For those who have read the books or seen the movies, you know that Sam's a simple man with genuine intentions and nothing but well wishes. He's that friend you know who spreads himself way too thin to make sure everyone else is happy. Not only is Sam one of the most beloved characters in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but he's also one of the most genuine people you'd ever meet- fiction or nonfiction.
Here are 8 times Sam was not only the un-sung hero, but he was also the friend that no one deserved.
1. When laid in the grass outside a window to listen in on a secret meeting and make sure Frodo was ok.
"But you won't send him off alone, surely, Master?" cried Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor.
"No indeed!" said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
– "The Fellowship of the Ring"
2. When he boasted about having Frodo's back through thick and thin.
As the gang started their journey, Sam basically went on a rant that went "Pippin and Merry don't got nothin' on me". Confidence is key, I guess.
3. When he accepted his impending fate on the journey he set out on.
Not only does Sam not know how to swim, but he risks his life (this being one of the multiple occasions) by jumping into a river to stay with Frodo. He is a man of his word, and wouldn't leave Frodo's side... even though Frodo intentionally left him behind for his own good. Thus, the following dialogue:
"It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam," said Frodo, "and I could not have borne that."
"Not as certain as being left behind," said Sam.
"But I am going to Mordor."
"I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you."
– "The Fellowship of the Ring"
4. When he was Frodo's "hype man". (Even after The Ring turned Frodo mental on Sam, like, a million times.)
"And people will say: 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!' And they'll say: 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was very brave, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot.'"
– "The Two Towers"
5. When he tolerated Frodo's annoying company.
If we're being real, Frodo and Sam would never have made it as far as they did without the help of Smeagol. But on an even real-er note, if my best friend let some crazy killer/psychopath with a dissociative identity disorder tag along on our cross country trip, I would have none of that.
6.When he slayed the beast that is the huge spider.
If spiders scare me when they're the size of a dime, I can only imagine the amount of adrenaline rushing through Sam's body as he slayed the beast. And all to save his friend!... or was it his "Fight or Flight" instinct kicking in?
7. When he carried Frodo up Mount Doom when the weight of The Ring was too much to bear.
When Frodo gave up, Sam was the one who kept going. "I can't carry it for you. But I can carry you." *que all the feels*
8. When Frodo leaves Sam, and Sam has nothing but well wishes for him.
His little hobbit heart can only handle so much. Frodo, at this point, is basically his whole life. And Frodo wouldn't have a life if it wasn't for Sam. But as said at their last meeting, "Do not be too sad, Sam. You cannot be always torn in two. You will have to be one and whole, for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do." And that he did, with Rosie Cotton and his family.
Throughout the trilogy, Sam taught us how to live adventurously, how to persevere with courage, and how to love generously. To think the farthest from home Sam had ever been before all of this was at "Woody End"! I'm sure glad it isn't anymore.
