Gadge May Prompt: Formal

It's the day his cousin and her new family are due to arrive and Gale stands at a large window, watching the surrounding city and the rolling hills and forests beyond, looking for their telltale carriages.

Gale's fingers tug at his collar briefly before dropping with a twitch as he catches himself in his nervous tic. He straightens his shoulders and takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

It works until he feels his father step next to him. Gale opens his mouth to greet him, but his mouth remains open when he hears his father sigh.

King Asher is not a man who sighs. A naturally stoic man, Gale has never seen his father anything other than calm, controlled perfection. His shoulders never slump; he always holds eye contact; his handshakes are always firm; his voice strong and commanding. No, he is certainly not a man who sighs.

"Father?" Gale asks. "Is everything… all right?"

Asher turns to his eldest with a small, tight smile. "I just hope this visit goes well."

Gale frowns. "Do you think there is a reason that it will not?"

"I thought the people were pleased with your cousin's marriage and this new peace with Merchantra," Asher confides, "but recently I've learned that there is still lingering animosity. There are many doubts. It's to be expected, of course—we've been at war for many generations with Merchantra, and people are wary of the idea of lasting peace. But I didn't realize the way that the people viewed Katniss and Peeta's marriage—we saw a union of two countries; they see it as Katniss is a hostage in an unhappy marriage. I hope this visit will show people that she is as happy as you say she is, but I'm unsure people will stop viewing her as a political hostage. They think that Katniss is nothing but a pawn and there is still nothing stopping Merchantra from invading us as they see fit. And, to be honest, I can see how they think that."

Gale swallows, his mind whirling. He had no idea their people felt so strongly about Katniss and Peeta's marriage. He feels as though he hasn't been a present ruler, a good future king. Has he been so wrapped up in Madge that he's completely ignored everything else? He doesn't think so, but his father's confession points to that conclusion. "I can't believe I hadn't seen this," he murmurs.

Asher claps his son on his shoulder. "Remember," he says, "I hadn't been aware of this until recently, either." He doesn't say anything further and Gale feels a cold sensation creep up.

"Are you saying that this information was… kept from you?"

Asher's lips twist and he inclines his head slightly. "The people are restless," he says.

Gale freezes. A coup. An overthrow.

"Are they fucking kidding me," he hisses. "We give them peace for the first time in nearly seventy-five years and they want to overthrow us? Do they think they can do better?"

Asher doesn't reprimand Gale for his outburst, a true sign that he agrees.

"If the people can see what kind of leader Peeta is—how good and kind he is and how much he cares for your cousin—perhaps they will give up this idea that he would be more likely to invade in the future."

"Peeta wouldn't," Gale says resolutely. "He's not that way. He's not like his forefathers."

Asher gives him a look. "His forefathers," he says, "are not who I worry about. Even his own father is a good man. It's his mother that is a snake. The Mellark's are not known for having backbones. They are known as bending to stronger wills, be it their advisors or their wives."

Gale smirks. "If Peeta is anything like them, then, the people have nothing to worry about. Katniss is his wife, after all."

"But the queen will undoubtedly be alive for a long time," Asher says with distaste. "The worst ones always live the longest."

Gale thinks of the queen and shudders. She is truly an awful woman.

"I don't understand," Gale says, returning his attention to the window. He thinks he can see carriages emerging from the forest that divides Merchantra and Seamlyn. "What do the people expect us to do?"

"They feel as though the balance of power between our nations is tilted, in favor of Merchantra. They want us to even our relationship." Asher sighs again, looking out with him. "I just wish I knew how to do so."

000

Katniss is absolutely beaming when she descends from the carriage, and the Seamlyn royal family is doing the same. Katniss rushes into the arms of her sister, Primrose, and is welcomed by her parents, Queen Hazelle's brother, Bronson, and his wife, Alys. Gale and his family are grinning as well, and King Asher's grin, if not slightly strained, is genuine, as he greets the Mellark's. Asher has met the king, queen, and Peeta, before, but he has not previously met Madge.

