Disclaimer: This fanfic is rated 'E' for adult themes which will come into effect later on in the story. I do not own any of the characters of The Hunger Games or Betrothed, although I wish I did, and have taken creative liberties with respect to character traits and canon elements.

Chapter 5 – Katniss the Conflicted

Since arriving at the castle more than a week ago now, Katniss had slowly adjusted to the cycle of the Capitolites, sleeping for most of the day and awakening just before sunset. Those first few days had passed in a monotonous blur, but since the reaping ceremony, any hope of returning to her old life had slipped away with each passing hour, like straw in the wind.

With the wedding the next day, and still no word from her family, Katniss found herself restless with worry. Her search for the vizier had proved useless, for no one would speak with her. At the sight of her, the servants she encountered either ran in the opposite direction or claimed ignorance of the man's whereabouts. The guards were of no help either. When she'd eventually tracked down Finnick and voiced her concern, he assured her that if the Prince had ordered it, then it would be done.

Perhaps she was worrying too much, but blindly putting her trust in these strangers went against every fiber of her being. If she was to survive this place long enough to figure out a way home, the only person she could rely upon was herself. But it was naive to think she could do this on her own. She would need help. She would need an ally.

The young handmaid seemed her most promising option, as Rue had been the only one brave enough to attend her. When Katniss had insisted she could manage herself, the look of panic that washed over the girl's face had led Katniss to reconsider dismissing her. Rue's familiar face had become an unexpected source of comfort, and she soon learned the girl was a wealth of information when it came to the on goings of the castle and the courtiers. Not to mention quite resourceful, especially when it came to the sweet treats from the kitchens. All of her meals were brought to her room, which she appreciated but also made her wonder if she was being kept away from the rest of the court intentionally.

Although the Prince had insisted she was not a prisoner in the palace, it was obvious that no one wanted her there. Not even him apparently, since she had not seen the Prince again since sharing her proposition with him. A part of her took offense to his absence, as though his lack of interest in her was a sign of rejection. Not that it should matter, but still if she was such a blessing to him and his lineage, did he not wish to get to know her? To understand the woman who was to become his wife, and as he claimed, be by his side forever?

Despite the unexplainable hurt she felt, there was an odd desire to seek him out, if only to give him a piece of her mind on his neglect. Her attempts to explore the palace, however, were met with wary looks and all conversations fell to a hush when she passed. Her one and only visit to the courtroom had ended with a quick retreat, no thanks to the suspicious glares and upturned noses of the courtiers. Everywhere she went she was a spectacle to be scrutinized. Her only refuge was her lonely chambers.

To add insult to her ever-growing frustration, Rue had also returned empty-handed when Katniss asked her to retrieve the tessera that she had stowed away in the mattress in the maid's quarters. Her inquiries to the vizier—who she was told was in control of the royal purse strings—concerning what she was owed from Lady Clove had also gone unanswered. Unsure of when she'd be able to leave the castle, it was pertinent she collect her payment and have it sent to her family.

And so she had made it her mission for the day to scout out the castle for any means of escape, if only for a short while to let her family know she was safe.

No one stopped her when she picked her way through the courtyard to explore the rest of the grounds. There was a great wall that encircled the palace, but Katniss was pleasantly surprised at how much greenery surrounded her. There were plots of freshly tilled earth, rows upon rows of fruit trees, and a small forest dominated most of the vast grounds.

From her chambers that overlooked the rear of the palace, she had spotted a stables off in the distance and that was where she was headed. Upon approaching the building, a scraggly orange cat darted across her path, almost tripping her, as it chased a mouse into one of the stalls. It paused to hiss at her, as if her very presence offended it, and she couldn't help but hiss back.

"Watch it, you mangy beast, or else you might make a fine stew." She smiled to herself when the ugly thing regarded her in return and then disappeared around a corner, flicking its crooked tail.

As Katniss made her way down the stalls, she surveyed the horses. It was a rather diverse stock with impressive white geldings mixed with the more hardy workhorses that were common in the Seam. Oddly enough, she felt more at home and relaxed amongst the sounds and smells of the beasts than in the palace with the courtiers. Out here, there were no discriminating stares, no one to turn their nose up in her direction—except for maybe the stable cat—or whisper about her behind covered mouths.

