I have, for years, cherished the theory that if Sam had slung the insensible
Frodo over his shoulder and run for the gap immediately (remember - some time
passes before the orc patrols come along) the two hobbits would have been in
much better shape to make the slog across Mordor. Maybe things would have
ended differently at the mountain...
But I think Curious' point about the necessity of Sam
taking on the responsibility of the Ring (and never really putting it aside) is
esential. Bitter, but essential. Even a healthy Frodo would be
"altered" as the Ring gets closer to its origin. How would a Sam who
*only* wanted to protect Frodo be able to do what was necessary to destroy the
Ring?
"Well, I'm back," he said. The End.
