vii.

When Madge wakes up, a month later, she does so in her childhood bedroom on the third floor of the Castle, in a soft bed, with a downy mattress and silken sheets. When she breathes she inhales clean, fresh air, instead of damp, molded air from the basements of the Castle. She had them destroyed, caved in, because she couldn't stand the idea of her prison existing. The Castle has been repainted white, and the gargoyles and heavy drapes and furnishings have been taken down. Some days it feels like she can't get enough of the light when so much of her life has been in darkness.

She opens her eyes and smiles. Her life couldn't have been any more different than it was a year ago, even a month ago. There have been a multitude of changes since that fateful day in the Forest a month ago, starting with the immediate aftermath.

When Gale had kissed her in front of the cottage, it was like an electric shock to the system, and neither could help but gasp at the feeling. Madge felt the Magic in her blood begin to hum so loudly it was like singing, and Madge couldn't help but clutch at Gale's shoulders and pull him closer, which he gladly allowed, cradling the back of her neck as his tongue swept her open mouth.

A long while later, they finally released each other and Madge half carried, half dragged the injured Gale in the door. Although Madge had closed his wounds, they still pained him, and once he started groaning, Madge, uncaring if the children were asleep, started yelling for Prim's help.

Predictably, all of the children came down. Prim immediately assessed Gale's injuries, barely taking heed of the person himself, and promptly went to get water and rags and herbs. Vick and Posy stared, not recognizing him, but Rory gasped.

"Gale," he choked with a sob, coming to fling his arms around his eldest brother.

"Rory?" Rasped Gale, wrapping one arm around his sobbing brother, wild eyes flying to Madge. "What's going on?"

Rory wouldn't let go, but Madge bent down and took Gale's free hand. "My Magic led me here when I thought you were dead. Your family lives here, and they helped nurse me back to health. I was planning on leaving them to come find you—to see if you were still alive. If you were, I was going to bring you back here."

Gale's chest began to expand rapidly, and Madge could see how close he was to tears. "All of them are safe?" He croaked, as Prim wrenched Rory off his brother and began to examine his wounds. His eyes kept flying between Posy and Vick, frozen, to Rory, who was frantically trying to compose himself.

Madge licked her lips. "The only person who's missing is…" she looked at Prim, "your cousin, Katniss. But from what I've heard of her, I have no doubt that she survived, especially if she's anything like you."

Prim's head snapped up from her intense ministrations. "Gale?" She said in shock.

Her cousin gave her a lopsided grin. "I don't look that bad, do I, Little Duck? Surely you remember me."

And soon she too was reduced to a mess of tears. Once Rory explained to Vick and Posy who the stranger was, soon all three siblings were upon Gale, and they became a massive group hug. Madge stepped back for a moment, watching them with a soft smile and a wistful expression. She missed her family—she always would—but she was glad Gale could get his happy ending.

Gale held out a hand to Madge. "Come here," he said. "You're family, too."

Madge shook her head, but then Rory jerked her hand and she fell into them.

Eventually, someone pressed an elbow into an injury, which led to Gale howling in pain, which led to Prim wrenching everyone off of him with surprising strength, which led to his injuries finally being treated. Madge wanted to do more, but she felt too drained from the afternoon to contribute much, and soon, exhausted, everyone fell asleep.

The Everdeen and Hawthorne adults were due back the next day and the children schemed in how to best surprise their parents with Gale's return. They nearly turned the little cottage inside out trying to figure out a good hiding spot for Gale, and so Madge quickly turned them outside since they couldn't behave. They desperately wanted Gale to play with them, but nurse Prim had him on strict orders to stay inside and rest.

That didn't stop Gale from leaving the bed the moment Prim left them alone and coming over to Madge, who was busy picking up after the group and cleaning. He stopped a few feet away from her, watching her with a soft expression on his face. The windows were open and the sunlight was streaming through, highlighting her hair. He loved her hair.

"I feel like we're playing house," Gale said dryly when Madge looked at him, curiously. She almost told him to go back to bed but knew he would ignore it—but she kept an eye on him, not wanting him to overtax himself.

