Oh my gravy what a week and a couple of days it's been! The computer still isn't fixed. I have to take it back to him tomorrow. We haven't tried replacing the hard drive… I'm wondering if that is what it will come down to. Blah! I hope you are having a better time of it than I am lol!
Anyways, I need to thank norbertsmom for all of her hard work. I need to thank my sweet Lou for helping me name these places. I need to thank my pumpking for reading. Then of course, I need to thank you, my sweet readers. Thank you for taking a minute or two to read this. It really does mean a lot. And those of you who are reviewing, I try to get back to every one of you, if I have missed anyone because of this computer junk, then I apologize. Forgive me please…
Oh, I was wondering, are you keeping up with the names in Gaelic ok? I can always add them before each chapter in the notes because chapter five will have some new names. Just let me know…
"Katniss," Mitch's voice echoes through the fog.
"I'm right here. Where are you?" she calls out. "Come here. Violet wants you."
He chuckles in her ear. "I'm right here, Love."
She jumps and her heart sinks when she doesn't see him anywhere. "I don't see you. Mitch, where are you?"
Suddenly, the fog clears and she is standing on a cliff overlooking the entire kingdom. This time when she hears his voice, she sees him too. "My, Love, you are destined to do so much more than even this."
"What are you talking about?" She turns towards him, turning her back for a moment to the view. "I never wanted any of that. I just wanted you and Violet."
"My Love, your time is coming, when you have to protect the future of many," he says as he turns her again to see the castle surrounded. He whispers in her ear, "We had our time, and we got Violet. Now you have to let me go." He turns her around so she is facing him. She feels her tears on her cheeks as he tucks the cloak around her shoulders again, buckling it into place. Then he brushes a lock of hair off of her forehead and kisses her there before he turns to walk away.
She chokes out, "Don't leave me again." as she reaches for him but she is frozen in place.
"You and Violet will always have my love, but you don't belong to me anymore. He is coming for you. Don't push him away. He already loves you so much."
She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out as she tries to get to him. A soft horse's nicker behind her gets her attention. She can finally move when she turns to the sound. All she can see is a shadow of a horse and rider through the fog. She isn't sure what she should do, but then she hears, "Mama. Mama, wake up."
She wakes up instantly to Violet lying on top of her. "What's wrong?"
"You weren't waking up."
"Get up, little bird." Violet pulls away with a hurt look on her face. Katniss pulls the covers aside and scoots over making room and pushes the cloak that she has been sleeping with for weeks now to the other side of the bed as her daughter crawls in beside her. Katniss pulls her close, wrapping her in a hug. "Are you ok?"
"It's cold, Mama. I think the fire went out."
Katniss hugs her tighter. "I must have been sleeping really well. Is it completely out?"
"I didn't see anything red in the fireplace. It's cold, mama."
She notices for the first time that it's still dark outside and she has no idea how much longer till dawn. So she wiggles under the covers until she reaches Peeta's cloak. She pulls it over the both of them, and it seems that as the added layer, and the thought that somehow Peeta is watching over them is what gets them warm enough to go back to sleep.
Deep in the castle, that same night, King Peeta watches as the snow comes down outside of his window. From the amount of wood he keeps piling on the fire, he knows that it has to be one of the coldest nights of the year.
As he often does when the weather is bad in his kingdom, he can't stop thinking about his people and he hopes that they are all warm tonight. Then, as his mind does when he allows it to still, he worries about Katniss and Violet.
He walks over to the fireplace in his room and puts some more wood on the crackling fire. Not for the first time since he first saw her pointing her arrow at him like cupid himself, he finally dozes off, sitting in his favorite chair, watching the flames lure him to sleep.
A gentle touch wakes him from the strange dream of fog and hearing Katniss talking to someone. He can never find her, and he can't help the worried feeling he has waking up. "My sweet king, why are you asleep in the chair?" Sae's old, sweet voice calls him.
