The Westward Road

[Thinlómien]

I suppose if a naval assault were made, then Sauron had the fealty of the Corsair of Umbar but I don't know how vulnerable an elven ship on "the straight road", would be how soon it would pass beyond reach of the mortals of Middle Earth.

Good point, I had forgotten about them. Anyway it'd take ages for the Corsairs. They would never be fast enough to catch the elven ship. The Council couldn't possibly have thought the pirates of Umbar a serious threat since they were so far south. I think there has to be more to it.