Okay, head…check…fingers…check…toes…check…

Jack kept his eyes closed as he took in his surroundings. He was in a bed, if the material rubbing against him was any indication. Not just any bed, but one of the softest he'd ever been in, and unless his BDU's had managed to change their feel he was wearing new clothes too. Sunlight was pouring over him, birds were chirping outside. This had to be the most peaceful awakening he'd had in a long time.

"It is all right, you can open your eyes now."

Jack did, and he blinked them, just to make sure he wasn't still dreaming. The room- if you could call it that, since it missed little things like walls- was beige, the single wall he could see almost glowing in the sunlight. Where walls should have been there were large alcoves leading onto a balcony, alcoves that didn't have anything separating the room from the outside.

Jack sat up, only to fall back down. His head hurt. "So you speak English, now?" he asked, one hand rubbing the back of his head.

The dark haired man smiled. "It is you who are speaking elvish."

Elvish? Jack lifted an eyebrow. "Elvish?"

"You have never heard of elves?"

He laughed. "Sure, when I was a kid, but elves…don't…"

It was then that he noticed something that had nagged him since first meeting the security guards. Their ears. They weren't round. In fact, they were lobe less, stuck out slightly, and were just a little…pointed. "Holy shit. I'm speaking elvish."

The man nodded, moving to the bedside table. "Would you like some water?" His tone was pleasant as he poured a large goblet full from a waiting pitcher. "Gandalf explained that you would likely be thirsty when you woke."

"Yeah. Thanks." Jack eyed the goblet he was handed, noting the design and detail. If this was how these people…elves… he corrected himself, treated their captives they could teach the Goa'uld a lot about prisoner care.

After a careful sniff Jack decided to take a drink. The water was cool, crisp. By far the best water he'd ever had. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you?" Jack stopped. It sounded like he was speaking English, but his mouth wasn't making the right formations.

The man turned, settling into a chair next to the bed. " I am Elrond. And this is my home, Rivendell."

Jack nodded. "Jack O'Neill. Colonel. United States Airforce." He rubbed his eyes. "Where's my team?"

Elrond nodded gravely. "Then you are military, as Glorfindel first suspected. Your people are fine. In rooms such as this one."

"Yeah, we are." Jack sat up slowly this time, grateful when his head didn't protest. "Listen, we didn't mean to intrude. We're explorers from a place called Earth. And as soon as you let us go we can go back, no harm done."

Elrond was puzzled. "You are on Earth, my friend. Middle Earth."

Jack shook his head. "No, no 'middle', just Earth. In my world…well… elves are myths, right along with fairies, dwarves, trolls."

Elrond laughed. "I'm afraid our world are quite different. Here trolls and dwarves are very real creatures. As are elves." He folded his hands. "Which brings us to another question. If you are indeed from another world, how did you find your way into ours?"

Jack sighed. "Don't ask me for details, that's Carter's job-"

"The woman who accompanied you?"

"That's her. We came here through a big stone ring. We call it a stargate. It has symbols on it, and when they turn they connect you to other planets."

The elf froze, the open expression he wore fading. For a moment it looked like he was going to speak. Jack was forced to crane his neck when he instead stood. The man was taller than Teal'c by at least a head. " I must leave you now, but I will return. This room is yours for as long as you remain here. I will have food brought to you. If you try to leave these rooms, you will be returned to the holding cell."

"Right."

Jack waited ten minutes then walked to the door. It was like the first; heavily carved, dark wood with a single large handle, but this one opened with the barest pull. Four pairs of blue eyes turned to him when he stuck his head out, one from either side of the door and two from across the hall.

"You have need of something?" The one on the left asked.

Yeah, a way to get out of here. The colonel shook his head. "Not right now." He closed the door and leaned against it. Not prisoners, but not trusted either.

Jack walked around the room slowly, wishing for a day when they could have a simple recon mission.

"Have the others awakened?"

Gandalf looked at his friend. "The woman and young man are still sleeping. The darker man awoke some time ago, but refuses to talk." He narrowed his eyes, "What has troubled you?"

Elrond sighed. "The one we suspected as being their leader is awake. He says they come from a place called simply 'Earth'. They also claim to have come through the resttinaa."

The wizard looked away. "It cannot be. That cursed stone is gone, given to the elves to see to its destruction." When Elrond didn't reply, he turned. "It was destroyed, Elrond?"

"We could not destroy it, but spells were placed on it that we thought would prevent any from coming through again. For centuries after the coming of the Cursed One, it lay dormant, refusing to bend under the most powerful spells we could bring against it. My wife's grandmother cast the final spells, which we hoped would prevent it from ever being used again."

" Well, those spells are either fading or completely gone," Gandalf muttered. "They came through. And if they can, so can others."

Elrond nodded. " I will send Glorfindel to the store rooms. If it is there, we may have more problems now that we first suspected." He sighed. "How is Frodo?"

