Fire is Raging On (A Hunger Games Fanfic) [#Wattys 2016]

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-two

Peeta's POV

    "Now we really need to get going," Maya says. She ushers through the hall; all the televisions still broadcasting the Games.

    It's a bit of a shock to see that they broadcast our Games in England. Well, at least in the castle they do. From what I understand the royal family is in charge of the politics here, so maybe only political officials get see the Games. I would hope they don't broadcast them in the homes of everyone in England. It's too much, even for them to show it in Panem is too much. Not only for the younger generations, but the ones that have lived through watching multiple Games, watching people they know murdered for sport.

    The elegance of the castle doesn't go unnoticed by me. The designs reflect a time of regalness and sophistication. The hall is a completely straight path that branches off into various rooms, all with the doors closed. The floors are made of marble, and our footsteps echo as we tred quickly toward where the royal family must be waiting for us. We seem too loud in the eerie quietness of the castle. Maya doesn't hesitate as she pushes open a large ornate double door in front of us at the end of long hall.

    As the door is pushed open, five elegantly dressed people sit at a long table. They all sit completely straight with heads turned at our arrival. "Your majesties, Peeta and Katniss Mellark," Maya says, stepping to the side to reveal us.

    "What of the child?" a young man asks. He looks to be about my age with a simple gold crown resting on top of his brown hair.

    "Now, Aiken, let's not be rude. Let us introduce ourselves first before asking questions," a middle aged woman says. She was the same color hair almost as the young man, Aiken, except a shade lighter. She, too like Aiken, wears a simple gold crown on her head except her's has a large gem in the middle, a diamond perhaps?

    "Yes, that's a wonderful idea, Dear. Mr. and Mrs. Mellark, I'm Webster the II, King of England. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Although the circumstances are unfriendly." He's tall with light blonde hair and a crown with numerous colored jewels adorning his head.

    "You call us Peeta and Katniss . . . your majesty," I say, bowing my head slightly.

    Webster the II nods his head in his direction, "Then, you may call me Webster. Let me introduce you to my wife," he gestures to his right to the middle aged woman who spoke moments before, "Ida." He moves around the table to his left, to the young man. "This is my eldest son, Aiken." He rests his hand on Aiken's shoulder and moves to the chair, a younger boy around the age of eight. "This is my youngest son, Blake. And lastly, my darling daughter, Tavia," he says nodding his head in the direction of a young girl in her early teens sitting next to the queen.

    "It's nice to meet you all," I say, nudging Katniss to say something as well.

    "It's my pleasure as well," Katniss says quietly.

    "Please," Webster gestures to the table. "Take a seat. Dinner will be served shortly, and we can begin planning."

    Planning what? Perhaps, it won't be so cryptic when we begin discussing whatever these plans are. I've surely dealt with enough people being cryptic in my life to last a hundred lifetimes.

    I lead Katniss around the table to two empty chairs. Katniss ends up sitting next to Tavia, and I sit directly next to her. As we sit, the table is ladened with food. "Thank you," I say as one servant sets a plate in front of me.

    "You're welcome, Mr. Mellark. It's a pleasure to serve you," the servant replies.

    I nod my head while the shock runs through my brain. I wasn't expecting a response. I've grown to use to the silence of past servants we've had in Panem. The Avoxs, the ones that Capitol had their tongues mutilated so they wouldn't be able to speak with us. It's refreshing to know that things like that don't happen to every servant, that not everyone political leader cuts out people's tongue.