The Fandom Hunger Games (A Novella by @voldymorte_and_valour)

Section 8.5 of Chapter 8: Training and Interviews

8.5 - Near the Capitol City Circle-LOTR:

      Sam stood by the polished chariots with a feeling of uneasiness inside. He was not for public spectacles, seeing as the last one (where he was present) ended up resembling a war zone. However he liked ponies and their nature as soft as their fur, so he had brought sugar cubes for his pony that he would ride alongside Tauriel's own chariot. He watched as the other Tributes prepared for their own rides, and carefully analyzed their interactions. He remembered Gandalf teaching him about a Man who believed that one should not be defined by how they treat their superiors, but rather by how they treat their inferiors. The boy next to Sam was apparently quite a good person, as he showered the horse in terms of endearment in addition to sugar cubes. Suddenly, he turned, and caught Sam watching in amazement at his and the horse's relationship. Percy Jackson smiled, and said to Sam "Hey, Sam, right? My dad created horses out of sea foam, and they think of me as a prince. But I want to treat them with respect too, ya know?" Sam smiled back and brought forth his own pile of sugar cubes. "You're a good man. Mind if I feed your horse as well?" Percy allowed him to go ahead, and Sam fed Percy's horse with great enjoyment. Meanwhile Percy engaged in a conversation with Sam's horse before saying "You know, Maple here says that you're a good man too. Horses generally swear a lot, but this one likes you, Sam." Sam cheered up immensely at that. Suddenly a voice boomed from above "GET THE CHARIOTS READY, IT'S TIME TO GO!" and the gates opened with a loud and drawn out creak. The first thing Sam heard were the deafening cheers from the massive crowd. He saw no end to the spectators who had come to see them off before the interviews. The order in which the Tributes would go was to be as per the two groups and their respective Reapings. Firstly, Group A's Rose and Scorpius with their wizarding cloaks went off. Next trotted off Percy and Annabeth wearing surf-wear and an owl helmet, respectively. Emma and Julian were next with Shadowhunter gear. Sonya and Gally went in jumpsuits, and now it was Sam and Tauriel's turn. Without looking back, he made his way on his pony beside Tauriel's chariot. They were dressed in armour from Middle Earth, and poor Sam was both content to have another relic from home yet also dejected due to the reminder of the journey to defeat Sauron. He was far from home now. The crowd cheered so loudly for the Tributes that it almost made Sam not miss home. Almost. They reached where President Snow was waiting for him, and as he spoke, Sam blocked out his words. "Does a snake not attempt to seduce its prey before striking?", he thought out loud. Even so, the words that followed were clear as day for Sam. "Each Tribute will be entitled to keep their own weapons in combat. Advantages and disadvantages will not be the responsibility of the Pact, much less the Capitol. "And THAT, is when the snake strikes", Sam said, putting his head in his hands as Tauriel shook her head in disbelief.

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