Katniss Everdeen is a princess. But not the kind you would expect. She doesn't like to wear beautiful ball gowns or dream of falling in love with a handsome prince and living happily ever after. No, Katniss Everdeen is a very different princess indeed.

So, once again. I don't know where this came from. I don't know where I'm going with this, but I just had this urge to write a fairytale Hunger games story. Which in itself is quite strange. I guess I'm just strange. But I had to get these words out of my head. Writers sympathy, anyone? Having a story that won't stop that makes no sense stuck in your head? Anyways, I'm rambling and I'm terrible at authors notes, so yeah… All Hunger Games characters and references belong to the amazing Suzanne Collins, I own nothing except the plot of this story. So, here is the first chapter, it's short, but hopefully, the next ones will be longer. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

I knock my arrow onto the string and aim at the deer. It's the first one I've seen in forever. "What are you doing?"

The sudden noise makes the deer scamper away.

I turn around and glare at him. "Gale!" I hiss.

Gale is my younger twin brother, we used to be very close, until a year ago when he got married to princess Madge. For some reason, his standards suddenly became much higher and he started very un-subtlety making comments about how I should be more "ladylike" and how it isn't womanly to shoot a bow and arrow. He didn't use to care. I think Madge and her stuck up ideas have, in ways rubbed off on him.

"What were you going to do with that, Katniss? Your betrothal is this afternoon and you know Mother will skin you alive if you skip your painting lesson to skin that thing." I sigh. Gosh, when did he start caring about my etiquette?

I hate everything about being a princess. I would rather spend my days in the woods with my bow and arrows exploring, and then going into town to trade. No one knows who I am there. I can be myself without the expectations that come with being the crown princess. Why did I have to be born first? Gale would make a much better King then I would a queen.

Oh, yes, and my betrothal to prince Finnick. Gah. That man. Yes, he's handsome, with green eyes, tan skin, and bronze hair, but he annoys me to no end. He's so arrogant and cocky. Always flashing that perfect smile and charming the socks off of everyone. He doesn't impress me in the least.

I don't want to marry him at all. I'd rather marry a rock. Okay, maybe not. I'd rather just not get married to anyone. Except maybe for one boy…

"You need to come inside." I stare at Gale hard. And scowl. What happened to my best friend? The one who used to embrace running from the palace to go hunting and hiking with me?

But I do what he says because I know he's right. Regretfully I follow him out of the woods and back towards the palace grounds.

The palace is a huge stone structure surrounded by acres of forest, mountains, and creeks. It's very excluded and private, away from the eyes of the town just outside of the woods. It's been this way for years, and I'm not sure why. The townspeople don't know hardly anything about their King and queen. It's all very secretive and mysterious, but I've never questioned it. It's what I've grown up with. But lately, it's been even more mysterious. People I don't even know have been around more often, talking in private with my father, and leaving hours later with angry looks on their faces.

Just as we enter the hall one such person rushes by us, red with furry. But this time I know him. It's Seneca Crane, secretary of the archives. What is going on? Seneca has always been very supportive of whatever my father decides. He's never once gotten angry like this. I look at Gale for some sort of support, I don't know what, but instead find him with a look on his face I can't untangle at all. Something close to horror, anger, understanding, but what? Before I can ask him anything he storms off in the direction of his rooms.

I'm left standing there in confusion, wondering about what's going on.