Over the next few weeks Poppy and Fili spent as much time together as possible. They still met for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner at Bilbo's. Sometimes they walked through Hobbiton holding hands.
Many hobbits didn't care about them but some gossiped about the couple. Poppy often worried that Fili might somehow get into trouble because of their relationship. But the few good friends she had, supported her and told her that it didn't matter who she loved. They were happy for her.

#

At the end of autumn the hobbits celebrated a harvest festival. There would be lots of food, drinks, songs and dancing. Bilbo had told Fili about it and had suggested that he and Poppy could go there together.

Fili liked this idea a lot. He wanted to spend the day with Poppy. But then he remembered that Poppy most likely would have to work. The Green Dragon Inn provided most of the food and drinks for the celebration. He decided to ask the innkeeper if Poppy could get the day off.
Unfortunately Hugo, the innkeeper said that he needed every barmaid for the festival. Fili was disappointed. He was about to leave the inn, when a hobbit girl with light brown curls stopped him.
"Good morning, master dwarf. I'm Daisy. I'm one of Poppy's friends."
"Fili, at your service! It's nice to meet one of Poppy's friends. How can I help you?" Fili bowed.
"I heard you and Hugo. I will try to make sure that you and Poppy can spend some time together during the festival." Daisy smiled.
Fili thanked her and walked back to the forge.

#

A few days later, Bilbo received a letter from Erebor. It was just a simple note and included a letter for Fili.
Fili swallowed and took the letter from Bilbo. He went back to his bedroom and sat down on the bed to read it.

My dearest Fili,

I'm relieved to read that you are still alive. I had feared the worst when Balin told me that you were supposed to join my caravan.

Of course I won't tell anybody, that you are still alive. Thorin has gone completely mad. He's even in a worse condition than our grandfather, though I never thought that that might even be possible. I worry that he might execute you as a traitor if he knew.

I can understand why you left. I'm happy to read that you have fallen in love.
I had always hoped that you would be able to marry a lass you love instead of someone you barely know for political reasons.

There was never a reason to tell you about such things, but now I will.
If the dragon hadn't taken Erebor, I would have been forced into a marriage with a dwarf lord from Orocarni. Thror and Thrain had planned this when I was just a dwarfling.
Back then Thorin was furious, in his opinion everyone should be allowed to marry the person they love. So it hurts me even more to find out that he wanted to do the same to you.
Of course, the Lord didn't want an exiled princess without a real home. So I was allowed to marry your father. I also knew that Vili was my One the moment I first saw him. In Erebor I would never have been allowed to marry a simple blacksmith.

I hope you and the hobbit lass will be as happy as I and Vili had been and that you spend the rest of your lives together.

Please don't worry about me too much. My life isn't easy at the moment but I'll manage.
When we told Thorin, that his heir was dead, he wanted to force Kili to marry the Lady Liz. But Kili had secretly married Tauriel. Thorin was furious but now he has accepted their marriage. He says it will strengthen the new alliance between Erebor and the Greenwood.

After a few days Thorin realised that there was no heir to the throne of Erebor anymore. The dwarves would never accept a king with an elven wife and maybe even half-elven children.
Thorin doesn't want to marry, so I will have to marry again. Of course that's very unusual but the King needs an heir and so the council has approved.
I had one week to find a fitting husband, otherwise he would have chosen one.
The King and the council have decided that I can marry Dwalin. I don't love him but we are good friends. He and Balin supported me during the past weeks. He doesn't like this idea either, especially because the main reason for this marriage is to sire a child. It feels like we deceive Vili. But marrying a stranger would be worse.
So Dwalin and I are going to marry on Durin's Day. I'm not the youngest anymore and I hope that I'll be able to conceive a child quickly.

Fili, my dear, please don't blame yourself for this. You did the right thing and I'm proud of you!

I'd love to hear more about your hobbit lass and your life in the Shire.

With love

Your Amad

Tears streamed down Fili's cheeks. He placed the letter on the bedside table and started to sob into his pillow. He clenched his fists and punched into the mattress. The situation in Erebor was worse than he had imagined. Because of his selfishness his poor mother would have to marry and bear another child. But it was too late. He couldn't go back. The king would charge him with treason.

After a while Bilbo entered the room. Fili didn't cry anymore but his eyes were still red and puffy.

Bilbo worried and patted Fili's shoulder. The young dwarf told him what had happened in Erebor. Bilbo shock his head in sadness. What had become of the dwarf king he had considered a friend once.

Fili still felt horrible but he accompanied Bilbo to the harvest festival in the afternoon. He still felt terrible but he wanted to see Poppy and Bilbo had convinced him, that the festival might help him settle in Hobbiton.

Fili and Bilbo sat down at one of the many tables. They talked, ate, drank, smoked their pipes and watched the other hobbits.

Children were running around everywhere and songs and laughter coud be heard.
Fili thought about the last time he had enjoyed songs and music. It was over one and a half years ago, on the day the dwarves first met Bilbo. They had sung and he and Kili had played on their fiddles.

Fili shock his head and sighed. He wanted to enjoy the day. He would not let it be ruined by dark thoughts of his brother and uncle.

Suddenly Primula stood next to Fili. She wanted to dance with him. The dwarf looked towards her mother and she simply nodded. Fili took her small hands and whirled her across the meadow. Primula giggled and babbled all the time. Fili smiled at her and wondered if he'd be able to dance with his own daughter one day. The little girl made him feel better and forget his sorrows for a few moments.

Out of the corners of his eyes he saw Poppy standing next to Bilbo. The hobbit said something and Poppy simply nodded with a frown on her face.

When the dance ended, Primula ran back to her parents and Fili walked over to Poppy and hugged her.

Poppy smiled at him and soon they danced as well. She put her hands around Fili's neck and he placed his hands on her waist. He kissed her and Poppy blushed.

"Fili, Bilbo said you aren't feeling well today and you look very sad. What's wrong?" Poppy worried.

Fili sighed "I received a letter from my mother today. The situation in my family is worse than I thought. I feel sorry for her." A tear started to roll down Fili's cheek and Poppy quickly wiped it away.

"Oh Fili, I'm so sorry! Maybe you should go home to help her." Poppy suggested with a sad smile.

"No, Poppy, I can't go back to Erebor. Hobbiton is my home now. You are the most important thing in my life. I won't leave you, unless you send me away." Fili looked into her beautiful eyes and kissed her again.

Poppy smiled "I would never send you away, Fili! I... I love you!"

Fili was about to answer when Hugo called Poppy back to work. She gave Fili an apologetic look and went back to the inn.