Thranduin understood the dwarf king felt guilty, but he shook his head sadly. "That's not possible. You have to give her the Arkenstone, before her skin will heal." He glanced at Thorin's eyes. "Are you sure? You will never be able to touch that stone again. "
Thorin's look wandered to Alyssae. "I am sure. It is the only thing I can do for her."
"The chance I will succeed is little."
"Just do it!" Thorin snarled, while tears appeared in his eyes.
Thranduin took a deep breath and nodded. He sank down on his knees in front of Alyssae and fondled her cheek. "I am sorry," he whispered, "for I know you don't want this. But I can't live without you. Not in this world." He took his dagger and closed his eyes. At the moment he wanted to start, someone grabbed his shoulder.
"You can't do this!"
Distraught he looked up. Kili stared at him with puffed eyes. "You should help Fili. Alyssae wanted to be dead and we have to accept her choice! Fili never wanted to die!"
Thranduin bowed his head. "I can't help Fili." He knew Alyssae was the only one with whom he could do this without being afraid he would fail. She was the one he loved.
"I am sorry, Kili, but I can't help your brother."
"Go outside," Thorin spoke grimly. "Thranduin has to concentrate."
Kili shook his head furiously. "She will hate you for this," he hissed. He spitted to his uncle's feet. "Although she hates you anyway."
Thorin looked at the ground and Thranduin sighed, but the dwarves did obey their king and left the room.
"Thank you," he mumbled, but Thorin turned away his face.
For the last time Thranduin looked at her face. Once more he touched her soft cheeks. At last he kissed her forehead. Then he closed his eyes and gathered his energy. He murmured complicated charms that he had learned long, long ago, and placed a hand on her chest. While he introverted, he relived all the beautiful moments of his life. He thought of Mána. It was time he returned to her. He still loved her and he always would. He no longer needed his heart. She was waiting for him in the Undying Lands and his time had come. Alyssae was not meant for him. Mána was. It had always been that way and it would always stay that way.
His chest started to glow and he pushed the dagger into his chest.
Thranduin left his body. Finally he felt free. Free from the grief that had burdened him for so long. The dagger was still in his hand and he bent over his own body. Thorin looked up, but he did not know whether the dwarf could see him. He felt nothing but liberation when he cut open his skin and made the hole deep enough so that the dwarf could take out his heart.
Luckily Thorin reacted immediately. He tugged the heart out of his chest and with two hands he siphoned it to Alyssae. Her body started to glow when Thorin touched her and he placed the heart where it belonged.
Thranduin knew the distance between them had started to grow. He wanted to step forward, but his feet were gone. Slowly he floated away, but he saw how the dwarf followed his instructions. He gave Alyssae his heart and placed the Arkenstone on top of it.
A smile adorned Thranduin's face when he hovered further and further away. He closed his eyes, knowing he would be home when he opened them again.