Alyssae swept with the back of her hand across her mouth. Her imprisonment had made all her table manners disappear, although neither the burping and smacking of the dwarves nor the horse dung in which she was sitting, advanced the learnt manners.
Contented she placed a hand on her belly. After eating this simple, but lovely meal she felt much better. It was indescribable the effects of some meat could have on a group of living beings.
The dwarves started to sing, telling about a hunt of the greatest boar in Middle Earth. From the corner of her eyes she peeked at Thorin, but he was the only one who was not singing along. Even the wizard, who was sitting at the entrance of the stable, hummed, although a sad sheen was visible in his eyes. Alyssae betted he was thinking about the poor hobbit, who was no longer around. She sighed and realised she missed him.
Even before the song was ended, Thorin stood up and staggered outside. For a moment the atmosphere seemed darker, yet quickly Bombur and Dori repeated the refrain, after which all attention was drawn to the song again.

It became a nice evening. The dwarves told lots of old myths, which were both entertaining and informative. The traditions and histories of other peoples had always interested her and she knew for sure she had, after this night, more knowledge of dwarves then any other elf, regardless its age.
When darkness conquered the world, Alyssae was stunned by the stories she had heard. They had strengthened her longing for adventure again and she really wanted to accompany the dwarfs on their journey. The mood was convivial and the only thing that was lacking was, according to the dwarves, a pint. Different mouths opened to yawn. One by one their heads dropped down and they were overpowered by sleep. The only one, who sat awake next to the door, was Balin. He stared in the open air, where the fire was visible they had made to bake the meat.
Alyssae stood up. Her muscles protested when she made that movement, but that only convinced her to move around a little. Her glance crossed that of Balin when she went by him and he smiled a little sadly.
When she walked through the door, she took a deep breath and sniffed the fresh air. She got used to the smell of dung, but it was nevertheless a welcome relief.
She stared at Thorin for a moment, who had bent down before the fire and stared into the flames. A while she looked at him, but he was standing so still she was almost afraid he was petrified.
'It is impolitely to stare at someone,' his harsh voice sounded.
Alyssae wanted to say that she didn't expect to be friendly to someone who treated her like shit as well, but she swallowed that remark and decided to try it another way. Constantly carping at each other wouldn't get her anywhere and he would certainly not allow her to come to the Lonely Mountain.
'You are right. I'm sorry.'
She walked to the fire and warmed her hands above the flames.
Thorin stared concentrated on the fire, as if he tried to make the flames devour her.
Alyssae searched for words. The silence was terrible and she was wondering what she was doing here. Maybe there was a bad smell in the barn, but she had felt comfortable there.
'I wanted to thank you.'
The words left her lips before she noticed and her cheeks colored a little, although luckily Thorin didn't look at her.
'Without your help I would have choked; a very dishonourable death.'
For a moment she feared he would ignore her words rudely, but finally she heard some murmuring, of which she couldn't get the meaning. His eyes flashed at her, but then he looked forward again.
Alyssae didn't ask what he said, for his gesture told her it was not a disdainful comment.
Suddenly they were startled by far cries. Thorin looked up and his forehead showed a deep wrinkle. His glance rested in the darkness before him.
A shiver crept down her spine and she wrapped her arms around herself. 'Are those the wargs again?'
She felt a little ashamed when she noticed how scared and childish she was sounding, but she couldn't help it. Her wounds started to pound painfully again.
At last Thorin turned his face to her. 'They are far away.'
Those were the first neutral words he spoke to her and he sounded calm. Nevertheless she saw in his eyes that he wouldn't spend this night without fear.
'Let's go inside.'
Alyssae nodded slowly and they put out the fire together. Thorin said some words to Gandalf and Balin and two guards were set out. Thorin and Alyssae wouldn't escape their sleep, for both eldest insisted they took their rest.