A/N

I'm sorry for taking so long. I try to upload a new chapter every week. But sometimes that isn't possible.

Also, Thank you all for your nice reviews. It is good to know people like this story.

Well, enough talking, let's get started!

How To Save A Life

He is furious. He doesn't look like it, but he really is. She can tell by the way he moves. She can see it in his eyes, every time he looks at he. He only looks at her, not saying a word. He doesn't even speak to her. He hasn't spoken to her ever since they had come back with one orc. And from the moment he set his eyes on her, Várar had known her father had figured it out. But he hasn't said a word.

Still, it is not only anger she sees in his eyes. Also disappointment and relieve. It had been that moment when Várar had realised how scared her father had been for her to leave. And who can blame him? For a moment Várar had almost given into Kíli and would have jumped into the river with him, if it had not been for Legolas. And for that, she is thankful for her brother. For is she knows she would have regretted her decision sooner or later.

'You were tracking a company of thirteen dwarves,' she hears Legolas say and Várar turns her attention to him. 'Why?'

The orc smirks, facing Várar, not Legolas, as he speaks. Várar just glares at the creature, disgusted by his presence.

'Not thirteen, not any more.' His voice is the same as his whole appearance, disgusting. 'The young one, the black-haired archer. We stuck him with a Morgul shaft.'

At first, Várar is confused at the mentioning of an archer – all dwarves were unarmed while escaping the realm of her father. Then she realises they must have had some business with these orcs before and she glares at the orc again. Though this time her glare is mixed with worry.

Kíli had been shot, she had seen the wound in his leg when she had made her way over to him. The arrow still in his leg. She is sure he means Kíli to be the black-haired archer. She has seen a few bows between the ceased weapons too.

'The poison's is in his blood. He'll be choking on it soon.'

Várar tries to suppress the gasp that is trying to escape, as he tries to hide her emotions. But how can she, when Kíli is dying? Though she doesn't know him that well, she knows him well enough to know he doesn't deserve to die. No one deserves to die a painful death. She doesn't even wishes for her enemies to suffer!

'Answer the question, filth,' Tauriel sneers at the orc as she notices the look on her friend's face.

The orc responses by speaking in his native language. Várar doesn't understand what he is saying, but she is sure he is insulting Tauriel as he looks at the she-elf. Tauriel whips out her knife, ready to strike their prisoner, as Legolas pushes him a little. With a dangerous tone, he warns the filth not to antagonise her. But the orc just smirks at Tauriel as she glares at him.

'You like killing things, orc?' Tauriel says calmly, though her voice dangerously low. 'You like death? Then let me give it to you!'

As Tauriel rushes forward with her knife, Várar tells her to stop. She needs to know the reason why these orcs are following the dwarves. But Tauriel doesn't listen to her, blinder by her own rage. Only when Thranduil speaks, she obeys, though not heartedly.

'Enough! Tauriel, leave! Go now.' Then he turns to Várar. 'You too, Várar. We will talk about the dwarves and your actions later.'

With a hesitant nod, Várar nods and follows after the hot-headed Tauriel. Behind her she can hear the orc snarl at them and her father telling him he does not care about one dead dwarf. She lowers her eyes in sadness at her father's harsh words. He may not care about a dead dwarf, but Kíli has been the second dwarf she has even spoken to. She somewhat consider him a friend even, having spend a lot of time talking to him or Thorin.

Tauriel mutters some unpleasant words as she walks ahead of Várar, causing the dwarrowdam to look at the taller female. At least one elf cares about the faith of one dwarf. She has seen Tauriel talk to Kíli on the evening of the feast. Várar had seen her when she was looking for Bilbo – the little hobbit had been really difficult to find – when she had spotted the auburn hair of her friend. A gentle smile as she was listening to whatever Kíli had been telling her.

'I am going after them,' Tauriel suddenly announces as she stops and turns to face Várar. 'I cannot allow the king to let the dwarf die. Are you with me, my friend?'

'Father will be furious,' Várar states as she catches up with the she-elf. Surprise clearly visible on her face as she looks up. 'I fear he will not tolerate anything else from me.'

'So you will let him die?' Tauriel asks as she crosses her arms over her chest, an eyebrow quirked up. 'I thought you liked them, is that not why you have set them free?'

