Peeta POV
The guards deposit us in the middle of the forest surrounding the palace walls. Far enough away that we are not at risk for running into anyone. Also very far away from where we left our horses.
It is a solid day of trekking to get to where our horses are still tied. The journey is long and our feet are sore by the time we reach them.
"We should be able to make it back to camp by nightfall. From there we can decide what we should do." Haymitch commands in a gruff voice.
My mind runs wild with worry for Katniss. I can't bear to imagine what my mother could be doing to torture her. It hurts to even consider it so I do my best to distract myself. I fear I will be sick or go mad if I don't.
When we reach camp Haymitch commands everyone to stop and rest. Everyone is exhausted and doesn't bother to fight him on this command.
I retire to my hut and the gentle snoring of Gale and Finnick fills the air while I lie awake unable to retreat into a peaceful sleep. I toss and turn and lurch awake when vivid images of Katniss' torture fill my mind.
When morning comes I feel no more rested than I did before.
The sun has only begun to rise when I descend the ladders to the awaiting campfire. Haymitch sits on a log beside it, carefully stoking it with a burnt stick.
"Mornin'." Haymitch grunts as I sit across the fire. He looks up and chuckles but it is a hollow sound. "You look like shit boy." His attempt at humor falls flat.
"I feel like it." I mumble in return and scrub the heel of my hand over my tired eyes. "What are we going to do Haymitch?"
"We'll figure that out when everyone wakes up and when Rue gets back from town." He grumbles.
"Rue went to town?" I tilt my head in curiosity.
"Yeah. She got up just before the sun and said she was going into town to get something special for breakfast." Haymitch prods the fire again.
Everyone wakes up within the hour and gathers around the fire. Everyone asks the same question and Haymitch always answers, "We'll figure that out when everyone is up and Rue gets back from town."
Finally when everyone is gathered around the fire to wait. We try to prod Haymitch further on his plan because he has to have a plan. But he says nothing.
"We need to know what we are dealing with." He answers vaguely.
We all know what we are dealing with. My psychotic mother who has Katniss captured.
When Gale stands up quickly from the fire and quirks his head to the forest I know that Rue has returned, as does everyone else. We all jump to our feet in anticipation.
It seemed like eternity, although I know it is only a few moments, until she bursts through the underbrush.
Her hair was askew and her breathing labored but what was most unsettling is the way her eyes were wild with panic and dread.
Haymitch stands quickly upon her entry into the clearing and rushes to her side. With knowing eyes he reaches down and pulls a crumpled roll of paper from her squeezed fist. Rue's eyes glint with unshed tears so whatever is on that paper cannot be good.
Haymitch unrolls the paper and his eyes quickly scan over the scroll. Heavy weighted paper with holes at the top and bottom suggest it had been posted and Rue must have ripped it down because the paper is torn from the holes. I recognize the paper. It's what my mother uses for royal proclamations and the like. And if Rue ripped it down and ran all the way here whatever is on that paper can't be good. Haymitch's face changes and mirrors the dread in Rue's eyes.
I rush forward and rip the paper from Haymitch's hands. He sighs and runs his now empty hands over his eyes.
I turn the paper over and read aloud.
"It is by royal decree, in the name of her Majesty the Queen, that Everdeen has been captured and now tried for his crimes. Everdeen has been found guilty of treason against her Royal Highness, of theft of royal property, of theft of the private property of many, and of the murder of government soldiers. Everdeen will face punishment tomorrow at midday. As punishment for said crimes Everdeen will hang."
Everyone gasps and my throat tightens.
"What are we going to do Haymitch?" Annie asks with a quivering voice.
"When we were being escorted out of the dungeon Katniss…" He pauses and sighs again. "Katniss said, rather mouthed, to me 'Don't come back for me.' I…"
Haymitch stumbles back as my hands connect with his chest.
"We can't leave her! You cannot be serious Haymitch! How could you even suggest that? We have to save her or she'll die Haymitch!" I keep shoving him with every sentence and I can see his eyes fill with rage but my own mind is too clouded to care.
Finally Haymitch has had enough and shoves me back. "Calm down boy! I never said I was going to do as she asked! Sweetheart is being her typical self-sacrificing and foolish self. I was going to say…before you so rudely interrupted me…that I think we need to start making our plan. We are going to have to save her but the Queen is going to be expecting it.
Katniss POV
"They won't come for me." I protest weakly as my sides throb from the blow I just received. The Queen is convinced that my hanging will draw out Everdeen. She doesn't even realize what she has. It's amusing to me. Apparently my laughter insulted her. She doesn't know the message I gave to Haymitch as he left. He'll listen to me. He respects me enough.
