A/N

I am so sorry for the wait. It's been a busy month for me so writing had to wait.

Anyway, thanks for the reviews, favorites and followers.

For the guest that has left a review on chapter 9: That's the whole idea ;) Besides, I don't think Dís would castrate him. She would have his head if she finds out, for Dís knows Várar is promised to another (chapter one;) )

Come With Us

Fíli lies in his hard bed, as he is looking at the ceiling. He can hear the others trying to break free again, but has given that up. Balin is right, there is no way out. No matter how hard they kick or push against the door, it will not give way. No doubt in his mind these elves have put a spell on them.

He sighs. Perhaps this had been the reason why uncle had not wanted them to come. Thorin had already known about the perils that they would cross, when they left home. What is home anyway? He has been born and raised in Ered Luin, that is his home. Sure, the lonely mountain calls to him, but is it his home? He has never been there. Nor will he ever reach it. Only with some help from the outside, will they be able to escape.

But that female – the dwarrowdam – from the day before. She seems loyal to the elves. Why? Why would an dwarf be loyal to an elf? And why is this dwarrowdam living with these elves anyway? Where does she hail from and how did she end up living here? She doesn't appear the be from Erebor, she is too young to have witnessed that day. No, she appears to be his age, judging from her looks and the playfulness she holds in her eyes.

Fíli breathes heavily through his nose. Why is he thinking of her again? Why is she such a mystery to him? As a prince he is used to getting the answers he wants, but he knows nothing of her. She hasn't even given him her name!

'You seem less bothered about being held prisoner, compared to the others.'

That voice, she's back!

In a blink of an eye, Fíli rushes over to the iron door, seeing the same dwarrowdam as before, standing in front of Kíli's cell. In his haste, Fíli has missed the reply of his brother. But whatever Kíli had said, it seems to amuse her, for a smile spreads across her face.

'Don't waste your breath on an elf, lad,' Bofur says from his cell. 'They aren't worth your time.'

The female shift her eyes down the hall, a strange look in her eyes. It takes a moment for Fíli to figure out she is actually scared. Scared for them. It appears the others don't know about her yet. Why else would she be afraid of a couple of dwarves. It's not like they can hurt her, not locked in their cells. Besides, what dwarf would harm a dwarrowdam?

'It appears Kíli isn't talking to an elf, Bofur,' Fíli says with a smirk, his eyes not leaving the female.

'Is the lad already seeing things?'

This time it is Balin. As the others begin to move around in their cells, the female clearly becomes uncomfortable, as her eyes shift from Kíli to Fíli and then down the cells again. Suddenly the whole dungeon is silent for a moment. But only for a moment, before...

'By my beard!'

'That's not an elf-maid.'

'Is that...?'

'... a dwarrowdam, indeed she is.'

Fíli watches as the dwarrowdam's eyes shift down the hallway, watching as the other dwarves. His smirk still plastered on his face as she takes a step back. Serves her right to be sneaking up on them. If she is to come down here, then she should at least make herself known.

But as Fíli watches the female, his smirk slowly fades into a frown as he notices the fear in her eyes. He had not meant to frighten her by his action, het had only meant it as pay-back for her being such a mystery to him.

'I-I have to go,' the dwarrowdam stammers, taking a few steps back.

But before she can turn around, Balin calls out for her. Though Fíli has a feeling she wouldn't have stayed, if the elder dwarf hadn't said something interesting. He had said her name! How does he even know her name?

'You knew my mother?'

'Ah, so she did survive the orc raid,' Balin says as the female – apparently the daughter of some dwarrowdam named Gefn – slowly makes her way to the dwarf, her eyes scanning each and every dwarf she passes by. 'You have to forgive my bluntness, my lady, but I had thought Gefn to have died a long time ago.'

'She did,' the dwarrowdam states, though her eyes do not show the kind of sadness a child would show after losing a parent. 'She died giving birth to me.'

At this, Balin mutters a soft 'I'm sorry for your loss', as the female nods to him. As Fíli watches her, he notices some of her uneasiness around the dwarves, some of her fear, slowly fades a little. Still she remains alert to the others, as she continues to talk to Balin.

Not that Fíli is listening intensely anymore. The dwarrowdam being even a greater mystery to him than he had even thought. Who has taken care of her these years? Did these elves take her in? It would explain a lot. But why would an elf take in a dwarfling? That doesn't make any sense!

Why does she has to be such a mystery to him? Fíli hates it!

'And what is your name, dear?' he hears Balin say, making Fíli turn his attention to the dwarrowdam again.

'Várar.'

'Hm, an interesting name indeed.' Fíli can imagine Balin nod his head at as the elder dwarf says this. Or perhaps Balin would stroke his beard in thought? Or even both? 'No doubt your mother's pick?'

The dwarrowdam – Várar – nods her head. She is clearly getting over her fear, that much Fíli can tell as he studies her. Even in the full light of the torches, he can see the change in her eyes as she looks at Balin.

'What does it mean?'

'It means "solemn vow" or "oath" if you like. It seems your mother has named you after a promise she had made.'

