Alyssae clenched her fists as the elf king walked towards her with a serene face. She knew she had to watch her tongue, for the last thing she wanted was making things worse.

Thranduil not directly spoke to her, but first walked around her, while studying her from top to toe. "You are a beautiful elf, Alyssae."

Her eyebrows furrowed and she had no idea what to answer. "If you say so," she said eventually, full of restrained anger.

"I am not surprised you have succeeded to teach the dwarves what real beauty is."

Alyssae did not know what he was heading for and kept standing still. She was aware of the fact that the room was empty. She was unarmed, which was probably for the best, because she would have drawn her sword otherwise to avenge Thorin.

"I heard the dwarf survived the night?"

Her eyes flamed, but she kept her calmness. She was satisfied to see that she didn't respond as he hoped.

"Did you really think I would send the dwarves away?" he asked disdainfully. "Since the moment they entered my kingdom, the future of our king under the mountain was set. All I had to do, was wait until he made a mistake. You were his weak spot."

Alyssae got the feeling her breath was beaten out of her lungs. A sudden nausea came up, while tears burnt in her eyes. The fact that he had tortured Thorin on purpose, instead of that being the result of an impulse or drunkenness, made her legs weak.

"Why?" she whispered.

Thranduil smiled darkly. "I wanted to humiliate him because he humiliated my kin. And he would have done no different as he was the one sitting on a throne."

Alyssae squeezed her eyes. She wanted to leave this musty room, where the atmosphere seemed to be poisoned. "He is not like his forefathers."

The elf king looked right into her eyes. "You will take back your words. I have seen it. You will choose to be with him, but he will destroy your life. And not only yours. You will wish he would have bled to death in my dungeon."

Alyssae refused to believe his lies, but she thought to see some empathy in his eyes, which confused her.

"The dwarves have something which belongs to my people," he continued. "Thrór forced us to hand it over and I want it back."

Alyssae looked at him. "Well, you've spoiled that chance."

He bowed towards her. His breath stroked her face and she got ice cold. "You think Thorin would have given away the slightest part of his riches?"

"More than he would do now."

The smirk that played around his lips, made her shiver. "That is why you will take them."

"I'm not going to do anything for you," she replied angrily as she raised her hand to slap him.

His fingers however folded around her wrist and pushed her arm down. He pulled her closer, so that their noses brushed. "If you refuse to promise me my possessions, all dwarves will rot in my cells. They will all bleed to death and my kind-hearted nephew wouldn't get the chance to save them."

Alyssae glared coldly at him, but she could do nothing but approve, even though the words couldn't come over her lips. "What possessions?" she grumbled.

"Gems."

She let go of her breath. The dwarves would probably have more than enough of them.

"If I find out you cheat on me, I will send all my men after you to kill the dwarves. After all, they are only with twelve, Alyssae. Think carefully about your decision."

"You leave me no choice," she snarled.

"You always have a choice. You owe them nothing."

"I owe you nothing as well."

He shrugged. "But I keep the life threads of the dwarves in my hand and I warn you: some start to stretch out dangerously."

Alyssae sighed deeply. The dwarves would never agree. They probably rather fought until they were dead than that they would give anything to Thranduil. Although they didn't need to know. She knew they would offer her a part of Erebor's wealth, even though she didn't need anything. She could ask for the gems and send them in secrecy to Thranduil. "Fine."

"I knew you would make a wise decision."

Alyssae didn't respond and looked questioning at him. "What gems?"

"White gems of pure starlight," Thranduil answered. "And the Arkenstone."