For the next week I stayed at camp Jaha, ensuring that everything went smoothly. After sending the two Grounders back with the message asking for help, the council didn't have to wait long when, the following morning, Octavia returned with a group of Grounders at her side.
They set to work immediately, starting off by teaching the people everything they knew about the panthers and how to wield a spear decently if their guns failed them.
The Grounders also taught everyone how to set up a number of traps to catch prey. Larger ones were built that were designed specifically for panthers in mind.
Not only had Lexa sent us the Grounders without delay, but also had the horses carrying packs filled with food for the camp. The council were taken aback by her cooperation and I was pleased to see a lot of people's views were becoming less critical when regarding the commander, and many were now seeing her in a new light.
Within no time at all, groups consisting of Grounders and Skaikru were heading out of camp into the forest to put their newly found skills to good use. Soon enough, successful hunts began to return and the mood in camp improved immensely. The council and chancellor were no longer at each others throats, and with fresh meat being supplied for meals, no-one had anything to complain about.
I found that people would come to me if they had any issues, and the council were consulting me with any decisions that had to made, having fully accepted that I knew what I was doing far better than they ever would.
The remaining 44 also came into their element at this time, all of us having survived on the ground before the Ark had crashed, and had experience of things outside of the camp boundary.
A few of them had recently intercepted a camp member who had been foraging for food and was in the process of returning to camp with what looked like Jobi Nuts. This thankfully prevented the entire camp being subject to the hallucinations as we had been much earlier. Most of the hunting parties also consisted of the 44, others from the Ark being to nervous to venture outside the camp.
I was wandering through camp after having checked that the patrol had left on time when Abby caught sight of me and came rushing over, a rare smile lifting her lips. I regarded her warily as she came closer, not sure what could have caused her to look so cheery.
'Clarke, I have some wonderful news' she began, only to be interrupted when Jasper sidled up next to her with a goofy grin, inclining his head in her direction before turning his attention to me.
'Hey Clarke, thought you might be interested to know that Raven is cheating the unsuspecting out of their possessions again' he told me, ignoring the disgruntled chancellor at his side who was watching him with narrowed eyes, not happy at being interrupted.
I sighed at the news, not that it was any surprise. Games of dice were being played throughout the camp for a bit of fun, putting wagers on who would win the game had become fairly common with the residents in camp. This would be fine if a certain mechanic hadn't used her talents to allow her to win every time by weighing the dice. With just a drill and some metal, Raven had ensured that her opponent always left empty handed.
It wasn't a major problem but people were beginning to get quite upset when they lost each and every time and were beginning to suspect foul play. The game was meant to be a fun way to pass time and I would have to have some stern words with Raven about that later.
'Okay, thanks for letting me know' I said, not looking forward to the conversation to come.
'You didn't hear it from me' Jasper said, winking over dramatically before waving goodbye and slipping back to the Ark.
'So what were you saying?' I asked as the chancellor turned back to me with a frown, her expression brightening up immediately as she remembered what she had been about to say.
'Right, so before I was rudely interrupted, I was saying that I have some great news' she continued from where she had left off earlier. I nodded my head slowly, wondering what could be so amazing.
'You've been pardoned Clarke!' she said, a huge grin spreading across her face, barely able to contain her excitement. I stared at her for a moments, allowing the words to sink in.
'Uh, well, that's great' I said, smiling back at her, though her frown returned at my response.
'Yeah, they decided that after what you've done for the camp, you've been cleared of everything. You could try and look a little happier' she said, I smiled and tried to look pleased. I was glad to hear that I had been pardoned, seeing that I hadn't actually killed Ray in the first place, it was a relief to finally be announced innocent.
After not being a part of camp Jaha for so long it no longer bothered me as it once had, and over time it became less important what the council thought about me.
A chorus of angry curses reached our ears from the Ark where Raven had most likely just cheated another person out of a win.
'You'd best go and sort that out' Abby said with a sympathetic look, knowing just how hard it was to tell Raven to do anything. I shot her a quick smile before leaving and heading in the direction of the Ark.
After a lot of debating and persuasion I finally got Raven to stop using her fake dice, though I still caught her glowering sullenly at me from time to time, resentful that I had put an end to her winning streak.
The camp continued to run smoothly and soon enough I felt that they could handle things on their own. The Grounders no longer had to go out with all of the patrols and most had been sent back to their own camp, only a few remaining in case they were needed. Now that everything was back on track, I was no longer rushing about supervising everyone as they finally had everything back in order.
As much as I enjoyed being around my friends and family again, I felt an unshakable need to get back to the Grounder camp, telling myself that I just wanted to check on how things were going. It had now been almost two weeks and I was more than ready to go past the camp boundaries once more, I couldn't understand how people could be content to remain enclosed for such a long period of time but they seemed happy enough.
Whilst the camp was busy eating their evening meal, I choose that quiet moment to excuse myself and seek out the two Grounders that now remained in the camp. I told them to prepare the horses early next morning for our departure, but to not draw any attention to themselves and to only let Octavia know when we would be leaving.
