Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope that it's a wonderful one, a blessed one and that you have just a little more than you need!
My usual thanks to norbertsmom and Maria and fremus! And as always, I am so thankful for you, my readers. You humble me with your comments!
King Albert reigns in his horse, as he sits on top of the hill, overlooking his army. Even he has to admit that its an impressive sight to see the thousand or so men gathered, all wearing his colors. The armies from Trideag are gathered on the other side of the great field, their tents lined up along the edge of the clearing.
The close by villages of Gual, Coillte, and Ullord are gathered along with representatives from Arbhar, Bainne, Eadach and Mara to join in the celebrations as well. The king sighs, yes, this is an impressive day. His silent companion, who hasn't left his side during the entire time sits and observes along with him. The horses nicker at the other two men coming up the hill. One of them is King Albert's trusted advisor, the present Duke of Mara, John Cresta. Riding along beside him is King Henry of Trideag.
"Tis a good day, Albert," King Henry says. "A fitting celebration for sure."
"That is it, that it is," Albert agrees.
John adds, "The trade routes are opened, the people are prospering, new babies are being born." All the men chuckle. Both the Duke and King Henry have new additions to their nurseries, a girl named Amelia for John and a son, his mother named Henry, after her husband, the king of Trideag. King Albert choses not to think about how he lost the queen last year, and instead a small smile lights up his face when he thinks about his cherub-cheeked five-year-old prince Peeta. He knows his son doesn't understand that he met his bride today, after all, she is only a month old. He feels a bit of a tinge of guilt for arranging the marriage, but his own was arranged. Only the villagers get to have love matches, not royalty.
King Henry adds, "I think we need to lift up and mug of ale and toast this good day-"
The rulers continue talking and the silent companion quietly wishes for a mug of ale also. It's at that moment he sees a flash of something out of the corner of his eye. He kicks his mount to jump forward earning him the reward of an arrow embedded deep in his shoulder. Its his own King Albert who catches him, all realizing in that moment that the arrow was intended for the good King Al.
The men all scatter, with King Albert carrying Haymitch to the palace to see his own royal doctors, while King Henry rides to the armies, and John rides off in the direction of the arrow.
Haymitch is taken into a royal chamber and its a much younger Sae who tends to him, even bossing the surgeon when he comes to remove the arrow. Meanwhile everyone is accounted for and the Duke can't find a trail. When the visiting villagers hear of this attempt on the king's life, two men, Jack Everdeen and Michael Hawthorne step forward, offering to track the archer.
John Cresta volunteers to go with them, and they trail the tracks all the way to a small cove, down the shoreline from the docks. They all march back to the castle, full of disappointment for not catching the one who dared to try to kill their king, but anxious to find out how Haymitch is doing.
After a week of recovery, and an offer of his own knighthood, Haymitch turns it down, preferring the quiet respite of his village. So he asks for a cottage and a small allowance for he just found out that his dear sister and her husband have passed and his niece and nephew are coming to live with him.
Present time…
Haymitch rubs his hand over his face, wishing, not for the first time that all of this hadn't have happened. Ever since his time in the army, he can't stand the smell of blood. And now, he wonders if he will ever get it out of his house. Maybe he will give it to Johanna and her beau and move in with Katniss. He snorts at that thought, knowing that his niece-in-law would let him have her cottage even as she stomped out the door.
He takes another sip of his whiskey, watching that same niece, watch the boy. He supposes that he should have answered the summons King Albert sent so many years ago, but he just wanted to stay here in his quiet little village. By then, Jo and Mitch had come to live with him, and he didn't want to drag them to the castle, so they stayed here.
Most of the men who were hurt in the mine explosion have been well enough by now to go home, since it happened four days ago. The only ones left is the king, Gale, who suffered burns trying to rescue his friends, and another young man who lost his eyesight. Lily hopes that in time, he will be able to see again.
When Katniss starts dozing off, that is when Haymitch stands and walks over to her. The helpers have all long gone home and its close to midnight. She jumps awake when he touches her shoulder. "It's just me," he whispers, as he pulls up a chair.
He watches her return her gaze to the sleeping boy and Haymitch knows that she is counting his breaths. He reaches for her hand and she lets him take it. He knows what's coming, so he just scoots closer until their chairs are touching. She exhales a shattering sigh and with that, she leans her head on his shoulder and starts to weep.
And he lets her.
Not for the first time since all this happened, she wakes up with a crick in her neck. She keeps her eyes closed, while she moves her head gently, and then she brings her hand up to rub the sore muscle. She moans, not loud enough for anyone to hear but herself, really. So, when she hears her name whispered roughly, her eyes fly open to see the best sight she thinks she has ever seen, except for the first time she laid eyes on Violet, of course.