Várar looks down in shame. So Tauriel knows it too. She should not be too surprised, for if someone knows Várar thoroughly, it is Tauriel.

'And by doing so Kíli has to pay a high price. I can no longer disobey father. I fear he will never forgive me after what I did today.'

Tauriel turns around again and prepares to leave. But before she does, she looks over her shoulder, looking at Várar. The two red-heads look at each others for a moment, reading each others eyes.

'The Várar I know does not care if her father and king agrees with her or not. She believes in what her heart is telling her, and acts to that.'

With that said, Tauriel walks away, leaving Várar behind. Várar let her words sink in, as she watches the leaving form of her friend. Tauriel is right, she knows she is. But what she did today, is unforgivable. She will be punished for it some way or another. The worst case scenario, she will be banished. And she already knows what her heart is saying. It is shouting for her to help Kíli.

Her father will be furious, of course he will. But he will forgive her in time, right? It's not like he will stay mad at her forever, right? Not when she is saying someone's live? As Várar calls out for Tauriel to wait for her, she starts to run. She will face the consequences for disobeying her father again, when she gets back, hoping her father will understand she had no choice.

Thorin watches the deep waters of the lake in silence, clearly deep in thought. Still Fíli does not miss the occasional shifting of his uncle's eyes. Though the thick mist prevents them to see anything but the freezing water, Fíli knows his uncle sometimes watches to the place they have fled from. No doubt thinking about that dwarrowdam, Várar.

He knows his uncle dislikes elves and to have one lone dwarrowdam living amongst their enemy, must bother his uncle a lot. Especially if the dwarrowdam at matter is the child of Thorin's childhood friend. At least, according to Balin. But Fíli has a feeling there was more going on between Thorin and the dwarrowdam Balin called Gefn. For Fíli had seen the flicker of his uncle's eyes when Balin had mentioned her.

Yes, Fíli might be young still, and has yet to experience the feeling of love – if he will ever experience it – but Thorin's eyes had betrayed his feelings. His uncle had loved Gefn – Várar's mother. And from what Fíli has heard, Várar looks just like her mother.

As Fíli watches his uncle, he notices the sad expression in his eyes. It must have hurt him to know Várar has stayed behind, daughter of the one he once loved.

'Watch out,' Bofur suddenly cries out, turning Fíli's attention to the hatted dwarf.

The bargeman piles his barge between ancient ruins, ignoring the outburst of the dwarf.

'What are you trying to do?' Thorin asks, glaring at the human. 'Drown us?'

'I was born and bred on these waters, master dwarf,' the man replies calmly as he moves the barge trough the lake. 'If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here.'

'Oh, I have enough of this lippy lakeman,' Dwalin whispers loudly to the others. 'I say we throw him over the side and be done with him.'

Fíli smirks at the comment, his eyes moving to the bargeman, before meeting his brother's eyes. The same look of amusement in his eyes, as he smirks as well. Fíli doesn't like the man and the sight of Dwalin lifting him up to throw him into the cold water, would be an amazing sight to see. But it appears not all of them think it to be amusing, for an angry Bilbo speaks up in frustration.

'Ohh. Bard, his name's Bard.'

Fíli contained himself from rolling his eyes. Who cares what he calls himself. He is annoying and Fíli doesn't like him. He hears Bofur ask the hobbit in surprise, to which Bilbo replies sarcastically.

'Uh, I asked him.'

No longer interested, Fíli turns to his brother. He too has been staring off into the distance every now and then and Fíli is starting to worry. Even with his wound tended, Kíli's leg is still bleeding a little. But that is not what concerns him. Fresh wounds tend to keep on bleeding for a while. Nothing new about that. But his little brother is behaving strangely and that concerns Fíli.

'Are you alright?'

Kíli looks at his older brother, a smile on his face as he leans against a barrel. Though he trying to hide the pain, He cannot fool his brother. But Fíli says nothing as he waits for a reply.

'Of course, why wouldn't I be? It is only a scratch.'

