DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES OR REIGN. I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE THEMES

Thanks guys for sticking around :) Hope you enjoy xx

Peeta's shoulder bumps Katniss's as they walk along the gravel path towards the stables, making the edges of Katniss's lips curve upward into a smile. She looks over to Peeta to find he's already watching her. Her eyes travel from his bright blue ones to the sling that's wrapped around his left arm and shoulder, and a pang of guilt runs through her; she allowed the fight, and she was the bargaining chip, she shouldn't have let them brawl like that, over her at the least.

Katniss's ears perk up to the sound of Delly shrieking, her eyes snap to the blonde who is desperately trying to fish a bag of hers from a mound of horse poo. Katniss can't help the snicker that passes her lips as she watches the scene; Delly's arms flail around as she shouts at the servant who looks at her terrified.

Peeta sends her a scolding look and rushes towards Delly, using his free hand to try and calm her down. Katniss trails behind him, staring at the pair. Peeta gestures to Katniss, and the crimson complexion that Delly currently holds darken as her eyes settle on Katniss. She can't help but feel a little smug at the fact that Delly holds so much hate towards her, even though Katniss had never intentionally hurt Delly.

Katniss stops at the end of the carriage, letting Peeta and Delly have their time to bid farewell to each other, for now. She can still hear their conversation though due to her finely tuned hunters hearing. As the conversation draws along, she hears a gasp from behind the carriage; Katniss quirks her head to the side and looks around the back of the carriage. Nothing. Katniss moves closer to the whispering sounds, looks around the corner of the stable.

Katniss freezes at the sight of a man and a woman wrapped in a passionate embrace, and her mouth drops open. She stands there silently for a moment, when the woman's face turns towards her, her eyes shut. At that moment Katniss realizes that the woman is a girl. And the girl is Prim.

Katniss's mouth dries up for a second as she gawks at the scene before her, her sister in tangles with a man who has no shirt on, and how her little sister rakes her fingers down the man's back.

Before Katniss can refrain herself, she says raspingly, "Prim?"

Like a bolt of lighting, Prim springs back from the man, and her eyes instantly land on Katniss, wide and shocked. Her mouth opens, and she blabbers out, "Katniss… its not what it looks like…." Prim's cheeks burn a bright red as she looks over at the man.

His lips quirk up at the sides, as he looks back at Prim, and he says in a gravelly voice, "Prim, it's exactly what it looks like."

Katniss still frozen in place stares at the two, her eyes shifting between them, as they wait for her to say something, she opens and closes her mouth for a minute, like a blubbering fish out of water. Finally her voice makes an appearance, "Prim… how long has this been going on?"

Prim's bright blue eyes meet hers, conveying her fear, her reply comes small, "I met Thresh the day we arrived, actually it was the night of Farina's wedding."

Katniss's eyes move to the man, Thresh, but now she can see his lankiness, and the awkward way he holds himself, he must be no older than she; as she stares at Thresh for longer, Katniss can see he is handsome, with a strong jaw and a midnight complexion, his nose is large but complements his high cheekbones, and his lips are round and plump. Just the man – boy – Katniss pictured Prim with.

She goes to speak once more, when she is cut off by the sound of Peeta's voice, she looks behind her and then sends a worried glance Prim's way. Her sister nods her head towards Peeta's voice, Katniss gives her one last 'We must talk later' look and returns back to the carriage.

Katniss emerges from behind the carriage and finds Peeta looking for her, his blue eyes land. "Katniss," He says lightly, "why were you behind the carriage?"

"Oh-I," Katniss gazes behind her, the whole scene with Prim playing in her head, like a performance. "I was… looking at the stables, they're larger to those in The Seam."

Her eyes meet Peeta's once more and she finds a smile playing on his lips, and then suddenly it drops off of his face. He says, "Delly wants to have a word with you."

"Very well," Katniss says, moving towards Peeta and Delly who stands behind him. She looks to Peeta and says, "Does she want it to be private?"

He shrugs, "I'm guessing so, I shall just stand aside if you need me."

Katniss nods and gives him a small smile, before her eyes set on Delly. The other girl leans against the black carriage, her face splotchy from the nip of autumn in the air and her blue eyes are set somewhere beyond the castle, her blonde hair is braided like a crown on her head and is partially hidden by the deep purple cloak she wears. Katniss steels herself and moves towards Delly.

