How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Two Towers.
Quote #7
GANDALF: The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits, somewhere in the wilderness.
Gandalf knows that the war against Sauron cannot be won. They prevailed at Helm's Deep, but eventually Sauron will overpower them. They fight only to hold off Sauron until the Ring can be destroyed. All of this fighting, all of this death, it will only matter if the hobbits manage to get the Ring to Mount Doom. Unlikely might be an understatement.