Warm tears ran down her cheeks when Alyssae ran through the small corridor, with Thranduin on her heels. The screams she heard, set her teeth on edge. It tore her heart and hurt her deepest being, so that she wanted to scream as well.

The death cries had awakened every inhabitant of Mirkwood and Alyssae had headed for the dungeons immediately. Elves had tried to keep them away, but Thranduin had shown such a fury that even Alyssae had crouched.

Alyssae could only think of Thorin. She couldn't understand someone hurt him so much, but he was in the dungeons, a fact that she was awfully aware of.

As soon as Alyssae caught the first glance of him, she dropped down on her knees. She screeched when she saw him, lying on the ground, moaning in a puddle of blood that made her nauseous.

"Thorin!' she cried and she crawled toward the bars. "Thorin, answer me!"

The panic she experienced was so intense it paralyzed her. She could only stare at his dying body, while his cries froze her heart.

"Stop this immediately!" The voice of Thranduin roared.

Thankfully Alyssae looked up, for she wasn't able to say a word herself. She was too disheartened because of this sight. She couldn't imagine someone wanted to hurt her lover so badly.

"Why?" she whispered, while her glance reached Thranduil's face. "Why are you doing this?" she asked with a cracking voice.

The man had lowered his whip, but a maniacal smirk adorned his face. "I don't have to apologize for how I treat my prisoners."

"He is your guest!" Alyssae snarled. "He-"

Her shoulders started to shake again and the tears streamed down her face. She fell on the ground and all the powerlessness and anger she felt, left her body by a grievous lamentation.

"Calm down, girl." Thranduin knelt beside her and held her tight. "It's going to be okay. I promise."

After these words he pulled her on her feet again. He pushed her face against his chest so she could no longer look at Thorin's lifeless body.

"Step away from him," Thranduin said to his uncle. "You don't have the right to treat him this way."

"Here I decide what rights I have," Thranduil replied. "The privilege of a king. Once you'll understand."

"I will never be a king like you," Thranduin reacted embittered.

His uncle laughed. "If you stay this weak and keep avoiding the truth, you'll never become a king at all - just like our king under the mountain."

Alyssae clenched her fists. She looked for something she could throw at the elf king, but she couldn't think of anything but her shoes.

Ferociously she threw them between the bars, but the elf was only laughing about her anger.

"How do you feel now, Alyssae? Are you still denying you have feelings for this dwarf?"

"I have never denied such a thing," she grumbled. "I swear on my own life - I will take revenge. Even if that means that I will die."

"Did you see this one coming, nephew? She throws away your future for a simple dwarf."

Alyssae glanced in fear at Thranduin, hoping he wouldn't leave Thorin and her to die now, but his incomprehensible look was still aimed at his uncle.

"I don't understand why you still want to marry such a slut. She has given herself away to at least two dwarves." He squeezed his eyes.

"That is something between me and my fiancé!' Thranduin snarled. "That is none of your business!"

"No one in my kingdom disgraces shamelessly an elf, whether she allows voluntary or not!"

"Take him to a sick-bay!' Alyssae interrupted their argument. "Let your healers cure him!"

"I am the one who's giving orders, little girl. Only I will be obeyed."

Suddenly guards appeared behind them, who grabbed them.

Thranduil left the cell. "But I have considered your wish and I will permit you at least one night with your beloved, before he will die." He pushed her inside the dungeon and locked the door.

Thranduin looked furiously at his uncle, but there were six armed guards around him and there was nothing he could do.

"She will survive a night in the cell, my boy. It will help her to consider her loyalty." He stared into her eyes. "For tomorrow you will decide whether your other dear dwarf friends will live or die."