Chapter 1 - The Grounder Within

Authors Note:

Hi Everyone! This is my first ever fan fiction story, so I am more than open to any feedback and suggestions! I thought I would kick my profile off with a Clexa based story. I hope you enjoy!

Backstory:

This is set after the battle of Mount Weather. Lexa did betray Clarke which lead Clarke going missing for 3 months. My story begins during those 3 months.

Italics = thoughts

Italics in quotation = Trigedasleng (Grounders language)

Star-crossed Prophecy

Chapter 1 - The Grounder Within

For the first time in decades, the grounders were free. They were free to hunt, sleep and most importantly live without fear. The mountain men had been eradicated. No more will their people be stolen and turned into reapers. No more will they have the worry of having to finding immediate shelter from the acid fog. Their number one enemy was no more.

Uncertainty was still in the air amongst the grounders and the sky people as Lexa had betrayed them last minute. She had a choice that had to be made in a moment. She had seconds to decide whether to be the harsh Commander everyone respected, or to stick to her loyalties with the Skaikru. One decision saved all her people with no risks, no deaths. The other option, sticking to the original plan, hundreds could die on both sides. The battle in the Commanders head in that moment was its own personal battlefield. She knew that if she took the easy route, Clarke would never forgive her. She would lose her only current source of happiness. Everything that they could become, that they could build together, all hope of that would be gone. That thought alone caused Lexa to tense her fists. But once the offer was made, she couldn't take the hard route. She had to, as always, put her people and their lives in her hands. She took the deal.

Clarke couldn't understand. She wouldn't understand. As soon as the words left the Commanders lips, her vision blurred. She slowly fell backwards towards the floor, using her hands to guide her down gently. Her mouth still open slightly, a piercing tone ringed through her ears, her eyes darting into different directions as she tried to process this heart-breaking information. She had been betrayed.

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Since the sky people had taken out Mount Weather, everything seemed a little more peaceful. The nights were especially quiet, to the point of borderline eerie. The time was not long after midnight, it was a beautiful clear sky with a cold breeze. Three hooded figures lurked in the shadows. They walked quickly with no torches in the hope that they would not be seen. The destination was finally met after a short walk, as they entered what seemed to be an abandoned cottage. The larger figure of the three opened the door for the other two, then slowly closed it behind him, quickly assessing that they had not been followed.

Once inside it still remains silent. The larger man pulled a torch off the wall and lights it. He leant to the ground and moved the dusty red rug to the side which reveals a trap door. The three of them began to walk down the damp, concrete stairs before them, leading them to a very large room. The room was almost empty. The walls were decorated with giant cobwebs and missing bricks. In the middle of the room sat a wooden table, no chairs surrounding it, but a few items on top. The large person ignited the candle on the table, shining enough light to see a map of the area laid out with random red crosses in certain places.

"What information do you have for me?" said a gentle but stern female voice. The second hooded figure appeared to be a man judging by the deep voice in his answer. "I'm afraid it is not good news again. We have scouted all over where she would be assumed to be, but still nothi-". The woman interrupted him, slamming her fist down on the table. She turned around and began to pace. "This is not good enough. It has been almost three months with no reported sightings." She placed both hands on the table, leaning over the map.

She studied over the large parchment looking at all of the places they have already searched. "Maybe that is the problem. We are looking in obvious places. Wanheda does not want to be found. Look in every hidden cave within a 50 mile radius of the Skaikru camp." The woman then turned to the man beside her.

She placed her hands on his shoulders. "You have always been loyal to me. You have taught me many things. Now it is your turn to learn something." Her grip tightened and the man took a sudden deep breath. "If you do not bring her to me within the next seven days, do not return at all".

She held the grip a little tighter before letting go and stormed past him, back up the stairs. The larger hooded figure followed with the torch leaving the man alone in darkness, slowing his breathing back down. Once returned to normal he allowed himself to follow out of the meeting point.

