I was living in Alqualondë scarcely two months, when my father sent me to learn a trade. I chose the profession of ship-building, to pleasure my father, and also because it was something I always wanted to do. For the first time I had tutors others than him, and I was with other students. I learned fast.
I served out seven years of hard apprenticeship at the ship-yard, but despite loving the trade, my heart was never fully with it - while my hands were designing and building ships, my heart was at sea, and my imagination in far away lands.
As my period of learning expired I bid my friends farewell, and set out into life with many dreams and a merry heart. I became working with my father, this would enable me to became proficient in my trade. Together we built simple fishing boats and sometime, bigger vessels which I would test into the bay, sailing them for hours and risking a scolding from father.
While young Elven maidens of my same age were interested in music, poetry, nice clothes, and gentle-manners, I would often be spending my time in the ship-yard, or by the sea. More than once I would be mistaken for a young male elf - my mother disliked that and despite my very busy life, she insisted in teaching me about womanly pursuits and manners..
She was dreaming I would meet a good companion and settle down one day - in fear to upset her, I never told her then that many dreams I had , but starting a relationship or a family was not one of my dreams, not then at least. I was 39 years of age and ready to face my life at sea.
