Chapter 28: Decisions

Grandfather led me back through the marshes to where his elk was standing. I started making sense of him after being here. He tended to be cold in several ways; however, it came because of what had happened here thousands of years ago.

I hoisted myself onto the elk while Grandfather surveyed the land one last time before mounting in front of me. He urged his elk, and we galloped across the plains.

"Grandfather, what will happen when I return?" I asked him.

"You will have to make your choice," he answered in the same cold demeanor that I had gotten used to.

"I still don't know what I should do," I interjected.

"I can only bide you a little time," Grandfather answered. "You cannot escape this."

"I know, but I don't also want to be manipulated into fighting."

"You won't be," Grandfather answered. "It is not in your nature to allow that."

I didn't bother arguing with him on that point. Instead, I focused on what was going to happen when we arrived back to Mirkwood. I assumed it would be nightfall when we came because I expected the envoy from Thirteen to be there. Grandfather and I had reached at the Dead Marshes around midday and remained there until around nightfall before we left. I expected the return journey to be faster since Grandfather was forcing the elk to move quicker.

I retreated to my thoughts trying to decide whether or not I should join this war. I couldn't forget what I had seen in the Dead Marshes. The corpses lying haphazardly in the murky water. My great-grandfather buried within the waterbed as though he still had a significant burden upon him. His knuckles clutching the hilt of his sword. A true testament of the utter and wasteless destruction that occurs during war. What was the benefit of the war? In contrast, I could see the bliss and peace that the inhabitants had thousands of years after this war and only a few years after the last one had ended. This was the benefit.

I started examining the life I had known in District Twelve. Starvation. Death, Fear. Defeat. I remembered seeing all of these in the other districts as well.

The moon was high enough in the sky whenever we arrived back at the border of Mirkwood. At the threshold of the entrance, Grandfather slid off before assisting me. I didn't understand why we were walking down the path in the forest.

"I assumed you would rather delay your meeting with the envoy," Grandfather answered as he let go of me.

"Thanks," I answered under my breath.

Grandfather took hold of the reins and started leading the elk through the path. My hands grasped the bridle to ensure that I didn't end up getting lost. When we had made it within a few miles, several members of the elven guard led by Nana. I stood by the elk as Grandfather and Nana exchanged a few words in elvish. There was something about Nana that made me think that she was worried about something. Grandfather gave a signal with a wave of his hand allowing the guard to separate as he led his elk through the group.

I marched next to Nana as we traversed through the forest. When I had moved to walk next to her, she had given me a look. I only returned it suggesting that I didn't want to talk about it.

We soon arrived at the gates as the two guards stood at attention. Nana moved to stand in front of one of the pillars as the rest of the guard entered the halls while I continued to follow behind Grandfather. The guard was dismissed, and I followed Grandfather towards the wing where most of our bedrooms were located.

"Do not trouble yourself with the past," Grandfather said as we turned to enter the hallway.

"What?" I asked.

"I could tell that you still dwelled on what you had seen," he answered."

"I was trying to make my decision," I answered.

"As I had told you, I would give you some time before your choice would have to been made," Grandfather answered as we arrived at the doors that led to my room.

"How are you going to do that?" I asked him. "I am going to be asked over and over again tomorrow."

"I shall post a guard outside your chambers come tomorrow after I greet the envoy in person," Grandfather answered as I opened the doors to my rooms. "Katniss, I would not fear such things until tomorrow morning."

"Thank you," I answered him as he closed the door. I took a deep breath before turning to walk down the hallway that connected my bedroom and bathroom to the living room. I went into my bedroom to choose one of the dresses from the wardrobe. The skirt and bodice of the dress I picked was a silvery color that was made a delicate fabric. The sleeves were a deep red that would billow around my arms and were of a more substantial material.

