Nine

            “The Úlairi?  How did you come to know this name?” demanded Adar.

            “I found it in a book on the Enemy,” Estel answered.  “What are they?”

            Elrond took a deep breath and held it before making his decision.  “Once they were great kings of Men.  But the Enemy offered them rings that could grant them great power and immortality.  So many Men fear death, not recognizing it is indeed a Gift from the One.  So now they are not dead, but neither can they be said to live.”

            “How many are there?”

            “Nine—more than enough for his purposes.”