Love In Twelve Nights by mega-aulover
Thank you to chelle20 for being the inspiration behind this Everlark journey into Shakespeare's 12th Night. Also to tianna for betaing and encouraging, me to submit this it PIP and finally thank you to prom for organizing this last round.
Prologue
1353
Katniss stood on the hill overlooking the valley below. Tendrils of hair blew in the wind as tears streamed down her face. Ravens circled above the burning family home, smoke rising into the dawning sky. The burned smell penetrated her every pore. The fire consumed mercilessly, much like the onset of the disease that took her family. Her tears streaked down her ashy cheek. She was bitter, angry, saddened, and lonely for want of comfort.
Everdeen Keep, the ancestral home of the Hawthorne and Everdeen clan had inhabited this land from the time the Romans conquered Panem. Now all of those generations were nearly vanquished with only two family members in existence, Katniss and her twin brother Gale.
The chaotic loss and destruction of human life made no sense. Her devastated, shattered heart cried out for respite from everything her eyes had witnessed. She couldn't comprehend how in thirty days the population of the Seam had dwindled to under two hundred. In the larger cities, the plague swept through and stayed for months, but in the smaller places like the Seam, a month was all it took. They were unprotected, having been isolated from the rest of Panem.
When the Black Death reached the shores of Panem, many rumors spread, Katniss did not know what to believe. Rumors of its evil intent ran rampant; they said it could kill in less than a day. Some called it the Angel of death. They spoke of boils, coughing blood, convulsions, fevers, and of human wreckage. In the Capital, a large ditch had been fashioned to bury the massive amount of bodies. But for Katniss, this was all hearsay; conjecture conjured up by men and women with the intent of selling you a potion. Time, however, proved her stubborn thoughts wrong.
Time was the determining factor. Time never lied. There was a beginning and end. It marched on. When the plague came, it was their time to suffer and toil in heartache.
Katniss wiped her face. The sleeve of her dress marred by the ashes.
In her hand she clutched posies, in memoriam for her lost innocence, an era of childish pursuits and of familiar warmth. The death of her family shattered her soul into thousands of tiny fractures. Unsure if she could ever weave them together again, her silver eyes closed as she recalled her home as it once was.
She could still hear her brothers, Vic and Rory racing down the hall of the Keep, wielding wooden swords wildly. She recalled her father singing a lively tune throughout the castle, her brother Gale trying to sing along but failing miserably; her mother making poultices in her room next to the garden, to help the villagers; her baby sister Primrose following her mother, learning the craft.
"Oh Prim," her heart whispered.
She hadn't spoken since she was forced to leave several months ago. The memory of her separation from her family crashed over her. Katniss could remember the event like they were yesterday.
A Few Months Earlier
The fall harvest was successful and she and her family were preparing for a long winter. They were celebrating her mother discovering she was with child again. She and Prim were hoping for a sister. That evening, the call came from the village that one of the boys was ill. Primrose and her mother left.
When they came back the next afternoon, her life changed. Her brothers became sick shortly after their mother and sister returned. Her father made the decision quickly. They were assembled in the hall, her father stood before her and Gale, her twin. He wanted them to leave their home.
"NO FATHER I AM NOT LEAVING!" she shouted into the hall.
"Katniss, you must be reasonable," her father replied.
Katniss did not want to be reasonable, she wanted to stay. She ran to her favorite space, a small cove in the tower where she could stare out towards the mountains and dream. She was so angry; being a woman had many disadvantages. She'd learned this the hard way when her father took her to court to be introduced into society at the age of twelve.
Past
Closing her eyes, she remembered that innocent time. She was turning twelve. She was excited to make the journey with her father to the Capitol to see the King. Not even Gale was allowed to go.
All of her life, her father had been a progressive Knight who'd taught her that women were equal to men. All of his children learned to read, write, do math, as well as study science and history. Katniss, like the rest of her siblings, was highly educated. At that time, she innocently thought all of the young women possessed the same education. Arriving at the palace was a major wake up call for her. Upon striking up a conversation with a girl named Glimmer, she discovered all of the young girls were vapid creatures who only knew how to knit. They were trained like chattel to be at the beck and call of men.