"It does, doesn't it?" Madge tucked a curl behind her ear. "It's nice."

Gale cleared his throat at the image of he and Madge, living in a little clean cottage in the woods forever. "What will you do now?"

Madge licked her lips nervously. "Go back to the castle, I suppose," she said. "Reclaim it. Try and sort this whole mess out."

Gale nodded and looked down at his hands. They hadn't discussed the elephant in the room: the fact that they were each other's one True Love, and what that meant.

When they had met, Gale knew he was somewhat enamored of her, but knew that because of their social classes that, when she got her crown back, he would have to let her go. He had no idea the extent of their connection.

Madge took a deep breath. "If you don't—if you don't want to come back with me," she said calmly. "I understand."

Gale's head came up and he looked at her, startled. He wasn't expecting that. "Do you not want me to?" He demanded, crossing his arms in front of him defensively. Was she ashamed of him?

Madge shook her head vehemently. "Of course I do," she cried out. "But—but I know you, Gale. I can tell you wouldn't be happy there. You don't like people; you're not comfortable around them. You prefer the Forest and the animals and now that you've found your family…" she trailed off, shrugging her shoulders, eyes downcast. "Why in the world would you choose me?" She whispered.

Gale's hands fell to his side, stunned. He had never dreamed that she felt that way, had no clue how he felt about her.

Madge looked up when she felt his hands gently grab hers. His eyes were dark and earnest and pained—hurt because she was hurt. "I'm afraid I won't be good enough for you," he said. "You're right; I'm not comfortable around people. I don't trust very easily and I do prefer nature over crowds.

"But the thought of living my life without you terrifies me. The thought of walking away from you—or you walking away from me, paralyzes me with fear, even more so than the idea of helping to rule a country. But I'm willing to try because I know I could never ask you to walk away from your birthright, and I know you wouldn't, anyway. So—I want to be here for you, with you, whatever. However I can be in your life, I'll take."

Madge gave him a watery smile, though her eyes were alight with happiness and disbelief. "You mean it?" She asked.

"Of course," Gale squeezed her hands.

"I think you'll be a fantastic king," Madge said reassuringly. "You're so brave and honest and generous. You understand justice; you'll be fair and good. You know what the people need and want, and that's such a valuable perspective, one that I'll never have. And I know you'll always be honest with me, and I need that, too." She paused and gave him a rueful smile. "Plus," she said, "I haven't really had a traditional upbringing, either. We can learn how to rule together."

Gale flushed at her praise, but his heart felt lighter and he felt like perhaps they could really do this, after all. Together. "That sounds fantastic," he said. "Although, I do have some stipulations concerning my family…"

Before Madge can ask what they are, Rory bursts in. "They're here!" He hissed. "Gale needs to hide!" He slammed the door, rushing outside again.

Gale and Madge froze for a moment before Madge herded him next to the door, on the side with the hinges. "They'll never look behind an open door," she assured him. "You can come out whenever you're ready."

Gale nodded at her, almost dazed. He would be seeing his parents for the first time in five years. Madge felt a flash of sympathy for him—things were changing so quickly for him, it was difficult to process it all.

Not long after, Madge opened the door widely, carefully making sure Gale wasn't squished in the process, and welcomed home the adults.

"Did everything go well?" Alyssa Everdeen asked.

Madge hesitated; how much of the story could she tell truthfully without mentioning Gale? The children knew it all, had made Madge and Gale tell them at breakfast that morning, and she prayed that Vick or Posy wouldn't spoil it.

"As well as expected," Madge assured her.

The men came in with bolts of fabric and bags of flour and food and rested them against a wall. "Nothing exciting happen?" Asher asked.

"I wouldn't say that," Madge said with a little smile.

Hazelle, her back to the front door as she put her purchases on the table, looked at the girl sharply. She then looked at the children, who looked about ready to burst with excitement. "All right, children," she said with narrowed eyes. "Someone needs to tell me what's going on right now."

The front door closed gently.

