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And who would initially be the one "chosen" by the Valar? I think it would be Pio because of her dual heritage. She fills both sides of the prophecy. (Hey, maybe we should have a prophecy about that.)
I think Idril and Tuor would have been the agents sent to Pio for this purpose. Pio already knew then, and they understood the secret of her heritage. It's quite possible that Pio was even waiting in line at Grey Havens ready to board the boat to you-know-where, and she gets pulled out of line with this strange request. Tuor and Idril tell her simply that some of her hobbit kin have been lost in the Bay of ????. She must rescue them, find out their needs, and try to help them. She is told to pick her own crew. It must include hobbits, Elves, and men, including one hobbit who is of full age. Pio assumes the Elves and men are the practical ones who will carry out the actual mission, and the hobbits are along simply to make the rescued hobbits feel comfortable
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I hate to be picky here BUT - this would, in my mind require a major revision in Pio's character. She is not the sort you would find standing in line at the Grey Havens. In fact, the only way she got dragged to the West is by a craven orc spear. Idril and Tuor are sad(Idril, mostly)because Pio tends to play down her elven heritage and refuses the call to go West. There should be no premonition on their part - that would spoil the surprise of Pio's death. I would feel very uncomfortable making such a drastic change to Pio's character from how I meant her to be.
Let's leave out any prophecy for the elf, too. Perhaps Tuor and Idril can simply approach her and Bird with a proposition while they're in Gondolin in the sleazy dive. Given enough potential for travel, thrills, and the possibility of monies to be earned, I think they would go for it. Pio has her inherent fondness for hobbits, and the fact that they were in need of assistance would be an extra incentive.
The problem is why would I and T do this. How would they know about the 'lost' hobbit's? Why would they even care? The Valar?
Let's not make the 'request' for help too delineated from T & I - Pio and Bird are quite adept at picking an appropriate crew; it would be more in keeping with their characters if they did that.
I can see picking up Mith in the tavern and you in the library(yes, Mith should be the one familiar with you). We still need to write something of how Pio might know that Mith is a good pick for the crew. Veritas can be an old friend of Pio's picked for skill in navigation/charts/enjoying wine.
Why would the Valar send I and T? Did they know they had a connection to a hobbit friendly half-elf?
Aack! Now that I think about the whole thing, I don't even like the idea of the Valar having their hand in the beginning of the story quite so much. They always seemed so removed from the concerns of M-E! Can we think of something less planned and contrived by them?
How about we don't bring in I and T either at the beginning? Perhaps Bird and Pio can win the pink slip to the ship in a game of chance. Then, you can hire us because you have heard of some lost hobbit families (that should be a good scene - Child in the sleazy tavern interviewing the owners of the ship she wishes to hire. We work cheap!). Mithadan can have either have an Ulmo prompt about joining us, or he can be sitting nearby when you are discussing your plans and need for us. Or you can attempt to hire him, but his boat is in the shop for repairs so he hooks you up with us and the price for that is his getting to go along with us. I'd just like to see something less mystically oriented at the beginning and more down to earth.
Other questions:
In what Age are we starting the fanfic, btw?
Are we leaving in the ship christening scene?
Sorry to be so rambling - I'm just brainstorming a bit.