"Princess Margaret," Asher says, bowing over her hand. Madge has to fight not to flush at the man who looks so much like Gale. "It is a pleasure."

"The honor is mine, Your Majesty," Madge murmurs, refraining herself from flicking her eyes to Gale.

She meets Gale's mother, a smiling Hazelle, and his three younger siblings, who stare at her in awe, before she finally turns her blue eyes to Gale.

"Crown Prince Gale," she says as she curtseys, her grin wide and unrestrained. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Gale bows smartly. "Likewise, Princess," he says, and she's not sure how he makes the title sound like an endearment.

They both straighten and stare at each other for a moment, until King Asher clears his throat. Both Gale and Madge startle, looking at him with flushed cheeks. Asher directs them inside to get settled, and when Gale passes Asher raises an eyebrow. It seems he's solved the mystery of with whom Gale was corresponding.

He gives Gale a look that says they'll be discussing it later.

000

Although the celebration ball isn't for another week, dinner that night seems overly formal.

Gale is aware of Seamlyn's reputation amongst Merchantra citizens, which was why he was on his best behavior during his political faux pas—Merchantra thinks Seamlyn people to be uncivilized, uncouth, and unintelligent, and it seems that everyone in the Hawthorne—and Everdeen—royal families are determined to prove that stereotype wrong.

Gale can also feel himself vibrating with nervousness and anxiety at the thought of his talk with his father later. He tries very, very hard not to look at Madge during dinner, so instead he looks around at the various courtiers and Seamlyn nobility that are dining with them. Do they feel the same way as the common people about Katniss and Peeta's marriage? About Seamlyn's current relations with Merchantra? Even more unsettlng- is someone amongst them encouraging the rebellious thoughts of the people?

Gale looks back over at Katniss and Peeta. Katniss is clearly very much in her element, happy to be surrounded by everyone she loves, a party that Gale is sure includes Peeta, whose love for her is clear as day.

But is it enough? They will be traveling around the kingdom—something Gale is now a little wary of—meeting the common people. Gale hopes they can see the nature of Katniss and Peeta's relationship and feel ease. Merchantra's future ruler is a kind and generous man, and his partner is much different than his father's. Peace will reign for generations to come, Gale is sure of it.

He can only hope the people will see that as well.

There's only one person who could complicate things—Gale glances towards the end of the table. The queen of Merchantra, Peeta's mother, Clarissa. A power-hungry, ambitious woman, Clarissa was bitterly upset that Peeta married Katniss; she wanted her only child to be married into one of the more wealthy kingdoms, such as the diamond kingdom or the sea kingdom. It was evident by her narrowed eyes and upturned nose that she hated even being in Seamlyn. Gale feels a sense of dread looking at her. She doesn't have anything to gain from a war against Seamlyn, that's true, but there's something about her he doesn't like—at all.

Although maybe it's the way she looks at Madge that he doesn't like, throwing smug, knowing looks Madge's way. For her part, Madge squirms uncomfortably in her seat and looks away from her aunt's stare.

Gale frowns. He'll have to ask Madge about it later—if they ever get any time alone, that is. He has to be careful, though; his father's already suspicious of him and Madge. There's nothing inherently inappropriate about their friendship, but propriety is important to King Asher, and he doesn't want anything to be jeopardized, which Gale understands.

He wishes he could enjoy himself, but he also hates these formal events. He misses the informal dinners and the dancing and music that sometimes accompanied it after. He tried not to tug on his suffocating collar and (mostly) succeeds. He just wants to talk to Madge.

She catches his gaze and smiles, and he grins back. He has an idea.

"Cousin," he calls down to Katniss, who sits between Madge and her husband. "Do you plan on taking your usual morning walk to the woods tomorrow?"

Just as he thought, Katniss shakes her head. "I am tired from today's journey. Perhaps the next morn."

