The Lady of the Lake

So we have a short chapter tonight, introducing a few new characters, and giving a few more tastes of plot thickening.

I started writing more onto this chapter, and then realised that it didn't flow very well. So a chapter break was needed. So sorry this ones a bit shorter. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you for all the fun things on the tumblr! I love your questions guys. Feel free to ask more at the Lady of the lake tumblr

thgladyofthelake

Also! I'm still offering DRABBLES to reviewers here on FF and askers on the Tumblr! Anything behind the scenes you wanna see? Ask and you shall receive.

Review responses are at the end as always!

Enjoy!


Chapter 33

The training centre looks exactly the same.

Even the instructors are the same ones who taught the Tributes from my Hunger Games. For a moment there is confusion, my mind supplying the memory of Darrien striding beside me, of Cato and his Careers standing, mocking, of Teesa always watching, of little eager Zara. But when I blink it's Finnick beside me and the others are nowhere to be seen.

Walking over to the numbered disks for the formal beginning to training, I glance over at Cato. My husband meets my gaze, and mimes throwing up, just like he did when I met his gaze here last year. This time, instead of looking away, I just flip him the bird, which makes him grin.

I then scan the rest of the crowd of assembling Victor Tributes.

Katniss and Peeta arrive together, once again dressed as the team they are. Katniss still doesn't know that this isn't going to be an actual Hunger Games, nor does she know anything about the Rebellion. And looking around I realise that she may well be the only one. Peeta catches my eye and tilts his head, looking at my stomach meaningfully before looking at Cato.

I shoot my husband a glare, but he just shrugs.

Boys are worse gossips than women for sure.

Johanna is down the line, arms folded, but hip slightly cocked. She radiates 'don't fuck with me' and I glance towards Cato again. Maybe I should keep them apart…I don't know who would come out the better from those two tangling. Her District partner Blight is an unassuming man, with dark hair and a pair of dark brown eyes which are considering Katniss. He's got the arm muscles that I saw on almost all the workers of District 7 but the way he moves a half step behind Johanna shows me that he's a follower, not a leader.

Eventually we're all gathered and then Atala stats telling us the rules, the rules which are exactly the same as they were last year, and probably all other years too.

I tune her out, and wait.

Soon enough we're released to train as we wish, and the Victors start to disperse, all eyeing one another curiously.

"Come with me love," Finnick loops his arm with mine and guides me over towards the edible plants area, "You can teach me all about what is safe and unsafe to munch on."

"If you'd studied, like I told you to, you wouldn't need me to tell you." I remind him, rolling my eyes.

Johanna, walking past, snorts with amusement.

Finnick makes a rude hand gesture her way, without looking away from me, "I don't have the dedication for books and learning like you do sweet cheeks. Now…tell me things. Fill my mind with knowledge."

"Good luck with that," Johanna mutters, leaning against the identification table beside me, "The odds are so not in your favour."

"And what do you know about plants?" Finnick folds his arms, challenging the District 7 Victor, "C'mon Johanna…lay it on me."

"You're an idiot," Johanna shakes her head at him, and then looks at me, "You know he's an idiot right?"

"He has his moments," I reply and look back at my District partner, "Finnick, she's from 7."

"So?"

"So we spend our days out in the forest working on timber, genius." Johanna sasses back, "Edible plants make excellent snacks during work."

"Prove it," Finnick moves around the table to stand beside Johanna, "Show me your skills."

It's the most competitive session of plant identification I've ever seen, but soon enough I edge away from the two Victors at the table. Johanna has a plant root in her hand and is threatening to beat Finnick with it if he doesn't remember the name.

I figure now is a good time to move away.

Moving away I pause as a pair of Victors wave me over to the traps station, my favourite one from last year.

I don't know the two standing there, but after a moment I place them as the two chosen from District 5, Teesa's District, and walk over to join them.

"Sky," the woman greets, holding her hand out to me and clasping it in the two of hers, "It is so lovely to meet you. I'm Ria and this is Sefir."

She is quite lovely looking, tall and athletic with long black hair that she has braided off her face, and intelligent blue eyes, set under arching brows. Sefir is quite handsome too, with hazel green eyes, dark hair and a wry mouth. He's built solidly, not too bulky, but he's not slender either. He gives me a half smile.

