Friendship Tolkien style/Self-Sacrafice with Sam and Frodo

I love the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. It's greatly inspired me in many ways. But one thing that really struck my heart was the friendships in them all. Most of all between Sam and Frodo.

Now I could go on and on forever about the friendships in these wonderful books. I won't, or at least I'll try my best not to. ;)

Now a lot of people say Frodo was a jerk and Sam should have been the real hero in the story. I don't believe that is so. If you read the books you'll be reminded a lot that the weight of the ring is almost unbearable, it gnaws at Frodo's self-control. Frodo has a hard enough time just carrying the thing. And it gets harder the closer they get to Mount Doom. Frodo has all he can bear carrying the ring, Sam is amazing, and Frodo might not have been the best friend at the time, but considering the circumstances I think we might be able to give Frodo a little slack.  Alrighty, now that I have that rant out of the way. (I might have sounded pretty calm while sharing that, but ask my little sister, I can really get annoying with my ranting on this subject!)

How they meet:
The Gaffer, Sam's father was Bilbo's gardener at Bag End, Sam and Frodo then took on their places. They are friends before the adventure, not super close though, but Sam feels a type of loyalty to Frodo.

What brings them close:
Gandalf tells Sam that he is to go on to Rivendell with Frodo. Then he makes him promise, "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." Sam promises and keeps that promise to the very best of his abilities. And he carries it out more than once, reminding Frodo of his promise. He takes on a real protective stance over Frodo.

Their friendship:
There are so many parts, but I'll stick to just a few.
When they're at Rivendell and Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mount Doom Sam has been hiding and keeping watch over Frodo, he then comes out and says that if Master Frodo is going, he is too.
At the end of the Fellowship of the Ring Frodo is taking off on his own without the rest of the group, Sam realizes while looking for him what he was probably doing. He runs back down to the shore of the lake and makes Frodo take him too.
When Frodo is kidnapped by the orcs Sam doesn't leave him to be taken to Sauron, but goes and rescues him.
Sam gives up much of his food and sleep to keep watch over Frodo from Gollum.
Then when Frodo is about to give up Sam carries him up Mount Doom.

For Frodo's part he doesn't do a whole lot for Sam, but you can clearly see how much he loves Sam and appreciates him. I want to share one of my favorite moments between Sam and Frodo.

“Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. We're in one, of course, but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!" And they will say: "Yes, that's one of my favourite stories. Frodo was very brave, wasn't he, dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot."
'It's saying a lot too much,' said Frodo, and he laughed, a long clear laugh from his heart. Such a sound had not been heard in those places since Sauron came to Middle-earth. To Sam suddenly it seemed as if all the stones were listening and the tall rocks leaning over them. But Frodo did not heed them; he laughed again. 'Why, Sam,' he said, 'to hear you somehow makes me as merry as if the story was already written. But you've left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. "I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad? That's what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?"'
'Now, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam, 'you shouldn't make fun. I was serious.'
'So was I,' said Frodo, 'and so I am.

What I love about these two:
Gosh, I just can't put my love for these two into words. They are such amazing friends. They care for one another more than they care for themselves. They would die before they saw something bad happen to the other and that is the ultimate friendship. :)

I hope you liked it and there's more coming!! Tell me what do you think about Frodo's and Sam's friendship? And if you dare, what do you think about Frodo's attitude towards Sam? Tread that ground very lightly around here, I warn you. ;)

Brookie