"There they are." Tauriel pointed down and when Alyssae followed her finger, she saw some men who absolutely were no elves. She slid down and greeted a surprised looking Bofur, Fili, Kili and Nori.
Fili turned red when he saw her, Kili looked away, Nori nodded to her and Bofur threw his arms around her neck.
"Good morning princess." He grinned elated and squeezed her cheek. "Good to see that you can walk again."
Alyssae smiled and was happy he hugged her so warmly, but glanced over his shoulder to Kili, who played with a rock and almost paid no attention to her.
"Who is that?" he asked when he became aware that she was watching him.
Alyssae let go of Bofur and introduced Tauriel.
"Are you a honest elf?" Kili wanted to know.
She stared at her friend. Of all the dwarfs she trusted Kili the most and the way he talked about her hurt. Of course, he had every reason to be angry, but because she already had explained everything to Fili and Thorin, she didn't want to repeat the same conversation again.
"That depends on what you're asking," Tauriel replied with a mischievous grin on her lips.
"Are you of royal blood?"
"Do I look like I am?"
Kili shrugged. "You look like a beautiful princess. By the way, royal blood flows through my veins as well, which of course explains why I look like a young god." He winked and Tauriel laughed, shaking her head.
"You have at least the confidence of a prince."
"No more than is needed, giving the fact that even this dear elf princess is longing for my arms. Well, come here sweetie."
Alyssae looked at him a little uncertain, unsure what to do. She was far from happy that he was making fun of her, but it was better than that he strangled her or cursed her in Khuzdul.
Kili chuckled by seeing her face and then jumped towards her to embrace her. "You're right, this is not entirely fair. I've waited far too long to come to you," he whispered in her ear, "but it seemed better for both of us when I let go of my anger before I looked you in the eyes again."
Alyssae smiled watery, but was glad with his honest words. He let her go again, and looked at her face thoroughly.
"Yes, you look alive again," he concluded, but his face became serious when his gaze fell on her neck. Startled, he asked: "Who did that?"
Automatically her hand touched her throat. She looked uncomfortable at the other dwarfs, who stared puzzled at her as well.
"Nobody," Alyssae muttered.
He looked at her sceptically. "You did it in your sleep?"
Her gaze went helplessly to Tauriel, but she couldn't help her.
Kili sighed and turned his face away disappointed. 'I understand. Speaking the truth is still a taboo.'