Samwise does not leave your side as you head towards the outskirts of the shire. He trails behind you, carrying a large rucksack filled with his idea of ‘essentials’, most of which will be useless on your journey. No matter how much you try to dissuade him, he will not turn back.

“I cant leave you. Y’know, my gaffer used t’say that ‘real friends never leave your side’… and you’re a real friend.”

he stumbles on a branch as you enter the forest

“You can’t destroy that…thing..on your own.”