Katniss
"Oh, Hazelle, you trickster! You put me in a corner didn't you. But of course I care about Gale. He's my best friend, and hunting partner, the only person I can really be myself around without him hating me. And I told you I care about him, and trust him. I'd trust him with my life, and I'd hope he'd say the same about me, because I did save him from that bear last spring."
She laughed, "Oh, yes, he did tell us about that. He was equal parts proud of you and embarrassed for himself."
I laugh. I love talking to Hazelle, it's so easy. I wasn't lying when I told Gale that I wish Hazelle was my mother. "Well, Hazelle, I'm done drying, do you mind if I spy in on Gale's bedtime story for Posy?"
She smirks at me like she knows something I don't. Actually she probably knows lots of things I don't, but the smirk says it's something specific. "Go ahead. Just stay quiet in the doorway though if you don't want the story to change." Then she winks at me and goes back to tidying up things.
Well, that was cryptic. But I follow her advice, the smirk tells me I should. When I peek in through the doorway Gale's tucking Posy in all the way around, just like my father used to do for me. I smile. And then I listen.
Gale
Posy looks so cute looking up at me. I have been coming up with this story for a while now, I hope I make it good enough that she won't ask for another story. Because I can't wait to talk to Katniss.
"Once upon a time, in a beautiful, magical Kingdom called the Seam -"
"But the Seam's filled with coal dust and it isn't a Kingdom."
"Well, in my story it is, in fact, in my story you are going to hear a lot of names you know but they are going to be different things. You have to use your imagination, understand?" Posy nods seriously, apparently trying to get her imagination ready. "Now, in the Seam Kingdom, there was a Prince and there were three beautiful Princesses, of all different ages. And they were all very beautiful but people called them different kinds of beauty to match them, for they all had very different personalities. The King and Queen had a beautiful garden, people from all across the land would come to gaze at all the beautiful flowers and smell them. So when the King and Queen decided to have children they decided that any and all girls they had would be named after flowers.
"They ended up having four children, first they had a boy, and they decided not to name him after a flower to they called him Romeo. And then the King and Queen had three more children, all girls.
"One day, the King and Queen were in the Throne Room presiding over all their-"
"Wait you didn't tell me the Princesses' names yet!"
"I'm getting to it, waiting makes you want to know more, doesn't it?" She nods. "That's the point of a good story... So where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?" I asked poking Posy on the nose. "Oh yes! One day, the King and Queen were in the Throne Room presiding over all their people, and they had Romeo with them so they could teach him how to rule Seam Kingdom one day, for that's what Princes had to do. But then they had the sudden urge to see their beautiful daughters for they had not seen them since their breakfast that morning and it was now late afternoon.
"'Sir Thomas?' the King asked, 'Please go fetch my daughters at once, I would love to see their beautiful faces.'
"'At once, sire,' Sir Thomas obeyed.
"The Princesses filed in the room one by one, youngest to oldest. The youngest Princess was named Posy-"
"That's my name!" Posy said excitedly.
"I did tell you you'd hear lots of names you know, now will you let me continue... again?" Posy nods. "Now, Princess Posy came in first, she was the youngest, only four years old. She had beautiful tan skin like her father, and grey eyes like her father, in fact she looked very much like her father! She had his straight black hair as well, but instead of a big old heavy crown, Princess Posy had a small silver tiara with purple stones and diamonds that matched her pretty purple dress. Princess Posy was known all throughout the Kingdom for having lots of fun and playing games, being the youngest she had the least responsibilities so far, and wanted to take advantage of it by playing as much as she could, she loved playing with her siblings, and village children, and even her parents when they didn't have duties to attend to.
"'Hello, father, mother, and brother, how are you today?'
"Her mother answered, 'Well, I think I can safely say for all of us that we are quite bored. And while your father and I can't play because of our royal duties I think that Romeo would love to play hide and seek in the garden.' Her mother turned to Posy's brother. 'What do you say, Romeo, would you like to play hide and seek with your sister?'
"'Well, I would absolutely love to, baby sister, but should we wait for your other sisters to ask them as well?'
"'Romeo, you are completely right, and already being fair and just, you will make a fine King one day,' his father praised him. Romeo, unlike his sister Posy looked nothing like his father, he looked just like his mother. He has fair skin, eyes that were blue as the sky, and blonde hair.
"'You're right brother! I hope our sisters come soon!'
