The evening before Durin's day they arrived at the Lonely Mountain. Despite all the descriptions Thorin had given her, Alyssae hardly could have imagined its beauty.
Despite its abandonment the mountain looked impressive, with towering carved out statues of severe looking, imposing men looking down on them from out of the clouds.
"We have made it," Ori sighed with a blissful smile around his lips. "Home."
They put their things together and went looking for the door. Alyssae went with Thorin and followed him up the mountain. His eyes beamed and he seemed happier than ever.
Although Alyssae was impressed by everything she had seen, there was still something she wanted to discuss with Thorin and she knew he wouldn't give in easily.
She however kept silent as long as they climbed over small edges. She didn't want to bring him out of balance and it was already a hard climb. Even though she had eaten very well those last days, she had lost much of her energy and now and then her hungry feelings made her a little dizzy.
After they had climbed a natural stairs, they stood still to gain strength. She nodded gratefully when Thorin offered his bottle and took some greedy sips.
"What exactly is the plan?" Alyssae asked. "With the dragon?" She gave back the bottle and watched Thorin, who stared in the distance.
"According to Balin there is a silver-colored rock formation inside the mountain. If we crush that and set it on fire, it spreads a deadly gas. Gandalf and Thranduin believe they can strengthen the effect by pronouncing spells, they want to make sure the gas will not dissolve within a day."
Alyssae thought about it, once again impressed by Thranduin's power. After the death of his lover he most have solely focused on magic, for she knew nobody who was so competent.
"And who's going inside to see where Smaug is?" she asked carefully.
Thorin however saw through her immediately and shook his head. "You won't."
Alyssae didn't go into a discussion immediately, but showed him the ring.
"Bilbo gave me this." She shove it around her finger and by Thorin's staggered reaction she knew she had became invisible again. She saw him vaguely, as if there was a storm around her. Her senses seemed to be upside down, which she had ascribed to her drunkenness the first time. She quickly took off the ring.
"He does not know my scent and he won't see me. Let me go, Thorin." She took a deep breath. "I know my recklessness brought me in dangerous situations, but I can do this. Let me share in this. I haven't come to this mountain to do nothing."
Thorin considered her words and then shrugged. "Okay."
Alyssae was dazed that he agreed so easily. She had expected it would be hard to convince him; either because he was afraid something would happen to her, or because he feared she would mess things up. "Okay?" she repeated.
Thorin smiled, took her hand and pressed a kiss upon her fingers. "I trust you just as much as I trust my own men, Alys. When Erebor is restored in his old glory, we also owe that to you. The more you do for my people, the sooner they will accept you."
Thorin gave her a piercing look, as if those words had a deeper meaning. As if he wanted to suggest she didn't need to leave his side after the defeat of Smaug. As if she was really one of them. Not because she was a dwarf. Not because she shared the same memories. She was part of the company of Thorin Oakenshield. She had covered a long distance to get here and had - just like the rest - taken her share in the defeat of Smaug.
They looked up when a call echoed through the sky. Alyssae recognized Fili's voice and looked at Thorin. "They think they have found the door," she explained, since his face made clear he hadn't heard a single word.
Thorin raised his eyebrows. "Sorry Thranduil," he grumbled, "but without a map we'll get inside as well."