He opens his eyes, offering her a smile. "I couldn't sleep, and then I dozed off. What are you doing?" he asks as he notices that she is dressed for the day.
"I'm heading down to the kitchens to get the ovens going—"
He finishes for her, "and the bread." He pauses for a moment. "Can I come help?"
She pats him on the shoulder and smiles that smile that makes him feel like he's at home. "Of course you can. You are welcome in my kitchens anytime."
By the time Peeta is taking out the second batch of raisin nut bread, the snow has stopped falling and the sun is starting to make an appearance. He gives Sae a quick kiss and starts to leave the kitchen. "Where are you going, boy?" she asks.
He grins at her. "I have to go to the village. Tell Ethan I'll be back in time for breakfast."
Sae smiles a secret smile and wonders if this quick trip has anything to do with a certain raven haired huntress that often comes to her doorstep.
When Katniss wakes again, sun is up, but just barely. She creeps out of the bed, careful not to wake Violet, and tucking the cloak and the rest of the blankets around her. She quickly pulls on her woolen socks that Mother knitted for her and pulls the matching shawl around her cold shoulders.
When she sees the empty fireplace, she can't help but to softly curse when she sees that she didn't bring in any wood last night. She goes to the back door, and before she can open it, she pauses at the sound of hoof beats outside her door. She opens it slowly, coming face to face with the one she has been dreaming about and his big black horse. Her dream comes rushing back when she can't seem to open her mouth; instead she just stares at him.
He nods at her and smiles that smile that she already loves. "I brought you some bread, my lady." He presents her a basket with the most wonderful smells.
She blinks, and feels like a fish as she opens and shuts her mouth a couple of times. She finally finds her words. "You brought me, bread? Are you a baker, then?"
He chuckles, that same one that has been haunting her dreams. "I am not a baker. My friend taught me to bake, and I like to do it when I can't sleep."
"You can't sleep?" She stops herself before she blurts out that she can't either.
"No, I had," he hesitates before he continues, "a lot on my mind last night. So I was up baking."
"Well, thank you, Peeta." she pauses for a moment, then adds. "Would you like to come in for a moment? I'll fix you a cup of tea as soon as I get the fire going again."
He steps forward with concern written all over his features. "Your fire is out? Let me come and help you. Can I?"
She pulls the shawl tighter around her the cold seeping into her bones. "I don't know—"
"Oh," he says looking around. Her cottage is on the outskirts of the village with her back door facing the woods. None of her neighbors can see them from where they are, but a big black horse like Bishop stands out. "I understand, Katniss. I only wanted to help—"
She interrupts him when she steps back and motions him to come in. He ties the reigns around a post by her door and grabs several pieces of wood from the wood pile by the door before following her inside. The lighting in the cottage is dim because the sun is not up yet, so she grabs her one lantern and lights it. She turns around to see Peeta arranging the kindling in the fireplace. It seems too natural to see him here in her cottage as he lights the fire he just built. In no time, he has it roaring.
She puts the kettle on the swinging arm, and puts it over the fire as he straightens up beside her. She watches him look around and she wonders what he sees. "You have a cozy cottage."
"It keeps us dry." She motions towards the fire. "And warm when the fire is going."
"It's nice. It looks like a nice place to live."
She motions for him to sit at her little table while she readies their mugs. "You live in the castle, right?" She waits for him to nod as he gives her that weird look again. "It must be so grand. And you never have to worry about, well, anything."
"Well, I guess. For the longest time I didn't really like it." he admits.
"Really? Why?" she asks confused as she pours the boiling water into their cups.
He shrugs. "It just feels so big. There is only one place that I really feel at home."
She sits across from him, gripping her mug, letting the warmth seep into her still chilly bones. "And where is that?"
"The kitchens. You know Sae? The cook?"
She nods while she blows her still too hot tea. "Yes, it's her who I see when I go to the castle."
