Part 4
By the time dinner was served, they have successfully moved Gale into the medical wing of the castle to be taken care of by one of the many very talented nurses on staff. Luckily for Gale, these nurses have seen arrow wounds before and knew exactly want to do. They were currently cleaning out of the wound very thoroughly to ensure he wouldn't get an infection in it and then they were to wrap up the wound tightly to limit any excess bleeding that may occur by movement.
Despite the hazing pain, Gale just felt exhausted. The sun was rising slowly in the sky but he felt like it should be setting. Each second the nurse was dabbing at his wound, the more he would rather have been asleep. He knew she was working diligently, but he just wishes she would move faster. Each dab to the wound was another shock through his body. The pain was like nothing he has ever felt before. The pain had to end sometime, didn't it?
"Would you like some more alcohol to numb the pain, Crown Prince?" Gale's head shifts slowly to look at the small but wide girl. She had the most beautiful pair of deep brown eyes that drew you in like the devil; it was a dark chocolate color. She also had the brightest, reddest lips he had ever seen on a woman. Unlike the girl, Madge had pale pink ones. The girl had womanly curves even though she looked the age of 15. She raises her eyebrow patiently; his mental process seems to be a little slow today.
He shakes his head like a little kid. She puts the glass rim to his parted lips and tipped the bottle up, pouring a gulp down his throat. She waited for him to shallow before allowing him 3 more gulps of alcohol. Gale let the rush of warmth from the alcohol rush down his throat and drain warmly into his stomach. His mind became even fuzzier as it immediately became taking effect.
Gale clears his throat, "How much longer do you think you'll be?" he asks the nurse patiently working on his wound, his voice sounding raw and ripped of energy. She shrugs, not looking up from her work. He watches her reach behind herself and grabs yet another wad of cotton. She glances up to make sure she's placing her cotton ball in the white liquor bowl. From there she goes back to collecting the oozing blood seeping from his wound as he winces for what feels like the one-hundredth time. The bleeding has slowed down significantly since when it first started, but he still lost a lot of blood. The nurse working on his wound told him earlier that it would take a few long days of rest to recover from the amount of blood he has lost, but Gale didn't know about a few days. He was to return home tomorrow morning, but it wasn't looking like it was about to happen.
But Gale could care less about returning home tomorrow. All he really wanted to do was to sleep. He feels like he could sleep a week away and that wouldn't be enough! All the energy he had once possessed seems to have been drained from him and left him with little to nothing. It was already hard enough to stay awake as it was, but he pushed himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust Capitola's nurses, it was that he didn't like the feeling that settled in his stomach at the thought of being asleep while someone was working on him. That feeling was dread. And he couldn't shake it.
It was like he was just waiting for another wave of men in white uniforms to come charging through the medical wings doors. It filled his stomach with anticipation and dread which only causes his wound to pulse to the beat of his heart.
"If you could remain calm it would help out with the bleeding." The nurse who had given him the alcohol said. But the thing was, he didn't know how to calm down, it wasn't in his nature. Gale had never been a calm person. Gale was made of fire and ice, two raging elements that never slowed down. So "being calm" was hard for Gale because it wasn't something someone could teach him how to do. Finnick had always scolded Gale about being riled up during a fight because he wasn't thinking with his head, he was thinking with his weapon. Even Gale's father had always been worried about Gale's health at times because he was always stressing about something. So "being calm," despite that it might help, just wasn't going to happen, especially when he felt the enemy just around the corner.
"Do you have men on the perimeter?" Gale asks suddenly. His eyes more alert than they have been all day. The nurse's head slowly rose, a look a bewilderment on her face. "Do you have men on the perimeter?" Gale asks again, afraid that she had not hear him.
"I would believe so –"
"So you are saying you do not know?"
"I have no reason to know, I'm just a nurse. All I need to know is if we have patients coming in. But I'm sure the King has ensured our safety. There's nothing to worry about, Crown Prince." Her words were meant to comfort him but he couldn't find in himself to feel safe. There was just this itching in his stomach that told him to be on alert. Maybe he was just being paranoid. Maybe it was just from lack of blood.
Gale settles back against the pillows once more, not even realizing he had moved in the first place. He closes his eyes and sucks in a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself by imagining Madge in that beautiful blue dress he met her in. He flexes his fingers a few times before opening his eyes and folding his arms behind his head. He began to count the bricks on the ceiling.
