Walking back into camp the Arcadians step out of Clarke's way looks of horror donning on their faces. But she can't really blame them for that. Here she is walking into their camp with a wolf at her side covered in blood so fresh it's still dripping down her face. She is perfectly portraying the serial killer in slasher films.
Lexa Indra Kane Abbey and Callie greet her as soon as they spot her. "Clarke." Her mom calls out in concern but Clarke just smiles and waves her off saying none of it's her's. God, she must be a sight to see. Covered in blood smiling. Something inside of her has definitely come undone.
"I see you took care of the Azegdain spies," Indra comments a slight smirk on her face. For a second Clarke can relate to the unnerving presence the ark's people must be experiencing seeing her. Indra looking happy is incredibly wrong. And she's seen and done some fucked up shit but this is a whole new level.
"Eight warrior squad mostly short ranged weapons. Basic Azegda training. They weren't an issue for the three of us." Nia has squads like this that depend on stealth and sneak attacks to win their battles. Now don't get her wrong all of Azegda warriors go through extensive battle training. But groups like this aren't the elite members of the clan. More like pawns while the main army poses a much bigger threat in combat. She may have broken a sweat with the proper soldiers. "Onya's setting up a patrol to search the woods for any more."
"Good." Lexa nods looking her over once again. "We should discuss the next steps in my tent."
Now does she clean herself up now or after the meeting. Knowing her own luck, she'll be attacked again soon enough. Falling in step behind the other leaders she offers a quick nod in the direction of her friend's.
Gathered around Lexa's command table Clarke can't help but let her mind wander to the time before the mountain. How the two of them would spend hours in here looking at every option that could have happened while leading their charge against the mountain. Sadly, the idea of the mountain men splitting them apart with a deal wasn't something she had thought of. Maybe if she had then Clarke and Lexa could have worked out their own plan to counter that. She'll never know.
Don't do that Clarke. Don't think about the mountain. Focus.
"We should reach Delphena within five days of walking. Klark you know the situation around Floukru's capital the best. Would you mind." Lexa asks pointing to the map. The rest of the generals from the other clans have joined. Bloudalan, Yujileda, Louwoda Kilron and Ouskejon Kru being the closet clans will be riding and meeting us on the run to Floukru. Their generals live in Poils so they can easily be informed about the upcoming war. Also, as their clans are the closest, they will be able to meet up with us on the road to Floukru, unlike the others. The Generals can inform Heda about how many people they are bringing and let her decide how best to use them.
Trishana Delfikru Podakru and Ingranrona most likely won't make it in time to help with the battle around Floukru. Sangedakru are the closest clan to Floukru in the opposite direction to Trikru so they should be able to attack from that direction. It will take much longer for Heda's messenger to reach them than it was for the closer clans. All of the clans above have their generals here for the meeting. It's just their armies that can't make it.
However, they should be at full strength for when they invade Azegda.
Hopefully. Unless one or more of these clans decide to side with Azegda.
Clarke has learnt the hard way you should never fully trust your allies. Besides they know that Nia has been working on alliances with the other clans. Who's to say they won't turn on them. She should talk to Lexa and Anya about this after the meeting about maybe leaving some warriors here to defend Skaikru. Like Nia said there are only three clans completely loyal to Lexa. One is under siege. The second is going to war and Skaikru is the third. Leaving them alone sounds like a bad idea. Nia could come around and attack them from behind.
She really hasn't missed this aspect of being a leader.
Channelling her inner wanheda Clarke starts to explain the situation around Floukru picking up the Azegda tiles and moving them into place. By the time she's done the map is covered in white tiles showing where Azegda stand. They do have the largest army out of any of the clans. Trikru had the second largest until Skaikru. Until Clarke.
The next two hours are spent going back and forth over the simplest things. She was wrong before. This is really the worst part of being a leader. Having to deal with other leaders. "That's it for now." Lexa announces as if answering her prayers. "We march on the morrow. Make sure your people are ready."
One by the one the leaders leave until it's just Clarke Lexa Anya and Indra. Seeing her chance, she acts. "We can't trust the other clans." Clarke ignores that looks of shock. She can feel her frustrations bleeding into her voice. She hates it. She hates this. She just wants it to be over. "I'm sorry but we can't. Nia has spent the past five years working on deals with them for a situation just like this. I have no idea which clans she made deals with all I know are only three out of thirteen are loyal and one of them..." Clarke take's a deep and steady breath in hopes of reeling her anger at this situation back in. "And one of has almost fallen." She's not going to lie. The next few days will decide whether or not Floukru survives or if the thirteen clans moves back to twelve.
Her words impact the mood of the room. Everything suddenly turns very dark and depressing. She should be home with Luna Wells and Adria. Are they even still alive at this point. Was she too slow. "Klark." Lexa's voice registers but she can't be in this room anymore.
Without looking back, she storms out of the tent. By now the sun has long since set. Anubis who was lying down patiently outside the tent follows as she walks into the woods to wash off the blood still staining her body and clothes.
The water is cold but refreshing on her skin. Each drop cleansing her of the blood staining her skin. If only she could cleanse her soul as easily. To free her mind from all the death that follows her where ever she goes.
After washing her clothes, Clarke start's heading back to her tent ready re take them off. She really should have brought her spare cloth with her. It would have saved her from walking back to camp in soggy wet clothes and set them up to dry while putting on my other set of clothes which she washed clean of blood this morning. Maybe one day she can go somewhere where nobody wants to try and kill her.
Is that asking for too much.
Who is she kidding. Of course, it is.
Now the main question is does she just return to her tent for the night or go see people in Arkadia.
…
…
...
Tent it is.
"Clarke." Or maybe not. As she was walking through the commander's camp ready to settle down and relax for the night Octavia was either waiting for her to return or was lucky to see her walking by.
Seeing that her presence is required Clarke walk's over to greet Octavia. "Hello, Octavia. Have you spoken to Indra." It seemed like a good place to start. She hates that she can't feel comfortable around the people she once viewed as her friends and some as her family. It hurts and Clarke knows that she's coming across as some kind of bitch to them but she doesn't know how else to be. Seeing them just reminds her about what she did. All the people she's killed to protect them. The very thing she ran from in the first place.
When Clarke officially joined Floukru she knew that it meant that Skaikru were no longer her people and her loyalty was no longer to them. But this is different. She doesn't know how to act around Skaikru. When she was in Arkadia Clarke felt more on edge than she did back in Floukru when they were being attacked. That alone speaks volumes to her stance on her old home. She feels like there are too many bad memories and blood there for her here now.
Still, when she joined floukru she never thought it would be this hard to be around here. Everything bout it just hurts. Seeing her mom hurt her as all she could think about is her mom telling her that she won't be able to wash the blood of her hands this time. Clarke knows she said it about her decision on letting the missile hit the grounder camp but her words are right about Clarke's entire life on the ground. She's killed so many people. At this point, her kill count is over a thousand.
She's caused the death of over a thousand people and that number is still rising.
How does one look at that and go. Well ok, then and moves on with their life.
She just doesn't know how to be here.
Maybe if she had Wells and Luna with her it wouldn't feel like every breath she takes is a mistake. That the pressure on her chest wouldn't always feel as heavy.
This was her home but now all she can feel is sick at the mere sight of it.
"Yeah. Me and Lincoln will be marching with you in the morning." Octavia answers happily. Clarke's glad Octavia can be back with Trikru. She heard about the commander putting a kill order on Lincoln and knew that would mean that he and O would be trapped in Arkadia. So, she's glad it seems that Lexa has lifted it. For now, at least.
"Good I'm glad," Clarke says referring to what she was just thinking about. "How have the two of you been. We heard about the kill order."
She shrugs slightly at this but it doesn't deter her. Always the fighter. "Yeah it was difficult for both of us to be trapped here. But we made do. I'm just glad of the chance to be free of Arkadia." Realising how that might sound to someone she backtracks. "Not that I'm glad Floukru is being attacked or anything. It's just that I...
"Relax Octavia." Clarke cuts her offer with a smile. "I know that isn't what you meant. And yeah, I'm glad you two get to get out. Luna's been interested in meeting you at some point."
Octavia blushes at this. "She is."
"Yeah. Of course." O beams at her and Clarke can't help but feel a little mischievous. "She can't wait to meet the person who stole Lincolns heart. And is so looking forward to giving you the grounder version of a shovel talk."
And just like that the smile fades and is replaced by a look of dread. "Wait. What."
"Yeah." Mournfully Clarke pat's her shoulder. "Good luck with that." She once heard that one member of Floukru was knocked someone put on a boat and dangled over the middle of shark infested waters as the brother gave the speech on what would happen if he ever hurt his sister. Now whether that is true or not nobody knows.
Clarke was lucky by the fact that no one gave her the talk when she and Luna got together but she does know that Wells give her one. Clarke remembers when Luna showed up at her door looking both distressed and impressed by Wells. What the two of them talked about is between them but Luna did swear that she would never betray her or cause her any harm on purpose. Their both know mistakes can be made and she wasn't asking her to be perfect but Clarke couldn't survive if she betrayed her like Finn did. Or like how Lexa did. Both times broke her heart and she was hoping Luna didn't make it three people who had broken her.
Octavia gulps. "Should I be worried."
Enjoying her fear, Clarke decides to make it worse. Because that's the kind of friend she is. "Well, that depends... Have you learnt how to swim yet." At her nod, Clarke just sends her a far too cheery smile. "Then you'll be fine when she drops you in the middle of the ocean."
