The Lady of the Lake
So here we are, breaking the 200,000 word mark!
This is not a happy chapter, just warning you now. It has sad feelings all over it and character deaths.
As always I'm always available for chatting and questions over at the tumblr
thgladyofthelake . tumblr . com
The next chapter should be out soon, and probably won't be happy either :(
Review responses are at the end of the chapter.
Cheers!
Chapter 48
The first thing to go wrong is Cato, Finnick and Peeta point blank refusing to let me go with them, despite the deal I'd made with Coin months ago.
"I should be there!" I glare at my husband and my two brothers furiously. We're alone in our debugged quarters, courtesy of Lyrra's security scans. "You can't leave me behind! Not after all we've had to go through…"
"No." Cato's voice is implacable and I narrow my eyes at him, "I forbid you to go."
"And what makes you think I'm answerable to you?" I snap back and he catches my wrist, making Finnick take a warning step forward and Peeta to put out his hand trying to calm Cato down. But his eyes are locked on mine.
"You're my wife," he growls down at me, "You're my wife and the mother of my child and I cannot do what I have to if you are in danger."
His voice is raw with emotion and the fight seeps out of me, even as I try one more time, "Cato…this is my rebellion too…my place is there."
"No it isn't," he lifts a hand to touch my cheek, "You're my weak, vulnerable, hopeless at fighting Sky. I love you that way, little fish."
"You haven't called me that in ages," I remind him, smiling despite myself, "I hate that name."
"No you don't."
"Stop correcting me," I flick his nose lightly, and step out of his hold as he lets go of me with a yelp, "You are not as smooth as you think you are." I then turn to Peeta's amused blue eyes and Finnick's green eye rolling, "And what about you two? Do you think he's right?"
"You know how loathe I am to say this…but yes honeybun, he is." Finnick sighs, "You're no fighter love, and it's going to be hard enough in there without worrying about you, and about the babies and Annie back here."
"Sky," Peeta takes my hand in his, "How about a compromise?"
Instantly my husband groans and Peeta sends him a disgruntled look.
"What?" Finnick drawled, smirking at him.
"I hate compromise," Cato grumbles, "It's never what I really want."
"You shouldn't always get what you want," Finnick shot back at him, smirking, "Makes you spoilt. Explains a lot really."
"Oh bite me Odair,"
"What compromise?" I ask Peeta, seeing the other two will be next to no use.
"They're right, you shouldn't be part of the initial force, but people will be flying in after the first push. You should be with them. Join us to take the Capitol, while not being in the firing line. Yes?"
I have to nod, because he's right, and because I know, I'm never going to get a better offer from them.
"Atta girl," Finnick smirks at Cato, "See Pancake? That wasn't so bad."
"I hate that man so much," Cato mutters, folding his arms, looking a little sulky, "So much."
Negotiations on who will stay behind with me are tense. Cashmere and Annie are obvious, as new mothers, even though Cashmere grumbles about the idea.
"Deccia should stay," Cato announces and then yelps again when his sister slugs him hard in his shoulder, "Ow, you heinous bitch. What the hell was that for?"
"I don't see you volunteering any men to stay behind," Deccia barks at him, raising her fist again, "Are you trying to keep me safe because I'm a girl, numbnuts?"
"You're female?" Cato snarks back, "Because that's a fucking revelation to me!"
"Oh I'll give you a revelation…" Deccia growls, which is the moment Haymitch steps in.
"So we've ruled out Deccia," he smirks at his, well whatever the hell they are to each other, I still wasn't sure, and turns to me, "Sky?"
"I'll accept volunteers?" I shrug helplessly, "It's not going to be combat, and I know most of you want to smack the Capitol in the teeth."
"I have to go," Katniss nods, and nudges Gale with her elbow, "So does he."
I don't want Gale with me anyway so I just nod.
"I'm with the Medical teams," Peeta reminds me, nodding at Fells beside him, "They're going to need the extra hands."
"I'll stay,"
We all turn to look at the owner of the voice with surprise, no one more than Gloss, who blinks at the man from 5 who had spoken.
Sefir just looks at me and I nod, because Sefir would have been one of my top choices.
I know he's no coward, I know he'd love nothing more than kick the Capitol's teeth in. But Sefir has piloting skills; he can fly the hovercraft that will take me to the Capitol after the initial attack. He's also talented with weapons, smart, and we all trust him. He's family…he'll keep us as safe as he can.
