During the next few days Thorin talked a lot to Fili and Poppy but also to Dis and Dwalin about everything he had done. He apologised again and again and promised that he'd never fall under the curse of the gold sickness again. He also tried to spend time with his niece and Fili's children but they were reluctant and didn't want to be too close to him. Only Ruby always ran towards him to be picked up. Thorin liked the little girl very much and hoped that the others would learn to trust him as well.

Dwalin yelled at his former best friend for ruining Dis' life with their forced marriage and his threat to take Dwalis away from them. Thorin couldn't remember these things either and felt even worse than before. He had always wanted his little sister to be happy after everything she had been through but instead he had caused her so much pain. But Dis reassured him that she wasn't too angry and would forgive him if he truly changed.

Poppy had to stay in the infirmary for two more days. Fili stayed with her all the time and the children stayed with their grandmother during the nights. Dis had suggested that Fili's family could move to the Heir's quarters but Thorin denied her wish. Of course she had to accept his decision but she wouldn't let them live in the miners' settlement again. So they stayed in one of the royal guest rooms. Fili worried that Runor would think that he broke his promise but Dis promised him that Runa and her son would be allowed to spend time with them whenever they wanted.

One evening Fili asked Runa to join him for a meeting with Thorin because he finally wanted to talk to him about the assassination attempts. She was quite nervous but agreed. They met in Thorin's study where Dwalin, Balin and Bofur were waiting as well. Fili told his uncle everything he had heard and then Dwalin and Bofur confirmed that the miners had confessed everything.

Thorin was shocked when he found out that Runa's husband had died to protect him. Of course he remembered Anor from Ered Luin. He had been one of the few who had wanted to join him on his quest but they had made him stay behind with his pregnant wife in the end. He wanted to help Runa but the dwarrowdam didn't want any pity or charity. The only thing she asked for was that Runor would always be allowed to spend time with Fili and his children no after what would happen to Fili now. Of course Thorin agreed and made her swear that she would come to him whenever she needed help. After everyone else had left Thorin asked Fili once again if he and his family wanted to stay in Erebor or move back to the Shire with the other hobbits in late summer. The young dwarf was torn in his feelings but promised to talk to Poppy about it.

The next day the Ereborian Council met to decide about the fate of the miners from the Iron Hills who had tried to kill their King three times and who had killed Anor. The council members from there tried to lessen their punishment but in the end they were sentenced to death.

Thorin also informed the council that he had made a decision about the future of Erebor. He would announce it to the whole of Erebor as well as ambassadors from their allies soon.

Later that evening Dis and Runa looked after the children to allow Fili and Poppy to spend some time outdoors. The latter was still a bit week and so Fili carried her to one of the balconies that overlooked Dale and the Long Lake.

Poppy watched the beautiful scenery with a smile on her face while Fili stood behind her. He had wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder. He thought that this was a good moment to talk about their future. He cleared his throat and pulled her a bit closer. "Thorin told me that we could go back to the Shire in a few months together with the other hobbits. Do you want that?"

Poppy turned her head to look at her husband. "You want to stay here, don't you?"

Fili bit his lip but nodded. "I'm happy to be with my mother and uncle. But I know that you and the little ones aren't happy here. So we should go back."

Poppy shook her head. "No Fili, we should stay here. I will miss Daisy but I don't have any family there anymore and some of our best friends are dead. It wouldn't be the same. We should stay with your family. We got used to living here and as long as I'm allowed to go outdoors sometimes I'll be fine. My home is where you are. And, well-" Poppy sighed.

Fili pulled her closer against his chest and kissed her temple. "I'm sure he'll allow you to go outdoors whenever you want. What else did you want to say, my love?"

Poppy sighed again and turned around completely to face her husband. "You will never be alone here. Your family and friends will support you and help you with the children when I won't be able to do that anymore. In Hobbiton you would be alone because our friends would have passed away as well."

