Hi Elmo & Legate,
I see your points but I guess it depends on whether you class Harlindon and Forlindon as 'belonging to' the Grey Havens, and whether they are 'in reach of the Shire' (admittedly closer than Rivendell I suppose).
In my head at least
I'm going to stick with some elven settlement at the Southern end of the Ered Luin. Another point to consider is that during the Second Age Sauron over-ran all of Eriador apart from Rivendell, which would argue against a (very) ancient settlement of High elves in Minhiriath or Enedwaith.
As to the 'blank spaces' on the map, I've always thought they indicated lack of knowledge rather than lack of inhabitants, considering,
Quote:
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And the world being after all full of strange creatures beyond count,
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