"Oh they will come for you and when they do I will be ready. It matters not to me if Everdeen gives himself up. You all will die for the crimes you've committed against me. I just prefer a far more public setting. It's more exciting wouldn't you say. Any day now they'll see my decree for your hanging and even if Everdeen does not wish to save you I have a feeling my good for nothing son will try. The others of that group of ruffians care for you and when they inevitably come to save you I will have them all punished for their crimes. It will be quite a show. You'll be ready at the gallows and I will allow them a fraction of hope that you may be saved and when they show themselves they will die trying to save you and you will hang by the neck. I always did like a good show."
"It won't work." I protest again. But this time I'm not so sure.
Peeta POV
The plan is set. Everyone is moving into position. Everyone has donned their disguises. I have hidden myself in one of the turrets that overlooks the courtyard. In a few hours the door directly in my line of view will open and Katniss will be led out by at least four guards. She will be walked towards the gallows where a noose…I can't even finish the thought.
The cool of the night fades away. The sun's rays beat down on the dry ground. The turret I'm hidden in becomes muggy and stifling. Villagers begin to trickle into the courtyard. Under the command of the Queen everything has been shut down for the day and everyone is required to attend the hanging of their beloved hero. The faces of nearly every villager is downcast, no one wants to see their icon of hope hanged for helping them when no one else would.
When the sun sits high in the sky and the mid day heat has reached its peak the guards begin assembling. From my post I can spot many of my comrades reading themselves. I grab Katniss' bow and hold it close to my heart. I grab an arrow and ready the bow as Katniss had taught me.
Soon enough the music sounds and the Queen, my mother, emerges from the castle with a great fanfare. She waves as if the crowd adores her yet the only response she receives is born from fear and not love or respect. She is seated across from the platform where the gallows hang. Guards situate themselves around her and turn their attention toward the door.
The door opens and a few guards emerge. My heart pounds knowing Katniss will follow soon. The procession stops and a ruckus can be heard within the castle. The guards rush back inside. My lips curl into a smile knowing that Katniss is still unwilling to go without a fight. Rage clouds the Queen's face as the stall continues. However the guards seem to regain control and the procession continues.
The front guards emerge again and behind them drags a dirty chain. The end of the chain is connected to a pair of metal shackles wrapped around battered wrists. Katniss emerges from the darkness and my heart races. Her hair had been braided before but now it barely resembled her traditional hairstyle. Smear of dirt and dried blood and recent bruising covers all exposed skin. Her lip is cracked in a few places and blood has dried in those cracks as well. Around the shackles her wrists are torn, no doubt from her attempts at escape. She seems so much frailer than when we left her in that dungeon not even two weeks ago. However when her eyes scan the courtyard I see everything that I've always respected about her. No fear just courage, bravery, strength, and a free spirit that cannot be caged.
The guards roughly haul her towards the gallows. The chains clatter in protest. The crowd has fallen into reverent silence. The guards heavy footsteps echo on the wooden platform, Katniss' tread remains silent as if she is merely floating above the platform.
My throat clenches, knowing and nervous about what comes next. I adjust my grip on the bow and raise it. I focus my arrow and steady my breathing. I allow myself to remember Katniss teaching me how to shoot. If I closed my eyes I'm sure I could imagine her hands as they adjusts me and her breath caressing my skin.
The procession stops and Katniss stands in front of the thick rope noose. The guard slips it over my head and rage fills me at the sight. He pulls it tight and Katniss doesn't even acknowledge it. Her eyes instead burn passionately as she glares foreword at the Queen.
"Citizens of Panem." My mother declares as she stands. "Today we are witness to the punishment of Panem's most notorious criminal. Everdeen stands before you today to be tried for her crimes."
In her most pretentious voice my mother reads the charges.
"May this be a lesson." She finishes. "That no man nor woman is above the law. Justice will punish any who are deserving."
The crowd remains silent for a moment. Then one hand raises high in a traditional three finger salute only given to those who you respect most of all. It is a goodbye of sorts but it is so much more.
I notice the Queen begins to shake with rage upon witness every hand follow the first in quiet salute.
"Now!" She screams, losing her calm and haughty countenance. Rage takes over and the guards react in fear. One lunged for lever and the floor disappears from beneath Katniss' feet.
A/N: Hello everyone! Thanks for all the reviews! They have been wonderful. I love how eager everyone is to read this story. Unfortunately I won't be able to update as regularly as I would like. I am in my fourth year of University and I will be graduating at the end of this year and so I am taking a lot of really full courses. Between Wanted: Everdeen and Invisible to the Touch I hope to update one every two weeks. If I find time I will update them sooner. Thank you for understanding.
Also please review and let me know your thoughts! As always they make my day!