>>14385538Gandalf was apparently calling in a massive favour from the eagles every time he asked them for a ride. The eagles did not want to get involved in the war whatsoever, but they thought Gandalf was a cool enough guy that they were willing to help get him out of a couple pinches, nothing more. There was no way he could have convinced them to carry the party or even the ring all the way. They were only even willing to violate Mordor airspace after Sauron was defeated.
