Riddles in the Downs

[Garen LiLorian]

Huh. I hadn't even considered the possibility of winning and thus, having to come up with a riddle. Ah well. I've posted this before, but it was a long, long time ago... so no using the search function to cheat, 'kay?


My treachery leads to your great deeds,
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm.
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to.
My protection lasts only tonight.

Who am I, and who am I talking to? Extra kudos if you can tell me when. (It is LotR related)

[The Might]

Well, the only idea I had was Saruman and Lotho

My treachery leads to your great deeds, - it was through Saruman's treachery that
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm. - the ruffians locked Lobelia up
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to. - not really sure what is meant by this
My protection lasts only tonight. - he then ordered Grima to kill him

[Garen LiLorian]

'Fraid not. Also, this riddle is pretty obscure... 'because of me you had to' especially is a bit of a stretch.

[Elmo]

Is it Sauron talking to Gollum?

My treachery leads to your great deeds, - the treachery of Sauron by betraying the Elven Smiths creating the one ring led to Gollum getting it so he can perform his great deeds
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm. - Sauron's ring led to Gollum getting cast from his family
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to. - This could mean either when the Orcs sprung Gollum from the Elves or when he allowed Gollum to walk free of Mordor.
My protection lasts only tonight. - Sauron rescued Gollum from the Elves but if he if ever caught by Orcses he will get killed

[Garen LiLorian]

I like this answer, but it isn't right.
"Protection lasts only tonight" means quite literally only one specific night.

[Gil-Galad]

Melkor to Hurin


My treachery leads to your great deeds, - without Melkor betraying the Valar, Hurin might not have accomplished what he did
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm. - killed Hurins relatives, but did not kill Hurin
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to. - Hurin escaped from Angband, and melkor let him
My protection lasts only tonight. - Melkor allowed Hurin to travel his lands after he left, but once caught he'll be killed

[Garen LiLorian]

Another great but wrong answer. I think you guys are far cleverer than I am. Again, 'protection lasts only tonight' refers to one literal night, not simply a short space of time.

[Gil-Galad]

Saruman to Gandalf?

My treachery leads to your great deeds, - without saruman betraying, gandalf might not have turned into the white
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm. - seperated gandalf from frodo and radagast and so on
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to. - saruman's greivance with sauron allowed gandalf more leeway
My protection lasts only tonight. - gave Gandalf a day to join him


i'll give a better guess later

[The Might]

Maybe Gollum speaking to Frodo just before Shelob's Lair:

My treachery leads to your great deeds, - it was Gollum's treachery as he first stole the Ring from Deagol that eventually lead to Frodo's great deeds
I've broken your family, then protected you from harm. - it was because of him that Bilbo found the Ring and was changed by it
Because of me you safely escaped, because of me you had to. - with Gollum's help Frodo managed to get so far, but because of Gollum he faced many dangers as well
My protection lasts only tonight. - makes sense, since next morning they reached Shelob's Lair and Gollum had made up his mind about Frodo's fate