Alyssae believed she wouldn't have come far when Mithrandir hadn't such a deep impact.
'Are you sure? You know elves are light-footed. Moreover, Smaug isn't used to the smell of elves.'
Alyssae frowned. 'Smaug?'
She casted her mind back. She remembered a story about a dwarf kingdom with a greedy king, who in the end was dislodged by an even greedier creature. A dragon.
'Are you looking for the golden city?'
Thorin's eyebrows formed a deep V. His face colored red of anger and Alyssae feared he would explode any moment. The other dwarves held their breaths nervously, but Gandalf wasn't aware of any wrongdoing.
'She's an elf.'
'Really? I am sorry I didn't notice.'
His voice was full of sarcasm and Alyssae really wanted to hug him. He seemed to be the only one who did not hate her.
'Why would she help us?' Balin's doubting voice sounded. 'It is been a long time since elves and dwarves had friendly contacts.'
Alyssae wanted to jump up to say she was still around, since the dwarf acted like she was not, but she kept calm. 'You saved my life. What else could I do but help you?'
Thorin looked right into her eyes and she started to sweat. 'So you can stab me in the back when all this is over?'
Alyssae looked down. His words hurt her.
'I still believe she could really help you to reclaim your homeland.'
'Just like the last time?' Thorin snarled and he stood up unstable. His eyes burnt like coals. 'That hobbit of you was only a burden to us! You haven't been of any use, wizard!'
'Have you ever!' the old man reacted indignantly. 'You would have been death without my help! It would be nice if you would accept all the help you can get, instead of rejecting everything!'
Thorin snorted. He obviously didn't want to give in. 'Kili and Bofur may escort her to her home. It is their fault she's here.'
Alyssae felt her eyes burning since she was in such a huff. Would he rather have left her behind in the goblin nest?
'Then why did you save me?' she whispered.
Thorin looked shortly at her. Her comment only seemed to make things worse. His long, wavy hair hung before his eyes, but still she could see his fury.
He didn't say anything, as if he had no idea why he did it.
Alyssae stood up. Her face was close to his and she could inhale his smell, which somehow made her even angrier.
'You are an unrewarding dog! Bilbo gave his life to save you, but you can't say anything about him but insults! Even I, a disgusting elf, tried to keep Azog away from you and we even succeeded! Would you rather have died, now that you have to walk around with hurt pride?' She almost was able to hit him in the face. 'Find out for yourself. I hope Smaug burns your flesh off to the bone!'
Some other dwarves raised themselves and watched their conservation reluctantly, as if they didn't know if they had to support their leader or not. Somehow Alyssae certainly hit the nail on the head.
With large, anger steps she walked away from the group, to the bending road. She exhaled ferociously and she panicked a little when dark spots danced before her eyes.
Of course, she was barely recovered! Just at the moment she decided she didn't want to show her weakness to the dwarfs, she collapsed and fell on the dusty path.