"Delly," Katniss says softly, straightening her gait and holding her hands in front of her, just like her mother taught her. Delly's blue eyes meet her grey ones, and her brows pull together. "Peeta told me you would like a word."

"Oh yes," Delly pulls herself up from the carriage, and faces Katniss fully, showing off the deep red dress she wears. "I just wanted to pay farewell Katniss. Also I am warning you about the people in the castle."

"Excuse me?"

Delly's eyes look at her worried, she continues, "You may feel welcomed now, but if there is a threat to the Royal family, you will be removed. Like me for example."

Katniss quirks her head to the side and looks at Delly quizzically, it takes her a moment for Delly's words to dawn on her. "Delly… are you being forced out?"

She looks around and nods, "I must not say by whom, but I must have you know."

"Why are you helping me?" Katniss asks, all Delly has been is cruel since Katniss's arrival. "Why now?"

Delly sets her jaw and replies, "If I am not here there is no one to be there for Peeta, and you're better than anyone else in the whole goddamn castle. Also its because I love him and he may not love me the same way I do, but it is my duty to keep him safe, and out of harms way. I will not stop fighting for the man I love, but it is a hard race to win if your opponent had a head start when he was five."

Katniss looks at Delly shocked, but then an odd feeling of understanding washes over her, the understanding that she too would do anything for the people she loves. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Delly says with a wave of her hand. Her eyes set on Peeta, who stands behind her, which causes Katniss to turn and gaze upon the golden haired prince that stands away from them. "I asked him to toast with me."

"Pardon me?"

"I thought if he said yes he would have asked me to stay," Delly says, her eyes wistfully unfocused. "I thought we would be together forever, but some dreams cannot be. He was confused and declined almost immediately, he could see my jealousy over you."

Katniss inhales sharply, her cheeks burning as she looks down at the pebbles under her shoes. "I never wanted to intrude on you."

"I would have thought otherwise," Delly says snidely. Her tone softens when she says, "With you coming in with your beauty and talent for hunting and the prospect of men falling at your feet, Peeta couldn't stand the thought of loosing you, but in the process he lost me."

Katniss turns back to Delly, and gives her an apologetic look, she finds her with tears in her eyes. Katniss moves towards Delly, and takes one of her hands, "Delly, I truly am sorry. I am sure your home in the Seam will fit you well, and I will request the best for you, you shouldn't be treated like you don't belong, because you do belong somewhere."

Delly nods, and bites her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. "Katniss it is hard to hate you when you are so kind." Katniss laughs and pats Delly's hand, she continues, "But know I will never forgive you if you hurt Peeta, and I will always fight for him, if he wants me or not, because that is the type of person I am."

Katniss nods, and replies, "I know you are Delly, and that is why I admire you so."

Delly smiles, and looks to her maids behind her, she asks them if they are ready to go, to which they affirm. Katniss helps Delly into the carriage, and bids her farewell, Peeta joins her and gives Delly a kiss on the cheek, and he leans in and whispers something into Delly's ear. Katniss can't hear over the sound of the maids chattering, but when he pulls away Delly is pawing tears from her eyes, and Peeta pats her cheek with his good hand.

"Goodbye Deloris, I will be seeing you." Peeta says in a jokingly prince manner, and Delly laughs. He stands back with Katniss and watches as the horses trot down the road, leaving the sound of crunching pebbles behind.

When the carriage is out of sight, Peeta looks to Katniss, a small smile on his lips. "It seems Delly has took a liking to you."

"No not a liking," Katniss responds her eyes still on the carriage as it shrinks smaller and smaller down the gravel road. "We have an understanding. "

Peeta gives her a quizzical look and shrugs it off; he faces her fully, his broad shoulders blocking her view of the retreating carriage. "Katniss…" Peeta begins, his eyes casting downward, "I know we have not yet talked about the wedding and such, but I was hoping that it could be soon."

Katniss cocks her head to the side, her brow furrowing. His lover had just left, and he was proposing that they get married sooner? How odd. "Peeta," Katniss starts, taking a moment to form the proper words in her mind. "I would like to wait… just a small while, what comes with marriage is trust and loyalty, and right now we must build these up, to make sure we fit together. We are in a stage that we find comfortable, but when something bad happens, how will we handle each other? Will we be different?"

His eyes meet her, silver and blue. Her breath catches at the intensity of his stare. He says, "Katniss… I will wait as long as you want, but know that I will do anything for you to trust me, for us to marry and to become King and Queen."

