The Lady of the Lake

So here we are again, but this time in sparkly gumboots.

As always the tumblr is alive and active, with many awesome questions being asked. I've also posted two more of the meme things. Including the scene of Darrien's death. :( I miss that boy so much.

The tumblr is located here or on my profile

thgladyofthelake

This chapter features the return of Deccia, (is it wrong I'm shipping her with Haymitch?), the return of Petra and her awkward questions, District 4 being awesome, Another epic snowball battle, and the Quell announcement.

Next chapter: The aftermath...aka Sky's not going down without a fight.

Review responses are at the end as always!

Enjoy!


Chapter 30

The atmosphere in District 2, when we pulled into the marble like station, and then made our way to the Hall of Justice stage, was markedly different to the other Districts we'd visited.

Here Cato takes centre stage.

We paid our homages to Clove, Peeta and Katniss just saying what the Capitol assigned them to say, while Cato and I made our salutes more personal. We had a moment of silence for her, the tiny, fierce fighter from 2, but again, the grief here was different.

They grieved, but it was full of pride. She'd brought Pride to her District, fighting to the end.

Throughout the ceremony I can feel eyes glaring at me from the side, the raised aside where Clove's and Cato's families stood. I glance over just once, and meet Vittor's dark, resentful gaze, standing beside his and Clove's mother and father.

He sneers and I look back out at the crowd, a shiver trailing down my spine.

After we have paid our respects to Clove however it's time for the District to celebrate. A feast is supplied, with rich meat and strong liquor, and fast paced dances full of stomping feet and clapping hands.

"Sky! Puddingface!" Deccia descends on me and Cato, giving me a kiss on the cheek as she ruffles Cato's hair. The young man growls at her, squirming away, "How have you been Sky? I hope Smallballs here hasn't been too much of a burden to endure?"

Finnick snorts into his wine and chokes as Cato glares at him and his sister, and Peeta pats his back biting down a smile.

"He's been tolerable," I reply, smiling at Cato who huffs, folding his arms and sulking, "Deccia let me introduce you to everyone. This is Finnick, Peeta, Katniss and that's Haymitch."

Haymitch has just wandered over to join us all, looking contentedly down into the large tankard of alcohol in his hand. He looks up at Deccia, and salutes her with his prize.

"Your District knows how to party, I respect that."

"Careful," Deccia drawls back, eyebrow arching at the tankard, "Honeyed mead is a bit stronger than your average bit of booze. You sure you can handle yourself beanstalk?"

Haymitch draws himself up indignantly, "I am nothing, if not a champion at quaffing down refreshments madam." He says haughtily, lifting the drink to his lips and taking a big gulp, just to prove his point, "I'm sure I can drink most of you soft 2's under the table."

Cato groans as his sister smirks, stepping forward.

"You're on." Deccia's eyes gleam and the next thing we know the two of them are sitting at the table opposite one another, staring each other down as they start to skull down their glasses, matching drink for drink.

"That is disturbing," Katniss muses, smiling slightly as we watch the two competitors staring each other down as they keep drinking, "My money's on Haymitch."

"You're on Fire Girl." Cato snorts, "You haven't seen Deccia drink before."

"I'm not cleaning the loser up," Peeta says, shaking his head as he looks at me. I roll my eyes back and he grins.

"Loser of the bet has to clean the loser of the contest up." Cato says challengingly, staring down Katniss, "You in?"

"Bring it." Katniss retorts and the two of them move to urge on their respective competitors.

Finnick, Peeta and I watch, amused.

"I'm sure our guests are horrified at my children's manners." A familiar voice comes from behind us, and we turn to see Petra, her smile warm as she comes forward to hug me, "Sky can verify they aren't always so appalling."

"Your daughter I have only just met," Finnick replies, smirking slightly, "But as for your son…"

"Finnick," I scold, as Petra laughs, detaching herself from me to greet Finnick and Peeta.

"It is good to see you again Mr Odair," Petra says with a smile, shaking his hand before turning to Peeta, "And you must be the lovely Peeta Mellark. My son thinks very highly of you."

Peeta looks surprised but pleased, "Thank you…the admiration is mutual."

"When did you meet Finnick?" I ask, surprised that the two of them know one another. Petra smiles and pets Finnick's cheek lightly.

"I dropped by my son's house while Mr Odair was delivering something." She winks at me, "I think they were sharing news about you dear."

