Thank you for the reviews. I didn't realizw how many people like Shakespeare!
Special thanks to my beta Norbertsmom who has been amazing. Also this story is dedicated to Chele2035. Love ya girl.
Peeta crossed his arm across his wide chest. He stood a head above most of the men on the field, but he was not as tall as his departed brothers, nor was he as tall as Finnick who he ordered to see who was at the Gate.
This morning he'd awoken with the same dream of a young girl he'd met while attending the palace. He had never met anyone from the Seam and it was said they stood out. The rumors were true about them. They had dark sun kissed skin, dark hair, and eyes the color of the moon. He could not capture in his artistic eye what that combination would look like.
The girl he'd met was striking. She'd taken his breath away with her gamine features and wide set silver eyes with long dark hair. It was her voice though, that attracted him. Her high pitched melodic tone held the innocence of a child, even though she was twelve, and by the standards of the day, ready to be contracted into marriage.
She looked startled to see him covered in flour. He'd stolen away to the kitchens to distract himself from the scolding he received from his mother. He was older than the girl and took her under his wing, protecting her. He showed her how he made bread. She shared with him the plants her mother used for medicinal purposes. He incorporated some into the recipe and it yielded tastier bread.
The entire time they were together they did not share names. But he sorely wanted it when she was dashed away by her father. Her mournful face bespoke of her reluctance to leave his side.
Peeta could never forget her, but before he could find about her they were forced out of the court, no thanks to his mother who argued with the Queen. The dispute was kept quiet, but their family was never allowed at court again. Peeta recalled how stormy his mother acted on the way home.
That seemed thousands years past and he wondered why he'd dreamt of the child this morning when he had other pressing things that weight on his shoulders.
His mind, a storm with many projects he'd yet to finish. One of them was finding the best archer. The other pressing issue, finding a wife, and he was determined in snatching the hand of the countess. Next to him Jo, his squire shook his head grumbling.
"Why did these men come here if they do not know how to handle a bow?"
"Jo, you must be patient. Some of these men can be taught, their youth and inexperience betrays them."
"It would be easier to train a dog to walk on water," Jo grumbled.
"Just train them. I know you have a love for axes Jo. Just remember not to throw it at them," Peeta joked.
His friend gave him a look.
Jo, like Finnick, was more than just his guard; he was his confidante. Jo and Finnick saved his life, and Peeta was beholden to them.
"Look, Cinna approaches." Jo broke him from his inner musings.
"I hope he brought the clothing I asked for."
"Of all the women on the island you chose to chase after the frozen queen," Jo complained.
"Jo," Peeta growled. His friend disagreed with his decision to pursue the countess. Jo wanted him to find true love. Peeta found lately he had no space for such imaginings. His father's marriage to his mother was not a happy one, but they made it work. Peeta wanted a happier home, but he could never find the right woman that filled up all the darkened spaces in his heart. He reasoned Madge and he grew up together. They held many things in common, plus the countess was stunning.
"Look, the only reason you are entertaining Lady Cartwright is because she is the only titled lady available on the Island."
Peeta eyes flashed.
"Don't give me that look. You know I'm telling you the truth. If I'd thought there was another eligible candidate for marriage I would more than gladly push her onto your path. The countess is a cold-"
"JO!' Peeta cut him off. "Refrain yourself from calling her anything other than her ladyship."
"Fine," Jo grumbled.
Peeta trained his eyes ahead. He winced when one of the archer's arrows nearly sliced through Cesario. He peeked at Jo who was off and running to remove the archer from the practice field.
Although Jo's words held a hint of truth, he negated them. The Queen wanted him to marry and he had to follow her dictate. He genuinely liked Lady Cartwright. Besides being beauteous, she was strong and independent, capable of holding her own. Her strength played well to his weakness. He was not afraid to have a woman of strength and character by his side.
Peeta was secure in his manhood to allow a woman to rule equally besides him. He looked over his shoulder, Jo stood once more by his side. From the corner of his eye he spied his friend. Finnick approached with the tailor. He noted there were two others with him.