"After my mother died," he starts, and her hand on his arm interrupts him for a moment. He puts his other hand on top of hers, and keeps it there. She sighs into his warmth as he continues. "Sae let me help her in the kitchen. She is who taught me to bake. She is more of a mother to me than my own ever was."
"My father died when I was but a girl. I guess you don't remember the mine collapsing?"
He nods, and she can see the sorrow on his face. "I am so sorry that happened to you. And here you are an orphan and now a widow."
She squeezes his arm under her hand. "When you have other people to take care of, that keeps you going."
"That's true." He drinks the rest of his cooled off tea and looks like he wants to say something else besides, "I've got to go. I promised Ethan I would be there to eat breakfast with him."
She nods and looks towards her room. "It's time for Violet to get up. I can't wait to try your bread."
She smiles when she watches the flush creep up his cheeks. "It's raisin and walnut bread. Sae says that it's my specialty."
She chuckles. "Well, I look forward to eating it. Thank you."
He awkwardly stands there for a moment, and it's her who steps forward to give him a hug. It's a quick side hug, but she can smell the lingering aroma of the bread he baked that morning still on his clothes. "I'll see you later, Katniss."
She walks him back to her door. "Bye Peeta." she watches him ride off like some conquering hero on Bishop. It's not until he disappears into the trees that she remembers his cloak that is still in her bed.
It's a couple of days after that Peeta is in his office; looking over some papers when one of his guards comes rushing in. The guard waits for Peeta to acknowledge him. When Peeta nods, he replies, "Sir! There have been more people from Trideag spotted in the woods."
"They know they need to keep to the roads. I'm going to have to visit Queen Coin sooner than I thought. Where are they now?"
The soldier falters for a moment. "Sir, we weren't sure what to do with them. They are being detained in the courtyard. What would you have us do?"
"Were they coming or going towards their country?"
"They were returning home, sir."
Peeta sighs and stands up. "Let's go and talk to them. Maybe they can deliver a message to their Queen." Peeta follows his man back outside. There he sees a group of men, huddled together against the cold. He catches the men's attention. Some of them look fearful while some of them look bored. One of them steps forward with a deep bow.
"Your Majesty?" the tall dark skinned man asks.
"Yes, what is your name, sir?" Peeta asks.
"My name is Boggs. These are my men and I was sent to deliver a message to you."
"Oh?" he asks as Boggs brings him an envelope. Peeta nudges his man who is still beside him but watches Boggs. "Take them in to get warm and get them something warm to eat and drink. Let me read this, do you need to wait for a reply?"
Boggs bows his head. "I do."
Peeta nods and turns to go to his office. The captain of his royal guard, Darius follows him back into the castle. "Sire, a word if I may?" Peeta stops and waits for him to close the couple of footsteps between them. "When we found them, they were trying to set up camp. But they weren't that far from the castle. And they were in the woods, not on the road."
Peeta opens the envelope not sure what to think. He quickly scans the short note, and says out loud, "She is just requesting a meeting, and soon. She will even come to me if need be." He folds it back up. "It must be really important then. You go, and make sure the men are fed and rested while I go and write a response. Can you explain to them how important it is that they stay on the road?" He briefly thinks of Katniss and his other villagers. What if she would have come upon them? "Get ready, I want you and pick out your best men to escort them to the border."
Darius nods. They turn to go their separate ways. He passes Effie on the way to his office. "Come with me I need you to write a letter for me."
It's a couple of days later, Peeta just has to get away for a little while from all the beginning of the year 'things' as Effie like to call the extra duties. He sneaks out to the stable, and quickly saddles Bishop. He adjusts his saddle, and not for the first time, he is glad that his father insisted that he learn how to take care of the little things for himself instead of waiting on others.
In no time, he is letting Bishop have "the lead" while he just tries to clear his head. It isn't long before he realizes that Bishop is taking him to the village of Gual. It's been several days since he saw Katniss at her cottage, and it takes him a moment to realize that he has missed her.