To the females that surrounded her, the only concern in life was to make a good match.
Katniss felt out of place with girls and women. She tried speaking to her father but he shunned her away. Hurt, she drifted through the King's Castle until she stumbled into the kitchens. A blond boy stood there with his arms deep inside of a massive bowl of dough. He caught her eyes and started a conversation. It was so easy speaking to him.
She made a friend in him, the boy with the bread. At the time, the boy was only interested in the operations of the kitchen. He found her wandering and instead of ordering out, he offered friendship. His voice was kind and he had a good spirit like that of Prim.
During their conversation, she gave him her mother's recipe for bread with dill in it. His smile lit up the room, and much later on he came to her aid. He hid her so no one could find her. A screeching lady stopped the kitchen staff. He hid her before she was seen, and she could hear when he was hit by the angry woman who called him an insolent child. When it was over he had a welt on his face.
Somehow they ended up taking a walk in the gardens. Katniss took an herb and gently rubbed it on his face to remove the blistering. She made him a crown of dandelions, and sang to him and something within her bubbled. She placed a small brief kiss upon his lips. He blushed. She blushed. Embarrassed by her bold actions she fled, and ran right smack into her father.
Grateful to the boy, she wanted to pay back his kindness but she never got a chance to because she couldn't find him in the kitchens the next day. Even as the years passed, that blond boy with the kind blue eyes invaded her dreams.
Opening her eyes, she glanced out of the window of her private nook. Katniss sighed. To this day she could not break that connection she made with her boy with the bread. The boy always reminded of her sister. Katniss rubbed her face Prim was standing behind her waiting for Katniss to make a choice.
"Katniss," Her sister's soft voice called out, bringing her back to the present problem.
Katniss looked over her shoulder. Her sister Primrose stood with a cloth over her face. Katniss loved her only sister with all of her heart. When Prim was born, Katniss became a little mother. She wanted to feed, bathe, and care for her sister. The bond she shared with Primrose was greater than the bond she shared with her twin Gale, though both girls were total opposite. Katniss looked more like her father, with hair the color of mahogany, skin kissed by the sun, and silver eyes. Her sister took after their mother, slender blonde, with pale skin and pale blue eyes. She possessed wisdom far beyond her age of ten and three years. Primrose had been gifted the eye of God, and her declarations came true.
A few months ago, she cloistered herself in the Chapel for three days. Her father came to her and whatever conversation they had caused her father to lose his normal patience.
"Katniss do not be upset," Primrose voice carried softly in the hall.
In her spirit, Katniss felt no good could come out of this venture her family insisted. "Father wants me to be tossed out with Gale. He doesn't understand I do not want to leave. I want to stay here with you and mother."
"Sister, I implore you to please listen to reason."
Katniss gazed at Prim. Normally she would move heaven and earth for her baby sister, but today she felt staunchly opposed to her. She didn't want to abandon her home for some silly exaggerated stories of a great illness. Katniss felt her domineering personality come out. Prim was the only one who had the ability to sooth her prickly nature. She took a deep, settling breath, promising to listen to whatever her sister was about to say.
"You must leave. It is God's will." Her sister's voice was calm and resolute.
Katniss rolled her eyes at the mention of God's will. She had issues with the church and their views towards women. She was not evil; she did not inspire men to sin. The way she saw it, men were the ones who sinned. All of the sons of Adam's of this world were responsible for causing death and destruction. Never did you hear of the daughters of Eve coming to blows over a pot, a vegetable, or a plot of land.
"Sister," Primrose was the only one who knew Katniss views on the church. Prim used a soothing tone when she knew Katniss needed to be calmed. "I know you wish to move up into the mountains, and spend the rest of your days hunting and trading with us, but those are not God's wishes."
"If he were a just God, he'd leave me alone. He'd leave us all alone; we are handling our lives just well! I am not chattel, some piece to be sold off to bear a man's spawn." Katniss spat, her conscious prickled. Her snarky reply caused her baby sister to frown.
"Katniss, if you do not believe in God then at least believe what I am about to say is true."
"Prim I always believe you."