1…
2…
3…
He reaches 89 bricks when he was feels the nurse squeeze his calf.
"Well, you're all done. Why don't you try to get some rest." She suggests.
"I won't be able to sleep." Gale mutters, not even bothering to look at her.
"Oh right, because you just got out of battle." She says and squeezes his leg again supportively. That wasn't the reason why, but he wasn't going to tell her that.
Gale wouldn't be able to sleep until he knew exactly why Snowland had evaded Capitola. What were their motives? What was the point? Gale didn't have a hint of doubt that it wasn't Snowland. No other country was as obsessed with the color white and roses than Snowland was. Their leader – Cornelius Snow – always had white roses. It was what decorated their country. Gale had only been there a few times with his father for business, but Gale knew the second he was greeted by an archway of white roses and the strong scent of blood, that he would hate the guy and the country. Even then, Gale had been blinded by all the people in white.
It wasn't just that Capitola had been hit by Snowland, but Seamlyn had too. Recently. So it made Gale suspicious…and worried. What did Snow want? Complete control of his two neighboring countries? Destruction of their alliance with Capitola? Tension? World domination? Whatever it was, it wasn't good…
A pair of sweet, soft lips land on Gale's, shaking him out of his revere. His train of thought was no longer on the verging war. His lips respond before the rest of him even has time to register that these lips belong to Miss Madge Undersee. Their lips move slowly in sync with one another, he can taste her dinner still lingering on her skin – which reminds him that he hadn't have any. He feels the bed dip down under her weight, his hands instantly gathering her in his arm and tugging her into his lap. She responds enthusiastically, licking his bottom lip to ask for entrance and her hands tangle in his messy hair. She doesn't even mind that his hair was still slick with sweat.
All she cares about is that he was okay, the nurse even promised her on her way out the door that he would make a full recovery. And finally being allowed to see him made her even happier to see that he was alive and well enough – he no longer had that ashy gray color to him. Upon seeing him, she had an instantaneous want to kiss him. So she did.
And, now, here they were, connected at the mouth enamored in a kiss that made both of their stomach fill with heat as they lost themselves in one another. Madge's hands tug on his neck, forcing his face closer to hers. His icy cold finger tips trail down her leg and slowly, tightly wrap around her right ankle, dragging it around his one hip until she was straddling his lap. She arches her back into his chest, causing him to groan deep in his throat.
Their endeavors continue on for a long while. They barely even come up for air. Soon enough, Madge's dress is hiked pretty high up her thighs and Gale's hands run greedily up and down them – reveling in the feel of her soft skin under his hands, Her hands grip his shoulders roughly, never allowing his body to have more than an inch of space between hers.
Her hands slowly, sexily, travel down his stomach in a slow roll. He shivers and growls against her lips as her finger teasingly slip under the hem of his shirt. He pulls away to look her in the eyes, want settled deep in his pupils. She smirks, knowing that hated being teased. She twiddles her fingers under her shirt before intentionally running her fingers up his stomach, feather light. His head tips back some before he attacks her jaw.
They don't stop until Gale jerks suddenly, a gasp of pain escaping his lips. Madge's hands instantly fly off his stomach, her eyes staring at space where the bandage peeked out from under his undershirt.
"I'm so sorry!" the apology immediately flying off her lips. He shakes his head while inspecting the bandage for any signs that the wound was irritated or if the bandage needed to be replace. Neither was the case.
"It's quite alright. I forgot to warn you that it's a little sore."
Madge's hands fly up to cover her eyes, her fingertip nipping him in the nose as she goes. "No, no, I should've known. I shouldn't been more careful." She pauses, a look of deep regret in her eyes, "Are you in pain?" she whispers so softly that Gale's heart ached in his chest. She looked horrified that she had hurt him when all it was a sharp flicker of pain, not even a few seconds long, not that she knew that.
She lets him pull her hands away from her face, her eyes never leaving his. He leans in slowly, hesitantly as if he was afraid she wouldn't let him near her. She doesn't move. He places a small peck of a kiss on the tip of her nose, reassuringly. "No, I'm not. I'm quite alright."
"Are you sure?" she was still whispering.
He nods once.
