Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
I don't know about the earlier part but the Eagles wouldn't go closer because they are afraid of the dragon.
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Also, in the book, Gandalf doesn't summon the Eagles. They just happen by and check out what the commotion is about. They save Gandalf and the dwarves and take them back to the Eagles' airie and give them food but kind of stay aloof from the dwarves. It's implied in the book that they saved them because the Eagles hate the Goblins and not because they love dwarves. Flying with a load across Mirkwood into dangerous dragon territory would be a lot to ask. They end up just sending the dwarves on their way from that point.
However, the Eagles do present a major plot hole in the way they are portrayed in both the LoTR and The Hobbit.