[Elenya]

All the time, their friends are risking everything to distract the Eye of Sauron from them, but they don't know that. They go on anyway.

This was one of the most moving aspects of the story for me. And in the books, Sam ended up being my favorite character (after Gollum and for different reasons) because he is in my mind the real hero of the quest. I remember being so moved by his purity of soul and his extraordinary courage. I have a feeling Astin will be up to the task.

[carton253]

Ah, a fellow Smeagol lover! And I thought I was alone.

[ksen]

I have a feeling Astin will be up to the task.

I think you're right.

Sam was my favorite too, except for the part where he yells at Smeagol just as he is about to win out over Gollum, thus giving Gollum the victory.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

" ...in the books, Sam ended up being my favorite character (after Gollum and for different reasons) because he is in my mind the real hero of the quest. I remember being so moved by his purity of soul and his extraordinary courage. I have a feeling Astin will be up to the task."

Sam's my favorite character too. His total devotion to his best friend, Frodo, is what we need more of in this world. He knowingly walks into danger and what he is certain will lead to his death, all because he cares more about Frodo than himself. He never once asks himself if following Frodo is a good idea in the light of the fact that they are headed straight into Mordor, the most evil place in Middle Earth. If Frodo had turned aside from his task I doubt if Sam would have taken the ring and gone into Mordor alone, but he darn sure was not going to allow Frodo to face this terrible challenge alone.