The Lady of the Lake

So we're zooming towards the Quarter Quell!

I've been sick since Wednesday, throwing up everything and being just generally bedridden and that has meant that I've been unable to write. Despite itching to get into it. Grr/

Anyway! One good thing came out of it. An extra twist for the Quell. Which is going to be like a hammer to the feels, but you guys will have to trust me...Everything is not as it seems!

The tumblr has been awesomely active again and can be found here or on my profile:

thgladyofthelake

This chapter features Cato needing to possess Sky. Sky doing something she wants for herself. Training like real Careers. And finally...the lead up towards the Reaping.

The next chapter should feature The Reapings and Tribute Parades. As well as meeting some of the Victor Trubutes!

Review responses are at the end as ever!

Enjoy!


Chapter 31

The instant Mags, Finnick and Annie are out of the house Cato pushes me up against the wall, his lips meeting and melding against mine in a way that I haven't felt since our desperate kisses in the Arena.

And perhaps it's fitting, the Arena hovering over our heads again, the knowledge of the Quarter Quell just waiting to swallow us whole.

"You can't go," he pants against my neck as he lifts me, pinning me there against the wall, my legs hooking around his waist, "You can't go, I won't let you…I can't…"

"Cato…" I gasp as his hands slide up under my dress and tear my underwear away, ripping them at the seams. I can feel him trembling, almost vibrating under my fingers, and then suddenly we're together, joined as intimately as we can be.

My head is swimming, racing from the announcement of the Quell to here, to Cato trying to possess me in the only way he knows how, terrified to lose me.

"You are mine," he grunts into my neck, a desperate mutter as he thrusts into me and I groan, melting against him, "Mine, mine, mine…they cannot have you. They will not have you."

My fingers thread into his silky fine, gold hair, and he lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine, and we hold each others gazes until liquid hot pleasure engulfs us both and my eyes close helplessly.

Afterwards we stagger to bed, shedding our clothes before slipping under the covers, pressing together as close as humanly possible, the terror of losing one another hot in our veins.

I know I have to compete, I could never stand by to allow Mags, my surrogate grandmother, or Annie, who Finnick loves so much, who I love so much, to enter the Games. I could never live with myself, so my choice is made, and Cato, for all his protestations, knows it too.

Which means it will be the second time I have to compete in a Hunger Games against Katniss, and against Peeta.

"I wonder if we can push the Rebellion up to before the Quarter Quell," I murmur. Mags had made sure my house was swept for bugs when I was out on the Victory tour, my study was bugged, but my bedroom was clean, "Or maybe stage a rescue during. That'd make a nice statement. Declaration of intent."

"I think we should," Cato's voice is a low rumble in his chest, under my ear, "Even without my bias, you and Katniss are the fulcrums of this movement. We lose you in the Hunger Games…"

"We lose Katniss and we lose the Districts." I reply softly.

"We lose you, and we lose Districts 8, 5, 2 and 1. Maybe even 4, even with Odair fighting every step of the way." Cato's fingers brush my jaw, "You underestimate your importance. As ever."

"They have you," I remind him, sitting up slightly, "No listen," I catch his chin in my hand as he scoffs, "You are the Golden son of District 2, they will follow you, and so will District 1. Promise me…if I fall…"

"You aren't going to die." He surges up and cups my face in his large hands, "I'd kill everyone who stood in my path if it meant keeping you safe. I'll volunteer. Protect you."

"Cato, no…" I lean my forehead against his, "No…if the rebellion can't rescue us…only one will come out. I couldn't bear surviving if it meant losing you…please…"

We sit there, for long moments, breathing each other in, when suddenly Cato's voice murmurs against my lips.

"Then let me give you something to come back for. Something to fight for." He takes my hand in his, "Sweetheart, Little Fish, Schuyler, Sky….will you marry me?"

My heart stops.

"Cato…" I stroke his cheek gently, "I would fight to come home to you if we were to be married or no. Do you think we're ready to be married? In the middle of a war? We're so young…have our whole lives ahead…"

"Sky," he tilts my head up and meets my gaze with his, "Sweetheart. Either of us could die in this rebellion, you'll be planning strategy and I'm sure you'll be organising medical or something like that…I'll be out fighting on the front lines…there are no guarantees." He takes my hand in his, "You are mine. And I am yours. We've said it all along…I just…want to make it official."

He's right, but this has always been our way, Cato headstrong, charging on through, me…cautious, unsure.

