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Originally Posted by Envinyatar
My point is, though, If the army of 500 Elves leaves in late 1695 (And 1695 is the date set by Tolkien for Elrond to be sent), surely it will not take them over a year to reach Eregion, which is what the arrival in early 1697 would mean.
However, if that is what you wish to do - then please let me know.
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The Armies of the First Crusade took roughly a year to reach the Holy Land. So, it is possible. Any army, despite the size, will be slowed down to a crawl. There are far too many obstacles for everything to go over without a hitch. No march, no matter how well planned, runs into problems which slow it down. And, from what you are suggesting, there is very little planning involved, as that takes massive amounts of time. Thus, if we follow even your leisurely pace, it will be instantly doomed, and everyone would know it. Haste makes waste.
The Elves aren't military idiots, and would know better. And with the Council acting late in 1695, and with winter approaching, it would be extremely difficult to muster a force with the supplies and other necessities required, as well as start the march itself. The march itself, to avoid winter obstacles, would start as soon as spring begins, or possibly just prior. Before that, the scouting and supply gathering must be done, which is a feat unto itself, and takes many weeks, if not months to do. Also, the troops to be sent must be mustered, as I doubt they sit around like Clone Troopers waiting for orders.
Anyhow, to save you all from my rant, I will cut to the chase. A year or more is too long, though quite possible, dependent upon problems. The two month, arrive in early 1696 option is viable, but highly, highly unlikely...not to mention hasty, which leads to doom rather quickly. Thus, I suggest a middle road, of maybe 6 months, with the Elves leaving in early spring of 1696, possibly late winter, and arriving by the end of summer in 1696. Sauron’s siege, most likely having already begun, would not be difficult to breach from the rear, to enter the city and bolster the defenses. The force, being too small, could not lift the siege, but would provide the defensive ‘bonus’ capable of continuing a siege, as it would provide moral support, military support, and possibly extra food stuffs and weapons/armor to provide the defenders and inhabitants the ability to live on.
But, in the end, this is up to Durelin.
