LoTR Discussion project; Book II Chapters 9 and 10

[BeardofPants]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

I doubt any eagle would be under Sauron's or Saruman's control. Although that makes me wonder why seeing the eagle disturbed the Fellowship so much that they stuck to traveling in the dark...

To be honest, I never really picked up on this when previously reading through this chapter. It was only when writing up the summary that I began to notice smaller details like this. And I agree; I find it very hard to believe that any eagles would be under the dominion of Sauron. It IS perplexing that Aragorn is so visibly worried by the appearance of the Eagle. I can only imagine that he was rattled by other things, which in turn had turned him into an ever wary traveller.

Originally Posted by Earniel

I think Minas Tirith may have been a golden trap.

Yes, I think you are likely right. Concentrating all their forces from Minas Tirith would have been disastrous, IMO. The very nature of how the Fellowship split meant that the battle was in turn fought on many fronts, all acting as nice little distractions for the Ring-bearer, and his friend.