The Hunter (creature)
From Tolkien Gateway
The Hunter was a shadowy creature of Elvish legend, said to have plagued the newly-awakened Elves at Cuiviénen. Those Elves captured by the Hunter were thought to have been corrupted by Melkor to form the race of Orcs.[1]
Perhaps the Hunter was one of the "shadows and evil spirits" sent by Melkor to spy upon and harass the Quendi.[1] The Hunter may also have been Melkor himself in an attempt to deceive the Elves into thinking that Oromë were in fact evil.
See also
