~*~
October 6, 1421 S.R.

Rosie had kept watch on the road ever since their departure and today something had told her that Sam would be returning to Bag End that evening. Expecting his return, she made sure that dinner was waiting for him on the table. She lit a candle, setting it in the window before she stoked the fire to make sure it roared warmly when her love came in from the cold night.

She had just finished giving Elanor her dinner, when Rosie heard the soft fall of pony hooves, and then she heard hooves halt at her front door. Carrying Elanor with her as to not interrupt burping her, Rosie went to the window to look out.

Her Sam was standing with his back to the window as he was relieving the ponies of their saddlebags and bridles.

"There you go, lad," Sam said, patting Bill who snorted and dipped his head to begin chewing on the grass. Sam watched Bill and Strider munch contentedly for a moment before he turned to go on in to Bag End, the saddlebags and bridles in his hands.

Rosie was still standing by the window when Sam opened the round door, and after he dropped his luggage onto the floor, his eyes fell onto the two most important lasses in his life.

Rosie saw the tears in his eyes as she approached him, and after a gentle hug, she led him to his chair at the table, set him down there. She put Elanor down on his lap before turning to go to the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Well, I'm back"

Later, after supper was finished, and it was time for little Elanor to be put down for the night, Rose drew out the envelope Frodo had given her on the morning of his departure to the Havens. Sam had spoken little about their goodbye on the shores of the Sundering Seas, but Rose had sensed that no matter how gentle the goodbye had been, her Sam was still grieving over the loss of Frodo. Walking to where he sat by the fire with his pipe dangling from the corner of his mouth, still unlit, Rosie presented to him the last letter written for him by Frodo then she quietly exited the room with Elanor.

Sam sat staring at the familiar handwriting of Frodo's and for a moment the tears came unbidden as he ran his hand over the letters that spelled out his name. As much as he wanted to know what Frodo had said to him in his last letter, Sam still felt reluctant to open the envelope knowing that it would be the last thing Frodo would say to him for a long time.

Perhaps forever...

Oh, don't be a ninnyhammer Samwise Gamgee, he berated himself before he tore open the back of the envelope, and pulled out the folded piece of paper. Taking a deep breath, Sam unfolded it carefully, and he began to read the flowing script.

My Dearest and Loved Sam,

I have sat for hours here in my study with a blank sheet of paper before me, trying to think of the words to use to tell you my goodbyes... and words to try and tell you how very much you have meant to me.

I know you are blushing with embarrassment right now as you read my words of love and praise, but my dear Sam, everything I write is true. It is because of you that Middle Earth is free of Sauron's dark power forever, for I never would have otherwise found the strength to come to stand at the precipice of the Crack of Doom. Had it not been for you at my side during our long and difficult Quest, I should have never reached the Fire.

You always have been and always will be the brother of my heart and I love you more dearly than anyone or anything I will be losing when I leave the shores of Middle Earth forever. Oh, Sam, it pains me so to leave you, Rosie, sweet Elanor, and Merry and Pippin behind but I do it with a glad heart -- for I know you all will have the lives and the love you deserve.

To that end, my dearest Sam, I ask that you tuck my memory away somewhere in your heart and get on with your life with those who love you. I do not want you to spend the coming years grieving over me once I have departed for the Undying Lands. Do not be too sad, Sam, for my heart tells me that someday you will come West and we will see one another again.

Until then, Sam, know that you are dearer to me than the stars in the sky or the morning Sun on my face. Know that I will never forget you, my dearest friend, my brother, and always know that I love you so very much....

Always and forever...

Frodo

"I'll try, Frodo," Sam said, "I love you, too...brother."

He folded the paper and returned it to the envelope, holding it closely to his heart before he walked over to the small wooden box where Frodo had stored important papers. After he had laid the letter inside, he closed the lid just as Rosie returned from Elanor's room. Sam's eyes met hers, and after brushing away the last of his tears, Sam went to her, taking her into his arms.

"I love you, Rosie Gamgee," he said in her ear.

"I love you too, Samwise Gamgee."

"I'm going to be fine, love. We're going to be just fine."

FIN