"I'm sorry what."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure she won't drop you off in the area where the sharks live." That doesn't help her at all. Clarke bursts out laughing as Octavia grows paler and paler. "Got to love grounder culture."
"Please tell me you're kidding." She begs.
Clarke just shrugs. You never really know. "I'm sure Luna will make sure it's not life threatening. She's kind like that."
"Gee great." She mumbles. Is it bad that she's enjoying this. Probably. Does she care. Nope. "Anyways we were wondering if you wanted to join us for dinner." She asks uncertainly.
It would be rude to say no. "Sure." Clarke mutters. "Just let me get changed and I'll meet you there." Octavia looks her up and down noticing her dripping wet clothes.
"Oh..." Her head snaps back up. "Ok. I'll see you soon."
Not wanting to be in these heavy wet clothes anymore Clarke continues her journey to her tent. This day is just never ending.
"I can't believe were actually going to a beach party." Wells shouts playfully pushing Clarke's shoulder. They've been in Flourku for about ten months now and the weather is turning nice enough to attend one of Floukru's famous bonfires. At the moment they currently in Delphnea the capital of the clan.
The sun is only now starting to set leaving the sky a beautiful orange red colour. Seeing a sunset is something Clarke had always wanted to witness growing up on the ark. From what they would see and read they were always beautiful. But to actually see one from the cliffs overlooking the beach. Beautiful doesn't give it justice. She's always preferred to see the sun set than it rising. How those light colours blend together growing darker until they become more purple than dark blue and then finally only the night remains. It's an artists dream.
Clarke smiles fondly at Wells enthusiasm. She can't even begin to explain how happy she is that he is here with her. She would be lost without him. "Remember the last time we had a party back on the ark."
Both of them erupt into giggles thinking back to the night about two months before she got locked up. Eliza had managed to trade her rations for a bottle of moonshine while Riley had won another in a bet with some other guard in training from farm station. The five of them spent the entire night at Eliza's playing different drinking games. She doesn't know why but at some point, they thought it would be a great idea to go and worship the tree. Vera. Kane's mom walked in to see five drunk teenagers bowing. And she means full on their hand's knees and stomachs chanting praise Jesus the Tree of our sins. She took in all in good spirits and laughed. Clarke distinctly remembers her picking up the watering can and splashes them with the water saying the tree finds you worthy of its holy substance. Followed by them going we're not worthy of the tree's grace.
Jesus, they were messed up. To this day they all swear that someone must have drugged one of their drinks. That's the only way to explain what happened that night.
Eventually, Callie came to collect them. When she walked in and saw them all Alex whispered but really shouted. 'Shit act sober'. The five of them all sat up straight and Clarke and Wells started talking about chess but mostly just saying figure names back and forth Riley started giggling and Alex was shushing him which was louder than him laughing and Eliza was shushing her shushing.
Callie was having too much fun watching their awful attempts at acting sober to get them to head back to bed. In the end, she and Vera came up with the grand idea that the tree wishes for some peace before its ceremony in the morning and that they should return to Eliza's to rest so they can stand guard as it's holy guardians in the morning.
Suffice to say none of them could look at Vera or that goddamn tree without feeling embarrassment. Every time Vera saw them, she greeted them as the tree guardians. Clarke was almost glad to be arrest so she didn't have to suffer that humiliation every day.
"We better stay away from the trees around here." Wells jokes.
"Why do I suddenly have this image of me running in the sand only to trip over a shell and proclaim it the holy shell." Clarke can vividly see this scene taking place in her head. It's both amusing and embarrassing.
"Because it's us." That fills her with no confidence. "Maybe we should warn Luna that us sky people can't hold our liquor." That's not a bad call.
"This is how we get kicked out of the clan. Creating a cult when drunk."
"At least it's a story that will make people laugh."
"I might actually die of shame this time." Wells just laughs even more. "Last time only two people were aware. If it happens again, it's an entire clan. Wells. There's no coming back from that. We will need to run away and change our identities."
"I've always been interested to see what blue cliffs look like. I mean are they actually blue or what."
Clarke hums in agreement. That is a good question. "It's settled then. We're running away to Osukejonkru."
"Getting sick of us already are you." Luna voice cuts in as she runs walks up from behind us. Clarke dreads to think how much she just heard. At least she didn't talk about the tree. She would hate to have to flee in shame.
"With company like you how could we." Clarke replies with ease ignoring the look Wells give her instead watching as their fearless leader beams her a smile. She can just make out a light blush making its way onto Luna's cheeks.
"We're looking forward to tonight," Wells adds on his eyes flicking between Clarke and Luna.
"Yeah, we can't wait." Clarke expands on. "The last time we got to do something like this went a bit... crazy."
"I feel like there's a story there." Luna asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, there is." Clarke reply with humour in her voice.
Wells easily continues her line of thought. "But's it's one we will take to our graves."
"We shall see about that." Luna challenges and Clarke have one hundred per cent faith in her ability to get her to talk about it. There's just something about Luna that she finds so easy to be around. Everything just seems better with her around. "Come we should be starting soon."
They take about three steps before a really stupid fun idea appears into her head. They are on a beach. So why not. With a devilish smirk appealing on her face Clarke leans to her right and taps Wells on the shoulder. He turns giving her a what are you doing look. "Tig." Clarke shouts before sprinting off down the beach.
"Oh, It's on Griffin." She hears Wells roar but she dares not look back to see how far behind he is. Clarke can only imagine the puzzled look on Luna's face right about now. It doesn't take long for Wells to catch up and tap Clarke on her back. "Your it." He shouts before dashing off in the opposite direction. Wasting no time, she gives chase. They once again pass Luna who looks like a confused puppy as she watches them chasing after one another. It's a cute look for her.
Their game goes on for a good while before they have to stop as more people start to arrive on the beach seeing them chasing each other screeching like banshees in laughter as they chase each other screaming tig. Eventually, Clarke gives in feeling as if her lungs are going to burst any second dropping to the floor. "That's it I'm done." She declares waving the provable white flag to Wells who just cheers stating he is the king of tag.
Breathing heavily, he drops down next to Clarke panting just as hard as she is. "Next time we play Tag." Tig, she corrects in her mind. "We should get more people involved."
"Now that sounds like a plan." Clarke weakly offers him a high five at this brilliant idea. Tig is so much more fun in a big group. "We should introduce more games to Floukru. Like British bulldogs."
"Freeze tag." He adds on.
"Capture the Flag."
"Ohhhh. Yes. We should defo get a game of capture the flag going." How she wishes they could have played these games with the hundred. Instead of you know. Fighting two different wars. "We should look for ball." Wells suddenly states. Images of them playing different games like dodgeball or football flood her mind.
"Oh my God Wells. Yes." What Luna and her people must be thinking right about now is probably better left unsaid. "We need to figure out how to make one. This is now the most important thing in my life."
"Good. Dream big." He mocks.
Clarke really doesn't care that he's mocking her this is happening. "I know you're mocking me but I'm going to pretend you're agreeing with me."
"Do I even want to understand what is happening here." Luna asks reappearing and sitting down in the sand next to Clarke.
"Only us thinking about introducing Floukru to some of the best games we played as children." Clarke states
"Should I be worried about this." She's being mocked from both sides. Unbelievable.
"That depends." Clarke shoots her a curious look. "Are you competitive."
"Maybe."
"Then you'll probably have a blast." She says but she's more curious about what the people here will think of their childish games.
"Unless you lose. Like Clarke just did." Well rub it in why don't you Wells. Clarke playfully punches him in the arm. "Owww." He rubs the place she just hit. "And to think I was about to get us something to drink." He mockingly snarls before picking himself off and walking away. She hopes he is still getting her something to drink. her chest is still burning and a drink sounds magical right about now.
Sitting up Clarke can really take in the area around the bonfire now she's not running for her life. The waves splash softy at the shore about forty yards in front of her. To her right is where the bonfire is standing about the same height as what she imagines a Christmas tree would be like. Different twigs and sticks point out in all directions. Littered around the beach are torches perched into the sand from here all the way back to the town lighting the area up for when the sun has fully disappeared. People have put logs down to sit on around the bonfire and the surrounding area. Behind the bonfire is a group of tables starting to be filled up with food. Most of the meat will be cooked when the bonfire is lit.
"This place is amazing," Clarke tells Luna taking everything in before turning to the woman who made all this happen. How does one person create something like this in such a short time. "You're amazing." Amazing doesn't even begin to describe her.
"Mochof Klark. But it wasn't me who did all this it was a joint effort." There's a sense of pride in her voice as she looks out to her people gathered around just living their best life without the threat of death and violence. Whenever she used to imagine what Earth was like before the bombs it was like this. People being free and happy in places they made their own.
"But you're the one that brought all these people together. You don't give yourself enough credit. None of this would be happening without you." She turns her attention from her people back to Clarke. "You gave them the chance to experience peace and happiness. That's why I..." And just like that everything she's been feeling towards Luna makes sense. Why seeing Luna hurt or upset hurts her. The way Luna's presence calms her down. Why she feels lighter and happier with her around. The way her heart flutters whenever she smiles or steps close to her. Why Luna's eyes always seem to shine to Clarke. The reason she always seems to take hold of her arm or hand when they're alone. Why she craves her presence. The way everything about Luna mesmerizes her. Why Clarke always think of her as amazing and beautiful. Luna tilts her head slightly at seeing Clarke pause mid-sentence but her eyes shine with something she hasn't seen before... Hope. Swallowing the lump in her throat Clarke continues knowing that now isn't the time. Not when the realization first hits her. She needs some time to think. "That's why your you."
