"Dear Alys, didn't you notice anything? I thought Thorin was blind, but he's not the only one! No wonder you feel so attracted."
Alyssae didn't know where to look. What insinuated Bofur? That Thorin loved her as well?
"But why does he keep hurting me?"
The dwarf shrugged. "His fuse is simply not the longest, and he is not the youngest either. Hundred ninety-five years full of remorse in your life does something to you. Do you think he said the word love even once? He is usually not occupied by such thoughts: the reason why he is so confused now. He allows himself no time for romance and well, uncomfortable enough you are also an elf who is going to marry. Enough reason for our king to dare nothing." Bofur chuckled. "I think Thorin is rather willing to slay ten dragons than looking you straight in the eye and admitting his secret, burning desires."
Alyssae felt a tingle from head to toe by Bofur's words. A relieved smile appeared on her face, even though it only would make things more complicated.
"I cannot imagine," she murmured.
Bofur put his hand briefly on hers. "I know you have to get married, but still try to follow your heart. He needs you, Alys. More than Thranduin. You're the only one who fills his heart with love and I have to admit I'm afraid of what will happen if he loses you too."
With glowing cheeks she looked at the ground. "How do you know this for sure? I don't believe Thorin has told you these things."
Bofur laughed. "Thorin speaks in his own way. I see it in everything. Every smile that plays on his lips, every time his eyes nervously flash in your direction, every angry word that slips out because he is consumed with jealousy ..." He winked at her. "The same goes for you. You neither said a word about it, but if you don't snarl at each other you two radiate so much energy that the whole forest would recover. "
Alyssae chuckled. "Exaggeration is also an art."
The dwarf shrugged and then squeezed her hand. "I believe in you two."
She stared at their fingers. "I will have to marry Thranduin anyway."
"But not now," Bofur whispered. "Grab your chance and see what the future brings you. Maybe we'll all go up in flames if we try to destroy Smaug. "
"You're so wonderful optimistic," she replied skeptically.
"Optimistic and realistic. You would do well to take my words to heart. "
Alyssae looked at him nervously. She already shuddered from seeing Thorin again.
"Do not interfere too much with it please," Alyssae muttered, but Bofur shook his head.
"Well, someone has to do something, because you don't. You guys seem to take enough pleasure in occasionally sneak peeking at each other, but I want to see fireworks!" He clapped delighted in his hands. "If you two burn, you will lit up all of us and that is exactly what we need!" His eyes sparkled. "If you finally go kissing each other, a whole new world will open for Thorin. His mood can't become much worse now, so it doesn't matter if you're good at it or not. "
"Yeah, yeah, that's enough," Alyssae muttered with burning cheeks.
"Not so shy, little princess. It's no coincidence that both of you are heirs of kings."
Alyssae tried not to take these words too seriously, but Bofur was right. The law stipulated that she married a nobleman but there was no rule putting limits to the same race.
"We'll see," Alyssae replied a little elusive, but Bofur refused to be turned down.
"I indeed hope to see something soon. Otherwise I have to play it more rough."
Alyssae gave him a warning glare and bumped her shoulder against his.
"Someday you'll thank me," he grinned and a cheeky glint was reflected in his eyes, "although you secretly already do."