A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a couple days.  Tindomiel, there will be 30 chapters, so there's plenty more story to come.  The key to the explanation about entry to Valinor is in the word "mortal."  Check back to chapter 15, where Q says that she "may" not age at all.  JeanB, you may a good point about that kiss, but there isn't a practical way to change it without changing the scene drastically.  In my mind, that kiss was a response of frustration more than anything, so perhaps not asking for permission isn't too far-fetched.  Anyway, I'd rather not change the scene that drastically to work around it.  Sorry, but thanks for the comment!

Enjoy!

Chapter 20: Healing

            Seven spent the next day much as the one before, sleeping through most of it.  The day after that, Seven was feeling much stronger.  She was walking around camp, trying to work out the kinks in her legs, when she heard that Frodo and Sam had awoken.  She joined the others, leaning on Legolas, in greeting the two hobbits.  She watched in hidden amusement as the humans around shook their weapons and sang praises to the embarrassed hobbits.

            On a hill were set three thrones, the banners of Gondor, Dol Amroth, and Rohan flying behind them.  Aragorn dropped to one knee before them then sat the hobbits on the side thrones, crying praises to them, which echoed through the crowd.  Seven felt Legolas chuckle, even though she couldn't hear it.  Both hobbits, Sam in particular, were red with embarrassment.  They had done what no one else could have, but they were embarrassed by the attention.  A minstrel came forward and sang for them.  After a few minutes, Legolas pulled Seven off to the side where she could sit, but still close enough to hear.

            That evening there was a banquet for the hobbits.  Seven was seated at the head table with Aragorn, Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, Legolas, and Gimli.  She did not feel deserving of the honor, but she didn't say anything to draw attention to herself.  Seven grew tired quickly.  Noticing, Legolas offered to walk her back to her tent, but he was in the middle of a conversation with Gandalf, so Seven refused, and Gimli walked back with her.

            Seven felt energized after resting for an hour, and when Legolas stopped in to check on her, she joined him as he and Gimli went to find the others.  The four hobbits sat with Gandalf under a bright night sky.  They shared stories late into the night.

            Eventually, Gandalf called it a night.  "The hands of the King are hands of healing, dear friends."  At this, Legolas squeezed Seven's hand.  "But you went to the very brink of death ere he recalled you, putting forth all his power, and sent you into the sweet forgetfulness of sleep.  And though you have indeed slept long and blessedly, still it is now time to sleep again." *

            "And now only Sam and Frodo here," said Gimli, "but you, too Pippin.  I love you, if only because of the pains you have cost me, which I shall never forget.  Nor shall I forget finding you on the hill of the last battle.  But for Gimli the Dwarf you would have been lost then.  But at least I know now the look of a hobbit's foot, though it be all that can be seen under a heap of bodies.  And when I heaved that great carcase off you, I made sure you were dead.  I could have torn out my beard.  And it is only a day yet since you were first up and abroad again.  To bed now you go.  And so shall I.  And I would daresay the Lady Seven is ready for rest, herself, even if she is too stubborn to admit it." **

            Legolas had a different plan.  "And I shall walk in the woods of this fair land, which is rest enough. In days to come, if my Elven-lord allows, some of our folk shall remove hither; and when we come it shall be blessed, for a while.  For a while: a month, a life, a hundred years of Men.  But Anduin is near, and Anduin leads down to the Sea.  To the Sea!"  He started singing about the Sea, and Seven slipped away on her own, pondering his words.

            Seven had come to love Ithilien.  Had Legolas not mentioned it, she would not have thought of making it her home, but now that he had said it, she truly hoped she would be able to live there with him until he was ready to leave for the Sea.  The thought startled her, but didn't frighten her as it might have even a few weeks earlier.

            A few days later, the army set out for Minas Tirith.  Seven was nearly recovered, and able to ride on her own.  They arrived at Minas Tirith the evening before Mid-summer's day and camped outside the city.

            Aragorn was resplendent in black mail edged with silver.  With him walked Gandalf and the four hobbits.  With his father's death, Faramir was now the Steward of Minas Tirith.  At the barrier set up in place of a gate stood a small party, Éowyn and Faramir among them.  A trumpet blew, and Faramir came forward.  Kneeling, Faramir presented a white rod to Aragorn.

            "The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office."

            Aragorn took the rod, then handed it back to Faramir.  "That office is not ended, and it shall be thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall last.  Do now thy office!"

