LotR -- Book 3 - Chapter 07 - Helm's Deep

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Essex

I know Aragorn argues with Theoden before this on Gandalf's whereabouts and seems to cling to hope that Gandalf will arrive somehow, but to me, I read this as a false hope ...

A small hope perhaps, but not a false hope. Then again, there was little hope of the Ring Quest succeeding and Gandalf knew (and said) as much. Aragorn has proved a worthy student of Gandalf since, like Gandalf does with the Ring Quest (and most particularly when he sacrifices himself for the sake of the Felowship in Moria), he is putting his faith in hope. Indeed, he is living up to the name that his mother gave him.