@RikerGoogling Because Sauron had the flying fell beasts the Nazgûl rode. The Eye of Sauron would have spotted an airborne ring coming (normally it was concealed by ground clutter/distance) and had the Nazgûl ready to intercept, kill the Eagles and recover the ring. Gandalf knew this and did not try. Deception and an unthinkable covert Op to destroy it was the only viable option. #LotR

@DarlaDonna @RikerGoogling Plus, the Eagles aren’t beasts of burden. They’re fully sentient, intelligent creatures who help Gandalf because they want to, not because he controls them. They were willing to fly in for a rescue mission but didn’t want to make themselves long-term targets.