April 23, 2002

Re: Eagles Again
Fernando the Quenya Learner

Okay, Renee, here's a complete and total answer (hopefully) to your questions as
per why Frodo and Gandalf didn't just hop on an Eagle and fly off to Mordor.

Ahem.

If you've read the Silmarillion, the Eagles are referred to as The Heralds of
Manwe (the head Valar). They are totally at Manwe's calling and therefore only
do what he says. Gwaihir was probably responding to Manwe's commands when
he flew down and picked up Gandalf after his resurrection.

The key to this is understanding that. At the Council of Elrond, Glordindel suggests
that they send the Ring over the Sea (i.e., send it to the Valar and keep it forever
out of Sauron's reach). Elrond dismisses this suggestion, saying "And they who
dwell beyond the Sea would not receive it for good or for ill, it belongs to Middle-
Earth; it is for us who still dwell here to deal with it".

Manwe obviously wants those that inhabit Middle-Earth to bear the responsibility
for its dealings; it's been that way ever since the Hiding of Valinor (after the
downfall of the Numenoreans). He himself does not want to get directly involved.
It follows that the Eagles would follow suit with their master.

I hope this clears things up!