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Not long after first light, Clarke sharply sat up, breathing so heavy it felt like she had ran 10 miles. Sweat dripped down her temples, she darted her eyes in every direction to gather her bearings. She was safe and she was home. She had managed to come across a small gauge in the rocks, big enough for what she needed. This has been her home now for over two months.

She wiped the sweat from her face with the back of her wrist and took deep breaths until her pulse steadied. She had another bad dream. Most nights lately she had very vivid dreams, each one more detailed and longer than the previous. They were never exactly the same, but similar would be an understatement.

The Sky leader took a sip of water from the flask next to her. She could breathe again. What she hated the most was the emotion that controlled her on the morning after. It breaks her. She almost fought back the tears this morning, but in the end, she gave in. She shot to her feet with watery eyes, pulled out her dagger from her waist and threw it at the wall.

When the dagger bounced off the wall, she stormed to where it landed with anger pulsing through her body. The sky leader punched the wall. Gasping for air that was lost from the streaming tears, she leant her back against the now bloody wall, and slid down to sit on the ground. She grabbed the top of her head with both hands as her anger turned to hurt.

"How could you. You did this…I, I don't want to feel this anymore. You abandoned my people so why can't you just leave me alone. Please, just go. Please I'm begging you. Why won't you leave my head. I don't want to dream about you anymore, it's not fair. Please I'm begging you." She whispers to herself the words she wished were out loud to Lexa.

Clarke closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Once opened she saw the dagger next to her. After staring at it for a few minutes, she finally picked it up and got to her feet. She walked over to the wall opposite and carved a vertical line at the end of what seems to be a tally chart. "92. 92 days."

The light from the sun seeped slightly through the cracks of the 'door' to her new home. Clarke walked towards the boulder blocking her in, and with a huff, she pushed it to the right. She stood there for a minute with her eyes closed taking in the slight warmth on her face. Although it has been a while now, she still found time to appreciate the beauty that is Earth.

The Sky leader shoved her dagger back into its case on her belt, slung her handmade bow and arrows over her shoulder and covered the small cave back up. Moss has grown all over the walls and boulder, so it is a very slim chance of someone finding it. She walked less than half a mile before an opening in the woods is seen ahead. The noise of the steady stream flowing grew louder in her ears.

Clarke always started the day this way. Heads straight to the secluded stream to wash the day before away as well as the emotions from her dreams. Before getting in the water, she took off her boots and sits on the edge, dipping her feet in. The water is getting colder by the day. She looked down at her rippling reflection. She noticed that the red is starting to wash out of her blonde hair. She made a note to herself to find more berries to wipe the colour back.

As Clarke sits what seems so peacefully, she can't help but fight flashbacks to her dream. She tries not to think of them as soon as she awakens, hoping to forget. But she never forgets. Last nights was especially hard as it involved Bellamy. The wave of sadness sends shivers down her spine. She missed him. But in the dream, she hated him. Clarke knew that it wasn't real, but the emotion lingered still.

The orange smoke from the fire filled the girl's vision. Two Skaikru guards with guns brought someone forward with a brown sack on their head. The sack had a black symbol on it. It looked like a flaming tree in a circle. Bellamy walked toward the prisoner. More people start to gather round forming a circle around the captive. They start chanting something that Clarke couldn't quite make out. It sounded as if it was in a different language. Bellamy nodded to the guards holding the prisoner for them to remove the sack. It is Lexa. The Commanders face stayed strong and stared straight in to the onlooking eyes of Clarke. A tear started to roll from Lexa's eyes, and she mimed "I'm so sorry." One of the guards behind her kicked the back of her legs causing Lexa to fall to her knees. Bellamy aimed his gun at the Commanders head and pulled the trigger.

That is when Clarke usually wakes up. It is not always the same death, and it is not always by the same person, but the result is always the same. Lexa always asked for forgiveness and she always appeared with the same sack on her head with the same symbol of the burning tree in a circle.

Clarke wiped another tear from her cheek and told herself to be strong. She looked around to make sure no one is there – not that anyone ever is – and started to remove her clothes. She has acquired more cuts and bruises over the last two months on her own, than in her whole life. Slowing herself into the water, she shivered. It has become too cold for her to enjoy it anymore. She washed herself as quick as she can and rushed to put her clothes on, despite still being soaked to her skin. The now Blonde again, picked up her bow to hunt in the woods.

