The entire castle is packed with people Madge doesn't know. Knights and their families, people from outlying villages, nobles from the other countries that helped dethrone Snow. The atmosphere is electric. Everyone is happy and there's music playing somewhere and laughter fills the air from every direction.

Madge feels like an outsider. It pleases her greatly to see everyone so excited and at ease, but at the same time she wishes she was a part of this all. She sits tall on her throne. She smiles at her subjects. For the moment she wishes she was one of them.

Suddenly someone is ringing a gong, and the entire room is falling silent. Everyone slips into their seats and looks toward the king, who sits on his throne next to Madge. They wait expectantly for him to speak.

"One week ago," he begins, his voice echoing off every wall in the room, "we won a war." He pauses so those in the crowd can clap. Madge smiles where she sits, trying her hardest not to join in the celebration. When their cheers die down King Undersee begins again. "Tonight, we honor those who have fallen. Those who gave their lives to make this a better world. And tonight, we honor those who are still with us. We honor those who risked everything they had at the small chance we had to make a difference. We celebrate life. We celebrate freedom."

Again, everyone is cheering. Madge cannot help herself from clapping a bit too, too caught up in the happiness that radiates around her to stay where she sits.

It's a simple ceremony, really. The first hour is spent reading off a list of the dead. Morbid, but necessary. There are tears. People cry. It's silent.

But after that, people are honored. Katniss Everdeen is first. "Today we celebrate Katniss Everdeen," King Undersee says, "for leading our people into the unknown bravely. We celebrate her wit and speed. We celebrate her inner rebel. We celebrate Katniss Everdeen for leading us to victory."

The people cheer. Katniss curtsies in front of the king, who then stands and crosses the room to her. King Undersee places his hands on her shoulders and nods, a proud smile on his face as though he knows her personally. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pin. A tiny golden pin with a bird on it. He pins it to her dress and lets her go back to her seat.

The king also congratulates some others. Haymitch Abernathy. Delly Cartwright. Peeta Mellark. Sir Darius. Sir Thom. All names that ring familiar in Madge's head but she can never really identify them until they take the stage.

They all receive something. A pin. A medal. Something to commemorate what they've given to the kingdom. Something to remind them how thankful Madge and her family are for what they've done.

Madge starts to get antsy as the night drags on. Won't her father congratulate Gale? In fact, where is Gale?

But almost as if on cue, Sir Hawthorne emerges from the crowd. He marches to the front of the room where the king is and bows, lowering himself onto one knee.

Madge's heart beats rapidly in her chest as he sneaks a peek at her from the corner of his eye. She tries not to smile but she knows that she looks like a grinning buffoon.

"Lastly," the king's voice booms through the entire room, "I would like to award Sir Hawthorne. Not only is he one of the bravest most noble knights that is part of my militia, but he went above and beyond many of the others that contributed to our freedom." Gale drops his face down out of view a bit so Madge can't meet his eye anymore.

"He singlehandedly apprehended the men from Snow's kingdom that were going to take my daughter away." Madge pauses, turning her head toward her father. What? "He evacuated numerous villages on the outskirts of the kingdom that had been lit aflame in an attempt to distract our fighters, saving hundreds if not thousands of lives," King Undersee continues. "And most importantly, he fought on the front lines for the country, very much knowing that his life was at risk."

"That's my brother!" a little tiny voice shouts from the crowd. Madge turns and finds a small girl bouncing on her toes, trying to stare at the knight. Someone Madge can only assume to be the girl's mother, to be Gale's mother, instantly shushes the small child. A few people around them laugh.

"Gale Hawthorne," King Undersee says, "you are a hero."

The crowd erupts into applause and cheers as Madge's father helps Gale up into a standing position again. He embraces him in a sort of hug, something that Madge thought was reserved for family or close friends, but it appears Gale now seems to fit into that category.

Madge claps too, tipping her head slightly at him with a bright smile on her face. She doesn't want to make herself seem too obvious.

The crowd disperses to the ballroom once the awards are all done and handed out. Madge's father is the one that leads her, though she wishes someone else would. Of course there are more places for her to sit there. She's down on everyone else's level now.

