I think most people with their own setting(s) revisit them and give and take about what stuff “really means” or whatever. I think I remember reading somewhere that he didn’t like the “mass-production elves brutalised into Sauron’s tools” origin story for orcs later on, but that one has been popular regardless.

idk, it’s fun to explore narrative ideas without committing to any one. Elves and Orcs don’t exist and people can hold on to the ones they vibe with after you’ve changed your mind