<P> Angelic spirits created by Eru Ilúvatar at the Beginning . The Ainur were divided into two groups--the Valar, Guardians of the World who resided in the Undying Lands of Valinor outside the circles of Arda, and the Maiar, lesser spirits who served the Valar . While most Ainur did not technically live in Middle - earth, some Maiar such as the Istari Wizards, Melian, and the Dark Lord Sauron assumed mortal forms to help or hinder the peoples of Middle - earth . </P> <P> The race of Dwarves preferred to live in mountains and caves . Among the places where they lived were Erebor the Lonely Mountain, the Iron Hills, the Blue Mountains, and Moria or Khazad - dûm in the Misty Mountains . Dwarves were created by Aulë the Smith . They mined and worked precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle - earth . The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was known as Khuzdul . The seven different groups of Dwarf - folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke before the First Age . The Petty - dwarves were smaller and more unsociable Dwarves of several houses, which had been banished in ancient times . They were aggressive, and fierce in battle . </P> <P> The Eagles were immense flying birds that were sentient, and could speak . The Eagles fought alongside the army of the Valar, Elves and Edain during the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age . In the Third Age, Thorondor's descendants Gwaihir and Landroval lived in an eyrie to the east of the Misty Mountains in Wilderland . </P> <P> The Elves, or Firstborn, were the first of Eru's Children to awaken . Born under the stars before the ascension of the Moon and the Sun, they retain a special love for light and an inner spirit endowed with unique gifts . They call themselves the Quendi, or "Speakers", for they were the first to utter words; and, even now, no race understands language and song like the Firstborn . Fair and fine featured, brilliant and proud, immortal and strong, tall and agile, they are the most blessed of the Free Peoples . They can see as well under moon or starlight as a man at the height of day . They cannot become sick or scarred, but if an Elf should die, from violence or losing the will to live from grief, their spirit goes to the halls of Mandos, and as they are bound to Arda and cannot leave until it dies, they're able to reincarnate in the same body, things that the ones who have the gift of Ilúvatar aren't able to do . Elven skill and agility is legendary: for instance, walking atop freshly fallen snow without leaving a trace of their passing . On a clear day they can see ten miles with perfect clarity and detail up to 100 miles . These gifts come at great cost, though: they are strongly bound to Fate (see Mandos) and hated by Morgoth . No other race has been blessed and cursed more than the Quendi . </P>

How many races are there in middle earth