Katniss smiles, her cheeks flushing, and in a moment of nerve she wraps her arms around his neck and presses a light kiss on his lips, making sure she isn't crushing his sore shoulder. When they break apart, his smile is so big that Katniss is afraid it might break his face in half.

"What was that for?"

"I'm not too sure actually," Katniss teases, her hands resting on his chest, she can feel how fast his heart beating. "Maybe, I like you… just a little bit."

"Only a little bit? Goodness, I must be hard to like then." He jokes his voice lowering, as his eyes flit down to her lips.

"Well, my prince… sometime you can find nice things in the shabbiest of piles."

"Are you comparing me to a pile of rubbish?"

"Maybe, maybe not," Katniss smiles; her chest feels heavy, but her heart is soaring. She glides her hand down his good arm and takes his hand, facing toward the castle they begin to walk.

They stay silent, not wanting words to tarnish the little moment they are having, it has been the first in a while. Katniss missed these moments, the time they didn't fill with useless talk, but sat comfortably, taking in each other's company.

The sound of panting and crunching leaves pulled their attention to a messenger boy that was running toward him, his face red from exertion. "My Queen! My Prince!" He panted, as he stopped before them with his hands resting on his knees. "Your majesties, Snow wants to speak with you immediately. Especially you my Queen."

"What is the meaning of this?" Peeta asks, his voice loud but undemanding.

"District 1 has declared war on The Seam."

Katniss bursts through the heavy doors of the study, her eyes landing on a furious Snow and a collected Meredith. Peeta comes up beside her; his face as solid as rock, but an underlying emotion of fear is in his eyes.

"What is this I hear about war against my people?" Katniss demands, her voice filling the quiet room, bounding off of the cool stonewalls.

"You tell me!" Snow says, his snake like eyes narrowing down on Katniss, "What have you done to provoke them?"

"I have done nothing!" Katniss sneers, she walks forward to the small king, making him step back. "It's your ally that has done this, The Seam has never quarreled with the Luxury Districts."

Snow looks at her with a bitter expression, like he has swallowed something sour; then again, he always looks like that. The King leans over the wooden table in front of them; a map of Panem laid out on top of it, and daggers holds the corners down. "Lord Marvel is a stupid little boy, to weak to even swing a sword. Why would he do this?"

"Perhaps, Cornelius, you should look at your alliances, maybe there might be something off." Meredith says, her voice as cool and sharp as a daggers edge. She gracefully moves to the table and taps her fingers over the letters that spell out: LUXURY DISTRICTS. Region 1 is coloured in a deep purple, Katniss's eyes move to The Seam, which is coloured grey. Her fingertips trail the boarder of her home and grace over the surrounding regions; such a small thing on a map, Katniss thinks, but engulfs one when they stand on the balcony of the Kings Palace.

"Have you contacted Lord Cato, Father?" Peeta questions, resting his good hand on the hilt of his sword; Snow looks up to his son, and nods in response. Katniss shifts her eyes between the two men, trying to pick out similarities, but she couldn't find any,

"No I have not," Snow replies, scratching his beard. "But it is a good thought, my boy."

Katniss sees a glint of happiness in Peeta's eyes, as his father calls on a messenger and orders them to send word to Lord Cato. A feeling of tightness forms in her chest as she remembers the feeling when her father said he was proud of her, an overwhelming sense of giddiness would always flood her body, and make her smile for the rest of the day.

But now was not a time to dawdle in the past, she had a war to fight, and to win. Katniss's attention is pulled back to the conversation at hand when Snow says to her, "My young Queen, are you ready to fight a war?"

Katniss sits in her bed staring at the dying fire across from her, it had been a rough night talking with her army officials; she had to arrange a carrier bird to send word back to the Seam, Paylor sent her falcon with a note attached warning Katniss's mother and her uncle Haymitch, who are currently helping run the Seam.

Her gray eyes snap up at the sound of the door opening and closing, Prim walks toward her, Katniss notices her little sister's hands wringing together, they look to be shaking. She stops a foot from the end of Katniss's bed, her eyes a dark shade of blue, and her hair a dull blonde in the overcast light of the morning.

"Good morning Katniss," Prim greets her in a shaky voice.

