In the following years Morsha and her daughter spent every evening after their training together, an improvement in their relationship. Morsha told her daughter everything she wanted to know, even if the memory was painful for her. But her daughter had the right to know everything.

'What happened to my grandmother?' Senka asked her mother.

'Your grandmother returned home after a few decades in Mirkwood. She never told me why.' Morsha told her daughter and watched as Senkas mind worked. Senka was bright and Morsha had already anticipated the following question.

'Is King Thranduil my grandfather?' Senka asked.

Morsha smiled. 'He might be. My mother never told me who my father was. But she was pregnant as she returned home.'

'Have you ever been to Mirkwood since?' Senka was curious.

'Yes, I have. Serja and I have been on a diplomatical visit in Mirkwood shortly after my mothers death. Your grandmother died in battle against the Haradrim. It was an honorable death.' Morsha answered. She would never forget the day the dark elves brought her her mothers dead body. The fierce general of the dark elves had been crushed by one of the Haradrims Olliphants. That day Morsha had become one of the generals of the dark elven army, succeeding her mother.

'Thranduil never accepted you as his daughter?' Senka continued asking. Every male she heard of seemed ignorant and weak in her eyes, never taking any responsibilities. First her father, now the elven King.

'On the contrary.' Morsha stated bitterly. 'He did recognise me as my mothers daughter, but not as his. I never cared about him, but as he approached me in a romantic way I broke off all diplomatical relations to the Mirkwood elves. I haven´t had dealings with them since.'

'It must have been awkward for you to return to Mirkwood in my fathers company.' Senka mused and caused Morsha to nod. The days in Mirkwood had been a darker period of their quest for Thorin and Morsha, but these days had bound them together in love even more.

'Your father and I shared our disdain for King Thranduil. Thranduil stood there watching as the dragon Smaug took Erebor from the dwarves and did nothing. He did not offer them shelter, nor any other help.' Morsha frowned. 'He is a very cold elf. His queen was known as his conciense and his support. Her death changed him.'

'Do you think the loss of a loved one can completely change a person?' Senka asked her mother, hinting on her own experience.

Morsha looked at her daughter with a stern expression on her face. 'The loss of your father changed me. I loved him more than anything, Senka. But he destroyed everything we had. There is no turning back. I am not the same elf I was as I set out for Erebor from Rivendell. And I am not the mother you deserve, my daughter.'

It was the first time that Morsha was that emotional talking to her daughter. For a short while Senka could see a tiny spark in her mothers eyes, a glimpse of who she had been before she had fallen in love with the dwarf king Thorin. But only for a split second, afterwards her mother regained the controlled and cold mask she always bore.

It had been weeks since the dwarf company had entered the forest of Mirkwood. Their supplies were gone and there was no water left. The company, especially Bombur and Bilbo, suffered greatly under the lack of food. Bilbo had climbed up a tree to take a look at their further path, but as far he could see there was only one big dark forest. Into the bargain Bombur had fallen into the dark river crossing the forest and fell into a deep slumber. The company had to take turns to carry the fat dwarf until he woke up days later. He made Morsha laugh as he pouted because he had woken up starving. His his dreams there had been plenty of food. The journey through the Mirkwood forest was long and full of peril. They had to fight huge spiders and thanks to the brave halfling they survived the struggle. Bilbo had used the ring of power to trick the spiders and free the company. The One ring. Morsha had heard of Saurons ring, but she feared it greatly. Even the council of seven of the dark elves had never used such powerful things as rings to underline their power. Knowing that the ring was now in the hands of the soft hobbit made Morsha feel relief. At least Bilbo would not misuse it. They ran into elves various times, but the elves fleed from the company instead of helping them. In their desperation the company split up, seeking for help. Thorin was on his way back to his companions as he was captured by two elves who brought him to king Thranduil in chains. A young version of king Thranduil and a red haired she-elf had stood by their king and watched the dwarf king closely.

'Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror. Exiled king under the mountain.' Thranduil greeted him coldly. He sat on his throne with a bored expression, but his eyes gleamed in interest. 'What is the purpose of your intrusion into my kingdom?'

Thorin only looked at him furiously, he did not tell the king anything. Even as the red haired she-elf dragged him forward and made him kneel in front of Thranduil he said nothing.

'There are more of them, your majesty.' the red hair told Thranduil. 'Twelve more dwarves and an elf. She is a dark elf from the southern lands as it seems.'

Thranduil sat up straight in his throne. 'Describe her, Tauriel.'

'She has long dark hair bound to a single braid which reaches her knees. Dark eyes, a darker complexion. She carries axes and a bow. She seems familiar to me.' Tauriel told Thranduil.

'Morsha.' Thranduils smirk grew into a grin as he saw Thorin flinch. 'You know of whom I speak, dwarf. Has she told you that her mother claims her to be my child?' Thranduil showed his ignorant side speaking of his former lover and bastard. 'She is a beautiful thing, isn't she? Just like her mother. Fierce and passionate. I am sure she will walk right into my arms searching for you.'

Thorin let out a furious growl and launched at the elf king, but he was pushed back by the guards.

'I see, Neras daughter Morsha is dear to you, dwarf king.' Thranduil watched Thorin closely. 'She has a special something hasn´t she? Something that makes her irresistible to the male gender. But I am sure, that you are aware of that, dwarf.'

'Don`t you dare touch her.' Thorin growled. 'She could be your daughter for Durins sake!'

