Fili and Poppy met nearly every day within the next weeks. Sometimes they only talked for a few minutes but often they met for lunch or dinner. They had picnics near the Water and often Fili brought flowers for her. He was happy that Poppy liked him and wanted to spend time with him. Poppy always blushed when Fili touched her by accident. She kissed him on the cheek every time they had to say good bye.

#

Poppy lay in her bed and couldn't fall asleep. She had dreamt of Fili again, like every night for the past days.

The young hobbit girl had finally realised that she loved the dwarf. She wanted to spend as much time with him as possible and she felt safe and happy with him.

But Poppy didn't want to tell him. She was scared that he might reject her and that they couldn't be friends anymore.

Fili had told her about dwarf women. Poppy was completely different with her small and slim built, huge hairy feet, dark brown curls, slightly pointed ears and most importantly without a beard. There was no way that the beautiful dwarf might be attracted by her.

Poppy sighed. She had to get him out of her head. He would never want her in a romantic way.

She decided that a simple friendship was much better than nothing.

#

Soon summer passed and the days were colder and rainier. Fili wouldn't be able to pick flowers anymore. He thought about what he could give her instead. He wanted to tell her about his feelings and ask her to put his braid in her hair.

He didn't know what to do. A dwarf would craft some weapons or pieces of jewellery for his beloved. Then he remembered that Bilbo had said that he shouldn't forget that he's a dwarf. Slowly a plan formed in his head. He quickly finished his work and went home.

#

Bilbo was preparing dinner. "Ah Fili, you're home already. Dinner will be ready soon."

Fili nooded "Bilbo, may I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course! You can ask me everything! It's about Poppy, isn't it?" Bilbo answered.

Fili chucked nervously "Yes, it is. I want to tell her that I love her and I want to give her a courting gift. Umm, well, I know that they are you're payment. But I was wondering if I could get some of the gems you brought from Erebor?"

"You're welcome to use all of them. Though I'm not sure if Poppy would like an opulent piece of jewellery." Bilbo answered.

"I also don't think that she'd like that. I want to make a nice but simple necklace for her. I will travel to Bree soon and I'll buy some silver there." Fili explained with a smile.

Bilbo went to his bedroom to fetch the small chest with the gems. He put in onto the kitchen table and opened it. "Fili, I think I have a better idea. Why don't you make a simple but very special necklace for her? You could use the Mithril if it's enough for what you think of."

Fili's jaw dropped. He gasped "Bilbo, are you sure? Do you know how precious Mithril is? You could buy half of the Shire with it!"

"Yes, Balin told me. But I value food and a peaceful quiet life here more than precious metals. It has no use for me and I'm sure Poppy would look lovely with it." Bilbo smiled.

Fili still looked flabbergasted. "Rea... Rea... Really?" Fili stammered.

Bilbo simply handed him the Mithril with a huge grin on his face. Fili took it and hugged the hobbit. "Thank you, Bilbo! This means so much to me. I had hoped to give her a part of my culture with the gems from Erebor. But this is even better. I don't want to be greedy but could I also get some of the gems?"

"Take whatever you need." Bilbo answered.

#

Fili spent the next few days in the forge. He had to mend several pots and had also started to produce his own goods to sell them at the market. The hobbits appreciated the good quality of his work.

He used every second, he could spare, to work on the necklace. He wanted it to be perfect. Fili imagined what Poppy would look like with it around her neck and hummed.

Finally the necklace was ready. The young dwarf and the hobbit lass couldn't meet outdoors anymore. So Fili invited her to join him for afternoon tea and dinner at Bag End. Bilbo would be there, too. Though he had promised that he'd be busy in the pantry or his own room.

Fili had again baked some apple cinnamon pies and made tea. He also bought apple cider and picked some asters. They were the only flowers that could still be found.

When everything was spread out on the floor in front of the fireplace, the young dwarf sat down on the chair. He took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down. He made sure that the necklace was in its wooden box and that the bead was in the pocket of his trousers.

Soon Poppy rang the bell. Fili opened the door and welcomed her. They entered the living room and Poppy grinned "Oh Fili! You prepared an indoor picnic! That's lovely!"

"Umm, yes, I thought this might be nice, now that we can't meet outdoors anymore." Fili explained. He was so nervous. He felt like he would faint any second.

Poppy didn't seem to notice. She sat down on the fur and started to eat. The taste of the pies made her moan in delight.

Fili looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face. He sighed and finally plugged up the courage to speak. "Poppy, there's something I'd like to ask you, something about our future."

Poppy frowned at him. She worried that he might want to leave the Shire. She had no idea what to say and simply nodded.

Fili quickly continued to speak "I enjoyed these last few weeks with you so much. They have been some of the happiest in my life. I have fallen in love with you. I can't imagine living without you anymore. I know this is a bit blunt, but" Fili trailed off and took a deep breath. He looked in her beautiful blue-grey eyes and opened the wooden box "Would you allow me to court you?"

Poppy looked at him and the box in shock "Fili, I don't know what to say!" Then tears started to roll down her cheeks.