Fíli nods. Admittedly, both of them have had much worse. Still he is not at ease. Something is off, but he can't wind his finger around it. Again Fíli notices the small movement of his brother's brown orbs, shifting back to Mirkwood, then look at his brother again. Both brothers stare at each other for a moment. One trying to figure out what is going on with his brother, the other praying his brother hasn't seen the small movement.

Fíli finds himself looking back to where Mirkwood is – hidden in the thick fog – thinking about what his brother could possibly be thinking about. Only elves and orcs are over there. But if his brother was worried about either of them, Fíli would know. But it is not worry he sees in his brother's eyes. At least not that kind of worry.

And then it hits him.

'You like her.' It is not a question, but a statement as his lips curl up into a smirk. 'You like that dwarrowdam.'

Kíli looks at his brother in surprise. Yes Várar has been on his mind a lot since their escape. But not like that! He worries about her safety, that is all! After all she has betrayed the one she calls father. And yet she has stayed behind to be with the elves she calls her family.

Kíli must admit he admires her for her bravery to stand up for justice. And he shall not deny to say he thinks her to be quite a beauty. But he has set his eyes on another, though she is far beyond his reach.

'You've got it all wrong, brother,' Kíli says, looking his brother straight in the eye. 'I like her, yes. She is nice and she helped us. But I do not fancy her.'

'If you say so, brother,' Fíli says, a smirk still playing in his lips. 'If you say so.'

Fíli is following his uncle as they walk through the streets of the town. The clothes he wears are too big for him, his armour not as fitting as he had hoped. But at least he has something to give some protection – some protection – as they face the dragon. And with real weapons again, they might stand a chance.

Behind him, Kíli is trying to keep up with them, but his injured leg is preventing him from doing so. But then again, Fíli would have done the same thing. As for all dwarves. A sturdy folk they are, but Fíli would not want to belong to any other folk. Unlike that dwarrowdam from Mirkwood. What is she? A dwarf? An elf? She certainly dresses like an elf. And...

Wait, why is he thinking of her again? She's back at Mirkwood, where she belongs. With the elves that raised her. But does she? Should she not be with her own folk? With dwarves? And why did she choose to stay with them anyway? Did Kíli not over her to go with them? To be with her own kind?

'You do know we're one short,' Fíli hears Bilbo say and he looks at the hobbit. 'Where's Bofur?'

Fíli hadn't noticed this before, but now that the hobbit mentions it... Where is Bofur? Did the bloody dwarf drink too much last night? How can he miss such an important day?

'If he's not here, we leave him behind.'

'We have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays.'

Fíli has to agree with his uncle and Balin on this one. Durins Day is tomorrow. If they want to reach the hidden door in time, then nothing must delay them. Bofur will understand, right? Besides, it's not like they will leave him behind for good. When the dragon is slain, they will send someone for him.

'Not you,' Fíli hears his uncle say. 'We must travel with speed and you will slow us down.'

Upon hearing this, Fíli turns to look at his uncle, to see him talking to Kíli. His brother smiles as he replies. Probably thinking Thorin is joking.

'What are you talking about? I'm coming with you.'

With one simple word, Kíli's smile drops. The hope in his eyes leave, only to be replaced by desperation. All with just one simple 'no' from Thorin.

'I'm going to be there when that door is opened,' Kíli says, as he looks at Thorin. 'When we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin.'

But the older dwarf will not hear it. In fear of missing the one chance to open the hidden door. But also in fear of losing his youngest nephew. The last part of their journey will be the most difficult one, for they must not only search for something unseen. But they must enter Erebor while that cursed fire-drake still dwells down the halls.

'Kili,' Thorin begins as he places his hand on the younger dwarf his shoulder. 'Stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed.'

He smiles at his nephew, but Kíli looks shocked at his words, a hint of betrayal in his eyes. Then he turns away. As Thorin turns to the boat, Oin gets out, stating his duty lies with the wounded.

'Uncle,' Fíli says as he stands up to face the said dwarf. 'We grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!'

'Fíli...'

But Fíli will not give in so easily. His brother will come along, no matter what! Or else neither of them will go.

'I will carry him, if I must!'

But Thorin will not listen. The dwarf must think of his mission, his quest. And right now, Kíli will slow him down. He loves his nephew, both of them. But time is short and they must cover a lot of ground still.