"Thank you," I say, and he smiles at me, folding his arms.
"It's almost time to go," Enrid says softly from his place near the door, looking down pointedly at his timekeeper, "If that was all Sky?"
"Not quite," I beckon Lyrra over and she joins me, carrying a box, "District 13 will give you comms and headsets, but these are private ones so Lyrra and I can keep in contact with you."
"Why not use the 13 ones?" Gale asks, looking around at us with a 'duh' expression on his handsome face, "Why this?"
"Because genius," Lyrra rolls her eyes at him, "The District 13 ones will be monitored at all times by District 13."
"They are our allies," Gale reminds her.
"Allies can have their own agendas too Gale," Enrid points out quietly, "If Sky and Lyrra are asking us to use these, then I'm guessing there is reason to doubt our ally?"
"Possibly," I say quietly, and watch as Gale's eyes widen and Katniss' mouth tighten, "But we cannot be sure. This is a precaution I hope never has to be used."
"Replace your 13 ones with these," Lyrra says firmly, "No tracking, no bugs, and you will always have contact with me here. That simple."
Looking at everyone's faces I know everyone wishes it all really was that simple.
The final Command meeting is brief, surprisingly so for the size of the massive attack being orchestrated around us. Still it is something that has been planned for years, and intensively for the last few months. Everything has been discussed, threshed out, now all that remains is for the final few pieces to take to the board, and for the final gambit of the match to begin.
I listen to the final postings, and kept my face calm as I listen.
Katniss will lead a small team into the Capitol, while District 13 stages a big offensive against the city itself. They will head to the Capitol's security centre, where Snow will undoubtably be, and drop the security shields and protocols, while arresting the Capitol lynchpin. Gale will be with her, while Haymitch monitors them on comms.
Cato and Finnick would also be with her, along with a number of trusted District 13 operatives, Enrid, Deccia, Gloss and Enobaria.
It is a fierce team, but a part of me wonders what Coin's game is. Why would she send Katniss in so well protected? Does she underestimate the Victors? Or does she know something Lyrra and I do not?
That last question haunts me, the possibility of making a huge mistake and costing me my family or even the whole rebellion. I would never forgive myself if that happened…
Soon enough though it is time for everyone to depart, and the hanger bay is full of everyone gathering to wish everyone farewell.
I stand with Annie and Cashmere, who are, like me, cradling their little ones in their arms. Little Darrien and Pearl are asleep, but Teesa is alert in my arms, eyes following the forms bustling around with interest. Jasper too watches everything unfolding, little face solemn.
It seems like everyone bids us farewell.
Rilka and Sigrin, the former female Victors of Districts 9 and 10, ready to fight with their District forces looking lean and fierce after months of fighting back in their homes.
Johanna, a savage smile on her face as she salutes us ironically and tells Cashmere that she'll get a few for her.
Other Victors trail by too, as do District 13 soldiers, who all seem to want to nod or say something to me and to Katniss before we leave.
"They want inspiration from Katniss," Cashmere informs me in a small lull, "They want a blessing from you."
"I'm not some kind of divinity," I hiss back, vaguely horrified, "What on earth do they want my blessing for?"
"They think you're a talisman of good luck," Enrid kisses my cheek as he steps up, blue eyes kind as he arches an eyebrow down at me, "People get sentimental."
"Some people do. Don't worry Enrid, you require feelings for that to happen," Fells agrees, joining us, and it makes me smile when Cashmere lights up when he arrives, tilting her face up slightly for his kiss, "Hello my loves."
Finnick is close behind and he and Annie duck their heads, descending into their own private world over little Darrien, foreheads touching as he murmurs something to her as she smiles softly. Fells too presses a kiss to Cashmere's temple and I look away, feeling like an intruder, smiling at Enrid.
"You ready?" I ask, and he smirks back.
"Born ready." He nods to the side, "Better make way for your jealous husband my dear. Good luck. I'll see you on the flipside. Look after yourself."
"You too,…" I watch him walk away before smiling as Cato, Peeta and Lyrra join me.
Cato looks every inch the warrior. He's kitted out in black combat gear, headset in place and a massive piece of ordinance strapped to his back, along with pistols and even grenades along the belt, looking tall, strong, imposing and actually kind of terrifying.
