Both dwarfs and dwarves are plurals of the word dwarf. Tolkien popularized the latter spelling. Dwarfs as mythical beings have been a part of Norse and Germanic folklore for as long as recorded history of the region has existed. You can find them in old stories of the Norse gods and in works such as Wagner's Ring Cycle operas.
Fantasy dwarves not related to human dwarves. Human dwarves are an aberration. Fantasy dwarves are supposed to be that way. Little man, big cope.
Both dwarfs and dwarves are plurals of the word dwarf. Tolkien popularized the latter spelling. Dwarfs as mythical beings have been a part of Norse and Germanic folklore for as long as recorded history of the region has existed. You can find them in old stories of the Norse gods and in works such as Wagner's Ring Cycle operas.