"Don't be mad at them, Ma," came a voice, deep, yet familiar. "It's all my fault."

Hazelle froze, locking eyes with Asher across the room, who was facing the door. "Please tell me I'm not hearing things," she pleaded softly with her husband.

Asher shook his head, eyes shiny. "Well," he said lowly. "If you're hearing things, then I'm seeing them."

Hazelle turned slowly and saw her eldest son. He looked nearly the same, though taller and older, and the baby fat from long ago turned into straight lines and lean muscle. He fidgeted under her gaze, his eyes darting back between Hazelle and Asher. Everyone else in the room froze.

"I'm not a ghost," he chuckled nervously, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I promise."

Hazelle stepped toward him slowly until she got right in front of him. She took his face in her hands. "My baby," she whispered. "Is it really you?"

Gale nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks.

With a sob reminiscent to Rory's earlier one, Hazelle threw her arms around Gale's neck and held him tight, and he brought his arms around her and held on. And then Asher was there, his arms around his wife and first born, and he was crying, too, whispering over and over, "My son, my son." And then Rory and Vick and Posy couldn't stand it any longer and they too wrapped their little arms around them.

The Everdeen's and Madge watched on, teary-eyed, and she saw Prim tuck her arm in with her father's. "Don't worry," she whispered, "Katniss will come back, too."

And before Madge could chime in, Hazelle was at her side, hugging her. "You brought him back to us," she whispered, "oh, you darling girl, you brought him back. Thank you. Thank you."

000

They explained everything that happened, of course. The Everdeen's and Hawthorne's knew of Madge's story, but for the first time they got to hear everything that happened to Gale from the time of their separation.

In the beginning there were a cacophony of questions about his life, but once Gale disclosed how he and Madge knew that they were each other's True Love, the room quieted. Puzzled, he continued on, describing Alma's mind control, how her Magic was able to tap into Gale's psyche—the part that somehow could instinctively find Madge with little tracking skills—and essentially had Gale lead Alma to Madge at the cottage.

Madge jumped in and talked about how she knew it wasn't Gale when she looked into his eyes, how she summoned enough Magic to protect the cottage and to drive out Alma's influence on Gale.

Both of them, back and forth, in tandem, described the battle that ensued between the three of them, and Madge finished with how she healed Gale.

By the time they finished and no one said anything, both Gale and Madge were beyond baffled at the almost subdued faces of the people before them.

It was Rory who spoke up. "Does this mean," he said, hesitantly glancing between Gale and Madge, "that Gale's going to leave again and go back with Madge to the castle?"

Gale glanced at Madge and that told Rory everything he needed to know.

"You can't just leave!" He cried out, distraught. "Not after we've just found you."

"Rory," Asher said sharply, though his eyes were pained. "Gale is a grown man, now. He's built another life."

Madge licked her lips, a sign Gale knew to be a nervous habit. "I was thinking," she said slowly, looking between Asher and Branson. "Now that the queen is dead and the danger is gone, what were you thinking of doing next?"

She looked at both families. "You're more than welcome to stay here, of course," she said, "and you're more than welcome to come live at the castle with Gale and me. But I have the feeling that, at least concerning the latter, that doesn't sound appealing to you." She took a deep breath. "But I have an idea—a third option, if you will. I—for everything you've done for me, for your service to the crown, I want to bestow titles upon you," she said, addressing Branson and Asher, "and with that title comes land. Property. My family has a property I think would be perfect for you—two hundred acres, less than a day's ride from the castle. It's a country property and has a large manor there. It hasn't been used in a while, as far as I know, but I'd like it if you made it your home. You'd love it there—there's wooded acres, cleared ones for farming, and there's a lake on the property, as well, for fishing and swimming in the summer. It would be close enough to Gale and me, but far enough away so you don't feel claustrophobic by town life."

Gale looked at Madge, stunned. He wondered how long she'd been thinking of this.

Asher looked thoughtful, but Branson narrowed his eyes at Madge. "These titles," he said suspiciously, "are you giving them to us to make Gale more acceptable? To have him be the son of nobility, however newly constructed?"

