Hunter and Rider

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And indeed the most ancient songs of the Elves, of which echoes are remembered still in the West, tell of the shadow-shapes that walked in the hills above Cuiviénen, or would pass suddenly over the stars; and of the dark Rider upon his wild horse that pursued those that wandered to take them and devour them.

J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"

The Hunter and the Rider were shadowy creatures of Elvish legends, said to have plagued the newly-awakened Elves at Cuiviénen. The true identities of the Hunter and the Rider is unknown. The legend could have had its source in lies spread by Melkor about Oromë, in an attempt to deceive the Elves into thinking that he was evil. It is also possible that the Hunter and the Rider were some of the "shadows and evil spirits" sent by Melkor to spy upon and harass the Quendi, some Maiar loyal to Melkor, or even Melkor himself.

History

Melkor was the first of the Ainur to know of the Awakening of the Elves. He sent Úmaiar to trouble and hinder the first Elves at Cuiviénen. Any elves that wandered away from the larger group were captured by the servants of Melkor, and taken to Utumno. The spirit or spirits who captured the wandering elves were known in the legends of the Elves as the Hunter. The ancient legends also told of a Rider on horseback who pursued and devoured elves. These legends were created by Melkor. Either his servants took the form of riders, or he spread lies that became legends about the Rider. The purpose of Melkor's deceit was to trick the Elves into fearing Oromë. Melkor knew that Oromë was the most likely of the Valar to first discover the Elves, and he did not want the Elves to trust him.