Thranduil sneered angrily. 'Her mother Nera shared my bed for a while.' Thranduil stated coldly. 'I have no proof that this girl is my child. I doubt it. Now, dwarf, maybe she will be more talkative than you. Bring him to the dungeons.'

Thorin was dragged away, but all he could think about was Morsha. He sincerely hoped that she would find a way to escape the elves of Mirkwood. He did not want to imagine what Thranduil might do to her if she fell into his hands.

Thorin awoke with a start. He was in Erebor, in his bed. Startled he looked down and saw Ariel watching him.

'You had a bad dream, my king.' she said softly. 'And may I ask - who is Morsha? You have spoken her name in your dreams over and over.'

Ariel was not naive, she knew that Morsha was a woman dear to Thorin. Her pride did not allow any other woman take a place in Thorins heart, although she did not love him. But the dwarf queen was secretly very posessive. She had to know who the woman was.

Thorin shook his head to get a clear mind. Thranduils lustful eyes when he spoke of Morsha haunted him. But Ariel was still waiting for an answer.

'Morsha is the past, my dear queen. She is none of your concern.' Thorin stated firmly, hoping that his tone would prevent Ariel from asking further. But he had no luck.

'She is of my concern, my king. Apparently you seem connected to her. I am your queen, Thorin. I should be the only woman in your heart.' Ariel stated bravely.

Thorin sighed. 'I am afraid that you will have to share my heart, my queen.' With these final words he rolled to his side of the bed and turned his back to her. Ariel sat on her side as if turned to stone. She swore to herself that she would find out who that mysterious woman was.

Thorin could not get back to sleep. He thought about his cell in Mirkwood and how Morsha was pushed into it mercilessly by the elven guards.

'Thorin.' Morsha sighed in relief as she saw Thorin in the dark cell. The guards tied her to the wall, her wrists were in chains.

'Is this really necessary?' Thorin was proud, but he had no problem to beg for Morsha.

'The Kings orders.' the guard muttered and chained Morsha to the wall with her front side, her wrists hanging over her head. Thorin did not wait till the guards had left the cell and took Morsha in his arms.

'Durin, I had hoped that you would escape them.' he whispered and lay his head against hers.

'They got all of us. The others are in the neighbouring cells, they are well.' Morsha assured him.

'Why did they bring you to me?' Thorin asked her. Thranduil made his interest for the dark elf quite clear, locking her in with Thorin made no sense.

'I do not know.' Morsha clenched her teeth. 'I guess its his sick way to play games with us.' She struggled against her chains, testing their strength, but she soon realised that she would have to stand in this cell as long as Thranduil wished. 'How could my mother fall in love with such a monster?'

'She seemed to have found out how he really was. Otherwise she would not have left him, maybe he never forgave her for leaving.' Thorin tried to hold Morsha, so that she would be more comfortable.

'Love makes fools out of people.' Morsha sighed.

Thorin felt a sting in his heart. 'Do you think it was foolish of you to join our quest and decide to come with me as my queen?'

'Yes.' Morsha smirked at him. 'But I am foolishly in love, too.' Despite her chained wrists she leaned over and kissed Thorin passionately.

'How sweet. A dark elf and a dwarf.' they heard a female voice snarl from the door of the cell. The captain of the guard, Tauriel, watched the couple with a cocked eyebrow. 'And I thought I had already seen everything.'

Tauriel moved over to Morsha and unchained her. 'The king wants to see you.'

'He has just seen me, by his orders I was chained up like a wild animal.' Morsha growled and glared at the red hair.

'Well, he wants to see you in his private quarters.' Tauriel stated calmly, but Morsha could see through her mask of disinterest. The captain of the guard was fuming about the fact that Thranduil showed interest in the dark elf. It was obvious that Tauriel fancied her king.

Thorin stepped forward, but Tauriel had a dagger at his throat in no time. 'If he touches her, he is a dead elf.' he growled.

Tauriel smiled sadly. 'There is nothing you can do about it, dwarf.' she looked at Morsha and cocked her head. 'Two kings are fighting over you, Duredhel. What an high honor.' she sneered and dragged Morsha to the door, her hand still holding the dagger pointing at Thorin.

'Don't worry about me, Thorin.' Morsha whispered and looked at him lovingly. His face was the last thing she saw before she left the dark of the dungeons of Mirkwood.

Thranduils royal chambers were in the top of the old trees towering Mirkwood. Morsha had been here before and she had felt as awkward as now. Tauriel left her alone in the chambers, locking the door behind her. Morsha stepped to the huge window and looked afar. At the horizon she could see a mountain with a white top, Erebor. The Lonely Mountain, her new home. She jumped as she heard Thranduils voice at her ear.

'Take a good look, my dear. If you want you can look at this mountain every day.' he whispered.

'I will look at this mountain everyday, king Thranduil. At Thorins side, as his queen.' Morsha stated calmly.

Thranduil cocked an eyebrow at her. 'The oh so proud dwarf king Thorin chose an elf as his queen? How utterly amusing. You must have been very convincing, my dear. Your mother was not that convincing.'

'I doubt that my mother would have chosen a life at your side.' Morsha saw Thranduil flinch and decided to provoke him more. 'She left you, the great king Thranduil. She chose to raise her child alone rather than at your side.'

Thranduil glared at her for a split second, but he quickly controlled himself. He stepped closer to Morsha and stroked her cheek with his fingers.

'I would not speak that judgemental if I were you.' he sneered. Morsha did not know back then that she would make the exact same decision her mother made only a few months later.