I'm sorry how depressing this is, but it really took on a meaning for me. Red River Valley is a song that I think would stay with the remains of the human race throughout everything.

So, um, this is NOT my song, sadly. I don't own it.

But don't you think it fits?


Peeta lies on the bed, his hand in mine. Our fingers, now wrinkled and bone-thin, still clutch together the way they always have.

My husband groans, and from his face I see that he's in pain. Almost gone. The tumor that began with that long-ago hijacking has grown and grown for fifty-three years.

"Katniss…" he breathes. His eyes, lucid for once, find mine and hold their gaze.

"Yes?"

"Where are Lavinia and Thresh?" He names our children, who cannot be here to say good-bye.

"They're across the ocean, Peeta. Trying to renew the planet." He's forgotten.

"Oh. Oh, yes. I remember now."

I sit silently beside him, watching his face. No longer young and smooth, but still beautiful. His gray hair still there, not balding like others I know. Blue eyes bright from the pain. A drop of water splashes onto his cheek and I wipe away the tears that are coming from me.

"Don't cry, Katniss. This isn't so bad."

"I know." My voice is just a whisper. "Can I get you anything?"

"No." He pauses and then changes his mind. "Yes, actually. There is one thing…"

"What is it?" Whatever it is, I'll do it.

"Sing. Please." How can I refuse him now? I think carefully about which song to choose. A long moment passes before I finally decide upon one that I think will make him happy.

From this valley they say you are going,

We'll miss your bright eyes and sweet smile.

For they say you are taking the sunshine

That has brightened our pathways awhile.

The Valley Song, the first song Peeta ever heard me sing.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

I've been thinking a long time, my darling,

Of the words that you never would say.

Now must my fond hopes all vanish?

For they say you are going away.

The song is about a girl whose boyfriend is leaving her for someone else, which is about as far from my relationship with Peeta as you could get. But I think he likes it anyways.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

Won't you think of the valley you're leaving,

Oh, how lonely and sad it will be,

Just think of the fond heart you're breaking,

And the grief you are causing to me.

As I sing the words I realize it's true, that my heart really is breaking. A strange ache in my chest that send the tears running down my cheeks once more.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

From this valley they say you are going,

When you go, may your darling go too?

Would you leave her behind unprotected,

When she loves no one other than you?

Maybe this was the wrong song to sing, for Peeta's face is wet with salt water as he looks at me. But his lips are smiling sadly, so I wouldn't stop if I could.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

As you go to your home by the ocean,

May you never forget those sweet hours

That we spent in the red river valley,

And the love we exchanged 'mid the flowers.

I've sung this song to Peeta dozens of times since that first one at five years old, but I don't think I'll ever sing it again after this.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

I have promised you, darling, that never

Will a word from my lips cause you pain.

And my life, it will be yours forever

If you only will love me again.

It's difficult to keep my voice going. There's a lump in my throat and a pain in my heart. Peeta's eyes close but I can see his chest rising and falling slightly as he clings to life to my hand.

They will bury me where you have wandered,

Near the hills where the daffodils grow,

When you're gone from the red river valley,

For I can't live without you I know.

The description of the hills of daffodils sends a pang through me. Our life has had so little of the beauty in this song, at least until Lavinia was born. But still I can't help but think of the meadow in the other lullaby. The one with the daisies. This last chorus is only a whisper of a song, wavering but still sweet.

Come and sit by my side if you love me,

Do not hasten to bid me adieu,

But remember the red river valley,

And the girl that has loved you so true.

I bow my head and begin to murmur soft words. What he has forgotten.

"Lavinia and Thresh are trying to make things better, Peeta. They're cleaning up this mess of a world. Do you know what they found where they are?" I pause as a gentle sob rises in my throat. "They found forests and mountains and everything we thought our ancestors had destroyed. As big as Panem – bigger. There's hope after all." My voice catches because there is no hope for me, not really, not anymore. "The planet can heal itself. It's getting better now." The tears come thick and fast as I whisper, "Our children are giving it new life."

But Peeta has stopped listening, and I hear the ghost of a cannon as it fires.


I'm not sure if I'm going to add any more to this, but I might. If I'm not inspired, I'll mark it as complete... if you have suggestions, please write a review with them! (I'll give you credit)