A few days later Lord Elrond informed the hobbits about the White Councils decision. Mirkwood wasn't home but they would be safe there. So the hobbits agreed. Fili worried deeply though. Thranduil's Kingdom was far too close to Erebor and Tauriel, Kili and their child lived there. What if they told Thorin or he'd come there for a visit and found out? This couldn't end well.

Later the young dwarf talked to the elf Lord in private. He begged him that he and his family would be allowed to stay in Rivendell. He told him about Dis' warning that Thorin would kill him if he ever returned to the Lonely Mountain. It also couldn't end well if someone found or that Vili had been reunited with his family. Fili also mentioned that the journey across the Misty Mountains to Mirkwood was far too long and exhausting for his wife. The last two times Poppy had been with child for about nine months and it would probably be the same this time. If they left in a few weeks she would have to give birth somewhere on the road.

Lord Elrond understood Fili's reasoning but he declined his wish nonetheless. His family couldn't stay in Rivendell. He also didn't want them to stay there until after Poppy had given birth because he thought it was too dangerous for them to travel on their one and travelling with a newborn would be difficult, too. He wanted them to travel all together in one big group. The elf assured Fili that many elven soldiers and several healers would accompany them to Mirkwood. They would make sure that everyone was safe.

Fili wasn't convinced and still worried about his family's safety but he knew that there was no point in arguing with the elf. He would have to trust them.

During the next two weeks the hobbits prepared everything for their departure to Mirkwood. They packed their few belongings and enjoyed the peace in the elvish settlement. Soon they would be on the road again and comforting those who mourned for family and friends as well as playing with the fauntlings to distract them from the grief would be much more difficult.

Fili and his family spent most of the time together. Often Bilbo and Daisy joined them, too. Primula also visited them but most of the time she stayed with the Brandybuck's who had adopted her.

They often sat on one of the many balconies or on a meadow and played and talked. At first the children clung to their father all the time but soon he could convince them that his wounds were healed and that he wouldn't die and leave them alone. So they were more at ease and cuddled and stayed with both of their parents alike. Lili, Vili and especially Tulip also loved to put their hands or heads on Poppy's belly to feel their youngest sibling move and kick. They promised to protect him or her. The little ones finally also played with each other or with Bilbo and Daisy without Fili having to be there.

On a sunny morning in late spring the group of hobbits and elves started their journey to Mirkwood. The day before their departure the healers had once again examined every hobbits as well as Fili and his children and deemed everyone fit enough to travel.

The group crossed the Misty Mountains quite quickly. The snow had melted and they didn't encounter any threats. Bilbo and Fili remembered the stone giants and goblins during their quest. The elves knew the mountains very well and made sure that they were safe and had sheltered places to sleep though. The journey was still very exhausting, especially for the little ones. Often the adult hobbits and even the elven had to carry them.

Poppy's belly grew every day and waking became more and more difficult for her. Fili and the elves worried that she might stumble and fall. So one of the healers carried her a lot. She felt like a child in the tall elf's arms but she didn't care since she was quite tried and her feet hurt all the time.

Soon the group crossed the River Anduin and met Beorn. The skinchanger had been informed about the hobbits's journey to Mirkwood and wanted to protect them on their way through the wilderland. He also promised to provide some fresh food. Of course he also remembered Fili and Bilbo and worried that the dwarf had to go back that close to the Lonely Mountain. He was happy to see that he had been able to win the hobbit's heart and that they had such adorable children.

Now that the environment was relatively flat again Poppy was able to work more often. Fili and the children held her hand and supported her as good as they could but often one of the healers had to carry her. Most of the time she fell asleep the moment they picked her up.

When they were about half a day away from Beorn's House Poppy walked alone for some time. She wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery and needed some peace. Suddenly she screamed in pain and clutched her belly. Fili rushed to her and pj his arms around her waist to help her stand and only seconds later two of the elves stood next to them.

Poppy had tears in her eyes and winced. "I think my baby wants to be born now. But I can't do that here in the middle of nowhere. Please help me!" Poppy sobbed. Her children looked terrified and there was nothing she could do. Poppy was exhausted and not sure if she survived giving birth this time.

Beorn had also heard Poppy's scream and worried for her safety. Soon they decided that he would carry Poppy to his house and the two elvish healers would go with him. Fili wanted to come as well but Poppy begged him I stay with Lili, Vili and Tulip. He couldn't help he anyways and she didn't want to leave them only with Bilbo. So they left and Fili and Bilbo stayed with the children. Everyone was nervous and they prayed to Mahal that they would be able to meet their mother and new sibling later.

In the early evening the group arrived at Beorn's house. The skinchanger welcomed them and his animals served food, drinks and some hay to sleep on. Then he asked Fili to follow him. The young dwarf bit on his lower lip and looked up towards Beorn nervously who smiled a bit. Fili took that as a good sign and followed him towards a more private corner of his house. There, in he hay but covered with a blanket laid Poppy with a bundle in her arms. She smiled weekly but incredibly happy. The healer told Fili that mother and daughter were fine and left them alone.

Fili gasped; another female. Mahal had truly blessed them. Fili kneeled down next to his wife and kissed her and the baby. He trailed his finger over his daughter's golden curls and then she looked at him with her big blue eyes. Then he called his children who immediately sat down next to their mother. Lili and Tulip looked at their new sister in awe while Vili carefully touched her.

Fili and Poppy kissed again and talked in a low voice. They were relieved to have another daughter and that the birth went that well. Then they thought about a name all together. Everyone had a different idea but in the end they named her Ruby.

The hobbits stayed at Beorn's house for almost two weeks. The elves wanted to give them some time to rest. Also they waned to give Poppy some time to heal and to spend time with her daughter without walking all day. Lili, Vili and Tulip wanted to stay with their mother and Ruby all the time. They cuddled a lot but Fili always made sure to play with them to give Poppy some time to rest.

When they continued their journey, they soon realised that it was indeed more difficult to travel with a newborn dwobbit than with a pregnant hobbit. Ruby cried a lot and Poppy also needed some time to figure out how to breastfeed her daughter while walking. Also Poppy was even more tired than before because she couldn't sleep well during the night. She slept in Fili's arms with Ruby between them but her older children wanted her attention, too. The hobbit couldn't wait to finally arrive in Mirkwood even though she worried what might happen when they arrived there.

One the borders of the Greenwood Beorn bid them farewell and several woodland elves welcomed them. With this escort the dwarf and the hobbits arrived in Thranduil's kingdom without any dangers and relatively quickly. The spiders and the darkness in Dol Goldur were gone but Fili still didn't like this forest at all.

In late summer the refugees from the Shire arrived in the Palace of King Thranduil. He welcomed them in the throne room and promised them that everything possible would be done for them. They got food and soon a few elves showed them to their rooms. Fili and his family had stayed in the background and were one of the last that still stayed in the dinning hall.

Suddenly the doors opened and Tauriel entered the hall. "So, the rumours are true. There is a dwarf and his mixed blooded offspring among the hobbits. Very interesting." She said arrogantly.

Fili sighed and closed his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Poppy and their little ones. He wanted to be close to them because he was relatively sure that this wouldn't end well.

Moments later the door opened again and Kili entered. When he looked at his brother and his family, he snorted and glared at them.