Again, I don't own Tolkien...
Haldir sat on the talan at the edge of the Golden Wood. Although the War of the Ring had ended, there were still the occasional group of rough travelers who tried to enter the wood and venture to the city of Caras Galadhon. Usually, the days were uneventful, as this was turning out to be. Suddenly, the March Warden spied a flash of movement of the banks of the Nimrodel. Silently dropping from the talan, he notched an arrow in his bow and made his way to the river.
A large container awaited him, wrapped in some sort of brown covering. Elvish runes were written in ink on the covering, which had smeared, but were still readable, and spelled out the name of Galadriel. It didn't seem to pose a threat, he deemed, nudging it with his boot. Shrugging, he picked it up and began to make his way to the city.
"My lord, my lady," Haldir panted hours later. Those stairs weren't forgiving, he had found out, to someone carrying a bundle.
"Haldir, what brings you here? Please, a chair and water for the March Warden," Galadriel requested, summoning a guard.
"Hannon le, my lady," he thanked her, sinking into the chair.
"What is this?" she asked, examining the box.
"It appeared on the banks of the Nimrodel," Haldir explained. Galadriel retrieved her silver pitcher and excused herself. A few minutes later, she returned to the talan where Haldir and Celeborn remained.
"The mirror gives no clues as to the identity or use of this or of the giver," Galadriel announced.
"Would you like me to open it, milady?" he asked.
"Yes, I would," she nodded. Haldir removed an arrow from his quiver and proceeded to open the container.
"Milady! Milady! Lady Eowyn!" a messenger in King Elessar's livery cried, running through the halls of Emyn Arnen.
"Yes? What is the matter?" Lady Eowyn asked, quickly appearing in the grand hall.
"This is for you and the Lord Faramir. I was to hand this only to you or my lord. His Highness said I should wit for a reply," the boy answered, handing her the note he held. Eowyn took it and broke the sealing wax.
My Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn, my dear friends,
I have received quite an unusual gift of late. The hobbits as well as the Lady Galadriel send word to me that they have also received such gifts. If you have also received such a package, please bring it with you to Minas Tirith. Please come as soon as you are able.
Elessar
P.S. Arwen is driving me mad! Please come quickly!
"Tell the king that Lord Faramir and I shall be along at once. Send in the household staff so as I may instruct them on what to pack," Eowyn told the messenger.
"What was that about?" Faramir asked.
"Do you remember that replica of Ithilien we received a few days past?" Eowyn asked.
"Yes, it is quite amusing, the little figures and everything. What of it, my love?" Faramir asked, escorting Eowyn back into the room.
"Lord Aragorn writes of receiving strange gifts lately, although he was not specific. But he bids us go to the White City to visit him and to bring along any sort of strange gifts," Eowyn explained.
"Then we shall go at once," Faramir consented.
"He also writes that Arwen is driving him mad," she laughed.
"By Eru, that elf is enough to drive anyone to distraction! I do not know how Aragorn stays sane," Faramir commented.
"It helps that he has much business to do outside of the city, as well as a remarkable talent for pretending to be listening when he truly is not," Eowyn explained with a smile.
"Friend Gimli!" What brings you here?" Legolas cried as he met Gimli on the road to Minas Tirith.
"Aye, laddie, to see Aragorn. Wrote to me about strange gifts he received," Gimli explained.
"What was your gift, Master Dwarf?" Legolas asked.
"Something that appeared to be a model of the mines of Moria, but it was made of some material I could not identify, " Gimli told the elf.
"I see," legolas commented.
""Laddie, I really cannot comprehend how Aragorn can live with your kin!" Gimli exclaimed a few minutes later.
"Arwen has always been somewhat...demanding...in what she wants," Legolas conceded.
"Indeed, it sounds as though Aragorn is prepared to lock her in the bottom of the White Tower," Gimli said.
"Why do you think Elrond kept sending her to Lothlorien? He needed a moment's peace!" Legolas exclaimed. "Have you created your heirloom with the strands of Galadriel's hair?" he asked later.
"Aye, the crystal is cooling under the watchful eye of my father," Gimli responded, getting the faraway look he got whenever anyone spoke of the Elven queen.
"I am glad," Legolas smiled.
"Wait a moment, laddie! Do you carry a gift?" Gimli asked. Legolas answered with a mysterious smile.