In the end though, it comes down to what I want, forget the rest of it…what do I…Schuyler Cavendish want?

I want to be Schuyler DuGrey.

"Yes," I whisper, feeling a teary smile on my lips, "Yes…Cato…I will marry you."

"Before the Quarter Quell." He kisses me deeply and rolls me under him once more.

"Before the Quell." I agree, and then we stop talking for a long time.


When I wake up the next morning, a fully dressed Cato is sitting on the side of the bed, smiling smugly at me. Slowly I sit up and he draws something out of his coat. A box.

Inside is a delicate ring, simple gold, with a knot design predating Panem, decorating it. It's not flamboyant, showy, with jewels encrusting it, or glittering like a trophy. It's simple, elegant, and I love it at once.

It even fits perfectly, and the look of possessive pride on Cato's face as he kisses the ring and finger it sits on, makes me smile.

Of course, then we have to tell everyone.

Cato goes first to my parents, awkwardly asking their permission even though he'd already asked, and they readily agree, although my gruff father is even gruffer of the idea of letting his only child go.

Then we tell Mags, Finnick and Annie.

Annie is thrilled and tugs on my hand every few moments to remind me, "I'm doing the flowers." She's so intent, and earnest that I feel my heart clench with fondness. She's seen too much darkness, too much hurt, her mind gets lost in the murky shadows of them. This wedding offers her light, and she's determined to hold onto it.

Mags kisses my cheek and then threatens Cato, "You be good to her, you hear? I may be over 4 times your age laddie-buck, but I can still whip your ass. We clear?"

Cato just nods trying, for once, to be respectful.

I know deep down he's snickering at the idea of an 80 something year old kicking his ass. I decide not to enlighten him as to just how tough Mags is. Hopefully he won't ever have to find out the hard way.

Finnick spins me round the room and bends me in a dip, pressing a smacking kiss to my mouth, much to Cato's displeasure. He ignores the warning growl from my fiancée and beams down at me.

"Precious, I demand to be a bridesman."

Peeta, when I ring him, is excited for me, but I can hear the tense, unhappiness under his voice. The Quell looms darkly over District 12, since it will be Katniss and either Haymitch or Peeta going in. He seems glad to have something happy to hold onto, and I manage to extract a promise from him that he will come to 4 for the Wedding.

He also tells me he has Katniss and Haymitch training.

"Like Careers." He says dryly, snorting softly.

His words make me think, and so when Cato buys tickets for his family to come up and join us in 4, I make sure they come weeks prior to the actual date.

Deccia insists on staying in my home with Cato and me, Petra and Tiderius, Cato's father, stay with Mags, who is responsible and somehow Septim and Lucan end up with Finnick. The three hit it off somehow, and Finnick teaches Septim the dirtiest sea shanties he knows, while Lucan pretends not to be amused.

The day after they arrive, I corner Deccia in the kitchen, early in the morning, and I take a deep breath.

"I need you to train me."

"I'm so fucking proud right now I could kiss you." Is Deccia's response, shoving the rest of her breakfast into her mouth, "Although that's vaguely incestuous. C'mon. We start now."

So for the weeks leading up to my wedding to Cato, Deccia trains me. After the first few days Finnick joins us, along with Cato, Septim and Lucan.

The District 2's are in excellent condition, and they train us similarly, all of us going for long runs along the beaches. They seem delighted by the extra strain sand puts on your legs, and Deccia mutters about mental notes and sanding up the Academy.

Septim and Lucan had both been potential Tributes, as well as Deccia and Cato, and it turned out Septim had favoured spear arms. It led to him and Finnick practicing with spears and Tridents out by the lake. Cato ran both Finnick and me through wrestling, although Deccia insisted I drill with her.

I never win.

In the end though it was Lucan and Deccia who teach me the most.

Lucan is adept at moving fast, silently, up over any obstacle, seeming to almost defy gravity as he went. He teaches me how to move, to use my speed, to roll, dodge, climb and leap from roof to roof, tree to tree, using my environment like an oversized child playground.

He also tried to teach me how to sneak up and silently kill someone, but it didn't take. I lacked the killer instinct, he said dismissively, best to defend and get out.

Deccia teaches me more with the trident, taking me through the basics that Finnick already has more than down.

Slowly I grow better and better until I can defend off Septim, Cato and Deccia trying to get at me. I can't attack well, but I know enough now that I'm not helpless.

A week before the ceremony, Peeta, Katniss and Haymitch arrive and they train with us too.