A movement in a tree ahead of him gets his attention and he reins in Bishop until he comes to a stop. Peeta notices that he is this close to the village, and he is near the area where Katniss saved Ethan, so when he sees the long bow rise, and an arrow fly, he knows that it's her. He hears a rustle coming towards him, and he sits up even straighter when a ten point buck staggers towards him with the arrow coming out of his neck. It drops onto the snow about ten feet in front of him.
He looks up and sees his silver-eyed beauty, who reminds him of some Goddess intent on revenge, striding towards him. Even from this distance, he can see that she is angry until she sees him. He loves how he can see her features soften.
"It's you," she says, barely loud enough for him to hear.
He climbs down from his horse and he slowly approaches her. "It's me," he whispers. Now that he isn't moving with Bishop, he feels how cold it really is. She is dressed in threadbare woolen hose and an oversized wool shirt that almost comes to her knees that isn't in much better shape. Her deer skin boots are soaked from the snow and her long walnut colored braid trails over her shoulder. A slight cold wind blows through the forest and he grows worried when he sees her shiver. "You are freezing."
She looks down at her deer and remarks, "It is cold. What are you doing out here?" She bends over to pull the arrow out of the fallen animal. They both watch the animal bleed out, turning the white snow a deep red. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, leaving a faint bloody streak on her cheek.
He notices that she hasn't any gloves on, and her fingers are turning red. He isn't really thinking when he blurts out, "come with me to the castle. You need to get warm."
She shakes her head, even before he is finished with his request. "I've got to get back to violet." She pats the game bag hanging over her shoulder. "And Mother is waiting for these herbs."
"Are the people of your village sick?"
"Some are. Normal winter sickness. Then there are others who depend on their daily herbs that Mother provides." She walks over to a small sapling and grabs a small axe from her waist and starts to swing.
Peeta calls out, "Let me help you. You know, like I did with the boar."
She lowers the axe. "That is too far. You will freeze before you get back to the castle."
"I will not. Come and let me help you. Bishop doesn't mind." the beast huffs and his exhale makes him appear even more menacing when she can see his breath in the cold.
The wind picks up even more and they both look up at the same time to see more grey clouds gathering. "Don't you need to get back to the castle?" she asks.
"You need to get to your cottage before you freeze."
"Fine," she huffs. "You can help. It looks like it's going to snow some more. Let's go."
Together they quickly build a quick sled and tie the deer on it, attaching it to Bishop's saddle. After everything is secure, Peeta reaches for her and she dances away from his touch. "What are you doing?"
"I was going to help you onto Bishop. We will get there quicker if we both ride."
She looks at them both shyly. "I've never been on a horse."
He grins at her and holds out his hand. "Come, I've got you."
She comes to him and even through his woolen gloves, he can feel how cold her hands are. He lets go of her, and slips them off, putting them on her. He can see her start to protest, but before she can say anything, he is picking her up, and helping her into the saddle. "Lean up." he says.
"What?"
"Lean up." he says again. She leans forward over the horse's mane and he climbs up behind her. Bishop does a little side-step dance that makes Katniss gasp, and Peeta wraps his arms around her, steadying them both when he gets ahold of the reins. "I've got you," he whispers in her ear. he takes a deep breath, and the way she smells like the fire he knows she has burning in her cottage with a, he sniffs, but tries not to let her hear him, hint of lavender, makes him want to bury his nose in her neck. (Or… forest around them, stirs something in his heart.)She shivers again, making him pull her closer so that she is nestled against his chest.
Peeta nudges Bishop forward, and he sets off at a slow trot heading towards the village. She doesn't say anything, but he can't even think straight because of her bottom bouncing lightly on his lap. There is a delightful tightening in his britches that he hasn't felt in a while that makes him want to bury something else in her besides his nose.
She squirms against his lap, threatening to topple both of them off of Bishop. He tightens his arm around her, and says, more gruffly than he intended, "Be still or we will both fall off." Without thinking, he tightens his arms around her and he can feel her stiffen. "You need to relax just a little. Bishop won't drop us."
