A/N: Sorry I've been slow to update. Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry about the lack of detail in the wedding chapter. I didn't really know what it should look like, and that's part of the reason I left it so sketchy. I won't be sending Seven back to the Alpha Quadrant, but she hasn't seen the last of the Voyager crew…this chapter will explain. Please keep up the reviews! Thanks and enjoy!
Chapter 27: An Unannounced Visitor
A few days later, Seven was with the Elves putting up buildings. The work was heavy, but rewarding. The Elves seemed to never require breaks, but Seven stopped for a few minutes every few hours. Tip usually managed to get in the way, but the Elves just shooed him with a few words. At the moment, Seven was sitting on a log taking a break, Tip playing at her feet. She had tied a twig to a string and was teasing him with it.
"Seven?" Seven glanced up, only to see Admiral Janeway. She was dressed in a pale yellow gown that didn't quite look right for Middle Earth. It looked more like the southern part of Antebellum America than the more Medieval style of Middle Earth clothing. Seven had to fight a smirk. The dress had a very full skirt and would be totally impractical for movement. There was nothing practical about it.
"Admiral! I expect Q brought you here?"
"Yes. Where is here, and why am I dressed like this?"
"This is a realm inaccessible from our own. It is called Middle Earth. Q must have decided I needed a visitor. He obviously did not spend much effort to match your clothing to what is common here."
"I can see that. What is Middle Earth?"
"It resembles Earth's Middle Ages in terms of technology and culture, but it is more," Seven paused, looking for the right word, "exotic than Earth's culture. There are several sentient races here and magic is quite real. We have just completed a war against a Dark Lord who threatened to plunge all of Middle Earth into darkness." Seven pulled up her sleeve to reveal several scars from the war.
"Is this one of Q's creations? An invented world like when he took Picard's crew—"
"No. This is very real. I do not fully understand the mechanics, but it is somehow on a different plane of existence. Q is limited here by powers greater than he. He brought me here in an attempt to manipulate the timeline because he was forbidden to directly interfere."
"Something more powerful than Q? That is very interesting."
"Yes. He has offended them somewhat and is—treading on thin ice—that is the expression?"
"Yes, it is. Q told me he'd take me back shortly. Hopefully he'll keep his word. Is he planning on bringing you back any time soon or is he just going to leave you stranded here?"
"I do not wish to return. Q tried to convince me to leave but I refused." Janeway stared at her blankly, shocked. Trying to explain, Seven said, "I have a life here than is far more fulfilling than my life in the Alpha Quadrant." At that moment, Legolas walked over. He had a confused expression on his face. He'd met nearly all the humans in the area, and the appearance of a strange human woman was odd. "Admiral, allow me to introduce my husband, Legolas. Legolas, this is Kathryn Janeway. Q brought her here, apparently to visit me." Janeway cocked an eyebrow at 'husband', but didn't say anything. She was still confused over Seven's desire to remain in Middle Earth, but obviously there was quite a story behind it if Seven was now married.
Legolas' confusion didn't abate by much, but he bowed in greeting. "Lady Kathryn Janeway, welcome. Forgive me for not offering a better welcome. I am simply surprised."
"Q has interfered in this world several times," Seven explained, "but I am the first person he has brought here. Long range transit is very slow here, so visitors are unusual. Did Q say indicate how long he intends you to be here?"
"'For a bit.' Interpret it how you will. He just said he though you could use a visitor. Apparently congratulations are in order. I'm sorry to be so off-balance, but this is all rather confusing. How have you been?"
"Well. As you can see, we are building a community here for some of Legolas' people. Shall we go inside?" Janeway nodded, a little overwhelmed, and Seven got up and led her towards the hall, the only finished building so far. As they walked, several human children ran up. Seeing them, Janeway realized they were a different race. Seven had said there were multiple sentient species on this planet, but Janeway didn't know anything about them except that they existed.
"Lady Seven!"
"Yes?"
"We, um, wanted to see if you wanted any help."
"You wanted to gawk at the Elves."
The boy looked down at his feet. "Why don't you see that Elf over there," Seven pointed. "I expect he'll have some work you can help with. Just don't get in the way. Perhaps you would watch Tip, too?"
The boy nodded, then leaned down and scratched the dog behind the ears. Seven spoke to the dog in quiet Elvish, then the boys and dog ran off towards the Elf she'd indicated. As they spoke, the pieces began to fall together for Janeway. The Elves were very similar to humans, but taller and fairer. They had Vulcanoid ears and tended to wear their hair long. The children had looked like humans, though they could have been a different race that Janeway wasn't familiar with.
Legolas chuckled. "They never seem to tire of coming here, but as soon as we put them to work, they seem to tire within an hour."
"At least they keep Tip occupied," Seven said. "He has been getting underfoot today."
"That dog seems to have as much aversion to work as they do," Legolas muttered.
Seven laughed lightly, not at all offended, and led the way inside. Legolas signaled an Elf, who brought wine. The three of them sat in the cool hall. The darkness was a shock after the bright sunlight. There was nothing gloomy about it, just a welcome respite from the sun. After seeing Seven drink a little of the wine, Janeway sipped at hers and found it very good.
"Wine is common here," Seven explained. "Overindulgence is rare, but alcoholic beverages are frequently consumed. It is also a way of greeting a guest." Janeway nodded, looking around the room as her eyes adjusted. It was not fully decorated, but to her eyes, it was very ornate. "The Elves take great pride in the beauty of their architecture, as in all aspects of their culture." Seven looked over at Legolas. "We will be here talking for some time. You need not wait for us to return to work." Legolas nodded, taking the hint, then bade them farewell, leaving to return to the building project he was working on.