A month prior...

"Peeta?"

The young prince turned to face her, eyes wide. "There's a storm coming. I have to send an owl to Prince Finnick."

Katniss frowned, worry creasing on her forehead. "You don't believe that we would make it on time?"

"No. The current's becoming stronger. If we were to ride it out, we'd drown."

The princess quickly hoisted up her dress skirt, revealing her hunting boots. "If I quickly stitch this into a bag, we'd be able to save our food."

"Good idea, my princess."

Katniss smiled, ripping her skirt. She felt slightly guilty but she had a lifetime to worry about dresses. She retrieved a needle from her curls and pulled a thread from the top of the skirt where she had ripped it. Putting the thread through the needle of the hole, she quickly went about sowing a large bag to accommodate their loose food.

"We have company!"

Katniss looked up, biting the end of the thread off as she tied the end. "Looks like savages, my prince."

"Savages have hearts too."

She knew that they'd probably take them as prisoners but even she knew that the savages tended to stay on their own turf so why were they in the sea coming from the fifth Kingdom?

"They have a large ship, they might be able to take us on board." Peeta now programmed his arms to row closer to the ship.

"Don't you think that it is unusual that they are coming away from their kingdom?"

Peeta grunted as he shook his head. "When storms brew, they mainly come from the east where the fifth kingdom is. They act as hurricanes."

Katniss nodded, a flash of red and orange taking her line of sight. "They've got fire arrows."

"What?" Peeta asked, stopping the rowing. He turned around, facing the ship. "Fuck,"

His arms quickly worked to row away, shaking his head as he knew he had let his guard down slightly.

Suddenly, a flash of fire landed right before Katniss and Peeta, separating them on the boat.

"Peeta!"

"Katniss!"

The intense flame grew, creating more flames as they worked to burn a hole down the boat.

The couple began coughing furiously, deciding to ditch the boat as the flames took their food supply.

The deep blue sea took them under, pulling the young couple further and further apart.

...

Present day...

"Abernathy, walk with me."

Haymitch raised his eyebrow, watching her walk away from him already with her loyal guard, her cousin Gale Hawthorne.

There had been rumours, Haymitch was aware of them and he was also aware that they were false rumours.

He quickly matched her pace, his hands joining behind his back as Hawthorne gave him a firm nod before leaving them to their conversation.

"The bastard's threatening me."

He sighed. "I am trying to put affairs in order, Your Highness. I cannot without his say, though."

She halted, leaning her head slightly to see him with one eye. "You can with my say."

"Then that is all I need."

"Your Highness!"

Katniss stopped, sending an apologetic glance at Haymitch. "Lady Trinket," she acknowledged.

"Your sister escaped her needlework lessons, again."

"Find her, Haymitch and bring her to me. We will continue this conversation later."

Abernathy bowed. "Yes, Your Highness," then he left.

Hawthorne returned to her side, loyal as ever as he glowered at the Lady Trinket, failing to waver her emotions.

"I saw you naked as a babe, Gale."

Gale blushed furiously, turning away from her as the queen chuckled lightly. "Lady Trinket, return to your quarters. I'll send Primrose your way once I discipline her."

"Thank you," the eccentric lady left, her white powdered face with hints of red rosy cheeks and lips alarming the passing guards.

"Let's attend the throne room."

Once sat on the throne, Katniss allowed herself to relax slightly. She had spent ten minutes telling her younger sister off which had resulted in cursing and words of spite before she complied and was escorted by another senior guard, Thom, back to Lady Effie Trinket.

"You are relieved Hawthorne," Haymitch ordered, walking defiantly into the throne hall.

Hawthorne bowed, leaving to take his place with two other guards outside. The only exit and entrance.

"I have managed to put some affairs in order regarding this... situation."

Katniss smiled brightly. "When will this be over?"

"By next week. So as to not raise suspicion. Do not worry, Queen Consort. We will work to make this place a better one and get your husband back."