"Good, now listen to me." Her sister's eyes clouded before she addressed Katniss. "You have a destiny that is far away from here on different shores."
"I am traveling to different shores?" Katniss felt confused and conflicted by her sister's premonition. She didn't want to leave her home, but Prim's insights were never wrong.
"You shall when the time is right."
"What else happens, Prim?"
"If you lead with your heart you shall be happy, but if you lead with your mind you shall know sorrow."
"Lead with my heart?" Katniss was the practical one in the family. She would never spend her time on irrational ideals. She wanted to be more than what everyone expected from her.
"You need to stop negating your heart. You're scared of becoming like one of those girls. But you shall never be one of those silly females. You will be a strong woman, but this can only happen if you give in to your heart's desire and not to your mind."
Katniss blushed, heavily. She never gave into her heart, never allowed herself to be vulnerable. While others fancied men, and got their hearts broken, she rebuffed the attentions and attempts of the men who wanted to court her. She stood fast to her beliefs stubbornly, never admitting there was only male who caught her interest.
The Boy with the bread.
It was surreal the way she met him. There time was brief, so brief that they didn't exchange names. But she knew he was a baker, a blond, blue eyed, handsome boy. He was kind and selfless. He didn't see her as a stupid girl. He looked to her as his equal. He gave her hope.
Katniss had never been able to break the bond with the boy she'd met in the King's kitchens. Primrose knew her well to point out her true desire. The boy with the bread invaded her dreams and she often wondered of what became of him. Did he think about her? Was he happy? Katniss doubted she would ever see him again. She hoped him the best. He was a kind person, just like her sister. Katniss glanced up at Prim and it hit her, she frowned sadly. "Will I return?"
"No, you will never return home Katniss. Once you leave, it will be permanent."
"I am leaving for good."
"You shall live Katniss, you will continue."
"What of you, what of our family."
"Our time is at an end here." Her sister's voice became very still. This raised the hairs on Katniss arms.
"What are you saying Prim, what do you mean?" She did not want to believe what Prim said.
"My destiny lays here within these walls, and so do the futures of our parents and brothers," Prim repeated firmly.
Katniss could not help the small voice, "Even Gale?"
"No, Gale will be with you for a time." Prim smiled softly.
Katniss stubbornly clenched her jaw. "I do not understand why we have to leave?"
"The Black Death has reached our land."
"But we are the furthest province in Panem. The Seam is located in the northern mountains. We're protected." Katniss and many others felt this way. They were in such a remote part of the world that the illness would never reach them.
"No one is protected, even if we live within the fringes of Panem. As long as we trade with other villages that are to our south, we'll be exposed eventually."
"I refuse to believe the gossip to be true."
"Katniss," Prim tried to speak.
"No they are all lies."
"They aren't lies, I've seen it. It is far worse than what anyone can imagine. So much worse, sores that bleed and ooze pus and blood."
"No," her eyes widened.
"I am sorry sister, but you must leave."
Crestfallen, Katniss asked, "When?"
"Tonight, you and Gale will ride out. Father has arranged for you both to stay in the mountains."
"Isn't there a way for us to survive? Surely you and mother can-"
"There isn't any cure sister. When the rumors began, mother and I tried. For months we communicated with the Abbess Dorcas to come up with a solution. Everyone in the abbey died. No one was left."
The news caused Katniss shoulders to droop.
"I am sorry but this is something we cannot stop. This illness does not care if you are rich, poor, well, ill, old, or young. It is the Angel of Death we are dealing with, stealing souls in the midst of the night or in plain daylight."
"I suppose father knows."
"Yes, and that is why he requested for you to leave. It is of utmost importance you leave with Gale tonight," Primrose beseeched.
"What of the boys, Vic and Rory? Surely they can come with us?"
Prim shook her head.
"You mean they have gotten the illness? How did that happen?"
"The boy in the village is near death's door. He played with them less than a week ago. He caught it and gave it to them," Primrose calmly explained.
"But father told them to avoid playing with other children."
"They are children and they wanted to play."
Katniss stomach fell to the floor. "How long do they have left?"
Her sister did not lie, "Perhaps a few days at best."
She gasped. The news was like the slap of the cold, rough wind.