A horn blows and everyone looks around before a purposeful flurry breaks out and Cato turns to me, "It's time to go."
There is so much I want to say to him and it's all there on the tip of my tongue. A babbling, stream of words and emotion…but in the end I simply smile at him.
I want to say it, to make myself feel better…but I do not need to.
There is very little left unsaid between us I realise as he leans down to kiss me, his mouth firm and so very familiar. I run a hand through his hair as he cradles my cheek before pulling away.
"Come back to me." I whisper as our lips part and I feel him smile before pulling away.
"I always will." He replies, before kissing Teesa's soft downy head.
Peeta separates from Lyrra, the two had been holding hands and murmuring something, and kisses my cheek, before being wrapped up in Cato's arms, a huge embrace.
The final goodbyes are said as I fight back the tears, watching as first Katniss and Gale disappear up the ramp of the aircraft, before Deccia, after kissing Haymitch, Enobaria and Enrid joined them.
Then Peeta, disappears off with Fells towards the medical crafts, Prim joining them after hugging Leadan.
Then Finnick joins the others, with one last glance back at me and at Annie clutching Darrien, before disappearing into the craft.
And finally Cato, the last up the ramp.
He's the last one I see as the gates close
And then the crafts are gone, and the hanger is eerie in its emptiness.
Cashmere, Sefir and I spend most of the next few hours in Lyrra's intelligence booth while Annie tends to the sleeping children back in Cato's and my sleeping quarters, the closest ones to Intelligence out of ours.
It's heading towards dusk when Katniss' voice comes over the comm.
"Alright…we've landed and we're heading in."
I glance at Sefir whose hand tightens slightly on the back of Lyrra's chair, while the redhaired girl leans in to consider her screen, "Excellent, we still have clear radio comms back to 13."
"Impressive," Haymitch's voice drawled from the speakers and I found myself grinning a little at his familiar voice, "Glad you're on our side."
"You and me both," I reply, to Sefir's agreeing nod, making Lyrra flush a little.
It's not too long later that Finnick's voice comes over the comm, "We've found the entrance, heading in."
"Roger that," Haymitch sounds tense, "Hey Finnick, be careful alright? I'm pretty sure you owe me a few drinks still."
"Well, can't have me dying without repaying those debts can we?"
"Can't have him dying at all. Glib asshole." Sefir growled, echoing my thoughts as I pace a little, "They'll be alright."
"They will," I say quietly, and he glances at me, before Lyrra's voice cuts in.
"Haymitch? Haymitch? Come in!"
We both turn back to the intelligence centre, but all we hear in reply is static.
"What is it?" I ask, striding back over to her, "Lyrra, what's wrong?"
"Something's blocking our communications." She frowns at her screens as lines and lines of letters and numbers fly up, "I…I can't understand it, the Capitol doesn't have access to District 13 codes they can't block us like this. Jam us yes but…"
She doesn't finish her sentence as suddenly all the lights go out, except for whirling red alarm lights, and across the underground District sirens start to wail.
"What the fuck is going on!" Sefir shouts as Lyrra brings up footage from around the District, people running, alarms blaring, and gunshots ringing out, "What's going on!"
Lyrra is frozen, her fingers hanging in mid-air over her keys before slowly she presses one button, bringing one image into huge relief before us.
White dressed Peacekeepers, all kitted up, and moving through the hallways of District 13.
"The Capitol is here."
Ice shivers down my spine as I stare at the images, fear clutching at me, before I recognise the numbers on one of the walls they pass.
"The babies."
And I'm out of there, my feet flying at top speed, unheeding of Lyrra's scream of my name, of the sound of footsteps racing behind me, of the flash of golden hair out of the periphery of my gaze, brown on the other. Cashmere and Sefir, they are with me, and we're all running at top speed.
We barrel around a corner and I yelp as bullets suddenly spray around us, sending me to the ground in a scrambling attempt to get back behind cover. I make it, grabbing Cashmere as I go, and Sefir stands, drawing the two pistols he'd had at his waist, face grim.
"Go," he shouts, sighting around the corner, "GO!"
"Sef…" I gasp, but Cashmere grabs my arm like I'd done to her a few moments ago and drags me off, back the way we'd come to duck down a new corridor.
