The next morning Melanie peeked her head around the corner to find her mother sitting at the table, "Nomon, do you have a minute?" (Mom). Octavia looked up at her daughter nodding, "Sha" (Yes) she replied motioning to the seat. They both sat down, "Sochu, strikon?" (What's up, little one)
Melanie took a breath before beginning, "I want to talk to you about lessons. I know that I need to learn about our culture, our past, our present, and our languages. But, I have already learned so much of that here at home. You, dad, Clarke and Bellamy, and even Ethan and Heda have taught me so much. I have always taken more lessons and been ahead of the other kids. Why do I have to go to lessons with them?"
Octavia's took a deep breath breath before replying, "You have to go because that is the councils decision." Melanie was confused, Octavia held up a hand to stop her from talking, "Let me finish. You are the only natblida to be born since we have left Earth. Your father was a grounder who had a natblida in his family. He has passed on the blood of the commanders to you. On Earth natblida would have been taken from their parents at a young age and raised in Polis, the capital, under the guidance of Heda and the fleimkepa. As you are the only natblida we asked the council if you could be raised at home and taught everything you would need to know in order to ascend. You are fluent in both English and Trig and are learning the language of the creatures here. You have learned all the history we can teach you. You are a skilled fighter and rider. Should the day come that Heda falls you will be able to ascend. Do you understand?"
Melanie nodded and thought for a moment before asking, "So I'll be Heda?" in a shaky voice. Octavia nodded, "We knew the day would come when you would get bored with lessons and already knowing most of what you were learning. I will tell you that when the hot season comes, your education will change. You will take lessons from only Heda and the council. You will begin to learn about how we have made peace and the alliance with the creatures of this planet, and how we will keep it. One day, it will be your job to continue our peace."
Mel nodded as the truth began to set in. One day she would be in charge and be responsible for her people. Hearing a "Hei" from the door she closed her eyes, "Thats Ethan and Heda. We're going for a ride." She got up but before she could walk away Octavia pulled her into a hug. They stayed there for a moment until they heard Ethan's voice again in the hallway.
"We are in here." said Octavia and they pulled apart. She looked up and smiled as her son came around the corner. "Hei, ha yu?" (Hi, how are you). He came over and gave her a hug, letting go he shrugged, "I've been better." He and Madi has been up late fighting but he didn't want to talk about that right now. With a smile he turned to Mel, "Madi says sorry but she is unable to make it today. She had a meeting that is lasting longer than she thought." Mel nodded but was too quiet for her normal response. Noticing this, in a low voice Octavia said, "I told her Ethan." Ethan slowly looked from his mother to his sister. No other explanation was needed, "Mel you know?" he said in disbelief.
Melanie nodded, "I was complaining about lessons and how I already knew everything I was learning so Nomon told me. I don't know what to say." she paused then went on, "I mean, I knew I was a natblida but I never really thought about what that would mean. I knew natblida became the commanders and it would be a possibility one day. But I didn't know that I was the only one. It's kind of a big responsibility."
Octavia knew that the conversation was not over but that everyone needed some time to think before they continued, "We can finish talking later. Go, have a good ride. Let me know who wins!" They both looked at her with a smile and turned toward the door.
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