Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Note: I'm glad I'm getting so much encouragement! Smc1, I hope this is long enough for your liking! I felt like such a sadist writing this chapter. You'll soon see why. I only plan to post an epilogue after this, so enjoy the last full blown chapter! And please REVIEW.

It was a cold night in December. Frodo tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable, when a new type discomfort suddenly struck his abdomen. Frodo's eyes grew wide and lay still for a long while, but the pang didn't reoccur for at least a half an hour. It wasn't pain, but it was different. Frodo was aware that the final stage had begun. Fortunately, he was also aware that it would most likely be several hours before any sort of real progress began. Elrond had told him so.

Frodo absently started rubbing his belly. He could not tell Sam about this now. Sam would go insane, doting over Frodo when he was trying to rest. Frodo made up his mind not to let anyone know until much later in the game. He needed to be alone right now.

Frodo rolled over and tried his best to fall asleep. His fear was replaced with excitement, which made it a bit hard for him to relax. Exhaustion took him soon enough and he only felt one more slight tickle before he dozed off.

The first of the sharp pains woke Frodo up at about ten o'clock the next morning. He gasped, his eyes shooting open. He took a deep breath and looked around the room. No one was there, and there was no reason to alert anyone. The pain had been quick, no more than two seconds. He waited patiently for the next one to take him. About a half-hour later, it happened again. Again, only a two or three seconds. Frodo sighed and laid back on the pile of pillows that was at the head of the bed. He took the book he had been reading from his side table. He let it rest conveniently against his belly. He let out a chuckle. This would be a convenience that would be sorely missed.

Sam stopped by to check on Frodo at noon. By then, the pains had become a bit more intense, but nothing Frodo could not handle. Frodo waved Sam off, saying he needed his rest.

"I'll be within earshot, Mr. Frodo. Be sure to call me if anything should happen."

By three, the pains were getting harder to manage. At this point reading was out of the question, as the cramps were long, about ten or fifteen seconds, and coming closer together. Fear began to creep back into Frodo as he winced and clutched the sheets below him. It hurt. And this was only the beginning. Frodo groaned softly and pulled the sheets up around his neck. He closed his eyes and the queerest feeling over took him. Before he could even pinpoint what it was, water gushed from between his legs. The most intense pain yet followed this. "SAM!" Frodo cried urgently.

Sam was in the room within thirty seconds. "Mr. Frodo! What's wrong?!" Sam's eyes traveled to the soaked bed. "I'll go get Lord Elrond!"

"Hurry!" Frodo's blue eyes were desperate.

Elrond and Gandalf swept into the room soon after, Sam following close behind. Elrond looked at Frodo, and simply scooped him off the bed.

They traveled the corridors quickly, finding the room Elrond had set aside for this very purpose. It was secluded, and it had good light. Frodo had tears streaming down his face as Elrond laid him gently on the large bed in the center of the room.

"Why didn't you tell me, Mr. Frodo?" Sam rushed quickly to his side and grabbed his hand.

"I'm sorry, My Sam. I needed time to myself. I wanted to be alone," Frodo gave a small smile, "And look where we are now. It's almost over. It..." Frodo's face contorted in pain.

Sam stroked Frodo's hair from his face, "Shhhhh, it's alright. It's alright."

Frodo breathed again, "Please, don't leave. Stay here." His eyes pleaded. "I can't do this by myself."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Frodo."

Hours passed, but Elrond said that the baby was not yet ready. They would have to wait. Sam was ever present, helping Frodo through the pains. Merry and Pippin played their part by running errands, doing whatever task Elrond set them too. Whenever they had a spare moment, they would use it to try to make Frodo laugh.

Dusk came and the pains were very close together. Frodo was having a tough time hiding it whenever one took him. Sam sat behind him, cradling Frodo between his legs. For a brief moment of peace, Frodo's head lulled against his chest. This did not last long and Sam felt Frodo's body tighten up as he moaned.

"It's okay, Mr. Frodo. It'll all be over soon."

Frodo started crying, "I hope so. I hope so."

Elrond sat in a chair in the corner of the room. He motioned to Merry and Pippin. "Get me light. Torches, candles, anything you can find."

They nodded and ran out of the room.

Sam was trying to calm Frodo down, "Shhhhh, everything will be fine Mr. Frodo, I promise."

Frodo whimpered, feeling another cramp coming. He tensed, waiting. This one was more than he could bear. He screamed, his back arching painfully. His hands groped and Sam took them. Frodo screamed again, squeezing Sam's hands until Sam could not feel them.

Frodo sobbed, "I can't do it anymore, Sam. I can't. Please, make it stop."

Sam was now crying too, it hurt him to see Frodo in so much pain, "You've got to be brave, Mr. Frodo. Don't give up. I know it hurts, but have courage." He took a moment to smooth Frodo's sweat drenched curls.

Frodo's body arched again and he moaned. The sharp, internal agony was all he could feel.

Elrond approached with some candles. He set them around the bed for extra light. "I think it is time, Frodo." Frodo looked at Elrond and it was obvious he was terrified. Elrond gave him a reassuring smile, and checked to make sure Frodo's body would be able to accommodate the exit of a baby. It could. 'That sick, twisted Sauron,' Elrond thought to himself, 'Why would he create something that could do this to a person?'

Gandalf sat in another corner of the room, silent all this time. He motioned Merry and Pippin to him. They would sit quietly and watch.

"Frodo, listen closely. During the next pain, I'm going to ask you to bear down. It's going to hurt, but you MUST do it. Do you understand?"

Frodo nodded.

The next pain came, and true to his word, Frodo bore down. It was the most concentrated torment he had ever felt in his life. "Sam!" Frodo clutched desperately to Sam's hands.

"Again, Frodo. Again."

Frodo let loose a tortured cry, but again bore down. He was being split apart.

Elrond let Frodo rest a few minutes before he demanded he push again, "You're almost there, Frodo. Only a few more."

The room filled with Frodo's anguished screams and sobs, the pain often being more than he could steel himself against. Yet, Frodo would not give up, not now when he was so incredibly close.

"One more time, Frodo. Bear down."

Frodo closed his eyes and clasped his hands tightly around Sam's. The next pain hit him and Frodo bore down with all his might.

Then, a new feeling came to Frodo, like a part of him was taken away. A sort of relief that could not be expressed in words, only through feelings. He heard Elrond speak to him. "Congratulations, Frodo Baggins, you have a girl."

Sam was crying with joy, holding Frodo close. "Look what you've got, Mr. Frodo. Look! She's beautiful."

Elrond handed the little girl to Frodo. He looked at her, unwilling to believe that he was a part of making such a perfect child. Sam leaned over his shoulder, "What shall we name her?"

Frodo looked at his daughter, "It's unfortunate that we cannot name her after those two," Frodo pointed to Merry and Pippin, "I guess something Elvish. 'Elerrína', perhaps. 'Crowned with Stars'."

"Perfect."

Merry, Pippin and Gandalf came to see the baby.

Pippin spoke first, "Frodo, that was absolutely the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in my entire life."