Chapter 3.

'Shall it all be in vain?' Elrond thought to himself in little more than a whisper. He was standing before the frail body of Frodo. The Nazgul blade had dug deep and all the powers of Rivendale were needed to repair its damage. He could feel the power of his people channeling through his body and into the wound, and already the physical effects of the blade had begun to diminish. It was curious, the presence of the alien craft seemed to enhance the powers of his people, as if the energy he felt coursing through the cords were somehow seeping into the forest. Already the damage done by the strange craft had been undone, damage that would normally have taken several years to repair.

Frodo gasped for air, and awoke for the briefest of moments, it was what those gathered were hoping for. The physical damage had been healed, however, years of torment still lay before the ring bearer.

Elrond left Frodo's room, leaving him to the company of the other Hobbits. As he left the room he was joined by Gandalf the Grey.

'It is difficult to believe that such a calamity has occurred in your lands' Gandalf stated. 'I did not think that even the Elves of Valanor could regenerate such damage in so short a time'

'It is the presence of the vessel, it gives aide to the powers that protect these lands, I doubt Sauron himself with the full force of Mordor could peril these lands so long as that vessel remains'

'Then you are very fortunate, not many races, Elvin or otherwise could state the same' Gandalf sighed slightly. He did not doubt Elrond's claim, he could feel the power himself, the moment he entered the boarders of Rivendale he was hit with the revitalizing charge of energy. 'Now you say there were humans aboard the vessel?'

'Yes, there were 5, four male and a female' Elrond replied.

'And where are they now?'

'One has passed, he now lies upon the dais of Alluín preserved for whatever burial the others would see fit. Two were beyond our aide and sent to Galandriel in Lothlorien. The two that remain are still recovering from their wounds'

'What can you tell me of them, I understand you spoke with the female for some time?'

'Yes, the female seemed like none other I have encountered. Her words were spoken with great speed and without regard for station. I would assume she wields great authority wherever she came from. I sensed no ill intent from her, I believe that their presence here was accidental, and if she had wished harm to our people she could have withheld her aide'

'And of the vessel, would you describe it to me?'

'Ah yes, the vessel was crafted like a ship of old, much like the white ships used in our exodus from Valinor… However the ship was made entirely of metal!'

'Of metal you say?' Gandalf took this to heart. Crafts of Metal and stone were the usual workings of man and dwarf, and more recently, Sarumon. The memory of his last encounter with Sarumon still sent shivers through him.

'The metal is not of middle-Earth of that I am sure. The craft required to build such a vessel, I believe, would be beyond that of the Valar'

'And what of this wall Glorfindel spoke to me of? He said it was a wall of magic that revealed to you a map of the vessel and a warning of the destruction the vessel would bring'

'The wall was also made of metal, but light seemed to dance upon it. It could show you many things, much like the mirror of Galandriel, or even the Plantir's of old.'

'The Plantírs? Could you see through the eyes of the other great seeing stones when your hand was placed upon it?'

'No'

'I wish to see this vessel Lord Elrond, but first I would like to see this human that has fallen, from his body I may be able to determine where he came from'

'Very well Gandalf, but you alone may visit the vessel, I have set a guard about it, they will kill any who approach without my word'

Gandalf bowed low to the Elvin Lord and made his way to the dais of Alluín where the body of one of the humans lay.

Standing before the dais Gandalf waved his hand over the body, channeling away the Elvin magic used to preserve the body. The human lay motionless, he did not look to be dead, more he seemed to be sleeping. Gandalf placed his hand upon the humans forehead and felt a warmth emanating from it.

'This is impossible' Gandalf whispered to himself. His hands raced to the humans throat to feel for a pulse. There was nothing. He moved his hands further down and placed them over the humans heart, there was no breath, nor beat of his heart, nothing. It puzzled Gandalf that the creature still radiated warmth, yet gave no sign of life.

Just as Gandalf had given up looking for an explanation, the humans eyes opened and flashed a bright crimson blue. The creature sat up and stared at Gandalf with a perplexed look upon his face.

'Auto repair complete, primary and secondary systems at 100' Achilles stated aloud. 'Scanning local vicinity for General Jack O'Neill'

'Greetings' Gandalf stated 'I am Gandalf the Grey, may I ask your name?'

'I am Achilles, Ancient defense fleet sector 4 grid 9' Achilles replied.

'That is a curious name, may I ask where you come from?'

'I was created in the Andarian Cluster of Quadrant three-nine-two of the Baltarian shipyards'

'You were created?'

'Yes'

'At a ship yard?'

'Yes'

'But you do not look like a vessel'

'The form you see before you is an Avatar, my consciousness resides in this body and aboard my vessel'

'So you are the vessel that crashed in the woods?'

'That is a part of me. I must now find Jack…' Achilles closed his eyes and brought his data link online.

Datalink to shuttle computing core detected

Attempting systems interface

… interface successful …

Accessing Sensor Array

… sensor array at 0.8 maximum range 21 miles …

Uploading biometric data

… upload accepted …

Initiating scan

… Scan complete …

Downloading Scan results

… download complete …

Downloading system status

… download complete ...

Status report: automated repair systems at 21 repair drone propagation in progress…repair systems will be at 100 in 2 hours 32minutes.

'Jack is currently housed in this facility, he is currently unconscious and is currently in the presence of an Elvin female' Achilles reported 'I must go to him immediately'

'He is being tended to by the finest healers in Rivendale, he will be fine' Gandalf stated, he was incredibly relieved that this Jack person was not one the elderly male sent to Lothlorien with the female.

'I must see that for myself'

'Very well, if you would follow me' Gandalf extended a hand to help Achilles down from the dais.

The pair walked in silence through the many halls of Rivendale and finally came to the room that had been assigned to Jack.