Andrew Pace
Samwise Gamgee, also known as Sam, was a hobbit of the Shire and Frodo Baggins' gardener and best friend. He was also Frodo's closest and most dependable companion and played a critical role in protecting Frodo and destroying the One Ring. Sam did not initially go on the boat with Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, and others to the Undying Lands, as he wanted to finish some things first. He eventually did sail west to the Undying Lands after the death of his wife, Rose, and was the third hobbit ever to do so.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not going with Frodo | Samwise wanted to finish some things first |
| When did he go to the Undying Lands? | After the death of his wife, Mistress Rose |
| Who told him he could go? | It is speculated that it was Cirdan, Legolas, Gandalf, or that he knew inherently |
| Was it written anywhere? | Not in the book, but it is mentioned in the tradition handed down from Elanor |
| Was he the only hobbit to go? | No, he was the third hobbit to go to the Undying Lands |
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What You'll Learn
Samwise's wife, Rose, died before he went to the Undying Lands
Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit of the Shire, was the renowned companion of Frodo Baggins during his quest to destroy the One Ring. He was also Frodo's gardener and best friend. Sam played a critical role in protecting Frodo and destroying the One Ring.
Samwise eventually married Rose Cotton, nicknamed Rosie, a female hobbit of the Shire. Rosie was the daughter of Tolman Cotton and Lily Brown, and she and her family were always close to the Gamgees. Sam and Rosie were married on May 1, 3020, and moved to Bag End. They had thirteen children: Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman (Tom). Many of their children were named after their friends and relatives.
In their later years, Sam and Rosie went to Gondor and lived there for over a year in the house of King Aragorn II Elessar. When they returned, they lived out their lives in the Shire, seeing Sam's mayoral duties passed on to Tolman Cotton Jr. Rosie died in the year 61 on Mid-year's Day at the age of ninety-eight. After her death, Sam left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands later that year. He is said to have given their daughter, Elanor, the Red Book of Westmarch before departing.
It is speculated that Sam may have received an invitation to go to the Undying Lands, similar to the one Frodo received. However, he chose to stay behind and finish some business, including fulfilling his mayoral duties and waiting for Rosie, his wife, to pass away. Sam may have considered himself an Elf-friend, and it is possible that he had contact with Elves or other magical beings who informed him of the possibility of sailing West.
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Samwise was told he could go to the Undying Lands by Legolas or Cirdan
It is unclear who told Samwise he could go to the Undying Lands, but there are a few possibilities. Some sources speculate that it may have been Legolas who informed Samwise, while others suggest Cirdan as a more likely messenger. Samwise's proximity to the Grey Havens, as well as his status as a Ring-bearer, may have also played a role in his knowledge of the possibility of travelling to the Undying Lands.
One theory suggests that Legolas could have been the one to tell Samwise about the possibility of travelling to the Undying Lands. This speculation arises from the fact that Legolas and Gimli sailed to the Undying Lands together, and Legolas, being an elf, would have had knowledge of the necessary requirements and permissions. However, it is unclear how Legolas himself would have known about this information.
Another possibility is that Cirdan, an authoritative elf, may have conveyed the message to Samwise. This theory is based on the idea that Cirdan, as an elf, would have had a better understanding of the eligibility criteria for travelling to the Undying Lands. While some find it unlikely that Cirdan would have travelled specifically to deliver this news to Samwise, it is possible that they had a conversation at the Havens or through some other means of communication.
Samwise's proximity to the Grey Havens, added to the Shire by Aragorn in the early Fourth Age, may have also contributed to his awareness of the possibility of travelling to the Undying Lands. The region bordering the Tower Hills was much closer to the Grey Havens than Hobbiton or Michel Delving. This proximity could have facilitated conversations or interactions with the elves at the Havens, potentially including Cirdan.
Additionally, Samwise's status as a Ring-bearer may have granted him implicit permission to travel to the Undying Lands. In "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Frodo tells Samwise, "Not yet, anyway….your time may come," implying that Samwise's role as a Ring-bearer could eventually lead to his journey to the Undying Lands. This idea is further supported by the tradition handed down from Elanor, Samwise's daughter, that Samwise went to the Grey Havens and passed over the sea as the last of the Ring-bearers.