"Now you understand why. It is too late for many of us, but not for you and Gale."
Katniss nodded mutely. She hung her head low, acquiescing.
Her fate was sealed. There was no way out, no argument she could form that would sway her sister, her mother or her father. Her only path in life was to follow her father's plan and run to the mountains.
A short while later she mounted her horse. The stars mocked her as she sat astride her horse. She was alone with her father in the bialy before Gale joined them.
Her father stood proudly between both horses, holding the reins, his face betrayed the pain in his silver eyes.
"You are not to leave the cabin for a month. You are not to hunt. You are not to open doors to strangers." Her father strictly ordered.
"Yes father," Gale agreed.
"Katniss, do you understand?" Her father's emotional, raspy voice echoed in the night.
She nodded, but her eyes were trained on the front door of the castle. Her mother and her sister stood clutching at each other. Her eyes turned to him once more.
"Good, I shall meet you in the next life."
Katniss watched her twin clench his jaw. Gale looked determined, Katniss felt her soul crumbling.
"Ride straight through. Do not stop. Do you understand, Katniss?"
Katniss nodded once more. She could not make eye contact with her father. If she did, she would dismount and stay.
"We understand, father," Gale said for both of them.
"Take care of yourselves, my children." His voice broke. Tears slipped from her face.
She whispered, "Daddy."
His hand lightly touched hers. While she and Gale favored each other, Katniss had her father's eyes. They were silver instead of Gale's flattering grey. His peppered hair cut short, the slight stubble on his cheek; it was the look of love on his face that broke her resolve.
"I packed your bag long before this. Be safe, remember to act like a lady," he joked, but his lips quivered. "Do not hesitate to defend yourself. Remember what your sister said. Lead with your heart."
Hearing his words caused tears to flood from her eyes. As they rode away Katniss looked back once before she fixed her eyes on the road in front of her. The further they traveled, the deeper she hurt.
They settled in the mountains in a small cabin until the harsh winter was over. Gale having been advised by their father ventured out toward their families keep. When he returned a month later she her soul shattered and fractured into a thousand pieces when Gale came back to tell her they were all dead.
Present
After another month in the mountains Gale finally allowed them to leave. They found the gates open, an eerie silence enveloped the keep. They found the tombs of their family. No doubt they were buried by a servant. It was the evidence of the tragedy that occurred within the walls of the keep.
First to die were the boys, Vic and Rory. Next many of the staff, Primrose was one of the final graves dug. Her parents died clutched in each other's arms.
Katniss vision cleared as the past became blurred and her present took shape. She stood upon the hill, the pain radiated deeply within her heart as she watched the home burn down to dust. Her brother followed the instructions his father gave them. He set fire to the house and its inhabitants. It was the same in the village, the five or so left behind set fire to it.
"Catnip?"
She gazed at her brother. He stood beside her, and her heart hurt. He reminded her of their father.
"Will you speak to me?" Gale implored.
Her eyes cut away back to the burning home. Since leaving the Keep she hadn't really eaten nor had she spoken. The pain ate away at her, she became mute, unable to verbalize what she felt.
"This is not your fault, sister."
With her eyes she told her story. Part of her believed if she'd stayed her family would somehow be alive.
Gale said, "You cannot take this as your fault. Primrose and Father knew the risks. I think Prim was already sick, but she didn't want to say anything. Father would never leave them to die alone."
Katniss bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. She looked away, clutching her flowers tighter.
"Catnip you have to forgive them. You have to forgive yourself. We did what was necessary. We are the sole survivors and it is up to us to continue the bloodline."
She wanted to yell and tell Gale she missed them. But her voice did not come to her. She lamely turned her face away, unable to look at him.
A strong burst of air surrounded her. Lifting her hand in the air, she let go of the posies, her silent goodbye to her family. She walked back to the horse and mounted, waiting for her brother to follow.
Gale stood a few moments, saying his own goodbyes before they sped away from their home. They did not take the common route, nor did they stop in other villages. They avoided people on the roads. Gale felt that they weren't safe enough. They traveled in the woods slowly. Most days they couldn't ride the horses, they walked besides them.
