"Gems of pure starlight and the Arkenstone," Alyssae repeated aloud. She'd never heard of both jewels. "Okay."

She wanted to turn around, but Thranduil started to laugh. "I am sorry princess, but your word alone won't be enough." He grabbed her upper arm and whispered a spell while placing his hand on her belly. Her skin started to glow and she wanted to pull loose, but the grasp of the elf king was too strong.

"What have you done?" she hissed as she saw his triumphant face.

"Your lap is cursed until you have paid your debt. You can't give birth as long as the gems are not in my possession."

"What?" Alyssae asked in disbelief. "How can you do such a thing? You know how important it is as a princess to give birth to children!"

Thranduil stared coldly at her. "I assume it is an unnecessary precaution."

Alyssae placed her hands on her belly. She couldn't comprehend that the elf king had just made her infertile. "You're insane!"

"Do as you promised and nothing will happen. You can bear as many children as you like and all your little dwarf friends will be spared."

"And how do I know you won't break your oath?"

The corners of his mouth curled upwards. "That, my dear princess, is something you can only hope for. I suggest you leave now, before I change my mind."

"You will have to heal Thorin first."

The elf king turned around. "Despite the incredible performance your fiance showed yesterday, you obviously still underestimate him."

After those words the door opened and Alyssae dashed outside. She was confused because of the order Thranduil had given her and the consequences when she would fail. Then the elves would march towards Erebor and she could never give birth to a child.

She however forgot everything when the dwarves caught her eye, who had gathered on the market place. They talked excited to each other and she ran down the stairs.

The men gave way to her, so that one dwarf stood in the middle.

Even before she reached him, the tears ran down her face. She wrapped her arms around him and held him so tight he gasped for breath.

A little ashamed she stepped back. Shocked she stared at Thorin, who had died yesterday, when she was with him.

"I can't believe this," she whispered.

He grinned a bit rashy. Her fingers stroked his face. The wounds were still visible, but he looked like he had only wrestled through a thorny bush.

"It is really you."

"It -"

Alyssae didn't give him the room to respond. She pressed her lips against his and closed her eyes. Thorin answered her kiss immediately.

Their kiss was intense and passionate, as if they knew it could be their last. Alyssae felt so much love she didn't even think about Thranduil's tricks, nor about Fili and Thranduin who watched them with wry feelings.

Her tongue touched his and her hand rested under his hair on the back of his head. For a moment she pulled back her face to look into Thorin's eyes, who seemed a little baffled that she kissed him in public. She didn't care. He made her forget all her sorrows and she felt comforted in his love.

Her mouth found his soft lips again. Softly her tongue glided along the edge of his teeth, after which she caressed his tongue again. She tingled from top to toe and she had the feeling Thranduil's curse was put to an end immediately. He had tried to take away Thorin from her and he hadn't succeed. He would never succeed.

When she thought to taste blood, she left him alone quickly.

"Are you okay?" she asked nervously.

"I never expected heaven to be so perfect," he whispered with a husky voice. His lip bled, but he didn't seem to notice.

It however were not his words which put a smile on her face, nor the kiss that she had longed for. It were his cheerful eyes that looked full of love towards her. Eyes from which the tears had disappeared and in which she saw only herself reflected.