After he had finally woken up, Fili recovered quite quickly. His wounds healed nicely and he grew stronger every day. He still had to stay in bed though. So Poppy and the little ones spent most of the time at Fili's bedside. They cuddled, talked and played together. After they had nearly lost each other they enjoyed their time together even more. Often Bilbo came to visit Fili as well. He was very relieved that the young dwarf had woken up.

In late winter Fili was finally allowed to walk around again. After having spent three months in bed he had to get used to walking again but after a few days of practice he could walk around Rivendell without too many problems or breaks. The family moved to a new room and joined the other hobbits for the meals on one of the balconies.

From now on they often went on walks through Rivendell and Poppy was finally able to see the elven city's beauty. She adored all the fountains. Fili told her that he and the other dwarves had bathed completely naked in one of the fountains when they stayed in Rivendell during their quest. The elves had not been amused at all. When Fili finished his story, Poppy started crying. But for the first time in months her tears where out of laughter and not sadness.

One evening in early spring the children stayed with Bilbo. Fili didn't want to leave his son and daughters alone but he also wanted to spend some time alone with his wife. They hadn't spent a minute alone since Fili had woken up and he missed her soft touches.

Vili clung to his father's hand when he brought them to the hobbit. Fili said that nothing would happen to them in Rivendell and in the end Bilbo's promise of stories and sweets convinced him to stay. The little dwobbit trusted Bilbo but asked him to fetch his parents if he was scared.

Fili kissed his children goodnight and went to the kitchen. He had asked if the elves could prepare a picnic for him and his wife. Poppy had always enjoyed that in Hobbiton and he wanted to cheer her up. Lord Elrond had told him that Poppy was physically fine but Fili worried about her nonetheless. She often had nightmares. Fili wanted to comfort her but this was difficult with the children sleeping between them. Like the other hobbits, she had also lost some weight and was pale with dark circles around the eyes.

Lord Elrond, who also knew about Lady Galadriel's vision, agreed to Fili's request of some time alone with her and the picnic immediately and asked the elves to fulfil the young dwarf's wishes. They didn't want anyone to know but Poppy was one of their top priorities.

Soon Fili stood on one of Rivendell's most private balconies with a basket full of food and several blankets and cushions. He was nervous. Poppy was his wife and they saw each other all the time but he wanted this evening to be as good as possible under the current circumstances. He had even picked a few spring flowers for her.

Soon Daisy arrived with Poppy. The hobbit had gone on a long walk with her best friend to distract her from Fili's surprise. At first Poppy wanted to stay with her family but in the end she had agreed. Daisy led her towards the balcony and quickly disappeared.

Poppy was quite angry about her friend's behaviour but then she saw her husband standing there with the bunch of flowers and everything was forgotten. She smiled at him happily and went towards him. "Fili, did you do that? What a lovely surprise."

Fili kissed his wife. "Aye, but the elves helped me to prepare everything. I thought we might need some time just for us. You've always like picnics back at home."

When he mentioned their home, tears glistened in Poppy's eyes. So Fili put the flowers in the basket and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close and kissed her again. "I'm sorry. I miss Hobbiton, too. But for me it's the most important thing that you and the little ones are safe and sound."

Poppy nodded and placed her head in his chest. "You are right! That's the most important thing. And this is a wonderful idea. Where are Lili, Vili and Tulip though?"

"Bilbo is looking after them." Fili said and pulled his wife down on the cushions. "You don't have to worry. They will be fine. Do you want something to eat? The elves bakes apple cinnamon pies and raspberry chocolate muffins."

Poppy smiled. "We ate those when we first met a the Water."

"Aye!" Fili returned the smile and fed her a pie.

After a while both were full. Fili pulled Poppy close and covered them with a few thick was quite cold already but they wanted to watch the sundown and the stars.

When it became too cold they went back to their room hand in hand. Fili carried the basket and Poppy her flowers. They visited Bilbo to make sure that their children were fine. The hobbit sat in a chair with a book. Lili, Vili and Tulip slept peacefully together in Bilbo's bed.

In their own room Fili kissed his wife more and slowly undressed her. He caressed her face and body and kissed the small bump of her belly. "I love you!"

Poppy stroked his hair and beard and pulled him up again to kiss him more passionately. When she pulled off his tunic, she started to cry. The hobbit quickly wiped her tears away and carefully touched the scars of his newest wounds with a finger. "I could have lost you." She whispered and put soft kisses on his skin.

Fili made her look at him. "Aye, but I could have lost you, too. Mahal has given us a chance to live and we'll have to make the most if it no matter the circumstances. I'm sure the White Council will find a place for us to live."

Poppy nodded and kissed him again. "You're right." She murmured in between her kisses. Then she pulled him towards their bed. "I missed being close to you."

They kissed and cuddled until Poppy fell asleep with her head on Fili's chest. He had wrapped his arms around her waist and trailed his fingers over her belly. He didn't tell his wife, but Fili worried about there future. They were much closer to Erebor now. What if someone told Thorin that Vili was with his parents again and that Poppy was going to have another baby? He sighed and pulled Poppy even closer.

Meanwhile the White Council contemplated what was supposed to happen with the hobbits. The Shire was destroyed and they would not be able to live there for the next few years. The elves and many men felt sorry for the hobbits and wanted to rebuilt their home but that would take some time. There were still may orcs in the once peaceful lands in the West, too. Rivendell was no option for the hobbits to stay either. It was no place for hobbits and there wasn't enough space for them in the long run.

The council members remembered that in the early Third Age the hobbits had lived in the Valley of the Anduin between the Misty Mountains and the Greenwood. But when the evil power in the there rose, they had wandered to the Shire. A few years ago the darkness had been driven away from Dol Goldur and the East was relatively safe thanks to the alliance between Erebor, Dale and Mirkwood. So they decided that the hobbits might be quite safe there.

After a long decision the White Council decided that in late spring, when the snow was gone on the High Pass, the hobbits would be brought to Mirkwood. They could stay in Thranduil's realm for a while until temporary housing would be built for them close to the Greenwood. Not everyone was happy with this decision but it was the best they could do until the Shire was rebuilt.