The look of surprise does not go unnoticed by the keen blue eyes of the young dwarf prince. He finds the female even more interesting than he had first thought. How big are the odds of a dwarfling being taken in by an elf, being raised as an elf – he can tell that much from her appearance – and to have never seen one of he own race before?

He must admit, it is quiet interesting to have witnessed such a thing. Especially now that the dwarrowdam isn't as big of a mystery to him anymore. True, all he really knows is her name, but there is no doubt about his guess of an elf having raised her. Why else would a dwarf walk the way she does, her footsteps about her soundless as those pointy ears. And her clothes clearly not dwarven-made, but elven-made. As for her hair, clearly elvish.

Fíli turns away from the scene, no longer interested. He knows enough for now. All that is important right now, is for them to escape, along with his uncle.

'What are you doing down here, Várar?'

The said dwarrowdam stops in her tracks, her eyes widen in shock as she looks at the elf in front of her.

'Adar!'

Thranduil quirks an eyebrow, while crossing his arms over his chest. He is quite disappointed to find Várar down here, while he had told her not to. No doubt in his mind that she has payed that dwarf a visit, judging by the direction she had come from.

Suddenly Várar seems much smaller than usual, her shoulders heavy with guilt. He can see it in her eyes, the guilt of betraying her father.

'Father, I...' she begins, looking at him. 'I had too, father. He knew my mother!'

'Just because someone knows someone dear to you, doesn't make them a good person,' Thranduil says, not hiding the look of betrayal on his face. 'Many know my name, but most of them don't wish me well.'

Várar looks at the ground. She knows he is right. He is always right. But what if he is wrong about these dwarves? What if they mean no harm. She already know why they were traveling through Mirkwood. And with so many riches in the mountain, why would they want to rob her father? That doesn't make sense.

But still, she has betrayed her father, going to Thorin and the others, while he forbade it. She has sneaked down the dungeons of her father many times the past two weeks, only to see a prisoner she doesn't even know. Why had she done that anyway. That is nothing like her! Is her curiosity becoming stronger than her loyalty?

No! It is her right to know more about her race! For it seems there is more to them, than Thranduil has told her about them. True, the seem to be quite a loud race. And by the looks of their weapons, also cruel. But Thorin seems nice. And that darker-haired nephew of him too. The lighter-haired one – Fíli was his name?- might seem a little grumpy, but who wouldn't, when locked up in someone's dungeon?

After a long silence, Várar finally looks at the ground in defeat.

'I am sorry, father,' she whispers quietly, though his sharp ears easily hear her quiet words. 'I should have listened to you.'

Thranduil nods, acknowledging her apologies. Then he gently kneels down on one knee, to meet her at eye-level. His eyes still showing the betrayal he feels, though also the love he holds for the young female.

He knows she did not mean to oppose him. And he can not blame her for wanting to know about her people. But he fears it might have sparked up something inside of her, something that will make her want to leave. But he not yet ready to let her go! She is still so young, well to him she is.

But something tells him, he about to let his child go sooner than he has wanted. For it begins with a little rebellion, disobeying him. But the next move will be her distancing herself from him. And then she will completely leave his side. And for what? To join the grandson of and stubborn dwarfking, driven mad by the dragonsickness?

He simply cannot allow that to happen! And while Thranduil has no prove Thorin is like his grandfather, he has no prove him to be a good dwarf either. And he shall not trust that dwarf his most precious gem.

'My dear,' he says quietly, his voice gentle as he brushes some hair out of her face, before caressing her cheek. 'I only want to protect you from harm. And sometimes it means I have to protect you from yourself.' Thranduil gently places a gentle kiss on her forehead. 'You are so precious to me, Várar. I would not know what to do when I were to lose you.'

'Don't worry, father,' Várar says with a weak smile. 'You will not lose me.'

With that she leaves, not wanting to stay down here any longer. She needs some time for herself, get her thoughts back in order. Besides, tonight will be the feast she has waited for. Only a few hours left, and she will no longer be confused about her feelings any longer.

Still, something inside of her tells a different story.

Again Várar finds herself sneaking through the lower parts of her home. Why is she even doing this? The lives of some prisoners should be of no concern to her. But still she is here, sneaking through the halls. Though this time not alone.

Behind her is a strange creature named Bilbo Baggings. Apparently he is a hobbit, whatever a hobbit may be. She finds him rather funny-looking, with his big and hairy feet and pointed ears. And he is even smaller than she is. And here she was, thinking dwarves to be the smallest creatures.

'Bilbo, you take this key and take the ones at the end,' Várar whispers as she turns to face the hobbit. 'After everyone is freed, we will make our way down to Thorin. After that, you know which way to go?'

The hobbit nods, taking the key from her, before quietly making his way over to the dwarves. As the dwarves exclaim in surprise and happiness, Várar winches. They are going to get caught if they won't quiet down fast!

'Shhh! There are guards nearby!'

At least someone knows how to use his brain. As the hobbit begins freeing the dwarves, Várar opens the cell-doors as well. The first she frees, is the dark-haired dwarf, who greets her with a smile.

'I knew you would be on our side,' he says as he follows her to the cell of his brother. 'Dwarves stick together, always.'