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The Commander of the coalition sat what was obviously very impatiently on her throne in the capital. If she wasn't twirling her dagger through her fingers, she was tapping its sharp edge on the arm of her chair. Titus, her adviser, was stood to her right. He stepped closer to the Commander informing her that everyone had been seated. Lexa looked at Titus and held her left hand in the air towards the people before her. Silence soon filled the room.

Lexa slowly turned her head to the people, still sat slouched in her throne. She had not stopped wearing her war makeup on her face since the retreat in Mount Weather. The people didn't know why this was, as the war had ended. The Commander had saved her people. For all they knew, it was a time of celebration.

Lexa finally stood up, straightened her back and looked at the ambassadors with a strong face. "Ambassadors, thank you for joining me today in the capital. We have not yet been able to gather since the war. We have all been busy. Peace seems to be sweeping through the clans and I pray for that to continue".

"LIES! THESE ARE ALL LIES!" A man from the back of the room shouted replying to the Commanders speech. Titus quickly jumped in front of Lexa and ordered the man to step forward. Lexa held her hand to Titus. "Nolan, of the Ice Nation, step forward" said the Commander. A tall, red haired, broad man stood from his seat and slowly walked onto the red carpet that lead to Lexa.

"It appears you have forgotten your loyalties to your Commander. Do you need reminding?" The Brunette lifted her chin higher after she threatened Nolan. After no response she continued. "Do explain why you feel I speak lies to the room". She sat back on her throne, twirling the dagger in her hands again.

Nolan didn't hesitate to speak out this time. He turned around to face everyone else in the room, with his back to Lexa. "The great Commander speaks of peace, when our enemy remains. Skaikru have already killed hundreds of our people, are we going to let it reach thousands? We are not safe until they are all dead! DOWN WITH WANHEDA!"

A few other Ambassadors started to cheer and clap which was soon silenced by the Commander. She stood up again, still twirling her dagger. "Are you finished, Nolan?" Still faced away from Lexa, a smirk appeared on his face. "After that speech, it has made me question your abilities as Ice Nations ambassador." Lexa said calmly. Titus raised his voice and ordered Nolan to face the Commander.

With a remained grin on his face, he slowly turned around to face the Commander. By the time he was fully turned, Lexa's dagger was in his right eye. Nolan opened his mouth, but no words came out. He dropped to his knees while gasps filled the room.

"Does anyone else want to defy me today?" The room held its silence. "Good, let us begin our meeting".

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After a very stressful meeting with the 12 clans, Lexa needed to calm herself down. This was usually done in few different ways. Today, she needed to fight. She marched onto the main training ground and watched a pair of men spar with each other. The first man Hayuk, must have been over 6ft3 with a long brown beard plaited down to his chest. The second man Riko, was a smaller blonde man, only just of age, but very quick. After they had finished and Riko manged to floor Hayuk, the Commander gave a few tips to the both of them.

"Let us play 'Down to the knife', the three of us" Lexa spoke to the men. "I understand that you might not have yet played this game Riko? I will explain the game. We each have the same three weapons on our body. We start with a spear in our hands, when that is knocked away, we take out our sword until we are left with just a knife. The game ends when one person has been disarmed of all three weapons. The higher value blade you still have in your hands at the end (highest being the spear) the higher the points. Get it? Good. Grab your gear - that's an order!"

The Commander was clearly frustrated just explaining the rules, but she needed to let this anger out and they were the only people training. After less than ten minutes, Lexa stood undefeated. Impressively, youngster Riko managed to swipe the spear from her hands.

She pulled him to one side to congratulate him on his performance. Their arms slapped together in their grounder version of a handshake and she gave him some final pointers. "Go again, just the two of you. I will watch." She observed, but her mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of the meeting spiralled around her head, worried about Skaikru.