I carried the dress to the bathroom where I hung it on one of the changing screens. I ripped the clothes from earlier off and bathed in a bath Nana must have had drawn for me. Afterward, I dried off and changed into the dress. I decided to tie back the top part of my hair back exposing my pointed ears. I found myself at a loss for words since I realized I hadn't been thinking about something like that for the past few months. I then walked back into the living room to watch as a servant set a plate down with some food and a pitcher filled with water.

"Thank you," I said as she bowed her head.

"Your mother requested this," she answered as she left the room.

I then filled one of the glasses with the water and took a sip when the door opened as Calanon entered the room. He seemed to be more agitated than when we had left the realm.

"What happened?" I asked him as he poured himself another glass of water.

"Our guests have been somewhat bothersome," Calanon answered. "Their leader was among the envoy, and she kept asking where you were."

"What did you tell her?" I asked setting the glass back down on the table.

"I would reply that Grandfather had taken you on a journey and that you would be returning soon," Calanon answered.

"What did she do afterward?" I asked him.

"She would them ask where you had gone," Calanon answered starting to pace.

"I assume that you came here about something else," I continued.

"That I did," Calanon answered, "I came to warn you that you should have your decision made concerning this issue. President Coin seems to be dogmatic about what you want to do."

"Grandfather promised to buy me some time," I answered him.

"Sister," Calanon addressed me, "you will be asked about this come tomorrow morning when the envoy meets with Grandfather."

"I didn't think that I would have to attend," I answered him.

"Grandfather only will allow us to attend when the introductions are made, and then he will dismiss Itariell because she tis not old enough."

"I thought you and I are considered to be little children to the other elves," I said voicing a concern I had.

"We are, but around our age, there is enough mental development to where we could handle it," Calanon answered.

"Who was in the envoy?" I asked him.

"She brought one of her generals," Calanon started, "I recall his name being Boggs. There was another man, Finnick I think."

"He gave me a head start before Thirteen came after me," I interrupted.

"Grandfather would most likely give him his gratitude. There were two others. Plutarch Heavensbee."

"I would have thought he would be on the opposite side of this war."

"There was a fourth man, a Haymitch Abernathy," Calanon finished.

"I would lock up your wine," I remarked.

"The strange thing was that we tried to offer them some wine, but Coin made them refuse," Calanon answered.

"I wonder how Haymitch is surviving?" I asked sarcastically.

"Oddly enough, Haymitch has also been asking for you," Calanon remarked.

"Figures," I answered, "I told him of my father's plan, and he called the shot for Finnick to let me go."

"Grandfather would be posting the guard in front of your chambers tomorrow, and I believe he is hovering somewhere near the dungeons lecturing out our prisoner only a few moments ago when I was coming to speak to you," Calanon answered.

"I think I should speak with him," I said catching Calanon's drift.

Calanon held the door open for me as we both left the room going in opposite directions when we made it to the entrance to the hall. Calanon turned to go his own room while I traveled to the dungeons. The guards paid me no attention as I stood beside the path that would have led down to the cells. I could hear Haymitch as he was yelling at Gale for his stupidity concerning his actions over the previous days.

I waited for a good ten minutes before Haymitch turned to travel back up the stairs. Our eyes met as he was about ten feet from reaching the surface. It took him a moment before he recognized who I was.

"Well sweetheart," he addressed me, "never thought you would voluntarily wear something that nice. Every young man in the damned Capitol would be fighting to get a shot with you."

I then rushed up to him giving him an embrace before letting go. "Thank you," I said as I let go.

"I do have a message from your father," Haymitch said. "Spoke with him offering him help to escape with your sister. He turned it down instead wanted me to buy you some time before Thirteen set on your trail."

"What did he want me to know?"

"He wanted me to tell you that whether you choose to fight in this war or not, he would think no more or no less of you for whichever position you choose."

"Sounds about right," I answered him.

"This is where you were born?" he asked indicating he was talking about outside. "Nice home. Guess the family outings were fun out in the woods."

"Helps when your mother is the Captain of the Guards, and your father is a seasoned warrior."