"We have to get to the babies." She reminds me as we continue running, and I know, even as my heart aches for Sefir, even as my ears listen for every bullet crack from behind us. It means he's alive. Alive and fighting.
The breath sobs in my throat as we keep running, until suddenly we turn a corner into a major hallway and get caught up in the panicked rush of people running for the big hall. Cashmere's hand is ripped from my sleeve as I fight the current of people. Trying to get to a hallway leading off this one. Years of swimming against the current, of navigating the sea, the waves stands me in good stead, and I let the people carry me forwards as I pick my way to the side and then dart into a side corridor.
I'm alone but right at that moment I don't care, as my feet take off once more, racing me towards Cato's and my rooms.
Skidding around a corner I come across the body of one of the Peacekeepers and I bend down, grabbing up the weapon held loosely in his hands before pausing, frowning down at it.
I hadn't thought the Peacekeepers had access to this piece of ordinance. I thought…I thought it was a District 13 invention.
But I can't worry about that now.
I run on, weapon held clumsily in my hands as the sound of babies crying reaches my ears. I run faster until I reach our rooms, our open rooms, and halt in the doorway.
A Peacekeeper stands there, and his weapon is levelled at Annie, who is standing in front of the babies resting on the bed, as they scream in fear.
But Annie does not scream, she's not shaking. Her dark green eyes are sharp, alert, and so very present. She's right here with me, not lost in the broken fragments of her mind, and she's standing strong, between the Peacekeeper and her son.
Between the Peacekeeper and my daughter.
"Drop your gun." I spit at him and he turns, the blank helmet not telling me just what his expression is, "Or I will shoot you where you stand."
"I don't think you will," The voice is muffled slightly, but for a moment I frown, thrown by the familiarity of it, "You don't have the guts."
"You want to try it?" the weapon shakes slightly in my hands, as I raise it, sighting down it like I've seen Cato and Gale doing, "Drop. Your. Weapon."
I'm terrified, my heart is thundering in my ears, and I can feel sweat prickling across my palms clutching the gun.
We stand there, frozen for a long moment before he suddenly raises his gun once more, aiming for Annie and…
I shoot.
My aim is poor, but good enough in this desperate moment to hit him in the neck, hot blood spraying from the wound as he crumples.
And for a desperate moment all I see is Marvel, Katniss' arrow in his throat, choking and drowning on his own blood.
Just like the Peacekeeper is doing now.
I'm frozen, the breath clamming in my throat, like the Peacekeeper's as I stare at him dying. I'm frozen there until the man on the floor gurgles his last breath.
Frozen in horror and shock as suddenly people flood into the room.; Peacekeepers, a bloody Sefir with them. The gun is pushed from my nerveless fingers as I scuttle back, scooping up Teesa, clutching her close in terror as she screams, little face screwed up as her little world is shaken around her.
Rough hands grab my arms and I'm hauled from the room, and behind me I hear Sefir hissing threats as he too is dragged, Jasper in his arms. Sefir also has Pearl, his arms huge around her tiny form, and of course Annie is clutching Darrien, her dark green eyes wide with fear.
The hall is filled with the residents of District 13, District 4 and District 12, everyone left behind when all the fighters left.
Everyone except Lyrra, I realise as I scan the crowd, unable to see her distinctive red hair. Unless they killed her already, a part of me whispers, and my heart clenches.
We, the Victors are hauled up onto the stage as the crowd cowers, whimpers of fear coming from them.
A peacekeeper steps forward, supposedly the leader, and gestures for silence. Which he gets.
Immediately.
"Citizens. Rebels," He calls out, "You are traitors to the Capitol and therefore deserve to die." Cries come from the crowd and he raises his gun and shoots it at the ceiling, bringing silence once more, "However the Capitol wants to try you properly. Some of you may be innocent. Many of you are not. And we have no desire to punish the loyal."
He turns to face us, face unreadable behind the helmet and I wonder…why does his voice sound so familiar…and why does he not remove his helmet.
"However these Victors will be an example to you. An example of what happens to traitors. They will be put down here like the dogs they are. Them and their spawn."
Terror clutches at my heart as I hold Teesa tightly, making her cry out in protest. The crowd seethes, protesting even as they quail in fear, and I look around desperately.
