ALVES

[Folklore] In old-Norse folklore, the Alves are the spirits of the dead who live close together in hills and mountains. It was generally believed by inhabitants of farmsteads located in the vicinity of such mounds that the Alves who lived there were their ancestors. Sacrifices were made to them in return for favors. It was also believed that the Alves were the spirits of the deceased, who still live in the house were they died. In later folklore, they became earth spirits.