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I think I really will undertake that journey suggested to me by Master Frodo recently. A journey, I should say, that I will make in the company of a few close friends. A journey, as I understand it, that will take me through some of the roughest and most dangerous parts of Middle Earth.
The idea of my accompanying Master Frodo, I might add, was put to me a short time ago when he received a visit from the mysterious wizard, Gandalf the Grey. I remember I was in the garden bedding down some petunias, when Gandalf, on spying me there outside the window, drew me in for a word. It’s not that I was eavesdropping--that is to say, I didn’t purposely lean my ear to the wall as I stooped to pat down the soil around the newly-bloomed flowers. I was merely applying the professionalism expected of my position as head gardner for such a distinguished hobbit as Master Frodo.
On receiving my person into their presence, it was suggested to me that perhaps I would like to join Master Frodo on his trip to Mt Doom with the one ring. I must confess, I was rather taken aback by this suggestion, and I don’t recall exactly what I replied now. Quite probably I thanked him for the offer, but it seems I must have appeared hesitant, for Gandalf continued as if I hadn’t spoken.
“I think this would be for the better, Samwise Gamgee,” he said. “You’ll be good company for Frodo and may be able to help him with his burden. It’s about time you got out of the Shire and saw a bit more of Middle Earth.”
I recall thinking I could point out to Gandalf, that as a man of my profession in perhaps the most prestigous house in Hobbiton, I had already seen, in a sense, much of the best that Middle Earth has to offer. Indeed I do believe, I thought, that by remaining behind to maintain Mr Frodo’s garden, I would be assisting in the preservation of one of the finest old gardens in the Shire. Of course it would have been rather presumptuous, a man of my position, to express this thought in the presence of such a distinguished wizard as Gandalf the Grey. Instead, I contented myself by replying simply, “I have already seen the best of Middle Earth, right here in the Shire.”