1. Why do you think the Eagles' head Eagle was
called "chief"? Why wouldn't the Eagles stay among the people they've
just saved/befriended? And why do you think the Eagles accepted gifts of
gold?
I agree with what others have said about accepting the gift from Dain--Dain is
demonstrating that he will not be grasping with the gold and the chief of the
eagles is acknowledging that gesture. As to why he is called the "chief", I
wonder how much anyone, even Gandalf, knows about eagle society and government?
Maybe the use of alternative terms for the leader reflects the vagueness of
outsiders' knowledge?
I think the eagles take off because there is no reason for them to hang around.
What would they do? Feast with the other four armies? On what? What does one
serve at a dinner for men, elves, dwarves, eagles and Beorn? And I doubt they
are much into small talk. They could stick around to help rebuild Laketown and
Dale, but the eagles generally concern themselves with loftier tasks.
2. Bilbo's wistful wish to see the Eagles again
reminds me very much of something from LotR-I think it's Sam's desire to see
the elves again, but it might be Bilbo's own desire to see the misty mountains
again-or his desire to see the ring "one last time". I can't put my
finger on it (or my book). Can anyone find a parallel?
It reminds me of Merry and Pippin's last meeting with Treebeard, although the
two incidents are not really parallel. But I think Bilbo would like to say
goodbye to these inscrutable forces of nature, and to have them indicate that
they noticed and even liked and respected him. Merry and Pippin get that from
Treebeard.
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Note to the Chronologically Gifted: Get your kids to show you how to use a chat program and join the crones and geezers at #Bag_End (a channel off Barlman's) Sundays at 2pm Pacific Time. Be there and be square.
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I don't hold with wearing ironmongery, whether it wears well or no.