Her eyes watch Clarkes and she wonders if Luna's eyes reflect what is showing in her own. She seems to understand as she flashes Clarke one of her lopsided grin before she's pulled away back over to where everyone is gathered to kick start the bonfire party.
The bonfire shines brightly lighting up the dark night sky as people dance around in time to the music being played. The party has been in full swing for a good few hours now. Clarke and Wells are currently sitting on one of the wooden logs watching everyone celebrate life. By now most adults are happily drunk or well on their way to being that. The younger people had been sent to bed not long too ago.
She's been sipping on this drink of... she doesn't even know what but tastes better than Monty's moonshine for a while now. Her eyes linger on Luna who is chatting with Shay Ven Rora and Luka. "So, you've finally figured it out." Wells's voice pulls her away from her staring.
"What." Clarke wasn't really paying attention to what he was asking.
He lets out a merry soft laugh. "I said you've finally figured it out."
"Figured what out." She asks hoping he doesn't say what he clearly means.
He leans closer so only the two of them can hear over the boisterous laughter of those around them. "The fact that you're in love with Luna." Clarke pulls back doing a magnificent impression of a deer in headlights. "Don't look so surprised Clarke. I have known you all my life."
"How long have..." Does she ask how long has it been since he noticed or how long has she been oblivious to her own feelings. Or are they one in the same.
He takes pity on her placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. The corner of his mouth tilts upwards. "Well, I've noticed something going on between you two since the moment I came back and found her leaning over you." Oh. That long. "It was strange at first. I just thought she was attracted to you." She was. How much of an idiot has she been. "But then you started to show interest in her." Does she even want to hear this. "You never really felt comfortable unless either she or I was around." Apparently, she does. "As time passed the two of you got closer and that's when I realised it wasn't just about looks. You sought her for comfort. You were happier with her around. You smiled and laughed more. You would send her sideways looks all the time. You tended to blush more in her presence. You just seemed complete around her. And that's something I haven't seen in you for a long time."
"I'm such an idiot to not have noticed," Clarke mutters to herself with a bit of humor and annoyance.
"No. I think you were ignoring your feeling on purpose because you didn't want to get hurt again." Flashes of the heartbreak left by Alex Finn and Lexa attack her. "It was almost as if you didn't trust yourself with your feeling." How does he know this. As if reading her mind he answers. "After some of your more... obvious... showing of your feelings you would look slightly confused. As if you didn't understand why you just did that."
Flicking back through hr memories there are far more times of this happening than she would have liked. Everything seems so clear now. Her blatant flirting followed by confusion as to why she just did that before swiftly moving the subject on. She must have been sending so very mixed messages towards Luna. And … Oh my god she was flirting with her when she was already in a relationship.
Well at least this explains why she never really liked Derrik and why she was strangely happy when they broke up around the same time, she swore fealty to her on their little spot by the cliff.
Now that she knows how she feels the question is what does she do now. Wells said he thought Luna liked her at the start. Does she still. Did she even then.
Downing the rest of her drink enjoying the slight burning of my throat Clarke hops up and offers her hand to Wells. "I am far too sober for this party. Fancy dancing." Wells just laughs accepting her hand and lets her tug him closer to the bonfire where everyone is dancing. They find their own little gap and just let go.
Their movements are wild and vibrant. Memories of the ark and the parties we went to only increase Clarke's happiness. It's been far too long since she's been able to let go and just dance. If only Floukru had karaoke. Then it will be just like old time. Gods. One time Clarke Alex and Eliza had a Disney karaoke sing off. Riley and wells just looked as amused and concerned about their mental state as they full on went for. Yes, drinking was involved in this. But in their defense, they did reach the top of the pit's league. Clarke nailed colors of the wind. At some point, they convinced the guys to get involved. Shit, what song did they all do. Clarke thinks it may have been We're all this together from high school musical.
Spinning around Clarke goes to ask Wells if he can remember what song they all sang together only to be greeted by emptiness. Freezing she scans the rowdy crowd for any sign of her brother. Did he just leave her alone in the middle of the dance floor.
"Looking for someone." A husky voice breathes against her ear wrapping their arms around her waist from behind. Heat erupts throughout Clarke's body at their touch. Failing to control her rapidly beating heart she twists in their arms so they can be face to face.
Automatically Clarke's arms wrap around their neck bringing us barely inches apart. Luna's dark eyes bore into hers. "Not anymore." Clarke's eyes naturally look down to her lips before meeting her eyes again. The beat around them kicks up and her body follows the rhyme. Luna's eyes seem to darken at Clarke's movements. Smirking at her reaction Clarke leans up to her ear and whispers. "Are we dancing or what."
She seems stunned for a moment before she comes back to her sense and dances with Clarke. The two of them still wrapped each other just let go and have fun. Some members of Skaikru might call it more like grinding than dancing. Her head for some reason plays the song teenage dream plays on a loop. Clarke finds it to be very fitting to her current position.
She has no idea how they were dancing for before Luna slowly tugs her out of the crowded dance floor and pulls her along the beach away from everyone else. Luna's hand wrapped tightly around Clarke's. The destination she had in mind is her bungalow on the shoreline. Her home is the closest to the party well within the wall of the city. She pushes Clarke up against the back wall of her hut. Both of them are breathing heavily from either the dancing or their close proximity. Her arms rest on either side of Clarke's head basically trapping her. But it doesn't feel like she's trapped. more like happily cocooned The air between seems to be electric.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are Klark." Her voice comes out breathless and smoky.
"Yu don nou" Clarke replies in her native language. Luna shivers at this.
"Well, you are." She leans closer so their foreheads are touching. "Without a doubt, you are the most beautiful individual thing I have ever had the pleasure of meeting." Her eye's dart from Clarke down to her lips and they linger there. Feeling slightly self-conscious Clarke's tongue runs along the inside of her lower lip.
Clarke's hands move from her side to cup her face pushing her silky soft locks back. At her action, Luna's eyes flick back to Clarke's a hunger reflecting back at her. "Luna." Clarke says taken back by the sound of her own voice. Originally, she was going to tell her if she's going to kiss her, she should do it now. Instead, Clarke takes the lead pushing and kisses her.
It wasn't a long kiss but to Clarke, it felt much longer than a slightly longer peck. She was testing the waters making sure she reading the situation right. Their lips brushed against each others for a fleeting moment. The simple pleasure forces Clarke to close her eyes. She can feel her body still at the action. Pulling back, Clarke gives her every opportunity to back away. The last thing she wants to do is have her regret doing this.
Her hands grip on to Clarke's waist brushing against her exposed skin sending shivers of pleasure through Clarke's body as well as bringing life to her body. Taking the plunge again Clarke capture her soft lips with my own. She lets out a small moan as we start to fight for dominance and control. A fire rages between them as she pushing Clarke back forcefully pressing her against the wall. Clarke rolls her tongue against Luna's lips begging for entrance. This time its her that moans feeling as their tongue collide against each other. She slips her hand into Luna's hair pulling her as close as humanly possible. Her hands trail across Clarke's skin leaving a tingling sensation in her wake as she explores Clarke's body.
Clarke pulls away from her lips latching on to her neck. She whimpers at the contact and Clarke can't help but smirk in response. She tastes of the ocean leaving Clarke to crave more of her. One of her hands slips from Luna's hair and sneaks it way under her shirt. Clarke's fingers trace across her warm soft skin savoring every touch.
"It took you long enough." Luna moans loudly reclaiming Clarke's lips with her own. As their lips blissfully dance with each other Clarke still need more. She needs all of her.
Pulling apart Clarke rest her forehead against her's both of them breathing erratically. "You could have said something." Clarke pants out.
"And miss the fun of you figuring it out." She laughs sending vibrations along Clarke's skin. Once again, she claims Clarke's lips. This time going for a softer more gentle kiss but nonetheless less passionate than their previous one. This one was more loving than heated. "Ste kom ai sheidgeda." She whispers her eyes filled with antioption and desire. "Sheidgeda en mo."
Clarke doesn't even need to think about it. "Sha." She whispers back breathlessly. Luna's whole face lights up at Clarke's agreement to spending tonight and the rest of their nights together. Understanding that their relationship has now moved way past the friend zone. Not needing to say anything else Luna takes hold of Clarke's hand and guides her inside her hut. Locking the door behind them.
Stepping into the dining room of the ark Clarke feels very out of place. Her eyes dart around the room before landing on her friends. Ignoring the hundreds of eyes that follow her she briskly walks over to where everyone is gathered.
On one side of the table sits Kane her mom Callie Alex and Riley. The other holds Lincoln Octavia Bellamy Raven Monty and Harper. She knows other members of the hundred are placed around the room watching, itching to come over and talk to her but she guesses her minor breakdown before is keeping them at bay until they know she's more settled. It's a sweet gesture if it didn't feel like her every move was being scrutinized.
"If it isn't my favorite twin." Riley jokes with a big smile on his face as he jumps out of his chair to almost tackle Clarke to the ground. Thank God both Anya and Luna made sure Clarke worked on her balance. They used to joke about the fact that Clarke and Riley were twins since they both had bright blonde hair and blue eyes. Only his eyes are a darker shade than her's. He was originally from farm station like Jasper and Monty. Clarke met him in class when she was around eight and since then he stuck close to her and Wells. He was the one to bring Eliza into their little family as she was his mother's best friends' daughter. "Back from the dead."