"Nice to meet you," I reply, smiling at them both, and they relax slightly, Ria smiling even wider.

"We were the mentors for last years games," Sefir murmurs quietly, looping a few ropes around one another and frowning slightly when the entire thing falls apart, "Fuck…I mean…balls…" he glances at me, "Uh, though I suppose you're used to swearing…so…fuck."

"You mentored Teesa and Enbrin?" I say, glancing between them, and Ria smiles sadly while Sefir nods, pursing his lips.

"We hoped…with Teesa, she was a smart little thing." Ria sighs sadly.

"It's never easy," Sefir grunts, trying to redo his trap. Once again it fails and the sticks collapse in a heap, "This stuff is too sneaky for me. I need a fucking machete or something."

"Sefir," Ria scolds, "Stop being such a brute."

"It works for me," he mutters, "People think if you can collapse sculls with a hammer then you don't have brains. Works for me."

"We were very happy when you won," Ria touches my shoulder gently as she steps into the station, attempting a different trap to Sefir, "We had some funds sent from District 5, they insisted we pass it onto Finnick. Our gifts were some of the ones in the sky at the end."

"Who knew Finnick could use his brains like that…" Sefir mutters, tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth, "Looking at him, you think he's just a little puffball."

"Sefir!" Ria rolls her eyes, "Could you try and behave?"

"I am!" he looks affronted, "I haven't gone over to the weapons stand to try and dump that arrogant bastard Gloss on his far too shapely rear now have I?"

"Your dedication is remarkable…" Ria huffs and nudges him with the toe of her boot.

"If you don't mind me asking, what were your Games like?" I ask, moving to join them, and showing Sefir the right way to tie the knot, "Not the killing or anything but…"

"Well we're allies right?" Sefir winks at me, "Good to know what your allies can do. My Games were a fucking mess, to be frank. We were in a metal maze, a dark metal maze. With mutts popping out all over the fucking place." He shudders, "Like a nightmare."

"In my Games the Arena was an icy wasteland. Which turned out to be a lake…The Careers didn't figure that out and were a bit…flamboyant with their stepping. Worked for me. " Ria smiles, "We tend to try to outwit our opponents."

"She's a mean hand with tiny daggers," Sefir winks at me, "She likes to leave pointy things on my seats when she thinks I've been naughty."

"It's that or spanking him," Ria smacks Sefir over the head with her rope, "And he'd enjoy that."

Sefir smirks.

I snicker quietly and they both grin at me, "Anyway, you can count on us," Ria reassures me, "We're got your back milady."

"Just say the word," Sefir finally manages to finish his trap and lifts his hands triumphantly, "Aw yes!"

Five seconds later it collapses.

"Fuck!"


Cato snags me at lunch and sits me down beside him to introduce me to the two District 1 Victors. Cashmere and Gloss are brother and sister, and both very beautiful, although Cashmere reminds me forcibly of Glimmer. They are very aloof, pale green and blue eyes watching me intently as we eat.

"You are smaller than I thought," Cashmere says smoothly, pale blond hair tumbling slightly as she tilts her head to the side. She's lovely enough to break the heart of any man she set her eyes on, but right now, she's just eyeing me calculatingly, "Don't you think Gloss?"

"She is small," he agrees, but then he smiles slightly, "Doesn't mean she can't handle herself though."

Cato smiles proudly and swallows his mouthful, "You two in then?"

"We're in," Cashmere nods, and turns that pale green gaze back onto me, "As long as Sky lives, we'll play along. We're not happy about working with…other elements." She glances over towards Katniss, who is eating her lunch with some of the older Tributes, "We follow you Cato, you and Sky."

"You were talking to 5 earlier," Gloss nods towards Ria and Sefir, who are sitting with the Victors from District 10, "What did they have to say for themselves?"

"They're in," I reply, and then add, a little cheekily, "Sefir wanted to put you on your ass in combat training though."

"Did he now?" Gloss' blue eyes brighten slightly, and I bite down a smile. Careers, they live for challenges, "Well I'll have to make time for that won't I?"