The room becomes silence. Neither of them feel that it is necessary to break the silence. The only thing Gale could hear was the sound of footsteps approaching the medical wing's door, but he ignored that. Instead, he focused on the sound of Madge's breathing, it seems like she was holding her breath.
"Breathe, baby, breathe." He whispers. Suddenly, a loud gust of air comes from her nose. He chuckles at her. Tears instantly filling her eyes. He wipes them away before they even have a chance to fall. "Today has been rather stressful, hasn't it?" she nods, "Why don't you try to get some sleep?" he offers, much like the nurse had offered him earlier.
"I'm not that tired." She says around a yawn. A small smile lights up Gale's face at the sound of her awful lie. She wrinkles her nose in disgust before sticking her tongue out at him.
Just as Gale is about to respond, a knock strikes the wooden door leading into the room. Thom pokes his head in.
"Gale, the King would like to see you." Thom didn't look his best, that's for sure. His uniform shirt was replaced with his white undershirt that was all wrinkly from sleep, and stained red from Gale's blood. He winces at the sight. It really was everywhere.
Gale nods, "Let me put Madge to bed, first."
"I'll meet you at the window." Gale nods again, understanding what window Thom meant. He meant the one he and Gale had sat and talked a few nights ago – the same one where Thom had revealed his "pineapple" shaped birthmark. It really didn't look like a pineapple, but Thom insisted!
Thom leaves, letting the door click loudly in place. Madge is playing with his fingers, refusing to look at him.
"I'm not going to bed. You cannot make me." she doesn't look up, although she does continue to play with his fingers. Gale stays silent, just looking at the beautiful girl in front of him. She would make an excellent leader, he decides. She was hardheaded, but caring. She took in account what people wanted, but she wouldn't go through with everything unless it would actually benefit her country. In this situation, she was just being defiant to Gale's wishes. His heart swells a little in his chest for an unknown reason. Her words from last night ringing his ears.
"I love you. God, I love you." He wanted to say it back to her, he didn't, he couldn't trust his ears. At least not when he had just been shot and was bleeding half to death. Maybe he imagined what he wanted to hear, maybe she said it out of fear. Usually Gale was strong, but for some reason those 3 little words were making his heart beat faster in his chest and stomach to cramp up. Every time he told himself he would say it, he ends up chickening out. What if he heard wrong?
He shakes his head.
She looks up when he doesn't say anything. Her ocean blue eyes connect with his storm gray ones. She parts her lips as if she is going to say something, but then doesn't. He reaches up and folds a stray piece of her blonde hair behind her left ear. His hand drops to her thigh, nudging it.
"Then don't." he states, but still she lifts herself off the bed and extends her hand to him. It takes him longer to get out of bed than her. He gently pushes off softly until his legs are dangling over the edge, his breathing slightly labored.
Her hands comes to rest on his chest, "Take your time, no need to rush." She murmurs softly, her hands rubbing his chest comfortingly. Madge wraps her hand around his arm to help him lift himself off the bed. With one big push and pull, he is standing, his hands gripping her waist for balance, his vision partially blurry. "You okay?" she asks. He shakes his hand and releases her only to offer her his arm. She doesn't take it, instead she takes his cold hand in her warm one and tugs him gently towards to light wooden door. She'd much rather hold his hand, than his arm. He was her fiancé, not some gentleman at a ball.
They move leisurely through the castle to ensure that Gale's wound wouldn't hurt any more than necessary. Madge tries to make small talk to take his mind off the pain in his lower abdomen.
They reach Madge's room in no time. Gale tucks her into bed.
Chuckling low in her ear as he leans over her to kiss her goodnight, "Couldn't make you go to bed, couldn't I?" she makes an "oh" sounds and swats at his chest. He leans down to peck her on the lips before heading back towards the door. At the door, he looks over his shoulder to find her staring at him. She winks before flopping over and curling all the blankets around her like a burrito. He shakes his head again, a loving smile gracing his stubbly face.
…
Gale and Thom enter the Royal Meeting Room at promptly midnight. Where had the day gone? The King and his men were hunched over a map of the territories, Gale instantly picking out Seamlyn – the tiniest country on the map. Next to that was Capitola. Underneath and connected from bottom center to bottom center from Capitola and Seamlyn lied Snowland. Even on a map, Capitola and Snowland looks like their competing for largest country.
