As Mirra stared long and hard at her reflection in the mirror, she thought about the reality of what she was about to do: She was about to travel with the Fellowship to destroy the ring of power. But had she screwed up? So far all the events leading up to the council had happened like they were suposed to and, although Mirra had intended to stop Frodo from being pierced with the Morgul Blade, the plot of Lord of the Rings remained mostly unchanged. However, she knew that her very presence in Middle Earth had disrupted things greatly. But then had they truly? She already knew that she belonged here.

The wrap of knuckles against the hard wood of her bedroom door alerted her to Darren's presence in the room, and she turned to him, a faint smile touching her lips. "Well, how do I look?" She asked.

Darren took in the sight of Mirra dressed in black leggings, a forest green tunic and brown, knee-length riding boots embroided with silver patterns. The only symbol of her royalty was the emerald circlet she wore over the high ponytail in her hair. He was stunned.

"It just needs a finishing touch." She added, strapping the leather sword sheath to her hips and sliding the sword inside. "Voila."

Darren made a cross over his chest. "You look like the Middle Earth Joan of Arc." He replied, earning himself pillow in the face.

"Fool. You're one to talk when you look like Link from the Legend of Zelda." Mirra teased, poking him in the stomach before throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm so glad your coming with me, Darren."

Darren hugged her back, almost afraid to let go, that she'd go somewhere far away where he couldn't follow. "I'll always be with you." He murmured, mostly to himself. "Besides," He said more loudly. "Someone has to stop you from killing Boromir."

Mirra opened her mouth to reply but Darren cut her short. "When it's his time and not before!"

"You know me so well." Mirra chuckled.

"Milady Mirra, the fellowship is assembling in the courtyard." Came the voice of the steward from the doorway.

"Very well, we shall leave momentarily." Mirra told him and the steward scurried off.

Darren caught Mirra's gaze. "Well, this is it."

"I take it there are no second breakfasts on this trip either?"

This time it was Gandalf to smack Pippin over the head as the fellowship marched on. It had been barely two hours since they had left Rivendell and they were hours away from their first rest stop.

"You know, Pip, if you play a game to occupy the time you'll find that before you know it, it will be time for lunch." Mirra told him.

"What kind of game?" This from Merry who had been walking beside Sam a little further along the group.

From somewhere up ahead came Boromir's voice. "A quiet game, were the first one to talk loses."

Mirra ignored him. "Well, that depends, you can play word games, rock, paper, scissors or even sing."

"Mirra always did have a beautiful voice." Darren chimed in. "Why don't you sing for them, Mir."

Embarrassed she waved them off. "No, no, I think it's more of a game sort of time, don't you Frodo?"

Frodo glanced back a Mirra, then Darren, then Gandalf who was walking beside him. "Uh...yes?"

"Exactly. So we should-

"You will promise to sing for us later won't you, Princess?" Asked Legolas, his periwinkle blue eyes brimming with amusement.

Mirra stared and was suddenly transported back to a day in the nineth grade when she had fantisised about staring into those eyes. She'd been in love with Orlando Bloom at that point and couldn't help but watch Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean and Troy fifty times over.

Aware that Legolas was still waiting for an answer, as was Merry, Pippin, Darren and Frodo (and she was certain, Gandalf), she blushed and mumbled, "Ok."

Legolas smiled, something she could watch all day, and turned to see in front. One thing was for sure, she'd have to try really hard if she wanted to maintain a coherant conversation around this prince.

That night, they stopped in a woodland clearing to rest for the night. After a small dinner of beans and vegetables, they all rolled out their sleeping bags, except for Aragorn who had volunteered for the first watch.

Merry and Pippin sat on a log playing rock, paper, scissors, Boromir and Gimli stared at the campfire, Legolas spoke to Aragorn in Elvish, Sam and Frodo washed the dishes, Darren spoke to Gandalf about Middle Earth and Mirra humed softly to herself as she placed the clean plates away in the rucksacks.

"You promised to sing us a song, Mirra. Can you sing one for us now?" Pippin called, startling her from her imagination.

"Now?"

"Yes, please."

Placing the last plate away, she walked over and sat beside Pippin on the log. "Alright, what would you like me to sing?"

"A nice lullaby would be nice, Mirra." Mirra silently applauded herself. She had been right: Gandalf had been listening.

Giving it a thought for a moment, she decided on the song she would sing.
She looked around the circle, ten pairs of eyes stared back at her. Clearing her throat, Mirra began.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're fast asleep

In dreams you lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday

Your rainbow will come smiling thru

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

the dream that you wish will come true"