All posts by Jamoth McGowan

I can't remember if the whole poem is inscribed on the ring or just 2 lines (which seems more reasonable, given its size). From what I remember, those two lines are something like

"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them.

One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."

I think the Mouth of Sauron is quite hideous as well

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."

There are a few reasons I've heard given for why the eagles didn't assist them.

1. The eagles are very proud and powerful creatures. They would have been easily corrupted by the ring. It would be unsafe for the same reason that giving it to Galadriel would be unsafe. That's why they only show up after the ring has been destroyed

2. The eagles only answer to Mandos (edit: actually, it was probably Manwë), and only helped Gandalf because a favor their leader owed him (something about healing an arrow wound). The eagles have helped Gandalf 3 times that I can remember, so this one doesn't hold quite as much water, but I guess it still kinda works.

3. Sauron could've easily defended Mordor from them. He would have seen them coming, and could have sent the Nazgul on their fell beasts to counter them, and surely had plenty of archers. Plus, who knows what of his own power he could use to fight them? This also works in conjunction with the first reason, and fits as far as why they only showed up after the destruction of the ring

He saved the 4 hobbits twice, I'd say that's a pretty good contribution. But no, he doesn't show up for long. Tolkien's enigma