I wrote this medley of hopeful tidings for a friend who loves LOTR like me. He seemed very discouraged, and this was a discreet way of (maybe) cheering him up without seeming forward. Obviously, the first part is Samwise's speech in "The Two Towers", and I do not own it.

"I can't do this Sam."

"I know! It's all wrong! By rights we shouldn't even be here... But we are.

"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Dark, and full of danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end, for how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was before when so much bad had happened?

"But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.

"Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why.

"But I think I do understand now, Mr. Frodo. Folk in those stories had lots o' chances o' turnin' back, only they didn't, they kept goin', 'cause they were holdin' on to something."

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"

"That there's still some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for."

It was a discouraging night. Aragorn, disheartened, was sitting on the stairs in front of the king's dwelling in Helm's Deep. He knew it was impossible to defeat the large number of Uruk-hai about to besiege Helm's Deep. There was no hope. Everywhere, he saw signs of war, yet nowhere could he find any sign of a face ready for the upcoming clash, or a smile on any young man's face, eager for his first battle. Aragorn saw only despair. From the oldest man to the youngest boy, no one was expecting anything but certain death. Aragorn's hopes were no higher. Spying a boy who looked nervous, as usual, Aragorn said,

"Give me your sword." The boy did so willingly, flattered that such a great lord would take notice of him. However, it didn't lift his spirits much. The battle looming ahead was hanging like a dagger over his head. "What is your name?" asked Aragorn.

"Haleth, son of Hama." the boy answered hesitantly. Then, wishing to share his fears with someone, and fearing his wish would be dashed, he said, "The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless." Aragorn began to swing the sword, first to test it, and then vigorously to vent his anger. Yes, it was hopeless. All these men and boys would be dead when it was all over. There was no chance of them ever coming home. Uruk-hai were ruthless. All these men... Suddenly, he remembered a conversation he'd had with Arwen. He was traveling with her brothers to slay orcs in the north. It was said that there were many hundreds. The chance of survival was slim. He poured out his heart to her, telling her his fear. Her words he had forgotten until now. It lit a spark of hope in him, and the night seemed not so dark. He realized the boy, Haleth, was watching him.

"This is a good sword, Haleth son of Hama." said Aragorn . He decided to impart Arwen's words to the boy, hoping to ease his fear. Leaning down to him, Aragorn whispered in his ear, "There is always hope."

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. - Psalm 31:24