'Could you just please keep quiet?' Várar whispers to Kíli as she opens yet another cell. 'Father will be furious if he finds out I am helping you.'

'Who is your father anyway?' This time it is the blonde dwarf, Fíli. The curiosity evident in his voice.

'King Thranduil. Now please be quiet!' Várar hisses in frustration as she looks around. 'I rather not be caught freeing my father's prisoners.'

With that said, she continues to free the others, the two princelings following her. She can hear them whisper to each other in surprise at the mentioning of her father, but she doesn't care. She want them out of here as quickly as possible! And these loud creatures aren't making things easy as they move thought the halls. Really, are all dwarves as loud as these ones are? Is she as loud as they are? Várar sure hopes not!

'Várar,' a deep voice says from the shadows as they move closer. 'I was afraid you wouldn't show up.'

'You worry too much, Thorin,' Várar says as she unlocking his cell-door. 'Come on, Bilbo will show you the way out.'

But Thorin doesn't turn to follow the said hobbit. Instead, he takes her hand in his large one, looking her straight in the eye.

'Will you not come with us?'

Várar shakes her head, telling him she needs to return the keys. She doesn't want Elros to be in trouble for losing the keys and letting the prisoners escape. She needs to reach the drunk elf, before he wakes up. So with one last farewell, Várar turns around, praying Bilbo hasn't forgotten the way out.

As Várar runs through the hallways, she keeps out an watchful eye for any guards. But there is none. They are probably still asleep. And this is exactly why Várar had chosen today for the dwarves to escape. As soon as Várar reaches Elros, she places back the keys, making sure the elf doesn't wake up. Then she leaves. But just as she is about to make her way to her chambers, she can hear a horn being blown.

'Oh no,' Várar whispers as she rushes to where the sound had come from.

Something's not right, she can feel it. The closer she get to the exit, the louder the noise of a struggle is heard. She can hear steel hitting steel, but the dwarves have no weapons with them. So what is going on?

It takes her a moment to take in the scene playing. The dwarves are still inside the barrels Várar had told Bilbo about, with the exception of Kíli. For the dark-haired dwarf lies at the ground... Shot by an arrow? And the most hideous creatures attacking both the elves and dwarves. No doubt them to be orcs.

'Várar, get back inside,' she hears Legolas shout as she shoots an orc through the head.

But Várar ignores him. Instead, she grabs her own weapon and start handle out blows at the nearest orc. It takes her a few moment to adjust to the weight of he blade, or better said Fíli's blade – she fell in love with the blade from the moment she had spotted it in the pile of weapons-, but soon she gets the hang of it. Slicing one orc in the abdomen, beheading another, before stabbing one in the gut.

She makes her way over to the dwarves, ducking, stabbing, slicing and jumping out of the way of an orc trying to get her.

'Kíli!' She calls out for the dwarf as an orc approaches him. As Kíli ducks, Várar throws a dagger at the orc, hitting him in between the eyes.

'Thanks,' Kíli manages to say through grinted teeth as he holds onto his injured leg.

'You guys have to leave. Get inside your barrel.'

'Come with us,' the dwarf says as he makes his way over to the edge, limping due to his wound. 'You are one of us.'

But Várar shakes her head. She just can not leave her father behind, especially not now! But Kíli doesn't seem to take no for an answer as he takes her hand. For a moment Várar stares at him in shock. She can see the determination in his eyes as he looks at her, silently waiting for her to react. She knows he will drag her with him if he must, she can see it clearly now.

Why has she not seen his determination before? And why does he want her to come with him so desperately? And why does she feel doubt rise up in her chest again, as it weights down heavily? Perhaps she is ready to leave her father. Perhaps she should take this opportunity?

With a weak smile, Várar takes a step towards him. Ready to jump off the edge, into a barrel that awaits them in the water. But before she can jump, she stops as she feels like someone is watching her. With a jerk, Várar pulls back her hand, before pushing Kíli into the water with a soft 'I'm sorry'.

'Muindor,' Várar whispers as she straightens her back while watching the dwarves drift away in the strong stream.

'You were hesitating,' Legolas says as he stands next to her, though his eyes are not on the dwarves, but on their pursuers. 'Why?'

Várar isn't surprised Legolas saw her hesitating, nor is she surprised to hear the relieve in his voice. For she knows the tall elf-prince loves her like a sister and would miss her dearly if she were to leave. But what does surprise her, is when Legolas pulls her close to him into a warm embrace.

'Thank you for staying,' he whispers as he releases her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. 'Well, I guess we better hurry now, before the orcs can get to them.'

A/N

And that's it for today. I hope you liked it. Raise your hand if you thought Várar would join our favorite company. For those who thought so, I figured it would be hard for Várar to just leave the man (well, elf) who raised her and join some dwarves she barely knows. Especially for someone as loyal as Várar it would be a hard choice.

What will happen next? How will Thranduil react to the news the dwarves have escaped? Will he suspect Várar to have to do something with it? And how will he react to it?

And what of Várar? Will she be at peace now the dwarves are no longer in the picture? Or will she be pulled towards her own people? You will have to wait till next time!

Anyway, don't forget to review!