Here, she could just be herself, if only for a short while.

She reached out and stroked the nose of a friendly chestnut mare, smiling ruefully when the horse nudged at her palm in search of a treat. If only she had a carrot or an apple for the poor thing. As she looked into the horse's eyes, she wondered. Did the beautiful creature believe it was trapped within the confines of the stall? Eager to escape and return to the wilds? Or was it content where it was with a roof overhead, surrounded by fresh straw and a trough full of all it required to survive?

"Who goes there," a gruff voice called out from behind her.

Katniss spun and found a man leaning against the door of the next stall over. He had a bottle in one hand while the other brushed his greasy hair away from his eyes. But it wasn't the man's disheveled appearance that had her momentarily speechless, it was the tell-tale grey eyes and olive skin of the Seam.

"Who are you?"

"The stable master."

Katniss barked out a laugh. "I highly doubt that."

"Fine, but I am here to look after the horses. Those specifically," he said, pointing towards the workhorses housed in the stalls at the far end. He turned his attention to the mare she was patting and moved to join her. "These Capitolites only know how to care for their pretty show horses." He reached out and the mare nuzzled his palm, its affection for the man obvious with the gentle sounds it greeted him with.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"Haymitch."

She searched her memory for the name but she could not recall it. Had she seen his face around the village perhaps? Still, there was a familiarity about him that put her at ease and made her feel just a little less alone in a castle teaming with Capitolites.

"Spoiled they all are, no thanks to the Prince." He turned his attention to her momentarily and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a sugar cube. The mare greedily accepted the treat and brushed her muzzle against the man's cheek. "And who would you be?"

Katniss snorted. Had he been living under a rock the past few days?

"My name is Katniss, and I am the Prince's betrothed. Or so I am told."

The man only grunted, his eyes lowering to her rather ill-fitting dress and bare feet. He took a swig of the amber liquid in his bottle. "I overheard the maids the other day, tittering on about how their Prince had finally been blessed with a betrothed, but how unfortunate it was that she was of the Seam."

"And I thought I was the only one at the castle."

"There are quite a few of us here if you care to look." He pointed out a window at the end of the stall in the direction of the fields and trees. In the distance, she could make out tiny figures moving here and there. "The Prince hired a handful of farmers to restore the plots and orchards within the palace grounds. Even hired on some of the stone masons to repair the walls and the east wing of the castle that had been looking worse for wear."

He had? Katniss pursed her lips. It was true she had only now thought to venture outside, but she found it rather curious that the Prince was tending to the castle. And employing villagers? Perhaps he did mean to stay longer than the nobles claimed.

"Have you been cooped up inside the castle this whole time?" Haymitch asked, and Katniss nodded. He scratched at the stubble that lined his chin. "Probably for the best. So tell me then, why would the Prince's betrothed be creeping around my horses?"

Katniss bristled. "I was not creeping."

"Fine then, hiding." But then he narrowed his eyes. "Or perhaps…scouting?"

"I just needed fresh air," she replied rather sharply but then looked away. Was she that obvious? Turning her attention back to the mare, she changed the subject. "These Capitolites are a…strange people. I am not yet used to their ways."

The man laughed and then offered her his bottle. She declined with a shake of her head and he shrugged. "That's an understatement. They may be different, but the coin is always the same, no matter whose pocket it comes from."

The sting of losing her tessera was still fresh, but she could still relate nonetheless. "And are they paying you well? For your services?"

"Of course they are, or else I wouldn't be here."

"Are you not worried about what they will say back at the village?"

"Who?" But then he frowned and shook his head. "If you mean those so-called rebels, then they can say whatever they like. Doesn't matter to me. The Prince treats me well and gives me a fair wage, unlike those sticklers in the village who try to run roughshod over me to get my services for free. If truth be told, I prefer working here than back in the village."

"Do you not find it difficult to keep up with their odd hours?"

"My shift just ended actually. The Prince doesn't expect us to keep to their schedule, and that suits me fine. I wanted to look in on the horses one last time before nightfall, then I'm heading home. "

It was tempting to ask the man more questions, to learn what he'd discovered about the Capitolites and the castle and—somewhat embarrassed to admit—more about the Prince himself. But that would have to wait for another time. "Well, do not let me keep you then."