"We did always say that even the devil couldn't deal with me and would send me back."
"Did you at least put in a good word for me."
"Oh yeah, he's got a spot ready for you. It's next to Alex."
"How am I bringing brought into this." Alex laughs. Riley lets go of Clarke retaking his place at the table. There's so much she wants to ask and find out from just about everyone.
Clarke decides to perch herself in between her mom and Callie. It seems like the safest bet for now. The moment she sits down her mom engulfs her into a tight hug. "I missed you, Clarke." She mutters into Clarke's neck.
"I missed you too." Their relationship ever since Clarke found she was the one who turned her dad in has been a roller-coaster. But she likes to think they ended it on good terms with both of them coming to an understanding that they have both done awful things believing it was for the best for everyone else. Ending their hug, Clarke turns to greet Monty and Harper who are most wearing matches smiles. "Monty Harper. It's good to see you."
"Welcome back Clarke." Monty says offering her his best dorky smile which helps to relax some of the tension she has been feeling being back here.
"Yeah, we've missed having you around." Harper adds on sending Clarke a smile of her own.
"Maybe when all this is done I can come and visit more often. Or you could come and see me." Clarke offers seeing their eyes light up at the invitation. "I'm sure you'll love the beaches."
"Does Luna still throw huge bonfire parties." Lincoln asks a fond expression on his face thinking back to the time he spent traveling and living with Luna.
Memories of her first bonfire party flitter through her mind bringing a warmth to her body and a huge smile breaks out on to Clarke's face. "Yeah. And I have to admit since me and Wells introduced Skaikru drinking games to them they have got rowdier."
"Hope you and Well are staying away from the trees." Callie quips earning a synchronized groan from Clarke Riley and Alex. Riley actually bangs his head on the table. She just laughs at three young adult's pain.
"What's this about a tree." Raven asks looking between the three human tomatoes.
"None one word." The three of them threaten at the same time just causing Callie to laugh even harder.
"Wouldn't dream about it." She raises her hands in a surrendering gesture but her devilish smirk gives away she isn't done torturing them just yet. "I would hate to upset the blessed tree guardians." Yep there it is.
"Kill me now." Clarke hears Alex moan into her hands.
"Why." Clarke asks in the best monotone voice she can muster. "Just why."
"That's what I was thinking seeing the five of you that night." Callie shots back. Ok, she has to admit she's got her there. Clarke doesn't know how it happened. It just did.
"Again I'll ask. What's this about a tree." Raven interrupts.
"Nothing." The four of them reply at the same time. The others exchange confused looks but agree to drop the topic for now. Moving swiftly on Clarke starts to fill everyone in on what she's been doing with Floukru for the past five years. Her training under Luna. How they got the wolves. Just a general description of each village and its surroundings. Everyone apart from Lincoln seemed enchanted by the descriptions of the beaches and cliffs. It was peaceful being back with the people she thought of as my family. All her worries about this place slowly start to fade the more they talk.
However, like always the peace didn't last as Jasper makes an appearance looking horrible. He's shaved head and uneven walk translating to the hard times he's fallen on. His gaze meets Clarke's and a rageful hatred rises within him. Taking a deep breath, Clarke has prepared herself for this. It was bound to happen sooner or later. "Well, Well, Well looks who came crawling back." He mocks swaying his way over to their table. The rest of the hall drops in silence watching the boy approach Clarke. Everyone at her table tenses and Monty goes to stand up but Clarke reaches out to him telling him not to get involved. "If it isn't the commander of death herself here to grace us with her presence." It took a while but she no longer flinches at the mention of being called wanheda.
"Jasper," Clarke says evenly not bothering to stand up.
"I heard we're going to war again." He states. "So of course, you show up. Commit any genocides recently." His words hit her but she buries the pain as best as she can. Her face doesn't change from her neutral expression. She won't give him the satisfaction of watching her crumble like he wants to.
"Not recently no. Why do you need some people killed." Probably not the best thing to say given his mental state but Clarke needs people to understand that she's not completely broken. They can't see her as weak. Not on the eve of war. Clarke has to be strong. No matter how much she just wants to run out of this room and get as far away from this conversation as possible.
"Do you even care." He screams at her. Both Bellamy and Raven flinch as he screams down their ears. "Do you even care that you murdered innocent people. You killed children. How could you do that." Shes asked herself that question every day.
"Would you have preferred it if I let the mountain kill you and all of our friends. Would you prefer that they came here and stole more of our people and drilled into them. Would you have preferred it when they started attacking and burning the grounder's villages down. What would have had me done Jasper. It was them or us. I did what I had to. As awful as it was I had to do it to save our people."
"I was going to save everyone." He screeches.
At this Clarke raises an eyebrow questioning how he came to this conclusion. "And how would you have done that."
He seems taken back at her question but answers nonetheless. "If you had just waited a few more moments, I would have killed Cage and it would have been over."
Both Clarke's eyebrows rise at this. He can't have ever believed that would work. Surely, he wasn't that stupid. Looking at him glaring at her Clarke realizes he is. Bloody hell. "No, you would have been shot dead before you made it within five feet of him Jasper." He goes to argue but Clarke slams her hands on the table jumping up. The sudden sound and her rising has everyone in the room flinching. "If you had been paying attention to what happening in that room you would have seen that two different guards had noticed you weren't chained to the wall and were getting ready to shoot you. So no Jasper you wouldn't have saved anyone but got yourself shot down in the middle of the room leaving me to make the same choice. Now for a second let's go with you did manage to kill cage. Then what."
"Then it would have been over." He growls at her.
"How would it have been over. You killing one man doesn't change the fact that they were drilling us for bone marrow."
"With Cage dead, they would have stopped. Not everyone in the mountain agreed with what they were doing."
"But a lot of them did." She shouts back with menace. "Jasper you've created this dream idea about what would have happened but that's all it is. It was a dream, Jasper. If you killed Cage then Emerson would have been in control and he would have continued the work. All the guards would have continued the work. You killing Cage wouldn't have solved anything. It wouldn't have ended the war."
"You're just saying that to hide your own guilt."
"No, I'm saying this because it's true. You have to be stupid to think that killing one man would have fixed everything. These are the people who kidnapped grounders and drained them of blood for years. They stole grounder and turned them into Ripas and sent them back out to attack their friends and families." Lincoln flinches at the memories of him being a Ripa. "These are the people who sent missiles into villages. These are the people who drugged us. Kidnapped us and then drilled us from bone marrow. That wasn't one person's idea Jasper. It was a collective. There was no other choice."
"You didn't even look for one." He spits at her.
In response, Clarke just laughs. Not the happy laugh but crazed fucked up laughing. Everyone sends her some very worried looks. "I didn't' try for another way. Really me. I begged and pleading with Cage and the people of mount weather to let our people go. I threatened and executed Dante. I offered to give up our bone marrow willingly if they let us go. But every option I came up with they shoot it down. I warned Cage and the others what I would do if they didn't stop. And did any of them stop. No. Nobody stopped. They kept going because they made their minds up on us already. Do I feel guilty for what I did. Of course, I do. I spent so long hating myself for what I was forced to do. But I had to keep going. You have trapped yourself in the past. You're acting as if you're the only one to have suffered that day. Every member of the hundred suffered in the mountain. They were drilled into. They watched their friends die. Yet you act as you were the one to suffer."
"You killed Maya." And the real reason behind his pain comes out.
"So you're not angry at me for killing the mountain. You're angry at me for killing your girlfriend. Do you even care about what the other members of the hundred were feeling."
"I loved her. She was innocent she was helping us and you killed her anyways." He completely ignores Clarke's question. in some ways, that's an answer in itself.
"Again what would you have had me to do. Please tell me Jasper what I should have done that would have worked." He remains silent answering her question. "There was nothing else we could do. And I am truly sorry that Maya died. I'm sorry that I killed all those innocent men women and children. But I would make that decision again if it meant saving our people. Not every story has a happy ending."
Not being able to stomach being here any longer Clarke start's heading towards the down door. As she's passing Jasper she can feel him snap and reach for her. Dodging his initial lunge he spins around pulling out a knife and lunging at her again. All around her Clarke can hear people scream her's and Jasper's name. She doesn't even move to doge his second attack why would she.
Before he can stab Clarke a feral snarl rips through the air before a flash of black jumps into view teeth ripping into Jaspers's hand slamming him to the ground. Jasper screams as Anubis's jaws clamp onto this wrist. The knife drops to the floor and bite harder into jasper swinging his head side to side pulling Jasper along with him.
Bending down Clarke picks up the knife throwing it over to Lincoln who like everyone else is watching as Anubis tears into the boy who dared to attack her. His claws digging to Jaspers flesh shredding his shirt and chest to well... shreds.
"Anubis. Pleni." Clarke orders. He releases his jaw from Jasper but is still standing on top of him. Mouth opening dripping blood as he growls at Jasper his head hanging over Jaspers. Warning him that next time he tries to attack his human he will die. His whole body vibrates with heckles. "Kom au." She calls out heading towards the door without looking back. Anubis following behind her his eyes watching everyone as they leave daring them to try and attack.
Clarke may have been born of the sky. But she was no longer Skaikru. She floukru and proud to be so.
"Mom I'm fine." Clarke groan's out for what feels like the hundredth time. But she's not listening to her in favor of glaring at Anya who in return is glaring at her but standing slightly in front of Clarke almost as if she's trying to shield her from her own mother.
