It had been ten years since my meeting with Gandalf. I couldn't quit wondering what he saw in my future~ day after day I returned to the grove looking for answers; all I found was a memory .

But one day, walking to my spot again, I stopped dead in the middle of the path. The thought occurred to me to run, run out of the woods, run free of- --wait! What was I thinking? Why did I think of leaving my home and those I dearly love? I'd never done anything like that before~ but maybe, maybe- yes, I finally realized something! I needed to get away from Rivendell, far away! I needed to leave! Not forever, just long enough for me to think things through. How could I figure out what I wanted to do with my life if I constantly felt my family and friends pulling me in? I felt this intense desire to travel the world and see all that Middle-Earth had to offer. I ran all the way home to talk to my mother and father.

My parents are reasonable elves, but I wasn't exactly sure how they would handle this idea~

"WHAT?!?"

"Yes, I want to leave for a year, escort provided, and check out Middle Ear- "

"But what does the rest of the world have that you cannot find in Rivendell? Are you not happy living here?"

"I am happy, but-"

"But what?"

"I need more."

"More of what?"

"More of everything! I want to see things, see myself, see the world, figure out what I want from the world-"

"Don't you have everything you want already?"

"No."

"But daughter, you wear the finest robes money can buy! You asked for archery lessons, and we gave you-"

"That's not the point! I don't want new things. I want understanding! I want to know what I truly value in this world, and I will not understand that unless I leave everything I know and love!"

There was a pause; they froze for a moment, absorbing my words. My mother turned her head and gazed into my father's eyes~ they were discussing it. More silence. She then looked at me.

"How long would you be gone, Minastoren?"

"A year, mother, if not slightly longer."

She appeared unhappy but gave me a sympathetic look.

"If you feel this is something you must do, then you may go."

"Oh Mother! Father!"

I wanted to cry with happiness! I could barely believe it, they were actually letting me go! I hugged them so much that my father had to gently pry me off.

"We will supply you with an escort and provisions, on one condition."

"What is that?"

There was a slight pause; my father's face softened from his sharp frown and his eyes brightened as he said quietly,

"You must write to us every opportunity you have:)"