More like news about the rebellion, I think with a internal chuckle, but just arch my eyebrow at Finnick.

"Have you been gossiping again Finnick?"

"I never gossip," He returns haughtily, "I am a man of sophistication and-"

"Hush dear." Petra interrupts him as she takes my arm with hers, "Sky and I are going to have some girl talk."

"Then I am going nowhere even remotely near you." Finnick sketches an elegant bow before hooking a firm hand around Peeta's bicep, "Come on Peeta, let's see how many of those marshmellows we can eat before we feel sick."

Peeta waves helplessly as Finnick strides off, dragging the younger man behind him, rather like a scarf trailing behind someone travelling at speed.

Petra smiles after them and then steers me over to a table serving some delicious stew.

"How are you and Cato going dear?"

"We're fine," I say, confused because what can you say to the mother of your lover, "I love your son very much," I add quietly.

"I know," she smiles secretively, "I could tell from the moment he greeted you at the train station all those months ago." She pats my cheek gently, "He feels the same. I don't know if he's managed to get the words out."

"He does struggle with it," I smile slightly, glancing over to where Cato is egging Deccia on, "He usually manages to get it out, usually around something else."

"Cato has always struggled to use his words." Petra smiles softly, "He always preferred to show people his thoughts, rather than waste time telling them. But you seem to understand that about him."

"It threw me at first…but I think I'm Cato-lingual now." I murmur, grinning at her chuckle.

"And Cato-sexual." Petra says, ignoring the mortified flush that creeps up over my face, "You two have been intimate after all…call it a mothers intuition."

I just blink at her.

This conversation could not get any more awkward.

"Is be being a thoughtful lover?" Petra asks then and I have to accept that in fact I'm wrong about the awkwardness, "Cato's father was always a bit wham-bam-thank you ma'am in the beginning but, he responded well to training and now he's very thorough."

By the time Cato comes to rescue me, I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to look him, Petra or his father in the face ever again.


In the end the drinking contest concluded as a draw, both competitors being unable to finish their last drink respectively.

Haymitch is morbidly hungover the next day, as is Deccia, and it makes me grin to find both of them in Cato's Victory House's kitchen the next morning, huddled in layer upon layer of fluffy blankets and jackets, both looking much the worse for wear.

Cato is unsympathetic and crashes around the kitchen making breakfast.

"I'm going to murder him," Deccia rasps, "He'd look better with a knife between his shoulderblades right now."

"I wouldn't stop you sweetheart," Haymitch grumbles, retreating down further into his pile of blankets, "I'll even pretend I saw nothing when the Peacekeepers come."

"Solidarity Beanstalk," Deccia says and stretches out a mittened hand. Haymitch bumps his fist against hers and then the two of them disappear back down into their bedding nests.

A hangover cure and a massive group breakfast later everyone bundles into their jackets, hoods, mittens and boots and we all trudge outside and up the mountainside to a clearing not far away from the Victor Village. There we waste a few hours making funny snow shapes and have another snowball fight.

The teams end up being Cato, Peeta, Finnick and Haymitch against Deccia, Katniss, me and Enobaria who shows up halfway through the snowshapes.

It's an epic battle, with much shrieking and laughing.

Enobaria takes Cato down and smushes a snowball down his pants.

Katniss tackles Haymitch and the two go rolling down a small hill until they hit a pine tree. The impact knocks the snow off the branches and buries the laughing pair in deep snow.

Deccia and Finnick mock duel with twigs until I sneak up behind Finnick and shove a snowball down the back of his shirt. He yelps and twists and Deccia claims victory by tackling him into the snow and straddling his chest.

"I'm the Queen!" she claims, before oofing as Peeta lobs another snowball at her head.

Even with me on my team, Deccia, Katniss and Enobaria kick the stuffing out of the other side and eventually we all just end up laying there in the snow, laughing hysterically.

It's as we straggle home to Cato's house, to get ready to board the train for 4 that Deccia pulls me to the side and introduces me to Enobaria properly.

She turns out to be another piece of the Rebellion's puzzle, and like Deccia and Cato, she pledges her loyalty to me, not to Katniss.

"They are two of the scariest women ever," Is Peeta's muttered aside to me as they stride off ahead, shoving at one another like sisters.

I nod. It's an accurate statement.


District 4 is blissfully warm after the cooler climate of District 2, and both Finnick and I let out sighs of joint relief at the smell of the salt sea.

