Frodo or Sam?

[TrackerOrc]

With all due respect, I think that there can be different kinds of friendships. For instance, Aragorn and Éomer were good friends, and yet they still called each other "Lord". But then Meradioc and Peregrin just call each other "Merry" and "Pip". And yet both of these friendships are good.
If you will permit me to draw an example from a book that Tolkien hated, then in Dune Gurney Halleck is a very close friend to Duke Leto Atreides, despite the fact that Halleck is also his servant. And yet Gurney continues to call Leto "my lord". I haven't come under the impression that this hampers their friendship.
Or, for instance, in 451 Farenhieght Guy Montag is friends with Faber while also respecting him as one much older than himself.
Also, I think that Sam thought of Frodo more as of an older brother or a father than as of a friend, and yet this does not neccisarilly hinder their friendship. In fact, I think that it is a crucial part of it, just as it is unimaginable for Gurney and Leto Atreides to be friends without Gurney calling Leto "Lord" and having proper respect for him.

Some really interesting points there Idril.
I think that I see Sam and Frodo as being more unequal in their relationship than your other examples, whilst still having the greatest love and respect for each other. As other forum members have posited, Sam can be seen as Frodo's batman, with great respect and love and intimacy in the relationship, whilst there still being a class barrier between them.
Argorn and Eomer were much more of an equal, both being kings (though Aragorn was far the greater in stature), whilst Merry and Pippin were both basically identical as to their social standing in the Shire.
Yes, Gurney and Leto are extremely good friends whilst still keeping a respectful attitude (from both partners in the relationship); perhaps this is somehow bound up with the military aspect of their characters? This could actually apply to Aragorn and Eomer now I think of it?