Chapter 15: Commitment
The same evening, Gandalf found Seven. "Lady Seven, how are you?"
"I am well."
"Good. How are you adapting to Middle Earth?" Seven had to force herself not to wince at Gandalf's words. He already knew that she wasn't from Middle Earth, but it was a reminder that was there only through Q's meddling. "You've already distinguished yourself quite well in your time here. I admire your willingness to take the Paths of the Dead with Aragorn. It can't have been easy for you. Now, if you don't mind, how did you come to Middle Earth?"
Seven weighed the situation. Q had asked her not to say anything about him, but every day it seemed that she moved further and further away from her life before Middle Earth and even the events that brought her here, even Q.
"A being called Q brought me here." Once she decided to explain everything, a weight seemed to fall off her shoulders.
"Ah, Q is up to his tricks again. I've heard he's quite a pest in your realm. If I understand things right, he's very powerful there, even more so than here. Here he is limited by the power of the Valar. It must be difficult to deal with him when there are no such constraints."
"He usually ignores beings less powerful than him."
"Are you saying that there are more of them?"
"Yes. They are known as the Q and do not have individual names, at least not that they relay to us. The one you have met is the only one with interest in other species."
"I imagine that's a very good thing. Do you know why he brought you here?"
"I do not know the details. I think he thought it would be amusing. He saw certain parallels between Éowyn and me and wanted to explore what would happen if he put us together. I think he also wanted to amuse himself with my discomfort in being in a world so different from my own. He implied that he wanted to force me to face life among other humans. I was imprisoned for many years by a race called the Borg, and when I was freed I had difficulty returning to human society. I had become a Borg, and it was difficult to become human again." Seven swallowed hard and forced herself to continue. "I was making progress, but then my…close friend…was killed and I retreated from human company. He said that he brought me here to force me to live among humans again."
"Without the awkwardness that is associated with the Men of your own society. Are these Borg feared, then, or why was returning to your own people so awkward?"
"My life with them was very different. It is difficult to explain. My markings…" she gestured to the implant above her eye, "are visible reminders of what I was, and it was simply too difficult. The Borg are feared, but it is more complex than that. More than anything, it was uncomfortable. I went to live with Vulcans, who reject all emotion in favor of absolute logic."
Gandalf grimaced a little. "I wouldn't want to live like that, but I suppose it must appeal to them. Otherwise, they wouldn't do it. I don't fully understand your realm, but I have been aware of its existence for many years. While I can't completely identify with your difficulties, I think I can sympathize. I know what it is to be outside society and to be scorned. I have the comfort of a purpose, but it sounds like you didn't even have that." Seven shook her head.
"Legolas told me he explained a bit about Middle Earth to you. If you have any further questions, be sure to ask either him or me. The two of you seem to have become rather good friends. I worry about him a bit. I know it seems strange, but he is isolated. He has never married and he really doesn't have any close friends, except perhaps Gimli—and you. He's heard the cry of the gulls, and it has awakened a wanderlust in his heart. I imagine he won't stay in Middle Earth long after the War ends."
"He has said as much."
"Has he now…well, it's no surprise. The Elves are leaving Middle Earth in droves."
"Where do they go?"
"Valinor. Elves are immortal—I think you know that much already—and when they grow weary of life here, they depart over the Sea for Valinor, where they may rest until the End."
"The End?"
"Of the world. Of time. Eventually the world will be remade and the evils done to it will be erased. To Men was given the gift of Death, and they will be raised again at the end, but the Elves will await it with the Valar and the Maiar across the Sea."
"So Legolas will leave for Valinor?"
"Yes, and probably rather soon. All of the Elves will be gone before long. Still, don't let that scare you away from Legolas. As Elves go, he's rather young, in fact. Ah, you have a visitor! Come on in, Q. I'd like to have a word with you."
Q walked in, a sheepish look on his face. "Hello, Ol—"
"Speak not that name here, Q. Here I am Gandalf, or Mithrandir." Gandalf held up a hand, his face stern.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking." At any other moment, Seven would have laughed at seeing Q so uncomfortable.
"There's no harm done—not yet. Why are you here now?"
"I came to take Seven home. She had her fight, and I figured she'd be ready to go back to her own realm."
"Don't you think you ought to ask her if she's ready to go?"
"Of course! I didn't mean—"
"I know, I know, Q. You're trying to get yourself out of the situation you've created by bringing her here. Seven, are you ready to return? If you wish to go, I'll send you with my blessing, but you are welcome to remain here. My heart tells me that you have a part to play here yet." Gandalf looked at her evenly.
"Before we left Edoras," Seven started slowly, "I would have returned with him in an instant. Even in Dunharrow, I would have left. Now, however, I wish to remain here. Perhaps after the War is over I will return, but I am not ready to leave yet. I am committed to finishing this war, and it is certainly not over."
"No, Seven, it isn't. It will be a long road yet before it's over." Gandalf spoke quietly. "One way or another, it will end soon, but I think Aragorn would be grateful for your sword yet."
"But—but—" Q was stammering.
Seven didn't really miss technology, but she almost wished she had a video recorder at the moment. Q speechless was a rare sight. "I wish to remain, Q. You are not responsible for my safety. I take full responsibility for myself."
"I don't claim to speak for the Valar, but I, for one, would rather she stayed here, myself." Gandalf was fighting a grin. "You may have meddled in the affairs of Middle Earth a few times to many, but I think this time, the best thing you can do is what Lady Seven wishes. Leave her here until she wishes otherwise."
"Um, Seven, there's probably something I should tell you." Q was nervous. "Because of the way I made your nanoprobes self-maintaining, you may not age normally. You may not age at all. I can't reverse it while you're in Middle Earth. Are you sure you want to live here forever?"
Gandalf chuckled. "She'll be in good company if that is her choice. Now, if there's nothing else, why don't you let us be?" Gandalf made a little shooing motion with his hand.
Q stared at them for a moment before disappearing. Gandalf smiled to himself. "Welcome to Middle Earth, Seven of Nine." Seven smiled softly. It wasn't quite as rare as Q speechless, but it was a rare moment to get a smile from her. "I don't know if you've heard yet, but we will be assembling an army to march on Mordor itself. We'll leave the day after tomorrow. You're under no obligation to go or to stay. It will be a dangerous mission, but perhaps no harder than what you've already faced. Think about it carefully before you make your decision."
Gandalf looked over at Seven. There was a determination in her eyes that was rare among Men. "Somehow, I think I know what that answer will be. You realize the chances of any of us surviving this mission are slim?" Seven nodded. "Very well. I'll let Aragorn know. I'll leave it up to you to convince Éomer to allow it. Éowyn will wish to go. Perhaps you might speak to her and convince her that she really does need to rest?"
"I will speak to her."
"Then good night, Lady Seven, and good luck." The wizard left the tent quietly.