Chapter 12: Choices

            Aragorn was anxious to continue, and began organizing the forces to man the ships.  There was no wind to aid the travel, so they would have to drive the ships by the force of oars.  During the organization, the Dúnedain tended to ignore Seven completely.  If she tried to approach them to offer to help, they would tell her to stay out of the way.  They weren't rude, just dismissive.

            After a few minutes of this, Seven grew frustrated and found Legolas.  He greeted her with a smile, but it faded quickly.  "You look disturbed, lady."

            Seven was startled that he could see that much in her face.  She had been careful to keep her expression impassive.  "Frustrated.  I could be an aid to the organization of the fleet if they would allow me to help."

            "Why do you wish to help?"  Legolas looked confused.

            "I am good at organization.  I could help to get the ships manned more quickly."

            "I suppose you did help Éowyn with the evacuation of Edoras.  If you think you'll be able to help, I'll see if I can get them to let you.  Wait here."  He walked over to Aragorn and said a few words to him, then came back.  "They've asked us to see to the manning of those three ships."  He pointed to a trio of moderately-sized ships.  "Have you done any sailing?"

            "No, but I am familiar with the requirements.  Legolas?"

            Legolas's expression changed from attentive to distant in an instant.  "Do you hear the gulls?"

            "Yes.  They are common waterfowl."

            "They call to me.  They are calling me to the sea.  Galadriel warned me to beware the gulls."

            Seven didn't know how to respond to that.  "Perhaps we should start finding crew?"

            Legolas nodded.  "I'm sorry.  Forgive my distraction."  With that, the two of them started finding and organizing crew for their assigned ships.

            The preparations lasted long into the night, Seven assisting where she could, but soon the others told her to rest.  She was offended by the implication that she needed it more than the others, presumable because she was female, but she truly was not needed, so she wandered off on her own.

            No stars were visible through the gloom that covered the sky, but she moved away from the activity in the camp far enough to be alone.  Legolas was still in camp helping with the preparations, so she was completely alone, or so she thought.  Seven spun at a small noise behind her.

            "Q!"

            "Seven, I'm glad I found you."

            "Found me?  I do not understand."

            "I told you, my powers are less here.  There are a couple of the Valar who aren't entirely happy with me.  What in the galaxy were you thinking, coming on this crazy hunt?  I thought you'd stay with Éowyn, safe in Edoras, or Dunharrow, or wherever in Middle Earth the Rohirrim ended up.  Why did you come on this crazy chase?  You're walking right into a war, Seven—a real, bloody, no-technology war!  This is insane!"

            "You hardly have room to speak of insanity.  I am doing what I can to aid the people of this place.  You brought me here, but you do not control my actions."

            "You're wrong there.  Go figure out some way to tell them goodbye and I'll take you back to Vulcan.  I didn't bring you here to get you killed.  I don't need any more trouble with the Valar than I already have."

            "No.  I will not leave.  I have committed myself to this mission and I will not abandon it."

            "Seven, this is crazy!"  Q exclaimed, then muttered, "You're going to get me in trouble."

            "Q, I have a purpose here.  I can serve a valuable function in this war, and there is no question which is the proper side.  Do not attempt to take from me the purpose I have found here.  I do not wish to return to Vulcan."

            Q stared at her in amazement.  For a moment, even Q was speechless, something most of the known galaxy would have considered impossible.  "I don't get it, Seven."  Q's voice was soft.  "Why?"

            "My existence on Vulcan had no purpose.  Here, I have a reason to live.  Even if I am killed in battle, what of it?  At least I will die aiding one of the noblest causes I have ever encountered.  There is no reservation in my mind about fighting for this cause.  It is genuine.  This war is not political or ideological.  It is a war between good and evil.  These people are fighting for their very existence against a foe that must be opposed simply because it exists.  I am a good fighter.  I can aid this war.  It is enough."

            "This is crazy, Seven.  Let me take you out of here.  I'll even take you back to Edoras if you want."

            "No, Q.  I wish to remain here."

            "I'm sorry, Seven.  I shouldn't have brought you here.  Good luck.  Try not to get killed."  With that, Q disappeared.  With nothing else to do, Seven returned to camp and rested a little.

            The ships left early that morning, but travel was slow.  They were traveling upriver without benefit of wind.  Seven rode on the same vessel as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.  Try as she might, Seven could not convince the men to allow her to take a shift at the oars.  Eventually she gave up and found Legolas.

            "How are you, Lady Seven?"

            "I am feeling very useless at the moment.  I am not permitted to take a shift at the oars, so I have no useful occupation."

            Legolas smiled.  "Éowyn gave you a bow as we left Dunharrow.  Have you had an opportunity to train with it?"

            "No."

            "Would you like to learn?"

            "That would be acceptable."  Legolas smiled at the words.  He had almost grown used to her odd expressions.

            "There's enough room below deck to practice without danger of hitting anything breakable.  Shall we?"

            Seven nodded, then retrieved her bow and they went into the hold.  Legolas set up a wooden target and showed her how to string the bow.  He fired a few shots with his own bow to show her how to begin.

            Seven watched attentively.  After four shots, she stopped him.  "I am ready to begin myself."

            "Very well.  Wait a moment while I retrieve my arrows.  Perhaps you might move closer to the target so the arrows can't go as far astray."

            Seven pushed down a feeling of indignation and did as he said.  He came up behind her as she nocked an arrow.  Reaching around her, he moved her fingers to the proper positions.  He kept his fingers over hers as she pulled the arrow back, and a strange feeling ran through Seven's stomach.  She pushed aside the distraction and fired the arrow.  It landed at the far edge of the target, but without enough force to penetrate.

            Legolas stayed close as she fired two more arrows, then moved away and let her practice, giving occasional tips.  Once he did, her concentration improved markedly.  She learned quickly and soon was firing accurately from the far end of the hold.  It was more difficult to learn to gauge how much force to use.  She could gauge the power necessary to fire across the small hold, but greater distances would require some adjustment.  As she practiced, Legolas encouraged her to work on firing quickly and preparing the next shot as quickly as possible.

            After about an hour, Legolas stopped her.  "I think you've done as much as you can in this hold, Lady Seven.  Let's go above deck."

            Once on deck, he had her target distant trees, but would not allow her to fire many shots since they could not retrieve the arrows.  After five shots, he stopped her and they ended the practice session.  They rested for a while, all fully aware that there was no hope of reaching Minas Tirith in time at their present pace.