The Lady of the Lake
So here we are again, except we've broken the 600 review barrier. Seriously guys...you FLOOR me every time. It's amazing.
I'm feeling much better now and so have time to actually write the Quell, which is exciting. It launches soon!
The tumblr has been active with questions and requests for the meme! Which is incredible, thanks guys, I love writing responses and making the graphics for you.
Our tumblr can be found here as always.
thgladyofthelake
This chapter features surprises and secrets.
Next time: Training, evaluations, scheming, secrets and the Interviews!
Review responses are at the end of the chapter as always!
Enjoy!
Chapter 32
Reaping Day dawns clear and warm.
I can remember last year so clearly, waking in the morning to the white painted wood of my childhood bedroom, the soft sound of the sea flowing in the window. I remember eating a small breakfast and then heading straight to the archives, idling the day away by reading and watching the waters below.
It's hard to believe that it's only been a year.
So much has changed.
I have changed.
This year is different.
Not only am I a year older, I now live in the Victor's Village, next door to Finnick Odair, who this time last year had been an intimidating, handsome stranger. This time last year Darrien had been an acquaintance at best, and I had never even heard of Marvel, Teesa, Zara or Clove.
In the last year I've seen death and pain, felt grief, loss, heartbreak and sorrow…but I've also felt friendship, love…trust…it's been a hell of a year.
I found and lost a protective big brother in Darrien, found another in Finnick and a twin in Peeta, someone to understand me. But I also found Cato, my tempestuous, aggressive, warrior husband, who has gone home to his native 2 for his own Reaping.
So much has changed for me…I don't even feel like the same Sky.
I don't go to the Archives this year. Last time I'd been trying to ignore the possibility of being chosen, trying to convince myself it was a normal day. This time…this time I know I'll be going, and I can almost convince myself I'm ready for it.
The truth is…I'm scared, so horribly scared.
I don't belong in the Games; I'm not a fighter like Katniss and Cato…or a survivor like Finnick. I'm just Sky…and let's face it…I was lucky last time around.
All I can hope for is that my luck will hold out. That the Rebellion really will come through and save us.
The Victor's Village is subdued today, but everyone is out of their homes in the sunshine, gathered around the central courtyard to our complex of houses. All of us know that after today, 2 Victors will be gone, and if we're lucky, one will return.
Of course Finnick and I know the truth, as does Mags and Kallian. Last a few days and we'll be saved. We won't be coming home, but we'll be safe.
Finnick joins me, and we go for a walk along the beach, cataloguing everything, the sand under our feet, the salt in the air, the smell of sea and home. We don't know if, or when we'll return here…this will have to sustain us.
It cannot last, and all too soon I find myself back in my own home, my mother coming over to brush my hair as is our tradition.
"It won't be you." She murmurs gently, stroking my soft hair gently, "It won't Sky."
I capture one of her hands in mine and hold it gently, "Mama, you know that's not true," In this moment I feel safe calling her the childs name I'd long ago grown out of, "There are three female Victors, one is old, one is…mad," I feel bad calling Annie mad, but everyone sees her as such, even when I know that she is just a little disconnected from the world, she's not some lunatic, "And then there is me."
"Sky…" she moves around to face me, her face pale, "You're not…thinking of volunteering…."
I just look back at her steadily and my mothers face crumples.
"I have to." I say simply, "I'm sorry Mama, but I have to…"
"No, you don't have to," she presses her hand to her mouth and my stomach clenches unhappily, "It nearly killed you last time…"
"I wouldn't be able to live with it if I didn't."
"Sky please…" she reaches out, clutching at my hands, "Darling, be selfish…for me…be selfish just this once."
"I am…" I look at her, and see the tears spring into her eyes. My throat closes and my own eyes prickle, "This is my choice."
She doesn't say another word, just turns and leaves, leaving me alone in the large kitchen of the house I'd been given as a Victor.
Alone, I begin to cry.
The sun is hot and unforgiving.
We are all gathered for the Reaping, the large bowls sitting out on the stage, a parody of their usual fullness with barely a handful of slips in them. 3 in the female one, 8 in the male.
The Victors are off to the side of the stage in two little rope pens, almost like livestock. Normally we would be seated to the side of the stage, honoured, this time; we're the sacrifice…again.
My stomach squeezes uncomfortably as I feel a bead of sweat run down the back of my neck.
I don't feel well.
The District is gathered before the stage, not the usual lines of worried young men and women, but families, standing huddled together in a crowd, wondering who will be the Victors they lose for a second time.
I really don't feel well.
Looking down at the ground I let the sounds wash over me, focusing on the tufts of green grass poking up through the sand. Hardy green life, eking out a life from soil that barely gives any nutrients back.
