by sigmazero13
Yes, I think you can, as long as you play it before the battle sequence is initiated. You cannot put them in the same area, though; it does not become "friendly" until after they are moved (until then, the area is contested, because they do not become allied to you until after placing them).Placing them in any friendly-controlled area is sufficient. The rules mostly talk about friendly units, but it has been confirmed that allied neutrals can exist without friendly units in a friendly stronghold, or even a friendly home realm.
I may pose the first question to Corey just to see if there is something I'm missing with that one.