The images of yesterday's confrontation runs through Katniss's mind, the tall boy, the way Prim clutched to him, and looked at him lovingly; how he – Thresh she now remembers – held her gently, like Prim would break.

"Hello Primrose," Katniss says in a scratchy voice, her tired eyes focusing on the bright blue ribbon in her sister's hair.

"Katniss…" Prim starts over a moment of silence. She looks to be struggling for words, "I can explain."

"It would be helpful if you could," Katniss says, looking at her little sister helplessly, trying not to raise her voice or snap. She adds warmly, "I would really like to hear about him."

"Surely?" Prim asks, her mood lightening up. Katniss nods and pats the spot next to her on the bed, Prim clampers in and snuggles up to Katniss; a position that they only ever did when they were young. Prim starts to explain her and Thresh's relationship; they met in the kitchens the night they arrived, from that day on they met every night outside of the stables and would talk. It seemed over the six weeks that Katniss was in the castle, Prim had a friend, well more than a friend; and that was the explanation of her lack of interest of Royal business, then again, Katniss was convinced that Prim would be happy living with a small cottage with a big garden, plenty of animals, a farmer husband and plenty of children.

Prim tells Katniss of Thresh's family, his four younger sisters, and one younger brother, his parents. His home in region 11, how he wanted to be a rider in the royal army of The Seam, but King Everdeen died and he had to move to the Capitol for work as a stable boy. Katniss smiles at Prim's admiration of this boy she had met, but then it dawned on her.

"Prim," Katniss says when her sister dies down, "You do realize that you can't be with him, for he has no title."

Prim looks up at Katniss, her eyes rimming with tears, she nods and replies, "Of course I know that Katniss, and I am savoring any and every moment I have with him… I think I may be falling in love."

Katniss smiles down at her little sister, and strokes her blonde hair; she kisses the top of her head and whispers, "You just may be little duck."

Katniss sits on a throne along side Snow and Meredith in the main hall; ambassadors swarm around the room, discussing policies and war tactics. Katniss's guards stand in a tight group next to her, all of them decked in their dark armor; Paylor stands next to Katniss, the older woman's presence calms Katniss.

She looks up to the woman who helped raise her and asks, "Paylor, what is to come of this war?"

Paylor looks down to Katniss, her brown eyes soft and almost motherly, she pats Katniss's shoulder and replies, "War is always bloody and dark, death plagues the land. This war will be no different to the others."

Katniss looks down to her hands, which are neatly folded in front of her, she only wears a couple rings - her father's, which has an elegant E, and a ring that looks to be vines wrapping together, with small diamonds incrusted into it. Her mind is beginning to wander a lot more, it has only been a couple days, but the war puts a toll on her; she wonders what it will be like in the heat of war.

The doors of the great hall burst open, sending a gush of chilling air through the hall, making the white banners stir, and the chatter of the officials silent. Lord Cato stands at the entrance, his hands behind his back, and his chin held high under a bushy blonde beard. His black eyes narrow on her and he smiles.

Cato and his officials' walk towards the thrones, they all walk with a smug purpose. He stops a few feet short of the thrones, and bows gallantly towards Meredith and Snow. "Your majesties."

Cato stands up right, and shifts his hungry gaze to Katniss, she straightens her back and clenches her jaw, a feeling of stoniness sets into her chest and she squeezes her hands together. Cato extends a large hand, and Katniss places hers in it, feeling the hardness of his callouses. The lord leans in and places a small kiss on the back of her hand, making Katniss's stomach flip. "My Queen." He says in his gravelly voice.

When Cato stands back from the throne, Snow addresses him, "Good day to you Lord Cato of Region 2. It is good you have come so soon."

"As soon as the word of war was received, I came as quickly as I could," Cato says, "I will do anything to help in this war effort."

Snow begins to ramble on about the stupidity of Lord Marvel of Region 1 and Katniss keeps her eyes forward, avoiding the glances that Lord Cato sends her every few minutes. She is almost startled when a hand rests on her shoulder; she looks up to find Peeta gazing down at her, his arm no longer in a sling.

She smiles and whispers, "I thought you had a meeting."

Peeta shrugs and kneels down next to the chair, his bright blue eyes still fixed onto her, "It finished… and I wanted to see you, it must be hard preparing for war."

Katniss nods and takes Peeta's hand, threading it through her fingers for comfort, "It is a hard reality to face, but war is war, one had to come eventually."

