Alyssae had found a scarf of a thin fabric at the market, that she'd wrapped around her neck so that the welts were hidden from view. She was invited to dinner and didn't want more people to ask questions about it. Kili's gaze had already been unbearable.
A little embarrassed she walked towards Thranduin, who was waiting for her at the top of the stairs.
"Are you already a bit hungry?" he asked with a gentle smile as he offered his arm.
"Yes," she said as she grabbed his arm and went to the dining room. There were several long tables that were neatly covered.
"We have been invited to sit down at the table with my uncle."
Alyssae nodded and knew she had to be polite. She had seen the elf king at festivals such as the occasion where she had met his cousin. At first sight she hadn't found him unkind, but now she knew what he had done to the dwarves, she abhorred him.
Thranduin pulled back a chair gallantly and a little embarrassed she sat on it.
"How are you?"
"It's going well."
Her attention was diverted when the dwarfs entered the room. They were led to one of the tables and Alyssae felt hot when she saw Thorin cross the room, confident as always. Her cheeks became red when he turned his head to her and smiled.
She couldn't help but smile back nervously and the words Thranduin spoke to her, eluded her completely.
The arrival of the dwarves did the atmosphere change immediately. A cozy laughter rose from their table and several elves looked up upset, clearly believing peace should prevail during dinner. Some whispered to each other while they quickly looked over their shoulders, but all the whispers silenced when someone announced that Thranduil would arrive.
With mixed feelings she looked at the man who stepped in, followed by his son. He radiated a chilly calm as if he brooded on a sinister plan without compunction.
"Alyssae." He humbly bowed his head when he saw her and she stood up reluctantly. "I am delighted to see you are safe and sound."
In a reflex she held out her hand and shook that of Thranduil. He looked in her eyes and then his gaze slid downward, resting on her neck.
Alyssae noticed she got goose bumps under his gaze, that seemed to go right through the scarf. Only when he let go of her hand again, she realized she'd held her breath.
"I owe you my gratitude," Alyssae said, following the formalities she'd learned as a child and she bent her knee. "Without your help I would not be here."
"You've had a lot of luck, milady."
"Not just luck," she replied softly and she turned her head aside, to the dwarfs. "They have saved my life several times."
"That is something we are very grateful about. They are welcome until you are strong enough to return to Chyndall."
From the corners of her eyes she saw Thorin looking up and she wondered what was going through his mind. She looked down when his intense gaze made her sweat.
After some hesitation she looked at Thranduil again, not knowing what to say. This was not the time to announce that she didn't want to go home. That was something she didn't want to discuss with the elf king anyway.
"Thranduin told me he wants to celebrate your return tomorrow." He looked around the room. "All of you are invited."
Alyssae smiled stiffly when Thranduin put his hand on hers.
"How nice," she said softly, but not entirely sincere. The last party she'd celebrated had been a catastrophe, and she wondered what would happen when the wine rose to the heads of the dwarves. For some reason she had the unpleasant feeling Thranduil knew that was going to happen and attuned his plans to it.