First off to anyone awaiting the update for my Klarion series no I have not abandoned it. My YJ muse is simply on vacation and my HP and now HG muses have come for a visit.

Disclaimer: I am not Suzanne Collins and therefore do not own the Hunger Games

I stand before a full length mirror as my stylists from the Hunger Games work on my appearance. I did not think I needed this pampering and beautifying but they insisted and I could not deny them. Besides today is day I'm supposed to shine the brightest: my wedding day.

Oh how that word has morphed over the years. How its meaning constantly changed in my vocabulary.

As a little girl I saw people look so happy on their wedding day and I heard stories of how it was a happy occasion. I imagined I would be surrounded by my family and friends on that day. At that time in my life my wedding day was a moment of peace to look forward to.

As a teenager a wedding day for me was impossible. I had to hunt and provide for the family I already had. I feared becoming attached to someone, I feared having children. Children meant having to endure the pain of the Hunger Games after I grew out of it. The thought of watching my child waiting to see if their name would be called was far too painful. At that time in my life my wedding day was a luxury I could not afford nor needed.

As a tribute the Capitol used my wedding as a means of control. Forcing me to marry Peeta to keep up the image of being hopelessly in love was proof that I was nothing more than a puppet. A puppet that was used to control the masses. At that time in my life my wedding day was a painful thing.

As a woman I am now marrying Peeta under my own free will. We connected over our shared pain and trauma. He is my rock and I love him. Once again I see my wedding day as a moment of peace but it is also a moment of pain. Our families are dead and gone as are most of our friends. Haymitch, our stylists, and a few others will attend. How I wish my father could walk me down the aisle as my mother and Prim cried happily. But still today will be a happy day for it is the day I begin a new life and a new family. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of death and destruction, Peeta and I will find happiness in our so far miserable lives.

At this time my wedding day is a sign of hope.

AN: I'll admit this turned out better than I thought it would, what do you think? Please review