In conclusion, while there is no definitive answer, it is possible that Samwise was informed of his ability to travel to the Undying Lands by Legolas or Cirdan. This knowledge may have also been influenced by his proximity to the Grey Havens and his status as a Ring-bearer, which could have granted him implicit permission for the journey.
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Samwise was the third hobbit to ever set foot in Aman
Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit from the Shire, was Frodo Baggins's gardener and best friend. He was also a brave and loyal companion, playing a critical role in protecting Frodo and destroying the One Ring. Despite his importance, Samwise did not initially accompany Frodo on his journey to the Undying Lands, also known as Valinor or Aman. Instead, he remained in Middle Earth for an extended period, even after Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, and others had departed.
It is said that Samwise eventually did make the journey to Valinor, also known as the Undying Lands, but only after the death of his wife, Rose. He is described as riding out from Bag End and making his way to the Tower Hills, where he was last seen by his daughter, Elanor, to whom he entrusted the Red Book.
There is some speculation about how Samwise knew he could sail West to Valinor. Some suggest that it may have been Legolas who informed him, while others believe it could have been Gandalf, who was an emissary of the Valar. It is also possible that Cirdan, an elf, played a role in conveying this information to Samwise.
Upon his arrival in Valinor, Samwise encountered an elf named Malonar, who had been his companion during the voyage. Samwise is described as feeling invigorated and youthful as he approached Valinor, and he expressed curiosity about the pronunciation of the name "Alqualonde," one of the places they passed through.
As Samwise stepped onto the soil of Aman, he became only the third hobbit ever to set foot in that land, following Frodo and possibly Bilbo before him. Despite expecting a grand greeting, he was met with no official welcome, and Frodo was notably absent. Samwise's journey to Aman, the third hobbit to do so, concluded his long and arduous path that began in the Shire as Frodo's loyal companion.
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Samwise's journey to Valinor was invigorating
Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit of the Shire and Frodo Baggins' gardener and best friend, did not initially go on the boat to Valinor with Frodo and Bilbo. He stayed in Middle Earth long after they had sailed away. Samwise eventually did sail to Valinor, but only after the death of his wife, Rose.
As dusk began to stir, the ship entered under a great arch of rock into Alqualonde. Sam, standing on the starboard upper deck, tried to pronounce the name correctly. "Alka-loon-dee, Owlka-lon-day, Al-quail-lond-ee. Struth! I should have listened closer to Cirdan last night. Oh well! Can't be helped now," he mumbled to himself. He could see organised activity around the lamplit harbour as they waited for the ship to dock.
Sam disembarked and followed his companion for the voyage, Malonar, through a golden gate, leaving the Haven of the Swans behind them. Sam was disappointed that Frodo was not there to meet him. "Maybe nobody told him I was coming," he thought. Sam was the third hobbit ever to set foot in Aman.
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Samwise's boat docked at a golden pier in Valinor
Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit from the Shire, was Frodo Baggins' gardener and best friend. He was also the bravest of the brave and the most loyal of the Fellowship of the Ring. Sam played a critical role in protecting Frodo and destroying the One Ring.
After the destruction of the One Ring, Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, and others sailed into the West to Valinor. Samwise stayed in Middle Earth for a long time after they left. He wanted to finish some things before leaving, and he also may have been waiting for permission to go to Valinor. Sam's wife, Rose, died before he left Middle Earth, and he gave the Red Book to his daughter, Elanor, before riding out from Bag End.
Samwise eventually did sail West from the Grey Havens to Valinor. He felt invigorated and younger as he approached Valinor, perhaps due to good magic. Sam's ship docked at a golden pier in Alqualonde, and he entered the land of Aman, becoming the third hobbit ever to do so. There were no official greetings upon his arrival, and he was disappointed that Frodo was not there to meet him. Sam and his companion, Malonar, then strolled through a gold gate, leaving the Haven of the Swans behind them.
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Frequently asked questions
Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit from the Shire and Frodo Baggins' gardener and best friend, did eventually go to the Undying Lands, but only after the death of his wife, Rosie. He wanted to finish some things first and stayed in Middle Earth for a long time after Frodo left.
It is unclear how Samwise knew he could sail to the Undying Lands. It is speculated that Legolas or Gandalf may have told him.
Samwise did not suffer any sickness during the passage and felt more and more invigorated the closer he got to Valinor. He was disappointed that Frodo was not there to meet him when he arrived.
