Ulmo and the Ring War

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

But why was helping Gandalf on their agenda? I have offered suitable context for their miraculous aid. And it was miraculous was it not? Consider: why would a large group of Eagles suddenly appear at precisely the right time, thousands of miles from their home range, and in Mordor of all places? How did the Eagles know precisely where to go? It really doesn't add up -- unless they were sent by some divine agency. One thought might be Radagast, as he sent an Eagle to Orthanc, but that was coincidental, and it was not sent to aid Gandalf; in addition, Radagast is never shown to help the cause in any other sense thereafter, nor was he in council with the Western allies (perhaps deservedly Saruman characterizes him as rather thick). So, then logically they must have been sent by someone else.

Also, where in any text did it say the Eagles were interested in aiding the Heir of Numenor? They could care less for mortal men (except for stealing their sheep). The Eagles only offered assistance to Gandalf. And in the quotes I offered in a previous post, it seems reasonable (lets not use the word realistic, this is after all a fantasy) that Manwë was still able to influence matters in Arda. And it is not out of the realm of possibility, given the fact that he sent the Istari on their mission in the first place. Remember, it was Manwë and Nienna who chose Olorin over his objections, and it seems likely that it was Manwë who chose to ressurrect Gandalf after his battle with the Balrog, thereby directly influencing the final outcome of the War.

I have to admit, the appearance of the eagles at the Battle of 5 Armies and (more so) at the Morannen, always struck me as Deus ex Machina. This is the only part of Tolkien's writings with which I've ever taken exception.