I'd been so looking forward to showing Cato, Peeta and Katniss my home, but I forgot something before I could do that.

And it wasn't until we are standing on the small raised platform before the Hall of Justice, facing the people of 4. my people, that I realise I'm not nearly ready for this.

Six months ago, I'd stood here in this square, faced this building, this stage, and had my name called out as Tribute. Six months ago, the name Darrien Macmurra was called out alongside mine. And he'd not come home.

Katniss speaks first, a quiet, almost mumbled salute to Darrien that the Capitol gave her, unable to look at Darrien's family. Peeta takes over next, speaking of Darrien's warmth, strength and friendship, and Cato agrees, giving him the respect of a fallen warrior. My District is sympathetic to the boys, Peeta who had been Darrien's friend, and Cato who'd helped me farewell him.

Then it is my turn.

A part of me, a large part, wants to bolt, to run away from this obligation. But I owe Darrien this, to salute him as I saluted the other Tributes to fall.

Perhaps it is fitting that Darrien is the last Tribute to be farewelled.

Slowly I step forward and look out at all the familiar faces upturned towards me and then I look towards Shia, towards Verdor, towards Riam and Leadan. They are smiling at me, and it gives me the strength to speak.

"Darrien was everything a young man from District 4 should be," I begin, my voice wobbling slightly, "He was brave, he was loyal, he was bright, kind, loving, honourable and strong. He inspired loyalty in return, love in return. Those who knew him, truly knew him, cared for him."

I glance towards Cato, who nods encouragingly.

"But Darrien was more to me than just a Tribute, more than just my District partner. He was the brother I never knew I had, the kindred spirit I never thought I'd find. He kept me strong when all I wanted to do was break apart, and he kept me safe when all he should have done was worry about himself."

The tears begin to flow down my cheeks, unchecked because this time…this time I don't have the strength to fight them.

"He gave me hope and a fighting chance…he gave me love, comfort and inspiration…but he never knew that out of everyone…the person I most wanted to be like…was him." My voice breaks and for a moment I'm quiet, gathering myself together to finish.

"They say the worst thing is to be forgotten, to be ignored, to be invisible, to be pushed away and lost in memory. Which is why I vow….Darrien Macmurra will never be forgotten, not by me, and not by the people whose lives he touched. I hope…to be worthy of the life he helped give me. And to carry on his legacy."


The District 4 feast is incredible, and vastly different from the one in 2. This one is held on the beach, with long tables full of every kind of seafood our fishermen could gather.

The music is light, full of trilling flutes and fiddles, and light drum rhythms and the people wheel on the sand, kicking it up as they twirl in bare feet.

It's perfect, but I steal Cato away from the party just before sunset, taking him up the old cliff path up to the head where we sit, watching the sun go down over the vast stretch of water. Cato is mesmerised, never having seen the sea, especially not at sunset.

"It's beautiful," He murmurs, curling his arms around me where I am nuzzled back against his chest.

"It is," I agree, and tilt my head up for a kiss.

We stay there, just lazily kissing until the sunset is finished, until the last golden strands of light disappear behind the curtain of water, until night begins to fall across the sea. We turn for home when suddenly Cato grabs my hand and whispers, "Look."

One light and then another, and then another flicker into being until there are hundreds of little lights, all floating out into the sea. From the beach we hear voices, sweet voices, deep voices, the voice of an entire District, gently singing the mourning song, the song they sang, that I sang, to sing Darrien back to the sea.

And I realise that this is what that is.

They'd sung him to the sea, and I'd sung him to the sea, but I'd been their daughter, so far from home, unable to truly farewell him, and unable to truly articulate the ceremony to Cato, who had helped me, but hadn't truly understood.

Together we stand, listening to the song rising from the beach, the hundreds of lanterns floating out over the still waters.

It's still a mourning song, but it's also a song of war. Those lanterns aren't just for Darrien. They are for every child lost to the Hunger Games from District 4.

We are singing them back to the sea.

And we are preparing for war.


I leave Cato with Shia and my parents, along with Mags and a shy Annie, and slip out of my house to run back to the Hall of Justice.

Its full night now, the party has wrapped up and everyone is settling down for the night. I'm the solitary person running through the District, my feet thumping silently on the soft white sand.

I slip inside the building and head up to the Book repository, unlocking it with the key that I keep tucked away in the wooden cabinet.

The library is so familiar it makes me pause for a moment, just to breathe in the scent of the books, the wooden shelves, and soft light carpet. This is my special place, but I have to be quick.

