Alyssae spent the rest of the day in company of different dwarves. She knew how to persuade Beorn to bake a honey pie. Ori and Bombur joined her, although the first wanted to reflect every thing they did, wondering if they couldn't do better in another way, while the last one only stared at the honey and ate from the batter when he thought they weren't looking. Still she had the time of her life. Despite the fact that Ori liked to complain and Bombur only said nonsense, they were nice company. They didn't know her like Kili and Fili did, which made the conversation more trivial, what was nice for once in a while.
She wanted to have a close relationship with everyone, hoping Thorin would indulge in the end. That was the reason she was now drinking a cup of wine with Dwalin, while they looked how Ori warmed the pie. She suspected she had ascended in Dwalin's appreciation when she went back to his friend to confront him.
'When do you think we can go on?' Dwalin asked.
Alyssae touched her wounds. 'It will not heal in a few days, but I feel much better than yesterday. I would like to rest for one more day, but I don't want to slow you down much longer.'
Dwalin looked through the window, as if he questioned if that was soon enough. She had no idea which matters he considered, but eventually he smoothed his beard and nodded.
'We have no other choice.'
Alyssae was silent and swallowed some wine. She closed her eyes by tasting the wonderful, sweet flavour. With the back of her hand she swept away some drops which left behind. If they would have seen her this way at home…
The thought of home made her stand up. 'Where is Beorn?'
Dwalin shrugged not knowing and Alyssae walked to the door, with the mug in her hand.
'The pie is almost ready to eat!' Ori protested, but she wove his objection away with her hand.
'You don't need my help – just keep Bombur away.'
Bombur looked at her with his glassy innocent eyes, but his gesture contradicted that expression. He stood in the starting blocks, ready to attack their delicacy.
Alyssae emptied her cup and placed it on the corner of the table, after which she went out to look for the shape-shifter.

It took her almost half on hour to find him, but in the end Nori told her he was taking care of a horse that was attacked by a warg recently.
She entered the stable and she saw the moaning animal in the straw.
'When did this happen?' Alyssae questioned in shock.
Beorn looked over his shoulder. 'She came to me a few hours ago. The wargs are still around. Orcs almost never come so close to my house, but it's soon getting dark. They will keep low.'
Alyssae kneeled next down to the man. 'Is she badly hurt?'
The pitch black skin of the animal made the injuries barely visible.
'She will survive, but she's in a lot of pain.'
Alyssae stretched her hand to touch the animal. Her fingertips glided over the hairs, which seemed to make the animal calm.
Beorned looked at her in surprise.
'You made her sleep.'
'Oh. She must have been exhausted.'
Beorn looked at her in disbelief, but she shrugged.
'What I wanted to ask you… Do you have a bird which could deliver a message to my birthplace? I want to let my family know that I'm safe. They must be desperate.'
'Of course.'
He raised, glanced once more at his horse and left the stable with her. He took her to a chamber she hadn't been before. He gave her ink and parchment. 'I will get you a pigeon.'
Alyssae nodded thankfully and bend over the parchment.

Dear mom and dad,
Melline,

She bit on her lip and a tear dropped down her cheek. She hurt them deeply by staying away longer and the decision not to come back would be hard to accept.

Everything is okay. I finally found a way to write you. I don't know how long I'm separated from you, but I was ambushed by goblins and they brought me to the dungeons. Since then I have no idea how many days passed.

She hesitated. Was it wise to mention the dwarves? Soon they would set out sentries to intercept her. She decided to do not.

I escaped, but I can't come back home. I have to visit someone I got to know. Thereafter I'll return as soon as possible.
Don't blame me, but you always taught me to follow my heart and I never doubted your words.

I love you.

Bring my greetings to Thranduin. Tell him I'm sorry our wedding has to wait a little longer, but I will set things right when I'm back.

In fact she wasn't sorry her marriage was postponed, but she didn't want to hurt anybody. She looked up when the door opened and their host entered. Carefully he put a snow white pigeon on the table.
'Attach the letter to its foot and tell him where you want him to go.'
He nodded at her, but backed away when he saw the tears on her face.
Alyssae read the letter again. It was short and to the point. Maybe even emotionless. However, she wasn't someone who could formulate her emotions very well and it seemed better for everyone when she stuck to those words. The letter comprised everything they needed to know.
She realized the letter wasn't written in the language of the elves, but in the common speech. She was separated from her congeners for such a long time she unconsciously displaced the language. Since the arrival of the dwarves she hadn't used her native tongue and she had copied it to her writings automatically.
She rolled up the letter, sealed it and tied it to the foot of the animal.
'Go to the royal palace of Chyndall,' she whispered. With her thumb she petted the head of the bird, but then she opened the window and set him free.
However, she was stunned when something big almost hit her head. The animal flew against it, squeezed shrilly and dropped down, while Alyssae backed down in shock.