Instead of sending an almost doomed fellowship into Mordor with little hope of success, why didn't they decide at The Council of Elrond to employ one of the Eagles to ferry the Ring into Mordor? They are swifter, sure-sighted, and could certainly bear a hobbit thence, if necessary. Gwaihir was ever a friend to Gandalf and an enemy of Melkor/Sauron. I'm sure they could have gotten to the Cracks of Doom and probably even escaped, thereby eliminating the need for such a bloody, hopeless war.
Could it have something to do with Radagast's loyalty to Saruman?
Disclaimer: I am aware that without the doomed Fellowship the books would not exist and therefore this question would be irrelevent. I also know that LOTR is a work of fiction.
2006-11-14 04:43:59 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The Eagles, in Tolkien's mythology, are the messengers of the gods (see The Silmarillion), and cannot be "ordered" or "employed" by any mortal or semi-mortal. They act only upon their judgement and upon that of the gods. The filmmaker Peter Jackson also insisted that "the Eagles are not to be used as Middle-Earth taxis."
It is a common theme in Celtic literature that problems created by mortals must be solved by mortals. True, Sauron was a demi-god, but the Rings were the invention of mortal Elves/Men/Dwarves, so therefore the responsibility of destroying the One Ring was their responsibility. Also, the Silmarillion makes the point that while the Creator allows bad things to happen, it is all part of his master plan, and the darkness of war allows courage and faith to shine out all the brighter.
Sidenote: I don't recall Radagast being "loyal" to Saruman, nor having any control over the Eagles; he was a pawn of Saruman's and a friend to all winged creatures.
Thanks for an intelligent question! One of the few I've seen here on Yahoo Answers.
2006-11-14 06:36:22 · answer #1 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The eagle would have easily been found by the Nazgul.
It would be like putting a spot light on the ring.
2006-11-14 14:25:25 · answer #2 · answered by Paula 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that Snow White tasted the tainted fruit, of course!
2006-11-14 12:49:33 · answer #3 · answered by Bob 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was Frodo's destiny to go to Mordor. It was the Ring's destiny to be brought by Frodo. It was between them I think
2006-11-14 13:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was in the middle of a very ugly labor strike. Neither side was willing to negotiate...
2006-11-14 13:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by mreheather6 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the mail carrier's creed does not include Balrogs or orcs.
2006-11-14 12:46:50 · answer #6 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't think eagles can become overcome by dark rings and become dark lords.
2006-11-14 16:17:02 · answer #7 · answered by nicole b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could've easily been intercepted
2006-11-14 13:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by ~Pitbull 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