The Rebel Queen

14

Kelpie knicker as I start strapping on the saddle pad to her back. Her mane is braided carefully so it no longer risks being tangled in her hooves as she runs. I brush off her shoulder and I hear the crunch of snow as someone walks up behind me.

"You snuck out this morning," Peeta says and I glance at him, shrugging. 

"You've been tired," I say. "You needed your sleep. Besides. I just wanted to spend some time with my horses." Peeta smirks and runs his hand down Duke's neck.

"Weren't looking forward to the awkward talk we might have after last night?" He asks and I look at him.

"About the fact that I had no idea that," I look away. "That I could and would react that way. Yeah no, not exactly a conversation I wanted to have. I'm grateful that it happened, but I really don't want to have a long drawn out conversation about what this all meant." Peeta walks up and reaches around me holding my middle. He traces the serpent belt around my waist and kisses my cheek. 

"I don't either," He says. "Not if it would make you so uncomfortable."

"It is just," I run my hand over his arm and sigh. "We haven't announced our intentions and for things to be so different inside and outside that tent, it is a lot." Peeta chuckles and squeezes my cold fingers. 

"Whenever you are ready, I will be ready to officially stand at your side," He says and I look at him. I lean my head against his and take a deep breath. 

"I was going to go out and run the borders," I say. "Do you want to tag along?" 

"You do realize that the only time I have really ridden a horse has been when had to keep you upright on the way home from the battle at 12," He chuckles and I look at him. 

"Well, there's no time like the present to learn," I say and he glances at the two horses. "Take Duke. He's very obedient. You already drove him once."

"You are serious," He says, taking a step back as I use a stump to haul myself up on Kelpie's back. 

"You said you were ready to stand by my side," I say. "Prove you can keep up and by the solstice, I will announce our intentions formally before the council." He rests his hand on my leg and looks at me.

"You are serious, Lady?" He asks and I smile, laying my hand over his. 

"It is quite clear after last night that more than likely, we will not be leaving one another's sides any time soon," I say. "The priestess assures me of the same every time she reaches into the depths. I will allow you to begin taking on the role you will be expected of when the time comes. Border patrols are part of it." He glances at the black horse and then back at me. 

"You knew I would seek you out here," He says. "That's why he is already tacked."

"Come on," I say. "We are burning night cover." He turns to the horse and carefully hauls himself up onto the black stallion. He looks at me and pull the slip knot on the leads, grabbing onto the reins and start walking towards the trail that leads out of the forest. 

It feels so natural to let my body rock with the motion of the mare's back as she strides carefully forward I place my hand on her hip and balance myself as I direct her through the trees. She takes a few corrections, but I keep her on the trail fairly easily. I look back at Peeta and he is doing well himself, letting the gentle big horse follow along behind me. I smile at him, duck beneath a willow tree as we walk along a river. 

"What is this place?" Peeta asks and I grin, looking around at the twinkling, ice covered vine like branches covered in frost. They hang over the river, making the running water sparkle like stars.