So, this chapter was a lot easier to write! I hope you all enjoy it! And thank you for your reviews, they made my day!

NOTE: I know the conversations don't follow the film exactly. That is because I do not know them by head, plus I guess it would be boring to see the script of the film, so I was a bit free. I humbly ask you forgiveness for altering the movie ;)

anani: Off course ;) I usually don't abandon a story, even if it has no readers (except for one, but I'll need to remove that one ;))

Falca: Thank you! I hope I can live of to your expectations. Yes, Aragorn looks to old to compete in the Games... Legolas on the contrary... ;)

Lupin and Tonks Forever: Thank you for the review :) Well, at leats now they now what the Games are :P

Silme-Quessë: Thank you! Yes, I love to let them banter ;) Here you get some more! Will you warn me when you started your story?

TheButterflyCurse996: Do so! You'll need it! I can't believe how quick my heart was beating at moments! :)

"So… my name is Las. Las Greenleaf, at your service."

Silence.

"Might I require your name?"

Silence.

"I'm sorry I pushed your little sister. It was not my intention. I was distracted."

Silence.

"Do you know where we are going?"

Silence.

A bit disappointed, Legolas sunk back in his chair. Opposite of him, Aragorn grinned.

"Im fuia lûth ù ganna sen lhû." (I fear your charm doesn't work this time.)

"Im rado leutha pen dambethi na. Sen na maer caro." (I'm trying to get some answers at least. That's more you're doing.)

"A man caro rado?" (And what did you find then?)

"Tìrad iuitha I peth rad."(Notice I used the word try.) Aragorn snorted.

"Alnad thio." (Nothing apparently.)

"Na tîn." (Shut up.) They sat silent for a time. Now that he was used to this, Legolas rather enjoyed the speed in which the… train, if he had caught that word correctly, was moving. It was nothing compared with the feeling of freedom a running horse gave you off course, but nonetheless, it was a quite comfortable way of travelling. If only he could find out where they were going.

After the ceremony upon the stage, they were brought to separate chambers where they had to wait. Then Effie had come again, and they had stepped into a strange vehicle. It looked a bit like the train, but it was far shorter and compacter, and it didn't go that fast. Effie had been babbling all the way. Legolas hadn't paid much attention though. It was difficult to keep focused upon her high-pitched voice, and she didn't tell anything interesting except for her emphasis on manners.
Near the train, they had stopped, and entered the long, iron snake. Not much afterwards they had begun travelling, Effie had asked Peeta to get her heavy luggage upon their place, and they had left them.

All that time, Katniss hadn't said a word. One could have thought her to be mute, if he hadn't heard her defending her little sister twice. She didn't even look at him.
Legolas shrugged. He would find answers sooner or later. Until that time, he would just have to relax a bit, so that he would be ready for darker times. Softly, he started to sing.

Does he now really sing? Katniss thought bewildered. Does he really have the heart to sing while they were going to the Capitol? This is absurd!

Perhaps… Perhaps he didn't pretend that he didn't know of anything. But how could he not know about the Hunger Games? Even the smallest child had heard about the Civil War and the Treaty of Treason. It was the first thing they learnt in school.

It could be a trick off course, so that she would underestimate him in the Arena. But then again, it was so hard to believe… He could have chosen a more credible dodgery. Or was he really…? She had to stop thinking about this. She was only driving herself crazy. Perhaps that was part of his plan…

Stop!

Katniss forced herself not to think about anything. Not about Prim, who had looked so forlorn when she said goodbye to her. Not about Gale, who seemingly really expected she could win. Not about their destination…

Her eyes swept again to the two strangers. The mentor of the golden-haired one –she hadn't caught his name at the Reaping- had a proud air around himself. His chin was high, and his eyes looked alert. Beneath his strange clothes, Katniss could see well-formed muscles. He would have been a dangerous adversary. She was glad he wasn't chosen for the Games. The other one, Las looked younger and more innocent. He was fairly thin and though he looked charming, she doubted whether he could last a day in the Arena. She could overcome him in the Games, of that she was quite certain.

The song grew louder, and the dark-haired one joined it. His heavy, masculine voice mingled perfectly with Las' higher alt, creating a bittersweet blend. Though she didn't understand the words, the music soothed her. She closed her eyes, and relaxed.

For a time, they were sitting there, allowing the music to wipe away their worries. Then the door slid open and the song broke off. Katniss opened her eyes. She regretted they had stopped singing, but at the same time, she mentally kicked herself for letting herself go like that. She shouldn't do that again in the Arena. Peeta and Effie took the two free chairs.

"I must say you're quite strong! If you can use it well, and you don't get killed at the Copernucopia, I daresay you might end sixth of even fifth!" Katniss inwardly cringed. For a moment, she had managed to forget the Games.

"Excuse me, lady Effie, but what is the Copernucopia?" Carefully, the girl studied Las, who had asked it. In his eyes there was only curiosity. That could have three causes.

One, he really didn't know about the Games… which was highly unlikely.

Two, he was suppressing the idea he was chosen and instead acted as a mere spectator instead of a player… which was foolish, but would serve her well since that would weaken him in the Arena.