She drops to her knees beside the bed they moved him to days ago and just looks at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. He lifts up a shaky hand and reaches for her. She moves closer and he reaches for the end of her braid that is draped over her shoulder. "Katniss? Is that really you?" he asks, his voice weak from not using it for almost a week.
All she can do is nod. "Are you awake? Or am I dreaming?"
He tries to chuckle, but it comes out as a hoarse cough. "Water," she says as she jumps to her feet. "You need water."
Katniss bumps into her mother who has come over to see what the commotion is. Lily's eyes grow round and she exclaims, "Thank the good Lord above! The king is awake!"
Haymitch comes over followed by Madge and Prim. Katniss motions towards Peeta. "Water, Mother, he needs-"
"You go and fetch him some water, and some of the broth there next to the fire. I need to look at his leg, then you can help him."
She looks at her Peeta, lying there watching her. She doesn't want to leave him, but she does so she can give her mother room to work. Its been five days since he was hurt, and the mine exploded. She turns and hurries to fetch the water and the broth and returns as her mother is gently poking the area above his stiches that she put in the day before, or was it the day before that? She must be more tired than she thinks if she can't remember. She asks, "How is his leg?"
Lily keeps pressing. "Does it pain you?"
Peeta blinks slowly, and answers, "No, I'm stiff all over, but my leg doesn't hurt."
Lily nods. "It looks much better, nice, pink and healthy." She sees her daughter smiling in relief. "The medicine from the castle helped, but your prayers," she says to Katniss, "probably helped the most."
Together, Katniss and her mother prop Peeta up in the bed. She offers him some water and warns him, "Drink slowly, its been a while."
He drinks a couple of sips, and sits back with a weak smile. "Much better," he whispers.
She notices how there is swear dotting his brow, and reaches for the fresh pail of water Madge or Prim probably left for them early this morning. She rings out the rag and wipes his face. She bites her lip, all of a sudden nervous even though its been her who has been doing this same thing for the past five days. After he gives her a sigh of relief, she offers him another sip of water. Once he gets it down, she then starts to feed him the broth.
After a couple of spoonfuls, he holds up his hand. "What happened?" he asks, still a little breathless.
She sets down the bowl, and asks, "What do you remember?"
He licks his perfect cupid's bow, and says, "The woods. I was coming to find you-"
"I found you instead, covered in mud and bleeding."
"Is that why your mother was looking at my leg?"
She nods. "It looks much better. When the red streaks appeared, we all worried about you. Then Sae came and helped mother-"
"I heard you praying for me."
"What?"
He squeezes her fingers still in his grasp. "I heard you praying. I thought I was in heaven. Thank you."
She worries her lip again. "You scared me."
He says sadly, "I did not mean to, my lady. I think I scared myself."
She picks up the broth and before she offers him another spoonful, she looks down into the bowl. "Can I ask you something?" She waits for him to nod. "When were you going to tell me Your Majesty?"
She looks up in time to see him pale even more at her question. "Truth?" This time he waits for her to nod. "I thought you knew I was the king. Then, the more we would meet, I realized that you didn't know, and I know this was very dishonest of me, but I liked being treated as, well me. Not as the king, but as Peeta." She finally returns his gaze. She isn't sure what she sees there, but she knows that she isn't really upset just relieved that he is finally awake.
"I understand that, I guess. I went to the castle."
His eyes grow wide. "You did?"
She offers him more broth. "Its so big and fancy," she says a little breathlessly.
He chuckles then he asks, "does Ethan know?" She feels guilty that she didn't mention him sooner.
She nods. "He came to visit you. The Duke and Duchess- oh no! I guess I need to go and tell them that you are awake."
Prim calls out from across the room, "I've already sent Cato to let them know."
Peeta looks away from her, and sees Prim. "Have you met my sister?" Katniss asks.
"I don't think I have," Peeta answers.
Katniss looks around and Prim surprises her when she appears behind her. With a tired chuckle, Katniss says, "This is my sister Prim, Prim this is Peeta- "
Peeta says, "It is so nice to meet you." Katniss watches him and Prim talk for a moment. Now that she knows who he is, she can see how he carries himself differently, how he talks just a little bit better than anyone she knows, the aristocratic way he turns his head to watch her, watching him. She jumps up, wanting to go somewhere when he reaches out and grabs her hand.