For weeks they pushed forward, Katniss continued with her silence until one day, whilst they were camping by a river. Gale was speaking but she wasn't listening to him. She sat with her back to a tree, her gaze not on the river or him, but at the heavens. She watched the mockingbirds fly; they reminded her of the mockingjays.
"Sister please speak to me, I've been lonesome without your voice."
Katniss turned her gaze toward Gale before standing up and walking away.
"Please Catnip, I know you miss them. I miss them too, but I also miss you. You have yet to pick up father's bow. Or read the family plant book. You're slowly dying and there's nothing I can do but watch you slowly starve." Gale followed her.
The concern in her twin's voice caused a twinge in her soul. Her brother was hurting. She went to him and embraced him.
"Please speak, please eat. I don't want to lose you as well."
It was then she heard the words, being whispered in the wind. "Lead with your heart." Instantly her eyes filled with water. She opened her mouth and spoke aloud for the first time since they'd set the village and castle on fire.
"I miss them." Her voice did not sound as her own. It was low and scratchy as if parched for water.
Gale laughed shortly before he cried. He picked her up and spun her around. "I miss them too, Catnip."
She smelled her brother's familiar natural scent. He always smelled of the woods.
"Promise me sister that you will eat tonight?"
"I shall," she whispered.
"Good, then I shall cook us a feast."
Back at the camp she attempted to eat, but the small rabbit her brother caught with his snare had no taste. Night after night she tried to eat but her appetite did not return. Her words were few but it was enough for Gale; he appeared happier, less preoccupied with her. This suited Katniss well. They were never talkers though they did share many of the same interests. As children, no one could tell them apart. It wasn't until they turned twelve that things changed.
Her mother forced her to grow out her hair before she made the journey to the palace. Her time at the Royal Palace was such a disappointment, she eagerly awaited to return home, but when she arrived, Gale was different. He had grown in the time she was away. It had taken Katniss years to grow; everyone else around had her developed except for her. Then a few months back over night she sprouted. Despite their height difference, they still looked remarkably alike. The only differences were in their eyes, Gales were flatter and only turned silver when he was mad.
A few evenings later she sat on a log, pondering where they were headed. Gale pushed forward like a mad man possessed with a quest. She did not understand, she opened her mouth to speak when Gale spoke first.
"Katniss, father wanted me to tell you about the plans he made for us."
Her curious look prompted him to speak.
Gale looked nervous. He sat up, paced back and forth, then sat down once more. He ran his hand through his hair several times.
"Brother, what is it that you need to tell me?"
Gale stood and took a deep breath. Still, he couldn't look her in the eyes. "Father arranged your marriage."
At first she thought she heard wrong. Her puzzlement showed on her face.
"You are to be wed to a Knight."
Katniss froze at the news as if a cold wind wrapped her in its chilly blanket. Marriage was the one thing she never wanted. Women held no distinction other than as a possession for a man. Her trip to the palace opened her eyes. Even though her father never treated any woman disrespectfully and he treated their mother as an equal, he operated within social conventions. Katniss, however refused to believe what Gale said. "Father wouldn't do that."
"Catnip, you know as well as I do you have no choice in the matter." Gale made his case. "With the Keep gone and we do not have enough coin to rebuild. We are poor. What we do have is father's plans for us. We can start over, but that cannot happen unless you marry."
Her mouth hung open seconds before her face contorted to a scowl. She felt betrayed.
"The only alternative you have is joining an order. If that is what you wish to do, there is an Abbey not too far from here."
Katniss wanted to scream, to shout, but could not. Hastily she stood, stomping away from her brother. But he caught her.
"I am sorry sister but what other choice do you have?"
She struggled to get away from him. Her limbs thrashed about but he held her steadily.
"Stop acting childish."
This stopped her. Expressing her feelings was not a childish act. She wanted to be set free from the trap her father and brother had arranged. Angrily she spat, "You expect me to openly follow through with a plan I did not agree upon."
"Father made the arrangements for you. You did not think he'd let you live your life the way you planned? This was his dying wish."
"You want me to marry a man I have never met, a man who we know nothing of, simply because you say it was our father's dying wish," Katniss spat.
