in
J.R.R. Tolkien's works, the
Elder Children of Illúvatar, the
Quendi, etc. Awoke in the east of
Middle Earth at the
Cuivénen (
Water of Awakening) long before the
First Age in the
Years of the Trees (the events of
The Hobbit and
The Lord of the Rings took place during the late
Third Age and early
Fourth Age). Elves are immune to
illness and
death (sort of).
several different "breeds" of Elves exist (or existed) .. including the Noldor, Teleri, Sindar, etc.