[Iris Alantiel]

The more I thought about it, the more I really didn't like that part. I mean, obviously I hated seeing Sam in pain, but that wasn't the problem for me. I thought it was very powerful and dramatic to have Frodo tell Sam to go home, but the more I thought about it, I couldn't imagine Sam actually doing it. I agree with Gorwingel - there was no way he would have actually left just because Frodo told him to, especially since he had so little faith in Gollum. Sam would never have left Frodo alone with Gollum, not a chance. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> It was plain enough that Frodo considered him a double-crosser & a villian, so what's the point in trying to stay when he surely wouldn't have let him? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I say, even if there was no point, even if there was no possible way Sam could help or save Frodo, he wouldn't have left. Sam would have followed Frodo, even if he had to do so in secret, far more readily than he would have abandoned him to the whims of Gollum, who Sam already knew wanted to kill them and take the ring. It's not a question of whether or not Frodo wants him around or not; for Sam, the important thing is Frodo's safety, and I just can't believe Sam would think, "Well, I'm sure Mr. Frodo will be just fine with Gollum, so I'll be heading on home now".<P>On top of that, it's not very realistic for anybody, really. If you had just hiked over half of Middle Earth for about a year, struggling every step of the way, to fulfill a quest, and you're standing there right on the brink of success, and someone tells you, "Go home" . . . are you really going to turn around and go back??