"Please, Katniss. don't leave me yet." This time when she sits down, he pulls her down to sit so she is facing him. Even as weak as he is, he manages pull her close to him until their foreheads are touching. "Tis me. I'm still the one you met in the forest, I'm still just Ethan's father, I'm still just the man who has fallen in love with you. If you wished, I would give it all up, and come here to live with you here."
He presses his lips to hers, and she realizes that it's her tears that he is kissing away. "You can't. You have to be king," she whispers.
"Only if you will still promise to love me."
She isn't sure what makes her agree, but she nods because she knows that she can't live without this man, her Peeta, in her life. He presses a kiss to her chapped lips, and she returns it. Without thinking, she opens her mouth to welcome him with a happy sigh. She feels him smile against her lips, and she tastes salt. She pulls away and he wipes her tears. She chuckles, so glad to have him awake and well.
"Are those happy tears for me?" He whispers.
She sniffs and nods. "I was so scared. I was not ready to lose another-"
He smooths the wisps that have escaped her braid. "If I have anything to do with it, you won't be losing me for a long time yet." He claims her lips again, and she relaxes, finally letting herself unwind for the first time since this happened.
She pulls away, and offers him another spoonful of broth. "I feel as weak as a newborn kitten."
She shakes her head. "No, my lord. I think you are even weaker."
He rolls his eyes, and she chuckles, and it feels good. "I am so hungry, but the broth is all I can handle."
"You were asleep for five days."
He rubs his stomach and she is reminded that he is naked under the sheet. She can feel her flush racing up her neck as she steals a look at his chest. Even after five days of not eating, he is still as handsome as ever. "I just wish I could get up."
She isn't sure what to say, but doesn't have to when Ethan comes running in. Peeta's face lights up even more, when he sees the young prince. Before he can leap on his father, Katniss catches him in a hug and whispers in his ear, "Be easy with him, he hurts still and is very weak."
Ethan stills, and nods solemnly. Peeta opens up his arms, and Ethan climbs up onto the bed. Katniss blinks more tears away when she sees the smiles on both of their faces from being reunited.
Annie and Finnick joins them, and Katniss can see the relief on their faces too. "He's awake," Annie whispers in awe.
Katniss nods. "It's a miracle, Mother said."
"It is," Annie agrees. "Whatever happened, I'm glad it did. I'm not ready for my nephew to lose another parent."
Katniss can't help to think that she didn't want to lose him either.
"Please Katniss, let me try to stand up," Peeta pleads a couple of days after.
Katniss is standing beside the bed, trying to figure out how to keep him in the bed when her mother comes up beside her. "I think its a great idea. Katniss, can you help him?"
"Mother, he is not strong enough yet."
"The only way for him to get stronger is to get up," Lily says as she steps forward and helps the king to put his feet on the floor.
Lily keeps a hold of him, and motions Katniss closer. She doesn't miss the way he wobbles. "Mother, he is not ready for this!"
He grabs her hand, and pulls it close. "Please," he whispers. "I can't do this without you."
She nods, her heart breaking at the pleading in his voice. "Yes, my lord."
He scowls at her, and says, "Don't call me that. I'm Peeta."
She tugs him up, and somehow, she helps him to stand with him holding on to her arms. She looks up and he wipes away the tears that have escaped. "I'm tired of crying over you. You need to hurry and get better," she huffs at him.
His deep chuckle shakes them both. "Yes, my lady. I am trying my best."
She echoes, "Don't call me that. I'm Katniss."
He presses a kiss to her forehead. "You are my love."
She steals a glance up at him, and her heart feels like its going to gallop out of her chest when she sees the way he is looking at her. "Peeta-"
He squeezes her arms. "Alright, help me to walk."
She nods and puts her hands on his waist. He is wearing a linen that Annie had brought from the castle. It just simply wrapped around his waist, and tied on the side. Her hand is so close, if she just moved her finger just a hair-
"Katniss?" he asks, interrupting her dirty thoughts. She shakes her head sharply, reminding herself that she is thinking this stuff about the king. The same king who is looking at her like she is- well everything a woman wants to see in the man she loves eye's.
She slowly takes a step back, and encourages him, "Just follow me."
He nods, and its fleeing, but she does see the pain in his eyes when he puts weight on that leg. "Come on, now." She backs up as he takes a step forward. "See, you've got this. You will be galloping through the forest on Bishop again in no time."
Another grimace of pain gets her attention. So she slows down. Sweat has broken out on his brow, she asks, "Are you ok?"
He nods, but before she can say anything, Prim is behind him with a chair for him. She helps him to find his seat, and he sits down with a huff. "I don't think I'm alright."