Gale argued back, "This is your duty. Father signed a binding contract with Sir Cray. You will marry him."
"My duty," Katniss pushed her brother on to the ground. She stood over him furiously. For the first time in weeks she yelled. "I am not some cow to be traded for gain, brother. I am a person. I have wants, needs, desires. I am not chattel to be traded!"
"I never said you were a cow."
"No, but you are treating me like one." Katniss stomped away.
Gale did not approach her. She sat under a large tree silently crying. She used the skirt of her kirtle to dry her tears.
Gingery he crouched down before her. He did not speak right away, until she'd calmed down some. "Catnip, I am sorry."
"I am grieving still for our family and you want to steal me away to some island never to see you again. You are all that I have left."
Her brother shook his head. "I loathe the situation we find ourselves in."
"Gale, I expected him to speak to me about my future."
"Father indulged you far too long. You should have been married by now, but he wanted to give you your dreams."
"He indulged us all, Gale. Father gave us a life that doesn't exist anymore."
Gale sighed. "He loved your independence and told me you would have made a better knight because you have heart, not to mention you are a better with the bow."
Katniss chuckled, "Remember the tournament and how we switched places?"
Gale's smirk betrayed his annoyed look in his eyes. "Cato made fun of my archery skills in the first round."
"He had no right to make fun of you, no right to question your skill. I wanted to kick him in the shins every time he called you, Slowpoke Hawthorne." Katniss's eyes twinkled with the memory.
He grinned, then chuckled. "You made shot after shot without a second thought, making Cato the fool. You looked spectacular on the field by yourself using our great-grandfathers bow. The crowd cheered wildly for you, Catnip."
"No one caught on, even with the height difference. The whole time I stood out there, I thought for sure someone would point out you were suddenly shorter." Katniss grinned. "Father knew though."
"Remember how upset Father was with us?" Gale grinned.
"I was sent to my room without supper."
"But his eyes glowed proudly because you beat grown men. He said he hadn't seen shooting like that since he was a child. He never betrayed our secret Catnip."
Katniss smiled fondly at the memory.
Her brother brushed his eyes with the back of his hands. "I miss them. I miss hearing Primrose nagging me to drink my medicinal teas. I miss mother and father speaking in private. I miss training with our brothers."
Katniss was brought back to the last conversation she held with Prim. The words were whispered into her mind. It was time she began to lead with her heart. "Perhaps I must adjust to this new reality."
"You are correct even I have to make allowances in this new reality." Gale's leaned up against the bark of a tree gazing at the heavens.
"When did he make this agreement?"
"He made it shortly before he made the decision to send us to the cabin."
Katniss could not imagine her father making decisions hoping they would survive. "What was in the contract?"
"Father arranged for you to marry Sir Cray, an older Knight who lives on a small island off of Panem."
"What of you?"
"I am to go into his service and train to be one of his men at arms. There are no other options for me unless I learn a trade."
Her brother, a nobleman forced to learn a trade because they were penniless. "Do we have enough money for the voyage?"
"Yes, he provided me the fare and your dowry. We are to live off the land and make due with our wits."
Katniss stared up at the heavens. The wheels of change were turning again. A heavy mantle fell upon her shoulders as she accepted her new fate.
-ONE YEAR LATER-
1354
It took them nearly a year to reach the ports in Quattro. The journey brought them closer. She'd changed so much in a year, learned to live by her wits. Learned to toughen up, to live off the land. They learned to solely depend on each other, to the point where they finished each other's sentences.
She sighed, recalling the winter; they traveled until it became too difficult. They were forced to hunker down in an abandoned cottage until the harsh weather lessened. Their clothing was threadbare from many washings in the streams with stones. They'd both lost weight, but on her, it was especially telling. Her clothing hung loose no matter how tight she tied her kirtle.
Katniss was glad they were finally on the last leg of their journey. They needed to take the ship that was anchored off shores to Thread, Sir Cray's island. She saw her brother speaking to the Captain of the ship. She turned her head to look at the city that had been reduced to a village. Many of the buildings were burned down, including the ports. It looked as if the city survived a siege.
