Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. This one will be a bit shorter but highly important.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 21- A Warning

I gently bounce Willow in my arms as I walk slowly around the hospital room, trying to calm her. She's been a little cranky for the last few minutes. I tried feeding her, but it's clear she's not hungry.

"Oh, why are you crying, my pearl?" I ask her. Willow just keeps crying.

I keep walking around with her for a few more moments, wondering what else to do to try and calm her down. Then, something occurs to me, and I begin to softly sing to her.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

As I sing to her, Willow slowly begins to quiet down. And by the time I'm done singing, she has completely quieted down. I smile and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead and whisper to her, "I love you, and I will always protect you."

I move over to an armchair and sit down, gently cradling and just watching her. She's not asleep, but at least she's quiet and calm.

Suddenly, I hear the door open. I look up and see a man walk in wearing dark pants and a leather jacket. He stands with his hands clasped in front of him, just looking at me. Then, a second later, President Snow slowly walks in.

I stare at him, trying to keep my face emotionless, while internally, rage, horror, and fear well up. I instantly feel an intense desire to run, to get my daughter as far away from this snake of a man.

Snow looks at me for a moment before he walks a few step closer to he can see Willow's face. He looks at her for several moments before he says, "Such a lovely little girl."

"President Snow. What brings you to my hospital room today?" I ask.

Snow smiles slightly. "Why, I want to meet the little baby who is the talk of Panem," he says.

He looks down at her for several moments, then looks back at me. Now, his face hardens and he looks at me mercilessly. Yeah, I knew this wasn't an innocent visit.

"Miss Everdeen…my apologies, Mrs. Mellark," he says, catching himself with a smile. His smile quickly fades however, and he says, "I am sure why you are wondering why the Games were cancelled. I am sure you thought I would never have it in me to cancel the Games."

He pauses, then says, "Believe me, cancelling the Games was not something I wanted to do. However, the Capitol was already on tenterhooks after your interviews before the Games, and the whole country learned you were pregnant. However…even then, there was enough support for the Games."

He pauses for a moment, then says, "However, the moment people realized your child was about to be born in the arena…that was it. People in the districts began to rise up. I was ready, to quash all the rebellions. However…as soon as your daughter was born, and your first moments with her were broadcast to all the nation…well, it was too much for the people in The Capitol. Almost all of the people in The Capitol threatened to riot and rise up against me if I did not cancel the Games and allow you and your child and husband to live. Even some of my closest advisors could not bear it any longer. I had no choice at that point but to cancel the Games."

I had a feeling since we left the arena that that was why the Games were cancelled, but it feels a bit good knowing for sure. I also find it somewhat weird that for the first time in history, the Games were cancelled, all because of a baby.

Snow looks at me even more harshly. "Believe me, Mrs. Mellark, it was not a decision that was easy. Even despite the threat of riot in the Capitol, I almost didn't make it. However, many rebels in the districts also promised to stand down if the Games were cancelled. I figured it was a good way to kill two birds with one stone, so I did it. But believe me, Mrs. Mellark, this changes little. You have been the symbol for the revolution. Despite their promise, the rebels are not done. The seeds of rebellion have been sown. And if they are watered…rebellion will grow. Do you understand what I am asking of you?"

Even though he hasn't actually asked the question, I know what Snow is asking. I nod once and say, "Yes. I promise I won't do anything to stoke any rebellion."

"Good. You made good on your promise to convince me that you are in love with Peeta. If you fail to make good on this promise, your punishment will be even worse. Trust me, Mrs. Mellark, this is far from over. You think you have been let off easy? Don't be so sure. If you fail to keep the districts pacified…I promise you that our daughter will die a horrible death," Snow says. He then turns and slowly walks out of the hospital room.

I sit there, silent and completely unmoving for at least a minute, thinking over Snow's threat. I had not expected us to have been let off easily. However, actually hearing him threaten Willow scares me more than anything. I want so badly to see the Capitol overthrown, to see Snow pay for what he's done…but I can never allow harm to come to my baby girl.

I don't know how long I'm sitting there in silence before the door opens again and Peeta walks in. He looks over at me and immediately sees the expression on my face. He walks over and kneels down in front of me, putting his hands on my knees. "Katniss, what's wrong?" he asks in concern.

"President Snow just came to visit. And…he threatened to have Willow killed if we don't do all we can to make sure the districts don't rebel," I say.

Peeta is silent for several moments before he says, "Katniss, we can do it. It's our job to protect Willow. And I know we can do it. I know that, deep down, you want to see the Capitol overthrown. But we can't. We have to protect Willow. And I promise that we will protect her."

I just nod once. Peeta them moves to my side so he can hug both me and Willow. And I cry slightly, fearing for the safety of my daughter.

And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this chapter.

So, next chapter will wrap up this story. It will be up later today. Until it is up. Please leave me a review, and stay tuned!