Cato and Peeta work well together, Peeta turning out to be a bit of a natural with a sword and Lucan is impressed by Katniss' sharp aim.

Deccia hounds Haymitch into drilling with knives and it amuses all of us to hear the two of them constantly snarking, sniping and bitching at one another as they move around the field.

"Dammit woman if I wanted nagging I would have gotten married!"

"I'd like to see a woman who'd put up with you tubbyguts," And Deccia smacks him in his stomach with the flat of her spear haft, "C'mon, try harder, I'll shut up if you actually start looking like a competitor."

"It'd be a sodding miracle!" Haymitch barks back, slashing at her with the practice knife, "Your mouth always seems to be flapping open sweetheart."

"Stop ogling my mouth you pervert and concentrate on your fucking footwork."

And so on.

Katniss tries to teach me the basics of the bow, but sadly my limited eyesight puts pay to the idea. Katniss frowns when I miss, and mutters, "You're a natural at the stance, why are you missing?"

I don't enlighten her.

For all that I have slowly started to forgive Katniss, and let go of the last Hunger Games, I can't forget that once again we are going to compete. My eyesight would be a weakness to exploit, that much I know.


My eighteenth birthday is a small affair.

Peeta bakes me a small cupcake and Finnick gives me a pair of shell earings. Annie gives me a large bouquet of flowers and Mags gives me a few pictures she's taken of me with Finnick, Cato and Peeta.

We have a dinner, which, since Deccia is at the table, inevitably turns into a food fight.

Mags wins to everyone's surprise.

And I go to bed happy.


Three days out from the Wedding Mags passes on a message from the Rebellion.

"There's a plan in place to get the Victor Tributes out of the Arena," she tells me, voice gentle, "They have it figured out."

I give her a message to relay back, "They need to get out the families of the Victors Reaped," I say firmly as Felvia, who insisted that she be the one to make my dress, flails at an assistant across the room, "And the mentors. They'll take out anyone they can for information."

"Finnick agrees," Mags smiles and kisses my cheek, "I'll tell them."


Two days out from the Wedding the camera crew from the Capitol arrives, twittering about what an exciting event it is.

It had been a tussel between us and the escorts, who had been tasked with passing on the Capitol's wishes. The Capitol wanted the Wedding to be a very grand affair, in the Capitol, like Katniss' and Peeta's was planned originally to be. Both Cato and I flatly refused but we yielded on the presence of a camera crew. Panem would watch…but the day would still be ours.

The camera crew pass on a letter from President Snow, with his punctilious handwriting. It congratulates us, and reminds us that even if we are not chosen for the Quell, both of our presences will be required in the Capitol during the Games as Mentors.

Felvia murmurs to me that its because of our status as The It couple. Katniss and Peeta's romance is tragic and beloved because of it, but it seems no one has forgotten watching a brutal Tribute fall in love. I can't understand their fascination, but we have our orders.


In the end the day is perfect.

The ceremony is held outside, the spring air comfortable around us. It's held on the beach, the sun beginning to dip towards the horizon.

My father gruffly hands me over to Cato, who softly kisses my hand, murmuring, "You look beautiful."

Finnick, Annie, Mags and Katniss are standing as my bridesmen and women, and Peeta stands with Cato, along with Deccia, Septim and Lucan.

It'd made me smile when Cato shoved Peeta's suit at him and muttered, "You're my best man."

He'd not asked, and Peeta, grinning broadly, had not refused.

The ceremony is presided over by the mayor of 4, and has an interesting fusion to it. Not only do we use the traditions of our sea bound District, but also those of District 2.

First we dip our fingers into the sea and press the tips to the others lips. It's to honour the sea that binds us of 4 together. Then we do the District 2 equivalent, gently kissing a smooth stone that Petra brought with her. It's the kissing stone, used by generations of DuGrey's, worn smooth over time. We both press our lips to the cool stone and Cato smiles at me.

Finally a thin net is draped over and around us, and a pair of joined, stone bracelets slipped onto our wrists.

Then it's time for the words.

"By the stone that strengthens us, the metal that protects us and the honour that guides us," Cato murmurs, blue eyes locked onto mine, "I swear to honour and keep you, Schuyler, from this day until my last day. I swear to protect and love you, from this breath until my last breath. And I swear to treasure and trust you, from this heartbeat, until my last heartbeat. I am yours."