It makes me smile slightly and look up. The video from the Capitol is ending, and Flora, kitted up in a hugely bouffant wig in a violent shade of blue totters over to the female bowl.
"Annie Cresta!"
There is a heartbeat of silence before Annie crumples onto the sand, screaming and screaming, shaking her head as Peacekeepers converge.
If ever I'd doubted myself. I don't now.
"I volunteer!" I call, stepping forward, head held proudly, trying to not look as sick as I feel, "I Volunteer as the female Victor for District 4."
This year I don't need to be supported up onto the stage, this year I don't throw up in terror. This year I walk up onto the stage and face my District who gaze up at me. They know me, I'm their daughter, the Victor of the last games, the one they celebrated with the Victory…the one who celebrated her wedding a mere few weeks ago at the end of spring.
It's soft, like whispering, but I see them all softly clapping, not like the applause of the Capitol, baying for blood, this is soft, gentle pattering. They are saluting me, and I bow my head, acknowledging them.
Mistake.
The world tips slightly and as I straighten, I feel even more woozy. But I come back to myself as Flora's voice crashes through my ears.
"Finnick Odair!"
How cruel, I think vaguely, if I had not volunteered, if this was truly a Hunger Games, Finnick would be fighting against the woman he loves. He would die to keep her alive. But she would not survive the loss of him.
He walks up onto the stage with his easy grace and charm and walks straight over to me.
We stand together, the Tributes for District 4, our foreheads pressed together, and I felt my eyes prick.
"Well! I give you your Tributes for District 4!" Flora's voice breaks into our haze, and Finnick smirks faintly, winking at me. I wink back with a smile and pull back, "Shake hands! Shake hands," she twitters at us and Finnick rolls his eyes.
He takes my hand in his and instead of shaking it he brings it up to his lips. I follow, and press my own lips to his hand, holding mine clasped. It's intimate, and it's a declaration to the Capitol.
This is a bond they will not break.
Flora starts to twitter again and ushers us away, forcing us to let go and move.
Mistake.
Three steps, that's as far as I get before the world tilts alarmingly and I fall, the world dissolving into darkness, Finnick's cry of shock the last thing I hear.
"Reapings really don't agree with you do they?" Finnick's face swims into view, as does his voice, "Seriously Sky, first time vomiting and this time fainting? Must you?"
"Cause I was totally planning it," I mutter at him, the world slowly coming into focus behind him. I recognise the gleaming black and silver of the train compartment ceiling, "The train?"
"Apparently we don't get goodbyes this year." Finnick rolls his eyes, and leans in to kiss the tip of my nose, "You scared me blue Sky."
"Sorry…" I sit up slightly and sigh, "I wasn't feeling well…the whole ceremony."
He frowns and strokes my cheek, settling on the bed cross legged, "Has it happened before? Fainting?"
I shake my head, "No never…I think I've got a bit of a bug though. I've been feeling nauseous on and off for weeks."
Finnick frowns and he looks at me more closely, practically peering, "Why didn't you say something?"
"You would have fussed, and tried to stop me Volunteering."
He makes a non committal sound and keeps staring at me, a frown on his handsome face, "Sky…when was your last monthly?"
"Finnick!" I flail slightly, shocked, "You can't just…that's private!"
"Sky!" He barks it, and the sound forces me to focus. He never sounds so serious, there's always a joke somewhere behind it, always something playful. Not this time. This time he's serious, and it scares me, "When!"
I think and then I frown. I hadn't noticed, being busy as I was, and absorbed in the preparations for the Quell…but the last one…I haven't had one since…
It's like someone drops a massive boulder into a lake.
I stare at Finnick and he stares back, reading the answer on my face.
"Fuck." I whisper, "Oh my god…Finnick…"
The world is narrowing around me and then suddenly Finnick is there, pulling me onto his lap, holding me close. He grounds me, keeps the panic at bay as I struggle with the feelings swamping me.
"I'm pregnant aren't I?" I whisper and he nods.
"You're pregnant."
"Cato…" I press my eyes closed and burrow close to him, "God, he can't know…"
"What?" He blinks down at me, "Why can't Pancake know about sproglet?"
"Have you met Cato?" I ask, peering at him, "Are you high? He's going to be bad enough if he's in the Games! Can you imagine the over protectiveness if there is a baby in the mix?"
"Sky…" Finnick rolls his eyes, "Protection is good, especially in a Hunger Games." Then he narrows his eyes at me, "Speaking of protection Sky…"
"Finnick…" I start but my former mentor shakes his head.
