Katniss POV
"If I could have everyone's attention." Peeta's voice, clear and rich, reverberated off the walls of the great hall. The thunderous sound of a multitude of voices suddenly quieted in reverence for the new king.
"Thank you all for joining me here today." He said with a warm smile. "It is an honor for me to have you here."
Many looked around with an uncomfortable manner, no doubt many had never been addressed so respectfully and certainly they had never been treated as if their presence was an honor, not by a royal. Peeta's kind nature towards his subjects is a definite change from the leadership they were used to.
"I know the years under my mother's rule have been harsh and cruel. I promise that you will never be forced to endure such hardship again. My mother will remain locked away, as she deserves, and our kingdom will experience prosperity once again. As your new king I promise to you, all of you, that I will do my utmost to bring new life to this kingdom. I will remove the heavy taxes my mother had placed. No longer will the rich be given so many liberties while the rest of you are forced to suffer. I will seek to ensure that everyone will live a comfortable life. There will be no more starvation, no more waste. I will never again allow your families to starve…"
He could not even finish his speech before the crowd broke out into an uproar of cheering and clapping.
After sometime Peeta tried to calm the crowd once again. At first he could not be heard over the noise.
"There is one more thing, please. Soon the feasting and merriment will continue. I know there have been many rumors surrounding a certain figure. Everdeen." The chatter began again but Peeta quickly drew everyone's attention again. "It was no secret that my mother had an obsession with catching the elusive Everdeen. It consumed her. The only person who had ever dared to stand up against her. I think the part of my tale that amuses me most is that she was successful." Everyone gasped. "Yet she didn't even realize it. Many years ago, Everdeen was a simple man who refused to stand by and watch the suffering of others. So he took up the mantle and the story of Everdeen began. Before he became a legend my mother caught him. She had him killed. I imagine she thought it was over, and yet Everdeen continued. So she believed that she had not captured the source of all her trouble. Everdeen rose in fame and the legend surrounding him grew exponentially. One day I decided that I could no longer stand by and allow my mother to continue in her cruelty. I, along with two dear friends, set off down the road. I was originally under the pretense of finding a woman. I believed her name to be Delilah Cartwright. I had been completely enraptured by her. Part of me hoped that I would have a run in with Everdeen; I hoped to beg for his help. That is where my incredible story truly begins…"
And so he went on to tell the story that was started the moment we attacked his carriage. He spared only the most private details and the entire room hung on his every word.
He brought his story to a conclusion and I dreaded the next part. "You've seen her before. Although my mother was still blinded by her own desire to capture the legend. She never realized that she had the real thing right in front of her. She may have hoped to draw out the real Everdeen but if she hadn't insisted on such a show she might have been successful in finally ending the battle she was fighting. I know most of you had the chance to catch a glimpse of her at the execution of Everdeen. But I'd like for you all to officially meet the woman behind the legend."
I took the chance to nervously smooth the invisible wrinkles of the rich blue velvet ball gown that was made for me for this occasion. I still found it odd that noble women spend so much time having dresses specially made only to wear them for one occasion. The pit settling in my stomach seemed to impossibly increase in mass as Peeta's introduction came to a close. There is a reason I wear a cloak that covers my face and never allow people to catch me…I hate the attention. Yet here, in a few short seconds, everyone would be looking at me. Staring at me. With the feast coming to a close the ball would begin shortly. Unlike last time I attended a royal affair, this time I would be known for me instead of some persona I had adopted. I wouldn't be an insignificant nobody, I wouldn't be just another face in the crowd. This time everyone would know my name.
"Please, my friends, this celebration wouldn't be possible without her. I'd like for all of you to officially meet Katniss Everdeen." Any words that Peeta said after that were drowned out by the noise around me and the pounding of my heart, which filled my ears.
The hall erupted in applause again and with a nervous smile I stood and walked to the balcony where Peeta stood. I attempted to smile instead of grimace but trying to concentrate my energy on that as well as walking forward seemed to be a greater task than I expected. Just as I step near the stairs I feel the toe of my boot catch the hem of this ridiculous outfit, luckily the banister is there and I catch it avoiding the humiliation of tripping while everyone's eyes are following my every move. I've never felt this clumsy. I've never need to worry so much about my steps; if this were the forest I would have no troubles. I've also never felt like time was moving slower than it is right now. Every step I take up towards the balcony seems to move as if I were hunting a deer. Every step carefully placed because one wrong move would ruin the moment.
Nearly halfway up the stairs I chance a look ahead. Peeta stands waiting for me. His smile is welcoming and warm however it doesn't reach his eyes. His eyes still hold all the pain I've caused him, they still show his desire to avoid me, they still hold only a faint glimmer of the love he once held for me. I turn my eyes away from his and instead scan over his regal garments. He is once again dressed in only the finest the castle could offer. It is quite a change from the cloaks and tunics I had grown used to seeing him in. The navy blue of his robes bring out a darker shade of blue in his eyes. The fabric of his robes is strikingly similar to my own. However while my dress contains silver detailing his is enriched with reds and golds.
After an eternity I reach the top step where Peeta stands with a hand outstretched. The noise of the crowd fills my ears once again. I had barely even noticed that all sound had seemed to fade away while I had made my way up the stairs. Gently and hesitantly I placed my hand in his. His fingers wrap around my own and even through the white gloves he wears I can feel the familiar heat that radiates from his skin.
"Friends!" He turns back to the crowd below. "I give you our hero, our savior…Katniss Everdeen!" The crowd cheers even louder and the sea of faces below me all wear expressions of joy. My cheeks flush red. Peeta's words are far more elaborate than necessary. His praise is far more exaggerated than need be.
