Disclaimer: Everything that has anything to do with the Lord of the Rings belong to the greatest genius that ever lived. And no, I do not mean me, I mean Tolkein.

Summary: It has been several years since Frodo left the Shire to sail to the undying lands, but now he makes one more journey. His last journey. This story is AU.

Authors note: This is the first Frodo/Sam fic I have written so I hope it's not too bad. I have tried to keep to the books as much as possible and I spent a lot of time getting MichelleFrodo to look up dates and names and places for me in the appendices, but not everything is in there so what isn't I have had to make up. I tried to put together a whole list of Sam's children and when they were born and where they lived. I found most of it but I had to make up the missing parts. I hope I haven't made any too big mistakes and I hope you can all just enjoy the story without worrying about the facts. This was just supposed to be a short story (with only 9 short chapters) and I enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it. I know it wasn't possible to come home from Valinor once you were there and I know Sam did go and visit Frodo but please just try and use your imagination for this story. Please?

One Last Embrace

Gandalf was riding hard. His journey wasn't urgent but he knew that it held the deepest importance to two very special hobbits. He couldn't let either of them down and he knew the sooner he reached The Shire the happier he would feel.

Shadowfax's hooves could barely be heard as they trampled carefully upon the falling leaves. His flanks were heavy with sweat but he did not tire as they ran through the wilderness. Gandalf had rode him hard these past few days and they had covered great distances but both knew this was a journey of importance, and one many will never forget.

There was still a long way to go yet.

*~*~*~*~*

Sam was kneeling heavily upon the ground of the garden of Bag End. The stubborn weeds from between the plants had now all been successfully pulled up and he got to his feet shakily.

He looked up the bright blue sky. There was barely a cloud out today and Sam wondered how it could stay so young. It never looked old or tired. Every day it came out fresh and new and with a new lease of life. Sam knew he was getting old. His once wild, sandy brown hair had streaks of grey in it and his strong hands were wrinkled.

Old age wasn't something Sam minded. He had much more time to do his gardening these days and his children had finally left home, though he did miss them. He had his Rosie though and they were very happy living together in Bag End, though it did seem so much bigger now it was just the two of them.

"Sam!" Rosie's voice broke his thoughts and he glanced towards the back door. "Sam, you have a visitor."

Sam liked visitors. He emptied the dead weeds onto the compost heap and walked up towards his home. He guessed it was one of the children calling.

As he entered Bag End Sam could see perfectly well that it wasn't one of his children. It was Gandalf. He stifled the urge to run forward and hug the wizard tightly. It had been so long since they had last seen each other. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was the look on Gandalf's face. It was a serious look and Sam could already guess what it was about.

"Hello Sam." Gandalf greeted him, forcing a smile.

"Hello Gandalf." Sam did the same.

"Sam, I want to talk to you." Gandalf cut straight to the point. "Do you want to walk?"

Sam nodded and they left Bag End to walk amongst the many fields and trees that were around the Shire. They looked very peculiar together, the small hobbit and the very large wizard, but they ignored many amazed stares and talked as they walked.

"I believe it is a long time since you last saw Frodo." Gandalf started the conversion as Sam's eyes lit up.

"Have you been to see Mr Frodo recently? How is he?." He asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, indeed I have." Gandalf smiled at his excitement. "There is news I must tell you of Frodo."

Sam had guessed that there was something troubling Gandalf. As soon as he had heard Frodo's name he knew what it was and what was going to be said. He remained silent as Gandalf spoke.

"Frodo is getting old, Sam, you know that." Sam nodded. "He has told me that he wants you to do something for him. One last thing."

Sam looked up at him, slightly nervous now. What if he couldn't do it? What if he couldn't do what Frodo wanted? His one last wish. "What is it Gandalf?"

"Frodo would like to see you one last time." Gandalf smiled. "He has a few weeks left yet, small hobbit, but he wants to come and stay with you, here in Bag End."

Sam's heart sighed with relief. "Of course Mr Frodo can come and stay. I would very much like to see him again. It has been a very long time."

"Indeed it has." Gandalf nodded. "But you must understand that this will probably be Frodo's last journey. It will be up to you to look after him. He is very old."

Sam's eyes now changed completely. They lost their excitement and took on a more serious look. He had known this as soon as Gandalf had told him but he hadn't really believed it until now. It was only now that it dawned on him that his Frodo was coming back to Bag End to die and it was up to Sam to make his last few weeks as comfortable as possible.

As Gandalf turned to walk away from Bag End Sam shouted after him. "Gandalf."

"Yes Master Gamgee."

"Frodo's coming home!" His voice held a tone of excitement.

"Indeed he is, Master Gamgee." Gandalf called, as he climbed back onto Shadowfax, leading him along the road away from Hobbinton.

Did you enjoy it? I hope you did. Please review and let me know what you think. I will respond to all reviews in the next chapter and will update regularly. Thank you for reading it.