[thatmariolover]

Haha. You guys are funny. READ THE BOOKS! They're SO good. I personally haven't read the Silmarilion yet. My brother (Gambit if anybody remembers him), has read it.

Much earlier in Gandalf's life he befriended the Great Eagles. I believe the story was that their king or leader was injured and Gandalf saved him (little fuzzy). So the Eagle's leader was forever in his debt.

First time the debt was repaid (possible (not serious) spoiler for the Hobbit):
In the Hobbit many of the characters (including Bilbo and Gandalf) were chased up a tree by giant wolves. Somehow the trees caught fire near the bottom (I think) and the Great Eagles came and saved them.End Spoiler

Second time the Eagles helped:
In the Two Towers that butterfly (or was it a butterfly hummingbird?) came to him and Gandalf asked it to ask the Great Eagles for help). So the Eagle

Third time the Eagles helped:
In the Return of the King (to the best of my knowledge) Gandalf had sent word to the Eagles that help might be needed. Although, I don't recall them fighting off the Nazgul. But they did save Sam and Frodo.


What Happened to Saruman? Heh heh. Well, actually that's quite a long story. Almost the entire last third of The Return of the King book explains what happened to Saruman.


Kind of A SUPER SPOILER FOR RETURN OF THE KING BOOK
About 2/3 the way through the book the ring was destroyed and the Hobbits went on their way home. But upon arriving in the Shire, they find a huge guards tower blocking their way and nobody will let them in because it's night. Well, of course, after the ordeal they've been through they ignore they warning and go through anyway. But somebody has almost completely taken control of the law. Guess who? Saruman. Read the book to find out how it all turns out.