Ja
Även om många av deltagarna visade sig i Rivendell av en slump, var tillgången till rådet själv endast inbjudan.
Frodo och Bilbo var båda inbjudna, men Sam var inte (betonar min):
Suddenly as they were talking a single clear bell rang out. 'That is the warning bell for the Council of Elrond,' cried Gandalf. 'Come along now! Both you [Frodo] and Bilbo are wanted.'
Frodo and Bilbo followed the wizard quickly along the winding path back to the house; behind them, uninvited and for the moment forgotten, trotted Sam.
Fellowship of the Ring Book II Chapter 2: "The Council of Elrond"
Och Elrond kallar senare rådet "hemligt" när han förmanar Sam för att lyssna in, även om han inte verkar vara väldigt upprörd över det:
'But you won't send [Frodo] off alone surely, Master?' cried Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor.
'No indeed!' said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. 'You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.'
Fellowship of the Ring Book II Chapter 2: "The Council of Elrond"
Senare är Pippin ganska upprörd om Sams lätta behandling, och föreslår vidare rådets hemlighetsgrad:
Later that day the hobbits held a meeting of their own in Bilbo's room. Merry and Pippin were indignant when they heard that Sam had crept into the Council, and had been chosen as Frodo's companion.
'It's most unfair,' said Pippin. 'Instead of throwing him out, and clapping him in chains, Elrond goes and rewards him for his cheek!'
Fellowship of the Ring Book II Chapter 3: "The Ring Goes South"