Quote Originally Posted by Radhruin_EU View Post
Where did I say fate guides all? As Gandalf didn't know what was going to happen (only Iluvatar did), he could only have faith that things would turn out for the best. He could be afflicted by doubt at times, or be as surprised as anyone else at the way things turned out. All he got was the occasional bit of foresight, just an intuition, that if he did something specific then some good might come of it (like getting Thorin to take a hobbit with him to Erebor).
Agree completely...

..and more broadly, as in he may have known that he would not bring down the WK, but that doesn't mean a conflict wouldn't occur at the gates.