Lightly I pad to the poetry section and run my fingertips over the spines.

Finally I find what I want, an old thin book that reads, 'The Popular Works of Robert Frost.' Perfect, I think and tuck it under my arm before disappearing out the door, racing back to my home through the shadows, through the sand.

It's only later, huddled in my bed, Cato asleep beside me, that I read the book, taking note of poems; trying to figure out which poem it is that Plutarch Heavensbee warned me about.

Dawn is just showing through the window when I close the book, my mind whirling.

Fire and Ice.

Plutarch mentioned end of the world mythologies. Many of them suggested elements like Fire and Ice. Perhaps this is my clue.

Fire and Ice.

"Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice." I mouth, tasting the words on my lips, "From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire." Katniss, the girl on fire, I wonder what she will have to do with it. Maybe it was another way of suggesting his loyalty. "But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great. And would suffice." Perhaps that refers to Snow?

There are too many options, too many possible thoughts, interpretations. I'll ask Finnick, Mags, Peeta and Cato soon, get their opinions.

But for now, I close my eyes and fall asleep.


It's not until I return from District 12 and the great celebration there, the end of the Victory Tour, that I realise just how bad things have gotten since I've been in the Capitol's intense scrutiny.

"8 rebelled." Mags informs me, the instant she gets Finnick, Kallian and me back home and on her boat, "They snapped and went too soon."

"Shit," Finnick swears and runs a hand through his hair, "What about the other Districts?"

"Holding. Waiting. The Capitol has kept 8 under wraps, only top Capitol officials and top rebel leaders know about it."

"I suppose that actually helps us," I say, rubbing my face, "Damn it all, why didn't they wait?"

"The taste of hope, of freedom, is dangerous." Kallian says in his droll way, "Especially to a mob."

"They've been put down." Mags says it quietly, "The death toll…is high. They waited until they were all at work…and…"

"They blasted the factory sky high. With everyone inside it. Women. Children. Everyone." Kallian's voice is rough.

I close my eyes but I feel the tears well up.

In my mind I visualise District 8 as I'd seen it, only a week or two ago. The people, hungry eyed, eager, burning for revenge…for rebellion. They were dead now…many of those faces.

It's hard but I force the feeling down, and open my eyes.

Finnick, Kallian and Mags are looking at me, waiting, for orders.

"Keep 4 under tight wraps," I say, looking at them, feeling the weight of my orders heavy on my shoulders, "I won't have that happen here. Can we get messages out to the other Districts, the other rebel cells?"

Kallian nods.

"Good, tell them to keep their Districts quiet. The last thing we need is for everyone to go charging in before we're ready." I rub my forehead, "What about 13, when will they be ready?"

"They don't know yet." Mags voice is quiet.

"Then tell them to get their asses moving." I reply, looking at Finnick, who watches me in return, worried, "We're playing with active explosives here. Next blow could set off a chain reaction."


Things stay quiet for a few months, and the world settles back into a routine.

Peeta calls and babbles about everything not important, because both of us know how dangerous wire tapping could be. It's still nice to hear his voice though, and it makes me miss him awfully.

But not as much as I miss Cato.

Finally almost 3 months after the Victory Tour, Cato comes to visit me in District 4.

He meets Mags and Kallian properly on the boat, he learns about some ideas we have about the rebellion and he attracts a crowd of local children, who follow him down to the beach every morning, copying his daily drills.

So absorbed are they in their concentration at following his movements, they don't notice when he starts to correct stances and guards.

Finnick and I watch with amusement.

"He's good with kids." He murmurs, nudging me.

I nudge him back.

"So are you."

"Shut up."


I should have known it was the calm before the storm.

Everyone is over at my house for the compulsory programming scheduled by the Capitol. Cato is playing with my hair, Finnick is sprawled on my rug with Anne leaning against the couch beside him and Mags is in the wooden rocking chair she insisted I have.

Together we all watch, and chortle over the photoshoot of a dolled up Katniss in her wedding dress. All of us can see the discomfort in the way Katniss holds her mouth, the lack of softness in her eyes. She does not want to be there…that much is obvious…but it is only obvious to us, who know her well enough by now to know.

After the program concludes they say there is a special announcement by the President.

"Quell announcement," Mags proclaims heavily, "Wonder what they're going to inflict on us this year."

