SIXTY TWO

THE ARROW THAT STRIKES TRUE

It was today. The execution of Coriolanus Snow would happen today. Talia didn't know how to feel about it, happy? Perhaps. She didn't feel that though, not really. Her mind, when she was not in conversation with Finnick or Jamie or Bobby or Jordan, was thinking of her family. She was glad to know Mickey, Penny and Samson were fine and were apparently packing up for their move back to District 4. Back home. Home. She dreamed of it at night, well, when her mind wasn't occupied by nightmares.

"Mrs Odair?"

Her eyes lift from her hands that were fumbling in her lap. She looks at the head of the table. President Coin was sitting there, a thin-lipped smile on her face. Her bobbed silver hair was straightened, and her eyes...Talia could see it there, the hatred. Coin wished Talia was dead, she probably wished Katniss was dead too.

"Your vote?" Coin asks.

"I won't agree to another Hunger Games. We shouldn't kill Capitol children, because then we're as bad as the man we're executing today," Talia explains, she shakes her head, "We won this war to end the Games, to stop children from dying unnecessarily...As much as I hate the Capitol, I don't want to see anymore children die,"

Finnick nods his agreement, as does Peeta. Katniss however, stares right through Talia, as if her words were not even spoken. Talia already can tell what Katniss is about to do. Katniss will agree to the Games, for Primrose.

She does exactly that.

"Haymitch, that leaves you," Coin says, turning to look at the man beside Katniss, he looks at the Mockingjay. They share a knowing look and he nods his head to Coin.

"I'm with the Mockingjay," Haymitch says.

Talia knows the look, that look of "I have a plan, so just go with it", she'd seen Jamie look at her like that and Finnick too.

Once the meeting is over, Talia takes Finnick's hand and they leave the room. They walk side by side, hand in hand, back to their bedroom. Finnick's back was still healing, so was wrapped in bandages that a Capitol nurse came to replace every morning and every evening. He wishes every morning, when he sits up in bed and sees Talia say in the armchair that overlooks the courtyard, that he could have been there when District 13 sent in those bombs. He wishes he could have ran in there and saved Freddy and Primrose. He wishes he could offer Talia some comfort when she writhes in bed at night as terror consumes her dreams. But he is not a man who can grant wishes, and so he can only be there for her, as she is for him. And their baby, growing inside Talia's womb, will be with them in a few short months. Finnick hopes they will be at home by then, in District 4, where they can begin to rebuild.

"What are you thinking of?" She asks as they pause by a window that looks out to the rose garden.

"Of home," He says, "I wish to never leave District 4 once we return,"

"Me too," She says, "I never want to see this city again,"

He nods his head, squeezing her hand. "Did you talk to Katniss? About the execution?"

"I did," Talia nods, "She'll do it,"

"It was your mission,"

"It was her mission too...And I have enough blood on my hands, I don't need there to be anymore," Talia says softly.

"I can't believe Katniss was in favour of a Capitol Hunger Games," Finnick replies, shaking his head.

"I would have...Years ago, when I was a new Victor...When I didn't have you to centre me, or a baby of my own on the way...Katniss is mourning, she thinks its right...And anyway, I'm not sure if Katniss genuinely wants the Capitol Hunger Games," Talia says, she looks around, checking for anyone who might be listening in, the corridor is empty save for the two of them. "I think she has a plan for something else,"

Before Finnick can reply, footsteps can be heard rounding the corner behind them. Talia looks round and sees Plutarch Heavensbee. He smiles at them both.

"Talia Odair, I was just on my way to find you," He says, "Would you mind if we talked alone?"

Finnick kisses the back of Talia's hand, "I'll be in the bedroom,"

"I'll see you soon," Talia smiles at her husband. Finnick walks away and Talia approaches Plutarch. He leads the way, downstairs and through the mansion. They end up in a large dining room with a round table that leads further into Snow's old office.

Plutarch closes the door behind them and he looks at the office around them, "We can't deny the interior design choices are rather beautiful,"

"Indeed, a shame the man who made the choices is the worst man in Panem," She says, watching as he opens a bottle of whiskey and smells it.

"I would sample some of this, but I would never trust it...Snow was a man of poison," He says, putting the cap back on the bottle.

"I assume this will all be cleared out for our new President Coin," She says, sitting down in one of the plush chairs.

Plutarch shrugs, "You and I both know what will happen,"

Talia meets his eye, "So you saw it too,"

"Katniss never fails to impress," He smiles softly to himself, "You also, but I heard that you agreed to let her be the one to do it,"

"Indeed, she will be the executioner today," Talia nods. "Now, why don't you tell me why you really wanted to speak to me?"

"If the events of today go as planned," He begins, "We will need to start looking for a new leader,"

"So?"

He smiles and then chuckles lightly to himself, "So, I believe I am looking at a natural leader,"

Talia scoffs, "No,"

"Why?"

