That's what Legolas and Gimli seem to be engaged in. They start this game
to keep their spirits up and keep going. (It's kind of like getting
through gross anatomy class. Not all the things said in that room are
respectful of the dead. But you do it to get through without thinking too
much about what you're actually doing.)
I think that Gandalf knows a lot more than we think about Isengard's
fate. He leaves most of the explanation out so that the others can see
for themselves and also form their opinions by themselves, without Gandalf's
"spin". It's a way for the reader to see the pure reactions.
In particular, part of the victory Theoden had over Saruman was his personal
victory over the "voice". It would have been diminished if Gandalf had
told him all that had happened... "OK now Isengard is destroyed by the Ents...
Those big things over there... Sary is really upset but he's still dangerous,
keep your guard up, don't let everything you see throw you..."
What do you think? Does that make
sense?