She tries not to let her worry show on her face as she crouches down in front of him. He cups her face as she says, "You will be whole again. Sometimes it just takes a little time."
"If you think so, then I will be," he says, while Ethan comes running into the sickroom followed by Sae. She smiles as she watches Peeta embrace his son. Sae comes over to her and asks, "How is he today?"
"He's up and trying to walk. Its a good day," Katniss answers.
"It is." Sae looks around the empty great room. "Where is everyone?"
Katniss doesn't hide her smile of relief. "Madge and Colton came and got Gale today. Besides Peeta, was the last one."
"It was better for Peeta to be here. He was hidden from everyone and had time to recover."
"Is he needed back at the castle?" Katniss asks.
Sae sighs, "Ethan misses him. The Duke is managing everything. the country thinks that he is at the castle, so no one would think to look for him here."
"You make it sound like someone is spying on him, on us."
"When you are a king, you have to be suspicious of everyone." Sae sees the worry that must be on her face so she throws her arm around Katniss' shoulders. "Its not as bad as all that. We just can't trust any strangers."
"You promised me that when I can walk across the floor again, you would let me go outside," Peeta almost whines and she has to hide her chuckle.
"Yes, I did say that, but you also sound like Violet when I tell her that she can't do something."
"I do sound like a brat, don't I?" He asks. Peeta is still sitting in the chair by his bed. It's now been a full week and while he still needs to hold on to something, Katniss thinks that going outside would be perfect for him.
She shrugs. "I think I would have already gone crazy by now." While he chuckles, she helps him to put on his boots.
He waits for her to straighten up before he says, "It just feels weird to be wearing clothes again."
She holds out her hands and he grabs them, and together, Peeta is able to get to his feet. Once he is on his feet, she hands him the cane that Haymitch had found for him. When he is steady, she straightens his tunic, and is ready to lead him out the door when he clears his throat. When she looks back at him she notices that his face is red as a beet. "Oh no! what's wrong?"
He looks down and stammers, "I need help."
Worry makes it hard for her to breathe as she asks, "Is it your leg? Let's sit back down-"
"It's my britches. I need to fasten them."
"Oh," she says softly. "Can you reach them?"
He shakes his head with a sheepish smile. "I can't tie them with just one hand."
She takes a deep breath, and finds the ends of the tie. She quickly ties them, and tries not to think about how close she is to him, even after seeing him for over a week without a tunic, or anything on. She can't look at him when she is done, so she offers him her elbow, and asks, "Are you ready now?"
His voice is strained when he answers, "Yes, lets go."
As soon as they both reach the fresh air of the outside, its an audible sigh of relief they both breathe. "Are you alright?" She asks.
He chuckles, and she is relieved when she doesn't hear any pain in his voice. "I guess I need to become accustomed to hearing you ask me that?"
She looks up to see his smiling eyes taking her in. She wants to scowl at him, but she just frowns at him instead. "When your leg is all healed, then I will stop asking. Come on, lets walk."
They slowly make their way, and several of the villagers come to check on their king, after some of the guards come closer. They don't say anything, but their presence reassures Katniss. Since Peeta was hurt, she hasn't heard anything else about the situation their country is in.
Sometime, during their outing, someone brought Peeta a chair when he started leaning too heavy on her. Slowly, a couple of people at a time, the entire village has come by to speak to him. She is just happy that he is able to finally leave his sick bed.
After about an hour or so, she approaches him, to see if he needs anything, when the Duke comes riding up. He scowls at her until he notices the guards flanking the King. Its only then that he smiles when he sees how well the King is. It's not until he is dismounting, that she notices the other man. She doesn't miss Peeta's face when he sees who accompanies Finnick.
She arrives at Peeta's side about the same time they do, but remains silent while the men greet one another. Its only when they are done chatting that she touches his shoulder and bends over to whisper in Peeta's ear, "Shall we go to my cottage? It is private there, and you can talk to your men."
He reaches up and puts his hand on top of hers with a nod. "Shall we go? Katniss has offered us a private place to talk."
Katniss doesn't even wait for them to nod, but walks around to Peeta's front. Finnick notices Peeta struggle, he comes around, and gently grasps his other arm, and together they help Peeta up. He keeps ahold of her elbow and soon they are all in her meager home.
She hasn't been here in several nights, and she is glad that its been warm enough to not need a fire. She does murmur for Peeta to go over to her rocking chair. Once he is comfortable, he introduces, "Katniss, this is my old friend Boggs. He is from Trideag. Boggs, this is my-"
She interrupts when she says, "Friend. I was the one who found him."
"And she is the one who who is nursing me back to health," Peeta adds.