One, an older man, dressed in seaman's attire, the other looked like a child. Curiously he watched the boy scurry behind Finnick and Cinna. Peeta was curiously drawn to the youth.
He looked lost, vulnerable. Peeta comprehended the lad's appearance. Many including himself felt forlorn and damaged by the drastic losses incurred. The island was hit twice by the plague. The first sweep killed the weak and ill four years ago. The second round occurred two years later and it took any able bodied person. His family was plucked from the earth like a child pulling flowers from the ground.
He never thought he'd inherit anything. He thought he'd die at one point, but he survived. This young child was a survivor, but on his face the wound was fresh. His gaze scanned the boy's physique, trying to determine his age. He had a bow strapped across his small shoulders, legs that were formed but did not have the girth of a man's legs. His body stirred suddenly as he stared at the boy's legs. Never having this reaction to a male, Peeta shook his head. He'd only reacted this way to women.
He forced himself to stop gawking at the boys legs, forcing his vision up to stare at the face, a small handsome face with wide silver eyes, a striking contrast to his olive skin tone. Peeta felt his member's refusal to calm down. It'd been nearly four years since he'd touched a woman. He held no drive, not even with the beauteous Lady Cartwright. Peeta closed his eyes willing his body to return to its natural state.
When he opened his eyes he found the boy curiously staring at the archers as they shot their arrows. The child turned his head to look forward and Peeta saw the pin on the Sinbad turban, a bird in flight with an arrow clutched in its talons. His infatuation forgotten as his blue eyes widened. He whispered, "A Mockingjay."
"What?" Jo narrowed his eyes.
"A Mockingjay." Peeta couldn't believe it. He thought they were all dead. Yet here was one. Fascinated, he walked forward.
Finnick was about to open his mouth when he Peeta cut him off. "You are one of the Mockingjays?"
"The last of the Mockingjays," Cinna corrected. "The plague infiltrated the northern most mountains. The boy is the only survivor. He looks for employment, having lost all."
The lad became flushed under his scrutiny. Peeta softened his voice, feeling a kinship with the younger man. He thought his earlier reaction must have been a momentary madness. He felt protective of the child. "What is your name?"
The boy could not speak.
"Is he mute?" Peeta asked.
"Just shy my lord," Blight quickly replied. "His tragedy still haunts him. But he is a most accomplished archer."
"He is the only survivor from the region."
Peeta could hear the way Cinna and the seaman defended the lad.
He gentled his voice further. "Do you wish to show me what you can do with your bow?"
The lad shakily nodded his head.
"Okay." Peeta looked to Jo.
The boy followed Jo.
Peeta watched the boy as Jo gave him instructions. Jo was a bit rough, but he had a heart of gold. The boy nodded and scurried to take his place.
The Mockingjays were renowned for their archery skills. They were legends. His father had regaled him with stories of the Everdeen and Hawthorne clan. Peeta recalled them well.
The Hawthorne's hailed from Britannia, Romans who traded and struck a tenuous trading with the Everdeen's from the Seam. When the Romans began attacking Panem the Hawthorne's joined the Everdeen's in the fight. Their daring, their rebellion against the Romans, the hope they spread unified Panem. The families were so intertwined all who lived in the area held strong resemblance. This child looked exotic amongst the pale men in the courtyard. Peeta couldn't imagine being the only survivor of an entire region.
He watched as the lad took the first shot. His arms shook and Peeta knew the boy was nervous. Jo laughed at the child and his face soured. Angrily, the boy shot three arrows in quick succession pinning Jo to the tree, then spun and fired the next arrow on the bullseye.
The crowd grew quiet as the lad ran and entered the obstacle course. He ran over the hurdles, crawled beneath them, bow in hand and each time his aim true and deadly. He was quick, agile and a sight to behold.
"I've never seen anyone with that ability," Peeta whispered in awe.
Finnick answered, "Your Grace, having such an archer in your company could be advantageous."