I wasn't going to leave without letting anyone know, but I would tell them at the last minute, knowing full well that they would all be set on convincing me to stay for longer now that I had been pardoned. Especially my mom who would do everything she could to stop me from going.
When I woke the next morning I pulled on my armor and headed outside the Ark to find my friends and let them know that I was going. Though reluctant to see me going again, they wished me goodbye without too much trouble. I just had to let my mom know I was off, but first I had to find her.
My mom saved me the effort when she came up to me in the middle of camp, words already spilling out of her mouth before I could speak.
'Everyone's been so supportive about you coming back, lots of people were very insistent that you should be pardoned. Now that you...'
Her words trailed off when she saw that I was still wearing grounder gear, having supplied me with a heap of my old clothes the previous night for me to change into. She gave me a questioning look before her gaze travelled over my shoulder to where the Grounders stood waiting with the horses, realization dawning on her features.
'You're going? Didn't you hear what I said yesterday? You've been pardoned, you don't have to stay with them anymore, you can live here again now.'
I stayed quiet, dropping my gaze to the ground as I attempted to come up with a response that wouldn't upset her. My lack of response was all that she needed though, a look of resignation spreading across her face that nothing she said would make any difference.
'You don't want to stay here do you?' she said quietly, my eyes lifting to hers as I heard the sadness in her voice. Her earlier excitement had now disappeared and I felt bad for being the one to take away that happiness, but I couldn't let that stop me.
'It's not like I'm leaving forever mom, I can spend time between both camps' I reassured her, not that this made her any less upset.
'This is your home Clarke, now that you've been pardoned there shouldn't be any reason for you not to stay here permanently' she argued, and I hoped that she wasn't going to make this difficult. I had my reasons for returning to the Grounder camp, and after staying in camp Jaha for the past week I was more than ready to get back.
Abby straightened up and fixed me with a thin smile, not overly pleased by my plan to leave, but not about to start a fight over it.
'You know how much I would love for you to stay, but if that's not what you want, then nothing I do or say will change your mind' she said, having learnt from past experiences that her objections would be useless.
After a quick goodbye, I easily lept up onto my horse, Octavia and the two Grounders then doing the same. The guards opened up the gate behind us without question, and we wheeled our horses around, passing through the fenced enclosure and out of the camp.
It was a relief to finally be out in the open, not cramped up in the small camp. The trip back was uneventful, the patrols were covering this route continuously to allow safe passage between the two camps.
Octavia didn't speak a word for the entire trip and we rode in silence, allowing me to enjoy the rare quiet that was so hard to come by. As we got closer to camp I increased our speed slightly, eager to be back once again after so long.
I nodded to the two guards on duty as we passed into camp, the four of us then dismounting from our horses. As the Grounders took care of the horses Octavia immediately left in search of Indra, striding through the quiet camp to the warriors hut.
A few Grounders were gathered around the fire, though most seemed to be out hunting or on a patrol. I headed straight for the commanders tent, feeling slightly disappointed to see no guards outside, informing me that she wasn't there.
I then searched the rest of the camp methodically for any sign of her, though as I paced through camp for the second time, Nyko rose from his seat by the fire to approach me.
'Klarke, mounin houm' he greeted me with a small smile, welcoming me back to camp. I nodded in return but was still intent on finding Lexa.
'Mochof, Is the Commander here?' I asked, ignoring the fact that I had just scoured the entire camp from top to bottom without luck.
'She left camp with Indra earlier today, she told no-one when they planned on returning' he told me, and I felt my shoulders dip slightly at the news.
I thanked Nyko for his time and decided to go to the secluded river for a while to pass the time. Whilst there were no pressing issues to deal with, I might as well take advantage of the moment. I left camp and went past the training ground, on a little further where no-one would disturb me.
I was soon at the river, relishing in the peace and quiet that it provided. I lowered myself to the ground and lent my back against a large tree trunk, closing my eyes as I listened to the bubble of the stream and the sounds of nature that surrounded me. It was nice to take some time away from the pressure of leading and just have a moment to myself, allowing my thoughts to wander as they pleased and forgetting my worries for a time.
I didn't know how long I had been sat there for when I heard low voices approaching. I cracked my eyes open just in time to see Lexa and Indra emerging from the trees, their guard trailing a short distance behind them. Lexa looked slightly irritated at whatever Indra was saying, and was about to snap back a fiery response when they noticed me by the stream, watching them with wide eyes.
I hadn't been expecting to encounter anyone out here and was more surprised than anything that they had stumbled across me. Indra had moved on from the surprise and was glaring darkly at me, but I was more focused on the Commander at her side.
Lexa looked just as stunned to find me out here, though her previous irritation was clearly fading as a smile spread across her face, an answering one forming without thought on my own lips. We continued grinning at each until Lexa noticed Indra glancing sideways at her, eyes flicking between the two of us questioningly as if she was missing out on some private joke.