The silence surrounding Quattro was deafening. There were no children, no markets, and the inns held no travelers or sailors. This province, renowned for its heavy traffic was left barren. In the aftermath of the plague, the population over the entire continent decreased. Her eyes focused back on her brother speaking to the Captain. The first mate walked toward her. She shifted her eyes toward the sea once more. A boat bobbed on the horizon. She lifted her wrap over her hair.
When they arrived. Blight, the seaman, looked more like a grandfather than a man who spent his life out at sea, struck a conversation with Gale who held his hood in his hands. He was the first mate to Captain Boggs. Because of him they managed to secure passages to the island where Sir Cray resided. She lifted her wool shawl over her head toward the chilly wind.
The seaman standing by her at the beach broke the silence. "It is this way all over the land, my lady."
Her silver eyes narrowed, the pain of losing her family resurfacing. Instead of crying she funneled her bitter feelings into her voice. "The plague destroyed my home also."
"It is the same where I was born, my lady."
Blight was a mystery. He did not sound like he was from Panem and clearly, he did not look like her, "Where do you hail from?"
"An island not far from the one you will be residing on; Sir Cray and Duke Mellark of Orsino often war."
Katniss frowned, something in her brain clicked. "Orsino of Mellark? I've heard my father mention that name."
"The Mellark family has been the authority on that island for generations, my lady."
There was something in that name that made her have a favorable reaction. It was the connection to her father, to his stories. "Tell me, do they still bake?"
Blight grinned. "How did you know that particularity of that family?"
The way Blight looked at her caused her to blush deeply. The Mellarks legend always fascinated her. She often pretended her boy with the bread was a Mellark. "My father spoke not of their prowess on the field of battle but their ability to craft the most delicious bread."
"Food really does triumph over any skill."
Katniss grinned, for she loved food. "That is a woman's greatest weapon."
Blight laughed shortly. "You know we men hold certain powers, but we are indeed powerless creatures."
"Why is that?" Katniss innocently asked.
"The real power in the family lies in the woman we marry. We are just too blind to see it, my lady."
This made her smile; her mother was a force to reckon with. Her father never crossed her when she was angry. "Some things never change."
The man laughed. "True."
"Catnip, are you ready?" Gale interrupted.
The ship bobbed on the horizon. They would be taking a rowboat to where the vessel was moored. Katniss did not want to leave, but there was nothing she could do. The King of Panem died and in his place his Queen Alma Coin ruled. Queen Coin ordered the immediate marriage of all available men and women of childbearing age, sealed Katniss fate. Even if she wanted to break free from her obligation she could not. Marriage became a royal command. She nodded.
"Good, come along, they are waiting for us."
The salty sea air curled her long hair. She could taste the salt on the sides of her tongue, the seagull's cry filled her ears, and her skin prickled at the cold sea water as she waded out to the rowboat.
She sat by her brother's side gripping his arm, her eyes cast down as her father taught her. She did not know these men, did not know if they were honorable. She could easily defend herself in a forest with her bow, but her weapon vanished when the Keep was burned. She carefully gazed about at the men with etchings on their skins. The water blue and thick deepened as they drew further away from land. This was the ocean, and these were men of the sea, hardened against land dwellers.
Foreboding entered her bones as she grasped the immensity of the sea. Her palms became cold; prickly goose bumps formed on her skin. She couldn't comprehend the sense of dread which settled in the pit of her stomach at the sight of the water all around her. It looked idyllic. The way the sun rays sparkled on its surface, but below it looked like a tomb. She watched the coast slowly disappear. She could hear her heart thud in her ears. Primrose told her she would never see Panem again, once more her prediction came true.
When they approached the wooden ship, it looked massive. She'd never been on a ship or had seen one up close. Her gray eyes widened as she took in the details. The men ran about, hanging on the masts, getting ready to release the sails. Ropes were lowered and tied to the row boat, and it was lifted out of the water. It shook, and Katniss gripped Gale's arm.
"It's okay, Catnip."
Gale was having a grand time, and she was not. She did not let go of him until she climbed on board. Her legs were wobbly, but despite her fear she hardened her face. Captain Boggs ordered the anchors to be raised. Men rained from the skies, as they came down from the masts. The sails unfurled gracefully and filled with the kiss of the wind. The ship groaned and lurched forward unexpectedly.