King Undersee glances over his shoulder and beckons the boys in, "Oh good, you're here…Gale, you and Finnick," he glances across the table at the bronze hair warrior who looked like he was ready to pass out, "came in contact with the foreign enemy – "
"It was Snowland, I'm positive." Gale cuts off the King. He receives some nasty glances from some of the King's men. The one closest to him looked like he was about to punch Gale for being rude.
"You're sure?" the King asks seriously, choosing to overlook Gale's rudeness.
"100%. I've been to Snowland once or twice…I know what their military looks like. Plus, they're the only ones who would wear white in battle. I cannot fathom to think it was anyone else."
"Plus, each of them had a white rose pin on the left lapel on their uniform." Finnick adds in, sounding just as exhausted, if not more, as he looked.
"Is this true?" Thom asks Gale. Gale nods. He didn't actually pay that close attention, but he trusts Finnick's observation.
"Alright," the King claps his hands together, suddenly looks older than his years. Being a King must be hard, Gale thinks, soon he'll be there too. "What do you propose we do?" King Undersee looks straight over at Gale, who shrugs, then at Finnick, who also shrugs.
"No offense, King Undersee, but you're asking the wrong people. As you probably know, Seamlyn has been under attack for several months now, as you can see, we have not been able to cease the fighting." Finnick says, standing up and stabbing his finger on Seamlyn on the map. "Snowland has attacked us, Roseland has attacked us, Districta has attacked us, and Capitola has attacked us." Finnick growls the last part, looking at every person in the room with hard, unforgiving eyes, stabbing each country as he goes harshly. When they land on Gale they soften. Gale knew the pain and betrayal Finnick felt. Finnick's anger was flaring quickly in his chest. "So to ask us, who even you have attacked, seems ridiculous."
"I did not mean to upset you, Mr. Odair."
"Just like you didn't mean to attack us?" Finnick growls?
"Or burn the poorest part of our country to the ground?" Gale glares at the King. Hatred boiling hot in his stomach. Like they weren't already poor enough?
"Or try to control the West part of the country?" Finnick continues.
"Or try to expand your territory into Seamlyn's?" Gale growls out, his hands are balled into fist and his teeth are gritted.
The King looks taken aback by their anger. His lips are parted as he licks his lips. You can see him jumping through hurdles to come up with some explanation as to why he would attack his allies the way he did.
"We have an alliance!" Finnick screams, his hands slamming flat on the table, "And you broke it!" Gale shoots Finnick a look, telling him to stop. Finnick cracks his knuckles once before spinning on his heels and leaving the room hurriedly before he could open his mouth again.
The room is silent, everyone looking at the only other Seamlyn member in the room. Gale doesn't coward, he doesn't look at the ground. Instead, he holds his ground and glares at everyone in the damn room. They wanted Seamlyn's help to defeat Snowland, but they couldn't even be gracious enough to protect an ally.
Gale steps up to the table, his hands spreading out over the map. "Alright, we need to use your alliance with Roseland and Districta to attack at every angle but Seamlyn's. Close them out, lock them in. We'll send in insiders to scoop out the territory. Capitola people only, that's the least you can do for Seamlyn."
Thom nods and marks down notes on a piece of loose-leaf.
"We will defeat them…for Madge." Gale punches his fist into the table, his voice lifting with confidence. He will not let Madge come in harm's way again. That's the only reason he will help out Capitola…Because Madge means everything.
"For Madge!" the group cheers, lifting their fists in the air.
A/N: Countries: Capitola = representing D12's Town. Seamlyn = representing D12's Seam. Snowland = representing the Capitol (I know, confusing, sorry). Roseland - representing Snow's supporters (although it may not be that may in the story, haven't decided). Districta - representing D13.
P.S. I should probably mention this, but I DID NOT come up with Seamlyn and Capitola. I don't know who did, but I thank him/her everyday for it!
Shoutouts: Latinagirl-reader2010, Widz2926, Baiter08, Gabbeatriz, GagdeLover. .cow, 1207, TheDud007 (cool username btw), FieryGoldenPhoenix Thanks so much for the follow and the favorite. You rock!
P.P.S. to any tumblr users that liked it on Tumblr ... THANKS SO MUCH TOO! LOVE YOU GUYS!
