The next morning Fili and Poppy met Bilbo, Daisy, Camelia and her husband to contemplate what to do. Fili wanted to go to Erebor to get his son back. The thought of not being able to save Vili tore his heart apart. But he had promised Poppy to stay with her in Hobbiton and he'd keep his promise. His wife tried to be strong for their daughters. Fili knew that she was at the end of her tether though.

Bilbo suggested that he would go to Erebor. He didn't tell them about his ring but promised that nobody would see him there; he was a burglar after all. Poppy yelled at him immediately. She didn't want her friend to risk his life for them since she was sure that Thorin would kill him without any second thoughts. She was all run down and sobbed and begged Bilbo to stay. Fili held her and looked at the hobbit with pleading eyes.

Finally Bilbo promised that he wouldn't go anywhere. He had decided to try to contact Gandalf though. He hoped that the wizard might be able to negotiate with Thorin to bring Vili back to his parents. But he didn't say anything out loud because he didn't want to raise any hopes. If this worked out, it would be a wonderful surprise for Fili and Poppy.

They sat together and looked at each other sadly until Poppy broke the silence. "There is nothing we can do to bring him back. I miss him terribly but I'm relieved to know that he's with his grandparents. They will take good care of him. Maybe a miracle will happen one day and we'll be reunited. But we have to go on for Lili and Tulip. They deserve a happy childhood and not just tears and sadness." She wiped her tears away and tried to smile.

Fili squeezed her hand and put a kiss on her temple. "You're right, my dear! I'm sure Vili wants us to be happy, too."

A few days later Fili and his girls went to the Market at the Green Dragon Inn. It was a cold but sunny winter day and so they made a little detour along the Water. Poppy had brought some dried bread and so Lili and Tulip fed the ducks. Tulip had turned one a few days ago and toddled next to her older sister. Lili had become very protective of her sister and always clutched her hand. Apparently she was scared that Tulip might disappear, too.

Later they met Daisy at the inn and bought some groceries at the market. Most of the hobbits we're glad to see them out and about relatively happy.

Suddenly the evil hobbit from Bywater appeared next to them. Fili tried to ignore him since he didn't want to cause any trouble. He was still slightly afraid that he might have to leave the Shire if he did so.

But then the hobbit smiled at Poppy as if nothing had happened. "Good afternoon! How are you today?"

Fili took a few deep breaths and tried to stay calm but he couldn't keep his feelings at bay any longer. "How dare you ask how we feel!? Maybe Vili would still be here without you!" Fili yelled and punched the hobbit in the face a few times.

The other hobbits heard the cracking of bones and the hobbit's screams. Lots of blood streamed down his face. This time Fili had not just broken his nose but also his jaw. He had knocked out a few teeth, too. Fili looked down at the badly injured hobbit and his hands started to tremble. He hadn't meant to freak out like that but somehow he felt better now.

Everyone else looked at Fili with wide eyes. They had never seen the young dwarf like that. But seconds later Hugo, the innkeeper who had seen everything from the window of the Green Dragon, stood next to him. He asked to hobbits to be quiet. Then he told them that this hobbit had helped to kidnap Vili. At first many of the crowd didn't want to believe him. But when Poppy, Bilbo and Daisy confirmed the story they understood why Fili had reacted like that.

Minutes later a few members of the hobbit's family arrived. They were shocked about what he had done and told Fili and Poppy how sorry they were. Then they told them that he'd be punished for what he did and that they'd take care of everything.

Fili frowned at them because he didn't understand what that meant. But he didn't really want to know as long as he would leave his family alone from now on. He looked at Poppy curiously but she simply shook her head.

The young dwarf was relieved that everyone understand why he had punched the hobbit and that he wouldn't have to face any consequences. He kissed his girls and went home with them.

A few days later Fili and Poppy were told that the hobbit had had an accident and had died. Fili was a bit shocked but his wife only shrugged her shoulders. When they were alone she explained that there were no guards or judges in the peaceful Shire. So families had their own ways to deal with crimes if they happened. The hobbits would never execute someone openly but accidents could always happen.

Fili and Poppy didn't say it loud but both of them were happy that the person who had helped to kidnap their son had met his fate.

A few weeks later, in the middle of winter, Vili and Lili turned two years old. It was a difficult day for everyone and Poppy had cried most of the night. Since they knew that Thorin wasn't interested in the female dwobbits, Lili and Tulip slept in their own beds in the nursery again. So Fili could pull his wife close against his chest and stroke her back and hair. He wanted to soothe her but soon the tears rolled down his cheeks, too.

No one was in the mood the celebrate but still Lili got a little party with Daisy, Bilbo and Primula as the only guests. In the morning they went to the Water to feed the ducks again. Vili had loved to feed and to listen to them. Everyone thought about him anyways and they wanted to do something he would have loved. While Lili, Tulip and Primula threw the bread into the river, the adults talked about him and wondered if and how Vili celebrated his birthday in Erebor.

Then they went home for lunch. Poppy had cooked and baked her daughter's favourite meal and cake. When everyone was full, Lili finally got her presents. Poppy had sewed another stuffed animal for her. Daisy had made a new dress for her favourite doll and Bilbo had collected and coloured several stones. Lili loved the gems in her father's smithy but of course she couldn't play with them. So he hoped that she would love to play with the stones instead.

For the rest of the day Lili, Tulip and Primula played on the floor in front of the fire place until they fell asleep. In her dreams Lili yelled Vili's name hysterically and so Poppy took her in her arms and cuddled her close to her chest. She stroked her golden curls and whispered into her ears that Vili was fine and that she'd meet him again one day. Lili clutched her mother's braid and calmed down after all.

Fili cradled Tulip in his arms. The little dwobbit whimpered, too. She was only seven months old when Fili had disappered but she sensed her sister's and parents' sadness and distress. Fili knew that his family would never be the same again. But he hoped that time would heal the wounds in their hearts for his children deserved a happy and carefree future. The dwarf prayed to Mahal that Poppy's words would come true and that they'd be reunited with Vili one day.

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