Continuing westward, Arcallon and Antion came ever closer to the river Anduin, its broad shores and strong waters coursing unhindered toward the Sea. They then came to the city of Osgiliath, its white towers built as a bridge across the Anduin and restored beyond even the glory it bore of old in the days when it stood as the first capital of Gondor. Ships of Men and Dwarves sailed beneath it, trafficking relics from Arnor, mithril from Khazad-dûm, toys and crafts from Erebor and Dale, and horses from Rohan, while the southern cities of Gondor, particularly Dol Amroth and Pelargir, brought great works of art and poetry and the fruits of the Sea. Even the Men of Umbar, Rhûn and Harad, long enemies of Gondor enslaved to the Dark Lord of Mordor, now brought their exotic silks and spices to the renowned markets of Osgiliath. In the distance, the great city of Minas Tirith, capital of the southern realm of the Reunified Kingdom, arose in bands of gleaming white stone infused with starlit mithril against the high White Mountains.
The elf-lords, hidden beneath their grey elven-cloaks and willing not to draw attention to themselves, moved through the throng of travelers and merchants from across Middle-earth as they entered the city. Dwarf-masons tended the stonework, their mithril-craft bringing the walls and towers of Osgiliath to glory as yet unseen in Gondor, while Hobbits cared for the gardens left by the Elves of Mirkwood after the War. As they passed out of the city, they came upon a Dwarf and a woman of Gondor who had paused in their work and were having a lively discussion. Arcallon and Antion knew the Dwarf to be Hannar, son of Bombur, and the woman to be Gwend, Lady of Osgiliath and granddaughter of Prince Faramir of Ithilien and the Lady Éowyn. Unheeded, the High Elves came to stand beside them.