"Seems I didn't have to do much to help you. Gave us a pretty good chase."

"Gale told me," I interrupted.

"I told Thirteen that you were going west," Haymitch continued. "The most your dad told me was that you would be heading north."

"How long did they go down that rabbit trail?" I asked.

"They were one it for about two days before we learned that the Capitol declared that you had crossed the northern border."

"Did the Capitol know where I was?" I asked him.

"Based on the intel we got from the Capitol, you would have been a good hundred feet from the border. They were looking for a place to get you, but you crossed the border before they were able to. Thirteen scanned the general area you could have been about a day after Capitol reported you were over the border."

"I doubt the would have found me," I answered. "I was within the forest near Gondor."

"Sweetheart, I know you elves are faster than mortals, but I doubt you made the full journey on your own."

"I had help for allies of my father," I answered him. "Then my mother helped me when I was within this forest."

"Yes, she met us this morning when we entered," Haymitch said. "Your father knows how to pick them. I had to keep myself from laughing when Coin tried to order her around. Your mother and siblings wouldn't tell any of us where you and King Thranduil ran off to."

"He wanted to show me something to offer a different perspective concerning my decision," I answered him.

"What did he show you?" Haymitch asked. "Coin suspected he did something to you."

"The king wouldn't have done anything to me since he is my grandfather," I answered him.

"You, the granddaughter of a king," Haymitch stated looking amused. "No wonder Gale is sore towards you."

"I tried to talk to him a few days ago, but he wouldn't listen. He got mad when I said that I hadn't made up my mind. Did anything happen after I shot the arrow in the arena?"

"Snow dispatch a fleet to firebomb Twelve. Your adoptive mother died in the attack, but a few got out. The Capitol managed to capture your lover,-"

"Don't," I interrupted, "I don't want to have to explain this to certain elves." Haymitch nodded showing that he understood what I had meant.

"Peeta was captured by the Capitol and so was Johanna Mason," Haymitch finished. "A couple others were taken such as Annie."

"How is Finnick holding up?" I asked feeling slightly concerned.

"He is fine for now, but I doubt that he can go on like this forever," Haymitch answered. "It is about time I head back before Coin starts looking for me. Doubt you would like to meet her without someone else there."

I nodded and walked back to my rooms to ponder what I had learned. My adoptive mother was dead. Peeta and Johanna were now prisoners in the Capitol. Ada and Prim were also still there. I paced within the main hall trying to decide what I should do. I felt sorry for Peeta knowing that I was the reason why he was now a prisoner.

A knock sounded at my door before I called for them to enter. Itariell entered the room. She wore a dress that was similar to mine, but it was more patterned than the dress that I was wearing. On her brow, she wore a crown that was silver and held a different one in her hands that was also silver.

"Nana wanted me to give this to you," she said handing it to me.

"Thank you," I told her.

"Are you going to leave to fight?" she asked.

"I haven't decided," I answered shortly. "Why? Are you worried?"

"It seems like you had just arrived," she answered, "I don't know if I can bear you leaving again. I had always wanted to know my sisters especially since I have grown up around a brother."

"I wouldn't be returning alone," I answered before adding in, "if I do leave."

"You would be bringing Primrose and Ada back?" she asked sounding excited.

"I would," I answered as I gazed on the crown before putting it on.

The door opened again as Itariell and I turned to see Calanon entered the room. He looked slightly frustrated until he saw Itariell in the room with me before he threw his shoulders back.

"There you are," he said to Itariell. "I had been looking all over for you."

"Why?" she asked.

"It is nearly time for us to meet Nana and Grandfather in his throne room," he answered.

"Already?" I asked.

"They can't do anything to you with Grandfather in the room with you," Calanon answered.

He opened the door as Itariell and I exited. We walked in a small cluster through the hallway and down the path to Grandfather's throne. I could see that he and Nana were already in the room waiting for us. She stood to the side of the throne with her hand resting on one of her daggers while Grandfather was reclining against his throne. The three of us hurried down the path to reach the circle.