She nods, but doesn't relax. So he begins, "You know, I remember riding through these woods with my friend Finnick. We would always see who could make it from the castle to the lake first."
He can feel her breathe deep, and then say, "The lake near my village?"
The snow has started falling again, which only adds to the spell that is being woven around them and it makes him want to revere the beauty of his company and the woods around them. So he murmurs, "That one. We would go there and swim all afternoon. Then we would go back and Sae would let us help her in the kitchen."
He can feel her starting to unwind when she says, "That is where my father taught me to fish."
"I've caught many a fish there, also." He pauses for a moment and then asks, "Isn't the snow beautiful?"
She relaxes a little more, starting to lean into him. "I've always loved the forest, no matter what season it is, but I do love the snow. It reminds me that no matter what, life goes on."
"Really? I would think spring would do that."
"Violet was born on the winter solstice." He sees her bend her head and fiddle his gloves on her fingers. "She is new beginning. Even now, she is reminding me that things will be good again."
He pulls Bishop to a stop and tilts her chin towards him. He feels a magnetic force, urging him to steal a kiss, but he knows that he shouldn't. So instead he whispers, "Things will be good again, for both of us." He looks deep into her eyes, and then he can't help but to steal a glance at her lips, but returns to her eyes.
She is returning his soul searching look with one of her own. She looks like she wants to do something, but the shrieking of an owl flying overhead makes her jump. She giggles nervously, and puts her hand over her heart, "The snow, Peeta."
He nods. "It's nice, but not as beautiful as you."
He loves the way she flushes red at his words. "We need to get going. You still have to get back to the castle. I don't think I can explain you staying with us to Violet."
He chuckles, "Ethan would miss me too much. Aye, my lady we will go." He nudges Bishop to a slow walk.
It's on a cold snowy day. King Peeta, along with his royal guard and Finnick set out. They are set to travel the several hours it will take to arrive at the border of Dosean and Trideag. Generations before them would meet at a cabin that sits perfectly on the country border to talk and to exchange information. So it's here where the king meets his closest ally, Queen Alma Coin.
Peeta and Finnick walk in to the old, but well maintained cabin. A fire is already roaring in the fireplace, with the queen sitting in the closest overstuffed chair. She is dressed in a sliver dress trimmed in fur that perfectly matches her grey hair, and while it almost matches Katniss' eyes, her eyes are so much more prettier than the dress could ever be. He takes the queen's hand that she offers him and presses a chaste kiss upon it, before he says, "Your Majesty, thank you for taking time for me today."
She waits while Finnick repeats Peeta's gesture then she scowls at them. "You are late."
The men sit on the chaise across from her and Peeta says, "There was a lot of snow."
The two rulers' eyes meet over the table, and she asks, "What do you know?"
Peeta shrugs. "I know nothing. Is it because of him you asked me here?"
Alma nods and looks around and says to her own and Peeta's men, "All but commander Boggs need to step outside for a moment. I will be quick and then we will sup together." She waits for the men to file out, and then she pours Peeta and Finnick a cup of tea. "When was the last time you saw King Snow?"
It's Finnick who answers, "They came to my wedding." he nods towards her. "Thank you for your gifts."
"You know why I couldn't make it?"
Finnick nods, "But of course. We understand. Annie thanks you for your kindness."
Coin smiles. "Boggs recovered some information that Snow intends for you to marry the princess."
Peeta sputters the hot tea across his lap. "He mentioned it once, then I left-"
"That is his plan so he can take over Dosean and Trideag. He wants our coal and our gold."
"That is why he was saying that," Peeta says.
Alma leans up. "What did he say?"
"Just that i needed to think about his daughter, but i have no interest in her," he answers. He also doesn't miss the look that Finnick shoots him.
