Chapter 42: Letting Go
Another six weeks have gone by and Gale refuses to wait any longer. If the Capitol aren't going to call him back, then he will go there himself and force Paylor to make a decision. This time Gale decides he will get the train to the Capitol as he doesn't want to give Paylor any warning of his impending arrival. She has had enough time to sort things out and should at least have some idea of what the Government is going to do.
Gale decides to visit Katniss and Peeta before he leaves. He wants to keep them up to date on what is happening and let them know about his trip to the Capitol. Peeta is in the garden when he arrives.
"Hey, Gale. I'm just trying to tidy this garden up before Prim's birthday on Sunday" says Peeta.
Gale had forgotten. It was Prim's first birthday and they were going to have a big celebration with family and friends. How quickly the last year had gone. Gale was glad that the family were able to celebrate the occasion together…things could have turned out so differently just a matter of months ago.
"Peeta, I'd forgotten you'd invited me to come over". Gale feels bad that he has become so caught up in his own plans that he had forgotten about Prim's birthday. "I'm actually making plans to head back to the Capitol to find out what Paylor is doing about Snow".
"That's good" says Peeta. It's good that Gale is still concerned enough to want to follow up with Paylor since they've had no more sign of any trouble since their return to District 12. "They've had long enough to work it out and the longer they wait, the harder it will be to end this".
"We both know he won't stop. He is lying in wait somewhere and it's time to find out where...before he can cause you and Katniss anymore heartache. Enough is enough" says Gale.
Peeta agrees.
"Gale, we really appreciate everything you are doing to help Katniss, and catch Snow. She wouldn't even be here to celebrate Prim's first birthday if it wasn't for you. We owe you so much…" says Peeta.
"You don't owe me anything" says Gale. "I wouldn't have it any other way. It's not just Katniss who is suffering. Snow needs to pay the price for what he has done to all the people of Panem".
Katniss walks out just as Gale says this. She's put Prim down for a sleep and has come out to see how Peeta is doing in the garden. She wasn't expecting to see Gale here.
"What's going on?" Katniss asks.
Peeta replies. "Gale is heading back to the Capitol to meet with Paylor. He thinks we have waited long enough for a response from the Government and wants to try and force Paylor's hand".
"Gale, you know they don't take kindly to pressure. Especially if you are making them look bad" says Katniss. She is beginning to sound a little like Peeta. Reasonable and logical in her response. Gale doesn't recognize this Katniss.
"Since when were you so concerned about how the Government felt about anything, Katniss?" he asks.
Katniss is taken aback. She wasn't criticizing him, just concerned for his safety.
"I am just concerned about you, Gale. They could have kept you there, locked up, and they could put you in prison again" she says with feeling.
"I am not concerned about what Paylor and the Government can do to me. I'm concerned about what their inaction already did to you…and Peeta, and Prim! Someone needs to force their hand and, since I am the one who started the ball rolling, I intend to keep up the pressure until something is done. It's not just you. They have deceived all the people and put their safety at risk. I took on the job of Peacekeeper to keep people safe. It's an impossible job if the Government sets us up to fail".
Katniss knows that Gale has a point. She also sees something else for the first time. Gale is a man of the people. He belongs to the people. Whereas Peeta is a family man and belongs just to her. Peeta's vision is not as grand, but it has stolen her heart. She is at the centre of his vision. Peeta is hers and she is his, but Gale will never truly belong to anyone. He has a higher calling, one that she had felt, too, but Katniss knows her greatest calling is the one to family. The family she and Peeta have created together. This is the calling she chose and would give her life for. The revelation draws her to Peeta's side as he speaks to Gale.
"Gale, you have our full support and, if there's anything we can do to help, please just ask. We want Snow captured as badly as you do, but I don't want Katniss put at risk again".
"I agree. You have been through enough and Katniss still needs to rest and recover". Gale addresses Katniss directly. "Katniss, you need to listen to Peeta and do as he says. He has your best interests at heart and it's important that you don't leave yourself exposed. If you think back to the days we spent in the woods together, hunting, you'll remember how you need to be alert, and very still, if you want to remain the hunter and not become the hunted. Please, promise me you will be still now for Peeta and let him take care of you". It was like he was giving her to Peeta.
Katniss senses a lump in her throat. It feels like a goodbye and she doesn't want to say goodbye to Gale. She wants him to stay. She wants all of them to be together and for everything to be OK. But, the truth is, things were never really OK in District 12 or Panem, not as long as Snow was alive. She hated that she could not do something to help, but Katniss knows that Gale is right. Peeta had been through enough, Prim had suffered and their unborn child needed her utmost protection. Gale still didn't know about the pregnancy. At four and a half months she had managed to keep it concealed from prying eyes by wearing loose trousers and tops. Big jumpers, too, now the winter was beginning to set in.
Katniss barely nods in acknowledgement to Gale's words. She knows she will do as he says because Peeta deserves that and she can never make up for everything she has put him through. It's not over yet, sadly. They still have to wait for the baby to be born.
"Gale, you need to come to Prim's party on Sunday. There will be so many people there that you know and we have a surprise organized for our family and friends. Please! It would mean so much to us, and to Prim" says Katniss.
Gale thinks about what Katniss is saying. It could a while before he is back in District 12 and it would do them all good to have something to celebrate for a change.
"All right, Katniss. I'll leave on Monday, after the celebrations" he says.
Katniss gives him a big hug and thanks him. Peeta smiles, glad that Katniss is happy and Gale will be here for the big day. He has something he needs to ask him.
.