Peeta picks up their entwined fingers and presses him lips to them, spreading warmth up through her body. "Just know Katniss," he says softly, "I will do anything in my power to help you, I would command the seas if I could." Katniss smiles, and feels a blossoming blush begin to creep up her neck; her fingertips tingle from the contact between her and Peeta.

"Peeta, my boy," Snow says brining Katniss back from their revere, she sees Peeta also is a bit dazed from their closeness, she smiles a small bit, happy that Peeta gets as caught up with her as she does with him.

Her smile drops off of her face when her eyes land on Cato, his brows are furrowed, and he looks like he is challenging Katniss and Peeta. She narrows her eyes, and he smirks, turning his gaze away from her and back onto the King.

Peeta stands from beside her and addresses his father; the rest of the room resumes its loud chatter about the war. Katniss keeps her eyes on Peeta, watching the way his jaw clenches and how the veins in his hands pop out when he clenches them, and how he rests his hand on her shoulder and rubs soothing circles with his thumb.

"Excuse me father?" Peeta says rather abruptly, Katniss pulls her eyes from Peeta and looks towards Snow.

The King looks taken aback by his sons out burst, but he regains his composure and says, "You heard me boy, we cannot supply the arms to fight this war."

Katniss stands, and furrows her brow in confusion, "Why not?"

"Well I would be fighting my allies, The Capitol cannot afford to loose them; they are apart of this Kingdom." Snow says a matter of fact, his voice gliding over the words slyly.

"You'd be turning your back on your other allies," Katniss says venomously, pulling the attention of the people in the room. "How dare you expect me to marry your son, and then refuse to help me in war?"

Snow stands from his seat and says, "Because I am a King, and a King makes these decisions. You are going to marry my son, your kingdom promised me a queen."

"I am A Queen, and a Queen has to make decisions, and my decision is that this engagement is off." Katniss retorts, gasps of surprise fills the room. Snow looks at her incredulously, his snake like eyes widening, and his mouth dropping open.

Peeta softly takes hold of her elbow, causing her gaze to shift onto him. His expression is stony, hard and unreadable, but his eyes are forgiving, almost understanding of the situation that she is in. Katniss gazes at him earnestly and then steps down from her throne, she turns away from the three royals and stalks out of the room with her guards in tow.

Peeta walks down the hall, his gait slumped. He fully understands where Katniss is coming from with her declaration of calling the engagement off, but he is still hurt. Peeta believed that they were perhaps going to marry in a few weeks, and then they would be able to spend more time freely together, with out the pressure of outside people. Peeta decided a few weeks ago that he wanted Katniss, even when Delly was there, he even admits that he was leading Delly on; but the pull towards Katniss was just too much for him to bare, he couldn't get her out of his mind, and he was cruel to let Delly believe that he loved her the way she loved him.

Peeta stops walking when he finds Gale standing outside of his chambers. "Hello brother," Peeta greets, watching him cautiously. They still hadn't talked since the spar yesterday; Peeta was confused to why Gale got out of hand, and Gale didn't seem like he wanted to talk about it either.

"Peeta," Gale nods, standing up straight; he nods towards Peeta and says, "I heard about the engagement, that must be a blow to the pride."

Peeta cocks his head at Gale's odd interpretation of the situation, he replies, "Well not exactly, Katniss is doing it in defiance of my father, he's being selfish and with holding help for the war."

"Oh," was all Gale could reply, Peeta thought he could see a glint of contentment in his step-brother's grey eyes. It was odd his resemblance to Katniss, they had the same shaped face and same nose, their eyes were almost the same, where Gale's eyes were dark gray like storm clouds; Katniss's eyes were like blazing silver, like someone has melted his sword down in a hearth of silver lava.

Peeta went to go enter his room, but Gale's hand stopped him. "Look Peeta," Gale said, he stopped and looked to his brother. "Perhaps its best that Snow stays out of this, that you don't marry her… because war can get messy and we don't need this right now, maybe Delly would consider coming back and taking your hand in marriage."

Peeta stares at his brother bewildered, he sneers, "Do you hear yourself right now, Gale? Katniss's home is being threatened and your saying we should flee and stay out of it? Goodness sake Gale, Katniss needs all the help she can get, a military region has declared war, and the population of The Seam is almost half of the army!" Peeta breathes for a second collecting himself, "How dare you?"

"How dare I?"

