Hi! So here we have the so awaited lanterns scene. It was fun to write it. I don't know if Katniss' thoughts are according to the thoughts you had when you viewed this scene but I hope it's good :)

I don't own THG characters nor Tangled world. Enjoy!

I'm really going to make my dream true.

I have been waiting for so long to see the lanterns and now it's finally here.

Peeta is rowing the boat to the middle of nowhere.

"Shouldn't we be closer to the island?" I ask concerned.

"Well if you want to see the lanterns, you have to see it from a special place." He smiles.

I turn around and let my thoughts wander. I'm still a bit confused with what happened before. We were just joking and then suddenly Peeta turns serious and does something unexpected. When he put that flower behind my ear, I felt something course through me. Almost like electricity. His touch was so soft and gentle, I was paralized. I don't know what would have happened if Gale hadn't interfered. And just a few moments ago, we were so close. I just wanted to get closer. I have never had this kind of thoughts. Does this mean I feel something towards Peeta? Those are just normal reactions when a woman is close to a man. I think that's what my books say.

Peeta stops the boat and turns so we can see the kingdom from one side of the boat. The sun has already set, bringing the night sky with a few stars. The moon illuminates one side of the kingdom, leaving the other almost in darkness. Only now I'm realising this trip is almost over and I'll have to go back to those four walls, not ever knowing what happens after this. I sigh.

"Are you ok?" Peeta asks.

"I don't know." I look at him. "I feel sad and scared."

"Why?"

I take a deep breath. "After all this time, seeing the lanterns from my window and dreaming how would feel to see them closer, makes me scared." Peeta smiles sadly. "What if they aren't how I dreamed?"

"It will be." He reassures.

I scoff softly. "And then, what will I do?"

"You find a new dream. I guess."

"Maybe." I smile.

"And you're sad... why?" Peeta encourageous.

I chuckle sadly. "I'll have to leave all of this behind and never worry about it anymore. This was just a one of a lifetime moment."

"You know you don't need to go back."

"Of course I have. I promise myself I would return for my mother. I can't break this promise." I state.

"Ok." He whispers.

I turn my gaze to the water and see my reflection. It's me but I look different. This strange girl reflected looks different. She looks full of life and her eyes shine more brigthly. This girl is me and I like her. I want to live this life. I want to be free and see the world. I don't understand why Mother never gave me a change to see this. There's nothing wrong here. I put my hand inside the water and the reflection disappears into little waves. I lift my hand and start tracing the outlines of the kingdom's reflection with my fingertips.

I see a little point moving on the kingdom's reflection. Is that a fish?

I gasp. The lanterns. I look up just in time to see something incredible happen. Dozens of lanterns start following the main lantern. I get up fast and move to the bow without breaking eye contact with the lanterns. I hold onto it and stare at the lanterns rising into the night sky. They are so beautiful, I can't tear my eyes from it. Some ships on the water also start launching the lanterns into the sky, covering it with millions of lanterns. So many colours cover the nightly dark blue. Oranges, violets, yellows, soft pinks. It is even more beautiful up close than from my window. It feels like I'm inside a painting, now that the night sky is more starry and shines more brightly with thousands of little glowing points. The lanterns are also reflected on the water surface, making it seem like we're floating.

I suddenly remember that Peeta is also watching this. I turn around and see him holding two lanterns, with a gentle smile on his face. I smile at him and move to the bench. This is the moment of truth.

"I... well," I start. "I also have something for you."

I grab the satchel that's beneath my bench. When we were almost reaching the boat, I took the satchel from Gale's bag and hide it behind my back and when we were sailing, I hid it beneath the bench. I show Peeta the satchel and he has a confused look on. I breath deeply.

"I should have given it to you before, but I was scared because..." I can't even finish the sentence without saying something stupid. I was scared because I thought he would leave me. I have gotten so used to him, that I don't want him to leave. I don't know what I feel for him but I know I care for him. He isn't a bad guy. He is funny without the sarcastic part, kind and smart.

