She knows the words that Eik is saying is true. She knows it’s not just she who is raising her son. She knows that there is a court that would protect him if the time came. But somehow, Katniss still feels responsible for him. She’s the one who has been tasked with teaching him to be a good man. She is the one who teaches him right from wrong, teaches him morals and values, it is she this burden falls on. Yes she has the court to help her, but they can only help. In the end, it is her responsibility to see to it that Kibou grows up right. It’s a daunting task and Katniss isn’t sure she’s up for the challenge, but she has to try. She made a promise to Metaphor that she would try.
Her sigh is heavy as she looks out over the court. “I know you are all family, something Kibou is blessed to have in his life. But the court can never replace Metaphor.” Metaphor was the one who was supposed to teach him how to love a woman and treat her with kindness and respect. His example was supposed to guide Kibou into adulthood. Katniss had no lover anymore, no one to set an example with. There was only so much anyone can say or do to show Kibou those things. But that fact was something she could not change. She couldn’t bring back Metaphor from the grave because if she could, he would have been beside her.
It was things that she could not change that angered her. It fueled a hatred in her that was so unbecoming. It made her a better warrior and unfortunately, that was the example Kibou had. He could see someone that fought for right and wrong. He would know what means to protect his family and his court, but he would never understand the more emotional side of what was to come. He would be hit with hormones that Katniss could only explain. A boy did not want to hear such things from his mother. He would be tossed to the wolves when the time came and Katniss could only hope that she had been enough that he came out the other side as a grown man with morals and values his mother and father would be proud of.
She can feel the sting of emotion, the gathering of a tear drop ready to fall. She cannot show such emotion in front of another. She clears her throat, straightening her neck, preparing herself to look far tougher than she is currently feeling.
Slowly she begins to turn away from Eik, to continue down the mountain. But as she walks a few paces head, she stops. Slowly her neck cranes to the side and she looks at him. “You have a beautiful family, Eik. Enjoy them. Love them. Teach them. Don’t ever take them for granted.” She had taken her love for Metaphor for granted and now look where it had gotten her.
She sighs again, this time more heavy than the last. But she does not look back at Eik and instead looks forward as she slowly meanders down the mounter, he body fading into black as the shadow of the trees seems to envelope her.
@Eik – a little closer
