LotR3-RotK-Seq23

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Originally Posted by Essex

re the Eagles. Notice Gandalf is on the first eagle, and that the third eagle is 'riderless' and indeed looks around for someone to pick up but finds no one. Therefore, and maybe it's mentioned in a book or on the DVD, but I do reckon Gandalf went with three Eagles for the 3 'hobbits'.........

Regardless of whether we speak of the books or the movies, just how does Gandalf know if there are any survivors - especially in the movies where we have Gandalf continually relying on others for information (Saruman, Aragorn)? Clearly Gandalf went to look for any survivors, and the eagles, in battle, flew out in their battle group (a 'wing') of three - one to look and the two others to guard the flanks.