Elrond gazed out upon the valley; the council had taken a recess, to meet again after the noon-day meal. Galadriel and Gandalf both it seemed counseled investigating into the darkness within Greenwood, whereas Saruman had been inclined to reinforce Rhovanian and Greenwood itself, focusing on reinforcing of borders, training, and other such actions.
He himself still did not know which was the more prudent course of action. For indeed, what could the Lord of the Noldor do? Much of the might of the Noldor had been spend in the war against Angmar, and though they slowly regained their strength, they were still greatly diminished. So not through strength of arms could his folk preserve the realms to the east of the mountains.
"You know" said a voice behind him "I'm pretty sure that when you become contemplative and melancholic the entire valley can feel it, my dear." He turned around and gazed upon his wife, Celebrian. He gave her a small smile in return as he walked over to her, taking her hand in his own.
"Forgive me my heart. I am simply tired of not knowing what to do." He gave her a rueful smile. "Wise as the wizards do men call me, but when there is no power to wield it, what good then is wisdom? For such is how I feel. I but wish I had the Great Alliance now; with which to push back the darkness but valour and force of arms." His eyes grew clouded, remembering ages past.
She snorted and gave him a look. "As I seem to recall, it was your wisdom and your words, not you valour or your strength in arms that convinced my Father to give you his blessing in our union. I have faith. Diplomacy, Council, Leadership, these have always been your strengths." Here she gave him a chiding smile. "It is true that our folk is weaker than they were in the past. So what then is the simplest and easiest task that we can start with? Then move unto the bigger tasks."
Here Elrond paused in their walk, putting his hand in his face as he mulled over the question. Thranduil's army was much larger than his own, though admittedly his own warriors were far superior (though never would he say that to the King of Greenwood's face). With the amount of warriors that he needed in Eriador to patrol the region and protect Imladris Proper, the number of warriors he could send would be negligible. However...
"Healers and Scholars I will send to Thranduil." He said to Celebrian, giving a small nod. "Our own healers are far more skilled than those of the Silvan, and our scholars; I will send the ones who are also skilled with a sword; to better understand their foes and how to better counter them." Here he frowned. He would have to bring this up with the herald, but he hoped that the Woodland Realm would accept his offer. However, Thranduil had ever been prideful, much as his father had been. And there was always a degree of hesitance in the Sindar/Silvan - Noldorin alliance.
"See that you do not sound condescending or pitying when offering this - as someone who grew up next to the Greenwood and interacted with them, it is something they loath above all else." She raised a hand to his lips before he could reply. "And before you reply my dear husband" here she raised an eyebrow "If over-great pride is the sin of the Silvan that I have learned, what I have learned from the Noldo is that you also are prideful, but more than that you are condescending even when you do not mean to be."
He sighed; he knew when he had lost and it was pointless to continue the fight. "I would not intentionally ever be such, but I shall be careful in my words and tone."
"If Elrond could mediate between Gil-Galad and Oropher then I believe he can put forward a proposal without offending the Silvan elves' sensibilities, my Lady" came a melodious voice with a short laugh. Spinning around, the pair spotted Glorfindel in simple blue and silver robes approaching them.
"Glorfindel, what brings you in search of us?" Elrond said, even as they resumed their walk, with elves nodding to them as they entered one of the more populated centers of the Valley.
"Cirdan was searching for you, Lord Elrond" he said, as they passed by Lindir, who had a look of utmost concentration on his face as he leaned over a piece of parchment. Perhaps a new composition.
"Indeed?" It was not that suprising, in all honesty - Cirdan was a dear mentor figure from his time in Lindon, and they also had to coordinate as the two leaders of the Noldor Realms (though nominally Elrond was the greater). And so a small smile appeared upon his face. "Where then was he, Glorfindel, for I would loathe to keep the Mariner waiting."
"Last I saw him he was in the Library, though he said he would go look for you in the main house in a short while. So I will go check the library, and if he is still there, I will send him to your study. I imagine that you will want privacy for the conversation to come."
"Indeed, and what of you Celebrian? Do you wish to join Cirdan and myself?" He turned to his wife, crossing over one of Rivendell's bridges.
"I will join you for a time, but then I think perhaps I shall go look for my mother." Elrond gave a nod in reply, unsurprised. Not often were there chances for the 2 to meet, for even in this time of peace, the Ladies of Lorien and Imladris rarely left their respective realms.
"Very well then. Shall we make our way to the study then?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow and offering his hand to his wife. Spying the retreating back of the Gondolin Elf Lord, he called out to him, "Glorfindel, if you desire, you may join us in Council with Cirdan" Glorfindel gave no signal of acknowledgement besides a single short nod, but that was enough.
Together the Lord and Lady of Imladris turned and began to walk to the great study. There was council between Lindon and Imladris to be held.