to keep up with his fast pace. The streets of Minas Tirith were bustling with people today, and if she didn't run quickly she might lose him. Finally they came to a stop because of a turned over fruit stand. Her father frowned in impatience, but Calenharma didn't mind, they were in perfect view of the White Tree of Gondor. She stared at it a moment, admiring its beauty, then turned to her father. She tugged on his tunic, bright curiousity flashing in her eyes.
"Daddy, where does that tree come from?" She pointed towards the White tree. Her fathers gaze looked to where she was pointing before he smiled and looked down at her.
"Why, thats the White Tree of Gonder, Calenharma. The symbol of Gondor. It grew from a sapling that Isildur brought back from Numenor."
Calenharma tilted her head, letting this sink in. Soon she was tugging on her fathers tunic again, "But what does it mean?"
"Well, Calenharma, thats a very interesting question. I think it stands for the goodness that is in all men. The white tree is a symbol of man's perseverance and righteousness; when those fail and darkness rules the land, likewise will the white tree whither and die." He replied, rustling her hair before looking up again, his eyes falling on people cleaning up the fallen fruit.
"No, no, no," An elderly woman sitting nearby shook her head. "The Tree stands for how we cherish nature and try to protect it."
"You're both wrong," Put in another, a young man also waiting for the fruit stand to be picked up. "It stands for the strength of Gondor and how Minas Tirith stands tall and strong agaisn't all its enemies."
All around people had stopped to watch the debate, all seeming to forget the hurry they had been in only moments before. Some nodded with what the young man had said, others shook their heads. Some put in that they agreed with Calenharma's father, other pointed out that the elderly woman had the right idea.
Calenharma's head swiveled around, not sure what to make of what everyone was saying. After a little while of people debating back and forth, her father finally put a stop to the arguement. When everyone was silent, he knelt down next to her so that their eyes were level. "What do you think it means, Calenharma?"
Calenharma thought a moment, gazing up at the White Tree. "I think...its stands for hope for the future. With each new bud comes hope for one more day of peace."
Her father smiled at her. "I think that is the best answer."
He stood up just as the fruit stand was set up right and all the pieces moved out of the way. They continued on, the day going back to its usual hustle and bustle. Calenharma glanced up at the tree one last time before running after her father. If there was one thing she sure of, the White Tree of Gondor was truly something to be cherished.