"And if answering her sister's call the middle princess came in, Princess Primrose. Princess Primrose was eleven years old and looked just like her mother and her brother Romeo, although her hair was a lot longer than Romeo's," I tickled Posy. "Princess Primrose loved all things, she helped the poor, loved animals and had a stable with horses, and ponies, and her favorite a goat she named Lady. She also was wonderful with healing, if anyone was sick all it took was a touch of her hand and the sickness was wiped away. Sick people came from everywhere to try to ask for Princess Primrose's help, and she helped everyone she could. But when she wasn't helping the poor or the sick or playing with her animals she loved playing with her little sister Princess Posy. And instead of a heavy crown like her father, she had a silver tiara in her hair, one with blue sapphires that matched her eyes and diamonds, and she wore a dress of sapphire blue."
"Why doesn't Princess Posy get a special power? That's unfair!" Posy protested.
I acted surprised, because I kind of was, I forgot to make Princess Posy have a power, goddamn it, I had to make up Princess Posy's power on the spot. "Did I not say before? Princess Posy had the ability to make anyone and everyone around her happy. She could make the saddest person cry tears of joy instead of sorrow, that's why she loves playing so much, because she likes being happy too!
"So Posy asked her sister, 'Primrose would you like to play hide and seek with Romeo and I in the garden?!'
"And since Princess Primrose loved to play as well, she replied with a happy, 'Yes, sister, I would love to play! But where is our other sister?'
"Where was their other sister indeed? Their oldest sister wasn't around the castle a lot and nobody knew where she went. All they know is that she leaves without a trace and when she comes back to the castle she's as happy as someone who has spent all day with Princess Posy. And she needed the help of her sister Princess Posy a lot these days to keep her happy because her parents were talking about her getting married. And one of the problems of being a princess is that you have to marry a prince. You cannot marry whoever you may love, unless of course it was a prince. But most princes weren't like their brother Romeo, most princes were snobs, and the broke girls' hearts.
"But today, like Princess Primrose, it seemed like their oldest sister, Princess Katniss, listened to her sisters' calls and was coming into the Throne room. Being the oldest sister she was fifteen years old and took after her father and Princess Posy for looks. She had beautiful smooth tan skin, grey eyes, and shiny black hair that went all the way down to her waist. She wore a beautiful satin red and orange dress that made her look on fire, and on her head sat her silver tiara but instead of purple stones, or blue sapphires, her's had diamonds and different colored red, orange, yellow, and all the colors you see in the fire stones. She had the biggest tiara because she was the oldest sister, and it looked like it weighed heavily on her.
"Now that her parents wanted her to marry, men came from all over the country and across the seas just to gaze upon her beauty. And they all offered her many things if she were to be their wife; jewels, castles, land, and everything you could ever imagine. But her family noticed that the more men came to gaze upon her and the more things they offered her the sadder she became. They knew it was serious when even Princess Posy couldn't make her happy."
"I couldn't make her happy?! I mean, Princess Posy couldn't make her happy? And is she the prettiest princess because you're in love with her?"
"Posy! That was supposed to be our secret! And I said the princesses were all pretty in their own different ways!"
But Posy didn't seem convinced. "You said she looked like she was on fire. Fire is the hottest thing. And I've heard boys call the girls they think are beautiful and pretty 'hot'."
"Goddamn it, Pose, you're too smart for your own good!"
"Uh-oh, you said a bad word!"
"Well you told our special secret so that makes us even!"
"Are you going to tell her that you love her?"
"Yes, Posy, after I'm done your bedtime story, I've been planning it for a while now."
"Are you going to tell her you dream about her?"
"What are you taking about?"
"Sometimes, when I wake up to go to the bathroom, I hear you in your room and you're making noises and saying, 'Katniss, oh, Katniss, you feel so good, I love you so much.'"
Oh. My. God. My three and a half year old sister heard me having wet dreams about Katniss. Since when do I talk in my sleep? At least she just thinks I'm dreaming about her... not about being inside her... oh, this is so awkward. So I try to finish this up. "Maybe I'll tell her I dream of her, but I will tell her I love her, but we need to finish your story first, so no more interruptions, okay?"
"Okay, I hope you and Katniss get married."
"Posy!" I calm down for a minute. "Can I please finish the story now so I can tell Katniss how much I love her?"
"Yes."
"Thank, God. Okay: No one knew why Princess Katniss was so sad. So one day, Romeo, being the good big brother he was, followed her to wherever she went that made her so happy. After a while the forest was getting so dense that he had to tie up his horse and continue on foot, but it was obvious that Katniss knew where she was going because she maneuvered her horse through the forest like she'd done it tons of times before, and Romeo thought that she probably had.