"It's your choice…I won't tell him but…Sky…tell him please. You know I love tugging on Cato's alpha wolf tail, but that man loves you…keeping something like this from him. It'd hurt him."
He couldn't have said any better of an argument; he knows I'd never want to hurt Cato.
"I hate you," I mutter, mutinous.
"You love me." He grins and wiggles up the bed to curl up beside me, "You know you do."
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm lovable." He reaches out and lightly drags his fingertips across my belly, "Also…side note, I hadn't noticed before but pregnancy makes your breasts look spectacular. OW!"
I feel no guilt in kicking him, literally, off the bed.
We watch the Reapings that night, just like we did last year, and I make mental notes.
District 1 reap a brother and sister, the beautiful Cashmere and handsome Gloss, and District 2 ends up with two volunteers.
Enobaria first, and then Cato who leaps in before Brutus can arrogantly step forward. Finnick squeezes my hand gently and I squeeze back.
District 3 is represented by two older Victors named Wiress and Beetee. The woman seems a little mad, muttering to herself throughout the entire ceremony, and humming quietly, but she's sweet, that much is obvious.
Then we watch our own Reaping, Annie being called, and my immediate Volunteering. Then Finnick, and our handshake. We turn to go, and the camera cuts off just as I start to crumple, Finnick lunging to catch me.
"Thanks for that," I say quietly and he grins.
"No problem. Your husband is probably tearing his train apart though…you know that right?"
"Cato worries."
"HAH!" Finnick snorts, "Understatement!"
It doesn't take long for Cato to find me by the chariots the next day, after I've been primped back to Capitol standards of beauty.
In fact I hear him before I see him.
Heavy footsteps clang through the waiting bay and I turn, to see him striding towards me, handsome face concerned as he pulls me into his arms, kissing me sweetly, ignoring everyone around us.
I lean into his embrace, melting against his warm mouth, and sigh contentedly. This is where I belong…
"You alright?" he asks gruffly, easing back to gently stroke my cheek, "I saw the Reaping…"
"I just fainted," I reassure him gently, kissing him softly again, "It was so hot…I got a little heat sick."
Relief fills his face and he tugs me close to kiss me again, slow, deep kisses that fill my nervous insides with warmth.
"I have something to tell you later…" I murmur, softly, nuzzling his jaw gently, "A good something," I add as I feel him tense, "Relax."
"We'll go to the garden," he kisses my forehead, "Once this…ridiculousness is over."
I step back and get my first look at what he's wearing.
Instantly I start grinning.
"What?" he asks, looking down at his bared chest, scowling slightly, "I wore a skirt last year too."
"You're so uncultured," I inform him, reaching out to tug the purple cloak straight and run my hands gratuitously over his taut stomach muscles, "You're Ares."
"That's a god right?" he pulls a face.
I roll my eyes, "Yes dumbass, he was the Greek god of War. Hence the whopping black sword strapped to your side."
"So why were you grinning?" he tweaks my nose, "I was a god last year too…although not so specific."
"I believe our designers may have collaborated." I gesture to my own costume.
My hair is loose, but there are pearls draped through them, softly illuminated pearls that gleam. My gown is almost Grecian, almost sheer, although I'm granted flesh coloured underwear this year to protect my modesty somewhat. It's the same colour as the pearls, and belted slightly around my waist with a silver cord. It's simple and beautiful, but I know Felvia.
There is a trick to it; I'm just not privy to it yet.
My skin has been smoothed with a cream that has faint glitter in it, and Felvia had been insistent that it be all over my body. It's part of the trick I'm sure.
Still either way, I know what they were angling for.
"I'm meant to be Aphrodite," I shrug, "Goddess of love, who was born from the sea….apparently. Like a pearl."
"Ergh symbolism." Cato mutters, rolling his eyes, "Did Ares and Aphrodite get it on?"
I shake my head at him, "I don't know why I married you sometimes."
"Sure you do…" he smirks, "I affect you like no one else."
"Oh go shove your head in a bucket."
"Ah…young love…" Finnick joins us, oiled up and wearing…well…the best description could be net like underwear.
Cato takes one look at him and falls about laughing.
"Finnick, you look nice," Peeta joins us, a dry smile on his face for my former mentor and he gives me a kiss and Cato a friendly backslap, "Sky, beautiful as always."
"What about me?" Cato pulls a face, "Sometimes I feel like you don't appreciate me Lover-boy."
"You look cute Cato." Peeta shoots his friend a look, "Happy?"
"Happier if you'd used something a bit manlier than 'cute'." Cato mutters back.
It's then that we actually get a proper look at Peeta and Katniss, who joins us at that moment. They look terrifying and beautiful, rather like avenging demons out of one of the books I read.
