Alyssae wanted to free herself when Thranduil pulled her into his arms, but she resisted that longing for she knew it would only make things worse.
The elf king said nothing to her, but wrapped his arms around her waist and unwilling she put her wrists over his shoulders. Since it was offensive to look past him all the time, she sometimes glanced in his eyes. She kept the unpleasant feeling that he looked right into her soul. His face seemed to be made of marble. Not only because it was prominent and majestic, but also because his glance was so inconceivable and free of emotions.
"I want to thank you for everything you've done." The tension was so exciting that she wanted to break the silence.
The features of his face didn't alter. "That pleases me."
Alyssae felt like she withered under his glance. She wanted to go away from this man, that seemed to be made of stone. She realized her thankful words didn't mean anything to him. They didn't change the situation.
His arm felt heavy and the severity that his eyes sent out tired her, as if he sucked all the life out of her. In the end she felt light in the head and before she realized, she had torn loose from his grasp.
"I - I am thirsty," she mumbled and in confusion she walked away, while she had the feeling all her secrets were consumed by the elf king. She tried to convince herself that it was nothing but a feeling and that Thranduil didn't have the power to do such a thing, but the fear and doubt kept tearing her apart.
The ice cube that had formed inside her, refused to melt and she looked around, to see if there was someone who could calm her down. Bofur and Fili were still dancing with someone else, Kili and Tauriel were nowhere to be found and Thorin was a forbidden field tonight.
Her eye caught Thranduin, who was still talking to some elves. While she was close to tears she walked towards him, longing for the calm look in his eyes. He had known how to comfort her yesterday and he could do it again.
"Do you want to dance with me?"
Thranduin looked up and Alyssae felt a little asocial because she had interrupted his conversation so abruptly.
"You know there is nothing I want more."
She could see the astonishment on his face and as soon as he had excused himself in front of his companions and had turned away, she wrapped her arms around him. Now other couples were dancing, she felt less embarrassed than earlier tonight. Still she had the feeling the eyes of the elf king burnt in her back and his presence gave her jitters. She had to convince him that she felt more for Thranduin than she felt for Thorin. She had no idea if she could still save herself, but she had to give it a try.
She raised her hand and touched Thranduin's smooth face, that felt so different from that of Thorin. For a moment she closed her eyes. She knew she would hurt Thorin, but this was their own fault.
This was the last thing she could try to make things right. She abused Thranduin's feelings and clemency, for she believed he would understand her actions when she would explain everything later.
His green eyes met hers when she looked up again. She bowed forward determined and kissed him with devotion. His lips made way for her and she kissed him while her hands stroke through his hair. After a short kiss she looked at him smiling. She pressed her lips against his again and pushed away all thoughts about Thorin.
Minutes passed while their tongues played their game. Now and then Thranduin pulled back his face to press small kisses on her lips or to look amorous into her eyes. Alyssae had no idea when it was enough, but the longer the better - at least that was what she was hoping. She couldn't say she enjoyed the kisses, for she knew she was crushing the hearts of at least two persons and at the same time she was afraid all this would be in vain, but she tried to act as if she had desired this for ages.
However, their kiss came suddenly to an end when Thranduin lost his balance. Rumour burst out and staggered Alyssae stared at her fiancé, who lay on the ground next to a broken vase. Blood gushed out a head wound that coloured his pale hair red.