Sam had been found by the leader of the riders that had rescued him from the Uruks. Sam would now appear as nothing more than an ungrateful person, for this was not how he should have repaid their favour. He would even be viewed with suspicion. Innocents wouldn't flee without cause. Sam didn't feel any safer here, than he had felt as a hostage. The leader certainly didn't look forgiving. Before he could think about it any further, he found himself face to face with a person he had now come to fear. He was tall with flaxen hair, and had an air of command about him. An aura that made him feel threatened. Endangered. The man was not daft either. He would have to tread carefully. He could hear questions being put across to him, but he understood nothing. All he could think about was his recent past, and he blamed none but himself for it. All the death that he had seen had been his fault. He couldn't bring himself to reply just as yet. At least his silence wouldn't prove half as costly as misspoken words. He just stood still, his eyes threatening to betray him. It was just the two of them now. That didn't make things any better for him. It was then that he heard one question.
"Where do you hail from? Why do you roam these lands."
Sam couldn't speak about his quest, but he couldn't lie either. He was bad at it, and it would only get him deeper into trouble than he already was.
"Speak!"
Sam was left with no other option but to obey. He managed to tell the man that his intention was only to journey past Rohan, and that he meant no harm. He shared his past, just leaving out the details of the ring. He claimed that he had set off on an expedition with his friends. He spoke of the journey to Bree, that they had been pursued by riders. Of their colour, nature, or loyalty to the enemy he said nothing. He spoke of his companion's death. Of his journey with Boromir. He told the man about Boromir's death. At this point, the man stopped him. Sam was afraid he'd said something wrong, but it wasn't so. It was rather the news that he had brought with him. The death of the Steward-Prince. It was ill news indeed. The man asked just one more question after that. A question that Sam had wanted to evade. He asked him why he was found with the Uruks, and what he had to do with them. Sam then decided to ask the man a question he had long kept in mind. How could he trust a man he hardly knew? He thought he would be punished for his impudence, but to his surprise, the man replied.
"I am Éomerof Rohan, Third Marshall of the Riddermark, nephew of King Théoden. My men and I have been exiled for fighting against the Uruk-Hai under the control of Saruman. I mean no harm to you, as long as you are honest. My cousin was here a few days ago. He was here to fight the orcs raiding our village-to protect our people, but never returned. He was killed on that fateful day, and so were all those accompanying him. You were found bound by ropes, lying on the battlefield, yet not weaponless. What is it that brought you under their captivity?"
Sam decided to tell Éomer about everything that he needed to know. With the exception of the ring, of course. After all, he too was preparing to fight against the Dark Lord Sauron, and in this, the were allies, not enemies. He told Éomer about the burden that he had to bear. The burden of journeying across Mordor. He did not reveal much more. Just that it was the task appointed to him, and of its nature, he claimed he knew not any more than the Marshall himself did. About the Uruks not knowing that the task was his, just that one of his kind had been set up to it. They were looking for his dead friend, whom they thought, was still alive and in hiding. After all, the Nine had fled by the time Frodo had died. They thought that he would lead them to him, and thus, they wanted him alive. They tried to make him tell them by trying things so cruel, he couldn't bear it, but he had no choice. He was there when Théodred died. He was there, but he did nothing, and for that, he was punished. That is why he was found lying on the battlefield, ready to embrace death when it came to him.
Having said this, he pleaded with Éomer to let him go. Éomer agreed, telling the halfling that he had to go past the Kingdom of Gondor, and past Cirith Ungol, if he had to get to Mordor unseen. He told Sam that he would try and keep his lands safe, and that he would try to help. Nobody would know of their conversation, or his quest. His secret would stay safe. Éomer bid him farewell, and once more, Sam found himself walking towards oblivion. At least now, he knew the way. He still had a chance. He wouldn't give up this time. Not without a tough fight.