It was definitely a loyalty. HE worshiped frodo, but they were not great friends (although they were "on friendly terms") until, probably when Frodo finally realizes that he needs sam at the boats. In TTT when Frodo calls Sam friend of friends, their relationship has been established as something deeper. But I do believe it was more adoration on sam's part than mutual love in the beginning
Also, when sam says "I'd go with him to the moon and back," that is not really a promise, and it was entirely volutary, whatever the case.
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"Good bye, master, my dear! Forgive your Sam. He'll come back to this spot when the job's done - if he manages it." -TTT
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point - Lewis
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