"Now, let us celebrate. Please continue with your feasting. If, however, you have eaten your fill please join me in a dance." The host of musicians gathered at the other end of the hall struck up a merry tune. Peeta turns to me and asks, "May I?"
With a smile I nod and he leads me down the stairs and through the crowd. Once we reach the dance floor he whisks me into his arms with a flourish. For one brief moment I am sent back to that first dance. In many ways it was that dance that began this story, our story. For one moment it was as if all the pain we'd endured this past year had never happened and instead we were still those two strangers who had danced together so long ago.
However the moment disappeared the instant I looked into Peeta's eyes once again. Filled with uncertainty and reminders. I'd hurt him. I'd broken him. Perhaps beyond repair. I'd made a mistake and in his eyes I can see what it has cost me.
He releases me the moment the song ends. With a curt bow he turns and walks away leaving me in the center of the dancing crowd. I have to skillfully weave my way towards the edge.
The sound of merriment surrounds me but I do not share it. I hover on the outskirts of the crowd. Occasionally someone wishing to thank me or just to simply chat stops me. Many ask me what I will do now. It's not a question I have not pondered. So I reassure them that I, Everdeen, am no longer needed. Peeta will be a great king and the services Everdeen once rendered will not be needed anymore. Some ask if there is romantic attachment between the king and myself and I do my best to convince them otherwise. They do not need to know the details. They do not need a love story now. They need a confirmation of their hopes. That Peeta's rule will indeed be everything he has promised. They ask where I will go. I suppose I'll go with everyone else. Finnick and Annie have already arranged with Peeta to have a lovely home of their own in the village, near the water. I know that many others plan to return to their families, or perhaps to settle for themselves. I have no doubts that Johanna and Gale may soon follow in Annie and Finnick's footsteps.
The night grows late but the party shows no intention of ending. Nor should it. They deserve this night of happiness.
I, however, am tired and so I make my way towards the stairs. Before I take the first step a surly voice calls to me.
"Where are you off to?"
I turn to see Haymitch, a bottle in hand.
"Home…I guess. Although I feel as though I may not belong there anymore. Maybe I'll travel." I try to joke with a light tone but the strain is evident in my voice.
"You should be happy." He states.
"I will be." I lie but I know he is not convinced. He quirks his eyebrow but I merely shrug. "I don't think I can repair the damage I've done Haymitch. He'd be better off moving on. I'd be a lousy queen anyhow. I prefer my trousers to these." I gesture to the lovely gown I wear.
I look once again to the door. I want to leave this all behind me. I look back at Haymitch and realize…this is the end. The kingdom no longer needs Everdeen. We have no reason to stay together anymore. The family we had made is moving apart. Who knows when we will see each other again? I rush forward and wrap my arms around him. The man who became a father to me when my own father could no longer fill that role. "Goodbye Haymitch. Thank you."
"Oh don't get all emotional on me now." He groans. "It's not as if we'll never see each other again. I hardly doubt we'll all be able to stand it anyhow. We'll visit often. I know it. No need to get all teary eyed." He says with a gruff voice. I know he understands but he'd hate to let it show.
I give him a smile and turn back towards the stairs. "Goodbye Katniss." I hear him say as I ascend those same stairs that I had entered on so long ago. At the top I turn back once more for a last glance of everything I will leave behind.
I can see Annie and Finnick happily dancing in each other's arms. Not far from them Johanna has managed to force Gale into a dance. Haymitch has joined Chaff, Marvel, Thresh, and Beetee by the tankards of wine and ale. Rue has managed to find herself a dance partner, not surprising as she looks very striking tonight. Perhaps what surprises me most is to see Cato and Madge together on the dance floor, together they look strangely happy. Could it be that something there is blossoming?
I scan the crowd once more…there is one last face I haven't seen. Who knows if ever I will see him again. Part of me yearns to run back down these stairs, to him, and to tell him I love him. But I won't. Partly it is embarrassment, partly pride that keeps me where I am. But mostly it is the cold indifference I saw in his eyes. When we dance there was none of the warmth he used to exude. It was all for show. But it seemed he would rather have been anywhere else. He barely even looked at me; he kept his eyes focus above me the entire time. He is moving on. He no longer feels for me that way I still do for him.
With one last sweep of the crowd I spot him. In the middle of the dance with a black haired young woman wearing a pale gold dress. For a brief moment he meets my eye. From a distance I can imagine the way he used to look at me. I didn't understand it then but I do now…now that it is to late.
I break our stare and turn to leave. I push past the heavy wooden door into the lavish hallway. I gather up the front of my dress and hurry down the hallway to the room where I've been staying. By the time I reach the door to my room tears are streaming down my face. I quickly rid myself of the blue velvet dress and I lay it on the bed. I pull on my trousers and tunic and grab my well-worn cloak and tie it around my neck. I don't stop to look back at the room; instead I grab my bow and arrow, the extravagant one that Peeta had given me in the armory, and sling it over my shoulder. I take the nearest hallway that leads to the stables.
The attendants there are quick to saddle me a horse upon my request. I thank them as I mount the beautiful roan colored mare. I dig my heels into her side and she takes off into the night. I can't resist one last look back at the castle as I ride off towards an unknown life. Pieces of my hair fall free from the elaborate twist and the wind whips the tendrils around my face. The tears that still stream from my eyes are blown away or dried upon my cheeks.
A/N: Hey all! Another chapter for you! Lucky me I got sick today and had all day to write...well the sick part not so much. Anyways...please read and review!