Pieces in the game. (The Hunger Games)

Chapter 17: PEETA!

Lilly's POV.
I look away from Marvels prone body as Kat and Gale searched the area shouting; "Are there more?" over and over again. My guess was to Rue, the sweet little girl that was currently dying in my arms. Rue eventually gasps out one word. "No!". Katniss and Gale both relax and come over to us. Rue's small hand grips my wrist as if she's afraid I'll let her go. Then she reached for Katniss's hand and held on tight. "You blew up the food?" she whispers, her voice feeble. "Every last bit," Katniss says. "You have to win," I'm not sure who she said it to but I was so relived when Gale answered. "We're going to. Going to win for all of us now," he promises. I jump in alarm when a cannon goes off but it's Marvels cannon. I went to pull away, not wanting to intrude on this scene as Kat and Gale were closer to her than me. "Don't go," she pleads as her grip on my wrist tightens. "Course not. Staying right here," I say as I drop a kiss on her forehead. Katniss is brushing the hair away from her face. "Sing," she says so softly that we barely catch the word. I look at Katniss and she gestures to me. I stare back at her. What the hell am I going to sing?! The only songs I know are the ones our father used to sing. The only time I ever really sing is when Prim is sick because it brings back bittersweet memories. Even then I only sing the songs she liked as a baby. Though, if this is Rue's last request I will make damn sure that I fulfill it. The song that comes to me is a simple lullaby, one we sing fretful, hungry babies to sleep with. It's old, very old I think. Made up long ago in our hills. What our music teacher called a mountain air. But the words are easy and soothing, promising tomorrow will be more hopeful than this awful piece of time we call today. Closing my eyes to gather my courage I finally open my mouth and sing.

                                       "Deep in the meadow, under the willow
                                         A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
                                         Lay down your head, and close your eyes
                                          And when they open, the sun will rise.

                                       Here it's safe, here it's warm
                                        Here the daisies guard you from every harm
                                         Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings
                                                               them true
                                           Here is the place where I love you."

Rue's eyes have fluttered shut. Her chest moves but only slightly. My throat releases the tears I have been choking back and I look to Katniss, pleading with her to help me and she joins in the song.

                                       "Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
                                         A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
                                         Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
                                          And when it's morning , they'll wash away.

                                       Here it's safe, here it's warm
                                        Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Katniss and I are barely whispering the last few lines as we watch little Rue take her final breath.
                                         Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings
                                                               them true
                                           Here is the place where I love you."