Alyssae kept silent after those words. She knew he was right, but she found it indeed hard to let him make the decisions. In the beginning it had been easier - then it had been a matter of survival. But now that she was Thorin's equal, it was hard to accept decisions she disagreed with.
As a sign of her agreement she wrapped her arms around him and held him close, while they both looked silently at the horizon, that started to become lighter, announcing dawn.
Alyssae knew it wouldn't take long before she would return home. Although she planned to visit Erebor soon, the trip would be just as dangerous as this journey had been and she did not know for sure if she would see Thorin and the others again, although she didn't want to think about that. For now it was probably the last time they would watch the rising sun together and they knew that very well.
Only at the end of the day Gandalf told them they could enter the mountain. This time it was not only Alyssae who would walk through the tunnel and anxiety came over her when Thorin put the key in the hole and opened the door. They held their breaths in a reflex, afraid the gas would still affect them, but nothing happened and in the end it was Thorin who lit a torch and went inside. He took her hand and smiled hesitating while walking through the long tunnel. His torch cast dancing shadows on the walls. After Alyssae had taken some steps, she noticed she was walking on a strange ground, as if a pile of leaves had gathered in her absence.
Thorin aimed the light on the floor and Alyssae swallowed as she saw hundreds of bat bodies on the ground, proof of the destruction they had brought to this mountain.
Alyssae glanced over her shoulder. They were followed by Fili and Kili, and after them the other dwarves. The young dwarves were just as excited as Thorin and she smile encouraging to them.
It meant a lot to Alyssae when she stepped into the great hall with Thorin, over which Smaug had reigned for more than sixty years. Gold slipped away beneath their feet as they descended the slope. Alyssae's ears searched for the breathing of the dragon, but the noise of fifteen pairs of feet overwhelmed every other sound.
Alyssae wondered if it had been madness to fully trust the wizard. What if the dragon was stronger than Gandalf thought? What if he was waiting for them with an opened mouth, ready to tear them apart? A shiver crept down her spine and her heart bounced frantically. She did not believe she could bear one more dead friend - let alone all of them.
"Is he dead?" Dori whispered nervously.
Nobody answered.
Gandalf created a dome that lighted the hall. Only now Alyssae became aware of the gigantic dimensions. Enormous pillars carried the high arch above their heads. As far as Alyssae could see, innumerable treasures glittered in the unnatural light that Gandalf had created. Nervously her eyes flashed to Thorin, but he didn't look at the riches surrounding them. His eyes were fixed on the gigantic, red mountain that laid mouse-still in a bed of gold.
"Smaug," Alyssae whispered.
Thorin let go of her and ran to the dragon. He drew his sword and Alyssae's throat was squeezed by fear. What if he was only sleeping?
She expected the monster to come alive any moment, to turn to Thorin and pulverize him, but he did not move when the dwarf king climbed upon the monster and bashed his sword into its skull.
The dwarves around her started to cheer loudly and they all ran to the dead dragon. Together they chopped off the magnificent head of Smaug the Terrible. With mixed feelings Alyssae watched them. She could barely believe they really made it and somehow it made her sad that a beautiful but terrifying creature like Smaug had to be killed.
The dwarves however were wild of joy. They sang merry songs and taunted Smaug. Their eyes were glittering, just like the riches around them, but Alyssae only smiled watery. She was done here.
It was about time she went home, embracing her family and friends and returning the gems Thranduil had asked for. And then... then a period started which only gave her uncertainties. She glanced to Thorin, but when he looked into her eyes and smiled, she knew her doubts were needless as long as she followed her heart.