The day before the wedding Fili brought his remaining belongings to Poppy's smial. He couldn't believe that tomorrow evening he'd officially live there with her as husband and wife. When he approached the living room Poppy hid something under a blanket and told him to wait in the kitchen. He heard her putting something into one of the cupboards before she finally appeared there. Her hair and dress were quite disheveled.

Fili went towards her to place a soft kiss on her lips. "What were you doing?"

Poppy smiled at him "I won't tell you. But you'll find out tomorrow."

The young dwarf chuckled "Ah I see! I think I know what you've been doing."

"I'm really nervous, Fili! I hope I won't mess the braid up at all and I hope you'll like my dress. It means a lot to me." Poppy admitted.

"Don't worry! You could wear rags and you'd still be the most beautiful lass in the word for me. Umm, since we're talking about what you're going to wear. My mother sent this for you. I don't know what it is but she'd like you to have it. My father made it and it's very precious to her." Fili showed her the box with a huge smile on his face.

Poppy looked at him with wide eyes and took the box with shaking hands. She sat down in one of the chairs and carefully started unwrapping the gift. Inside the cloth was a wooden box and a piece of paper. The box contained a pair of silver heart-shaped earrings with tiny rubies and sapphires in them together with a matching bracelet. Poppy gasped and put the box onto the kitchen table to read the note. She didn't understand why Fili's mother wanted her to have these, she didn't even know her.

Dear Poppy!

I'd like to give you these to wear on your wedding day and every day afterwards if you want that. My husband made them for me and I think they fit well with what Fili made for you. I hope you like them and that you take good care of them.

From what Fili told me you seem to be a wonderful person and you make him happy. That's everything that counts for me! I miss him but I prefer him to be far away but happy instead of here in Erebor.

I would have loved to come to the wedding and meet you. This will never be possible. With the jewellery at least a part of me will be there though. I will think of you!

I wish you all the luck in the world for the rest of your lives!

Dis

Poppy started to cry. Fili's mother wanted a part of her to be there just like she wanted a part of her mother to be there.

Fili kneeled down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Shh, don't cry! May I read the letter?"

Poppy nodded. Fili read it and looked into the box. He had never seen these before. They were indeed similar to what he had made for Poppy. Maybe he had more in common with his father than just his looks. His mind drifted off to the few memories he had of him.

Poppy's sobs brought him back to reality. He kneeled down once again and wiped her tears away. "Shh, don't cry!" Fili didn't know what to say because he didn't even exactly know why she was crying.

After a few minutes Poppy finally looked at him. "Your mum, she... she should hate me. You left her because of me. But instead of cursing me and our marriage she gives me these beautiful jewels that mean so much to her. I, I don't understand that."

Now Fili understood "She could never hate you because you make me happy and that's all she ever wanted for her sons. Are you going to wear them tomorrow?"

Poppy smiled "Of course! It will be an honour. They will look lovely together with my mum's..." She bid her tongue and Fili cocked an eyebrow at her. "I'll tell you tomorrow."

Fili kissed her tears away and pulled her close. That's how Daisy found them a few minutes later. "Oi, stop that! You can continue tomorrow."

They broke the kiss and smiled at her. "Good morning Daisy!"

"Good morning! I'm really sorry to disturb you but Bilbo wants Fili at Bag End immediately and we still have some things to prepare as well."

Fili groaned "I think I know what he wants. I can't wait for this wedding to be over." He kissed Poppy once again and went up the hill towards Bag End.

Poppy told Daisy about the earrings and bracelet. Daisy was happy for her best friend. A part of her had died with her family but with Fili she was the happy lass she used to be.

Daisy had brought some things for the wedding dress. Poppy had tried to gain some weight but the dress was still to wide around her waist and its pattern made it quite impossible to adjust. It nearly broke Daisy's and Bilbo's hearts to see Poppy's reaction when she realised that she might not be able to wear it. So they ordered a silver belt which was now finally ready. Poppy tried the dress on once again and now it fit perfectly. Daisy practiced what to do with Poppy's hair, too. Due to the wedding braid her hairdo had to be different from what most hobbit brides would have. In the late afternoon the two decided that everything was perfect.

They had dinner together and then Poppy went to bed. It would be the last time she'd sleep in this bed alone. She was excited but also quite scared of her wedding night. Fili had been with a few lasses before but she was completely inexperienced. Her mother had told her a few things about what happened between a male and female but she still felt insecure about the whole thing.

#

When Fili arrived at Bag End, Bilbo was already waiting for him in the living room with a bunch of clothes. He had barely taken his coat of when Bilbo started talking "Fili, I saw your choise of clothes for the wedding a few days ago. You can't wear that! Don't you have something a bit more colourful?"

Fili shock his head and wanted to start answering but Bilbo didn't even let him say a word.

"I thought as much! That's why I asked the tailor to make these for you." Bilbo gave with a pair of black trousers, a red tunic with silver embellishments and a silver belt. "I wanted him to make a coat as well but he didn't have enough time. But you won't need a one tomorrow anyways."

Fili noticed that the tunic was exactly the same colour as the rubies of Poppy's necklace. He didn't care about his clothes very much but it made him happy to see how much thought Bilbo had put into every detail. He hugged the hobbit. "Thank you Bilbo!"

They spent the rest of the day talking about what Bilbo had prepared. Fili felt like his head was going to explode any minute. He decided to have a bath and go to bed early. He was just about to fall asleep when he heard an unexpected visitor entering Bag End.