Three, he was a skilled deceiver.

"At the start of the Games, there will be a Horn, filled with all kind of weapons and provisions that will help you survive. But actually it's Haymitch' task to instruct you. I'm going to find him. He will be in the refreshment room, no doubt." She stood up and wriggled out of the chamber. Las raised his eyebrow.

"Does she ever stand still?" No one answered, but Peeta raised the corner of his lips in a smile. At that moment, the door, opposite of the one Effie had gone through, opened, and a grubby, drunk-looking man entered. Without a look in their direction, he staggered towards the table where the drinks were standing, and filled a glass with a yellow liquid. His first words were not at all what she was expecting.

"Where is the ice?" They looked at each other. It was Peeta who answered.

"I don't know." Haymitch slammed the silver plate down with a clap and took the bottle as compensation. Then he slammed in the chair and looked at them. He didn't say a word. It was Peeta again who broke the silence.

"Well? When do we start?" Haymitch lifted his hands dismissingly.

"Ho, you are eager! Most of you aren't that… eager."

"But you are our mentor!"

"Mentor?"

"Yes, you have to teach us how to survive in the Arena." Haymitch bowed forwards, and looked at them with a contrived gaze.

"Well… embrace the… possibility of your imminent death… and know deep in your heart… there was nothing I could do to save you." Katniss couldn't believe it. This was the one their lives depended on? She looked at something to pour over his head –that would sober him rather effectively, she thought- but Peeta acted first and tried to grab the glass out of Haymitch' hand. Quicker then a snake, the drunk men had pushed Peeta into his chair and held him there with his bare foot.

"Look at you! You almost made me spill my drink!" He rose, but his eyes were warning.

"I think I'm gonna… finish this in my room." He hesitated for a moment which way his chamber was, then seemed to remember and staggered out of the hall.

"Hé! Sir!" For the first time, the other mentor opened his mouth. "What do you mean with imminent death?" Haymitch turned slowly.

"Oh, I see… you're the new ones, aren't you?"

"Indeed. I fear we do not know these Games. What are the rules?" The drunken one laughed bitterly.

"Rules? There are no rules! Twenty-four of you will enter the Arena, and only one will come out."

"Then where will be the other twenty-three?" Las asked. O my god, he really didn't know of anything.

"Dead."

"Dead? But they are children!" The horror was clear upon his face and in his voice, but Haymitch just smiled sourly.

"So you are not going to fight for your life? That's good, then I don't have to occupy myself with you. No, wait…" he pointed a shaky finger at the dark-haired one. "You're his mentor, aren't ye? Well, good luck!" He staggered out of the hall.

"I'm gonna get him back." Peeta went to the door. Katniss sighed.

"It's no use!" But the boy was gone already. Frowning, she leaned back and looked at the other two. They hadn't said a word, but Las was looking pointedly at his mentor. The subject of his glare succeeded in ignoring him for a few minutes, but then turned irritated.

"What?"

"You are my mentor. Shouldn't you teach me some stuff, you know, like shooting with a bow or handle a sword?"

"Le… Las, did you hear what he said? You'll have to kill children!"

"Ara… Strider, he was drunk! You surely do not believe this?" Strider hesitated.

"Ù isto. Ù ista sen ardhon. Ha narante hîn ù pedo." (I do not know. We do not know this world. It would explain why she won't talk to us.) Irritated, Katniss sighed. She had hoped she would find out their motives, but the man had switched to a musical language she didn't know. Las threw a gaze at her, then addressed his mentor again.

"Trenar." (Pray tell.) Quickly, Katniss rose. She wouldn't stay here so that the two of them could examine her and find her weak spots. Furiously, she left the room. On her way, she almost collapsed against Effie, but she shove the lady away and continued her way without halting a moment to her room. There she let herself fall upon the bed, and starting thinking about a way to handle this mess.

Surprised, Legolas saw the door sliding closed after Katniss had left. She had seemed angry, but he couldn't think of a reason why. Aragorn too, looked at the closed door, the shrugged.

"Let's recapitulate what we know about the Games. Katniss was the very first volunteer. Every child at the Reaping was afraid. Prim started to cry when we were going there. And when Effie said that you had to compete, the male side of the crowd was relieved until they heard that you would fight for District 13."

"My lucky number," Legolas smiled wryly. Aragorn ignored him.

"All of this clearly suggests the Games are not a merry competition. Then, Katniss nor Peeta wants to talk to us, which is quite logical if they know they'll have to kill you. And finally, that mentor, though drunk, said it himself that you'll have to kill children. So I fear… he may be right."

"But this is ridiculous! What kind of animal let children kill each other! It's barbaric!"

"I totally agree. But we seem stuck here, so unless we find a way to go back to Fangorn Forest, you will have to compete in the Arena and I'll have to help you."

"I'm not going to kill children," Legolas stated resolutely. Aragorn sighed and looked out of the window. In the distance, a great, white city was bathing in the sun.

"I fear that in the case, gwador nin, you will not have much choice."

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xXx Archiril