The queen studies him, and then nods. "Well whoever she is, is a lucky lady. What are you going to tell him when he suggests marriage again?"
"He isn't one who likes to hear no, is he?"
She shakes her head. "He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Are you prepared for that?"
Peeta looks uncertainly at Finnick. "We will get ready."
"And we will be here if you need us. Back up, if you will." She stands up with Boggs help. "You have met Boggs?" Both men nod. "He can come and visit when the weather warms, to help you with your fighting men? Would that help?"
Peeta and Finnick stand. "You know that i will be grateful for any help."
She nods at Boggs. "It's decided then. You will visit in the spring. Right now, go and get the men so they can eat and get warm." she holds out her hand towards Finnick. "Come and tell me about your bride. What did she wear? What did you think when you first saw her?"
Instead of staying in the bed, hiding under the covers like she really wants to do, she makes herself get out of the bed this morning only really getting up for Violet. After a subdued breakfast, Katniss gives her mother a kiss, Violet a hug and runs out the door. She feels guilty for escaping, but she had to be by herself today, if even for a moment.
Katniss shuts the cottage door behind her, stepping out into the crisp spring morning and can't help but to notice the fresh green buds on the trees around her she doesn't smile, but adjusts the bow slung across her back, and heads for her woods.
She approaches the tree where Mitch first talked to her many years ago and runs her fingers over the K and the M he carved there. She breathes a heavy sigh, but doesn't cry for the first time in the year since he was killed, she is starting to remember him without tears.
A mockingjay mimics a song it heard long ago in the distance. She looks up to see if she can spot it, but instead she realizes that she is where the dream she had months ago, took place at. She looks off into the distance, and sees the castle. The morning mist is still clearing giving it an air of mystery.
She hugs herself remembering the dream when she hears a soft nicker behind her. Before she turns around, knowing who is behind her, she remembers Mitch's words from the dream. His final words, "he already loves you so," echo in her head as she turns around to meet his familiar sky-blue eyes.
"It's you," she greets him, with their now familiar greeting.
He smiles that smiles at her, and he replies, "It's me. What are you doing way out here?"
She hugs herself tighter. "It's been a year since-"
She doesn't even get to finish before he is off of Bishop and gathering her in his arms. She gladly accepts his comfort, and she smiles against his chest as she lets the burden of her grief roll away. She feels him murmur against her hair, "I wish i could take the pain away."
She shakes her head. "It helps me to remember him and what we had. You know?"
He leans back so he can look at her. She feels those eyes bearing into her soul, but it doesn't make her uncomfortable. In the couple of months since they have been meeting in the forest around them, this hug is the closest either of them have dared. She knows that this is what she has been missing, and still at night, will try to get it back when she wraps herself in his cloak. "I do. I miss her too. But i also know that she wouldn't want me to be sad because she is gone. She would want me to go on for Ethan if nothing else."
"Well it's nice to get to a place where i can remember him without crying."
He pulls her against his chest again and she can swear that she feels his lips brushing against her hair. "Ethan hasn't talked about her lately."
She leans back again. "Is he alright?"
He nods. "He is doing his lessons, and playing. He wants to play with Violet and Colton now that it's warm again."
"I think i can fix that." she pauses then asks, "Are you ok?"
Peeta nods. "I know that she is at peace. That is what is important." He then steps back, and holds her at arm's length. "Are you hunting today?"
"No. i just had to get away for a moment-"
She doesn't miss the crestfallen look on his face. "Then i will-"
She grabs his arm and pulls him back to her. He looks surprised, and she says, "no, don't go, please. I'm glad that i ran into you."
He grins at her and she knows by the look that he is pleased. "You are? Why?"
She looks around, trying to stall while she thinks of something to say. She shrugs instead. "I just am." She pulls him towards a big rock that she likes to sit on when she comes here. She crawls up on top of it, smoothes out her skirts, and pats the spot beside her. He then crawls up beside her and they spend the rest of the morning looking at his castle and talking.