[Kransha]

Nuranar, your question is up to you to answer. I guess that most would assume the Erede Luin were abandoned, but anyone might assume they were still there. Whether they are or are not fully abandoned is unknown, but Arnorians know that most of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains migrated to Moria (in the Second Age, I believe, or early Third [will have to check that]). So most would assume it was abandoned rather than vice versa.

Garen, I think I will have to 'slap you down' as you put it (though not in any physical regard). Having the Elves go south would divert the entire storyline. Anyway, I was under the impression that the Princes have already departed, before the end of the seige of Fornost, with word of their father's likely destination. The Elves are free to sue for their ideas, but they will be overruled. This is an ideal device for character tension, even if it does not serve to move or over-develope the plot. Also, going south is not in the best interests of the escapees, since the Witch-King is already enchroaching around the North Downs and the southern area between the North Downs and Elven lands are swarming with orcs and foul things. Technically, going to the Blue Mountains is a bad idea, but it is not meaningless. The Rearguard is to weak to face even a small orc party at this point (100 men remain only).