prokopetz:

prokopetz:

All fanwank aside, never forget that Tolkien’s actual, ostensibly canonical explanation for why the Fellowship didn’t just ride the Eagles to Mordor is basically “because the Eagles are huge assholes” – and given Middle-Earth’s demonstrable track record with trusting people in positions of authority to do anything constructive, that’s probably not an unreasonable concern!

@siliquasquama replied:

The eagles used to be pals with Manwë himself. They used to guard
GONDOLIN. Ferrying a bunch of people hither and thither is beneath them.

… and the fact that they’d regard literally saving the world as beneath their dignity is a big part of why they’re huge assholes.