Riddles in the Downs

[The Might]

Maybe the Witch-king?

I'm as dark as night, - just like other Nazgul
I run far from light, - they all didn't like light
spell is upon me - spell of Sauron
as you will now see. - dunno what to say here
You'll beat me, I know - the prophecy about his death
but I bring the woe: - clear
your friend is now lost, - perhaps Theoden
but that was the cost.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I have to disappoint you, unfortunately, for one more time - but these are all valiant attempts, hope is never lost, as we know from the Professor's work! The answer is not correct, but I bring a gleam of good hope for those who are doomed to use their own brains I'll use the thing you mentioned in your post, TM: "as you will now see" has its meaning as well, and quite important in this case (it is not there just to make a rhyme). Try to put it together with the rest of the riddle.

And, one more hint. The words "I run far from light" can have more than one interpretation. This is the beauty of English language. [cryptic-looking smilie needed]

[Gil-Galad]

I'm as dark as night,
I run far from light,
spell is upon me
as you will now see.
You'll beat me, I know
but I bring the woe:
your friend is now lost,
but that was the cost.


hmm... i have many ideas that all fit... but again with legates emphasis on interpating the meanings they are lost... but i shall list them, if any are right, then i will explain them

Frodo
Angalcon(sorta)
Maeglin


the "you'll beat me, i know" part keeps me wondering... i first thought of Malbeth the Seer, but then i think of Aragorn...and when i think of aragorn i think of Boromir, so

Aragorn
Boromir

ask me to explain any of them legate, i will, for now i shall just post them and let you say yes or no

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

no
no
no

no
no

So, only if it seemed that you don't know why something of it is not right, post it and I'll explain. Otherwise, I can only advise you to try to find an answer which fits well with all the things in the riddle (as always).

P.S. And for everyone: if any of you thinks he is on track (or thinks he is totally out of track) and wants a hint, please ask for it, because I don't want to spoil it to you by telling too much when you want to come to it by yourselves, and on the other hand, I don't want you to drown in puzzles when you'd appreciate a hint.

[Shards of Narsil]

Could it be Morgoth, and the "you" refer to Hurin or Turin?

I'm as dark as night - Morgoth was dark, bad, etc.
I run far from light - always stayed hidden in Thangorodrim
spell is upon me - he is right now cast into the void, he could also cast a spell
as you will now see - Hurin could "see" the results of Morgoth's curse
you'll beat me I know - the prophesy of Turin beating Morgoth in the final battle
but I bring the woe - exactly
your friend is now lost - could refer to Huor if its Hurin, or Beleg if it's Turin, although Huor was actually Hurin's brother, not friend
but that was the cost - not sure, maybe this line just completes the rhyme.

[mhagain]

May I guess Gurthang?

I'm as dark as night, - black sword, obviously
I run far from light, - I don't get this bit
spell is upon me - it's obviously enchanted by Eol, as it could talk
as you will now see. - filler stuff
You'll beat me, I know - it eventually broke
but I bring the woe: - while killing Turin
your friend is now lost, - obvious reference to Beleg
but that was the cost. - generic reference to Turin's doom

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I welcome every valiant riddler to this riddling contest!

But unfortunately, for both of you, I am sorry to disappoint you, but neither of your answers is correct. I think the main mistake everyone makes here is to skip something saying "this is here probably just to fill the gaps". Everything has its place here. If there were anything you could possibly ignore, it would be the words "I know" (at the end of "you'll beat me, I know"). These are there mainly for the rhyme, are not important for the riddle, but also are not contradictory to the riddle. They just don't matter. (well, this might maybe help someone)

But besides that,
EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THE RIDDLE HAS ITS PLACE THERE.
Some more important, some less, but if it contradicts your theories about the answer, you can bet that it's the answer, and not the riddle, which is wrong.

[mhagain]

Alright then, I'm going out on a limb and guessing that it's Luthien's Hair Addressing The Two Remaining Silmarils In The Iron Crown

I'm as dark as night, - Luthien had dark hair
I run far from light, - her hair obviously ended up very far from light
spell is upon me - she enchanted her hair
as you will now see. - and wasn't afraid to demonstrate the fact
You'll beat me, I know - she eventually died on account of her fairness when wearing the Silmaril burned her out
but I bring the woe: - which she did to Thingol
your friend is now lost, - the Silmaril they stole
but that was the cost. - the cost of beating her

This riddle is actually very very enjoyable.