Epilogue

The trumpets sound as the large oak doors at the end of the hall open to reveal my daughter, the Queen, dressed in an elaborate blue silk gown with a heavy gold crown on her head. Peeta, as always, follows beside her with his arm tucked under hers and a smile full of love and devotion. The crowd all turn to look at Katniss in happiness and pride as they watch her make her way down the aisle. She smiles in gratitude and tips her head in acknowledgement as she passes the eager and jubilant guests. I have never seen such love and affection from a set of royal subjects.

No expense has been spared for the 10 year anniversary celebration of her reign. There will be feasts and jousting competitions. Songs and dances and tours of the villages. Special ceremonies to honour their Queen. The palace has not seen a celebration as extravagant as this since her first marriage to Prince Gale.

The palace itself has never looked more beautiful. All the tall stone walls have been draped with finely embroidered tapestries and hangings of our royal blue sigils. The candlesticks are all of the highest quality gold and the flames of the candles flicker off the shiny surfaces making the whole ballroom twinkle and sparkle. An enormous and elaborate flower display of primroses takes centre stage behind the ancient wooden thrones. The primroses have been threaded and planted to resemble the flying mockingjay that graces our sigil. It is a breath taking sight when you enter the hall to the soft sounds of the harp and fiddle playing in the corner. There are rows of people crammed shoulder to shoulder on the benches all desperate to catch a glimpse of the Queen they love.

My little girl has come a long way in her reign as Queen of District 12.

She has grown beyond recognition since her coronation now ten years ago. The early start of her reign was not the easiest transition as she had to deal with the slow demise of her father and the trials and tribulations of motherhood while still finding time to rule the District.

But my daughter is nothing but determined and she has proven to be a loyal and just Queen. She has managed to bring more equality to the District through her introduction of increased tax rates for the rich and specific funding to help train the poorest of her subjects in a profitable craft. She has thoroughly modern ideas but ones that have created a great sense of unity throughout the District. I know her father would be immensely proud.

My late husband lived just long enough to see Katniss marry Peeta and give birth to their son. His last 2 years were uncomfortable as his lungs slowly deteriorated to the point that every breath was painful and difficult. He eventually passed away peacefully in his sleep 2 days after Asher was born and with a smile on his face. He died knowing his daughter was happy and loved by a man who cherished her.

Katniss and Peeta reach the thrones at the end of the hall and turn to look out across the crowd. I stand with both my grandchildren, Primrose who is now 9 and little Asher, who just turned six, as we watch the crowd applaud their parents. Peeta turns to give his children a cheeky wink as they stand and Asher has to hide a giggle behind his hand. I reach out to smooth the soft blond curls on top of his head to remind him that although he is only young he still has an image to portray. Primrose stands stoicly beside me understanding the importance of the situation and desperately trying to be more grown up than she actually is.

The trumpets stop and the King and Queen take their seats. There is a loud rustling of bodies as the rest of the congregation follow suit. The palace bishop rises as he prepares to declare the purpose of today's celebrations and begins the praises for my daughter's reign.

The whole event runs relatively smoothly. Numerous members of the palace court and dignitaries from other Districts stand up to sing my daughter's praises. They talk about her fierce love for her District and the courageous way she has defied the expectations of a land that class woman as second rate citizens. They talk about her kindness and generosity and willingness to help even the most helpless of people. I sit and listen and let my heart swell with pride as I hear how respected she is amongst her people.

Asher grows fidgety throughout the speeches and I spend much of my time keeping him settled. Primrose, bless her, understands the importance of the situation and tries extremely hard to sit straight and proper throughout even though I can tell she is as bored as her brother. Both Katniss and Peeta look towards them every few minutes to give them reassuring smiles and a look that promises fun and adventure later. Asher huffs and slumps back in his seat but on the whole sits throughout the speeches without too much fuss.

Eventually the speeches end and my daughter stands to announce the start of the banquet and the guests begin to filter out and towards the banquet hall. Katniss and Peeta exit the ballroom to go to small room nearby for a moment of rest before the rest of the day's festivities. They immediately seek out their children before they have to rejoin the celebrations for the feast.

Katniss swoops down to pick up her son and plant a sloppy wet kiss on his cheek. Asher makes a noise of disgust but snuggles in closer to his mother's chest. Peeta bends to embrace his daughter in a warm hug and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture is so similar to the one that he does to Katniss that my heart floods with warmth at the sight. I stand back, almost hidden by a stone pillar as I let them have this quiet moment as a family before they have to rejoin their demanding public.

"Is the party over yet?" Asher asks as he looks up at his mother with his steel grey eyes.

Katniss looks back at him sympathetically and runs a soothing hand over the top of his head.

"I'm sorry Darling. There is still a long time to go," she replies.

Asher lets out a loud sigh.

"But it is really boring!" he whines.

Katniss and Peeta share an amused look over the top of his head before Katniss looks back at her son to reply.

"I know Darling. But there is chocolate cake for dessert and Papa and I promise to do something fun with you tomorrow," she replies.

Asher's eyes light up at her words and he sits up in her arms eagerly.

"Will you teach me archery? You keep saying you will when I get bigger. I am now really big. Biggest boy in the whole palace!" Asher exclaims.

