I know this isn't even possible, but this plot bunny came to me prewritten! (with a narrator) I can't ignore gifts like that on the rare occasion they happen.

More notes at bottom, so as not to ruin the surprise.

Gift

Legolas hadn't heard from Gimli in 10 years. Whenever he tried to get in touch with the dwarf, he was told Gimli had retired deep within his workshop and was not to be disturbed. The poor elf was beginning to wonder if his friend was avoiding him.

However, he presently received summons to Lonely Mountain; which he hurried to answer.

Gimli met him at the Main Entrance in his usual gruff way, to Legolas's relief, and asked the elf to accompany him on a walk. Curious, Legolas agreed and allowed his friend to lead him into the surrounding trees.

Once they were out of both sight and hearing of the entrance and therefore ensured their privacy, Gimli took a cloth wrapped bundle out from under his arm and held it out to his friend. "There you are."

Startled, Legolas took the package, but couldn't tell from the weight or texture what the mysterious object was.

"Well go on! Open it!" Gimli told him gruffly, waving at the package to hide his embarrassment.

Untying the straps, Legolas unfolded the package to reveal a silver-white tunic. He glanced at Gimli in question.

"It should be to your measurements," the dwarf told him instead of an explanation, "Why don't you hold it up and see?"

Confusion only lasted until he touched what he thought was fabric, and felt instead fine chain links. Eyes widening in shock, Legolas took the tunic by the shoulders and let it fall out of it's neat folds, the packaging cloth falling away to reveal an elf sized mithril tunic. Legolas stared at the gift, and Gimli shifted slightly from foot to foot.

"It took a little longer to finish than expected…"

Legolas turned to his friend and leaned down to give the dwarf a one armed hug around the shoulders, "Thank you. It's wonderful."

"Ahf," Gimli retorted in embarrassment, turning his head away, but looking pleased nonetheless.

Notes:

Apparently Gimli mined and refined the mithril himself from Moria, having remembered how to get down to it, and it took linger than he expected because he's no master craftsman and was extra slow and careful so he would create work as perfect as he could anyway.

Probably more movie verse character-wise, since I hadn't read the books yet, but doesn't really differ from the books any more than the movies, so it's not really important.