            With that Faramir stood.  "Men of Gondor, hear now the Steward of this Realm!  Behold! One has come to claim the kingship again at last.  Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious in battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Númenor.  Shall he be king and enter into the City and dwell there?"***

            The people of Minas Tirith shouted their assent.  Faramir had the crown brought forth: a white helm with wings at the sides.  Aragorn took the crown and held it up, saying "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.  Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn'Ambar-metta!"  Seven listened with a hint of amusement.  She wondered how many of the observers understood the words: Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come.  In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.

            Aragorn did not put on the crown, but handed it back to Faramir.  "By the labour and valour of many I have come into my inheritance.  In token of this I would have the Ring-bearer bring the crown to me, and let Mithrandir set it upon my head, if he will; for he has been the mover of all that has been accomplished, and this is his victory."  And so they did so.  Frodo took the crown from Faramir and brought it to Gandalf, who set it on Aragorn's head. ****

            "Behold the King!" Faramir cried.  Indeed, Aragorn seemed transformed: more powerful, more regal.  Trumpets blew, and Aragorn entered the City of his forefathers.

            The next few days were a flurry of activity and organization.  Aragorn settled the issues of the kingdom, pronouncing pardons and praises and giving lands to the freed captives of Mordor.  To Faramir was given the land of Ithilien.  Théoden had been laid in the Hallows with the kings of Gondor, but when he could, Éomer would take the King back to Edoras to be buried with his fathers.

            Seven found Éowyn at her earliest opportunity.  Éowyn was in the Houses of Healing, but as a healer, not a patient.  She embraced Seven.  The action was still strange to Seven, but less awkward than it had been.  The two of them walked in the gardens and caught up on all that had occurred while they'd been apart.

            Seven was pleasantly surprised to hear that Éowyn had become close to Faramir.  When she released her false hopes for Aragorn, she had also released the desire to prove herself in battle and was now finding fulfillment as a healer.  Éowyn seemed happier and more content, without the sadness hanging over her that had been present since Seven had met her.

            Seven found herself reluctant to discuss her relationship with Legolas.  Éowyn would have been thrilled to hear about it, but Seven wasn't ready to talk about it yet.  She was still uncertain how it would develop, despite the assurance that she would be welcomed in Valinor.  Éowyn was alarmed at the report of Seven's injury, but with Seven beside her in full health, the impact was far less than it might have been otherwise.

            A few days later, Éomer prepared to leave after receiving the King's blessing.  Legolas found Seven in her lodgings with Éowyn in the Houses of Healing.  Seven hadn't seen much of him since they had returned to Minas Tirith.  He offered his arm, and she took it.  The two of them wandered the streets of the city for a few minutes before speaking.

            "I'm sorry I haven't visited more these last few days, Seven.  I let myself get busy with other matters, and I apologize."

            "An apology is unnecessary.  We have both been busy."

            "Is everything well with the Lady Éowyn?"

            "Yes.  She is engaged to marry Lord Faramir."

            Legolas stopped walking and turned to her, chuckling.  "The Steward?  That's wonderful!"

            "They are not ready to announce it publicly yet."

            "I won't say anything.  I suppose you'll go back to Edoras with them?"

            "Yes.  There is much reorganization to be done."

            "We will pass through Edoras when the party leaves for Rivendell, and whatever destinations the others have.  Galadriel and Celeborn with return to Lórien, Elrond and his sons to Rivendell, the hobbits to the Shire.  I suspect Galadriel and Elrond will not remain long in Middle Earth.  Now that the war is over, they will cross the Sea."

            "And what of you?"

            "After traveling a while, I hope to bring some of my folk to Ithilien for a time.  Will you stay with Éowyn?"

            "Probably.  She and Faramir will settle in Ithilien, too."

            "Then whatever happens, I will at least see you there."  Seven nodded, not sure what to say.  "I will part with you for a time, my lady, but only so we can both put our lives in order.  If I do not find you when I come to Ithilien, I will search for you until I find you.  You have my word."

            "And what if I leave Middle Earth and return to my old life?"

            "If you did, I would pray to the Valar to send me there, and I would find you."

            "And what if one of us dies?"  Images of Chakotay's funeral kept flashing through her mind.

            Legolas took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him.  "I will come for you, Seven.  This is my promise.  I will not die and leave you alone."  He kissed away the tear that had fallen to her cheek.  Seven of Nine did not cry, but the moisture on her cheeks seemed to belie that truth of her existence.  Legolas kissed her gently, then held her for a long time.  After a while, her breathing returned to normal and she regained control of her emotions.

            "I will leave you to your preparations, my lady, but I will find you again.  We will meet again, and soon."  Legolas kissed her hand, then turned and walked away.

* p. 252

** p. 252 (modified)

*** p. 265

**** p. 266