The Commander expertly masked her expression once again, though I noticed the small quirk of her lip did not disappear entirely.
'Commander' I said in way of greeting, inclining my head to Indra who remained tight lipped.
After a moment of silence Lexa turned and told Indra to return to camp without her, instructing the guard to accompany her.
Indra looked like she was going to argue but nodded instead, marching away with the guard following close behind, leaving just me and Lexa in the small clearing.
'Clarke, I didn't expect to find you out here' she said as she moved closer, coming to stand by the tree I was resting against.
'Well, I didn't know when you would return to camp, so I came out here to just have a moment to myself before we have to deal with some other crisis' I explained, having learnt to always take advantage of the quiet moments, you never knew how long you had until things took a turn for the worse.
Lexa nodded in understanding, having done the same thing before in peaceful times.
'Then I would not want to disturb you. I will return to camp and have a guard sent here to escort you back when you feel that you are ready' she insisted, turning away to head in the direction of camp.
'Wait' I called out quickly before she disappeared into the trees. Lexa stopped moving but didn't turn around.
'Stay, I mean...if you want to that is' I hastily corrected myself, realizing that it had sounded like an order.
Lexa finally turned to face me, looking amused by my quick recovery and came to sit beside me, lowering herself down so that her back also rested against the large tree trunk.
'What were you doing out here?' I asked curiously, wondering what had caused them to leave camp without a word to anyone.
'Indra wanted to discuss a few things with me' Lexa replied, but didn't elaborate further and I didn't push for more information, sensing that it would be a waste of time.
'I didn't know that you would be returning today' she went on, skillfully changing the topic away from her venture into the forest.
I filled her in on everything that had happened back at camp Jaha, how they were hunting well and everything was falling back into order.
She listened intently until I was finished, congratulating me on my success in regaining control.
'Octavia told me about what happened with the Panther, your skills have increased greatly, you learnt quickly' she complimented me, a hint of pride in her voice as she turned her gaze to me.
'I was taught by the best' I replied with a smile, leaning over to bump her shoulder playfully with my own. She laughed softly and we settled into an easy silence, just enjoying being in each others company.
I hadn't realized quite how much I had been missing Lexa's presence, but as I sat by her side in the clearing, it became clear to me that it was seeing her again that I had been most looking forward to after my time at camp Jaha.
Lexa eventually pushed herself up from the ground with a light sigh, turning back to offer me a hand up.
'We'd best get back to leading our people' she said when I gripped her hand, pulling me effortlessly to my feet.
We walked slowly back to camp, not in any rush to return, content just to be spending time together without the weight of responsibility.
We took the long route going back, arriving through the main entrance where the guards were posted. As we entered the camp, a group of Grounders were stood in a huddle near the fire and Lexa came to a stop close to them.
At first I didn't understand what they were doing, but it soon became clear when one of them shifted to the left slightly and I saw the piece of metal that was being inspected.
I forgot how to breathe for a moment when I saw the letters TonDc engraved into the metal. I was hit with the familiar guilt and as I tried to push it away, one of the Grounders approached and held out the sign for the commander to see.
Lexa examined it closely for a few seconds before she nodded her approval and the Grounders carried the sign between them to the entrance.
'Whilst you were gone it was decided that this village should be named TonDc in memory of what happened.' Lexa explained, glancing over in concern when I drew in a sharp breath.
It definitely made me remember and I swallowed thickly as I regained my composure.
'Do you not approve of the name?' she asked, watching me closely. 'I understand that it brings up dark memories, we can have a different one made if you would prefer.'
I glanced over at her in surprise, astonished to see that she was deadly serious. The Grounders had unanimously decided on the name and it was not my place to disregard their wishes.
'Lexa, you can't change the name of the entire village for me!' I said with a small laugh, though she didn't seem amused.
'I am the Commander of 12 clans Clarke, I can do what I please' she said, her tone completely serious and I knew that she wouldn't hesitate to have the name changed if I desired it.
'No, the name stays as it is, but thank you' I told her firmly, having no intention of going against the decision of the entire village.
Shaking my head in disbelief I glanced around the camp and noticed that Octavia was fixing me with a cool stare. The smile slipped from my face straight away when I saw the accusation in her eyes, reminding me that she would not let me forget about my role in the explosion.
I looked down when she broke the eye contact and strode away, her body rigid as she disappeared inbetween the scattered huts. Lifting my gaze I realized that Lexa had also been watching Octavia with narrowed eyes.
'Is Octavia upsetting you?' she asked tightly and I didn't miss how her hand twitched towards the dagger at her hip.
I remembered what she had been willing to do to Octavia before and hoped she didn't get any ideas like that again.
'It's fine, she just needs some time to get her head around what happened' I said quickly, relieved when Lexa nodded slowly, though she still remained doubtful.
We continued to walk through camp, and I could only hope that she was going to leave Octavia to it, the last thing I wanted was to have a repeat of last time.
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