Madge gave him a steely look, holding his eye contact. "No," she said firmly. "I'd marry Gale even if he was a pig farmer or a grave digger. My reasoning for giving you the title is twofold—one for your services to the crown, as I mentioned earlier, and two, because the property I mentioned must belong to someone with a title: it's explicitly stated in the deed, and even I couldn't change it."

Branson held her gaze for a while, and when Madge continued to hold it, he eventually looked away and towards his brother-in-law. "What do you think, Asher?" He said.

Asher looked towards Madge. "Under other circumstances I would be more likely to accuse this as charity," he said, "but something tells me I'd get that thrown back in my face real quick."

Madge's lips quirked. "You would," she said surely.

"I like the arrangement," Asher announced, looking at his wife. "Seems like a good solution. I want the children to get an education, too, and they're near enough to town where they can do that easily enough. The land that Madge described sounds perfect for us—it'll probably be a lot of work in the beginning, because I have a feeling that Alma didn't care for its upkeep, but we've never been afraid of hard work.

"And, of course," he said, "Gale will be nearby, and there isn't anyone else I'd trust more to be my king. Not to mention that as king, he could probably order us to live there, anyway," he added, winking at his son.

Hazelle nodded. "I agree," she said firmly.

Alyssa Everdeen smiled. "You certainly are a born politician, aren't you, Your Highness?"

Madge beamed at her as if she had bestowed the highest honor. "I can only hope," she said.

Gale smiled at Madge gratefully. Although she hadn't discussed it with him beforehand, even he couldn't protest at such a plan. She beamed back at him, love and hope shining through her eyes.

0 0 0

And now it's Coronation Day, the start of things to come.

Madge stares at herself in the mirror, the first time she's done so in years. Alma, of course, never indulged her in such luxuries, and the closest thing to a reflection she saw was her distorted image in the silver of her spoon as she fed herself whatever remnants of food Alma allowed her to have.

She doesn't recognize herself, not really. The last time she saw herself—really saw herself—was when she was a ten-year-old girl. Now she's a woman, and the only way she can convince herself that it's really her reflection is by taking herself apart, by seeing her parents in her features. She sees her father's cerulean eyes and nose and her mother's hair color and cheekbones. She looks healthy and clean, her eyes bright and her cheeks rosy. Her gown, crushed velvet and Prussian blue, is brand new, and her hair has been curled and left hanging past her shoulders. Today she wears a delicate tiara on her head—one that will be replaced with a heavier, more ornate crown this afternoon during her coronation ceremony.

A few minutes before Madge is set to go downstairs, a soft knock raps on her door. "Come in," Madge says, briefly taking her eyes off her reflection.

The door opens and with her silent steps comes her new cousin-in-law, the elusive Katniss Everdeen.

When Madge reclaimed the throne, to the delight of the kingdom, and from very little opposition from Alma's forces, who were later exiled from the country all together, a long letter came from her mother's people to the west, the Mellark's. Her cousin Peeta begged forgiveness for not providing aid to Madge's kingdom when Alma took over. He longed believed her to be dead, but more importantly, what no one in Madge's country knew was that there was a terrible war in Peeta's country as well. Alma had closed the borders of the kingdom, and no one knew about the invasion from the evil king from the North, merely known as the Snow King.

It was a vicious and bloody war—the Snow King massacred the Mellark's, and Peeta was only spared by chance because he happened to be out of the castle that day. Only very recently was the Snow King finally killed and his followers imprisoned or driven out.

During the war, Peeta had heard tales of a maiden in his ranks, one who wasn't even from this country, but a refugee who appeared out of nowhere five years prior. She rallied his troops and fought bravely, the best archer in the land, one whose arrows were always straight and true, who killed her opponents through the eye. He was determined to meet and thank this warrior, and once he met her he instantly fell in love.

She was not so easily or quickly enamored, but after years fighting side-by-side, they became inseparable. They had an easily partnership, if not slightly problematic, because they would die for the other, and he as the King should not have been taking risks to protect a soldier from harm.