Gale nods sympathetically. "I understand," he says, trying not to look directly at Madge. "Well, if you change your mind, I will be there at eight, at the edge of the woods on the east side."

Katniss looks amused. "I haven't been gone that long, Gale," she says. "I still remember where it is."

Gale just smiles.

000

The next morning is warm and murky, filled with fog that will surely burn off later in the afternoon. Gale rises early, as he usually does, although today he's playing host while his father deals with meetings, so it's a less intense day. He still has lingering thoughts about all his father's confided in him, but he brushes those thoughts aside for now. Someone is coming.

He can tell, just by the silhouette of the figure in the mist, that it's Madge. Slim lines, graceful walk—it is her.

Gale's heart jumps at the sight of her teasing smile. "You're lucky I found you in this weather," is how she greets him. "Otherwise, your manipulations would've been for naught."

Gale's eyes widen. "Manipulations?" He parrots. "Whatever do you mean?"

Madge's eyebrow arches and Gale can't suppress a grin. "You knew full well how tired Katniss was from the journey," she retorts, "she nearly fell asleep at dinner! You only asked her to join your this morn so that I might overhear and venture out to find you."

"Well," Gale concedes, "how else would we have time together?"

Madge's smile widens at his confession. "Indeed," she says. "I am in perfect agreement."

Gale laughs. "This is good news," he says, feeling lighter than he has in months, "we've proven that our amiability with each other carries over from our correspondence to real life."

"You're right," Madge says, her eyes sparkling. "Look how far we've come."

They're silent for a moment, reflecting, and then Gale steps closer, holding his arm out. "Do you fancy a tour, Princess?" He asks.

Without hesitation, she accepts him. "It would be a pleasure," she murmurs.

They don't speak much as he leads her around the outside of the castle, showing her the wooded area he likes to escape into; the courtyard; the outline of the main town further down the hill; even the mountains that divide Seamlyn and Merchantra are displayed prominently from castle. It's breathtaking.

"It's beautiful here," Madge says, her eyes focused towards the town. She sees the spires of little steeples, the strong columns of schools and libraries, and smoke curling out of shop and home chimneys. "More so than Merchantra."

"Merchantra is beautiful in its own way," Gale says. "You have more industry there, a different sort of economy. Here we lead simpler lives... perhaps too simple at times."

Madge turns to him, surprised at his criticism. "Merchantra does have a stronger economy," she says, "but we had to strip much of our natural beauty away to do so."

"It's not that I wish for more industry," Gale says, frustrated, "I just wish we wouldn't be so stubborn and stuck in our ways. Embracing new technology and industry is not a bad thing, and to ignore it entirely is a weakness. We can and should learn to embrace new things, and we can pick and choose what those new things are, in accordance with our values and traditions."

"Hmmm," Madge hums. "That is difficult. I suspect that you'll need to start small—don't take big risks right away. Build everyone's trust with small advances and then, when they prove beneficial, be more daring and advanced. It'll be a fine balance between progression and comfort."

Gale sighs. "You're right," he says, glancing over at her. "As always."

She turns to him, beaming. "So glad you've finally realized it!" She says. "And admitted it."

"Don't expect me to always be this nice," he warns. "It's just that I'm so glad to see you." He doesn't even mind that he wasn't planning on admitting that last bit. Although it's fairly obvious, he's sure.

The laughing lines around Madge's mouth soften, as does the look in her eyes. "I am, too," she says. "This is perfect."

And it is. She looks like she belongs here, with the mist clearing and the sun shining, her hair golden in the sun, her laughing eyes so happy. No, this princess was not made for the formality of dining halls, stuffy dinners and stuffed into corsets. She was not made for simpering courtiers, power hungry nobles, or scheming relatives.

She was made for fresh air and morning light, damp grass and warm breezes, water banks and mountain silhouettes.

She was made for—Gale realizes with a start—she was made for him.