Was Huan a traitor?

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Galadriel

Sometimes, one needs to break vows in order to do what's right.

A agree but I think there is both truth and danger in what you say "AS WORDED" since it leaves unsaid what is "RIGHT".

In Tolkien's creation there was a hierarchy of authority - with "right" ultimately deriving from Eru, the One. We don't see him referenced much (tho he does sneak in even to the Trilogy in a side reference) because the Valar were his appointed vice-regents in Arda.

The clearest (I think) addressing of the question of "what is right" in direct language comes in a dialog just before the Downfall of Numenor when Amandil proposes to sail into the west to plead with the Valar (from "The Akallabeth")...

• Elendil: Would you then betray the King?
• Amandil: If I thought that Manwe needed any such messenger I would betray the King. For there is but one loyalty from which no man can be absolved in heart for any cause.

I would say that Huan made a judgment that in attempting to kill Beren, Celegorm had placed him in a position where he was no longer able to justly "walk the line" between loyalty to master and ultimate loyalty to Eru (tho he may not have thought it in just those terms).