Katniss grabbed onto the side.
"There is no need to be scared Catnip; we're okay."
Katniss nodded but she did not feel okay.
Out of nowhere the ship frightened and began to sail slowly. With one final gust of wind, they were off.
Gale looked rapt with childlike wonder and awe. She hadn't seen her brother this excited since he and the boys figure out a way to launch things over the walls of the keep. Incredulously she asked, "You're excited?"
"I have always wanted to sail, feel the sea breeze, and to touch the sand." Gale's exuberance contradicted her feeling of doom. She decided her fear drove her sense of dread. She forced a smile on her face.
He turned to her, his eyes looked bright and lively, his voice overjoyed, as he exclaimed "This is wondrous."
"Do you know how long the voyage will be?" Katniss asked.
"The captain assured me, if the weather holds up we will be there in less than a fortnight." Blight answered.
Katniss sighed, it was odd to feel the ground beneath her feet move.
"Look there, Catnip." Gale tapped her shoulder excitedly, pointing to creatures slipping in and out of the water.
Blight said, "Those are Neptune's messengers."
"Neptune?" Katniss skeptically questioned.
"Neptune, the ruler of the seas," Gale answered.
"The dolphins are his heralds," Blight explained.
A shiver went through Katniss and she gripped her shawl tighter.
"No need to despair, my lady. Dolphins are harmless. It's their cousins you must fear."
Katniss eyes rounded.
Gale started to laugh. "Blight you must forgive my sister. She is innocent to many things in life."
Katniss scowled at them. She resented having been spoken about as if she was a child. She wanted to lash out, but kept her calm.
"It is as if you have a passion for the sea," Blight commented.
"I do," Gale replied as they began walking away from her, engrossed in their conversation.
"Come along, Katniss."Katniss was about to follow when Gale turned around and extended his hand toward her.
She scowled at him, and refused to take his hand. Katniss was unhappy with the way her life was going. She looked to the water and wished suddenly she could leave. The plan to jump overboard was a possibility, and she knew how to swim.
But Katniss did no such thing, she silently followed Gale and Blight, recalling that she was an 18-year-old unmarried woman on a ship filled with men. She did not leave her brothers side.
The voyage itself was smooth until the two weeks were almost up. A storm grew, and for two days it assaulted the craft, tossing it from side to side like a toy in the hands of a naughty child. By the third day, the severity of the tempest was such that it was clear to the crew they were going to drown.
The wooden craft listed to the side. The crew desperately tried to maintain stability, but the storm vengefully danced and subjugated the vessel to its fury. The angry howl of the wind sounded like a mocking cackle. The Captain ordered for its only female passenger to be lowered into a shore boat. The men who were traveling with her, waited on the boat, Katniss refused to move. The rain fell sideways, it pelted Katniss exposed skin. Her brother pushed and pulled her forward.
The large wave crashed into the sinking ship. Its force knocked her into her brother's chest.
"Please let me stay with you!" Katniss shouted. She could not go through another loss so soon. She was still grieving over the death of their family. Her normally calm demeanor terrorized by the prospect of facing separation.
Gale took her by the shoulders, "Catnip, you must save yourself."
She struggled within her brother's hold; her fear overruled her ability to rationalize. "No, please I do not wish to lose you."
"Sister, there is no time for immature hysterics."
"You are all that I have left." Her lips trembled even as the waves pulled the boat deeper into the abyss.
Gale picked her up easily and handed her to the waiting seamen. "Protect her with your life."
"I shall," Blight swore. Katniss was passed down into the awaiting craft.
Gale tossed a package aboard the boat before it was lowered into the churning sea.
Her mouth opened to yell, but the sound was drowned by the howling wind.
The small vessel reached the ocean. The waves carried it quickly away. The men on board rowed with all their might towards a faraway shore. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she peered into the darkness. She could see Gale standing, looking intently in her direction until the shore boat crested over a wave, she could see her brother's vessel disappear from sight.
"GALE," Katniss screeched from her seat. A wave rocked the small rowboat and Katniss was thrown forward. The impact caused her to lose consciousness.