"You're not fine. Clarke, you got shot." Trust her she is well aware of that fact. Every move she makes sends ripples of pain throughout her body. Hell, even breath triggers spasms through her. "And now we have to take the grounder into custody."
Anya tenses her body at hearing this. "Mom no." She argues forcing herself to sit up. Oh god, this was an awful idea. Pure agony pours out from her wound but she pushes past it. This is far more important she can deal with the pain later. "Anya." She empathizes her name. "Is my friend." Well, friend is a stretch but she needs my mom to back down. "You're not taking her into custody."
"Clarke. Honey. She led an army you kill you." Abbey argues quite condescendingly as if Clarke has forgotten everything that has happened on the ground. Although it's a good point kind of irrelevant at the moment.
"And I burnt her warriors alive." Clarke can see that Anya's knuckles are starting to turn white. "We were at war with each other but then we were taken by the mountain. We've come to an agreement to save both of our people. You taking her in to custardy breaks this. Mom, we need the grounders to take on the mountain. We need peace with them if we are going to share this planet."
"Kane has gone to meet with the grounder leader." Her mom continues talking as if she didn't hear anything Clarke just said. "Until they can come to an agreement the grounder needs to taken in to custody for the safety of our people."
"You can't keep me here," Anya growls taking a step forward. At seeing this the blonde female guard who came in with her mother also takes a step forward her hand ready on her gun.
"Yes, I can." Abbey states her anger shining through in her voice as her eyes glare at Anya again. "You led your people to kill our children. You attacked a bunch of kids."
"Mom," Clarke shouts breaking up the intense staring contest. "You have to let Anya go. If she can talk to their leader maybe she can help them accept peace."
Her mom goes to answers when a guard comes into the room and whispers into her ear. "Stay put." She orders before the three of them leave the room.
"Fuck." She swears dropping back down onto her bed closing her eyes hoping it will help the oncoming headache.
"If your people take me hostage our alliance is over," Anya states plainly. Great.
"I know Anya." Reopening her eyes, Clarke meets Anya's curious gaze. She waiting to see what Clarke will do next. Will she follow her mother's orders. Or save their alliance. "Fuck it." Clarke mutters ripping out the IV out of her arm. "Help me up." With Anya's help she manages to stand up her stomach burning with pain at every tiny movement. She really could do with some painkillers right about now. "We're leaving." Clarke states as Anya rises an eyebrow before rattling her chain. Smirking Clarke picks up the paper clip on my medical chart before jingling it in her lock unlocking the handcuff around her hand. Dare she say Anya looks impressed with that neat little trick. Being stuck on the ark meant they didn't have the freedom to do much so they had to entertain ourselves somehow. Riley managed to nick a pair of cuffs which they practiced picking the locks of. They used to pretend they were in action movies. Who would have thought it might come in handy one day. Clarke throws a black hoody at Anya who looks at it in distaste. "Put this on and pull the hood up." They will have a better chance of sneaking out of here is no one is aware she's a grounder.
Anya does so without a second thought which in itself is surprising given she argued with just about everything else Clarke has said the past few days. Exiting they make it less than two steps out of the medical tent before they are caught. "Sneaking off already Clarke." She hears a voice she thought to be dead. Spinning around she's greeted by the sight of Raven sitting down on some box smiling like a manic at seeing Clarke. Her signature red jacket covered in dirt. And yet Clarke still looks worse. She blames Anya. Hey, she got slapped with mud.
"Raven," Clarke whispers lunging forward clasping her into a hug. She thought she was dead. She knew the mountain men were lying about the others being dead lying but still. She can feel Raven hold on to her just as tightly almost as if she's afraid Clarke will slip away if she lets go. "I thought you were dead." Clarke mumble's into her neck.
"Came close but I survived." She pulls back pointing to her crutches helping her leg. Damn it the bullet must have hit her nerves. Clarke knew it was a possibility but she never let herself believe that raven might be permanently injured.
"I'm so sorry Raven." Clarke utters knowing how devastating this will be to her. Ravens like a bird she needs to be free to soar. This will be her cage. Her own personal hell.
"It sucks but I'm dealing with it." She shrugs her shoulders as if it's not important. Clarke pulls her into another hug. "Anyway, what are you doing up Clarke you were just shot." She scolds.
"We need to find the others and make peace with the commander." She quickly fills her in on everything that happened in the mountain. Raven eye's Anya uncertain about how much she trusts her and Clarke with her. "I trust her raven." She assures.
"You do remember that she tried to kill us, Clarke. She killed our friends. She sent a plague into our camp." Clarke doesn't even have to say anything to her just level her with a look and she accepts. "Fine." She huffs.
Before she could say anymore, Clarke notices Bellamy Wells Octavia Sterling Monroe her mom that blonde guard, and another woman starting to head their way. "Shit." Panicking she grabs Anya and drag her back inside. Grabbing her cuff, she recuffs it around her wrist but doesn't seal it properly. Clarke had to beg her with my eyes do it that. Unsurprisingly Anya wasn't too keen on the idea of being chained up again and accepted Clarke's compromise. With timing ticking on she pushes herself back up onto the bed with some assistance from Raven. Without having to ask Anya throws the hoody off.
"Clarke." Wells reacts to seeing her awake first before rushing over hugging her tightly. Oh, she's so glad he alive. When she had to close the dropship door she locked him Finn Bellamy and a few others out. At the time she thought she had killed them. But he's here in her arms hugging her as if his life depended on it. Clarke loses herself into his embrace seeking comfort the boy she grow up with. The one who is practically her brother in all but blood. "What happened." He asks.
"What's she doing here." Bellamy's rageful voice screams having noticed Anya in the same room as them.
Before anyone else could say or do anything Clarke speak out. "She saved me Bell." All eyes dart to her. "I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for Anya." Best not the mention the parts where she was trying to kill her.
"You also wouldn't have been in this position if it wasn't for here." He snaps back. "Where is she keeping the rest of our people."
"She doesn't have our people." The rest of the hundred share a confused look. "The mountain does." Just like she had done with raven she gives them a quick run of everything that happened. "Bellamy if Anya didn't stay with me when I got shot, I would have bled out. She saved me."
Hearing this he calms down a little but his anger is still clear. Not that anyone can blame him. They did lose a lot of friends because of her. But she lost more people due to them. Clarke in particular so she hopes they're even. "It doesn't matter if she hasn't got them we still need to leave." Both women shot him a look at this. What happened. "Finn thinks they have you. Clarke, there's something wrong with him." The dread and tinge of fear in his voice is unsettling. The rest of the hundred looks on with haunted looks. Clarke eyes Wells who refuses to meet her gaze. Just how bad is this.
"None of you are going anyway." Her mom declares and ignores all their pleas and arguments. "You are all still children and will not be leaving this camp again. Clarke, you can't even walk never mind go trapesing through the woods." Again they try to argue but she doesn't listen leaving the room with the guard following her.
"Clarke." Bellamy turns back to her. "We have to get to Finn before he does something."
"It's Finn what could he possibly do," Raven asks sharing her confusion at this. Bellamy and the other's exchange a look before filling us in on everything that happened. Including Finn's execution of the grounder. "No Finn wouldn't do that." Raven denies dropping on the bed next to Clarke.
"He did." Wells assures us. "and now he's heading to the village that grounder said had you armed with a machine gun."
"Which Village." Anya all but shouts her stoic mask falling. Wells looks to Clarke before answering Anya's question.
She nods saying "I trust her Wells." Wells nods back in reluctance but trusting her on this.
He explains where the village is generally located and Anya look's pissed and worried. Not a good combination from the grounder general. "That village doesn't have any warriors in it. It's full of unarmed men woman and children."
Finn and Muphy are walking armed and dangerous into a civilian village desperate to save the hundred. Now Clarke starts to feel the dread the others have been feeling. She tries to calm herself down reminding herself that this is Finn. He wouldn't do anything without reason. And even then, he will hesitate to look for all the best option before going straight to shooting. But this isn't her Finn at the minute. So does this logical thinking even mean anything.
"Then we need to leave now," Clarke announces once again forcing herself up.
"Clarke you were just shot." Wells tries to make her back down reaching out to grab her. But Anya grabs his arm pushing him back. Everyone moves back seeing she is now free of her restraints. The older woman takes a protective stance in front of Clarke daring the others to try and get past her.
"You know the fastest way there," Clarke asks Anya trying to defuse some of the tense building up in the tent who nods in response. "Then we leave now."
"Clarke." Wells tries once again but doesn't make any move to try and touch her this time. He goes to try and plea with her some more but Bellamy cuts him off.
"No, she's right she has to come. Finn won't believe us unless he sees her." The way Bellamy is describing Finn is scary. How did the boy who hates guns and war turn into this cold blooded killer. They need to find him before he does something that could destroy the peace she and Anya are trying so hard to create.
"I'll stay behind and make sure you get away." Raven volunteers flicking her brace out. "I'll only slow you down anyways" The self deprecating tone doesn't work with helping anyone feeling less tense.
In less then an hour Clarke Anya Octavia Bellamy and Wells are sneaking out through the fence. Raven Monroe and Sterling are going to cover for them as long they can but it won't be long until someone notices they are missing. Notices that Anya has disappeared.
The three of them walk in front of her and Anya making sure the way forward is clear since neither Clarke or Anya can really fight. Wells and Bellamy are armed with guns which Sterling managed to nick while Octavia is wielding the sword Lincoln gave to her. The three of them shoot her concerned glance every few minute's looking from her to Anya still not fully trusting the grounder woman.