"Hot," Finnick informs Katniss, who rolls her eyes and ignores him, "You too Peeta, I'd shag you."
"Oh you're going to pay for that," Peeta singsongs, as Katniss glares at Finnick, and then he starts chortling, Cato too.
Capitol organisers pick that moment to start ushering us off towards our respective carriages, and Finnick turns to Peeta, grabbing the younger mans hand.
"Here…have some sugar cubes. Maybe they'll sweeten milady sourpuss up."
And then he grabs my arm and steers me back down the line towards our carriage, away from Katniss' muttering.
"I so want to shove an arrow somewhere…"
Finnick and I look at one another, and Cato snorts, walking beside us, "You have that effect on a lot of people don't you Odair?"
"Shut up Pancake."
Cato gives me a quick kiss, flips the bird at Finnick, who returns it with a smile, and then he walks down the line to join Enobaria, who looks rather frightening…she has wings.
"The world makes sense again," Finnick helps me up onto our carriage, "Someone finally dressed her as a damn harpy."
We watch the first three carriages go and then…then it is our turn.
Our horses pick up speed and then suddenly we're out in the promenade, bright lights blinding us.
The crowd screams in delight, and Finnick turns to look at me, before laughing and raising our hands in the air, much like Peeta and Katniss did last year.
The lights from the parade promenade have set off the dress and the cream on my skin.
I glow.
I see myself on a screen, blurry from distance, but I gasp at the sight. I look ethereal, beautiful, and pure. But I don't look virginal, not the innocent little girl from last year. Now I look like a woman, powerful and glowing.
I shoot Finnick a look, and he blinks back innocently.
He told Felvia about the baby, I'm sure.
Asshole.
I am the first to arrive at the garden, but Cato is close behind me.
It shows how eager he is for us to be alone, to be sure of no unfriendly ears, because I'd shed my parade clothes and showered quickly, full of nervous energy.
He takes me in his arms and we just stand there in the grove of trees, so familiar and so strange to be back at the place where it all began. He holds me close, lips against my hair and I sigh, relaxing against me.
"I missed you." I murmur, and feel his mouth curl up.
"As you should."
"Arrogant Career."
"Little fish." He leans down and kisses me, soft and gentle, "You going to let me have the pleasure of shagging you through the Games this time?"
"No!" I roll my eyes, "Ass."
He laughs and then moves back, sitting on the bench and tugging me down onto his lap.
"You have something to tell me?" he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.
Right.
I take a deep breath and face him, feeling nervous and unsure as I look into his clear blue eyes.
"Remember the night of the Quell announcement?" I say softly, "You…we…got a little carried away in the heat of the moment. You needed to possess me utterly…"
He shrugs smugly.
"…and I was perfectly willing." I swallow and then continue carefully, "We weren't exactly careful…sexually…protection wise."
He frowns slightly at me, not following, but I can see the exact moment when the thoughts click and he twigs to what I mean.
His eyes widen.
"You…" he points at me, "We…" he points at himself and then stares down at my stomach, "We?"
"Yeah…" I smile weakly, "Hope you don't hate kids Cato…"
"When did you…?" he asks and I reassure him quickly.
"Finnick figured it out before I did, on the train. I've been feeling nauseous and apparently fainting happens when you're….you know… pregnant."
"Pregnant," he stares at me, and then down at my stomach again, smoothing one large hand over my stomach, "Fuck. I'm going to be a father…"
Suddenly his head snaps up again, eyes sharpening, "Why the fuck did you volunteer if you're pregnant!"
"I didn't know!" I remind him heatedly, "I'd missed the signs, I told you Finnick figured it out."
"Fuck!" He stands, and I slide to the side, watching him, "Fuck!" he punches a tree, "It was bad enough when it was just you, just you the woman I fucking love going into a life or death game!"
"Cato…" I move over to him and rub my hand slowly over his taut, muscled back, tight with controlled anger and fear, "Cato…love…we'll be okay….you know we'll be okay."
He looks at me, looking tortured, mouth opening, wanting to say something, before closing again, and he turns away.
"Yeah I know."
I wake in the night, and find Cato gone from bed.
For a moment I lay there, uncertain, sweating slightly from the nightmare that had wrenched me from the depths of slumber, and then slowly I slide out of bed.
Maybe Cato will be out in the living area, getting a drink. I could certainly use a cool water right now.
I pad from the room, and walk down the corridor, towards the living area, when suddenly I hear voices from Mags' room.
Déjà vu swamps me for a moment, and for a heartbeat it's Darrien's voice I hear with Mags and Finnick's, not Cato's.
"…she doesn't know?"