He gave her a curious look but then answered with a grunt. He touched three fingers to his brow, a show of respect amongst their people, and then turned on his heel. As she watched his retreating form, she remembered her purpose for venturing outside the palace in the first place.

"Wait!" she called out as he reached the stable door. He glanced over his shoulder and lifted an eyebrow expectantly. "Can you pass along a message to my family? I was expected back home a few days ago. The Prince's vizier seems to be avoiding me, and I fear no word has reached my family yet of my recent…situation."

Haymitch nodded. "Of course, what is the message?"

She thought for a moment, unsure if her original request to bring them to the palace was a good idea given the court's rather less-than-welcoming reaction to her presence. "Tell them I will be longer than I originally thought but I will be sending the payment I was promised as soon as I can."

"And where will I find them?"

After relaying the directions to their farm, the man nodded and took his leave. Knowing she now had a way to communicate with her family until she sorted out her situation with the Prince was a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders.

The man had also given her much to think about. She found it curious that the Prince would look to employ those from the Seam, and that they would willingly accept a position at the castle. Was it possible that not all viewed the presence of the Prince in their realm as a threat?

Katniss glanced out the window once more. With the sun sinking lower towards the horizon, it was probably best that she returned to her chambers. If she was lucky, Rue would have a tray already waiting for her, full of the buttery rolls that she'd taken a liking to.

As she was about to exit the stables, someone grabbed a hold of her by the waist and pulled her into an empty stall. Before a scream could cross her lips, she spun about in her captor's arms but cursed under her breath instead.

"Gale," she hissed and then sputtered when he leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. Shoving at his chest, she broke free of his hold and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. "Are you crazy? We could have been seen! The guards will kill you if they find you here!"

"Happy to see you too, Catnip." He took a moment to take her in, his smile dipping into a frown when he noticed her dress. "When you didn't return, we thought the worst. So I came to find you."

"How are they? Is Prim okay?"

"She's fine, they both are."

"Good, that's good." With a relieved sigh, Katniss nodded, then began to pace back and forth within the stall.

She tried to remember how much grain was left in the cellar. If Prim was able to keep up with the hens, then they'd still be fine for eggs. The woodpile had been full, so there was no need for Prim to attempt the axe, thank the gods.

"What are you still doing here?" Gale asked, pulling her from her thoughts. "You said you would only be gone a week."

Katniss was hesitant to share with him everything that had transpired over the past few days. Maybe it was because she was ashamed, or because she thought he wouldn't understand, but most likely it was because she wasn't sure how he would react to the Prince's recent claim on her. But she had to tell someone.

Without going into every detail, Katniss relayed to Gale the events that had passed since arriving at the castle. How while in the service of Lady Clove, she was forced to sleep with the maids but that not much was expected of her. There was no mistreatment, except for being washed and groomed like an obedient pet, and so if anything, it was a rather uneventful span of days.

For the most part, he listened intently but snuck in questions here and there that had Katniss suspicious of why he was so interested in the specifics of the castle and the odd schedule that the nobles kept. How many guards were posted at the doors? Of often do they change out? What times was the court in session?

When she reached the part of the reaping ceremony, however, Gale fell silent and simply watched her with an unnerving look in his eyes. His lips pursed when she explained how the Capitolite's goddesses had chosen her to be the Prince's betrothed. There was something in his reproachful glare that made her decide it was best not to share with him that she was considering going through with the marriage. That the thought of bearing the Prince's children was not a terrible one. Nothing was yet final, so she chose not to elaborate. But still, she was surprised at how well Gale was taking the news.

"You should go through with it," he finally said, shocking her. "It's the perfect opportunity. Marry the Prince, do what they ask, and then on the wedding night? Kill him."

Katniss recoiled. "What?!"

"You heard me. Let us see how they react after we dispose of their blessed prince." He reached into his pack and pulled out a pouch, then released the small dagger that was strapped to his thigh. "Here, you can make use of these."

Katniss stared at the proffered pouch. "What is that?"

"Sleep powder. Put it in his drink and after he passes out, do away with him."

"Have you gone mad? I can't kill someone!"

"Of course you can. You're a hunter and you know how to handle a knife. "

Staring in disbelief, Katniss shook her head. He could not be serious. This plan was complete folly, how did he not see it? To think that taking a human life was no different than killing a rabbit or a squirrel? The man speaking to her was not the same one she grew up with. This was the group of rebels that she had told him to keep away from.