"I'm pregnant. I'll be raising my child in District 4 with my husband and the remaining family I have," Talia says, "I wish to leave this city as soon as possible...I don't even want to be here now, but I promised various people, including the man who will die today that I would be there,"

"You have a way with words, with people. You can rally people to your side. You're a leader, Talia Riverthorn. Its so natural to you,"

"No," She says, "This is my choice. I have been doing what other people wish of me since I was picked from the Reaping bowl. I have never been my own person. People have been treating me as a puppet since I was 17 years old. That time is over,"

"But you would be the President of Panem...No one would control you. You would be in control," Plutarch replies.

Talia stands up then and turns to the door, "I'm flattered, Plutarch, truly I am. I appreciate that you thought of me for the role. I'm glad you see something in me that many do not, but...If you want a leader for Panem, look no further than Commander Paylor, former District 8 Mayor,"

"I have had her suggested a few times," Plutarch says, he looks out the window, at the glass rose garden, before turning back to look at Talia, "This will be the last time we see each other. I hope we can stay in touch through letters, I would love to hear from you once the little one is born. I wish you and Finnick peace and happiness,"

"Thank you," Talia nods. He reaches into his pocket and then holds out a box to her. Her eyebrows raise.

"You don't have to accept it, if you do not wish to," He says, "But the position is open,"

She opens the box and inside is a key. She takes the key out of the box and turns it over in her hand, on the back, stamped into the key are the words "Justice Building".

"What is this?" She asks, confused.

"District 4 is in tatters...Joyce Harper is still leading those that are left, but they will need a real Mayor, and the new President will need people they can trust," Plutarch says, "The key is just symbolic really...You know me, always one for dramatics,"

Talia smiles at that. She looks at the key in her palm and replaces it in the box before putting it on the desk before her. "I just want to raise my child in peace,"

Plutarch nods, a disappointed look on his face, "Very well,"

"Good luck, Plutarch," She says, opening the door.

"May the odds be ever in your favour," He says, and Talia laughs softly at that as she steps out of the office and walks away.

The drum beats matched the pounding of her heart in her ribcage. Katniss was approaching, a thousand rebels following her march towards the end of the Avenue of the Tributes where the Presidential council building was.

Coriolanus Snow was tied to a post, the remaining Victors that wished to attend were stood around him in a semi circle, parted in the middle, where Katniss would walk through. Up on the building ahead stood Alma Coin. She was stood there, in Snow's place, and somehow looked even more villainous than he had once done.

Talia, who was stood between Finnick and Peeta, meets Snow's eye. He was grinning in that wicked way, he knew, he could sense it too.

Katniss walks past the Victors, the rebels stopped a few metres back. Katniss stands in her Mockingjay suit, her bow in hand and quiver of arrows across her back. The drums beat one final time and Coin extends her arms out to her sides.

"Welcome, to the New Panem," She says, looking out across the crowd. "Today, on the Avenue of the Tributes, all of Panem, a free Panem, will watch more than a mere spectacle. We are gathered to witness a historic moment of justice. Today, the greatest friend of the revolution will fire the shot to end all wars. May her arrow signify the end of tyranny and the beginning of a new era. Mockingjay, may your aim be as true as your heart is pure,"

Katniss takes the arrow and places it on the bow, pulling back the string. Talia's heart was thundering in her chest. She wanted to reach out and grab Finnick's hand, but she knew it'd raise some alarm. Snow looks at Katniss knowingly, looks at Talia too. Then her bow lifts, and the arrow flies.

Coin falls to the floor below her platform, the arrow buried in her chest. Talia looses a breath she didn't realise she was holding. Her feet move before she can even comprehend it. She grabs Finnick's hand and he pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly.

Katniss reaches into her pocket, the nightlock pill. Peeta grabs her hand, forcing her to stop as rebels storm towards them all. They were going to kill Snow. The rebels would kill him. Talia looks at the man tied to the post who had laughed when Katniss shot Coin. He had known all along. Had known Katniss would shoot Coin. So had Talia.

Finnick tries to pull Talia away but her feet plant her to the ground. Then they begin to move. The crowd parts as the Pearl of Panem walks among them. The rebels stop as she reaches Snow, all of them looking at her. She looks up, at Plutarch, looks over her shoulder at Finnick, at the other Victors.

Cressida and her crew were still filming the chaos to the rest of Panem. Talia takes the gun from her belt and presses it to Snow's forehead. I already have enough blood on my hands. Her finger rests on the trigger and she looks into his eyes.

"I am Talia Riverthorn, Pearl of Panem, the woman who made the white rose bleed red," She whispers, only loud enough for Snow to hear. He smiles at her.

"Long may you reign, President Talia Riverthorn of Panem," He laughs. Talia snarls at him, so he had guessed that Plutarch would offer her the position too. She nods her head. Let him believe she would become that, even if she never would.

"For Panem," She utters.

And then she pulls the trigger.

__________________

So. There it is.

Honestly though, Talia would make the best Presidential speeches! She's so dramatic and expressive!

Anyway, what do you think? Should she have taken on the role?

~cupidlies
❤️