"Would you men like anything to drink? I can fetch some water? Or even fix some tea?"
Finnick scowls at her again, and Boggs offers a smile. "I will go and give you some privacy then. I'll be back in a little bit."
She walks out her back door and closes it behind her.
He watches the door shut behind her. Boggs clears his throat, interrupting the king's thoughts. He returns his attention to Queen Coin's man. "Boggs! I'm assuming that your visit is not to just check on how I'm doing?"
Boggs chuckles. "Your majesty, we heard what happened over the past week-"
Peeta interrupts, "Has anything else happened since I was attacked?"
Finnick shakes his head. "No, thankfully not."
"We think they may have left the country," Boggs adds.
Peeta runs his hand through his curls, trying not to get frustrated. "Please tell me what is going on."
Boggs and Finnick pull up Katniss' only other two remaining chairs. Boggs begins, "Our spies in Caipitil only learned about the attacks the day before they started. It brings us great sorrow that we weren't able to tell you about them in time."
Peeta lets what Boggs just said soak in for a moment before he exclaims, "That son of a bitch! Snow did all of this?"
Boggs nods, and Finnick says, "Wait until he tells you the rest of it."
Peeta waits for Boggs to continue. "Our spies did find out why Snow is terrorizing you. its because you turned down his offer of marriage to the princess."
There is a numb buzzing in Peeta's ears. All of his life, one person or another has been trying to control his life. Now, he has reached a place where he gets to decide what he does and doesn't want, here is someone else trying to manipulate him.
"Peeta?" Finnick asks, getting his attention. "What would you have us to do now?"
He releases a deep breath, feeling at peace now that his mind is made up, and hoping that she will feel the same. "Do you have guards at the harbors and borders?"
Finnick nods. "Are you ready to come back to the castle now, since you are healed?"
"I am, but first would you ask Katniss to come back in here? I need to ask her something."
Boggs waits for Finnick to get her then they both leave. Peeta doesn't miss the look of concern on her face when she meets his eyes. "What happened?"
"It seems that the king of Caipitil has been the one terrorizing our home."
"But, why?" Katniss stutters. "What does he want of us?"
"I told him no when he asked me to make a very important decision." She looks at him questioningly, but he says, "It is of no matter. I do need to have a word with you." He pats the chair that Boggs vacated next to him and its not until she sits that he gathers her hands in his. He brings them up to his lips, and he watches the slight flush run up her cheeks. He tries to breathe, but the simple question he wants to ask her can't seem to make it past his lips.
She notices his distress and jumps up to fetch him a mug of water. He accepts it with a thanks. She sits back and when he is done, he decides to just ask, "Katniss, will you marry me?"
"What?" She answers, a little out of breath.
He gathers her hands again, and looks into her worried eyes. "I know it seems sudden, but then it might not. I know that we have been through a lot together this past year. From you saving Ethan, to getting to play with Violet, I can think of no greater joy than for you to become my wife."
She jumps up, and he feels guilty for making her so nervous. He can see it in her eyes when she whirls around, "Peeta! I thought you were a palace guard! Not the king! If I marry you, then would I, a simple village girl be the queen? I can't-"
He struggles to get up, but he just can't. He sees her face softening when she sees him struggle. She comes over to help him, but he grabs her arm, and turns her so she lands in his lap. She wiggles in an attempt to get back on her feet when he hushes her with a gentle touch. then he pulls her to him, so he can lower his lips to hers.
He has to run his tongue along her lips, begging for entrance, but once she opens up for him, he can feel himself getting dizzy with the simple taste of her. He only pauses long enough so he can growl against her lips, "Say yes?"
He hears the hesitancy in her voice, "But Peeta-" He doesn't let her finish her protest because he is claiming another kiss. She lets him have his way, and he can feel himself stirring.
"Say yes?" He asks again.
This time, she sighs into his mouth, and pulls him back to her. This time, he lets her explore him, and he loves the feel of her hands on him. He nudges her away enough so he can beg, "Please, my love. I don't want to live another day without you being mine. Say yes."
She looks deep into his eyes, and he isn't sure what she sees there, but she must like it because she finally says, "Yes."
Yay!
There have been several questions about Peeta being king if he had lost his leg. I was talking to a friend of mine who is from France about this story one day. and she made the comment that in France their king was measured by his charisma and ability to lead his country. Meaning that he had to be strong enough to lead the armies into battle. someone weak or considered as weak would not be a respectable king. Since this story is set somewhere in Europe, I went with that, and our sweet King Peeta didn't lose his leg. So thank you Florence!