"Last time was the one Haymitch won," Finnick nods at me and Cato, "Double the Tributes. And double the danger in the Arena."

"The one before that was when we had to elect our Tributes." Mags eyes are sad as she remembers it, "That was a hard year to Mentor."

It only hits me then that Mags has been mentoring tributes since almost the very beginning. Once again I feel a rush of admiration for the old woman opposite me.

When I grow up…I want to be her.

The screen flickers and then suddenly there is Snow, standing before the Capitol seal, and beside him is a boy holding a box full of yellowing envelopes.

"Greetings Panem," he says, smiling at the camera in that cold way, and Cato's arm tightens around me, "As is our custom, every 25 years we hold a special Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell. This is in order to remind us all of the heavy price that Rebellion exacts from us all, an extra reminder of the price of peace, and of the Capitol's exceptional mercy."

There are two empty slots in the box, a box that holds hundreds of envelopes, and Snow plucks the next one from its place and opens it.

"To remind the rebels that in their foolish war, not even the strongest could stand against the might of the Capitol, this year, the 75th Hunger Games, the Tributes will be Reaped from each District's existing pool of Victors."

There is a moment of horrifying silence before Annie begins to scream.

Instantly we are all in movement, Finnick gathering her close as she screams and writhes and sobs, and me, crouching beside him, stroking her hair soothingly, shhhing her gently. Mags heads straight to the kitchen and returns with a pot of calming tea, Annie's favourite, which soothes her into a fitful half doze.

Then we all stare at one another.

Existing pool of Victors.

I look at Cato, whose face looks like it's been etched from stone.

Out of us all, he is the least likely to return to the Games. District 2 has a large number of Male Victors, and there is a chance that someone, will volunteer. What a double honour, to win TWO Games.

My mind then next races to Peeta and it stops for a moment.

There are only three Victors from District 12, one female, two male. This is no coincidence.

Katniss will be in the Games, she has to be. And there is a fifty-fifty chance of Peeta being there alongside her. My Sunshine.

Then I force myself to think about District 4 and for a moment I feel physically ill.

District 4 has 11 Victors as of right now.

Many older. Finnick, Annie and I are the youngest.

District 4 has 8 Male Victors.

District 4 has 3 Female Victors.

Annie Cresta.

Mags

And me.

It has to be me.

I look at Cato once again, and from the stricken look on his face, he knows it too.


Maria - Ahaha with the Peeta thing, I just meant there was no guarantees of a happy end. There is always hope though. Cato has kind of grown to accept Peeta, and unlike Finnick, who he still sees as a threat to Sky's affections, he no longer views Peeta as such. And nope. Definitely not bystanders.

Reviewer08 - He's been itching for it for chapters! And as for Jealous!Sky, hey! Cato's a sexy dude...but he's HER sexy dude. Both Sky and Cato are very protective of Peeta, If you think of them like a family Finnick is Sky's elder brother...but Peeta is the Baby of the family. Marvel's parents have reached the tired stage of grief. Poor souls :( I miss Marvel.

Luli Cullen - Thanks lovely xxx

WonderGirl556 - Bahahaha. And thanks, don't worry I'll keep writing for a long while yet.

brunetteAnnabeth - All the Feels my love, ALL THE FEELS. And I salute your dedication!

Ravenclaw Slytherin - Thank you! Here's more!

Mt - The Quell is going to be a hell of a lot of fun. Just you wait and see!

EGilly - Cato's badassery is rubbing off on Sky I think...

SapphireFlames1 - Thank YOU for reviewing! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and I hope you continue to and continue to review!

MoonlightDiva - :D I'm so glad you did!

Blueberrytoast - ehehe it's going to be epic. And everything will hurt.

hahahahahehahaha4ever - It's not like I concoct horrible cliffhangers! And woo! Dance Party! And the storylines just get more epic.

Germany - Thanks for the review :)

Eve - Not yet and not soon! Poor Peeta, Sky and Cato are there for him though...all the way.

ManAndWomenMerelyPlayers - Teesa was full of awesome...man I miss her. I enjoyed writing Sky and Katniss' talk I think they really needed it. And we all know how difficult it is for Katniss to share anything...And hehe as I said above Peeta has kind of become family to Cato as well. In a family dynamic Peeta is the baby of the family so Cato feels a little protective of him these days. And yay for Arthurian legends! I love them...obviously :)

WindMillsOfOurMinds - I hope you continued on from Chapter 4! And continued to enjoy!