Black Hair, Black Eyes *Spoilers all RotE Books*

[Nuytsia]

It sounds like Prillop's story means Elderlings and dragons parted ways quite some time before the ultimate 'end'

Yes, that line of thought definitely requires some further investigation (though my earlier post/take on things may prove inaccurate!). That the arrival of Icefyre gave them hope makes it seem as though Prilkop and the Elderlings possibly believed that all dragons had perished, or something?

Yes I guess they must have, or else is it possible that the Elderlings didn't necessarily think so (but they HAD been abandoned by the dragons) and then after a looooong time of not seeing dragons Prillkop *assumed* they must all have perished. (by this time all pure blood Elderlings were dead)
I REALLY wonder how old this Prillkop is!!