"By the sea that sustains us," I feel my throat closing over the words, emotion gripping me, "the sun that warms us and the wind that steers us. I swear to honour and keep you, Cato, from this day until my last day. I swear to protect and love you, from this breath until my last breath. And I swear to treasure and trust you, from this heartbeat, until my last heartbeat. I am yours."

Together we finish the words, "And you are mine."

And so, we are married.


The reception is held long into the night, fires on the beach allowing us to eat, drink and dance to our hearts content.

Annie flutters around, adjusting flowers here and there, looking so radiant that it makes me smile. Finnick twirls her out to dance at one point and they sway together in their own little world, so in love it makes my chest ache.

Haymitch has been banned from alcohol, and is incredibly unhappy about it. I do however see him and Deccia lounging together and passing a flask between them, out of Peeta's sight.

My mother and father and Darrien's family are happy and dance and laugh through the entire party. They are blissfully unaware of my impeding status as Victor Tribute. They know of the Quell of course, but they aren't thinking I will be the female chosen.

Peeta and Katniss dance together, the two of them stilted and a little awkward with one another, and then Finnick waltzes in to steal Katniss and I rescue Peeta.

"You're a married woman," he murmurs in my ear, grinning slightly, "Cato's a lucky man."

"I plan on not letting him forget it," Finnick inserts, twirling a snickering Katniss past, "She's far too good for him."

"Finnick!" I rebuke and grin as Peeta huffs a laugh. We dance together and he holds me close, not inappropriately, but I think for his own comfort rather than anything else.

"I love you Sky," he murmurs, when the dance ends, before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead and leading me back over to Cato.

The two young men look at one another for a long moment before Cato tugs the smaller boy in and hugs him tight about the head.

"Ass…" Peeta grumbles.

"Damn right." Cato retorts, and we laugh.

Eventually Deccia drags Haymitch out onto the dance floor and Cato makes sick noises as the pair of them lurch around the floor, bickering and insulting each other the whole way.

"If you paid me for everytime you stepped on my feet, I'd be a rich woman."

"If you paid me for every time I resist shoving your face into the sand/mud/snow, insert choice here, then I would be able to buy the Capitol."

"Greasy muckraker."

"Vicious harpy."

The final dance of the night is mine and Cato's, but it's not there on the lit beach with our friends. Instead it's when we go home, and dance slowly for a minute in my garden, before Cato scoops me up into his arms and whisks me upstairs.

I laugh, and store the day away as another one of those precious memories.

One day I will need them.


We allow ourselves three days of blissful ignorance, of staying at home, sans Deccia, who shuttles into Finnick's house of party. We kiss, cuddle, make love and generally forget about the fact that the Quarter Quell is looming.

Soon enough though Cato's family has to return home, and so do Peeta and Katniss. Before they go however we have a brief rebel meeting on Mags boat. Minus Katniss who is having a trip into the District 4 woods with Septim and Lucan.

"The plan is for District 13 to bust the Victor Tributes out of the Quell." Haymitch says gruffly, sipping water under Peeta's intent stare. Alcohol has still been banned, and Haymitch is still sulking, "However we're not entirely sure we can destroy the Arena shields."

"The plan is kind of dependent on that is it not?" Finnick mutters dryly, "Especially since they have to be destroyed from within?"

"District 3 is working on it." Mags reassures us, "But there is a back up plan."

Everyone nods, and I look around.

"What is it?" I ask, confused.

"You don't need to worry about it Sky," Kallian drawls, "It's a need to know thing…and you don't need to know about it yet."

I bristle a little at being left out but Finnick cuts in quickly, "So that leaves the strategy for the Reapings and inside the Arena."

"I'm Volunteering," I say quietly, gratified to see Cato nod, even if Finnick and Mags look unhappy, "I'm the best female candidate for 4, sorry Mags."

"No offense dear," She sighs, looking down at her old knarled hands, "Age isn't kind. I'll be the female mentor."

"I'm volunteering too," Finnick's voice makes my head snap around in shock, and I suddenly note the lack of surprise on Cato's face. He knew, "Someone has to watch Sky's back, and the more Rebel friendly tributes the better."

"Enobaria is going to volunteer for 2," Deccia points out, stretching slightly, "She's goading Brutus about it, he's been itching to see which of them is the best."

"Brutus," Haymitch's mouth purses, "He's not rebel is he?"

"Nope," Deccia looks across at Cato, "But Cato is the only male Victor from 2 who is in on it. Lyme is, but she's female, and she is more than happy to let Enobaria sink her teeth into it."

Everyone winces.

