There were evil elves. Maeglin was one. Eol was pretty bad as well. And the houseless ones don’t have to be evil. They could be simply rebellious, hated the Valar. Probably these were mainly Nolor.
I like your theory, Elenhen (good to meet you). The wights could, of course, be Maiar; but I doubt it. They do not seem powerful enough.
Quote:
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’They are Elvish wights. Leave them alone.’
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Remember that quote? The Men of the White Mountains said that to one another when the Grey Company rode through. This indeed suggests that wights were Elvish.
But where would the Witch-King get the houseless Elves from? Perhaps the sons of Feanor. That only makes seven. Some rebellious elves no doubt existed, which shunned the Valar and refused to go to Mandos; some outcasts of Elvish society also, perhaps. Maybe they were those houseless elves of which you speak.