I'm working my way through the civil war line for the Empire. I've gotten to the part where I return the axe to Balgruuf after Ulfric rejects it. I listen to the dialogue between the jarl and the legate and then am directerd to talk to Balgruuf. He tells me to talk to the Legate, who will not advance the quest.

He does not say the appropriate dialog, just the generic Imperial solider statements. The quest will not advance and the battle of Whiterun will not start.

I'm at a loss here. Advancing the "Message to Whiterun" quest to completing via console (setstage command) does not start the battle.