Generals and armies

[Firefoot]

Farael - interesting thoughts and an interesting thread, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

From "The Passing of the Grey Company":

"All is well," said Aragorn, turning back. "Here are some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they are come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us."
"I have thirty with me," said Halbarad. "That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have riden with us, desiring to go to war."

Okay, so about thirty men go with Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead to Minas Tirith. I highly doubt that any more men showed up after this, as it would have been mentioned. Two or three hundred men would have been a pretty big deal.

Also, even barring that, it wouldn't make sense that the Dunedain would have soldiers with them. They're a scattered, dwindling people, generally scorned by the men of the north and unknown by men of the south. Where are they going to get an army from? As for Elladan and Elrohir, if they had brought an army with them I certainly think it would have been significant enough to mention. We wouldn't just be talking some more troops here, we'd be talking about Elvish troops - unexpected and unusual. As other people have commented about Tolkien's style, it would be extremely strange for him not to have mentioned this - if not upon their arrival, then upon the specific organizing of troops in the Last Debate.