'One day you will be king and you will understand,' Thorin tries to explain as the others continue loading the boat. 'I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf. Not even my own kin.'

Fíli looks down in defeat. His uncle is right, he know he is. But that doesn't mean Fíli is content with it. He casts a look at his younger sibling, who is being checked up by Oin. Then Fíli steps out of the boat. He knows where he is needed most, and that is with his brother. Not with the company.

'Fíli, don't be a fool,' Thorin says, trying to stop his eldest nephew. 'You belong with the company.'

But Fíli has to disagree.

'I belong with my brother.'

With that said, Fíli pulls himself away from his uncle to join Kíli and Oin. As the last things are loaded, the company prepares to leave, while the people of Laketown play some music. Two pair of blue eyes meet, as Fíli watches his uncle. He is disappointed to know he will miss this crucial moment of their long journey. But he will not leave his brother behind. The bond of siblings being stronger than the bond of a company.

Thorin nods at him, a silent goodbye, or perhaps a farewell. Fíli returns the gesture, before Bufor shows up next to him. The dwarf first looks at the boat in sadness, then notices the other three dwarves and asks if they have missed the boat as well. But before any of them can answer, Kíli moans in pain and begins to fall over.

'Kíli?' The blonde dwarf asks in surprise, catching his brother. 'Kíli!'

'This way!'

Várar leads the way as she heads towards where she has seen the dwarves head to. But her brother doesn't bother. His eyes are trained on the orcs that move over the roofs. And Tauriel follows him as well. So Várar takes one last glance to where she had seen a dwarf, to follow her older sibling.

What else can she do? If she were to come across the orcs by herself, she might not be able to defend herself. Besides, she has seen one dwarf, that doesn't mean they are all at the same place.

Suddenly she can hear someone scream and Várar quickens her pace, running after the two elves. Orcs have invaded a house, where she can hear two girls screaming. Tauriel is the first to arrive, soon followed by Legolas.

'Get down,' Várar yells, before throwing her dagger at an orc.

'Thanks,' Fíli – or was it Kíli – says as the blonde dwarf stands up straight again and looks at her. Then he looks at the dagger she had just thrown at the orc's head. 'I see you've brought my weapons along.'

'I think now is not the time for chitchat,' Várar says as she stabs another orc. 'And a little help would be welcome...'

As she struggles to keep an orc away, Fíli – or Kíli, she really needs to remember who is who – takes his dagger from the dead orc. With one swift motion he kills the orc, letting it drop to the ground.

On the other side of the room, Várar hears someone hiss in pain and she turns to see the brother on the ground, clutching his leg. An orc approaches him, but Tauriel kills it with ease. The house is now almost cleared of orcs. That handful that are still breathing, taking their leave quickly, after their leader calls out for them.

'You killed them all,' a human boy says in amazement, looking at the three newcomers.

'There are others,' Legolas replies, looking out of the window. 'Várar, Tauriel, come.'

But neither female moves as the elven prince strikes toward the door. They look at each other, hesitating on what to do. Tauriel's hazel eyes then move to Legolas, as the blue orbs of Várar move to the weak dwarf on the ground.

'We're losing him!' Oin says as he examines him.

'Várar?' Legolas asks, looking at the smaller female, but she shakes her head. She will not leave a dieing dwarf, while she might help him. Legolas nods sadly at her, understanding. Then he turns to Tauriel. 'Tauriel.'

He looks at her for a moment, then walks out the door, expecting the auburn-haired she-elf to follow him. And she is about to follow her prince, but Várar stops her.

'He needs athelas,' she tells her friend and Tauriel looks at Kíli again.

The dwarf moans in pain, as sweat drips from his brow. The dwarrowdam is right, but where do they find it in this town? Suddenly Tauriel hears a noise and she grabs her dagger, ready to kill the orc.

But to her surprise, she sees another dwarf running up the stairs. In his hands the here they need to heal the wounded dwarf. Without hesitation, she takes the leaves from his grasp and whispers 'athelas', as she turns around.

A/N

Well, that's it for now. Hope you liked it. The battle is coming closer and closer. But what will be the outcome? Who will die and who will survive? Only one way to find out.

Anyway, leave a review to tell me what you think of this chapter, or the story so far.