Fili looked at her with teary eyes. "Poppy, I don't want to think about that now."

The hobbit smiled and caressed her husband's short beard. "But we have to. I may live for another fifty years or so. But you will still be young when I'm gone and I don't want you to be alone in Hobbiton. I want us to stay and be happy here now. And I want you to be happy when I'm not here anymore as well. And I'm quite sure that you'll be happy here."

"Aye, we will stay here, my love. But I will make sure that you're happy." Fili nodded and kissed his wife.

Meanwhile in Mirkwood

Daisy and Kili didn't see each other that often anymore after they had returned to Mirkwood from their journey to Erebor. Tauriel had been furious and had threatened Kili to destroy Daisy's beautiful face if she ever found out that something was going on between them. So the young dwarf had warned the hobbit and sent a letter to his mother to ask her to get Daisy out of Mirkwood.

In early spring the hobbits celebrated a party to welcome the warmer weather. They had invited Kili as well because the fauntlings liked the young dwarf a lot. Tauriel didn't have any interest in the party and so Kili went there alone. He had a wonderful time and danced with Daisy a lot. Later he went on a short walk with her.

When they were quite far away from everyone, they sat down in the grass and talked, kissed and explored each other's body. They didn't even realise what they were doing until they were both completely naked. Kili kissed the hobbit's breast and belly and she moaned in delight. They enjoyed each other's company and wanted to be as close to each other as possible. Daisy knew that this was a terrible mistake because Kili was married but she wanted him to make love with her. She was a bit scared because Poppy had told her that it would hurt but she wanted to be with the dwarf she loved more than anything in the world. She pulled him even closer on top of her and soon they couldn't think straight anymore.

Soon Kili kissed Daisy's tears away and held her close. He had never been that happy but he still regretted what he had just done. Daisy deserved a husband who would make her happy and give her the family she deserved. He wasn't sure if she'd be able to habe that now though. Kili also prayed to Mahal that Tauriel would never find out otherwise she might kill the hobbit.

The next morning Kili returned to Mirkwood's palace and tried to act as if nothing had happened. He saw Tauriel with Ronon and decided that he had to do something. So he went to King Thranduil and asked if he could find another family for his adopted son. He explained that he thought that Ronon needed a family where both parents were elves to raise him as the elf he was supposed to be. Luckily Thranduil agreed and promised to find a new family for the elfling as soon as possible.

The following weeks passed quietly. Daisy spent much time in the healing wards in the palace but luckily she didn't meet Tauriel. She was feeling quite odd since a few days but was scared to ask an healer to examine her. She was relatively sure what was wrong with her and worried about what might happen if someone found out. She knew that she had to get away from Mirkwood but didn't know how.

Unfortunately one of the elvish healers seemed to realise that something was wrong with her, too. The elf looked around the room nervously to make sure that no one was there and then told Daisy to be careful. She wanted to say more but gasped because one of the elvish guards arrived.

The guard went to Daisy and told her that a few dwarves had arrived to bring her to Erebor. Poppy had given birth to a son and needed her help.

Daisy was happy for her friend and sighed in relief. She would leave for Erebor immediately and hopefully no one in Mirkwood would ever find out about her secret. The hobbit went back to her house to say goodbye to her family and to fetch her belongings.

The next morning Daisy and the dwarvish guards started their journey back to Erebor, Kili saw them leave and sighed in relief; his mother had kept her promise and Daisy would be in safety.

After nearly two weeks the dwarves and the hobbit finally arrived in Erebor. Dis welcomed them at the gate and brought Daisy to Poppy immediately.

Poppy was sitting on a blanket surrounded by her children, Runor and Dwalis. She smiled brightly at her friend when she entered the room. Fili was siting on a chair with his youngest son in his arms and smiled at her, too.

Poppy ran towards her best friend and hugged her tightly. Daisy returned the hug but then looked at her friend, Fili and Dis and bit her lip. "I have to tell you something but please don't be angry."