On page 258 Roac says "I will not say if this counsel will be good or bad but I will do what can be done."What do you think that means?!
In my book (the little green one) it says on page 260 "Also I would beg of you, if any of you are still young and strong of wing, that you would send messagers to our kin in the mountains of the North, both west of here and east, and tell them of our plight. But go specially to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well-armed, and dwells nearest to this place. Bid him hasten!" and then Roac says " I will not say if this counsel will be good or bad but I will do what can be done." so I think it means he doesn't know if he should send messengers to Thorin's family because he isn't sure if the outcome will be good or bad (he probably thinks that more soldiers will just lead to more deaths and more fighting), but he will do it anyway.
On page 258 Roac says "I will not say if this counsel will be good or bad but I will do what can be done."What do you think that means?!
I think he's saying that he won't choose sides... Because on 280 in my book, Thorin says... "If you would earn our thanks still more, bring us news of any who draw near" So basically he's asking Roac to take their side and help them. So Roac is saying he's not going to tell Thorin if what their doing is wrong, he'll just help out anyway and remain neutral.