Please teach me more about the Elves!

[Peter_20]

I'm a great fan of the Elves, and therefore I'd like to learn some more about them.
I'm not looking for their appearances or anything, because I know what they look like; I'm rather looking for their characteristics, their nature and their oddities.
They obviously had extremely good equilibristics, had little need of sleep, got along very well with animals, etc.

Pray teach me some stuff about the Elves! :)

[Landroval]

According to the Later Quenta Silmarillion, HoME X:

- they speak, walk and dance before they are one year old

- they wed soon after their fiftieth year, usually just once; they choose each other even as early as children, but they usually wait for the approval of the parents concerning the betrothal; both houses are announced at a meeting, and the two give each other silver rings. The betrothal lasts at least one year, often more; [it may be revoked by public returning of the rings, which are melted and never after used as betrothing rings]. At the marriage feast, there is a blessing, unknown to humans, possibly involving the names of Eru, Varda and Manwe. They return the silver rings and give each other golden rings. The Noldor parents in laws give to their children in law a jewel upon a chain or a collar. They do not necessarily live in the same house

- children need little governing or teaching; there are usually four children in a house. A child is born one year after being conceived, usually in spring; the begetting and bearing of children usually takes great strength from the parents towards their children

- they are seldom swayed by desires;

- in all matters males and females are equals; usually, women (and healers) don't fight, unless in grave circumstances. Women seem to be more skilled in making lembas, tending fields and gardens, music, weaving, history of houses. The males seem to specialise as smiths, wrights, carvers, jewellers, instruments-makers, composers.

There are other interesting bits, such as naming (not my cup of tea) or the problems of death and rebirth. Perhaps someone else can present them, or me at another time than 2 AM :D