Alyssae stared at the hole that Bofur and Dori had dug in silence. In a half circle they stood around it, all of them silent.
A lonely tear ran down her cheek when Bofur and Bombur together lowered the body of their cousin in the grave. She never had had a conversation with Bifur since he hadn't spoken the common language, but still his death had a deep impact. The location where they were made everything even more melancholic. Alyssae wished there would have been flowers to place on his grave, but there were no flowers around, by which it seemed like a honorable funeral wasn't allowed.
Thorin stepped forward and he eyed sadly at the grave. He said some words in his own tongue, but even without knowing the precise meaning, it was horrible to see the dwarves in this way.
After Thorin the other dwarves followed and Alyssae was the last one who stepped to the grave. She had no idea what she had to say and she could only whisper 'farewell'. There were so much emotions which tortured her, but her lips seemed frozen and in the end she stepped back, between Thorin en Bombur.
The dwarves started to sing, sad and heavy. Alyssae felt cold, but she didn't move and stared forward. Their voices were deep and blaring and she closed her eyes.
When the song came to its end, there was a deep silence, which felt so heavy her legs started to shake. Softly she started to sing a lamentation herself, not only for Bifur, but also for Bilbo, who also deserved a funeral like this.
Because of the sounds of her voice Bombur started to cry again and she took his hand. Without hesitating she also laid her hand into Thorin's, while the volume became louder. She sung about the beautiful halls in which they would reside now, forever enjoying the delights they missed on earth.
Thorin squeezed her hand softly as a sign of appreciation and when she looked aside, she saw all the dwarves were holding each other and cried. The sounds became less pure when her emotions had the upper hand, but she continued vigorously, although her words faded away sometimes or were just inaudible whispers.

The only one who did not participate the improvised ceremony was Dwalin. He was lying on the ground and expressed heart rendering cries now and then. He was shaken awake from his shadow state, but fought the pain loudly, because of which Alyssae ended her song early. Two dwarves filled the grave.
She wondered how much he understood of the situation. Did he know one of them had passed away? Was he afraid the songs would be repeated soon, above his grave? Or was pain the only thing he faced?
'We have to move on,' she whispered to Thorin while she let go of his hand.
The dwarf nodded. Together with his nephew he took the initiative to carry Dwalin first.
Alyssae strolled behind the group. Dwalin's shrieks sent shivers down her spine and she was afraid they would never find the elves in time. She didn't even know how to find them and she hoped they would be led by Dwalins screams, although there was a bigger chance it would attract other, more vicious creatures.

Bofur walked in silence next to Alyssae. She wished she could say something to delight his pain, but every word would fail. The death of Bifur, the injuries of Dwalin and the disappearing of Fili had put out the light in the eyes of everyone. She felt some started to regret their participation and were wondering if this journey would ever reach its destination.
Alyssae could find no heartening words. She was dead tired and she knew they had to rest, although she didn't dare to suggest. She however only had had cat-naps the last days, fallen down suddenly because of the exhaustion and woken up with a start over and over again because no one kept watch over her.

In the end the path was obstructed by a river. Alyssae stared at it while sighing, knowing nobody was capable to cross that water at the moment.
'We have to rest first.'
Thorin looked worried at Dwalin. 'There is no time to rest.'
'It could take days before we find the elves,' Alyssae answered. 'If we don't sleep, nobody will survive.' She saw Gloin walked to the riverbank and she stopped him with one hand. 'Do not touch the water. It is enchanted.'
The disappointment was visible on his face, but he returned to the others.
Alyssae also would have loved to wash away the blood from her body, but the chance was too big she would fall asleep. And maybe she would never wake up.

They finally agreed to try to get some sleep. A few sentries were set out, who tried to make a fire, but as soon as it attracted large moths they put it out again.
Alyssae rolled on her side and she lost herself in a dreamless sleep. She however was awakened by Dwalin soon, who screamed so loud she jumped up in shock. Disorientated she looked around, expecting enemies who attacked them, but there was no one and she even seemed to be the only one who was aroused by his painful struggle.
She left her sleeping place. Dori and Thorin stood guard, but they were whispering softly and they didn't pay attention to the river side. She crawled towards the water, took her empty bottle and filled it. On hands and feet she crept to Dwalin. She touched his sweaty face and bit on her lip. His eyes were rolling in their orbits and it hurt her to see the once so strong dwarf like this, fighting against his own body.
For a moment she hesitated, knowing this could cause his death. But she wanted to end his suffering. She opened the bottle and just wanted to pour some water in his mouth when someone grabbed her arm and turned it on her back, by which she dropped her bottle screaming.