where did the idea of elves come from
Elf The word elf is found throughout the Germanic languages and seems originally to have meant 'white being'. Reconstructing the early concept of an elf depends largely on texts, written by Christians, in Old and Middle English, medieval German, and Old Norse. These associate elves variously with the gods of Norse mythology, with causing illness, with magic, and with beauty and seduction.
Eagle (Middle-earth) Upon their first appearance in the main narrative, it is stated that the Eagles had been "sent forth" to Middle-earth by ManwÃ«, to live in the mountains north of the land of Beleriand, in order to "watch upon" Morgoth,[3] and to help the exiled Noldorin Elves "in extreme cases".[7] The Eagles were ruled by Thorondor, who dwelt (apparently with the majority of his folk) in the Encircling Mountains to the west of Dorthonion.[8][9]