"Romeo saw her sister and horse enter into an open field that was full of wildflowers, there was a rock ledge that had berry bushes surrounding it and a weeping willow tree was next to a large pond, that was filled with pond lilies, and katniss flowers. Romeo thought the place was beautiful and perhaps her just coming here and getting away from royal life was what was making her happy but he quickly learned that it wasn't, or at least it wasn't the only thing.
"Romeo saw her looking around, as if looking for something. But she wasn't looking for something she was looking for someone. Then Romeo saw who she was looking for. A man atop a chestnut colored horse. Romeo noticed that he was not royal by the way he dressed.
"'Gale, oh, Gale!' Katniss shouted to the man on the horse. Gale quickly jumped down off his horse and swept Katniss off her feet, hugging her to him and swinging her around, giving her a kiss on the top of her head.
"Now Romeo, would normally would have dueled this man for dare touching his little sister, but he could see how his sister's face light up like the sun when she looked at this man, Gale. He decided to watch and think of what to further do. He knew his sister was supposed to be married, no wonder she was so upset, if she loved this man, she wouldn't want to marry anyone else. Romeo was lucky he met the Princess he was going to marry and they both go along wonderfully, they loved each other, so he knew what love looked like. It looked like him and his Juliet. He went back to watching his sister and this man.
"'Oh, Katniss, I've missed you so much,' Gale said while keeping her in the circle of his arms.
"'Just as I've missed you, Gale!' Katniss told him. 'My parents want me to marry, Gale!'
"'Well, that's wonderful news! You know I want to marry you more than anything!'
"'No, Gale, I would marry you in a heartbeat, for my heart beats for you! But as a princess my parents say it is my duty to marry another royal! It's so horrible, men are coming from everywhere, from all across the country, Gale, they have even sailed the sea to come to Seam! They promise me trinkets, jewels, castles, and land, they promise me the world, but all I want is you!'
"Gale's face had fell as he processed this news, he could not lose his Katniss, his heart would cease to beat. 'Well, then, run away with me, Katniss! I know you don't love being a Princess! And now making you marry someone you do not wish to, this is horrific! I can not allow it for your sake!'
"'Oh, but, Gale, what could you possibly do other than you've already done? You love me, and it means the world to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything.'
"'So let's run away together, without your jewels and fancy clothes, we could create a new life together! You could be Katniss Everthorne, my love, my wife, my life!'"
"Oh, you put you guys' last names together for the story!"
"Yes, Posy, I did, but if you keep interrupting then I'll never get the chance to tell Katniss I love her. So if you interrupt one more time, the story's over and you'll never get to know the end."
"Oh, no, no! I'll be good! I'll be good! Please finish!"
"Are you sure?
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Okay. 'Gale, my love, if it were only that easy, but I can't leave my family, my mother and father, my brother and sisters, I love them too!'
"'But we've already started our own family.'
"Katniss looked scared and put a hand on her stomach. She looked up at Gale but saw how much love and devotion shined in his eyes and asked him, 'But, how did you know? Only my nurse knows, and I threatened my own nurse, a woman I've known since birth, with death if she told anyone! I hated doing that, she's like part of my family but I couldn't let anyone else know! What if they meant the baby harm!?'
"Romeo heard the word baby and knew things were very complicated indeed, but he also knew what he needed to do.
"'Katniss, my love, I am the oldest of eight siblings, I know the signs.'
"Katniss blushed and looked down, her hand resting where their baby was growing. Then Gale took his work-worn hand and put it atop hers and they looked deep into each others' eyes. 'Let's just spend the day here before I have to go back to the castle. I will think on what you said. I don't want to leave my family, especially my siblings since they are not forcing me to do something I do not want to do, but I love you, and you are this baby's father. Let's just lie here and in the meadow, please, my love, I am tired.'
"'I would do anything for you, Katniss, you have to know that. And if you simply feel like lying around in the flowers we will do so. I've brought bread, apples, some cheese, and water to eat. I didn't bring wine because I know of your condition.'
"'Even I did not know you can't have wine while with child. I have had a few glasses with supper over the past week, will that harm the baby?!' Katniss cried.
"'No, my love, it takes more than that, but you should avoid it whenever you can.'
"'I don't know what I would do without you, you're always looking out for me. Me, and now our child.' She smiled at him. He went over to his horse, which was by the water drinking, it knew not to stray. He went into the stable bags and got out the food and drink and walked back over to Katniss, he took her hand and pulled her down with him onto the bed of wildflowers, with her head resting on his chest they stared at the clouds, hardly needing to talk at all, because they were happy to just be together.
"Far back at the castle of the Seam, Romeo was dismounting his horse, and running inside to the Throne Room to speak to his parents, but he knew if he brought his sisters in on this he would have a better chance of making sure Katniss got what she wanted. The court looked around in wonder as the Crowned Prince looking less than perfect.