It can't end like this…
"Who first?" He turns to us and we stare up at him in fear, or at least Annie and I do, Sefir just glares, "Not you." He points at me, and I shudder, "You should see these two die before you." He contemplates and then points and I scream as Annie is wrenched away from us. She shoves Darrien at me and I hold him close, covering his eyes as I do Teesa's, as Annie is dragged over to the Peacekeeper.
"Wait a moment," the Peacekeeper holding me sounds uneasy and I look up at him, "Hang on…I didn't sign up for this to kill women and babies. I thought…"
"Your job is to do what you're told Gereld." The head peacekeeper snaps and my mind whirls, because I've heard that name before. Here in District 13.
I lunge up, and knock my Peacekeepers helmet off, to reveal one of the guards for District 13 paling as he stares at my furious face.
The crowd goes wild with fury until guns fire and they fall mutinously silent.
"ENOUGH!" The head peacekeeper roars, and aims his pistol at Annie's head. Annie who's kneeling there, hands cupped, face pale as she stares at me, at her son in my arms.
Then our eyes meet, and she gives me the saddest smile I've ever seen, before opening her hands, revealing one of the grenades from the Peacekeepers belt.
And the pin is missing.
"Annie!" I scream it, horror filling me in that second, that single second when our eyes meet once more, one tear filled, the other pained.
In that last second I see her lips curl up once more and mouth four words.
"It was worth it."
And then….she's gone.
I'm thrown backwards, curling protectively around the terrified baby girl and boy in my arms, as the boom from the explosion rocks me, making my ears ring. I slowly sit up as chaos breaks out, the District people fighting back in fury, grabbing 'Peacekeepers' who surrender quickly and are brought to the foot of the stage where I sit, numb and trembling.
I can't stop staring at the huge scorchmark in the perfect white District 13 floor, the scorchmark that had been a few moments ago a woman I'd loved as a sister. The wife of my dear brother, the mother of the little boy in my arms.
She'd died to save us.
A girl who had been lost in her own mind for years, broken because of the things she'd seen and suffered alone. A girl who had fought so hard to stay with us, for Finnick, the man she loved, who had found a family who loved her. She'd died to save us.
She'd died to save the little baby boy sobbing in my arms.
I feel numb, like trickles of unfeeling numbness are seeping through my body. And then something spikes through it, something hot, and sharp and painful.
Fury.
"The plan was simple," Lyrra's voice is choked, a streak of blood and ash down her cheek as she sits in her seat in the Intelligence booth.
The Peacekeepers, who hadn't been Peacekeepers at all, but District 13 operatives ordered by Coin to attack, had gone straight for places like Command, and Intelligence, hoping to cripple us. The fight here had been bloody, and it had claimed many lives.
Including Cashmere.
My eyes ache from unshed tears, my heart is clenched in a stone hand, and I cannot…I cannot give into my sorrow because Coin has made her move, her big move to eliminate me, as she plans to eliminate Katniss and my husband, Finnick…everyone I love. She wanted everyone loyal to Katniss, not loyal to her, dead, and to frame it on the Capitol.
Hate seethes inside me, dark, poisonous hatred, but I push it away as I look up, at Lyrra, red eyed but still strong, and Sefir, broken hearted, and swollen eyed from where he'd sobbed over Cashmere's bloodied corpse.
"They wanted this blamed on the Capitol." I say dully, and Lyrra nods, "Coin's making her grab for power."
"The others are in danger," Sefir's voice is rough as he stands, "And our comms are down.
"Can you get them working?" I ask Lyrra, who shakes her head.
"Not in time."
"Then we need to get out of the radius of interference." Sefir stands, "There's a hovercraft left. It's ours remember?"
"Right," I nod, remembering Peeta's compromise, "Every second counts. Come on…we have to get out of here."
We head to the nearest bedroom, not mine and Cato's, and I'm grateful for that. I can't think about the man I shot, the first person I'd ever killed. I can't think about it for fear of falling apart, or laughing hysterically at the irony.
I'd lived through two Hunger Games, and never killed anyone.
Until now. Outside of the Games.
"True Games never end." I whisper to myself, and I see Sefir glance at me, before pushing open the door.
My mother is there, cradling little Jasper in her arms, and Shia is as well, rocking Darrien in hers, and for a moment I pause, wondering how she feels about holding this little baby in her arms, named after her lost son.