Gale goes to speak again when Peeta cuts in, "I would rather fight for a Queen that would sacrifice anything for her people, than a king who would run away from his conflicts."

"So you are going to war then?" Gale asks bitterly, crossing his arms defensively.

Peeta ponders for a moment, thinking of how quickly his father dismissed the idea of not wanting to help Katniss, and he nods, knowing that if he were King he would do anything for Katniss. "Yes," Peeta finally answers, "I would put my life on the line to help save her people, the question is Gale would you?"

"I..." Gale trails off, his gray eyes shifting to the ground. Peeta scoffs, opens his door and enters his chambers, but before he can close it behind him Gale says, "You're running away from your problems Peeta."

He faces his brother once more, and retorts, "The only problem I have here is you."

Peeta closes the door of his chambers before Gale can say another word, he walks to his bed and discards of his jacket and belt, he flops onto the bed and lets out a chuckle of breath, running his hands through his hair he says to himself, "I'm going to war."

Katniss sits in her chambers, quietly listening to her ladies chatter around her, they're all cautious to avoid the topic of war, or anything about court for that matter.

A soft knock sounds as the door, and Katniss calls for them to come in. The door opens and Lord Cato steps into the room, causing all the girls to stop talking. "Would you fair Ladies mind if I had a word with your Queen?"

"Not at all," Madge says for the group, casting Katniss a wary look. Katniss nods and the girls all stand and leave the room, walking around the solid form that is Cato.

When all the girls are gone and the door is closed, Cato walks towards Katniss, he asks, "May I sit my Queen?"

"Yes you may," Katniss says, he sits across from her, but his proximity made her a tad uncomfortable.

"Your majesty, you may be wondering why I have requested to speak to you," He says, his black eyes watching her carefully. "What Snow has done to you is atrocious, and I believe that you deserve better…"

"Yes, continue on," Katniss says cautiously, expecting the worst from Cato.

"So with your permission," He says while shifting off of his seat across from her, he kneels on one leg and takes one of her hands, "I would like to ask for your hand in marriage, and with this I will help you to any extent with this war, I will put all my soldiers onto the battle field to save your Kingdom."

Katniss is taken aback by his proposal, she exhales, "And if I decline?"

"Well…" Cato says, tilting his head to the side, "I see no reason for you to decline."

Katniss pulls her hand from his grasp, and says, "It is very gracious of you to offer me this Lord Cato, but I will have to think about it. It is hard fighting a war, and your help is much needed, but I believe that distractions like this can really affect decisions. So I will think about it and have a decision for you in the morning."

Cato nods, a smile pulling his beard across his face, he stands from his kneeling, and takes Katniss's hand, he presses a kiss to his once more and says, "You will not regret this my Queen, and it would be my honor to be your King."

He leaves the room, and bows towards the girls outside before this footsteps retreat down the hallway. Katniss sits still, letting the scene play out in her head, thinking that quite possibly that it might never had happened, and her mid had begun wandering once again; but when Johanna clicks her fingers in front of Katniss's eyes, she knew that it was real.

"What did the creepy lord want?" Johanna questions, leaning into Katniss and raising her dark eyebrows.

"He… he proposed marriage." Katniss says, furrowing her brows and tilting her head to the side.

"Goodness," Annie gasps, she presses her hands to her chest and says, "You only just ended your engagement with Peeta."

"I think that was his point," Madge says, sitting next to Katniss and wrapping her arm around her comfortingly. "Did you give him an answer?"

Katniss shakes her head and replies, "No I didn't… I feel as if I would be betraying Peeta. I didn't stop my engagement with him to move on just as quickly… but Cato has the arms to stop the war."

"I think that you should not even consider it," Johanna says, seating herself between Prim and Annie, who both look at her dubiously. "Cato is a complete boob, his family are class climbers, and now he has his chance to achieve what he was born to do."

Katniss nods and smiles, she looks over to Johanna and says, "He is a boob isn't he?"

Johanna returns her smile and says, "The biggest of them all."

Katniss enters the dining room for supper; Snow sits at the head of the table and scowls at her while the people around him chatter into his ear. Katniss narrows her eyes at him and turns away, focusing on Peeta, who sits at the other end of the table. His bright blue eyes alight in laughter as he talks to Prim, his eyes meet hers, and he gives her a small smile. She's relived that he holds no hard feelings towards her; he understands where she is coming from by ending the engagement.