"Finnick I want him," Peeta uttered.
"He is the Mockingjay," Blight whispered proudly.
Peeta swiftly turned to Cinna. "You shall be recompensed highly Cinna for bringing him here."
"No need, your grace. Knowing the lad is under your care is enough for us. Though my friend Blight is a seaman and is looking for employment."
"Then he shall have it. Finnick will personally see to it."
"Of course," Finnick bowed. "Cesario, please attend to his grace's friends well. I will be by later to dispense with your payment."
Cesario grinned, and bowed. "Come along gentlemen it shall be my greatest pleasure to serve you."
On the field, everyone gathered round to see the young boy complete the course. They applauded loudly when he finished.
Katniss was glad to have the challenge.
The course gave her the opportunity to forget her earlier mortification. Hunting always put her in a good mood. She took the challenge to heart, hoping to erase her erratic behavior from before.
She could not believe she lost her calm around the Duke. She'd never had such a reaction to a man. If a man could be beautiful, then he was the very definition of that word. His body well-disciplined to the art of war was ripped with muscles that rippled when he moved his arms. His blue eyes heated her blood. His voice was rough, but when he spoke to her it gentled and it caused her ears to turn pink. She was a mess, standing before such chiseled perfection.
This was a strong man who knew how to strike, but was aware of his strength and chose tenderness instead. She was aware of him on a very elemental level and she did not know if she could carry this farce. Katniss straightened intending on collecting her arrows.
She looked for her friends, as they departed. Her test began.
"What is your name lad?"
Katniss startled by his presence did not know where to look. She retorted back to her mother's instruction, she looked down.
"Sebastian," Cinna replied.
She sought Cinna's look with one of her own.
"Is that your name?" The Duke asked.
Katniss nodded.
"Sebastian is a fine name to pass down to your future family."
"Your Grace that will never be, the plague," Katniss lowered her lashes to stop herself from blushing. "I am a eunuch."
The Duke voice was filled with such compassion when he said, "Come Sebastian join me at my table this evening."
Katniss had not seen such benevolence since her father was alive. Cinna and Blight were kind by taking up her cause, but the Duke's invitation for her to sit at his table having only just met him floored her.
"Thank you," Katniss bowed her head slightly in recognition of the honor she was bestowed.
"No need for such pleasantries Sebastian, please," the Duke straightened Katniss up by the shoulders. "I shall call you friend, and you shall call me by my Christian name Peeta."
"Your Grace, I mean Peeta," Katniss stumbled out.
Peeta laughed. "Come, I wish to introduce you to Finnick and Jo."
Katniss followed him.
"Tell me how long did it take you to arrive here from The Seam?"
Katniss furrowed her brow. "A little over a year, your-"
"Peeta," The Duke interjected for her.
"Peeta," Katniss uttered.
"I wish to train you myself." The Duke said when they arrived to meet his guards.
"Well, Mockingjay," Finnick said. "You have indeed proved your assets."
It took everything in Katniss power not to blush.
"What say you? Will you be my personal squire?"
"I shall be at your service," Katniss bowed respectfully.
Finnick announced boastfully. "Congratulations!"
Katniss bowed slightly to Finnick as well, even though she was the daughter of a knight, in this instance he was her superior. "Thank you, sir."
"Look Jo, a lad with manners," Finnick quipped.
Jo snickered, "Look Jo, a lad with manners."
Katniss looked confused.
"The seam was filled with poor folk. How do we know you are from the house of the Mockingjay? Where is your proof?"
Katniss answered honestly, "I have no proof, nothing in which to claim my ancestry. I might as well be a maid left bereft to the cruel world. If his grace does not desire for me to be in his army, then I will implore him to take me."
"Never mind these two. They are related and often are at each other's throats, but I will warn you their bond is thick. Never try to come between them or you shall face Finnick's trident or Jo's ax."
Peeta slung his arm over her tiny shoulders. Gale never touched her like this and she wanted to skirt away, but she stayed as she was dragged into the castle.