A band is brought in and plays the most delightful songs. Madge almost wishes she could join them, strumming along with her harp to the beat. But no, she's a princess and she must remain in her seat until someone comes up to her.

Of course, no one comes up to her.

Madge, though desperately wanting to slouch due to being overwhelmingly bored, sits tall in her chair. She makes idle conversation with her father about things that don't quite matter.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as everyone dances around the room. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark dance together. Haymitch Abernathy and one of Madge's servants Effie Trinket dance together. Sir Darius alternates through dance partners as though they're all boring and unpleasant. Madge can tell by the look on his face that he's enjoying himself very much.

Gale dances too, but instead of it being with any of the maidens who crave his affection, it's with his younger sister. She stands on his toes as they move in and out of the crowds of people. Madge can't help but smile.

It's strange to see this other side of Gale. She had known him to be brooding and snippy but also very determined and strong. Never once had she seen him so childlike than he is right now, spinning around his youngest sibling.

After a few songs with the girl Madge discovered is named Posy, Gale hands her off to one of his brothers. He talks with his mom a bit about something Madge can't hear and then disappears from her view for a while.

"Daddy," Madge turns to her father. "Did you know that the man you married me off to was not going to arrive?"

"If all had gone to plan, yes," he nods. He turns to his daughter. "Madge, I may be king but you're my only child. All I want is for you to be happy, no matter who it's with. I wouldn't marry you off, no matter what."

"I thought that's exactly what you had intended to do," Madge sniffs. Her father reaches over and squeezes his daughter's hand. "My whole life that's what I thought you planned to happen."

"Not at all, Dear," he shakes his head. The king scans the crowd. "One day you will take throne. To be a good leader you must lead with someone whom you love. Not a stranger." Something tickles inside Madge's stomach. She's expected to be the leader someday. As if knowing Madge is filled with nerves her father turns to her. "Worry not, Love. You'll be a wonderful queen when the time comes."

"Do you believe that?" she asks.

"I do," he nods. "However, that won't be for some time. You still have a lot to learn. You still have to, oh what did you call it? Fall in love."

Madge laughs a bit, shaking her head at her father. "Perhaps."

Almost as if on cue a man emerges from the crowd. Madge's eyes find him immediately, whether it be due to his hulking figure or the fact that he's him she doesn't know. Gale Hawthorne stands tall, donned in his uniform and the award her father had pinned to him earlier. Good gracious does he look handsome.

He makes his way over to the king and bows in front of him, waiting for permission to speak. "Enough of the formalities, Gale," the king waves at the knight. "We've had enough of those tonight, don't you think?"

"Of course, your majesty."

King Undersee lifts an eyebrow. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I'm not sure," Gale responds. His eyes stray over to Madge for a moment but return back to the king at once. She feels her entire body turning red. "Your majesty, I would like permission to court your daughter." Now both of the king's eyebrows are high on his forehead. "I know that I'm not a noble birth," Gale continues, "that all I've really got is my name and the clothes on my back, but I want a chance to prove my worth to her."

Madge can feel her hands sweating. She tries to drop her gaze from the interaction but she just cannot do it.

"Sir Hawthorne," the king starts slowly, "I grant you my permission." Madge actually has lost the ability to breathe. "However, if there ever comes a time in which my daughter wants you gone, you are gone. Is that understood?"

Gale pauses. "What if I wish to fight for her, Sir?"

King Undersee smiles. "We'll see."

He nods to Gale, who bows back, and then knight is walking forward. Toward Madge. He pulls a single flower out from behind his back that he's kept concealed this entire time, and it causes Madge to laugh. I should court you, he had said. Ask your father for permission. Bring you flowers.

Gale bows. "Princess," he says.

"Sir Hawthorne," she manages to squeak out.

He straightens his posture and smiles. "Madge," he adds softly.

"Gale."

The knight grins, stepping forward and handing her the flower. "For you," he says. Madge carefully takes it into her own hands and tries her hardest not to smile. She lifts it to her nose and inhales, hoping the scent will calm her some. "Princess," he says, "I was wondering if you would like to dance."

She lowers the flower to her seat and nods. "I would love to."

Gale offers her his hand and she takes it quickly, entirely too filled with happiness to say anything else. Madge peers over her shoulder at her father as Gale leads her to the dance floor and finds him smiling brightly at the two.

