Over half a year earlier, while visiting Allen, Gandalf had said that he intended to travel to Rivendell and invite Glorfindel, the Golden Flower Lord, to help Gondor withstand the assault of the Dark Lord Sauron.
Unfortunately, however, the Golden Flower Lord had left Rivendell after the battle of Dol Guldur and vanished into the wilderness. Even Elrond had no precise information about his whereabouts.
Having traveled so far, Gandalf was naturally reluctant to return empty-handed, but Elrond refused to send troops south, reasoning that Gondor already had the support of Rohan and a Wizard.
In Elrond's view, although Gondor was far weaker than it had once been, the aid of the valiant Rohirrim was enough to defend it against Mordor's invasion. Besides, the White Wizard had already appeared on the front lines, and he was more than capable of holding off the Ringwraiths versed in dark magic. This battle was not particularly perilous in itself; Gondor could weather it on its own.
There was therefore no need for the Elves of Imladris to make the long journey south to participate in a war whose outcome was already settled.
Moreover, if Gondor truly needed aid, Gandalf should at least have brought a letter-a request for assistance written personally by Turgon, the ruling Steward of Gondor.
Gandalf certainly had no such letter. In the heart of Gandalf the Grey, the ideal was for everyone on the side of Order, whether humans or Elves, to grow immensely powerful, then form an alliance as Gil-galad and Elendil had done. With sincere cooperation, they could destroy Sauron's stronghold in a single stroke, allowing him to complete his mission and return to Valinor sooner.
Yet the world had changed with the passing years. Many Elves were now unwilling to involve themselves in Middle-earth's affairs, while