Lexa knew she had to do something, but what? And how was she supposed to do anything without Clarke leading her people? She let out a small sigh. Clarke wouldn't forgive me for betraying her even if she wasn't missing. She thought to herself. Her stomach suddenly felt the wind knocked out of it. Lexa worried for Clarke's safety. She was almost certain she was alive, how strong the sky leader was, but she also missed her.

The Commander quickly noticed that her guard was slightly down as her mind raced. Unaware, her hand held her stomach from the feeling her thoughts left her. Noticing, she placed her hands to her side, and held her head high. She spoke briefly to the soldiers training and walked back to her room. She was tired. Today had been hard and she wanted to just be alone.

Lexa managed to reach her quarters with no distraction. She walked into her room, closed the door behind her and took off her armour. The leader's room, as expected, was beautiful. It had been passed down from Commander to Commander, but she had made it her own. This is the one place she was truly alone - it was her sanctuary.

The furs neatly laid out on her bed looked so enticing. She walked towards the bed and stared for a moment. Throughout the day Lexa was exhausted, but she didn't want to sleep. Her dreams these days are harder to face than reality.

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Within the walls of Camp Jaha, things were slowly starting to come together. Anyone above the age of 15 was trained for battle; Guns were not allowed to be held until 16 however. Training sessions for the general population, began every morning after breakfast. The Arks already made guards had designated time slots throughout the day to train separately.

The schedules became a daily routine. They combined the techniques that the grounders had taught them before the battle of Mt Weather, and what they already knew. It was hard work, but everyone had to be prepared. The Mountain Men may be gone, but the truce with the grounders broke the second Lexa walked away.

The sessions would begin with basic stamina and weight training. This might include running laps around the outside of the camp, sprints and press-ups. After a quick break, the class would move on to self-defence and hand to hand combat. As people improved their skills, they were allowed to move on to practicing lightly with weapons. The session would end with concentrating on balance, stance and learning the ability to clear one's mind.

At this point, everyone had a designated job. The number of guards rose as security was a top priority. People were being trained in medical, engineering, weapon crafting, hunting and a large sum of people worked their newly acquired farm land. It started to feel like a community again as they all pulled their weight and worked together. There was however, one thing missing… Clarke.

Each morning in the grounded Ark, a meeting is held by Chancellor Abby and the heads of the camps posts. The gathering always includes the same people: Vice Chancellor Kane, Bellamy head of the guards, Octavia head of training, Raven head of engineering and a few other representatives for supplies, farming and building.

On this particular morning, Abby was the last to enter. Judging by the look on her face, today was not a good day. She listened to the daily needs and job lists, allowing Kane to take control of the meeting. Her mind was elsewhere. As the session came to an end, she asked Octavia and Kane to stay behind.

"It has been three weeks since our last search for my daughter. I'm not waiting any longer Kane. I did everything you advised we should do to start building our community, but now I need to prioritise Clarke." Abby hadn't looked either of them in the eye while she spoke, she just stated down at the metal table before her. The chancellor pushed her hands off the table and back to a standing position before she finally looked at Kane.

"I will lead the search party" Octavia didn't hesitate to put herself forward. "That's why you are here, I knew you would Octavia, thank you." Abbey replied gratefully, before looking back at Kane. His face looked defeated. The Vice Chancellor let out a sigh before speaking. "Okay. You are right, it is time to look again. But this time, I'm leading the search." And with that, he walked out of the room with Octavia following. Without Abby noticing, a small smile appeared on her face. She still had hope.

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Clarke learnt many things since being on her own - despite it being only a couple of months. The most important thing whilst hunting, is stealth. She learnt that every leaf, every stick on the ground matters, impacting if she eats. Careful footwork is key.

The sky leader has been stalking her prey for just over half a mile. She normally chose the smaller animals, rabbits or maybe a fox, but today she wanted bigger. The two headed deer was yet to notice the girl lurking closely behind.

