[Aralaithiel]

Ah yes, the eternal struggle of wanting what the other side has! Both mortality & immortality have their respective pros & cons. I would choose immortality. I agree with the post that fate & free will are not necessarily imcompatible. We are all on a path that has been decided for us, but we do get to pick & choose the way we follow that path. There are such things as side-tracks off the beaten path (don't ya love cliches?) of life, but we all end up on one path that has been decided for us.
I do think that the elves has a sort of free will. I can't think of it right off hand, but in the Silmarillion there are some examples. I will now go & see if I can find them - or re-read the whole thing & see if I am not mistaken!