Gifts from Abroad
written by Mysterious Jedi
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's stuff
Summary: written for Marigold's Challenge #8. My plot bunny was to
about the gifts the hobbits chose to take back to their loved ones in the
Shire.
Gimli examined his work and nodded to himself. This would be just what
Sam had in mind. The hobbit would never have asked Gimli to make
something for him to use himself, but he wanted to get something for his
Gaffer from his journeys abroad.
Gimli had made Sam a real dwarfish made skillet. It even had some sort of
secret dwarf coating to keep the food from sticking to the pan. Sam thought
it would be a good choice because he knew the Gaffer would want
smething practical.
Sam would give Halfred elvish rope, which he knew would fascinate his
rope-making brother. To Holman he would bequeath his Barrow sword. He
would not know how to use it, but it would look impressive on display.
It was more difficult to choose gifts for his sisters. For Daisy he found a
light green cloak that he thought would compliment her eyes nicely. To
May he purchased handkerchiefs embroidered with the White Tree of
Gondor, which he thought appropriate because of all the years she had
given him handkerchiefs for her birthday.
He knew Marigold would like the leather pony saddle from Rohan. She had
taken to riding ponies with Tom Cotton. That brought him to the last one
on his list: Rosie Cotton. For her he found lovely material for a wedding
dress, with Gondorian lace and all. He thought this rather presumptuous,
but the other hobbits assured him that she would marry him.
Sam was not the only one choosing gifts. Pippin, also, was thoughtfully
choosing keepsakes for his family members. He got for his father a
man-sized bow, to symbolize the skilled hunters of Tookland. He thought
his mother would appreciate some elvish candles. They had spices in the
wax, so that they smelled pleasant when they were burned.
With some effort, Pippin was able to procure some hairbands from Dol
Amroth that were set with pearls for Pearl. He gave Pimpernel and
Pervinca sheer curtains from Rohan that allowed the light to shine through.
(The Rohirrim liked them because they did not seem to close off the
open fields as much as regular curtains.)
Merry's simply obtained swim suits from Dol Amroth for his parents.
They were made of a special material that would dry quickly.
Frodo had Gimli make a dwarfish pipe for his friend Fredegar Bolger.
He wished to give Bilbo something, but knew that the old hobbit lacked for
nothing while he was with the elves, and had treasures from lands far and
wide. No, Frodo would give him a greater gift: the gift of companionship.
If the old hobbit was to sail West, he would need one of his own people to
go with him.
Truly, the hobbits had already given their family and friends a great gift by
saving the Shire, but these presents would show their affection in a more
tangible way.