In a hole in the ground in a land called the Shire, there sat a Hobbit reflecting on his decisions. More specifically, his decision to marry. His life was fairly comfortable, and yet – it all felt wrong. For you see, he did not love the lass he was married to. He loved another.
For as long as Sam could remember, he had been terrified of rejection. He had always conformed to the normal, always done what he was told. So when he started to develop feelings for his master, who was a boy, well – it was like facing his worst fear.
But no matter what he did, his feelings for the hobbit only grew. When he found out that Mr. Frodo was going on an adventure, well, of course he had to follow. After all, he had made a promise to never leave Frodo.
He continued to put himself in harm's way to save Frodo, keeping it all under the pretense of his promise. If there was one thing he would never do, it was reveal his feelings. Even when faced with death, he had kept up the façade of being a perfectly normal, straight hobbit, saying, "If I was to marry anybody, it would've been her." Rosie Cotton, of course. The maid he pretended to love.
When they had returned the Shire, he had continued to court her and eventually married her. He hated himself, hated that he would go to such great lengths to seem normal. He had thought it would be fine, though – that he would still be able to visit Frodo all the time, but Rosie stuck to him like glue. She never let him go anywhere without her, and so he rarely had the chance to visit Frodo. But he never let his annoyance and frustration show.
When he finally managed to get away from her, it was at the shores, to say goodbye to Bilbo. But he had never dreamed that Frodo would be leaving too until Gandalf had said, "It is time, Frodo."
He'd asked what Gandalf meant. Frodo had answered.
"You don't mean that!" Sam said, for once letting his true emotions show, on his face and in his words. "You can't leave!" You can't leave me!
He saw a flurry of emotions pass through his master's eyes that he was sure was mirrored in his own. Frodo pulled out his book and handed it to Sam. "The last pages are for you, Sam."
He barely saw Frodo move on to hug Merry and Pippin. Sadness overwhelmed him. Tears spilled out of his eyes as Frodo turned back to him and pulled him in for one last hug. Come on, tell him! It's your last chance. Tell him now, you coward! But of course, he didn't say a word.
Suddenly Frodo pulled Sam down and pressed his lips to Sam's forehead. His breath hitched. Was it possible that Frodo… As Frodo pulled away, Sam searched his eyes. They were unreadable. Now it's too late! Frodo turned and boarded the boat, and Sam's heart broke a little.
Frodo turned one last time and offered them a parting smile. Sam couldn't bring himself to smile back.
Now, reflecting on the scene, he realized he would do anything just to go back and tell Frodo, "Coward!" he whispered to himself.
He jumped as the door swung open. Rosie entered the room. "Sam, dear, are you alright?"
"Yes, Rosie, I'm fine." No you're not.
She turned his face so he was forced to look in her eyes. "I love you, Sam Gamgee." She smiled and left the room.
On the eternal shores of a far-off land, a solitary hobbit whispered the same words, but the one they were intended for did not – could not – hear them. And in a hole in the ground in a land called the Shire, there sat a hobbit who was alone.
Surrounded by family, but alone.
Alone, without his Frodo.
Because he was a coward.