Cashmere rolls her lovely eyes and arches an eyebrow at me, "Men. Always competing over who's the bigger cock."

"Like you don't live for the challenge sister," Gloss smirks at her and then goes back to eyeing Sefir thoughtfully, "I could handle him."

"Tch," Cashmere tosses her head, "You are ridiculous, brother. I'm going to go play with Enobaria."

"Yeah you're on your own," Gloss shakes his head at me, "That woman scares me."

"She scares anyone with sense," Cato snorts.

Gloss nods solemnly and Cashmere gets up from the table, almost lightly dancing her way over to Enobaria, who is sitting with Finnick and Johanna.

"Enobaria and Johanna?" Gloss peers around me to eyeball the table, "I'm amazed that Odair's still alive, and that that table is still in one piece."

"They're having a competition," Cato shoves the last of his meal in his mouth, "Insulting one another."

Gloss shakes his head, "And on that note, I'm going to go kick 5's ass. Excuse me milady, Cato."

We watch him stride over Sefir, who smirks delightedly, leaning back in his seat.

"You're a terrible woman." Cato informs me.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I reply, grinning slightly, "I just made two people very happy."


In the afternoon we're treated to a display of Katniss shooting her bow, nailing the target with precision.

I glance around and bite down my amusement at the way Ria's and Cashmere's eyebrows almost disappear into their hair. Gloss and Sefir are too busy elbowing each other to really pay attention.

Katniss looses another arrow into the target and Finnick sighs enviously, "I want to be her when I grow up…"

"I can arrange that," Enobaria murmurs in his ear, "I'll just bite your balls off and set you on fire, how's that?"

Both Cato and Finnick edge away from her.

"Woman you're a worry." Finnick mutters back, and Enobaria winks at me before striding over to Johanna, poking her into showing us her skills with axes.


After Katniss' demonstration I meet some more Victors.

Fells is the male Tribute for District 9 and Enrid is the male from 10. The two of them seemed to have formed some kind of immediate rivalry which has quickly devolved into bickering, while their female partners watch with some amusement.

I spend some of the afternoon with them at the combat stations, and they show me what they can do.

Enrid and his partner, Rilka are mean hands with bullwhips, which Enrid demonstrates by whipping one out to curl around Fells' ankle, yanking him off his feet. Fells then takes revenge by smacking Enrid over the head with the blunt end of his bladed staff, smirking the entire time.

Rilka and Fells' District partner, Sigrin are more even tempered. Rilka is sweet, and tells me about her Games, which seemed to involve a lot of blood and spears. Hearing someone so small and fragile, with a happy smile on her face, tell you about something like that…is slightly disturbing.

Sigrin is bubbly and delights in telling me all about how to farm sheep. She doesn't tell me at all about her Games. And I don't ask. The shadow across her eyes when it's even slightly referenced is enough to make me not want to know.

At the end of the first day, I have talked to, and confirmed the allegiances of about half of the Tributes.

So tired am I, that I almost fall asleep in my desert, and I don't argue when Finnick carries me to bed.


For the second night in a row I wake up in the middle of the night with Cato missing from the bed beside me.

This time however I can hear him making his way out of the apartment, softly murmuring to Finnick and Mags, who join him, as I follow, curious. They get into the lift and I watch the numbers rise, from my hiding place near the dining table.

All the way up to 12.

The roof. It has to be where they are headed.

I race back to my bedroom and tug on a black dressing-gown with slippers, before hopping my way, still yanking one on, to the lift.

The door to the roof is ajar and I take my time in padding up to it, peeking out.

The Victors are gathered, all of them.

All of them except for Katniss. And me.

I drop down and crawl along behind the small dividing wall between the tiles and the garden and crouch, listening.

"…there is a chance it won't work."

"A good chance," District 3's Victor, Beetee, rumbles quietly, "It's far too chancy. Technology needs certainty, not…guesswork."

"Which is why we have a backup plan," Haymitch growls, and I blink down at the tiles under my hands, "Which will probably end up being THE plan."

"What about Katniss, and Sky?" Enobaria asks coolly, "I note that neither of them are here…"

"They can't know." Finnick says seriously and I scowl at him through the wall, "Sky's survival hinges on believing, and Katniss…doesn't know a damn thing yet. We'll tell her on the way out."