As the deer stopped momentarily to graze at a nearby bush, their head bent low, Clarke silently moved closer. Every step was as precise as the last. Carefully moving her feet as a ballerina would across the stage. Determination in each step. Once in her final position, Clarke slowly drew her bow – wary not to disturb a single branch in her surroundings. Loading her arrow, she did her best to focus on one of the deer's head's. Pulling the string back, she felt the bow giving slightly, nowhere near as sturdy and supportive as she had used before. She had to admit, her bow craftsmanship left something to be desired. She mused to herself about not giving up her day job… Focusing back on the situation at hand, she tried again to pull back the string. Once she felt in the best possible position to attack, she slowly inhaled one final deep breath, before releasing both the arrow and the air from her lungs. She knew immediately after executing her shot, there was no chance.

The deer's head – still intact - sprung up before racing forward as fast as it could. Clarke tensed her right fist, gripping the bow tight with anger. She glanced at what could have been her meal, creating more space between them. She let out a sigh when suddenly the deer flew with force to the right, pinned to a tree with a spear. Clarke shot to the ground and crawled behind the closest tree, trying to hold her breath. Grounders she thought to herself.

"I know you are here, I have been following you." A female voice spoke out, but the owner could not be seen. Clarke, familiar with the voice, stepped out from her hiding spot. "Okay, you win, this one is yours." The sky leader replied to the female voice.

A tall, slim woman, maybe a few years younger than her mother, made herself known from behind a large rock. Her long blonde hair sat just above her waist in a singular, neat plait. The mysterious woman had kind eyes, but a tough exterior. "I couldn't let you have today's prize. You have done well the past week, but you made a mistake and need to learn. No kill, means no food." The woman spoke in English as she elegantly walked over to her meal. She placed her foot on the deer with enough pressure that the spear slid out with ease.

Clarke started to walk towards the woman. "How long have you been following me for?" The woman smirked at Clarke's question. "Only since your trip to the stream" she replied.

"Is there something you want from me? I don't even know your name. You appear every few days, for a brief talk and then disappear again." The leader waved her hands around in frustration.

The woman took a few steps forward, not losing eye contact with Clarke. "Maybe I want to kill you…Wanheda."

Clarkes mouth opened in shock before she quickly closed it again. How does she know who I am? Clarke quickly responded with "Well, I highly doubt that. You would have done it already."

The grounder chuckled to herself. "Come, join me for this meal. You look hungry". The woman turned and walked back towards the deer on the forest floor. Clarke couldn't believe what she was hearing, a random woman knew who she was, had been following her for many days now, and then finally invites her for dinner? "Why should I trust you? How do I know this isn't some sort of plan to capture me?" The sky leader tried to hide the nerves in her voice.

"You do not know." The grounder looked back at Wanheda as she spoke. "But as you said, If I wanted you dead, you would be already. Now follow me, let's eat."

Clarke took a deep breath, rolled her eyes and helped the stranger carry their meal. She couldn't believe what she was doing herself, but there was something in the grounders eyes that she trusted.

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Lexa sits on her throne in the middle of a small opening in the woods. In front of her a large fire. It is silent. She counts thirteen of her subjects before her; gathering wood and throwing it onto the fire causing it to increase in size and heat. Feeling the warmth on her face, orange smoke fills the air around her. The Commander closes her eyes. She hears chanting from her subjects repeating the same phrase over and over. "Wamplei kom union."

Once Lexa processed what the words meant, she quickly opened her eyes to see her hands and feet tied to the chair. She started to panic. Sweat emerged from her forehead as she realised her surroundings. She noticed her people have a prisoner tied to a tree next to the now too powerful fire. "CLARKE!" the Commander ordered her release, but no one obeyed.

Titus approached his leader and kneeled before her. He held a wooden box in his hands with a unique marking at the seal. Lexa blinked twice to try and remove some of the smoke from her eyes, she couldn't see clearly. The adviser opened the box to reveal his Heda's dagger. After a moment that appeared to be of prayer, Titus looked up at the Commander simply explaining that it must be done.