Remembering Darrien, now with wounds so fresh, stabs painfully but it focuses me. Focuses me to realise that my mother is right when she insists I cannot take Teesa with me, or the other little ones. I can't bear to leave my daughter, not after today, but I have to. I HAVE to. And it kills me a little.
So, I do leave her, after kissing her soft, warm cheek, and holding her close. I leave her in safe hands; the hands of my mother, of Shia, of Katniss' mother who has been helping get the District back under control.
I wish I could stay, but I know, even as I follow Sefir and Lyrra up into the hovercraft, even as it takes off and we speed towards the Capitol.
I know that this is only the beginning.
I glance at Sefir, his mouth tense but strong, kitted up in all the combat gear we could find, pushing the aircraft to its speed limits.
I look at Lyrra, her fingers flying across the communications array, her mouth compressed in a tight line, looking so much like her twin in that moment that it aches.
And then I look out the window ahead, at the land racing below us and I take a deep breath.
I refuse to sit by and watch the people I love die any more.
It's time to fight.
I know I know you're all hating me right now.
I'm in tears and it hurts but sadly this was just the way the story had to go in my head.
Please go to the tumblr thgladyofthelake . tumblr . com and grab the link to the CHATZY and come and talk with me. Or search 'The lady of the lake chatzy' in google. I;ll be there after this is posted and check back in every so often.
Katie-Storm : Thank you so much, and I hope to write more after this as well. Including an original novel.
DreamUnicorn : Here is the update!
Unknown player : Thank you! I really wanted to give a bit of perspective to Deccia, as she is one of my favourite characters to write. And as for Sky shouting at Cato during the birth. Believe me…there was a lot of it. I'm missing the SkyxCato and FinnickxSky too, but the fact is that they are in the middle of a war, and all of them are fracturing…even their relationships. There will be chapters after the war…providing characters survive, where they will re-bond once more.
Lioness32 : I did want to give the impression that Sky was lost in the 'haze' of birth and those frenetic few months of having a newborn. Hope you liked this one too, even with the feelings.
ForeverTeamEdward13 : And here is the next one!
DauntlessClove : I cannot confirm or deny who will die…despite there being two deaths this chapter. And I know my updates are getting more and more infrequent. Sadly my Real Life has sped up, with university exams and now full time work during my break. Hopefully once this frenetic pace eases off, updates will be less sporadic.
Redashrose : Yay you love me!
Mormongirl33 : So glad you loved the sweet moments, I had a lot of fun writing Cato and Teesa and Haymitch's reaction to seeing Deccia with a baby.
ScarletRavenwood : Aw, I'm glad I made you cry, if only because it means my emotional work is alright!
Pretty-pleasee : Thank you so much. I love you too for reviewing.
CatnipGirlOnFire : Yep been writing this hectically large fic for one year! And yay that you got the rec and mini fan club! I'd love to hear your discussions xD I can't tell you who will die sadly. Sorry!
Ciaraaawrrr : I love you too! Yes last chapter was a taste of sweetness before the heartbreak of this one.
.56 : Hmmmm that sounds pretty good, only I don't want Sky to sound like she took Katniss' place. Katniss after all is the principle symbol. Sky's just Sky.
Tooclosefortety : Your English is just fine Thank you for telling me how you like the story, and I'm so glad you have feelings about it. It gives me a lot of feelings too.
PhoenixPulse : Your reviews were the highlight of my day, getting email notifications as you reviewed chapters and seeing your progression through the story. Thank you for that. Btw…I loved Darvel too…it broke my heart to have to kill them…and it still hurts all these chapters later. I hope you made it to the end of the story and continue to review.
Ravenclaw Slytherin : Updated!
Aschen : Hey honey, replied to your question on the tumblr. And I can't tell you who will live or die sadly. You'll just have to wait and see.
TCP4ever : Thank you so much! Thank you for reviewing.
SunWillRise2340 : Two days? That's damn impressive. And I know about giving the characters names, I'm a sucker for that sadly, but most of them at the time needed to be named. I try to keep most of the important characters around again and again so you remember who they are, but I'm sorry you have to flick back. I also know about the bubble review reply. I just used to get a lot of anonymous reviews…and doing like this means other people can see the answers I give to others.
