A/N: As always, thanks for the reviews!  I really appreciate hearing from you every chapter.  In this chapter I poke some more fun at Q with the aid of one of the most interesting characters of the entire sage (Galadriel).  I hope this will fill in the gaps for those who are wondering about Q and the Ring.  If anyone is concerned I've been humanizing Q too much, hopefully this will set those fears at rest, too.  Enjoy!

Chapter 22: Galadriel

            Éowyn was startled to see Seven still asleep when she woke up.  Seven was usually up well before her.  Éowyn usually didn't even know when her friend got up.  She dressed quietly and left the room, letting Seven sleep.  Seven joined her an hour later, in better spirits than she had been in days. 

            That day and the next were a blur of preparation for the funeral and seeing to the guests.  Despite the business, there was time for conversation, too.  One evening, Galadriel found Seven.  "Lady Seven of Nine?"  Seven nodded.  "I am Galadriel."  Seven nodded again, not certain what to say.  She had seen the Elven lady around the city, but never talked to her.  "I have watched you from afar since you came to Middle Earth.  Q is a meddler, and I suspect he was trying to use you to achieve some goal of his own, but it has turned out for the best, I think."

            "Gandalf mentioned that he has caused some trouble here."

            "Yes.  He seems to show up at least once an age, if not more often, pestering us.  I don't think you'll see any of him while I'm here.  My last encounter with him was less than pleasant, but I am glad to know that he has taken at least some responsibility for your presence here.  Q has a lot of power, but lacks the maturity to manage it.  This time, at least, it has turned out well.  You are adjusting well?"

            "Well enough.  My life has always required adaptation."

            "Of course.  I know you feel a lot of uncertainty over your relationship with Legolas.  You worry that he will die like Chakotay.  Do not fear.  The future is always uncertain, but you have suffered enough grief already.  I do not think you will face that outcome.  Do not fear to commit."

            Seven hesitated a moment.  "Lady Galadriel?"

            "Yes?"

            "What exactly did Q do?"

            Galadriel chuckled.  It's a long story.  Are you sure you want to hear it?"  Seven nodded.  "He often shows up just to cause mischief, but that is not the real reason he's so poorly welcomed here.  Many, many years ago, when the Elves had first come to Valinor, Q came there himself, unnoticed by the Valar.  He tried to impersonate the Valar and tell the Elves that he was one of them so we would trust him.  We did not, but rather told the Valar about him.  When they confronted him, he threw a bit of a temper tantrum, and they banished him from interfering with the affairs of Middle Earth.

            "From time to time he has returned, causing some sort of mischief.  I don't know all the details of the incident with the Ring, but apparently he nearly took it from Gollum as a way to retaliate for his banishment.  It was a disaster barely averted, but afterwards, the Valar put very strict limits on his powers here.  The details remain between Q and the Valar.  I hope that helps you understand why he is so poorly welcomed here."

            "What did he do to you?"

            "Besides impersonating the Valar?  I had to rather forcefully ask him to leave my lands.  It's partially thanks to his tricks that the Men of this region have feared me for so long.  He just kept causing trouble, and it took joining forces with Gandalf to get him to leave.  He hasn't bothered me since."

            Seven fought a smile at that.  She wondered what details Galadriel was omitting.  "You mentioned the Ring.  I do not fully understand why a piece of jewelry has so much significance.  Legolas told me that it is evil and must be destroyed, but—"

            "Yes.  It is a long tale, and a difficult one.  Legolas does not know the full story himself.  The one Ring is the most powerful of the Rings of Power, but it is not the only one.  There were nine rings made for the kings of Men, and seven made for the Dwarves.  Sauron had a hand in making these rings, but not the three Elven rings.  Those alone are untainted by his will.  The nine rings of Men enslaved their bearers until they became the Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths.  The Dwarven rings are lost, and the Three are held carefully secret, lest Sauron learn their location and use it against us.  For many years, the One Ring was lost, too, but then Gollum found it.  Bilbo Baggins obtained it from him and passed it on to his nephew, Frodo, who bore it to Mordor."

            "And destroyed it."

            "In a manner of speaking.  Frodo lost will in the end, and it was Gollum who actually accomplished the destruction of the Ring by falling into the Cracks of Doom with it."

            Seven nodded.  She had heard the story before.  "What will happen now that the war is over?"

            "The Elven rings have lost their power.  Soon the Ringbearers will depart.  Frodo will join us, and Bilbo."

            "Who are the Ringbearers?"

            "Even a few months ago, I would have hesitated to answer that, but I suppose it does not matter now."  She held up her hand, and Seven saw a ring on her hand.  It was odd that she had never noticed it before.  "You could not have seen it if I had not chosen to reveal it."  Galadriel answered Seven's unspoken question.  "Elrond and Gandalf bear the other two."

            "Gandalf?"

            "He received it from another.  Círdan realized that Gandalf would have need of it in the War, and so he did.  We three will soon leave Middle Earth and cross the Sea.  I love Middle Earth, but I am ready to return to Valinor.  It will never be the same as in my memory, before the Trees were destroyed, but it will be a welcome homecoming, nonetheless."

            "Legolas mentioned the Trees, but only in passing.  What were they?"

            "He has heard about them only in tales, himself.  The two Trees gave light to Valinor before the Sun and Moon were ever created.  It was from their light that Fëanor created the Silmarils, jewels of ancient beauty."  Galadriel sighed sadly.  "When Morgoth poisoned the Trees, Fëanor would not give up the jewels, not even to restore the Trees, and then Morgoth stole them, too.  Many of us followed him to get the jewels back, but only caused greater grief.  We killed our own kin in our haste to return to Middle Earth against the wishes of the Valar, and now, after many wars and much grief, the Silmarils lie beyond any reach.

            "The tale of the First Age of the World is a sad one, Seven of Nine.  In the end, hope has risen again, but it has taken these many ages and cost the Eldar dearly.  We will not remain in Middle Earth now that it is over.  The Valar have seen fit to allow me to return to Valinor, despite my role in the rebellion and the Kinslaying, and soon I will leave and go into the West.  The age of the Elves is passing."  Galadriel smiled sadly.  "I hope I have not darkened your heart overly with this dark tale, but perhaps it will help you to understand the Firstborn.  I will leave you now, but we will meet again in the Undying Lands.  Until then, live your life here and enjoy Middle Earth.  Good night." 

            With that, Galadriel slipped off into the night, leaving Seven to her thoughts.  Seven spent much of that night mulling over everything she had said.