Alyssae woke up when the door opened cracking. She rose and grope for the orc sword she had laid next to her, but stopped when an enormous man stepped in. In the early morning light she saw the man was quite hairy and it could only be the appearance of yesterday, now in its human state. His eyes flashed through the hall and Alyssae held her breath, but in the end he stepped over the dwarves and disappeared behind one of the doors.
Slowly she let go of her breath, glad he first wanted to hear their story before he forced them to leave. Alyssae couldn't fall asleep again, but left her sleeping place by dawn. She decided to explain the shape-shifter what they were doing here. Otherwise she expected Thorin would do so and she wouldn't be surprised if his fitful appearance would ruin everything.
Carefully she stepped over her sleeping companions and reached the door without arousing anyone. Just before she turned the doorknob she glanced at Thorin, almost expecting he would be still keeping his eye on her, but this time he had turned away his face and even he seemed to be sleeping deeply.
Alyssae took a deep breath and opened the door. If she could cause friendly feelings she could proof her use again, for she knew her destiny would be sealed one of those days. Although deep inside, she was afraid nothing could indulge Thorin.
Hesitating Alyssae looked around the corner. In the dim chamber stood a long table with some enormous chairs. In one of them Beorn was sitting, dead silent, as a marble statue.
She wasn't sure if the man was awake, since his face was directed to the window.
'Can I come in?'
Slowly the mighty head of the giant man turned. A low humming followed, from which Alyssae thought to hear an affirmative reply. She closed the door behind her and walked to Beorn, who observed her silently.
'You are not a dwarf,' he noticed.
A smile appeared on her face. 'Fortunately I am not.'
The man looked at her. He didn't seem hostile, but he certainly was careful.
'I'm an elf,' she admitted. 'For months I was captured by goblins, which might explain my – eh – scruffy appearance. I haven't been able to wash myself for weeks.'
Since her escape she had been constantly on the run and there was no time left to take a bath in one of the rivers.
'That's surprising news,' Beorn spoke. 'I don't like dwarfs. They are miserly and only think about themselves.'
'I thought so too,' Alyssae admitted. 'But that's not how they are. Not all of them, at least. They freed me, but thereafter we were pursued. Thorin and I are injured.'
The expression on his face didn't reveal anything, but she decided to be honest. 'We are looking for a safe place to stay, so we might recover. Gandalf brought us here.'
'I despise orcs and goblins, much more than dwarves. Their enemies are my friends.'
Relieved Alyssae took a deep breath. She was glad he didn't ask questions about their difficulties with the orcs, about which she didn't know much either. Apparently he assumed both races were working together.
'You are too kind.'
The man smiled almost unnoticeable. 'I will fill a tub with water, so you can bath.'
Alyssae could jump in the air of happiness, but she stayed calm. Hopefully this day would bring more goodness, because she longed for a little distraction and she hoped it would also do Thorin well.