The war had been over for barely a year. Katniss and Peeta were married, as she had given up any hope of her family being alive, and Peeta had rebuilt his country enough to where he was contemplating invading their neighbor, hoping to drive Alma out as well. Imagine his delight when he heard that he wouldn't have to, that his cousin, long thought dead, was alive and well.

Once he settled his affairs, Peeta and his new wife came quickly to Madge. Although her Coronation ceremony was two weeks away at that point, they wanted to stay long and get to know one another again.

"I knew you were alive, though," Peeta confided to Madge during a quiet moment. "I felt it in my heart."

Madge looked at him in amusement. "How could you have known?" She demanded, wondering if his Magic was evolving. Peeta was a natural healer and empath, but didn't have the more active and aggressive powers Madge and the Undersee line did.

"One day I was walking through the woods," he told her, "remember that little area where the brook ran through and we'd play? A Mockingjay flew above, and it was singing the same thing over and over—the tune we used to sing and teach them as children. I hadn't heard it for years. I had hope in my heart, then, that we would be reunited. That you had survived."

Madge couldn't speak, and threw her arms around Peeta, who returned the embrace. As far as blood went, they were all they had for family, although luckily for both of them, they had wonderful in-laws.

When Peeta came, as was tradition, Madge and the Hawthorne's and Everdeen's greeted him at the gate. He said he was bringing his new wife and was eager for Madge to meet her, and Madge, nervous, was eager as well.

Peeta hopped down from the carriage first, and held his hand out for his new wife. A browned, small hand placed it in his, and a girl, petite and slender, with a long, dark braid, stepped out.

Madge squinted. There was something familiar about the girl, though she had never seen her in her life.

Peeta's wife looked up from where her hand was in his. Behind Madge, she heard a gasp, and soon a yellow blur raced by her.

"Katniss!" yelled Prim, running faster than Madge had ever seen him to Katniss, whose mouth dropped as she opened her arms dumbly for her sister to fly into. "Katniss, Katniss!"

Katniss wrapped her arms around her sister and started sobbing. "Is it really you, Little Duck?" She whispered.

Peeta and Madge looked at each other, shocked.

Soon, Branson and Alyssa were hurrying over, and Katniss was nearly hysterical with tears as her family came around her. The Hawthorne's gave them a moment, and Gale came to Madge's side, staring at his cousin, dazed.

"Did you know about this?" He asked Madge, who shook her head dumbly.

"All he said was that he was bringing his new wife and he was very happy," she whispered, equally dumbfounded.

Soon, the Hawthorne children began to wander over, followed by Asher and Hazelle, and Madge and Gale trailed behind them, Gale heading to Katniss, and Madge to Peeta.

Her cousin turned to her with a wide grin, and gave her a hug, lifting her and spinning her. "Who would've imagined!" He whooped. "That you were alive, that we would find each other—"

Madge laughed, continuing, "That we would fall in love with two people from the same family, and have a hand in reuniting them—"

Peeta set her down and they looked at the two families, embracing and laughing and crying with joy. They watched them for a moment in silence, and he nudged her playfully, "We did good, didn't we?"

Madge looked at him solemnly, though her eyes sparkled with joy. "We did. Everything turned out well. And I'm so glad we have each other."

Peeta slung an arm around her shoulders, and for the first time in a long time, Madge felt whole. "Always," he said.

0 0 0

Now, Madge shakes her head as if to clear that image from her thoughts. She looks at Katniss. "Hello, Cousin," Madge says, unsure how to address Katniss. The girl her cousin married is completely unlike him: quiet, sometimes surly, and skittish, almost. She adores her family, is completely comfortable around them, but prefers to stay by Peeta's side. Madge likes that Katniss, for all her quiet ways, is equally in love with Peeta, and it's obvious she would do anything for him.

Katniss reminds Madge of Gale in many ways, but Gale possesses a charm that Katniss doesn't, although Madge supposes Katniss has an effect on people in her own way. In the past few days Madge has made sure to set time aside specifically to get to know Katniss, and the two, more often than not, do this during lunch, sitting quietly together, away from the hustle and bustle of the two boisterous families and Peeta. It's a companionable silence—both girls are used to being isolated, alone, and friendless—and while Gale understands that as well, Katniss and Madge connect in a way that only two girls can.