The surrounding grounders formed a line, each taking their turn in piercing the dagger slowly into Wanheda's body. Hearing the shrieks leaving the blonde's mouth, knocks the air out of Lexa's. The leader uses all her strength to break free from the ropes. The tears now rolling down her cheeks, add to her hindered vision.

As soon as her second hand is loose, she sprints forward toward the girl that she feels for. Falling flat on her face, she remained still for a moment with her head buried in a deep puddle. She didn't think to untie her feet. The deed had been done. Lexa was too late. Clarke was dead.

Lexa was awoken by the sound of a scream she quickly realised was coming from her own mouth. She closed her mouth and sat up drastically, panting, looking around the room. Glancing from wall to wall, she started to calm down noticing the familiar sights of her own room.

She slowly moved until sat at the edge of her bed and realised she forgot to take her boots off; the exhaustion consumed so much of her lately, little things have gone amiss. Finally, the Commander gained the stamina to stand and walked zombie-like over to a wooden table underneath a window, which held a basin.

The brunette leaned over the water, staring at her reflection for what seemed like a lifetime. She stared at her emotionless expression, understanding why people struggled reading her. The Commanders face says nothing, but her stomach felt intensely. Guilt, sadness, worry. She feels everything but the strength she successfully emits to those that surround her.

She gently dips her hands in the water, disrupting the image she is tired of seeing. Leaning forward, Lexa splashed her face, wiping only a little of her black war makeup away. She tilted her head back and looked at the ceiling before reliving a deep breath she wasn't aware she was holding. The Commander put on her coat and started to head outside. She needed to escape from her own mind. he needed to meditate.

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The hooded man left the cottage without a trace and returned back to his home. He laid in bed, struggling to sleep as his thoughts consumed him. He knew he had less than 7 days to find Wanheda, or he could never return home. Thankfully sleep finally found him. He needed as much energy as he could possibly gather, as he would leave for his mission tomorrow evening at sundown.

The next evening arrived quicker than the man had hoped. He gathered 3 of his best warriors and begun his journey towards the perimeter of camp Jaha. A prediction of a day's ride to the place in mind, a day to return, leaves only 5 days to find the Skaikru leader.

They had been travelling non-stop for approximately 6 hours. They were ahead of schedule. It must have been a couple hours past midnight, when they decided to make camp for some rest. The 4 of them would rotate guard duty throughout the night so they could all gain back their stamina. They came across a hidden stream enclosed by the trees; they decided not far into the woods would be an ideal place to rest.

The sun rose quicker than the party would have liked. Two of the accompanying soldiers left to find their breakfast. After their quick meal of chewy rabbit, the leader of the group and one other, walked to the stream to refill their water.

The hooded man looked out at the hidden gem before him. He was not known to leave his home often, so it was no surprise he had never seen it before. It was a clear blue sky, with an added icy touch to the wind. As the sunlight hit the water, he breathed in the scent of the changing season, and let out a deep breath.

Then something caught his eye. He walked over to the left side of the stream, not taking his eyes of the object in sight. Once reached, he crouched down, and picked up what seemed to be an arrow. In a normal circumstance, he wouldn't bat an eyelid, but there was something about this arrow. This has been terribly crafted – he thought to himself.

He picked up the ammo to inspect it closely. Stood in thought for a few minutes, the man placed it on his person and returned back to the others. They gathered their belongings, mounted their horses, and continued their journey.

They continued to ride for the length of time the sun remained out. They knew that they were close to their destination, less than 5 miles. The decision to walk the remainder of the journey was taken, as they did not wish to alert or startle the upcoming clan.

They arrived a little after dark. The hooded figure stood in the middle of what seemed to be an open space, in front of a lit fire. He looked around, there was no sign of any life. It was quiet, too quiet. The man called out a name "Dante, reveal yourself, I come in peace wishing to rest".

Suddenly a tall, muscular man with short curly hair fell from the sky. Dante stood at ease while facing the imposter in his home. The two men grabbed each other's right arm as a sign of mutual respect.

The man pulled his hood down revealing his identity. Dante looked at his old friend stood before him. "Adviser Titus, welcome to the Tree-top clan."