A hundredth re-read of the LotR

[Boromir88]

Is it only a literary question (they shouldn't have too great a help with their journey for the storyline's sake) or are the elves so disenchanted with the ME that they just don't bother to help more?

Well there are certainly active elves in Middle-earth. I think Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Thranduil, Haldir, and the many others who defended their lands/fought against Sauron would beg to differ. Elrond and Galadriel are certainly two of the most important people, to Frodo and his quest, in the story. But, we can get to them when their time comes, this I would guess is asking about Gildor.

Is it a literary question? Probably, but I don't think it's one that says "We can't have Gildor help Frodo, nothing to see here, moving on." This short encounter, with Gildor, brings out several things...

This is Sam's first time meeting Elves, and no surprise he's giddy and speechless.

I find it interesting Gildor's refusal to tell Frodo anything more about the Black Riders other than "Stay away from them!" This is the reader's (and Frodo's) first encounter with the Black Riders. I believe this is the first chapter they are mentioned (I forget whether they're mentioned in passing in The Shadow of the Past, but I don't think there's any connection made between the Nine Rings given to Men and these "Black Riders.")

Thus the Black Riders are still an enigma to Frodo, and also perhaps that's how Tolkien wanted the readers to think of them. There are dark, creepy, sniffing guys on horses running around asking about Frodo. Pippin even raises the question of how many? Was this just one creepy guy seen twice, or two different creepy guys? Frodo is lost, confused, he doesn't have Gandalf around, he doesn't know who is after him, how many, or why. And Tolkien might be placing the reader in Frodo's shoes to capture his audience. Having Gildor spill the beans about the Black Riders at this point would ruin it. They are far more unsettlings as unnamed, creepy, dark, sniffing guys who ride large evil black horses.

Also, I believe as someone else mentioned this is the first time Frodo finds "unexpected" help along his journey. Consider these comments from another author; Ursula LeGuin:

"the peculiar rhythm of the book, its continual alternation of distress and relief, threat and reassurance, tension and relaxation: the rocking-horse gait (which is precisely what makes the huge book readable to a child of nine or ten) ...."

Frodo has just had two suspensful, somewhat threatening encounters (his interesting urge to put on the Ring when the Black Riders are close), an then the mood relaxes. Frodo is with the Elves, he has a dreamless sleep, he is refreshed. This rythm continues throughout the story, the Barrow-wight - Tom Bombadil, Moria - Lothlorien, and so on...

Although I will add with LeGuin, in that you don't have to be nine or ten to love the rythm of the story, as a close to an "over the hill" adult, the tension-relaxation, stress-relief flow of the story makes it very exciting.