If you’ve spent any time in the Sarah J. Maas fandom, you know the name. It’s usually whispered like a prayer or shouted through digital tears on TikTok. Sam Cortland. The boy who loved the world’s most dangerous girl before she was a queen, before she was Fae, and before she had a "mate" to protect her.
Honestly, he’s one of the most polarizing figures in the Throne of Glass series. You either think he’s the ultimate "one who got away" or you find him a bit of a boring placeholder.
But here’s the thing: Sam isn't just a tragic backstory. He is the entire foundation for who Aelin Galathynius became. Without Sam, the girl who walked out of the Endovier salt mines would have been a hollow shell. He didn't just teach her how to love; he taught her how to survive herself.
The Rivalry That Wasn't
People often forget that Sam and Celaena Sardothien started out as bitter rivals. We’re talking "I’ll kill you if you touch my breakfast" energy. In the early stories of The Assassin’s Blade, they were the two best assassins in the Guild, fighting for the attention and approval of Arobynn Hamel.
Sam was the "second best." He lived in Celaena’s shadow for years, enduring her arrogance and her flair for the dramatic. It would have been easy for him to resent her. Many characters in the series do. Instead, Sam saw through the swagger. He knew the girl behind the mask was just as broken and scared as he was.
While Celaena was busy being the Adarlan’s Assassin, Sam was being... well, a person. He was the moral anchor. Think about the mission to Skull's Bay. When they realize Arobynn is getting involved in the slave trade, it’s Sam’s visceral disgust that pushes Celaena to act. He wouldn't let her look away. That’s the core of their dynamic: Sam was the conscience she tried so hard to bury.
Why Sam Cortland Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a character who dies before the first book even officially starts. It's simple. Sam is the origin of the series' most famous mantra: "My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid."
Later, Celaena adopts it. It becomes her shield. But it started with him—a boy trying to comfort himself in the dark.
The Arobynn Connection
There is a massive theory that still floats around fan forums: was Arobynn actually Sam’s father? We know Sam’s mother was Arobynn’s favorite courtesan. We know Arobynn "rescued" Sam after his mother was murdered. The timeline fits, and Arobynn’s possessiveness over Sam (in a twisted, "I own you" way) mirrors his obsession with Celaena.
Whether they were blood-related or not, the betrayal is just as sharp. Arobynn didn't just have Sam killed. He had him destroyed. Rourke Farran, the sadistic torturer, spent days on him.
The most heartbreaking detail? Sam’s last words were "I love you." He wasn't thinking about revenge. He wasn't thinking about the Guild. He was just thinking about her.
The "Soulmate" Debate
Let’s get into the messy stuff. You’ve probably seen the arguments: was Sam her true soulmate, or was it always Rowan?
This is where the fandom gets spicy. Some fans argue that Sam and Celaena were perfect because they were human. They didn't have the "mate bond" to force them together. They chose each other. They bought a house. They bought soap that smelled like lavender. They planned a life in the Southern Continent where they’d just be normal people.
Others say Sam was a "puppy." That he was too soft. That he never could have handled the fire-breathing bitch-queen version of Aelin.
Here is the nuance most people miss: Sam loved Celaena. Rowan loves Aelin. They are the same person, yes, but at totally different stages of life. Sam was the love she needed when she was a prisoner of the Guild. He was the first person to show her unconditional kindness. Rowan is the partner she needs to rule a kingdom. One doesn't invalidate the other.
What Really Happened in Those Final Hours?
The death of Sam Cortland is the most traumatic event in the prequel novellas. It’s also the most misunderstood.
- The Trap: Sam went after Rourke Farran alone because he wanted to secure their freedom. He thought he was being the hero.
- The Betrayal: Arobynn tipped off Farran. He literally handed Sam to a torturer because he "doesn't like to share his belongings."
- The Discovery: When Celaena finds his body, he is unrecognizable. This is the moment "Celaena" dies and the person who eventually becomes the Queen of Terrasen begins to form.
Some fans used to think Sam’s death was faked. There were theories about a "different scent" on the body. But Sarah J. Maas has been pretty blunt about this: Sam is dead. 100%. He’s not coming back through a Wyrdgate.
Actionable Insights for Your Re-read
If you’re going back through the series, keep an eye out for the "Sam echoes." They are everywhere.
- Watch the scents: Every time Aelin smells jasmine or lemon or anything reminiscent of her time in Rifthold, look for the mention of Sam.
- The music: There are specific pieces of music she plays that are tied to him.
- The mantra: Pay attention to when she says "I will not be afraid." Is she saying it as Aelin, or is she reaching back to the girl who sat in a sewer with Sam?
Sam Cortland’s legacy isn't just a sad ending. It’s the proof that even in a world of magic and monsters, the most powerful thing you can do is be kind to someone who thinks they don't deserve it. He changed the course of Erilea not with a sword, but by being the first person to truly see the girl behind the assassin.
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To honor Sam's memory properly, next time you're reading The Assassin's Blade, don't rush to the ending. Spend time with the moments where they're just two teenagers trying to figure out how to be free. That's where the real story is.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Go back and read The Assassin and the Empire specifically to track the transition of the "I will not be afraid" mantra.
- Compare the "domestic" scenes of Sam and Celaena in their apartment to Aelin and Rowan’s later interactions to see how her definition of "home" evolves.