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.