"'Mother, father! I have urgent news! Sir Thomas! Please fetch my sisters Primrose and Posy as quickly as you possibly can!'
"'What about Katniss?' The Queen wondered.
"His father, the King, answered drolly, 'She is probably wherever she goes these days, God knows it's nowhere in the castle.'
"Romeo's heart was practically beating out of his chest, if this didn't work he ruined his sister's chance at happiness and true love, the most powerful thing in the world, he learned from Juliet. Love was more powerful than ruling a Kingdom. But he would do his duty when it was called, because luckily for him he was in love with a Princess, his poor, beautiful sister Katniss was not, and now she was pregnant with this man, Gale's, child. Not only was his sister's happiness at stake, or Gale's life but the life of their unborn baby.
"Primrose and Posy ran in hand-in-hand looking urgent, like they knew how important this was. Maybe Posy could tell how life or death this was by his feelings. Even Posy couldn't change them right now, he had a heart felt and kingly speech to deliver. 'Everyone leave the room!' But no one moved thinking this was some sort of joke. 'If I have to tell everyone to leave the room one more time you might be leaving in pieces!' He put his hand on the hilt of his sword. That's when people started scrambling out. It took a few minutes and then Romeo checked behind pillars and suits of armor to make sure no one was listening into this possibly life-or-death situation. Nothing said in this room could leave this room until a decision was made.
"Romeo started, 'As I'm sure everyone is aware that Katniss has not been herself of late, not been herself for about the past year, in fact. Like everyone else I wanted to know why. But unlike everyone else, I decided to take action. Katniss leaves the castle everyday by horseback, and I followed her.
"'I followed her to a beautiful hidden meadow, with a small pond and wildflowers, at first, I thought this was why she was happy. She was getting a reprieve from castle life. She has been going through a lot since you, mother and father, have announced that she must be married. When it was announced for me, I was lucky, I found the love of my life with Juliet and cannot wait to marry her. But how many men have come for Katniss' hand? Hundreds! And after each and every man she seems more and more depressed!
"'But what I found when I followed Katniss was not just a beautiful reprieve from castle life. I saw her with her true love.'
"'WHAT?!' the King shouted, 'This is not possible! Katniss has hundreds of suitors each willing to give her more than the last. Her Beauty is unparalleled at this time. That's why she has so many suitors! Who is this "true love" I will not stand for it!'
"The Queen looked upset, but not in an angry way, a sad way. And Princess Primrose looked like she was about to cry, she had read stories of true love and couldn't imagine what would happen to her older sister if her father did something to separate them. And Princess Posy knew that was why she couldn't help her oldest sister, without her true love she's not complete. But Princess Posy did feel something that was happy in Katniss, she motioned for her brother to come closer so she could ask him.
"'Romeo,' Princess Posy whispered, 'I think I know why I couldn't help Katniss feel better. Without your true love you're not whole, so I couldn't fix her feelings. But I did feel a set of whole feelings inside Katniss.' She finished cryptically and looked her brother in the eye and he nodded. Well, Princess Posy thought that makes sense.
"Romeo took charge again. 'Well since I am going to be King someday, and at the time of this someday, you will be dead and Katniss will still be alive, I will make the decision of her well being for her. Because she does not want any of her suitors. She told the man she loves that all she needs is him, and she would run away from him in a heartbeat if it weren't for me and Primrose and Posy. Because she loves us and we're not forcing her to do something she does not want to do. She loves you mother and father, but she did not choose to be a princess. I'm sure she would be happy to still be a princess if you let her marry who she wants. Her true love. And before you answer, father, know that she is having his baby.'
"The King turned white, then pink, then red, then purple, until the Queen hit him on the back and he started to breathe again.
"'You will not get her dowry now, father, now that she's ruined. Even though she's the farthest thing from ruined, with this man she's so happy, she never stopped smiling except when she told him about you forcing her to get married, and he didn't know that it was supposed to be married to a royal because he was overjoyed at the thought of marring her. He didn't even know she was a princess when they met, they fell in love like two normal people would. And he doesn't want anything but her, and a family with her. When they talked of running away together he told her that she could leave all of her jewels and fancy dresses and no one would pay them any mind, they would just be happy together.' Okay, so Romeo didn't know for sure that the man Gale didn't know she was a princess when they met, but he knew his sister and if she went off riding to get away from the castle life he highly doubts that she would wear her tiara. And he also know she loves love stories, she would want Gale to fall in love with who she was inside, not her title.
