For a couple of weeks after I had spoken with my uncle, I distanced myself from everyone, rising and going out before many were awake, eating when nobody was around and staying out of the way. Not because I was being rude, it was just that I had a lot to think about, and I just needed some space alone to think. The main thoughts that went through my head were reasons why my mother and father separated if they were so in love with each other. Something told me that I wasn't going to find my answer in Rivendell, but at the same time, I didn't want to leave as I had settled so well into my new home.

Eventually, I made my decision, and even though it was going to be hard to do, I found myself making determined steps towards my granfather's chambers. Having heard me approach, the door was already open and he beconed me in. I stood near te door, not wanting to be too far in the room when I spoke.

"What can I do for you Aeva?"

"I need permission to leave Rivendell for a while."

He looked extremely surprised, as if that was the last thing he had expected me to say.

"Pardon me?"

"I wish to travel Middle Earth, see the land, and more importantly, I need answers to my questions. Answers I cannot receive here."

Grandfather looked thoughtful for a moment, but when he looked back at me I could see in his eyes that he was going to allow my trip.

"How long will you be gone?"

"A few months maximum."

"You'll stay far away from Isengard and Mordor?"

"Of course. I would never venture near there. I plan to visit Rohan, Gondor, Lórien, and possibly the Shire. Would you be happy with that?"

"Of course. But understand, you are not going alone. I will be sending Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil with you."

I brightened immediately at that. I had grown extremely fond of Haldir's brothers, and even more so of Haldir himself, so the thought of going on a journey with the three of them lifted my spirits.

The three brothers were summoned up to my grandfather, and as each one arrived, the seemed surprised to see me there.

"Aeva?" Haldir asked after he had bowed to us.

I smiled and looked over to grandfather, telling him to let them know of the task they were to do. Once they had been given the overview, grandfather handed it back over to me to fill in the details.

"Ok you three, I plan on going to The Shire, Gondor, Rohan, and finally Lórien. I want to go before I wind up too settled here because if I end up settled here, I'll never want to leave and I've dreant of exploring Middle Earth my whole life. I want to go now too because I'm still young, I have so much energy and strength now, and I want to see places where I can visit again when I am an old lady."

Haldir watched me the whole time, and I noticed that he had a strange twinkle in his ye, that took me a while to recognise as excitement. It seemed that he was looking forward to this as much as I myself was. I finished telling them where and when we would meet, and I found myself blushing as all three bowed to me before leaving the room. Times like that reminded me that I was royalty, and even though I considered the three brothers to be my closest friends, yet I had to remind myself that when in the public eye, they were a lower status than I was, and therfore they had to act appropriately. I hated it, but I understood too that that was how it must always be.

Once my bags were packed the next day, I walked down to the stables and smiled gently as both Flax and Salair whinnied at my arrival.

"How are my favourite horses today?" I asked as I moved over to Flax and wrapped my arms round his neck.

He gently blew on my hair as he did everytime I hugged him, and as always I found myself giggling and swatting him softly on the nose, which in turn caused him to sneeze, spraying me with liquid. I groaned and wiped my face clean again and smiled at him again, feeling a rush of warmth as his gentle brown eyes gazed lovingly into my eyes. I heard a noise from behind me and turned in time to see Haldir enter the stables.

"Good Morning" he said.

"Good Morning" I replied.

He fell quiet and I watched as he moved over to Salair and gently stroked her flank. She snorted in content and I groaned as yet again, I was sprayed. Haldir looked up from Salair's flank, and as he saw the liquid on my face, I could see he was trying to hold back his laughter. I shrugged and wiped my face again before picking up Flax's saddle and placing it on his back. I turned to go and fetch his bridle but I connected with Haldir's chest. I looked up at him and I could see the amusement in his eyes causing them to twinkle so intensly, they looked like they would explode at any given moment. He raised his hand and gently cupped my face.

"You missed a bit" He chuckled and wiped away the last of the liquid.

I blushed and quickly averted my gaze, but I still saw his chuckle. I smiled back and we both returned to tacking up our horses. No more words were spoken, no more questions asked about why we were doing this quest, and no uncomfortable silences. It was just a peaceful quiet, until Rúmil came in and ruined it. He burst into the stable, successfully startling me and the horses, and Haldir just sighed before giving his brother a level glance.

"Must you be so loud?"

"Yes I must for what is life if we are all a sombre as you, Brother?"

I giggle very quietly, but Haldir heard and gave me a look. I turned my giggle into a small cough before excusing myself, ignoring Rúmil's laughter as the door shut behind me. Before long, the four of us were ready, our horses packed, out capes clasped over our shoulders. I opted to wear my blue one as it wasn't too cool out, but was still too cool to wear my lightweight cape. I said a quick farewell to Grandfather and Uncle Elrohir, but then I was up on Flax and we set off, flying across the countryside, Flax and I in the lead, Haldir barely a second behind, and the other two quite far behind that. My heart soared. I was on the road again, off to find out the truth about my parents, and find out what really happened.