The paper swallow swirled slowly around the snowy scene. Ducking and diving through the wind currents, it hunted around the snowy crevices in Rhovanion, until it alighted near Tim.

The note read:

"Tim,

I am sorry that I have not seen you for several days. This is most remiss of me as your guardian, and I can only beg your forgiveness, and ask you to bear with me. I am taking several steps to further improve and safeguard our future wellbeing, since I am no longer the leader of the Court.

To make up for this, I have a request of you. My request is this: I wish for you to think of a place you've heard of - perhaps rumoured, far distant - that you have never seen before, or a place where you have desired to visit. Whether this would be a posh eatery (such as Swaggers on a Thursday, when they actually put the rubbish out) or standing atop the tallest mountain of the land.

Such a journey would be good for both of us, and will, I hope, allow me to share some of the incipient joys of parenthood. I hope.

Yours,

Muldran Skully (Father. Or Dad. Father makes me old. So make it Dad.)

Dad,

I knows it may seem daft bu' thar is summat I always wanted ter do. Tha's ter visit thar shrines. I knows tha' it is a long journey bu' even if we jest visit one or two it wuld be alright. Mebe take a picnic wit us?

Yers,

Tim

Mul smiled at the response, and looked towards the shelf in the Library. There stood the tome on the Shrines, from a journey he had taken years ago. He started to pen a response:

"I think this would be an ideal journey. I have a book that can take us to each of them... However, in deference to your unease of magic, I suggest we make it a proper journey.

It may mean being away from Rhovanion for a little while, but I can cope.

I suggest that we start on Monday - perhaps just after I've helped people on this Felucca journey. I can then return, and we can both travel to each of the shrines in turn over the following days - by foot and sea! - before travelling for home.

Which Shrine should we start at?

Signed,

Dad."

I 'as studied thar maps Dad, an' I reckons a good place ter start wuld be thar Valor shrine, then we can travel ter Honor an' hopefully by Wensday we will be at Spirituality. I shuld really drop in an' see 'is grays. I need ter let 'im know tha' Tom is gone fer good. I 'as kept tryin' ter see 'im bu' 'e 'as bin outter town on business. I did 'ear though tha' 'e wuld be aroun' thar Elven Quarter on Wensday, so I 'opes we can make a little detour thar.

I will be ready ter 'elp yer wit the Felucca journey on Monday too!

Signed,

Yer son. Tim