Gandalf's First Sacrifice

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Yes, I agree. But it's just this "why to make it complicated when it can be easy". If Eru is omniscient, then the Eagles just would have come in time, whatever would have happened. But I know what you mean.

Isn't that actually a bad thing? If this deus ex machina can suddenly drop on from a height and save our Hero whenever he's in a sticky situation, then doesn't that ruin the story? Not only does he not have to find the cunning way out of adversity but he can also do pretty much anything with no worries about getting harmed.

A device like that can put a Hero into some morally thorny situations too. If it so happens that whenever you're in danger someone/thing saves you, then questions start being asked about whether you should do more to help others. This was a point addressed in the recent series of Torchwood where Captain Jack, who cannot be killed, is seen not to be wholly moral as he does not fear putting others in mortal peril.

I prefer to think that the Valar intervened to help out 'one of their own' without any intervention from Eru and without any knowledge of Gandalf's future importance as it throws the rest of the story into moral jeopardy as Gandalf gets into many situations where he gets others into danger or could help more - if this deus ex machina to save him really exists.

As a 'one time only service' it works - Gandalf being sent back by Eru after being killed by the Balrog must be that one time. And after all, it's not the only time Eagles have come to help him.