I don't know much about it either, but I'm sure the elves weren't ALWAYS up to no good. All (or most of) the Germanic first names beginning with Al and El refer to the elves--Alfred = elf-rede (= elf-advice), Albert = elf-bright, Elwyn = elf-friend, etc.

If I remember right, Norse mythology had both elves, who lived in Alfheim, and black elves, who lived in Svartalfheim. I THINK it was the black elves who were part of the origin of Tolkien's "dwarves" (for instance in the story of the Brisingamen).

Thanks for the information, Wolfgang!