"Is this really how you want to spend the last evening?" Alyssae whispered while shaking her head. Tears burnt in her eyes. "Do I have to remember you as a pain in the neck instead of my best friend?"

"Are you really leaving us?" The expression on his face changed immediately.

Alyssae noticed how close she stood to Thranduil. She couldn't deny it. Moreover, there was a chance she wouldn't see him at all after leaving the city. "Yes."

His grasp relaxed and he stared bewildered in her eyes. "Why?"

She lowered her voice, afraid Thranduil would catch her words. "Because the truth has came up, Kili. I can't run away from him." Her eyes flashed aside and she led Kili away from Thranduil.|

"Just leave. He can't force you, can he?"

Alyssae shook her head. "He will not let me go. And I bet they will send an elfish army after me if I refuse to go home. Father must have heard where I am and with whom."

With a gloomy face Kili looked aside, to the elf. He stood with his back towards them and was talking to his nephew.

"Too many hearts are racing because of you, Alys." He glanced at her face. "Which isn't such a mystery."

Alyssae blushed, even though she wished she hadn't been pretty at all, so that Thranduin nor Fili would have been interested in her.

Kili sighed. "Well, the days will be dark without you." He glanced at his uncle. "Please dance with him tonight. Maybe he will be tolerably for at least one day."

She looked him in the eye. "He needs your support."

"He needs something that only you can give him. Come on, go to him."

Alyssae nodded hesitating. She would give him everything she could, but not now...

Even so, she walked to Thorin. She still longed for his arms and felt much better now Kili had calmed down, although that would surely change as soon as he knew she never had planned to go back.

"Hey."

Thorin looked up. He clearly had been in thoughts and seemed nervous. He looked different without his fighting gear, that he had switched for a more festive outfit, so that he didn't fell out of place. She wasn't surprised that he had calculated for a party like this, during a journey through Middle Earth a king never knew whereto he was invited.

"Let's dance."

He kept looking hesitating at her, but she took his hand and pulled him along softly.

"You can't turn down an elf princess."

"Is this wise, with all those people around us?" he mumbled.

She laid her hands on his shoulders. "I have danced with Bombur and Kili as well."

Thorin looked up to look into her eyes. "But they don't have to restrain themselves to kiss you." His cheeks colored red, after which he muttered: "And they aren't idiots that blush every few moments." His Adam's apple moved up and down when he swallowed. "I can't keep my eyes off you, Alys."

Alyssae had to squeeze her fingers to keep herself from touching his face. "I know how you feel."

Her hands rested between his shoulder-blades and she bowed her head to keep eye contact. Slowly they cradled while listening to the music. They dropped the complex dance moves and leaned against each other, looking deeply into each other's eyes.

"I wish we could stand this way forever," she whispered.

His eyes sparkled and he smiled so sweet that her breathing sped up automatically. Without realizing, their lips came closer. His blue eyes seemed to hypnotize her and silent words appeared to be inviting her to kiss him. She resisted the desire, but suddenly she couldn't remember why they had decided to do so.

"I can't believe you want to be with me."

Thorin's voice sounded husky and goose bumps appeared on her arms.
She bowed a little more towards him. "There is no one else I want to be with. There never has been and I doubt there ever will be."

He shivered when her breath touched his face. His lips parted and Alyssae couldn't tore the enchantment.

Suddenly someone grasped her upper arm. Feeling caught she looked aside and startled she stared right into Thranduil's face.

"I think it is better if I take it from here."

His voice was as hard as rock, but above all it was his ice cold glance that spontaneously caused tears in her eyes. She nodded quietly, while she let go of Thorin and stepped back in confusion.