Fili had to work until the day before Thorin's visit to the mines and so he didn't have any time to talk to Dwalin. He couldn't warn Bofur either because always one of his coworkers from the Iron Hills was there as well. So he decided to do everything he could to protect his uncle without any help from someone else. He had thought about what might become of Poppy and the children if something happened to him a lot. He hoped that Dis, Runa and Bilbo would help her and that she might be allowed to return to the other hobbits. There had been rumors that the hobbits might be able to move back to Hobbiton in about one year. Maybe she would find some peace there. For a short moment he had even considered not to help Thorin at all after everything that had happened. But he simply couldn't do that because he still loved his uncle very much.

Unfortunately Poppy had to work on his day off and so he spent it with Lili, Vili, Tulip and Ruby. The little ones were at first a bit sad that they couldn't play with both of their parents but Poppy promised that they'd be able to spend time together the following week. They played with their wooden toys and Fili told them a few stories in Khuzdul. A few days ago Dis had brought some pieces of paper, coloured inks and old cloths. Fili suggested that they could make some flowers for Poppy. So Lili and Tulip drew some flowers and what they remembered of the Shire together with Ruby. Of course she didn't know Hobbiton at all but her sisters told her what to do. Vili was sad that he couldn't draw anything and so he and his father crafted some flowers from the cloth and yarn. They hid them under the children's bed and Fili said that they should give them to their mother when she was very sad. Later Fili made dinner for his children and told them another story. He also told them how much he loved them and kissed them and stroked their hair until they fell asleep in his arms.

Later that evening Poppy came back from work. Fili waited for her at the door and scooped her up in his arms. The hobbit shrieked in surprise but smiled at her husband. "What are you doing?"

"I missed you, my love and I thought we could spend the evening together. Just you and me." Fili said with a smile and kissed her. He was scared about what might happen tomorrow but he didn't want to tell his wife about it. If the worst happened it might be the best if she didn't know at all, just like Runa who still thought her husband had died in a mining accident.

"That's a lovely idea! Are the little ones already asleep?" Poppy asked with a frown.

Fili nodded, kissed her again and carried her towards their small living room. He sat down on the fur in front of the fireplace with her in his arms and caressed her face. Poppy couldn't stop smiling when she noticed that Fili had prepared a small picnic and lit a few of her favourite scented candles. The young dwarf fed her and ate a few pieces himself. When Poppy was full she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a long and passionate kiss. Fili held her tight and returned the kiss. If the worst happened this would be their last evening together and we would make the most of it.

Suddenly Vili started crying and Fili sighed sadly. The little boy still had terrible nightmares and so Poppy rushed towards him to comfort him. She told him that everything was fine and that nothing would happen to them and soon Vili fell asleep again cuddled up between his three sisters. Poppy kissed her children on the top of their heads and returned to her husband.

She sat down next to Fili on the fur and he immediately pulled her close again. Poppy trailed her fingers over his torso. She opened his tunic and places little kisses all over his chest until Fili suddenly stopped her. "Poppy, I'm not sure if this is a good idea. I don't think I will be able to stop myself and I know that you're scared of being with child again. We've been lucky the last few times but you seem to be healthier now and your chances to conceive might be higher."

"Yes, that's true and I'm scared but I want this." Poppy said and continued kissing and undressing her husband.

Fili smiled and pulled her dress over her head and laid her down on the fur. Fili started kissing his way up from her hairy feet to her pointed ears. He sucked on the tip of her ears and Poppy moaned on delight. The hobbit pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist to keep him as close as possible. Fili kissed her again and they made love until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Fili woke up a few hours later. He tried to get up without waking his wife but Poppy's legs were intertwined with his and her small hand clung to his chest hair. So he kissed her and smiled when she opened her eyes. "Good morning, my love. I didn't mean to wake you but I have to go to work."

Poppy smiled and slowly got up. They dressed and ate breakfast. Before leaving for work, Fili went to his children's room and kissed them on their foreheads and whispered into their ears that he loved them. Then he returned to Poppy and pulled her close against his chest. "I'm sorry for last night. I should have been more careful. I would never forgive myself if I left you alone with another child to care for."

Poppy frowned and tears welled up in her eyes. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Why do you suddenly think about leaving me, Fili?"

"The mines are a dangerous place. Something might happen there every day." Fili said and bit his lower lip. "Just promise me that if something ever happened to me that you will never forget how much I love you and the children. You have to be strong for them and never give up, alright?"

Poppy nodded. She remembered that Runa's husband, Anor, had done and asked her to do the same thing on the day of his death in a mining accident. She hoped that this was just a coincidence but was still very scared. "Promise that you won't do anything stupid or dangerous."

"I love you and the children." Fili kissed her again and left for work.

After the lunch break King Thorin inspected the mines. Fili had seen his coworkers from the Iron Hills standing close together obviously planning something but unfortunately he didn't know what. The miners had to show their king their recent earnings and how the mines were doing in general. Bofur did most of the talking but the miners were involved as well. Fili was close to his uncle most of the time but he didn't even look at him and had only eyes for the gems and the gold. When Bofur mentioned that there might be small streams of Mithril in the mountain, his face lit up in a bright smile.

Then one of the Iron Hills dwarves walked toward the King and bowed deeply. He asked if he was allowed to show him a particularly beautiful Durin blue sapphire which was unfortunately still trapped in the rock but would be mined soon.

Thorin slightly bowed his head in acknowledgement and followed the dwarf into a small tunnel. Fili looked at Bofur and asked if he was allowed to follow. Of course Bofur agreed and so Fili entered the tunnel as quickly as possible. Thorin looked at the huge sapphire in awe when suddenly there was a rumble in the ceiling. Fili saw his coworker move away and just seconds later small pieces of rock fell down. He ran towards Thorin and pushed him away just in time before the ceiling fell down and buried him beneath the rubble.

I'm sorry for the late update. I've been quite busy at work and haven't been feeling that well. I will try to update sooner the next time. Thanks again for the reviews, follows and favourites :)