Anya walks along next to her. Seeing that the others are out of hearing range Clarke ask's the question that has been lingering on her mind ever since she woke up. "Why did you save me." It's been bugging her because it doesn't make any sense. Anya was free. She could have made it back to the commander and told her everything she needed to. Maybe she and Kane could have come to a peace deal. But she didn't she refused to leave her to die. She let herself be captured again knowing that their people were still at war with each other. It just doesn't make sense.
"I meant what I said Klark." She says softly looking at her with concern. A sight that is more shocking then getting shoot. "Your fight wasn't over. This alliance will only work if it's you and me." Her fight wasn't over. Is that what Anya said to her in her native language. It sounds the same as what she said before she snapped that man's neck in the tunnels. It must be something they say before someone dies. Kind of how her people say may we meet again.
"I don't understand."
"Branwoda." She mutters to herself. Ok Clarke have no idea what she said but she knows from the tone that she just got insulted. "Only you have been in the mountain with me. Only you understand what was happening in there. Even if I did tell the commander and our people made peace we still wouldn't know how to attack the mountain. We need you." She pauses giving Clarke a look over. "Besides your leaders won't have any respect from my people. But you will. You will need that to ensure there's peace."
"Why would your people respect me." If anything, they should hate her after everything she's done to them.
"My people respect strength Klark of the sky people." Anya sends me a small smirk. "You survived our meeting on the bridge. You blow up the bridge halting our attack and killing our warriors. You escaped me by slitting gone of my men's throats and then escaped again. You got a group of untrained warriors together to hold off my people's attack and then killed over three hundred warriors in a ring of fire. Then you escape from the mountain and saved me. Bested me in combat then took a bullet for me. Now here you are searching the woods with a bullet wound to save your people and then are going with me to make peace with Heda. My people can't ignore your strength. When we have peace, they will respect you far more than the other sky leaders. They will look to you as the leader of Skaikru."
Clarke knows she said a lot of important information then but what does she mean Clarke took a bullet for her. "Anya me being shot was an accident. It's not like I dived in front of you to take the bullet."
She sends Clarke a confused look tilting her head slightly. "You don't remember." Remember what. "Klark when I heard you people shout, I turned around and watched as you did too. You then shouted my name and stepped in front of me taking the bullet."
She did. She doesn't remember that. She can vaguely remember hearing the shouting and then her body moved on it's own. Did she really throw herself in the line of fire. "Everything happened so fast. I don't really know what happened." She admits looking down at the forest floor her mind racing with this new information. Did she really do that.
Nobody says anything the rest of the journey. At one point Anya wraps her arm around Clarke's waist helping her to walk as the strain of moving so much was taking it' toll on her. "How do I say thank you in your Language."
"Mochof." She replies taking on more of my weight.
"Mochof Anya." The grounder woman cringes a little.
"We'll work on your accent later." Clarke chuckle's slightly at this. Wincing as a new wave of pain reaches her. Being shot really sucks. She does wonder just how bad her accent must sound to Anya.
Eventually, they start to draw closer to the village Finn and Murphy were heading too. That's when they heard the gunshots. All five of them freeze after hearing the first bullet. By the time the fourth is fired they are all running as fast as they can to the village. Clarke pushing past the new sensations of pain burning within her. Something wet starts to slide down her stomach but she can't focus on that now. She needs to get to the village. Needs to see what happening. Needs to stop those bloody gunshots.
The scene they stumble on is something out of a horror film.
Finn is standing there gun still smoking with a cold look on his face. Murphy is on the floor blood gushes out of his nose looking at the destruction around him with pure disbelief.
Around Finn are the bodies of eighteen unharmed grounders. Some of them too small to be adults. Other grounders are herded into the animal pen on their knees. A man is crying over the body of one of the children. The grounders in the pen huddle together crying to themselves shivering in fear.
Finn notices their arrival his eyes latching on to Clarke. A dopey happy smile appeared on his face. A smile that should never appear after doing something like this. "I found you." His voice comes out dazed but full of happiness and relief. He takes a step towards her.
In fear Clarke take's a step back her arm latching on to Anya's. Whether that's because she's trying to stop her from charging in and killing Finn with her bare hands because from the way she looking she might just do that. Or if it's because she was scared that Finn would attack her next and is holding on to Anya for support. For comfort.
Anya does take a step forward and just like before in the medical tent in camp Jaha she angles her body so she's shielding Clarke. Putting herself in direct line of fire for the sky girl who killed her people.
Seeing that Anya was with her he raises his gun again at her shouting out her name in crazed desperation. This time she knows exactly what she's doing. "Finn no." She screams pulling Anya back while pushing herself forward. He won't shot her if she's standing in front of her.
Then again, she never thought Finn would massacre a village. She can be wrong sometimes.
Just like now.
Almost as if a switch goes off in Finn's head turning him from the happy friendly peaceful boy, she loved he becomes a cold blooded killer hunting his next target. He pulls the trigger without remorse before anyone can react.
Expecting the pain, Clarke brace's herself as yet another bullet tears through her skin. She yelp's out as the bullet lodges itself in her left shoulder. Same side as her other bullet. The force throwing her body backwards.
Only this time She doesn't hit the floor. Instead, a pair of warm strong arms catch her. Crying out in pain Clarke looks up to see it was Anya who caught her. Blood starts to seep out of her newest bullet wound.
"Clarke." People shout out around her.
Finn looks on as if he can't believe what just happened. The next second he's on the floor Wells tackling him to the ground punching him in the face over and over again. Unleashing his rage on the unexpecting boy.
"Wells." Clarke screams out. It takes a few calls but in the end, he stops his attack before he can do too much damage. "We need to get out of here." She orders. Seeing her distress and understanding that they are still surrounded by grounders. He picks Finn up and pushes him forward all but dragging him out of the village. Bellamy moves to help Murphy while Octavia crouched down next to the crying man offering him words of sympathy before following after Bellamy. "There won't be any peace now." Clarke mutters to Anya who has helped her to stand up. Who is still holding on to her with a vice grip to steady the young blonde.
"No there won't be." Just as she thought. The Grounders will demand justice for this. This wasn't a part of the war. This was slaughter. Unprovoked slaughter. One no one can say this is justified.
"I'm sorry." Clarke manages to wince out through the pain. This village was a part of Anya's clan these were her people. More of her people are dead because of them. Bellamy is standing near the entrance to the village with the others guns still pointed at the grounders just in case any try to attack for what has took place. "I need to go." She slurs her legs feeling heavy taking a few steps forward away from Anya before the world starts to spin. Stumbling Clarke knows, she's going to end up on the floor again.
The ground feels cold on her skin cutting through the fabric of her shirts. Sticks and stones dig into her body as she tries to muster the strength to stand back up.
And then she's lifted off the floor. "teik bants skaigada." the world starts to blur as she can feel someone carrying her away. Eventually one again she fades off into darkness.
Once outside all the emotions Clarke had to bury in order to deal with Jasper resurfaced. As did her stomach. Not the most flattering site for someone to come across. Clarke hunched over on the floor throwing her guts up as the smells of the burnt bodies of children stain her nose. Anubis is sitting behind her nuzzling into her back in support. He's such a good boy. Note to self hunt down an elk for Anubis. He deserves it.
"Why am I always finding you in this position," Alex mutters as she crouched down next to Clarke pulling her hair back behind her head.
In between puking her guts out, Clarke manages to let out a little laugh. "You're usually the one who gets me in this position in the first place."
"Just because you couldn't hold your booze like I can and you always tried to keep with me doesn't make it my fault that you were throwing up every night."
"You're the one who always started the downing song."
"It is a great way to get drunk quickly." She says fondly rubbing circles on my back. "Now I believe you owe me Riley and Callie and certain conversation."
"Yeah." She can hear Riley shout from behind me somewhere. When did he get here. Shit does that mean Callie's behind her as well. Great an audience. "Take your time we're not going anywhere." How nice of him to let be sick in private.
About ten minutes later she's standing up now that her stomach is empty and free. Well, that was disgusting. As always. Walking back over to where Riley and Callie are patiently waiting Callie hands Clarke a flask of water to rinse my mouth out. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. Just doing my auntie duties." She replies softly stroking some hair out of Clarke's face. "Now drink the whole thing."
It's always a good idea to keep drinking water after being sick to make up for the lost liquids in your body. "If you want, I can sing the downing song." Alex states as Riley throw his arm around her shoulder nodding in agreement. Clarke just shakes her head at them. Taking this as my agreement both Riley and Alex start to chant. "We like to drink with Clarke cause Clarke is our mate and when we drink with Clarke, she down her drink in." She starts downing her drink. "Eight... seven... six... five... four... three." Done. "Whoop Whoop."
"I hate you both."
"We love you too."
Callie just watches their interactions with a happy smile on her face. "Now I believe you have an explanation to give us."
Alex and Riley look very excited at the prospect of having this conversation. "Oh fine." Clarke sighs dramatically. "What do you want to know."
"Everything." The three reply.
"Ok. But first I need you to promise not to say anything to anyone just yet."
"Because of the complication." Callie guesses remembering their previous conversation.
"Yes." Looking around Clarke makes sure the area is clear before she dives into this. Giving Anubis the signal to guard. He will let them know if anyone comes this way so she can stop the conversation. The three of them promise to keep quiet until she's ready. "Ok. God. Where to start."
"From the beginning would be good." Riley unhelpfully answers Clarke's rhetorical question.