I followed Calanon's lead and stood next to him as he stood to the right of Nana. Itariell then stood the right of me. Grandfather gazed on us for a second before looking straight ahead. It had seemed as though he didn't want to know what had happened. None of us had time to ask before he saw the envoy walking up the path.

Nana stiffened at the sight of their leader, Coin. She was tall and lanky with the appearances of an older woman. One of the men next to her was bulkier in size with darker skin, Boggs. Haymitch, Finnick, and Plutarch looked different dressed in the green jumpsuits that were identical to the ones Coin and Boggs were wearing.

"King Thranduil," Coin addressed him, "I graciously thank you for your hospitality towards us." There was something that I didn't trust about her. "I would have been quicker if your Captain had given us your location."

I snickered to myself as Grandfather interrupted her by saying, "As was per my orders." I caught Haymitch and Finnick also giggling to themselves as well.

"I am confused as to why you would keep to yourself when you were expecting us?" she asked.

"The matter of that is best to be left between my granddaughter and I," he answered leaving Coin confused. It took her a while before she had worked it out that I was his granddaughter. She chose then to ignore it.

"I would present to you one of my generals, General Boggs," she said hastily. "I do not doubt that you know of our current situation."

"That I do," he answered. "I know that two of your companions fought in those accursed games and other actively designed them."

"I have come here to negotiate the release of Gale Hawthorne," she then declared before adding, "and you turning over Katniss Everdeen."

Nana narrowed her eyebrows as Calanon looked down trying to stifle a laugh. I looked up to Grandfather. He retained a stoic expression.

"I will grant you the first part of the request when you depart," Grandfather said as he dismissed Itrariell. "However, you have no authority to command me to force my granddaughter to leave with you."

"Our people see her a symbol of the rebellion sir," Plutarch said stepping forward. "Our success could depend on her."

"I have known of what has been going on for several weeks now," Grandfather said. "I have faced the flames of war several times over my thousands of years. I know the cost. I know what happens. I leave this up to her."

The envoy remained silent. Calanon nudged me pointing with his head towards the entrance. I understood what he was telling me. The silence was then broken as Coin started arguing with Grandfather. Nana soon joined in as Calanon helped me to exit.

I quickly rushed back to my room to see two guards waiting for me. They stood to attention as I approached and stepped to the side. I opened the door and quickly shut it behind me.

I ran my hands through my hair after I took the crown off setting it on a table. I walked around trying to understand what was going on. It felt as though my warnings were an understatement of the truth. I kept taking deep breaths trying to calm down. I kept pacing as I mulled over everything I had saw and heard over the past few days.

I remembered the Dead Marshes. The fate that happened to Peeta and Johanna. The destruction that occurred in Thirteen. My adoptive mother's death. My importance in the upcoming rebellion.

I sat in one of the chairs mulling over what had happened throughout my escape to now. I weighed all the pros and cons of my decision. I kept fighting against a surge of justice that surrounded me. It could cause me to make an irrational decision.

There was a commotion outside my doors. I didn't care enough to find out what was going on, so I kept going over everything. Hours passed until the doors opened as Nana walked in.

"What happened?" I asked her as she sat in a chair in front of me.

"President Coin tried to come in to speak with you," she answered.

"Not surprised," I said. "As I was thinking, I kept finding that either way I choose, the future is uncertain."

"The future is an uncertain thing," she answered as she took my hands.

"I kept thinking that I needed to do this because of justice," I continued. "Each way I was thinking, I kept thinking that I needed to go through with this."

"I cannot stop you," she said. "If you wish to fight, I would take more than your grandfather's army to stop you."

"I will fight then," I said as Nana gave a little smile.

She then left the room briskly. At dinner that night, the envoy had known that I chose to fight with them for their cause. Grandfather spoke little with me to see if this was my decision or if I had been influenced by one of the envoy without his knowledge.