[Lotrelf]

I think they all had faith. Strong faith. Valar had "plan", and probably Gandalf was aware of it to some degree. As for the start Fellowship remaining together, no was bound to the quest. No catastrophe was going to take place. And I cannot not think Gandalf was planning to enter Mordor. As Inzil said he could be spotted by Sauron and his minions. I don't think Gandalf was going to risk that(it would have turned out to be Sauron's victory). According to Gandalf the whole quest of destruction of the Ring thing was a 'fool's hope'. They all believed in "[doing] something is better than [doing] nothing." So they tried to do their best having faith in the higher power. Also, things "by chance" turned out to be right. It was all about a plan but of Higher Authority. :3