Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the HUNGER GAMES. A few things might resemble some parts of the book but it's only to make more sense to the fiction. I'm not making any sort of profit with this story. Thank you for reading.

Author's Note: For this chapter, I took inspiration on the soundtrack of Journey (a Playstation game) from Austin Wintory – The Road of Trials and The Call.

Chapter 5 – Lessons in the moon light

They had agreed to meet the forest at least once a week. On alternate days to avoid raising suspicion. The first few times, Madge only taught the path to Rory and how not to get lost easily. She taught him almost everything she had read in the forbidden books. The direction of the stars, the moon phases, types of eatable plant, geology, most common animals at night. She also taught him how to better behave in public, memorize lines and pictures, to walk straight and proud, how to eat on the table as gentleman. It was important for him to learn to let people talk first and think twice before responding them. She told him how she had to behave in front of Capitol citizens and let them believe she loved their way of living.

Rory on the other hand told her about the Seam, his family and friends. He told her about how his mother would cook for five people after working all day. He taught her to walk more carefully around the woods so her footprints couldn't be easily traced. He also told her about the gossips around the Seam and the School and the location of the Hob. It was between the Town and the Merchant. Very well hidden behind the many buildings and tall trees of the area he said. And many of the things Gale and Katniss hunted.

Soon they began to train according to the instructions and illustrations in the books. Some showed pictures and instructions of blows in the air and movements that looked like dancing. Others showed the ways of holding a sword and local critics to hurt or kill a person.

Madge and Rory often trained and got hurt in a few places but their main idea was to have fun.
On days when they were both too tired or stressed, she would read him books of romance and comedies. Right now, she was about to finish a love story while Rory struggled with an imaginary opponent.
"... For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo", Madge finished reading. She had just read a book of some guy named Shakespeare. Of course she had to change a few sentences and recreate scenes from the book to make more sense. The language was quite complicated and even she couldn't understand it at first. "So, what did you think?" She asks.
"For starters, I think my story with Prim has more tragedy than that." He sighs. "I mean, Prim might not be madly in love with me, but there is a certain level of tragedy in our history."
"Maybe we should change your tactics." There was almost 1 year since Prim and Rory fought and didn't talk anymore.

Madge taught Rory almost everything she knew about good manners but Rory wasn't applying them at school or at home. He didn't want to raise any kind of suspicious about his sudden change of character. But he at least got less fights at school and improved a few grades.

"You said you didn't want to wait until 19 to start dating Prim, but maybe you should go out with other girls. Make Prim jealous and show her that you don't actually need her forever". She thinks aloud.
"How can that help me? I cannot think of anyone else but her", Rory sighs.
"Look from this angle. If Prim doesn't appreciate you, maybe other girls will. Maybe Prim will see that you are a good match and she should reconsider her thoughts. Okay, I know I sound crazy but I hate seeing you like this… this mess is because of her. I know she is lovely and sweet but that shouldn't make you stop living your own life. Go out, have fun, meet other girls and start dating a little", Madge says a little bit angry. Rory wasn't mooning or crying all the time because of Prim but sometimes she could notice his distance eyes and thoughts. And it was quite typical some girls only to notice their admires after they move on from them.
"Yes, I know and it does seems like a good tactic. Kind masculine, actually. It's something you've been tempted to try out? Date other guys? See if your prince charming would get jealous or something? "He asks while pretending to have hit the opponent.
"No. Like I said, being the daughter of the mayor turns people off of you", she replies.
"But I've seen you with the other boys in town," Rory says. He is starting another fight imaginary.
"Ah but city boys only want one thing with girls in town", Madge takes one of the swords that they built with wood and begins to fight with Rory. She also has an imaginary opponent.
"Sorry to mess up your vision of Romeo but all the boys are like that" Rory notes. He is turning his sword "Even my brother Gale, who seems in love with Katniss, has been with many other girls. I think every week is a new one. "

Madge stranges. This was a new gossip. "Katniss knows?"
"No. Gale is usually only with girls at his age at the Seams parties but never dated. I think if Katniss knew she would have told you something", Rory says.
Madge is fighting her opponent. "We don't talk much about boys. Katniss and me. "
"What do you talk about?" Rory turns to Madge. It was not news to him that the two aren't intimate.
"Classes, teachers, homework. I do that most of the conversation, of course". Madge thinks. She was the one who always started the conversations.
"So you never told her about our side of the forest?" He asks.
"No. Only you know that. I only knew about Katniss and Gale going to the woods because of some gossips around the school". Madge seems to remember it. She turns her sword at him, challenging. "By the way, the 74th Hunger games are coming. I wanted to talk about some things. Serious things".
"Go ahead". Rory raises his sword toward her. They are starting a sword fight between them.
"Well, I wanted to ensure that in case I was drawn, I want you to burn the books that I keep here in the forest. You might want to keep them but at least burn my great-grandfather's diary so no one traces the books back to my family" says Madge while starting the first blows with her wood sword. Rory receives the first blows but quickly match her straight.

"And if I get drawn?" Rory moves forward with stronger blows.
"Survive. And above all never mention our agreement. It has to be the most guarded secret as possible. And when you win, you will also have to stop coming here. People will spy you along the 2 or 3 first years of your victory". Madge receives the blows and almost gets hit. She redraws and quits before they might get hurt. Who wins this fight is Rory. He is always the strongest.
"Glad you think I would win it. I would never kill a person". Rory replies with excited pride.
Madge spits on her right hand and extends. "Promise to me, Rory. Promise me that you will never say anything about us during the games if it happens. I have heard stories before about victor's friends and family being investigated and killed". She is distraught. "The stories, the maps and all the rest that are banned by Capital. I could die if they found out".
"Hey, stay calm. I never told anyone about it and never will". He drops his sword from his hand. "I'll take our secrets to the grave. I promise, Madge". It's his turn to spit in his hand and extend.
"Thank you," Madge says as she shakes their hands together. They really need to find another way of promising things, she thinks.

Author's Request: Please Review Chapter 5. Madge has few clues of what happens to the champions but she obviously supposes they are followed during a while. She read a lot of Capitol magazines. So far, Madge read most books for Rory and taught him psychology behavior (lots of practice in front of a mirror).Thank you for reading.