Every year on September 29th, Samwise Gamgee lights a candle. It’s nothing special really - just a short, white candle that sits on the mantle between the portraits of old Bilbo’s mother and father. He lights it in honor of his former master.

Frodo Baggins sailed away to the Undying Lands that day on September 29th. Sam watched him sail away and stayed long after the ship disappeared into the horizon.

In Gondor, it is a custom to keep a flame burning for a master who has passed. It was at Frodo’s request that he keep the custom, but the request did not sit well with Sam. He knew Frodo has not passed away and hoped that would not happen for a very long time.

Sam keeps the custom, but only because his Mr. Frodo told him too. He lights the candle every September 29th for Frodo. Then he sits in the armchair in front of the hearth, and watches the flame flicker on the portraits above, recalling the days when his master was there.