Author's Note: This is set two weeks before Frodo's departure at the Grey Havens.

Samwise had 13 children: Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

"Most Deserves Life"

Sam watched the bittersweet scene before him as Frodo held his small daughter, Elanor and sang to her softly. The baby smiled happily at her Uncle Frodo and grabbed his hand. His daughter's tiny, perfect hand clung to the poor, maimed hand of his old friend. Sam brushed away tears forming in his eyes, determined not to ruin one of Frodo's few and far between healthy days by crying.

"Hold tight, dear child

"It's just a few steps further.

"Through the wild

"I promise to be there.

"In the end,

"You know we'll be together,

"At path's close, we'll be together again."

He would have been a great father, Sam thought, sadly. The one who has suffered the most and most deserves life has been cheated out of it.

"So you and Rosie are expecting again?" Frodo smiled and Elanor giggled. "What are you going to name him?"

Sam stopped to think. "I'm not sure, Mr. Frodo. I mean, I can't think of anything special enough. Do you know what I should name him?"

Frodo only chuckled. "Sam, you need to think of these things yourself. I won't always be here to do it for you." He paused and touched his wounded hand to his wounded shoulder lightly, but then remembered where he was.

"Well, Rosie and I were planning to stop at two," Sam stated.

"Right, Sam. Of course you will," Frodo said skeptically. "Just remember what I told you about names and you'll be fine."

Sam blushed and was soon lost in his own thoughts again.

"Are you alright, Sam?" Frodo asked. "What's wrong?"

"Why did you never marry and have children, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked suddenly. For a moment Sam saw sorrow cross Frodo's blue eyes which passed quickly, but made Sam sorry he had ever spoken the words.

"It's a little late now. The Shire lasses aren't exactly lining up outside Bag-End for me, in case nobody's noticed. Understandable, though," he said and held up his left hand, smiling sadly. "I wouldn't be able to care for a family. I'm sick to often."

Sam looked at his old friend's eyes. They weren't the same bright blue they once were, they were more pained and older; physical scars weren't the only reason Frodo never had a family, but emotional ones, as well. How could people ignore someone as good as Mr. Frodo? he wondered as he gave voice to his earlier thoughts. "How is it that you, the one who most deserves a good life, can't have it?"

"Sam, no. I have a good life. You and Rosie and Elanor and the new baby have made me the luckiest, most loved hobbit in the Shire."
"But-" Sam was interrupted by Elanor crying softly.

Frodo took the child in his arms and returned him to her father when he spoke again. "This is what I went for, Sam," he was smiling now, no hint of sadness this time. "She is what we fought for and I don't miss any of the old days because of her. Because of you."

Sam nodded, understanding and looked down to his daughter, now sure of his son's name.