"Still unconscious, I'm afraid," came the weary reply. " He may not awaken for another week, if not more. The poison ran deep into him, and refuses to be fully purged. He may yet fall prey to its evil."

"And Bilbo?"

Gandalf lowered his head. "A wreck, if ever I've seen one. He doesn't know which to do; stay by the boy and shake him awake or let him have his rest. It has been many years since the two have seen each other, and this is not the best way to greet beloved family."

Elrond looked to their young charge. Bilbo had spoken often of the boy, of his kindness and desire to travel, just as cousin had. "I will have Liath make sure Bilbo does not make a nuisance of himself as he heals. In the meantime, perhaps it would be best to take our dark friend to his leader. Once assured that his companion is well, he may be more talkative."

Jack plucked at the gown he wore. It felt like some kind of silk, with golden clasps that complimented its off white color. The gown went to his feet, brushing the top of them when he walked.

"Could be worse," he said to himself.

After checking the door a second time he started in on the rest of his surroundings. The furniture in the room was all bolted down. He thought it was bolted, at least, though he had suspicions about one of the side tables that seemed to grow from out of the floor itself. There was nothing he could use as a weapon, unless his captors were especially vulnerable to pillow attack.

"Wow," he whispered, taking in the view from his room. Water. Or more precisely, waterfalls were everywhere. Big ones, small ones, one even went under his balcony. The house extended on both sides of him, blending in with trees, graceful arches and pale domes that were as much a part of the land as vegetation was.

He turned, looking at his bed. A smiling girl dancing around a bush made up the headboard, all twists and vines. Whoever these people…elves…were, they had a definite appreciation of beauty and nature.

Despite the beauty around him, it was clear the room was meant to house an undesirable. The walls to either side of the balcony were sheer, the only way out of the room a long drop to frothing water twenty feet below. That kind of churning could only be caused by rocks close to the surface. No way out there, then.

A knock was all the warning he had before an elf entered carrying a tray. "Lord Elrond said you were awake and no doubt hungry."

"Thanks." Jack said, walking towards the dark haired elf. Man, these guys are tall, he thought. He barely reached the elf's chin. They were thin too. This one was wearing robes like Elrond, only they were deep blue. "I'm Jack." He extended his hand.

The elf looked from it to Jack's eyes, then tentatively wrapped his hand around the man's wrist. Jack shrugged internally and grabbed the elf's wrist, giving the arm a hearty shake. "I am Narathon, steward in Rivendell." He narrowed his eyes. "Jack is an odd name. It lacks…music."

Jack shrugged. "My whole name is Jonathan," he explained. "But most people call me Jack."

Narathon tilted his head. "Jeanathan. I like that better."

Jack hated to admit it, but it sounded better when the elf said it. "Then Jonathan it is." Jack looked around. "I don't know if you know this, but…where are my clothes?"

Narathon smiled. "They were taken away. We did not think you would be so eager to leave if you did not have your equipment."

Jack fought the urge to sigh. So much for that idea. "Any chance of getting them back?"

"In time." The elf turned as someone knocked on the door. "Enter."

Jack almost jumped for joy when Teal'c filled the doorway wearing a robe like his, only in black. He glanced around the room, then stepped inside, keeping a good distance between himself and Narathon.

"Good," the steward said. "We felt you would be more comfortable if you were allowed to see that your friends were indeed doing well. We will send the two others as soon as they awaken." With that the elf bowed and left, shutting the heavy door behind him.

Jack turned to the Jaffa. "Teal'c? They treatin ya all right?"

Teal'c nodded. "I have not been mistreated since our last parting."

"Good. Any word yet on Carter or Daniel?"

The jaffa shook his head. "The people holding us told me that they would recover with time, and were being well cared for. Outside that I do not know."

The Colonel sat on the bed. "You hungry? They just bought a tray of food." He pointed to the tray, noticing now how large it was. They must have known Teal'c was on his way.

"Would it be wise to partake of anything we are given while being held captive?"

Jack fell back on the bed, fighting the urge to smile as he sank in to the thick mattress. Yeah, these people knew how to treat prisoners. "It's either that or starve, big guy."

Teal'c nodded, removing the tray's cover. Two plates filled with cheese and fruit, and two goblets of what looked like wine were there, along with a loaf of bread, butter and a small serving knife.

Jack walked over to the small table, popping a grape into his mouth. "Eat first, then talk."

Daniel woke with a start at the feel of something cold on his forehead. He jerked up, and then crashed back down with a groan. One of these days he was going to get the number of the truck that hit him, he swore it.

"Are you well?"

He opened his eyes. The world around him was a bright blur. He blinked repeatedly, trying to clear his vision. "Glasses," he said his voice hoarse.

"Glasses? Do you mean these?" something thin and black made its way through the blur, and he reached for them, settling his glasses on his nose with a sigh. Being able to see what was coming was much better.

"They are an aid of some sort?"