The knight carefully slides his hands around her waist and Madge loops her arms around his neck. The two sway slowly to the music. "I'm assuming your ankle is healed," Gale says.

Madge giggles. "Yes, it is. As well as your injury?" She knows that he sustained some sort of back injury during the battle. Madge hadn't wanted to ask too much. Gale nods and Madge lets out a deep breath. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."

Gale tightens his arms round her and Madge rests her cheek on his chest. "Is this okay?" he asks her.

"Much better than okay," she tells him. Gale chuckles, the sound entirely too heavenly for Madge. Whether it had been for a moment or not, Madge had considered her life if Gale had died in the battle. If he hadn't returned. Or if he had and just had not woken up. Or maybe he was done with the entire prospect of royalty and wanted to move on to someone else. "I'm very glad you're back," Madge whispers.

"You ordered it," Gale says. He pulls away and tips her chin up toward him. "So it had to be done." She smiles as he brushes her hair from her forehead. His eyes don't even flicker up to the crown. "Did you worry for me?" he asks.

"Every day," Madge nods. She pauses. "Did you think of me?"

"Only every minute," Gale whispers. Madge blushes as he smiles brightly at her. "How could I not? You're admirable and brave and feisty and beautiful." Before she can help herself Madge is launching herself on her tiptoes, eager to press her lips to his. The kiss is quick but still makes Gale widen his eyes. "Good God your father'll kill me after all."

"Not a chance," Madge tells him.

Gale lifts his hands, his cheeks gently caressing her cheeks. "Such confliction," he murmurs.

Madge doesn't let him finish. "It isn't confliction at all."

Again she presses herself on her toes, desperately wanting to feel his mouth against hers. Instead of pulling away instantly Gale holds her close, allowing their kiss to last until they're both breathless. Despite the room being filled with many people, Madge can only see Gale.

Once everyone starts clapping Madge snaps away, embarrassed momentarily, but then she realizes that the crowd is just clapping for the band that had been playing the song. Gale grins and leans down, kissing her forehead once.

The two readjust how they stand and start to sway to whatever song is next. Only a moment after the song has started Madge feels someone tugging on her dress. She looks up at Gale who looks confused, and then down at the source of the pull.

On the floor stands a little girl with wide gray eyes. Very familiar gray eyes, actually. She looks entranced as she stares up at Madge.

"Posy," Gale suddenly says, "I told you that I'd bring the princess over to you. That you needed to wait."

"I know," the little girl squeaks. She looks so different from far away compared to up close. Much more animated. "But I just couldn't."

Madge laughs, lowering herself down to the girl. "Hi, Posy," she says softly. "Are you Gale's sister?" The brunette nods her head frantically, still unable to look away. "My name's Madge."

"You're the princess," she gasps and looks toward her older brother. "Gale! She's the princess!" Instantly Posy returns her gaze to Madge. "Oh. I mean. Hello your majek-sty."

Madge smiles, "You can call me Madge." The small Hawthorne grins and nods again, her hair toppling in every direction. "I've always wanted to meet Gale's siblings. Are you all here?"

Posy looks toward her older brother as if asking permission to answer. The knight nods and offers his hand to Madge, helping her back into a standing position. "Yes," Posy tells her. "Rory is dancing with Primrose though and I think Vick is eating the cupcakes because the icing is really really sweet!" She bounces on her toes. "Want to meet them, Princess?"

And now, Madge looks toward Gale. Perhaps she is the princess but that doesn't mean his opinion on the situation doesn't matter. Gale nods once and then reaches down, lacing his fingers with hers.

"I would love to," Madge says.

Instantly Posy is grinning again, a smile so bright and radiant it can only be one of a child. She leads the way through the crowd and Madge follows on her heels, Gale close behind. As they get closer Gale squeezes on her hand.

For a moment she's terrified about what's going to happen next. She's never heard a successful story of a knight and a princess. But then she reassures herself that things are changing every day. They can be the first.

Madge decides that love might not be for children after all.

A/N: Fluffyish ending for you! This was oodles of fun to write and I hope you enjoyed it. I hope the ending satisfies you! Thanks for reading!