"I kill animals…not people, and certainly not a prince," she spat.

"How different can they really be?" Gale scoffed at her repulsed stare. "Make it look like an accident then."

"I won't do it. How could you even ask that of me?"

"It's not me that asks. It's your people." His eyes hardened, the grey almost black. "Do you know what has been happening back at the village while you have been holed up in that damn castle? Pretending to play house with that monster they call a prince? And for what, some fancy dresses and some coin?"

Katniss stumbled back at the harsh words he'd hurled at her. They hit a nerve and Katniss fisted her hands at her sides, eager to punch him in the gut.

"I did not ask for this," she said, gesturing to her dress. "I did not ask for any of this, and I've been left to find a way out of this situation all by myself! Do you know what it has been like in there? Surrounded by Capitolites at every turn who would rather dispose of me with the trash than be in my presence? The only thing protecting me at the moment is this betrothal to the Prince! I only came here to earn enough money to keep my family from starving! So don't you dare suggest that I have turned my back on anyone, don't you dare!"

A few of the horses became restless and Gale turned his attention to the stall door. "Keep it down. I'm sorry. I know you would never intentionally turn your back on your family." He ran a hand through his hair and pulled at the strands. "Things are just getting tense, alright? The Prince keeps sending his people into the village to stir up trouble, to try and make us change our ways. But that's how it always starts. Little changes here and there and then before you know it, we're either being forced to our knees before the iron fist of the crown or cut down where we stand."

Gale's heated words did not sit well with her. If what Haymitch had shared was true, it did not seem as though the Prince was trying to stir up anything. Perhaps none of this was his choice and he was only trying to carry out his royal duties, whatever they were. From what little she knew of him, she did not find any reason to believe the Prince was cruel-hearted. Cold and guarded perhaps, but not cruel.

"Do this for our people, Katniss," Gale persisted. "Let us be rid of that fool Prince and we'll send the nobles back to the Capitol with their tails between their legs. Then we can finally live our lives as we wish."

How could he be that naive? The King would retaliate and the Capitol would rain their wrath down on them as an example to the other realms of what rebellion would result in. "This is madness! What have those rebels been filling your head with? Any attempt on the Prince would only lead to more bloodshed. Is that what you want? A war? "

"It's not madness, it is the truth of our situation. Change is on the horizon and if you choose to turn a blind eye to it and our people, then you are not one of us. You are no better than them."

Seething, Katniss turned her back and kicked at the pile of straw in the corner of the stall. How dare he try to guilt her and use the supposed betterment of their people to drag her into this? To stain her hands with blood all in the name of the rebel's cause?

If only to shut him up and get him to leave, Katniss spun around and snatched the dagger and pouch from Gale's hands, tucking them away in the hidden folds of her dress. "I would never betray our people," she snapped.

Gale smiled and lifting a hand to her cheek, stroked it with the back of his fingers. "There's the girl I know." Then he stepped back and pulled at the sash that was knotted around his waist. Handing it to her, he closed her fingers around it. "Once the deed is done, put this outside your window so we know where you are. We will come for you then."

With a shake of her head, she pushed him away. "Go now, before someone finds you."

She watched from the cover of the stall as he crept back out of the stables, and then headed for the hedgerow. Before he disappeared into them, a wave of worry for her family rippled through her.

"Gale," she called out but then winced as she glanced about to make sure she hadn't drawn any attention. "Don't let them starve."

"I won't, and I'll see you soon."

Then he vanished into the trees. The urge to follow him was overwhelming, but she forced her feet to stay planted where they were. She had to trust that Haymitch would deliver her message and that Gale would follow through on his promise. Her family would survive a bit longer and when she was certain they would be safe in the palace, she would send for them.

Until then, she had work to do.

Author's Note: Damnit Gale! Way to try and back a girl into a corner :D A few of you have been wondering if Peeta will keep on with his mistresses, let's just say you have nothing to worry about, I can't bring myself to ever write unfaithful Everlark. The wedding day is coming up next!

Special thanks to the lovely Louezem for pre-reading! Any mistakes your find are all mine.

If you enjoyed this chapter, I'd love to hear from you!

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