Fili and his family were allowed to stay with Dis for two more nights until a home for them was found in the miners' settlement further down in the mountain. Most of the dwarves there didn't have any family at all or just one or two dwarflings and so the houses were very small. But Bofur, who was now in charge of the miners, wouldn't agree to Fili and his family living in just one room.

Fili didn't care about the loss of his beard and braids too much. He would have given all his hair to make sure that his family was safe. But he noticed that even his mother and Dwalin had problems to look at him and worried about how the miners and their families would treat him and especially his children. He wouldn't be able to change that anyways and so he didn't want to think about that now.

Dis and Dwalin were still shocked about everything that had happened. Losing one's beard was a severe punishment but of course they still loved Fili. They didn't want to show pity though and didn't know how to behave around Fili. In the end Dis decided to invite the members of Thorin's company for lunch. They also knew what had happened and would reassure Fili that they still liked him.

Soon Oin, Ori, Dori, Bofur, Bombur, Bifur and Balin arrived at Dis' and Dwalin's home. Poppy, Lili and Tulip looked at the dwarves with wide eyes. Dis had told her daughter-in-law about her plans but still Poppy didn't know what to expect. Fili sat next to his son a a couch and looked surprised but happy. Vili whimpered but his father immediately reassured him that he didn't have to be frightened.

Bombur put a basket on the table and started unpacking loads of hobbit food. He smiled at Poppy and told her that he had tried some recipes Bilbo had told him during their quest.

Dori and Balin gave Poppy a box with a few pairs of boots. When she frowned Balin explained that they had found them in the mountain after they had reclaimed it and had kept them for poor inhabitants but so far no one had wanted them. The first time Vili had been to Erebor they had given him shoes because he had injured his bare feet a few times since the dwobbit's feet were a bit bigger than a dwarf's but not that tick as a hobbits. Dori said that it might be a good idea for all children to wear boots in their new home.

Then Bofur kneeled down on the floor and asked Vili, Lili and Tulip to come to him. First they were a bit reluctant but then they went to him and even giggled when his hat moved. He and Bifur had brought a box with some wooden toys for the little ones. They put the toys on a blanket and started playing with them happily. Poppy smiled at her children with tears in her eyes and hugged each of the dwarves and thanked them. She hoped that they would be able to meet more often. Maybe their new life in Erebor wouldn't be that bad with friends like these dwarves.

Finally Fili got up as well and thanked his friends but he didn't look at them. Dis looked at the male dwarves sadly and sighed. Balin walked over to the younger dwarf and patted his shoulder. "Laddie, look at us, please. There's no need to be ashamed. We all know that Thorin is mad and would have never done that otherwise."
Finally Fili looked at them and smiled. "It's good to see you! I'm glad you still talk to me."
"Of course we do! And the miners know why Thorin shaved your beard as well. There's no need to worry. Everyone will help you as good as they can." Bofur announced.

"Thank you!" Fili answered in relief and hugged each of the dwarves. Then they sat down and ate. Poppy thanked Bombur for the delicious food and Tulip said that it was nearly as good as her mother's. This made everyone laugh and Poppy blushed.

After the dessert Vili, Lili and Tulip continued playing with their new toys while Poppy went to the bedroom to feed Ruby. Fili and the others sat together and talked about everything that had happened during the past few years. Poppy came back to the room with Ruby in her arms and smiled. Fili laughed and relaxed more and more and she hadn't seen him that happy in a long time. After a while Fili sat down on the blanket with his children and played with them. Soon Dwalis, Ori and Bifur joined them.

Vili stayed close to his father most of the time. He sat in his lap and played with his hair. When he touched Fili's cheek he frowned. "Feels different." The little boy admitted.

Fili sighed "Aye, that's the punishment because we came here." He explained and ruffled his son's hair.

Vili threw his arms around Fili's neck and put a kiss on his cheek and then Lili and Tulip rushed towards their father and kissed his cheek as well. Tulip even explained that it was she liked it much better without the beard because it didn't tickle anymore when she kissed her daddy.

Fili kissed his children's foreheads and smiled.

They played for a while longer and then Fili noticed that Poppy still stood in the distance with Ruby. He got up and wrapped his arms around both of them. "I'm sorry for neglecting you most of the day." He said and kissed both.

Poppy smiled at him. "It made me so happy to see you smile and spent time with your friends and the little ones."

Fili kissed her again and put his forehead against hers. "Aye, it was a wonderful day."

Vili, Lili and Tulip ran towards their parents and hugged their legs. Fili and Poppy kneeled down and embraced their children. Everyone was still shocked about the events of the last days and frightened about what the future might bring. But they stayed like this for a long time and took comfort in each other's presence.

Hello everyone! Thanks again for reading, reviewing, following and favouring :)

I'm sorry for the late reply and the quite short chapter. For the last few days I've been wondering if Thorin's punishment was just or if it should have been more severe. What do you think?