"Shut up Riley." She says with a mock glare. She had forgotten how easy it is to be around the three of them. Even now it's as if no time has passed. She wishes the same could be said about the people she landed on earth with. "Ok. So, you know what happened at the mountain. With the grounders."
"You mean when the commander was offered a deal to leave us to die." Alex answers.
"Basically yeah." Clarke nods. "What nobody but Wells knew was me and the Commander... Lexa. We kind of... kissed. Well, she kissed me."
"Holy shit." Alex mutters mouth open. Riley's eyebrows have skyrocketed while Callie just looks plain shocked.
"Damn girl." Riley says with a smirk. "I always knew you aimed high." This time Clarke does send him the finger earning a laugh from him and Alex.
"Wait so she kissed you then left you to die." Callie says putting everything together in her head.
"Yeah. Anyways that's the compilation." Seeing then she is nowhere near done explaining this really fucked up situation and they are just getting confused by the second she continues. "So, after me and Wells left what was then Camp Jaha we traveled around Trikru land for a while until we wound up on Floukru land. One day Wells left me to go hunting and me being in a really really bad place just gave up on life. I walked out to the ocean and just left it take me. I remember floating then darkness." All three of them send Clarke sympathetic looks. They can see she was clearly in a horrible place after what I had to do at the mountain. "When I woke up a woman with wavy red hair was standing over me. Apparently, she had been out on her morning run when she saw me in the water. She saved me and dragged me to shore. Wells after hearing what had happened helped her move me into her village. Turns out she knew who I was as stories of the mountain and what happened had spread over all the twelve clans. She introduced herself as Luna Kom Floukru."
"Wait Luna." Alex raises her hand in a stop motion. "As in Luna. Lincoln's friend and the leader of the clan."
"The one and same. Anyways she offered me and wells alyssum in Floukru as people we're hunting me. She let us live in her clan even though we were a danger and was disobeying an order from the commander who was also looking for me."
"So she was hiding you from your ex even though she didn't know you and would get in to a heap of trouble." Alex summarises. Basically yeah. "I like this girl already." Of course, Alex loves Luna's inner rebel.
"From then on she offered to train me and Wells. Since we had nothing better to do we accepted. She taught us their language their history and their traditions. Taught us how to fish and work just like any other member of her clan. She even taught us how to fight. In exchange, I became a healer for her clan and taught her healers everything I knew. We were working closely together when we started to grow close." Alex and Riley send her a cheeky smirk at this. "However at this point in time, she was already in a relationship."
"For fuck sake." Alex facepalms. "Why do you always find yourself in these situations."
"It wasn't my fault." Clarke tries to argue but it pointless it's happened too much at this point. "Not the point. Anyways after everything that happened with Lexa and Finn." She pauses to look at them with intrigue. "You all know about what happened with Finn right."
"We were given the full story by Bellamy. You and Finn were kind of together after he cheated on raven and then he slaughtered a village and you mercy killed him." Riley states. Why did... it doesn't matter.
"Yeah, so I wasn't really looking for a relationship and wasn't actually aware of the fact that I was slowly falling in love with Luna." Callie and Alex swoon at this. Riley just rolls his eyes at seeing this mutters girls under his breath. "About ten months in me and Wells attend a bonfire party and it's there that I finally as Wells and Luna said clicked. We danced then we kissed then we spent the night together." She wasn't going to give them all the details much to Alex's and Riley's disappointment. "From then on we were a couple. She swore to me that she would never betray me. Like got on her knees and swore." The memory of that night brings a light blush to my cheeks.
"That's commitment," Alex says.
"So yeah. From there our relationship grow. Until she eventually asked me to bond with her which is the grounder version of marriage. Which I said yes to." All three of them squeal with delight. "So yeah we got bonded and after the ceremony, I gave her the ring. I told her it was a Skaikru tradition of exchanging rings. It was to make sure she knew my commitment and love for her. She's offered to get me a ring as well but I told her she can get me a ring when we have the Skaikru version of a wedding when we come back here."
Clarke waits a second for them to respond. And boy was she not disappointed
"Wait... A wedding... Here." Callie speaks first beaming at the idea of having a wedding here.
"We are going to throw you the biggest Hen party in history." Of course, Riley is looking forward to the hen party.
"I call dibs on being maid of honour." Alex states before taking it back. "Wait no that will be Wells. I still want to be a bridesmaid."
Got to love Riley's and Alex's priorities. "First yes. We have talked about having a wedding here one day. We don't know when but we have thought about it. As for the Hen night yes Riley of course we will be having one. I wouldn't want to go against tradition. And finally, yes Alex if we have a wedding, you can be a bridesmaid. Wells will be my man of honour... Best man... which ever one it is." She quickly lists off and answers their responses.
"So, what's Luna like." Callie asks. "You haven't really said much on her yet. And we need to know."
"Well... she's amazing, to say the least. She started Floukru by herself after she left the capital. She the best fighter I've ever meant which has been the only reason any of our clan is still alive at this point. She hates violence and killing. It's one of the reasons she created her own clan she wanted a safe space for others who don't want to endure that way of life. She's one of the main reasons I was able to heal after the mountain. She was patient and kind to me. Even when I lashed out at her she was there for me and would always know just what to say to make me feel better. She's beautiful. Like I mean actress level beautiful. When she with me the world just doesn't seem as painful as it is. She makes me feel happy and safe." Clarke scoffs at this. "She has done from the day we meet. I mean I could go on for hours about what she's like. But I really want you all to meet her and form your own opinions. Because I know for a fact you will all love her."
"Well then I look forward to meeting her." Callie offer's her a warm smile. Luna meeting her family would be like a dream come true. She knows for a fact that she will be loved by them. She and Reily will get on like a house on fire. Luna and Alex might be weird at the start for Luna since she knows that Clarke and Alex used to be together but Luna knows she's devoted to her and that she and Alex aren't even close to being that anymore. Callie will just adopt her as her new favorite daughter.
"Has she been given the shovel talk yet." Riley asks not seriously.
"Yes." He and Alex snort. "Wells wasn't going to pass his brotherly duties."
"I would have paid to see that." Alex mumbles to herself.
"Oh, me too Alex. Me too." It's just a cute imagine when you think about it.
"Still the protective older brother then." Callie remarks.
"He's got more protective over time." She didn't think it was possible. She guesses the warrior training unlocked a new level within him.
"Ok I have a question," Alex asks. "We have to keep this between us so the commander doesn't find out right." Clarke nods. "But won't she find out eventually that Luna lied to her. Hell doesn't she already know that. Just doesn't know the extent of the lie."
"It's more than that." She really wishes we were having this conversation where they can sit down. It's been a long day. "Do you know how someone becomes the commander." Of course, they don't she thinks after hearing them say no and shake their heads. "Well..." Grounder history time. "every generation there a few grounders who are born as a natblida. A night blood. This means that they are born with black blood. Only people born with black blood can ascend to the position of Heda as they are the only one who can accept the flame. I don't know what the flame it but their society is built around it." Getting off topic here. "Not the point. As I was saying. Only Natblida's can become the commander. But to decide this they have a concave where all natblida's regardless of age are put into an area and fight to the death until one is left standing."
"Like roman gladiators," Riley says looking off into the distance. He always did like watching films and tv shows like that.
"Yep." That's actually a good reference.
"Luna's a night bleeder." Callie states seeing where Clarke was going with this point.
"Natblida." Clarke corrects. "Yes. She and Lexa were raised together. They were as close as siblings. Luna's brother was also a Natblida. All Natblida's are trained to lead and to kill. When the previous commander died the conclave took place. Out of all the natblida's three stood out. Luna. Lexa And Luna's brother. The first person Luna came across in the conclave was her brother..." Clarke can still hear the pain and regret in Luna's voice when she told Clarke her story. She doesn't really want to betray Luna's trust and share her secrets but they need to understand what's going on. Besides. Everyone knows who Luna is and what she did. "After she killed him she realised that she didn't want anything to do with being the commander. She didn't want to lead. She didn't want to kill anymore. So she ran. She escaped the conclave and ran away. As Lexa was the last one standing she became commander. But tradition dictates that only the last night blood can lead so Lexa was told to issue a kill order on Luna. She refused. She argued and fought for Luna's right to live. When Lexa formed the coalition Luna's clan was the first to join. They are siblings. They have each other's backs. And now..."
"Now the commander is going to find out the person she taught of as her sister has been lying to her for years and married the girl she was in love with." Riley finishes. "Shit."
"Yeah. As you can imagine Luna wants to be the one to talk to Lexa about all this." Understanding crosses their faces and they once again promise to not speak of anything of this outside of this little group. Clarke convinced Callie to not say anything to her mother as well. That's for her to explain after the war is done.
"Don't worry Clarke." Riley says wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "You and me are going to go and save your girl. Kick the ice nations ass and throw the biggest party in grounder history."
"You're coming with me to Floukru." Clarke stutters out. Riley just sends her the biggest grin bobbing his head up and down making his floppy blonde hair bounce.
"Of course, I am. I'm a guard and you're my sister. No way I'm staying here. Besides I need to see Wells again. You try being stuck with just Alex for five years."
"Bastard." Alex Snides hearing his comment but joins in laughing nonetheless. God, has she missed these people.
She misses the old days their out biggest worry was if their parents or the council would find out about their underground illegal activates. Like the pits and the raves.
She misses Eliza.
It's been five years since she died. No, since she was murdered and even now, she can still feel the pain off being told she died as if her mom had just told her. She should have been here trying to pry Clarke for information about Luna while taking the mick out of Riley and Alex.