"The Queen spoke up, 'Romeo, since you will one day be King, and are a great judge of character, please tell me what you think of this man.'
"'Well, mother, he seemed like a strong, hard working man who's world revolved around Katniss. He didn't stop looking at her for even on second with a look of adoration on his face. It is plain as the sun in the sky that he loves her.'
"'Well, I, for one respect your judgement Romeo. And all I want is to see my children happy. All my children. And if Katniss is in love with someone not of noble birth there is little I can do about it. Especially if she saw it fit to make me a grandmother.'
"'Wife,' the King started, 'you can not be serious! He is not a royal!'
"The Queen got angry, and no one had ever seen the Queen get angry. 'Husband, I am quite serious. And if you decide to keep your small mind, I will give Katniss my blessing to run away with her love, and I'm sure that Romeo would agree, given that he has brought this to our attention, and I'm also sure her sisters would agree because they just want to see their sister happy. Am I right in my thoughts, children?'
"It was Princess Posy who answered, because she knew all about peoples' feelings. 'We all want Katniss to be happy. And I know without her true love that she would never be whole or happy again. Father, you have to look inside your heart and find your love for your eldest daughter, and your want for her to have a happy life.'
"Princess Posy was wise beyond her years, and the King was moved by her heartfelt speech. 'You are right my little, Posy. I would like to meet this man face to face.'
"Romeo decided to take precautions. 'Father, you must swear on your Kinghood that you will do no harm to Katniss' love, or for that matter, Katniss and your unborn grandchild.'
"The King looked sad, 'Do you really think so little of me, son?'
"'You were extremely upset when I told you of them, I want to make sure that nothing happens,' Romeo answered.
"The King nodded, 'Very well, I swear on my Kinghood that I will not harm Katniss' love, Katniss or my unborn grandchild. You have all seen me swear it. And if I break my vow, you can behead me. I feel bad about my reaction earlier. I was surprised. Posy, you can feel what I am feeling, can you not? Am I telling the truth?'
"Posy nodded, 'Yes, father you are telling the truth, and you are doing the right thing.'
"'Romeo, son, please lead a search party to this meadow, and bring both of them back unharmed, it is time we all talked.'
"'Right away, father.'
"So Romeo lead a group of royal guards, along with a carriage that would carry the couple back to the castle. But like before with Romeo's horse, they had to leave the carriage at the edge of the wood. Romeo, Sir Thomas, Sir Rory, and Sir Vick, the most trusted guards went through the wood to the meadow. Which they found as beautiful as the Prince described. And they found Princess Katniss napping on her love's chest and her love also napping having gently wrapped his arms around her.
"Romeo decided it would be best if he approached himself first as to try not to scare his lovely sister and her love, Gale. 'Katniss,' the Prince whispered. She stirred but didn't wake completely, but Gale did wake up and stared wide-eyed at the Prince right in front of him. He did not move for fear and for fear of waking his precious Katniss up.
"Romeo saw how scared the man Gale was, and held his hands up in peace and whispered since his sister was still asleep. 'Good, sir, I know you're name is Gale and you love my sister greatly, just as she loves you. I mean you no harm. I would not do anything to upset my sister.' Romeo could see that his kind voice were starting to calm Gale. 'I see that my sister is sleeping, she has been doing that more than normal of late, and I had been wondering why. But now I know.' Gale looked scared again but Romeo quickly calmed him. 'I am not mad, Gale, I have never seen my sister this happy. How could I be mad at a man who did something no one else could?'
"Romeo was still whispering, but little did either of the men know that Katniss woke up when Gale tensed when Romeo told him he knew his sister was pregnant. But Katniss remained still, pretending to still be sleeping to hear what her brother would say to the man she loved without knowing she was listening.
"'When my parents announced that Katniss had to be married it was about a year ago. That is when she started to become very sad, and left the castle even more often than she used to. When I figured this out, I remembered that Katniss had been leaving the castle for a number of years, about three if I remember correctly, but not as frequently as she has this past year, since the announcement. Three years. Is that when she met you?'
"Gale nodded his head. 'Yes, my Prince, although, I promise you I did not know she was a Princess for the first year we spent time together. I only knew she was the most perfect girl in the world, and I knew that I loved her with all my heart and would do anything for her.'
"'That's what I thought,' Romeo said, 'she has always loved love stories, and probably wanted a friend that didn't care that she was a Princess.'
"'And I don't care!, Gale said, but then realized it didn't sound right. 'Well I do care, I treat her like a Princess, but I would treat her like a Princess even if her father was a farmer, she is the whole world to me.'