"And I'm not scared anymore, you know." I confess.

He is looking at me differently. His blue eyes are so clear, that almost reflect the lanterns light. He moves one lantern to his other side and touches the satchel with his hand. He grabs it and puts it on the boat floor.

"Yes." He says softly. I give him a big smile.

He hands me one lantern and together we launch them. I watch them rise and mix with the other lanterns. I look all around me and the lanterns are surrounding us from everywhere. This day is being amazing and it's everything I dreamed about. I feel something touch my hand. I look down and see Peeta holding my hand. His eyes are gazing into mine. I realise something that I have suspected a day ago. Peeta has feelings for me and this changes everything. He may love me more than just friendship and I don't have the will power to leave him now, go back to that old life where my days were always the same and maybe wait for a new oportunity to see the world again but I can't break my promise. Maybe when we return to the tower, I can ask Mother. I hope she understands.

He holds my other hand between his and smiles adoringly at me.

"Katniss," Peeta starts. "I have realised something."

I look at him, waiting for him to say it. He raises one hand and touches my cheek gently. He moves it to my jaw and very slowly starts leaning down. By instinct, I close my eyes. I wait to feel his lips on mine but when I open my eyes, he is looking somewhere.

"What's wrong?" I ask concerned.

He looks startled at me. "Huh.. Nothing. It's just..."

Suddenly he grabs the oar and starts rowing to the main land. The lanterns have long gone dissappeared, only leaving some to take their place as stars. I don't understand this sudden change in him. Something happened. He looks almost frighten. We reach the main land, stopping the boat into the sand. He get out of the boat and grabs the satchel. I stare at him. Why does he need that?

"I... I'll be right back." He says. "I just need to resolve something."

He smiles at me and turns around, walking away and leaving me alone with Prim. I sigh. I hope everything is fine.

Peeta was going to kiss me. That was his way of showing me his feelings but do I feel something for him? I care for him. I think love is to early to talk about. I need to sort this throught my mind before we return. Prim climbs to my shoulder just when I see a shadow, coming through the fog. I get out of the boat and stand next to it.

"I thought you had left and taken the satchel with you." I sigh relieved.

Suddenly the shadow changes and two men appear. I gasp. It's those men that were chasing Peeta.

"Yeah he did." One of them says.

"He wouldn't do that." I say doubtfully.

"See for yourself."

I look at the water and see a caravel. Someone is sailing it.

"Peeta?"

I move closer to the water surface and can see the outline of... Peeta. No.

"Peeta!" I shout. He doesn't respond. What happened?

"I think it is fair to say that the girl with the magic hair is more valuable than a simple crown." What?! I turn around quickly and stare at them.

"What do you want?" My heart is beating fast.

"To stay young forever." They both smirk evilly.

They start walking to me, so I run away as fast as I can through the sandy shore. I hear two bangs and a familiar voice.

"Mother?" I move slowly back to the boat and see Mother standing there with a big tree branch. The two men are passed out on the sand.

"Oh Katniss." Mother drops the branch, walks to me and hugs me with so much force. She pulls away.

"Are you ok dear?" She searches my face for any sign of hurt.

"Mother, how did you find me?" She appeared out of nowhere.

"I was so worried after you left that I followed you." She breaths. "And then I saw them attacking you. Let's go before they wake up."

She starts pulling me into the forest but I stop and look at the water, where the caravel with Peeta still sails to the island. I can't believe he really did it. It feels as though everything we did together was a way for him to get his satchel back and then run away. Maybe the kiss was just a distraction. I feel a tear run down my cheek. He played with my feelings. I turn around from him and follow Mother.

I hoped you like it. Now this is where the original story stops. The next chapter is going to be Katniss' POV again and I am putting a twist and a change in a lot of things. It is a surprise but maybe you can guess what I'm going to do. You'll have to wait maybe a few days before I update the next chapter. I already started writing it but since I'm going to put new ideas, it will take a bit of time to write.

Don't forget to review this chapter :)