She would have loved the ground.
Finding that Callie Alex and Riley are still alive is a god sent miracle. One to cherish. She just misses her other sister.
"This is really an awful idea." Eliza moans sitting down in the circle. Said circle goes Eliza Clarke Wells Alex and then Riley. In the middle of the circle is a knife she's already disinfected some bandages and the bowl of water to clean the knife after we're done.
"This was your idea." Alex reminds Eliza who looks between all of them.
"I said it as a joke. And since when have you lot listened to me." Joke or not they're at the point where they are doing it.
"Since you brought up this really stupid but great idea." Riley sends her an amused grin causing her to scowl in return.
She does have a point this really is an awful idea. But they fourteen and it seemed like a grand idea at the time. So here they are ready to commit to this lifelong commitment.
However, the meaning behind this is pure and that's why Clarke agreed to this. "You guys make it sound like we're making a suicide pact." Wells pointed voice has Clarke stifling a laugh.
Eliza just rolls her eyes. "Fine. Who's going first." They all eye the blade with apprehension.
Nobody wants to go first it seems. "I'll go first." Leaning forward Clarke picks up the thin blade. All eyes are on her as she levels the blade above the palm of her left hand. Here we go. Slowly she sticks the blade into her palm waiting for the blood to start to escape before dragging the blade down her palm creating the diagonally cut. The cut stings as it's exposed to air but it's manageable. Once she's gone from end to end, Clarke hands the blade over to Wells who repeats this action. As does Alex Riley and Eliza. Each hissing out their own cries of pain.
After they've all been cut, they go around the circle clasping handing with each other letting our blood seep into each other. Yeah, this wasn't a great idea. Clarke thinks looking at the floor starting to turn red. On the other hand, they are all officially blood brothers and sisters. They are all bonded for life.
Clarke quickly wraps her own hand before helping to clean and wrap everyone else's. How are they going to explain the clean cuts on their hands. She has no idea. But what's done is done.
"From this point forward we are family," Eliza states with a serious expression. Starting off the passage they made up. They know it's stupid but they needed to say something after making a blood pact. One day they will look back on this and think to themselves why. Why did they do this. Why did they say that. It's so stupid and cheesy.
"We are forever stuck together." Riley continues.
"We protect each other." Alex states
"And have each other backs." Clarke says washing the blade she borrowed clean while the others try to wipe up the blood with their towels removing any traces of evidence of what they just did.
"We will never betray each other." Wells finished the solo parts.
"For we are now one." They all recite together. We are blood siblings.
Raven's POV
After watching Jasper emotionally tear into Clarke in the middle of dinner she can understand why Clarke didn't return to her people. Jasper's rage and hatred was painful to watch. Over the years since Clarke and Wells left, he just got worse and worse. He would lash out at everyone. To see him attack Clarke like that made her want to punch him.
Clarke had just sat there and took everything he gave her. She tried to make him realise that everything he was saying was wrong. But he wouldn't listen. He never listens. He just doesn't care any more. All he wants to do is live in his own self pity. Something she and the others had allowed him to do. To fester in bitterness rather then try to force him to move on.
He then actually tried to stab Clarke. The moment raven saw the blade she had screamed out Clarke's name in warning. Yes raven was mad a Clarke for leaving them. But after today she can safety say she understands why she felt she had to leave. This was Clarke's home at one time. Now it's just a pit of misery and regret for her. When she was talking about her time in Floukru she seemed happy. And as much as she hates to say it but for those few moments, Raven is pretty sure that is the only time she has ever seen Clarke just be happy.
Is that what they did to her. Destroyed her to the point where them screaming abuse was something she expected them to do. She was far too calm when dealing with Jasper. After earlier when Raven had verbally attacked Clarke, she wasn't able to suppress her own feeling and lashed out at them before taking off. Grounder princess took off right after her. No doubt to help calm her down. Having seen such a stark contrast between her of ways of dealing with her emotions here makes raven think that her attack caught Clarke off guard. That Clarke had lowered her walls after seeing and reconnecting with Callie that when she was attacked she wasn't able to raise her defenses in time to stop her words for stabbing into their leaders heart. When she came back, she was more on guard ready for the abuse to start.
She knows that Clarke was always under a lot of pressure. That everyone was counting on her. Expecting her to save them. Looking back at it now the only people who really supported Clarke was Wells and Anya. They backed her up at every point. They didn't' blame her for anything. They let her breathe. No one else did.
No wonder Clarke needed to escape from this place. Clarke wouldn't have lasted here after coming back from the Mountain. The look and comments she would have received would have pushed her over the edge.
Which leads her to right now. After Clarke and her wolf. She still hasn't gotten over the fact that Clarke has a bloody pet wolf at her side. After they left Callie Alex and Riley took off after her.
Alex. None of them even knew that Clarke was into girls. Which she's trying really hard not to look too deeply into. But there is this nagging thought at the back of her mind screaming that they didn't know was because Clarke didn't trust them enough to know that. It's a selfish thought making it about them again but it's always there. Reminding them that they weren't Clarke's friends. That they never really tried to get to know Clarke. Hell, they learned more about her past as she and Wells were talking with the grounders then they did spending all those weeks trapped together at the dropship. That's how they found out that Clarke and Wells were basically trained fighters. That Clarke was apparently a party girl dragging Wells of to illegal rave every chance she got. They never got to know her. The grounders who were their enemies learned more about her then they ever did. It says a lot about their relationship.
Walking out the cold bitter breeze sends shiver's down her spine. It's too bloody cold on the ground. Even after five years she still hasn't got used to the changes in temperature. Slowly walking around she keeps an eye out for Clarke. She can't have gotten too far. Hopefully, she and the others didn't head back to her tent. It was clear that Clarke wasn't spending the night here. That she prefers to be out there with the grounders. She feels safest there.
The distinct sound of laughter snaps her away from her mind. Heading towards the happy sounds as quickly as her leg will allow her, she rounds the corner and is met by the sight of Alex and Riley laughing at something while Clarke is rolling eyes the corner of her mouth tilted up giving away her own amusement at whatever they are laughing at. Callie is smiling fondly at all of them. Her wolf. Anubis is looking directly at her eyes questioning why she's here. Faithfully standing by Clarke ready to step in at any sign of threat.
He tilts his head to the side before barking out. Instantly all four heads snap to where Raven was standing. For a second she can see Clarke's mask snap into place as she spots raven hovering off to the side before her face softens and she waves her over.
"Hey, Raven." Clarke greets softly. Alex and Riley look towards her warily. Also, must protectively. Callie looks on in concern ready to intervene if needed. Raven takes in all these reactions gaining a better understand of what her relationship to Clarke was really like and how others view it.
"Hey, Clarke." She utters back not entirely sure what to say now that she's here. "Are you ready for tomorrow." She asks saying the first thing that comes to mind.
"Yeah. I can't wait to go home. With all the clan's help, it'll be a sure win. Maybe after everything's settled down you could come and visit us. There is so much I have to show you. You'll love the beaches. We can throw a beach party." Clarke's voice picks up in excitement the more she talks. Raven notes that she does refer to Floukru as being her home. She guesses a part of her hoped that she might come back to Arkadia with Wells after everything has settled down. But it's clear from her expression that it's never going to happen. The boat people are her people now. Her place is with them.
"I do love a party." She agrees trying her hardest not to let any sadness show in her words. "When we bomb the hell out of these ice pricks, we can party."
"We," Clarke states in confusion. "You're coming too."
"What kind of question is that," Raven asks. "Of course, I'm coming. When have I ever missed an opportunity to make things go boom." In reality, after she had heard that Clarke was alive and heading to Floukru she went straight to Kane and Abbey and got them to sign off on her going as well. Otherwise, she wasn't going to go.
Clarke lets out an amused laugh at this. "That is true." Ravens smiles proud of herself for making Clarke laugh. How long has it been since she heard her former leader laugh.
And just like that, the awkward uneasy tension that hung over them seems to fade away as they all start let out a breath of relief. The following conversation is light and easy. Alex and Riley easily manage to assert themselves into their conversation. She can see why Clarke likes them both of them are funny and easy to chat with. She still feels a little jealous at how easy it was for them to reconnect with Clarke while she and the rest of the hundred still have a mountain to climb to reach this level.
Hell, even Callie seems to be doing a better job at reconnecting with Clarke then Abbey is. Then again, their relationship has always been strained.
Raven cheers within herself at the progress they've made. Maybe there is still a chance to regain the sort of friends she desperately craves from Clarke. The ride to Floukru takes a few days giving her some more time before they go to war again.
…
Translations.
Trikru- Wood clan
Azegda- ice nation
Sangedakru- Desert Clan
Podakru- Lake Clan
Delfikru- Delphi Clan
Trishana- Glowing forest
Ingranrona- Plains Riders
Ouskejon Kru- Blue Cliff Clan
Louwoda Kliron- Shallow Valley Clan
Yujieda- Broadleaf Clan
yu don nou- you have not.
ste kom au sheidgeda- Stay with me tonight
sheidgeda en mo- tonight and more.
Sha- Yes.
Branwoda.- Idiot.
Mochof- thank you
teik bants skaigada- lets go sky girl.
Pleni- Enough
Kom au- With me.
Also, the drunk story about the tree really happened to me and my friends at a house party. Only it wasn't a tree but my mate's dog. We would lift him up like Simba out of the Lion King and shout praise Jesus. I don't know how it started but it did and lasted all night. We were so drunk we made a cult.
