The elf was on a diplomatic mission to Rivendel to convince Lord Elrond to join forces against Sauron. Ever since the little incident where Raphius, one of many princes of Mirkwood, tried to hit on Arwen some two thousand years ago, the two elven realms had not been in the best of terms. In fact, things were so bad that the previous envoys had been sent back disgraced and his father was about ready to raise arms against Imladris for the insult.