"She can't know," Finnick's voice is unusually grave, "Especially now."
"Was she going to be the one before?" Cato asks, his voice strained, "Before this…new development."
"Yes." Mags' voice is quiet and gentle, "She is perfect, especially in her ignorance."
"We're using her," Cato sounds wrecked, "How can you ask me to lie…"
"You're not lying." Finnick's voice is firm, "It may not come to it, but so help us, if it does…"
"It has to be flawless." Mags says quietly, "We don't get any second chances with this Cato. You're going to have to trust us."
"Does Peeta know?" Cato asks heavily.
There is a silence and then, "Yes." Finnick says quietly, "We'll be the last."
"It'll kill her."
"She's stronger than that." A creaking sound comes and then Finnick's voice speaks again, closer to the door, "We should get some rest, training tomorrow. And we don't want her to wake and find you missing."
Lightly I run back to my bed, our bed and snuggle into the blankets. Soon enough Cato returns, and is distracted enough to buy my fake rousing at his return. He curls around me protectively…and soon enough his breaths even, drifting into sleep.
I do not.
Something is happening. Some plan I don't know…
A part of me wants to know, wants to rail at them for not trusting me. But a larger part trusts them.
They wouldn't keep anything that really was dangerous from me.
I have to trust in that.
If there is a plan I don't know, there will be a good reason I don't know.
I have to trust them.
Slowly, after a long time, I too fall back to sleep.
Hey guys, feel free to request any of these on the Tumblr. I'm taking unlimited meme possibilities now.
One colour, Two capitol citizens, Three brotps, Four locations, Five otps, Six deaths, Seven outfits, Eight scenes, Nine quotes, Ten characters.
ALSO as a thank you for the 600 reviews I am offering DRABBLES again. Anything goes. Want a drabble of Deccia and Haymitch? Maybe you want to see some behind the scenes things, moments Sky isn't around for. Ask away guys! Anything goes! I'll post them on the Tumblr!
Eve – Nope not weird at all! I liked her hair too, and I'm glad you liked the wedding
Stolen-fun . hehe – I'm glad you love it! It's only going to get more fraught from now!
Tribute-Trials – Ahaha, I can't print this story, it's based off an existing work. Maybe one day I'll write my own
Mt – No, she's that leader behind the scenes, helping morale and such You'll see. And I love the Cato and Peeta bits too. And the vows were fun
Angel2u – As you can see…it was already on the cards ;)
brunetteAnnabeth – The feeeeeeeeeeeeels. The feels will have us all in the end I get preemptive feels. Damn things.
Reviewer08 – Yay Skato! Married bb's! And no Cato didn't really ask Peeta about being Best Man. But Peeta knew what he meant Deccia is badass. It's going to be a little while before she returns now but she will be back, rest assured.
Germany leger – Thank you! Xoxox
Luli Cullen – xoxox! He's a bit incendiary isn't he
Redashrose - It will come eventually, I just don't want to waylay myself on this one. One at a time sadly.
purpleXorchid – Sorry! But she is, and I know it may be overdone…but the plots all connect together. Trust me…I don't think this is going to end the way you think.
Ravenclaw Slytherin – Updated
IThinkIKnow – I applaud your dedication! This story is getting LONG. I'm excited for the Quell too
Sarah'1595 – Ooh goosebumps are good! So glad you liked the wedding! And the Quell is very eeeee!
Pinchupandi – I love Skato too
ManAndWomenMerelyPlayers – Aw short review Glad you liked the Wedding! And there will be drama…but there is a plan…there is always a plan. And yay! Johanna and Beetee
Squirmyorchid – Aw thank you! I don't think I'm any better than anyone else…and I'm no where near as good as some other authors I look up to. I'm just grateful for people liking it!
Aki-blood-dark-princess – Yep! She is! And she is in! And I'm female…so bro it up brostyle sistah!
Guest – Yes Darrien and Marvel were together and she is his little fish
Hahahahahehehahaha4ever – Cato is a bit unpredictable isn't he…silly the Quell….it's fun fun fun!
WonderGirl556 – The symbol of the net and the touching of the saltwater to the lips was briefly mentioned for District 4 in Mockingjay, but the rest came out of my head. The kissing stone was vaguely inspired by the Blarney Stone, and the vows…well I dunno. They were just there.
EGilly – It is! And yes, Sky is going to tell Cato…ah so many secrets to share.
Katayyy – Nope no protection! And wow, that's such an honour, thank you
SophiaLily1980 – Hey lovely! Missed you And I know right! CRAZY! I can't believe it! And hey…feel free to request anything you like on the Tumblr. I love making you guys things
