Just like the other dwarves Kili was called to a large round hall, where an elf with white hair and a majestic but suspicious face was waiting for them. Thorin, who stood beside him, sniffed and Kili turned his head questioning aside, but his unfathomable eyes were aimed at the elf.
'Dwarves, welcome in my kingdom.'
Kili did not like to look of the elf, but he refused to stare at the ground.
'Generally I would like to see strangers who roam uninvited through my lands and attract hundreds of orcs disappear behind bars, but I have been told that you have accomplished a good deed by freeing the royal princess of the house of Chyndall and also fiancé of my kin from the goblins and escorting her to her congeners.'
'What is he saying?' Gloin mumbled.
Kili turned pale and when he looked aside hastily, he saw the face of his uncle turn red. What else had Alyssae kept secret from them?
He got the feeling he felt affection for a complete other woman than who she actually was!
The elven lord however continued his speech unhindered. 'Furthermore I would like to share the joyful news that she recovered her consciousness, although she still needs rest. I offer your my hospitality until Alyssae has gained enough strength to say goodbye to you.' With an elegant gesture he pointed to a few tables that were drafted to the left side of the room. 'You can sit at the table so that your hunger will be satisfied.'
Kili believed to see an amused smile around his lips, as if he knew Alyssae had lied about her identity, and the confusion of his guests seemed to entertain him.
He walked to the appropriate table, but his hunger was gone. He was glad Alyssae was still alive, but he was really disappointed and for now he did not feel the need to see her.
Roughly he moved the wooden bench backwards, which caused a harsh noise, but none of them looked up indignantly.
Unhappy Kili glanced at the food, that only seemed to consist of leaves. He threw something on his plate, only to have something to do and pricked impassively around.
There was an unpleasant atmosphere around the table and it seemed that nobody wanted to open his mouth.
Thorin had turned his face away from them, Bofur stared staggered at his plate, Gloin was mashing his food in such a way that only some kind of soup remained and Fili kicked repeatedly against the table-leg, as if he tried to block a fit.
Balin sighed deeply, Ori was rubbing his eyes as if he wanted to obstruct his tears to show themselves, Dori had clenched his fingers to fists, Oin stared thoughtful in the distance, Bombur crammed as much food in his mouth as he could and Nori had squeezed his eyes.
Kili had the feeling he had to say something to break the silence, but he had no idea what he could say. He thought to hear the elves laugh about their bruised feelings, but when he turned his head nobody seemed to pay attention to them.
'Would she ever have said something truthful?' Fili wondered embittered.
In silence Kili started to eat from the food that was on the table, but he could not enjoy himself. He did not like the fact that the elven king had told this news without giving Alyssae the possibility to explain herself. Even though there was not much to say. She clearly hadn't trusted them — not even him — while she always was intended they trusted her.
'Well, at least she's still alive,' Kili mumbled, who felt guilty because they were barely happy about that.
'Although she will stay here,' Ori sniffed, where after he started to cry.
Thorin turned his head towards them when he heard Ori's soft cries. He shook his head while sighing, stood up from the table and walked away, his plate just as clean as the moment before he had taken place on the bench.
After a few steps he turned his head towards them again. 'Stay away from her. She is a lying elf who does not deserve our attention.'
In silence they ate from their plates, although most did not eat much. Thereafter they turned back to the sleeping quarters an elf had assigned to them.
'Do you want to go to her?' Kili asked his brother hesitating while they descended an almost infinite stairs.
Fili shook his head and Kili sighed, although he did not know if he wanted to see her himself. He however could not imagine their friendship had been an act. She had held things back from them, but she had done everything in her power to protect them and he felt sorry she had to spend her day in loneliness now she was finally awake.
For a moment he thought about Thorin's words, but his uncle never really liked her and before the message of the elven king he would never have listened to his words.
However, this time he feared Thorin and Gloin might have known her better than he ever could have imagined...