A small smile appears on my face at his words. It seems my daughter is quite the shot. She has even managed to show up some of the most experienced archers in the palace. Asher is in awe of his mother's skill. He is constantly begging to be taught just like his mother.

Peeta also lets out a small laugh and reaches out to stroke his son's head. The two boys are remarkably similar in looks with their blond hair and dimples however my grandson has my daughter's temperament. He is extremely stubborn and determined.

"Maybe it is time to get the armoury to make you a small bow and arrow. Then you can be just as brave and fierce as your mother. But you will only being hitting trees. No live animals just yet," Peeta replies.

Asher pouts a little at not being allowed to hunt animals but the excitement of getting his own bow and arrow wins out and he hops out of his mother's arms as he begins prancing about the room and acting out how he is going to be a master archer.

Peeta and Katniss watch him with smiles on their faces. Even with all Katniss's commitments she still finds time to spend with her family. They are all incredibly close stemmed from many escapades into the forest together and engaging in activities that most would not see fit for a Queen. But they do not care and all have a very special relationship that I never achieved with my own husband and daughter.

Peeta soon joins in pretending to be the prey in Asher's game and lets Asher "shoot" him and claim his spoils. Peeta rolls on the ground and Asher pounces on him with a high pitched giggle. Primrose, not wanting to be left out, jumps in too and she and Asher begin to tickle their father.

"We got you!" Asher exclaims. "Time to eat you for dinner!"

"We will need to tie him up and carry him upside down Asher so we can chop him up and boil him for tea!" Primrose then declares.

Katniss stands watching them laughing.

"I think we should add in some sugar to sweeten him up. He looks very tough," Katniss says bending down to join her children.

Peeta pretends to look offended.

"I will have you know I am very sweet! Just ask the palace maids," he says cheekily.

Katniss lets out a sharp laugh as Primrose begins tying up her father with the sash from her dress.

The scene that unfolds makes me extremely happy. It does not matter that their clothes will get wrinkled or that they have to face their royal subjects in a matter of moments. Their love as a family always trumps the love they have for their District.

I was wary of Peeta when he first arrived at the palace. I had long suspected that Primrose had not been Gale's daughter but I never expected to come face to face with her biological father. I thought as long as it was not acknowledged it would have been of no concern. I did not want the scandal it could bring my daughter.

I was shocked that Heath created a scheme that would legitimise Peeta as Plutarch's heir. It is not the proper thing to do and the scandal could have been huge. And I was concerned that Peeta had taken advantage of my daughter and was using her for his own gain. But any doubts I had about his feelings were banished the moment I saw him looking at her. No one watching could doubt their love for each other.

My marriage to Heath and not been born out of love. I grew to love him as a dear friend but I never experienced the love that Katniss and Peeta share. It is clear in the way they look and touch each other the depth of their feelings. Their eyes light up whenever the other appears. One touch is enough to calm the other.

Their bond has only strengthened as they have grown together. They bring out the best of each other and Peeta has been the perfect partner for my daughter as she tries to rule this District. He stands back to let her take control of things but is always there to offer her support and encouragement when she needs it.

The District do not know of his part in Primrose's birth but they do know of the story of how he saved the Princess all the years ago when she went missing. There is even a song written about their love story. The District has embraced him as their new King and with his kindness and charm he is just as loved as Prince Gale was.

A steward knocks on the door and announces that it is time for them to enter the banquet hall. Peeta and the children all huff in disappointment that their game is over and Katniss looks at them sadly. The children clamber off their father and help him get off the ground. Peeta has to dust himself down before he kisses the tops of his children's heads and promises them they can continue to play tomorrow.

Katniss gives him a sympathetic smile as she links her arm with his to prepare themselves for their entrance. She still has a duty to do.

I give her a reassuring smile before I take the children away for their own entrance and participation in the feast. My heart tightens as I see their sad faces and part of me wishes they did not have to go through this. I know that they would be just as happy living in a small cottage with little money. Their love as a family would be enough to sustain them.

We settle in our places as we wait for Katniss and Peeta to enter. Asher perks up a little at the sight of the giant glazed pig with a ruby red apple stuck in its mouth. He has a very big appetite and he eyes fix on the pig as he licks his lips in anticipation.

Next the announcer orders everyone to stand to prepare for the Queen's entrance. There is a scraping of benches as everyone rises for my daughter. The fiddle and harp player pick up a tune and I smile as the first notes of the singer's voice ring out.

There once was a fair Princess,

As beautiful as she was just,

On one warm summer day,

She was ambushed and had to find someone new to trust,

In came a young Phantom Hunter,

A man who was kind and brave and smart

He kept her safe and protected

All the while stealing her heart,

The song was written and performed for the first time at their wedding feast 7 years ago in honour of their unusual courtship. The Princess and the Hunter is a sweet song that perfectly encapsulates their love and devotion for each other.

I see them smile at each other as they enter and recognise the song. They lean in closer together as the make their way to their seats. Even amongst all the jewels that are displayed throughout the hall their love for each other shines the brightest.

A/N: And so we come to the end! Thank you to everyone that read and supported this story. Every review and follow made me smile. I am glad that so many people enjoyed this story even though I put Katniss and Peeta through a lot!