A form steps in front of her view, she looks up to find the familiar bronze hair of Finnick Odair. "Katniss," he greets, his voice strained.

"Good evening Finnick," Katniss greets, she tilts her head at his tone. "How are you?"

"All is well," He says, he takes her arm and pulls her to the side, he leans in, his sea green eyes filled with worry. "Ann- I mean I was told about Cato's proposal… you can possibly be considering it…are you?"

Katniss shrugs and looks to the marble floor, she replies, "He has what I need to win this war, and it would be a good move on my part."

"What happens when the war is over then?" Finnick asks, "I heard Cato treats his mistresses like their nothing, and Katniss you do not deserve that, no woman does. Don't do this just to win a war, it might only go for a few months, maybe even a year or two."

"My Kingdom doesn't have the means to participate in a war that goes over a year, we would be lucky to survive 6 months at the most. So Cato's offer seems the best right now," Katniss says defeated, she goes to turn away but Finnick takes her hand.

"Katniss will you marry me?" Finnick asks.

"What?"

"I asked you to marry me, anything would be better than Cato…" He says, searching her eyes, "I will give you everything I have just for you not to do this."

Katniss casts her eyes to Annie, who stands with Madge and Johanna; she looks over to her and smiles. Katniss shifts her gaze back to Finnick and says, "I couldn't do that to you two." Finnick deflates dropping her hand and casting his eyes downward, "But… if I had the help of my long time friend and his grandmother, I wouldn't have to marry Lord Cato."

Finnick looks up and smiles, his green eyes filling with light. "Mags will help you through anything Katniss, you're family to us."

"That would make me Queen Mags my grandmother and you my brother, Finnick," Katniss smiles, placing her hand on his shoulder, she says, "And I don't consider you anything but."

Finnick smiles and holds out his hand, she shakes it and he says, "Well then, we have a deal… sister."

Peeta stands out side the door of the war room patiently waiting, the door cracks open and a familiar red headed guard looks to him. "We'll be riding out an hour after dawn, see me and I'll give you armor and bring a sword."

Peeta reaches out and shakes The Seam guard's hand, "Thank you Darius, thank you so much."

"Not an issue your majesty," Darius smiles, "I'm happy to help."

Katniss lays on her bed, staring out into the dark night sky, her mind wanders like it has been for the last couple days. She imagines a life of freedom, a life free of responsibility, a life where she can go out hunting and have limitless free time, a life where she can have children that can grow up with out the atrocities of royal court. A life where she can be with the man she loves in peace.

A light knock sounds at the door, and she snaps out of her haziness, Katniss gets out of bed and pads over to the heavy mahogany door, and she pulls it open.

"Peeta," She greets is a sweet tone, her silver eyes stare up at his, making him lost for words for a moment.

"Hello Katniss," He replies, his voice catching, he clears his throat as he asks, "may I come in?"

Katniss nods and opens the door fully letting him in. Peeta stands in the middle of her room, she turns to face him, and she watches him as his bright eyes move from her face to roam her body, making her visibly shiver; she does the same, her eyes moving from his mop of bright blonde curls to his chiseled jaw, to his broad shoulders, and to his big calloused hands, the ones who's finger tips would lightly run up and down her arms.

"Katniss…" he begins, loosing his voice. He waits a moment and finally gets out, "I'm leaving to go fight your war."

"Excuse me?" She asks in a quiet voice, her eyes widening making her seem younger.

"I've decided what my father has done isn't right, and I want to make it right, I want to help you fight this war." Peeta says in one breath, gasping for air when he finishes.

"You don't need to do this Peeta," Katniss says, walking towards him, "You don't need to fight my fights."

Peeta steps towards her and cups her small face in his calloused hands, she lets out a small gasp, she lightly places her hands over his, and stares into his eyes. He says to her in a low voice, "Of course I need to help you fight your fights, we may not be engaged anymore Katniss, but God if I ever turned my back on you I would ever forgive myself."

"If you leave I'll never forgive you." Katniss says quietly, stepping in closer to Peeta, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He replies in a low voice, "That's something I could live with."

Peeta tilts her head up and presses his lips to hers, she lets out a low whimper, and he pulls her in closer, so their bodies are touching from head to toe. Katniss runs her hands through his blonde curls, crushing her lips to his. His arms completely surround her, making her feel safe and warm, against his solid and broad chest.