"I'm willing to Volunteer," Cato says, his blue eyes meeting mine, "As long as everyone is aware just what my number one priority is."

Everyone looks at me and I blush.

"I'm going to Volunteer if Haymitch is chosen," Peeta says it carefully, aware of just how unhappy I am with it all, "And he's going to let me go in if I'm the one Reaped."

"Never said that kid," Haymitch mutters.

Peeta glares at him.

"So that's Enobaria and Cato, Sky and Finnick and Katniss and Peeta…maybe." Mags nods, "I know Johanna is in, and Blight is too."

They then start talking about the other District victors and I listen carefully, staying quiet. The boat rocking is making me feel a little queasy which is unusual.

I don't speak up until Finnick says, "So we just play it like a normal games until the rescue?"

"No!" everyone looks shocked by my vehemence, "This is not a normal Games. We are their Victors. We play to survive…until the rescue."

"The Capitol is unhappy about the Quell twist." Kallian relays thoughtfully, "They're likely to make it a short games. Short but deadly."

"They'll try to kill us off themselves if we don't…" Finnick points out and I glare at him fiercely, "I'm shutting up…geeze."

"This is about making a statement. So let's make one. Let's play to survive…"

"I like it." Haymitch nods, and the others follow suit.

"There are a lot of variables," Kallian sighs, "I hope this works out."

Everyone looks at one another in silence.

"It has to," Peeta says softly, "The Reaping is only a few weeks away."


It's Spoiler Saturday on the Tumblr again! And anything goes. Also feel free to ask questions for the cast. Sky, Cato, Finnick, Deccia, Haymitch, Peeta and so on are all keen to answer your queries!


SkullKey4758 – Awesome! Thank you! And here is more for you to read.

Aly91 – Yup! It's looming! Next chapter is the beginning of the ringmarole. Reapings and Parade.

AbbyMellark21 – Wow, here is more!

Ravenclaw Slytherin – Thank you! Updated!

brunetteAnnabeth – Heh no trident's please! That'd hurrrt and I wouldn't be able to write! Darrien!Feels make me cry too

Sarah'1595 – The Quell is going to be a rollercoaster of feelings…xD

Loopyloola – Well of course, this doesn't even come close to the awesome of the originals! But I'm glad you like it

Luli Cullen – I love them too! xD

Eve – Well Cato may yet volunteer…Sky doesn't like it, but he may…

SapphireFlames1 – Here it is!

WindMillsOfOurMinds – I hope you made it to the end! And yes…Darvel….feeeeeeeeeeels.

WonderGirl556 – Here is more non-suspense! Poor Sky….

Cookiecrazy224 – Cato doesn't like the idea either, he's much more of a man of action, and she's his to protect. It's all going to hurt a lot before the end

Mt – Mmmm I've tried to be slowpaced but I think having around 10 chapters between Hunger Games and Quarter Quell is long enough. They were meant to be little scene snippets though. Sky is the leader of the District 4 rebel cell, mostly because Finnick handed it off to her. Don't worry, when it comes to the big rebellion, she won't be one of those at the head of the army. Since I'm incapable of writing sad endings…you can bet there will at least be some happiness…

Blueberrytoast – Damn Quarter Quell…Sky was just beginning to be happy.

Angel2u – Perhaps ;)

Hahahahahehahahaha4ever – Aw. Yeah Cato isn't much of a one for sitting back and allowing things to happen. And aw yiss dance party You rock too!

purpleXorchid – Updated!

ManAndWomenMerelyPlayers – Hahahaha I like Haccia. The Quell is going to be…harrowing…I just hope everyone trusts that there is a plan as we go along…

Redashrose – I appreciate your dedication! Kudos to you! Thank you for reviewing

Iwill . youwill . wewill . 3 – Aw thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoy it, and I hope you stick around for more adventures! Thank you for reviewing.

HungerFabrevans – I'm afraid I can't do as you ask Sky is definitely going into the Arena, and everything is going more and more AU as we go on. The end of the series will be vastly different. Sorry! But I hope you keep reading.

Ciarawrrrr – Cato is a total prat…but a romantic one.

Reviewer08 – Oh god Darrien, Marvel, Teesa :'( My bb's. Cato doesn't just take things lying down….and Yay Quarter Quell…although god…feelings…going to kill me. And yes…it was a typing error *blush*

Jolenelovedancex3 – We'll just have to wait and see…feeeeeels.

HGobsessed1999 – I think we've all been itching for the Quell :D