That's up to you. I'm okay with you being citizens of the city, hired guards that came along with the caravans of building supplies, people on pilgrimage or members of the army I'm open to letting you guys be whatever you want. Just make sure that it makes sense for your character to set out on the road after the opening. I think the easiest way to go about it would be to say you signed on with the caravans but like I said you don't have to. And yes if you want to you can be bystanders that know how to fight, fighting in this Elvish society is considered a tradition that is kind of just carried on so a lot of people know how to fight very well without actually having any reason to. In addition you wouldn't need to be a scout or soldier to have gone to the coast to see in the invasion. If earth were invaded by little green men you can bet I'd be going out to try and catch a glimpse of them.