Regardless, they address each other as Cousin—not as formal as "my lady", though not as familiar as using their given names.

"Cousin," Katniss inclines her head. "I was wondering if you needed any help with anything? I know you haven't sought any ladies-in-waiting, yet…" She fidgets, recalling her own bewildering experiences with others helping her dress and bathe. Even now it's uncomfortable, and she only employs the bare minimum.

Madge smiles at her because she understands. "I managed—your mother is wonderful at doing hair, and, well, Prim and Posy were just ecstatic about my dress."

Katniss smiles at the thought of her family, and Madge is so happy for her. The Hawthorne's and Everdeen's were already given titles before the Mellark's came, but plans have changed, obviously. The Hawthorne's will live on the property that Madge set aside for them—it's not in terrible shape, but there will is work to be done, but the Everdeen's will go home with the Mellark's. The Everdeen's and Hawthorne's are sad to be separated after so many years together, but luckily the journey between countries is less than a week, and the terrain is easy to cross.

After a moment of silence, Katniss turns to go, but Madge catches her hand on impulse.

Katniss startles, but turns to face Madge, who gives her a sheepish smile. "Katniss—Cousin," Madge corrects, "I'm. I just wanted to say I'm really glad you married my cousin. He's always been my favorite—and it's clear to everyone that you make him very happy. I wish you all the best."

Katniss graces Madge with a large, full-fledged smile, and she squeezes Madge's hand. "And I you," she says. "I'm—I'm very protective of my family, and you've done so much for them. I'm—I'm glad that even if I hadn't lived or married Peeta, they would've been well taken care of, thanks to you. And… it's clear that you make Gale very happy as well… Madge."

Madge stands. "May I…?" She says. "May I hug you?"

Katniss looks a bit wary at the prospect, but smiles dryly. "We are family," is all she says, and the two hug. Not for very long, or very tightly, but it's enough. It's a start.

Finally, Madge lets Katniss leave, and she passes her cousin on his way in. "You two aren't married yet, you know," Katniss says with a raised eyebrow. "Should I really be letting you in here without a chaperone?"

Gale rolls his eyes. As far as he and Katniss went, the two picked up right where they left off, teasing, sneaking off into the woods to hunt when they were too overwhelmed by people, the works. "Does propriety really matter between the Queen and her consort?"

"More for you than anyone else," Katniss retorts, but leaves, anyway.

"Just because she's queen now," Gale grumbles good-naturedly to Madge, "she thinks she can do whatever she wants."

"Hmm," Madge hums, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he her waist. "That pretty much sums up her job title, I must say."

Gale grins down at her. "Are you ready to become a Queen?"

Madge raises an eyebrow at him. "And are you ready to become a King?" She parries.

"That's not until a few months from now," Gale shoots back. The two agreed they wanted to wait for a wedding, until his family is settled and the kingdom is sufficiently rebuilt and restructured. Although some of Madge's advisers thought a wedding would be good for morale and patriotism, Gale and Madge hated the idea of having a lavish affair when so much of the country had greater needs.

They have time, though, Madge thinks. They have forever, now.

"I'm nervous," Madge admits. "It's just—I never thought this would happen. I haven't believed it since I was ten years old. What if-?"

Gale bends down and presses his lips to hers, quickly. "Shh," he says. "You will be amazing at this. And no matter what happens, I'll be here with you, every step of the way."

Because she can't help herself, Madge rises on her tip-toes and brushes her lips against his again. "Promise?"

"Promise," Gale says firmly, indulging her for a long moment before pulling away. "We don't want to be late," he says, stepping away and holding his elbow out to her. "Shall we?"

Madge slides her arm through his, beaming. "We shall," she says.

It's the beginning of a new era, and Madge couldn't think that there was anything better than the knowledge that she would be creating it with Gale. Together.

And they all lived…