"We'll be provided what we need. But we're going to have to play this right. Johanna will handle Katniss. Peeta, Finnick and Cato…will be the three to guide Sky. She'll need it."

"Do we have an extraction planned for her?" Cato's voice is anxious, "In her condition…"

"She'll be fine," Haymitch's voice is gruff, "Dammit it all if I don't like the idea of a pregnant girl in the Games."

"None of us like it," Finnick retorts crossly, "But Sky didn't know, I didn't know…until she fainted."

"And by then the damage was done," Mags sighs, "I should have gotten in first."

"Mad, elderly or pregnant." Cashmere mutters, "District 4 didn't have much choice."

"Either way," Haymitch makes them all focus once more, "This is going to be either a great victory or a fuck up of mythical proportions."

Slowly I crawl back to the stairs and hurry back down, hopping into the lift and taking it back down to my floor. As I get out I hit the button for 12 again. No one will know I was there.

What are they planning?

Once again I'm filled with concern and anger that they are keeping something from me.

How can I trust them, Finnick, Peeta, Cato…if they are keeping something that big from me?


Don't forget to ask for behind the scenes drabbles in your reviews guys? Did you wonder just how Haymitch and Deccia got on at the 2 Victory feast? Or maybe Finnick during the last games. Maybe some Darrien and Marvel, or some Cato and Peeta being bros. Or maybe you want Cato and Clove when they were little, maybe little Finnick, or maybe you want Finnick hanging with the DuGrey's. I also offer first person POV's on any defining moments in this fic. Teesa during the feast, Cato when Sky was attacked, Darrien when the tracker jackers happened, Deccia watching the Games. Anything goes guys! Just ask away.


Sarah'1595 – I can't tell you the plan. The plan is secret ;) Sky is getting worried though…and suspicious.

Ravenclaw Slytherin – I'm not saying anything! And don't cryyyy.

Stolen-fun . hehe – You'll just have to wait and seeeee.

SkullKey4758 – You're going to have to wait a good while to see what the hidden plan is. Poor Sky's going to be in the dark for a while.

Cookiecrazy224 – Damn right he's going to be more protective. He was damn protective before! Let alone now!

Eve - :D I had so much fun answering them! And that Finnick is a charmer isn't he ;) And I'll certainly find you an image of Sky's parade dress.

SophiaLily1980 – I love the way you feed me meme things :D And yes…their plot Is the twist I was discussing on Tumblr.

Redashrose – Twists abound! It's only going to get knottier from here.

Aly91 – I'm a bit of a tease…I can admit that…

brunetteAnnabeth – Nooo no mood swings, and yeah the pregnant is very much like yay? Or nooo?

Loopyloola – I've missed you sweet thing! The secret plan will be a while til reveal…

Ciarawrrrr – I figure she's about 3 months at this point.

Angel2u – Heck yeah!

Reviewer08 – Lol god a mini Cato with big green eyes. What a heartbreaker! Can't reveal about the interviews just yet. Next chapter! Finnick just likes calling Cato pancake. I'm so glad your best friend loves it too. Tell her hi from me

EGilly – Haymitch certainly does know. Ringleader that he is!

Mt – Sky isn't the type to keep secrets, she's far too honest and sweet to hide something like that. And can't spoil the capitol hands…not til Spoiler Saturday anyway.

Luli Cullen – Hahaha Cato was shocked!

WonderGirl556 – They're a team, a family of choice. And much more training next chapter!

Iwill youwill wewill 3 – Ahaha I hope I keep fulfilling your reading wishes! I really hope I do.

Frostivy – I'm so impressed you read it all in one hit! Wow dedication! And I approve of your problem ;) I think we're all dangling on the end of Sky's fishingline, welcome to the family.

Artemis – Well done you for your super reading! I try to avoid really embellishing on Katniss' character simply because she's so well known already…you know her story…and her attitude to things, she'll be more defined though the more AU we go.

Cloveroseeverdeen – I'm loving your little reviews through the piece…and I hope you keep reading!

Peacewithinchaos – It really is picking up! Lots of training action and intrigue next time round.