Katniss moves her hands from his hair to his jacket when he deepens the kiss, her fingers let his buttons go one by one, moving down until it completely falls off of his shoulder, Peeta shrugs it off and moves his hands to her waist. Katniss pulls him back wards to her bed; she breaks apart from the kiss, and sits him down on the bed. He looks up at her and whispers, "Are you sure about this Katniss?"

Katniss replies by giving Peeta a light kiss, she pulls his shirt up over his head, letting her eyes land on his bare torso, he has a light dusting of freckles on his shoulders; she places her hands on his shoulders letting them wander down his muscly back.

He pulls her onto him, wrapping his arms round her torso. She sits on his lap, feeling his desire. She had heard about this in the convent, the nuns talked to her about it, how it usually was saved for marriage, but apparently if one loved another enough, or couldn't get married, they could do it. Katniss never desired it, nor ever really thought about it, but the thing is Katniss hadn't even kissed a boy back then, she had never met anyone that could bring out this in her… this craving.

Peeta begins to pull up her nightdress, exposing her legs, he runs his hands up them stopping mid thigh. She shifts over him, causing him to moan into her mouth, he breaks their kiss and looks up at her in amazement, his eyes glowing in the dying light of the fire. Katniss pulls her nightdress up over her head, leaving her only in her under garments. Peeta lets out a little gasp, she watches him as his lets his eyes roam over her exposed body. The fire in the hearth finally dies out, leaving them with the moon as their only light source.

Peeta manages to get his trousers off, leaving him in his under garments; together they strip off, fully exposing themselves to each other. They explore each other's bodies, kissing and touching, finding their sweet spots, and the places that make their toes curl.

A few moments pass, and Peeta quietly says to her, "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Katniss gasps, as Peeta nibbles on her, and then slowly but surely they're connected. Peeta lets out a moan, as he slowly moves into her; Katniss bites her lip, an uncomfortable feeling settles over her at the intrusion, but as Peeta begins to move it quickly fades, and pleasure builds. Soon they're both releasing, saying each others name in short gasps.

In her fading consciousness Katniss feels the duvet pulled up over her, and a solid form lay next to her. She curls up to Peeta, feeling his arms wrap around her, and his lips press to her forehead.

He whispers, "I think I never stopped loving you."

She looks up at him, her brows furrowed and her eyes barely open, she replies, "I never knew you loved me."

"Ever since I was five," Peeta says, shifting his gaze to her lips, he presses his to them and mumbles, "And anything else was a lie."

Katniss feels herself smile, and tucks her head under his chin, their legs tangle together, and his hand lazily strokes her hair. She murmurs to him in her haziness, "Stay with me."

He turns his head, and with his lips pressed against her ear, he replies, "Always."

Peeta wakes to the sun breaking over the horizon, he blinks away the sleep in his eyes, and looks down at his dead arm. Katniss's dark hair was scattered all over the pillows. He feels a smile stretch across his face, he leans over and presses his lips to hers, she stirs and cracks open an eye, a small smile appears on her lips, and she pulls him down for one more.

Peeta pulls back, and says to her quietly, "I have to go, but I'll see you soon, I promise."

Katniss nods, as he kisses her. He climbs out of the bed, he pulls on his undergarments, trousers and shirt, and he pulls on his boots, and picks his jacket off of the floor. Peeta leans down and kisses Katniss once more, a long sweet one, her hand tangles in his curls, and pulls him closer. He breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against hers, he whispers, "Always."

His boots crunch against the rubble of the stables, as Peeta walks towards his horse, Kaiser, his chestnut coat separates it from the rest of the coal black horses of the Seam. He saddles him up, and loads on his supplies that were given to him by Darius.

He pats Kaiser's long main, and says to him, "Are you ready boy?" Kaiser nudges Peeta's hand and he smiles giving Kaiser one last pat.

The Seam armor is much heavier than that of the Capitol; the dark armor is obviously suited more for battle, and to protect the wearer from arrows and swords. The golden pressed Mockingjay reminds Peeta of Katniss, her beautiful voice that would ring out against the autumn air.

He mounts this horse, and leads him out to join the rest of the knights. Darius trots over to him on his dark horse, and he says to Peeta, "Lets go to war."

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry for the long intervals between chapters, I've started a new story which is only going to be three chapters but at lest have 10,000 words per chapter...

Anyway thanks for reading!

Reviews are always appriciated xxx

~Fightforfiction