he is guarding the gate as part payment for the druids letting them stay in the grove... thats how i read the senario

the blowhard part is because of a race issue i.e, horns = bad in his eyes, it has nothing to do with the grove or running for their lives... the guy is just a dick


Luke Skywalker: I don't, I don't believe it.
Yoda: That is why you failed.