This time Daniel found the owner of the voice. A tall woman was standing next to his bed, holding the cloth he suspected to have been on his head. Her hair was almost platinum, and her eyes were lilac, pure lilac. "Yes. They help me see." He sat up, ignoring the hammering behind his eyes. "I'm Daniel, Daniel Jackson."

The woman bowed. "I am Yalan. Lord Elrond began to worry when you did not awaken, and sent me to care for you."

Daniel looked around the room. "So I take it you speak English after all," he said, marveling at the designs he saw around him. "How long have I been…" he trailed off. There was something wrong with what he was saying, he could feel it. It sounded like he was speaking English, but he wasn't. His mouth wasn't moving right, making different inflections. "You gave me your language?"

Yalan nodded. "Mithrandir thought it would be best, since we could not understand you." She examined him, taking in his pinched features, the lines of strain around his mouth and eyes. "He assures me that the pain will fade with time."

Daniel nodded, then looked down at himself. Someone had changed his clothes when he was out, and the memory of the last time he'd woken up in new clothes made him shiver. Like those, these were delicately wrought and of something similar to silk, only this time they were forest green.

"Are you all right, Daniel? Is it too cold?"

He shook his head, swinging his legs onto the floor. "No, I was just… remembering something." He walked slowly to the balcony, running a gentle hand over the arches and their twining construction. "This is incredible. It looks almost like the root system of a tree."

Yalan smiled, coming to stand next to him, and he saw that she stood even with his six feet, two inches. "It is designed that way. As is all of Rivendell."

"Rivendell?"

"It is the place where you are." She pointed outside, and Daniel noted that where there should have been glass, there wasn't. "Rivendell stretches throughout this valley. You are in its main house, that of Master Elrond."

Daniel walked out onto the balcony, and stopped, stunned. He had been several places in his life, from the great palaces of Earth to those that spanned across galaxies, but never had he seen a more breathtaking sight. "It's beautiful."

"I will be sure to tell Lord Elrond that you approve, Daniel."

The archeologist turned to her, and froze. She was still looking out towards the view, and he caught sight of her ear, peeking out from her long blond hair.

Her pointed ear.

"Yalan?" He asked, trying to be as delicate as possible. "What are you?"

She smiled. "I am an elf, Daniel. Just as you are a human."

"Then I'm speaking…"

"Elvish. Sindarin, if you wish to be precise."

Before he could ask another question the door opened, and Yalan turned, bowing deeply. "Mithrandir, Lord Elrond."

"Yalan." The gray one said. "So our guest has awakened?"

Daniel cleared his throat. "Yes, he has."

The dark one turned to the elf woman. "Yalan, Arwen needs your help. It appears one of our hobbit guests has found the kitchens."

The woman smiled before heading to the door, closing it behind her. "Hobbit?" Daniel asked.

The gray one laughed. "A creature the size of a child who can eat more than the three of us together."

The dark one smiled sadly before turning to Daniel. "I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, and this is my home."

"Daniel Jackson." He looked at the gray one, "Then you must be Mithrandir."

The man smiled. "Please, call me Gandalf."

Daniel smiled back. "Pleased to meet you. We were just discussing the architecture of this place. Its magnificent, almost modern art deco but reminiscent of the late Grecian period…" he trailed off. "And you have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"

Elrond and Gandalf looked between each other. "You are a student, that much is clear."

"Yes, I'm a student of ancient cultures on my world, as well as languages."

"Then you must find all of this fascinating." Gandalf said, sitting in a chair.

Daniel smiled. "I suppose I should be worried about what you're going to do to us."

Elrond's expression was serious. "We wish only to ascertain why you are here and where you come from. Your leader, Jack, says you are from a place called Earth."

The archeologist nodded. "Yes, that's our planet. We weren't supposed to come here. The place we were going didn't have any indigenous life that we could find, but somehow we ended up here."

The two shared a glance, then turned back to the archeologist. "Tell me about your travels," Gandalf said, taking out a long-stemmed pipe.

Thank you for reading! Please take the time to review, its greatly appreciated. Special thanks to those who do, especially GG, Mara, J, Fool of a Spacemonkey, Celeste, Watershadow and Jessica, who have been good at keeping my Muse here and torturing me!

Oh, and Fool of a Spacemonkey? It is highly unlikely that the form of English we speak on earth could have evolved on another planet, no matter what the show might say. It would mean their history would have had to follow the same flow as ours did, and the chances are literally in the millions as to that happening on planets in which the population is isolated and drawn from one single group and time period. PLUS in this story I'm taking the road that middle earth is actually in another dimension. Don't ask the specifics, that's Carters job.

Tolkien did write the books in English, true, but I find it hard to believe he would expect the people who lived there to speak English if Middle Earth was supposed to be before recorded history, it would mean we have actually gone backwards as far as the development of language goes. That's not to say that they didn't speak some form of old English, in which case SG1 would still be unable to understand them.

And yes I do get the significance of you name. J