"'I will tell you the truth,' Romeo told Gale, and Katniss who was still pretending she was sleeping, 'everyone in the castle noticed how sad she had become, and how she would leave the castle for the whole day and come back with a smile on her face. Everyone wanted to know what was making her so happy, but being her big brother, I thought it was my duty to find out. So I followed her as she rode out of the stables on horseback, and followed her as long as I could on horseback, but I must admit, my sister's better at riding horses than I am,' he joked with Gale.
"'Yes,' Gale said, 'sometimes we have races for fun and she beats me every time, it's like she's part of the horse, or can speak into it's mind.'
"Romeo chuckled and continued, 'Yes, well when we came to the denser part of the woods, Katniss kept riding, although a little slower, for which I am thankful, because I had to tie up my horse and follow on foot. She got to the meadow before I did, but luckily there were her horse's tracks to follow. And at first, to be honest, I thought it was just the beauty of this place that was making her happy, a reprieve from life in the castle. I saw all the wildflowers, the pond, the weeping willow, which has always been one of Katniss' favorite trees, and the rock ledge with the berry bushes, and I thought that this was a wonderful place to come to, it was beautiful and peaceful. But then I was surprised when I saw her looking around for something, then I realized when you came into the clearing that it was a someone. My first thought as an older brother was to challenge you to a duel, but then I saw he face light up, and she was smiling so widely I thought her cheeks would spilt. I've never seen her smile so big. And then I realized it, because I know the feeling myself, you two love each other. I'm lucky that I fell in love with a Princess, Juliet, and then I thought how awful it must be for Katniss having to hide her love while watching men come from all over trying to win her hand.'
"Romeo say Gale's jaw clench. 'Yes, I wouldn't like it either if someone was trying to take my Juliet away from me. I listened for a few more minutes, and I figured you didn't know she was a Princess when you just didn't care, and loved my sister for who she was and not her title. And I thank you for that. And then I heard that my sister's with child.' Romeo say Gale's eye widen again. 'Don't worry, while I don't like that you aren't married and are having a child, I can see where that can be a problem, and if you loved my sister any less, then we would have a problem. But I know you love her and she loves you equally. So I knew what I had to do.
"'I rode hard and fast back to the castle and demanded my parents' and sisters' attention, and kicked everyone else out of the Throne Room. I wanted this to be a private family matter. They took me seriously when I said if I had to ask again they might be leaving in pieces.'
"Gale chuckled quietly not wanting to wake up Katniss, who little to his knowledge was still pretending to be asleep and just listening to her brother and the love of her life.
"'I knew that our sisters would be on Katniss' side, and therefore my side, because I just want Katniss to be happy. My father certainly did not take it well at first. And my youngest sister Posy, can feel people's emotions, and while I was talking she was thinking and then she motioned me over to her and said that Katniss having a true love was why she couldn't make her happy because Katniss was not whole without her true love. But then she told me she did feel happy feelings inside of Katniss, and I knew that she knew that Katniss was pregnant, and I confirmed it to her, and then the rest of my family. My mother was quiet, and hard to read, but certainly not angry, and Primrose and Posy were beside themselves with happiness. But it seemed like my father had forgotten to breathe. He turned a few different colors and was very mad. And then something happened that I had never seen. My mother got angry with my father. She said that all she wanted was her children's happiness, and that if my father was going to keep being small-minded that she would give Katniss her blessing to run away with you. And then Posy expressed that if our father would look inside his heart he would want all of his children happy. And that's what made him change his mind. He wanted to meet you. But I made sure it wasn't a trick. He swore on his Kinghood that he would not harm you, Katniss, or your unborn child in anyway. And if he broke his oath he would be beheaded. Posy confirmed he was telling the truth and asked me to bring a search party here and return with you two completely unharmed, so we could talk as a family.'
"Katniss jerked up and scared the living daylights out of the two boys, for they thought she was asleep. 'Romeo, do you jest?! Father would meet Gale? And not hurt him? This is a wonderful, wonderful day!' And with that she jumped up, grabbed Gale's hand and pulled him up where he did what Romeo first saw him do to Katniss. He picked her up, hugging her to him and swinging them around, but instead of the kiss on the head he gave her a big kiss on the lips. Then looked up and apologized to Romeo who just looked happy.
"'Sister, I have Sirs Thomas, Rory, and Vick with me to escort you both, and a carriage at the edge of the woods for you both to ride in, there are more guards there to escort us, and I'm glad I brought them because I don't think I want to leave you two in the carriage alone together,' Romeo said jokingly.
"'What about my horse?' Gale asked sheepishly.
"'You horse can come with us and get a royal treatment in the royal stables.' Romeo smiled.
