Peeta
The journey to the kingdom of the Elves had taken just under a fortnight but today, Katniss says, we will arrive. The excitement and curiosity and excitement is vibrating through the camp as we prepare to depart for the day. The energized mummers keep us constant company as we march forward through the heat of the day.
Even with the sun beating down on our heads and our bodies continually growing weary the excitement only grows the closer we get. Katniss becomes more and more illuminated as we travelled further and further into the dense woods. The trees here were hundreds of years older than those that surround my kingdom. It is nearly sunrise; the sun is just kissing the horizon, when Katniss stops suddenly. The trees have become so thick I cannot see how we can continue. Just then, from behind two trees appear two large and graceful men who are in honest beautiful in every sense of the word, not nearly as beautiful as Katniss herself. The two men, obviously meant as guards to a passage we cannot see, and Katniss stare earnestly at each other before the man on the right lets a sparkling smile cross his face. He is tall and broad with a cut figure, tousled copper hair and eyes greener than emeralds. The other is tall as well and resembles Katniss in so many ways from the color of their eyes to the tone of their skin.
"Katniss!" The green-eyed one calls out. His spreads his arms out wide.
"Finnick!" She says while running into his outstretched arms. "It's so good to see you!" She cross the space over to the brooding man he smiles at her before gathering her up in his arms. Jealousy surges through my veins but I repress it because I know that they have far more claim to her than I do. But still I cannot help it.
"I missed you Catnip." He murmurs into her hair just loud enough that I can hear. Catnip? I wonder how that came about.
"I missed you to Gale." I cannot miss the affection in her voice and I hope it isn't romantic.
Katniss begins chanting in words that I do not understand and the trees begin to sway, almost dancing as the reveal the passage. Astonished gasps are heard all around me and I am left speechless.
Katniss leads the multitude of soldiers through the passage and everyone is left speechless by the sight beyond the thick wall of trees. The trees once again disperse allowing more space between them. They extend hundreds of feet above the ground and staircases wind around the trunks to what I assume are their homes. Everything is lit by light green lamps the lighting giving off a mystical aura. Every piece of architecture looks as though is was completely natural, as if the forest had grown to look just like that. Vines and branches twirled in intricate patterns to create doorways and windows.
Gale, as Katniss called him, turns to me and says, "Your men will be staying over there," he points to a number of buildings that resemble giant halls. "There are cots and more ready for them to rest, Finnick will lead the way. However the king and queen have requested your presence."
"We have one female warrior accompanying us as well is she to stay with the men as well?" I ask. His face is quizzical and baffled.
"A warrior, who is female?" He asks as if he cannot believe it. "I thought your women were to weak to engage in battle." I can see Katniss snickering behind him and I feel as if I am about to find out why.
"Listen here mister high and mighty." Johanna's voice appears along with the sound of her footsteps. "I don't know where you received your information but I assure you that I am more than competent enough to fight." Her voice is clipped and slightly angry. "In fact I bet I could fight your pompous ass and come out the victor." She is standing on her tiptoes her body nearly pressed completely against his. "Why don't we have a go at it right now if you don't believe me."
Gale is completely baffled and his mouth flaps open and shut like a fish. He has no response to the wild woman in front of him. The silence continues and he shakes his head. "No I believe you miss. Why don't we save the fighting for later."
"What a wuss." She grumbles as she stomps back toward the rest of the soldiers. "To chicken to fight a girl." Outrage and shock cross Gale's features, but mostly shock.
The whole crowd is silent at the exchange that just took place. Katniss and Finnick are snickering together. "I like her," Finnick chuckles, "She's even more spirited than little Katniss over here." He slaps her lightly on the back.
"She is something alright." Katniss laughs in response, her features lighting up in response.
Finnick breaks away and leads the troops to the indicated buildings. Gale is still frozen in shock so Katniss crosses over to him and slaps him on the arm. "It looks to me like you're already quite taken with a certain human, female warrior." She teases. Instantly he gains composure and turns to face her.
"Don't be ridiculous Katniss. Come on we have business with your parents to attend too." I follow behind him and Katniss my nerves already acting up. I am about to meet the people whom I have heard stories of all my life.
The palace is grand, with hints of gold and precious jewels set into the bark of the trees. Again looking as if it were naturally grown that way. We cross the threshold and into a great throne room, seated at the far end of the room, in front a grand window with the light from the sunset seeping through, is the king and queen. Katniss resembles her father in every way, except that her features are more feminine. Her mother has fairer skin, golden blonde hair that glows like the sun and eyes that shine blue. Beside them sits a girl who is younger in appearance but resembles the queen exactly.
"Katniss!" The younger girl shrieks before bounding across the room into Katniss' waiting arms. "Oh I missed you so much!" Tears of happiness streak the girls face and the smile that lights Katniss' face is unlike any I have seen so far. The king and queen cross the room, hand in hand, in a far more graceful and composed manner, both with smiling faces.
"Katniss." The queen's voice is warm with affection as she gently embraces her daughter. She and her father share a light laughter as they embrace. He says, "My daughter I have missed your presence greatly." They merely embrace tighter in response.
After their reuniting Katniss introduces me. "We are deeply grateful for your help young Prince." Her father addresses me, "The soldiers you have brought will certainly gain us advantage over Snow. We are forever in your debt."