Saruman stiffened, feeling a presence in the darkness behind him. He turned and although he saw nothing in the dark, he was instantly aware who was there.
"I see that the Orcs are thriving, Saruman."
Saruman nodded, pleased. "Yes, my lord. It is only a matter of time now."
"Yes." The figure in the shadows agreed, yet still unappeased. Saruman felt the cold black eyes staring straight through him. "And what of the other, Saruman?"
Saruman swallowed, how could he explain that, aside from the Nazgul's claim that a woman was travelling with the hobbits towards Rivendell some weeks ago,
he had heard nothing that would alert him to the Princess' presence in Middle Earth. "There has been no sign that Princess Mirra has yet returned."
"Do not lie to me, Saruman! I know that she is in Middle Earth once more," He rasped, his soft voice held a note of anger. "My spell has worked, or the ignorant Lord Elrond would not have cast so many sheilds around Rivendell. Yet I have reason to believe the Precious One is in fact under the protection of your own Gandalf the Grey!"
Saruman took a shocked step back, his hand gripping the staff in his hand. "Under our very noses, my lord? I do not believe Gandalf would take the risk."
A sliver of light illuminated the cruel twist in the Lord's mouth as he spoke. "I believe Gandalf would go to any length to lead us astray." A click was heard and a dark blue-purple light flashed, for a split second lighting up the lord's face. He looked young, with his handsome face and blue-black hair, yet his black eyes held years of wisdom. The two darkorbs glowed as they stared back at Saruman. "Send out your spies, they will bring back some helpful information."
>>>
Perched on a rock, Mirra nibbled on a small piece of Elvish bread. It wasn't Ambrosia, but Legolas had been right: it did fill you up. She watched as Boromir sparred with Merry and Pippin, had she been totally honest with herself, Mirra would have admitted that Boromir was truly not a bad guy, just somewhat wary and that against all odds, he was kinda cute. But Mirra was not being totally honest.
Sam sat nearby cooking sausages, whistling a happy tune as he did so. Aragorn smoked his pipe and offered words of encouragement to Merry and Pippin as they parried with Boromir, a smile on his face as he watched. Darren stood beside him, laughing as the lesson became a mock battle, Boromir being brought down by the two hobbits. When Pippn held him down, claiming victory for the shire, Aragorn grinned as he pulled him off.
"Alright, Gentlemen, that's enough."
Mirra smiled and lept off the rock. "You men feel obliged to give me a try?"
Boromir stood up and brushed himself off. "I do not suppose a woman could fight as well as a man, but I am willing to test your skill. If you are truly as good as you say you are, you are quite an accomplished woman. It sure would make our job of protecting you a whole lot easier."
Cocking a brow, Mirra grinned and unsheathed her sword. "Then bring it on, Borri."
The latter shuddered at the nickname he'd been given and crossed her blade with his. "On three. One, t-"
Mirra lunged and began striking. Caught off guard, Boromir hastened to block her attacks. They parried for a while, both ignoring the cheers coming from Aragorn, Darren and the hobbits. As fate would have it, Mirra slipped on a loose rock as she thrust towards Boromir and landed flat on her back. A second later Boromir's sword was dangerously close to her throat.
"I win, little princess. Mirra: 1, Boromir: 1." He winked down at her and sheathed his sword, then offered her a hand up. "You fight well for a woman. Do remind me to give you a few lessons on battle, though."
Mirra didn't get a chance to reply because, Legolas, seeing something in the distance raced to perch on a boulder, staring into the horizon. Sam followed his gaze to an ominous black cloud in the sky.
"What is that?" He asked.
Gimli waved him off. "Nothing, just a whiff of cloud."
"It's moving fast," Boromir noted, his face bearing a puzzled expression. "Against the wind."
Legolas peered at it closely. "Crebain!" He cried, springing from the boulder. "From Dunland!"
The fellowship was thrown into a frenzy as everyone grabbed for their packs and dived out of sight as the crow-like creatures flew overhead. Mirra lay beneath the brush, pressed so tightly against Legolas' chest she could hardly breathe. Not that she was complaining.
Eventually the birds passed and the fellowship crawled out of their hiding spots.
Gandalf cursed. "Spies of Saruman!" He glanced up at the icy mountain. "The passage South is being watched and we can not take the risk of being found. We must take the Pass of Caradhas."
Mirra looked at the snowy passageway and shivered. "Great."
As they began the hike up the mountain, Darren patted her shoulder. "Sing, Mirra. It might calm us a bit."
"I am on my way,
I can go the distance,
I don't care how far,
Somehow I'll be strong,
I know ev'ry mile,
will be worth my while,
I would go most anywhere,
to find where I belong."
At this point in time, Mirra couldn't think of a more fitting song.