"Katniss walked up to her brother, and gave him a big hug. 'I can not thank you enough, Romeo, if it wasn't for you, my life would be over, because I can not live without Gale.'
"'It is my pleasure, sister, now shall we go? We don't want to make the royal family waiting now, do we?' he said jokingly.
"Katniss and Gale walked hand-in-hand with Romeo on the other side of Katniss as they walked through the woods toward the carriage. It was about a fifteen minute walk to the carriage and would take about a hour and a half to get back to the castle.
"'Gale would you like some nicer clothes to change into? I brought some with me,' Romeo asked.
"Katniss and Gale looked at each other communicating with their eyes. 'No, thank you very much, though, my Prince. I would rather show your family the real me.'
"'That, in itself is very nobel of you, Gale. And please I insist that you call me Romeo, with all luck, you could be my brother soon.' That comment put a huge smile on both Gale and Katniss' faces.
"After the ride back, the three of them dismissed their guards for this was a family matter, and walked into the Throne Room. When the entered the King and Queen sat on their thrones, the King with an unreadable expression, and the Queen with a small smile on her lips. Princess Primrose and Posy were also there and they had great big smiles on their faces. Princess Posy could feel the love radiating between Gale and Katniss, and knew that she would be able to be of help to their cause. She also felt the little life inside Katniss' belly and it made her so happy.
"The King spoke first, 'So you are the one who has put a baby in my daughter.'
"The Queen looked at her husband sharply. 'Husband, you know they love each other, stop trying to intimidate them. You know what I said earlier, I will give them my blessing if I do not like what you decide."
"Romeo stepped forward. 'I've learned more about their relationship. Do you remember when Katniss started leaving for the day around three years ago? Not as much as she does now, but she did leave, that's when she met, this man, Gale. And I'm sorry, Gale I never did catch your surname."
"'It's Everthorne, Gale Everthorne."
"The Queen smiled gently at him and asked, 'So what does your family do, Mr. Everthorne? Did you join whatever your family business is?"
"'Well, your Highness, we own a blacksmith's shop. My father runs it. I'm the second in command, since I am the oldest of eight siblings. But lately my father has been giving me time off so I can visit with Katniss, I have five younger brothers and two younger sisters. Four of my brothers are close to me in age, and are all very strong for their age, so they are learning the trade so I can visit. All they know is I met a girl three years ago and feel in love. For over a year Katniss kept it secret from me that she was a Princess, so of course I didn't tell my family that. And, I'll admit, I still haven't told my family she's a Princess. Not that I'm ashamed at all, the opposite. They would feel ashamed of us being a working class family and forbid me from seeing her, and I couldn't let that happen. I love her too much for that.'
"'Where did you meet my daughter?' the Queen asked.
"'There was a meadow that I had been going to since I was a young boy. And one day about three years ago, I rode into the meadow and saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen sitting on the ground near the pond, soaking her feet in the water holding a bouquet of wildflowers. I think I had never seen beauty until that day. We spent time together talking, and agreed in times to meet each other, and we did, for months, and then she finally told me she was Princess Katniss of Seam. And I couldn't believe it, because, no offense to your family, but I thought that royal people would never mix with common folks. Then the next time we met she brought her tiara, and I couldn't believe it. But she said that she commanded me not to treat her any differently than she already had, and I just started laughing because she was acting like what I thought a princess was "commanding me". I had known I was in love with her four months before she told me she was a princess, and I told her, and she said she loved me back. It was the happiest day of my life. I don't know what I would do without her. I think I was put on this world simply to be her partner, her friend, her lover, to be by her side for anything and everything. And I guess that's all I have to say, unless you have anymore questions for me. Except, I have to ask that you let us stay together. I love her more than the world and stars put all together.'
"Princes Katniss was crying tears of joy and happiness, as were her sisters, her mother had a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, and Romeo was smiling like crazy. And then Romeo looked to his father, and he saw that Gale's words had melted his heart, and that he wouldn't separate them. They would stay together, but Romeo knew that the King would make them have a wedding as soon as possible because Katniss was pregnant. It takes months to plan a royal wedding, but Romeo knew that his and Juliet's wedding was almost completely finished planned, and that he knew that he and his love would allow Katniss and Gale to have their wedding date, because Gale and Katniss' wedding was time-sensitive and His and Juliet's could wait, and that he knew she wouldn't mind, she would do anything for true love. So he mentioned his idea to his parents and they agreed. And if Katniss wasn't crying tears of happiness before now, she certainly was now, and she ran to her brother and leaped and hugged him for all she was worth. And Gale was also crying tears of joy and smiled and nodded his thanks to his soon to be brother-in-law.
