She felt reborn after she had toweled up herself and succeeded in scrubbing off the filth from her skin. She still had red stripes on her skin of the rubbing, but it would fade by itself. She put a towel on her waist. She had washed her clothes as well, but they needed some time to dry. She saw a snow white sheep entering the chamber, which was holding some garment in its beak. It was a silver grey dress, which probably belonged to a family member of Beorn, who was not living here anymore. She grabbed the dress and pulled it over her head. It was too large and the fabric dragged over the floor, but she could return to the dwarves.
She wondered to whom these clothes belonged. She suspected Beorn was living here on his own, although the house was built for much more people. Did it belong to someone who had passed away? She knew she would never dare to ask, afraid to bring up old sadness.
She saw her refection in the glass, but barely recognized herself. Her cheeks were still hollow, but her face was clean again, with some scratches. The dress fell over her shoulders and showed her injuries, but the open air would speed up the process of healing. She had disentangled her hair for the most part, because of which it no longer looked like a bird family had converted her hair into a nest.
She went back to the dining room, where some animals were setting the table. She stared her eyes out by seeing dogs walking on their hind legs, putting down plates, while sheeps were balancing baskets with bread on their heads. Beorn spoke to them in a language she didn't know and she watched his commands with staring eyes.
'Are the others already awake?'
Beorn shrugged. 'I haven't seen them.'
Alyssae left the room and went to the hall where she had slept. The dwarves were standing tight together and discussed the steps that had to be taken. Balin believed Gandalf should go to the 'bear man' to apologize. Oin said they had to leave as soon as possible and Dori repeatedly noticed he smelled bread.
Gandalf stood away from the others. An amused smile was on his face, as if he knew what she had done. To her big surprise it was Thorin who asked: 'Where is the elf?'
'The elf is here. We can have our breakfast.'
Thirteen dwarf heads turned around and stared at her. She felt her cheeks glow a little now she had attracted their attention. She could read the astonishment from their faces, although she didn't know if that was caused by her appearance or her words. It took some time before someone decided to say something.
'So, where are we waiting for?' Bombur asked.
The dwarves looked awaiting at Thorin, as if he had to show some sign that they had the permission to eat. However, he looked the other way and didn't seem to notice that they were waiting for his approval.
Kili was the first who turned away from the others and bounced her enthusiastically on the shoulder.
'You should have seen his face,' he whispered.
Alyssae had no idea what he was talking about. Of course she had a presumption on who he was pointing, but she couldn't imagine what the look on his face should have looked like. At least no expression that should surprise her.
They drew up on the table, soon followed by the others. Fili sat down next to her and he glanced curiously at her. 'You look – different.'
'Prettier,' his brother added and he grinned.
'Definitely cleaner,' Alyssae answered chuckling.
The dwarves shut their mouths when Beorn stepped out of the shadows.
'The elf saved your asses,' he announced with a sullen face. It was clear he would have acted differently when only dwarves would have appeared on his threshold. 'You are welcome until you are healthy enough to continue your journey.'
Alyssae's eyes flashed at Thorin, but he still didn't seem to be very thankful. She restrained a sigh and wondered what the hell she had to do to gain his trust without leaving immediately.