"A month of happiness later, the castle and the whole of the Seam was decorated to the nines, there were flowers and streamers everywhere. The whole Kingdom was rejoicing. It was unheard of, a common person marrying a Princess, but all across the Kingdom, Gale and Katniss' story of The Truest Love was being told, and all the women loved the story, and all the men were jealous of Gale because now they had to do even grander gestures of love.
"The wedding was being held in the royal garden. There was a beautiful archway covered in flowers where Gale and Katniss would stand under and say their vows. Gale was already waiting their, with Romeo and his five younger brothers standing by his side as his best men. He was waiting for the love of his life to come down the aisle on her father's arm. Her mother was already sitting with his parents in the front row. To say they were surprised that he was seeing a Princess for three years, and even more surprised that the royal family allowed them to get married, but they were oh, so grateful and so excited for their oldest.
"Then the wedding music started playing and Gale looked down the aisle. Gale's little sisters' were the first ones down the aisle being two of Katniss' bridesmaids. Their names even matched the royal girls' names. Rose and Lily. Then came Romeo's love, Juliet, who he was thankful to for giving up her wedding date was another one of Katniss' bridesmaids. Then came Princess Primrose, who looked as lovely as all the others, and finally little Princess Posy, who was doing double duty as the flower girl and being a bridesmaid.
"Then Gale's breath seemed to stop, there, standing at the end of the aisle was the love of his life, Katniss, she was beautiful. Actually beautiful wasn't a strong enough word. She was otherworldly, ethereal. He couldn't believe she loved him. Her dress was ivory in color, and was body was satin, but covering the whole thing was a layer of lace. Lace over the whole body of the dress all the way to the ground, and where there wasn't satin on her arms, there was lace. And on the lace there were patterns, swirls, and patterns that looked like ivy and leaves and katniss flowers. The patterns were made of pearls and diamonds, and she sparkled in the sun. Her long hair was piled beautifully atop her head, and wrapped around her hair was strings of pearls, and diamond hair pieces were put in her hair as well. Maybe he was dying, Gale thought, because this had to be an angel.
"It seemed to take forever for her father to walk her down the aisle, but then, finally she was in front of him, and her father put her hand in his, an act of giving her away, and saying that he trusted me to protect her, which he would. He would give his life for her. The words the preacher said were a blur to both of them, they were just staring into each other's eyes. They only snapped out of it to say 'I do' and slip the rings onto each other's fingers. His was simple and a silver color, and hers was filled with diamonds. Gale heard, 'and now you may kiss your bride' and he did, to the cheers of everyone there.
"Gale wasn't sure how exactly it worked because when he married her he thought that she would become a commoner, which she said on multiple occasions she wouldn't mind, but somehow with all his power, her father, the King made it so he was a Prince. A whole new royal family. The Everthornes. He had talked to the King and Prince Romeo, or 'just Romeo' as he preferred to be called, and apparently the King liked him. So as a wedding gift him and Katniss, King and Queen Everthorne were given some land, not as much as the rest of her family, but they were more than happy with it. There land included the meadow where they first met. So they decided to call their little Kingdom "The Meadow". Now that their wedding was over they helped plan Romeo and Juliet's new one, they worked very hard because they were so thankful that they had given up their original wedding day for them. They could never thank them enough.
"About six months after their wedding day, Katniss gave birth to a health baby boy. The Prince of the Meadow. They named him Ethan. The whole Kingdom rejoiced when the Prince was born and there was a party that lasted a whole week, and many and many presents. They were a happy family, and visited the rest of the family often. A year and a half later, they found out that Katniss was pregnant again. She had a second boy they named Jayden. Then another two years later they found out she was pregnant again, but they couldn't figure out why she had gotten so much bigger with this pregnancy than she did with her first two but found out when the babies were born. Yes, babies, she had twin girls, that they named Rose and Violet. They were such a happy family, and nothing seemed to ever be able to change that. And they lived happily ever after, one great, big, happy family."
Posy was very sleepy by then. She smiled up at me sleepily and said, "That was the best bedtime story ever, Gale. I loved it. I hope when you tell Katniss you love her she loves you back. Good luck, Gale, and good night, and thank you for the story."
I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, "Anytime, little sister, good night."
AN: okay so I might have gone a bit over board with the story, but I just had such a fun time writing it, so I decided to include it all. I hope you liked it! edit: 11/12 I've changed the format of the story - well I put better spaces in them because I realized that it was a little hard to read. It looks a lot better on my Document page because there's 'tabs'! So I think I fixed it, if anyone knows a better way to do it please let me know! :-)