Chapter 2 – Finders Keepers.
Authors Note:
Hi Everyone! I hope you enjoyed my first chapter and that things are starting to add up for you. If you haven't figured things out yet, they will reveal more in this chapter. Thanks for reading!
Italics = thoughts
Italics in quotation = Trigedasleng (Grounders language
Star-crossed Prophecy
Chapter 2 – Finders Keepers.
It must have been at least a mile from where the grounder woman stole Clarke's prey, but it felt more like they had been trekking for 5. The Skaikru leader hadn't eaten today and was starting to feel the effects in her dizzy head.
"How much further?" Clarke asked the mysterious woman. The grounder shook her head and laughed to herself. "You Skaikru people are so impatient. No matter, we are here. Welcome to my home."
Clarke looked before her to what must have been an old wooden water mill. It was situated on the same river that lead to her secluded stream. The forest ahead stood tall on some elevated land. She liked the natural privacy that mother nature had created. Clarke took her attention back to the wooden structure – it has clearly had some hard graft over the years, replacing panels and holes in the roof. It was beautiful.
The woman allowed Clarke to take in the environment. If anything, she stood with pride as her hard work was being appreciated. After a moment, she told Clarke to come inside and sit down, whilst she prepared their meal. The grounder skinned the deer placing the fur to one side and hoisted the animal to its position over the now burning fire.
The sky leader took a seat in what she assumed to be a salvage from before the nuclear war. It was a red leather arm chair, with many patches that just added to its character. The blonde looked around the room. She couldn't help but feel at ease by her surroundings. A short, but long wooden table sat in front of the two armchairs with only a book and a candle on. The right-hand wall was almost filled by a clearly handmade book shelf reaching almost the ceiling, Clarke was sat in awe. The object that when noticed, consumed her attention was a medium sized, landscape painting of the surrounding area. It was breath-taking.
As the leader grew more and more captivated by the brushwork and detail, she felt her face moving closer to the artwork. The front door swung open. For a minute Clarke had forgotten where she was. The woman was halfway through the door with her hands full, allowing herself to place them on the table before speaking.
"It's Celia, my name that is." Clarke was already facing her from the shock caused by her grand entrance. "Do you like art, Wanheda?". Clarke put her hand up towards the woman and pulled a disgusted face. "Don't call me that" She quickly snapped. "And yes, It's incredible. I like to…well I mean, I used to draw." She looked down at her feet.
Celia noticed that is must be a soft subject. She gestured her hand to one of the chairs before asking Clarke to sit. Clarke nodded with a slight smile as she returned to the red armchair. The grounder handed the blonde a cup full of wine.
"Here, Clarke of Skaikru, not to be called Wanheda, drink." Clarke couldn't help but look suspicious of the drink. Celia rolled her eyes and picked up the two cups. She took a sip, swished it around, swallowed and opened showing Clarke nothing remained in her mouth.
"Poison is a weak man's weapon. It is wine, enjoy. Food will be ready shortly." With that note, she stood up and began walking outside when Clarke called her name. Celia turned to face her. "You can call me Clarke."
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A handful of guards returned to Camp Jaha with a nice selection of meat for the next few days meals. They carried the animals through the gates like trophies, it was starting to feel more natural each day. Training had long finished and everyone (that wasn't on the night shift) was finalising their day jobs and preparing to settle down to their new rooms for the evening.
In the past few hours, Kane had been preparing for the search party for Clarke that he was to lead. He had gathered tents, plenty of water, berries, lighters and a few other essentials. The vice Chancellor had asked his acquired recruits to gather near the front gate at 6pm after some food. Once everyone had arrived Kane started to explain his plan.
"We have left it too long since we last looked for Clarke. I thought the best thing to do would be for Raven to drive the 4 of us in the Jeep, just past the 30 mile clearing we have already searched. Octavia, you will be following behind on your horse. I have already asked Raven, she is fine with it. Once there, she will return the Jeep back to camp. This is where our search would begin. If we are needing to send a message back to camp, Octavia, you can ride back as quick as you can. Does that sound okay so far to everyone?"
Octavia, Lincoln, Bellamy and Monty nodded in approval to Kane. The vice Chancellor handed everyone their bags. "We leave in 10 minutes". With Kane's words, the group dispersed to gather the rest of their things and say goodbye. Kane headed over to collect Raven and asked if she is ready to leave.
The Jeep was loaded, the gates had opened, and Octavia had mounted her horse. It was time. It took a little longer than expected to drive the 30 miles. It was noticeably becoming darker earlier each day. The journey there was mostly silent, with the odd question aimed at Raven about her current project. Octavia on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear behind them, she was in her element.
The group finally arrived about 31 miles away from the camp. They said their goodbyes to Raven and watched her drive off back to camp. As soon as the Jeep is out of sight Kane began to speak. "Let's set up camp and start tomorrow. It's later than I anticipated."
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Clarke gobbled up every last bite of her evening meal to the bone. She swore she hadn't felt this replenished in weeks. Needless to say, manners were not currently at the top of her priority list. She placed her plate on the table before her and looked at Celia.
"Why did you do this for me?" Clarke asked curiously. Celia took a sip of her wine and without looking back at the girl said "Let us not waste time on small talk. Ask what you really want to know."
Clarke was taken back by the bluntness. "Umm…okay. If you know me as Wanheda and don't want to kill me, what do you want with me?" The grounder took a second to think about her answer.
"Killing you is not my role, Clarke of the Skaikru. I am simply a messenger." Clarke continued to stare at the woman with a confused look on her face. When it became obvious that she wasn't going to elaborate and the silence grew longer, she decided to dig deeper.
"A messenger? From who? What message? Who exactly are you Celia." The grounder finally looked at Clarke with her warm, reassuring eyes, before standing up from her chair. She walked round the table to the blonde, and picked up her cup. "More wine?" she asked as she poured her some anyway.
"Celia, are you going to answer anything or shall I just bombard you with more questions until you finally spe-" the grounder interrupted her. "Shh shh shh. So impatient Wanhe-, I mean Clarke." She walked over to the only window in the room. "It is getting dark, you must stay the night."
Clarke shot up from her chair. "What the hell? You feed me, tell me you have a message which you then refuse to tell me, and then offer me a bed!? Are you crazy?" Celia turned from the window back to Clarke. "Please sit down, we have much to talk about". The Sky leader reluctantly sat back down.
The woman took the plates away to a different room, soon returning with a piece of parchment rolled up in her hands. She sat back down and unravelled the paper. "Tell me what you seen Clarke".
Clarke took a few minutes and studied the image before her. It was a detailed drawing. Not taking her eyes off the image she started to describe her interpretation of the picture.
"I see a fire surrounded by trees. I see death. But this isn't a memorial, this is torture. The person being burnt is still alive." Clarke looked at Celia with her mouth slightly open. "Well done Clarke, look harder, what else do you see?"
The girl lent in closer, looking more in depth before she finally noticed something.
"There! That man, the symbol on his torch. I know that symbol, I've seen it in my dreams."
She slumped back in her chair, flashing back to last night's dream.
The burning tree in a circle. But what does it mean? She asked herself.
Celia rolled the paper back up, stood up and placed it in a small wooden box with the same marking on the seal. "Clarke, I am sure you have guessed that I live alone. Have you thought why I do?" Clarke remained silent, still processing her busy mind.
"I am seen as different. Not because I fell from the sky. Not because I am the Commander of Death, but because I have a gift. People learnt of my gift and I became exiled from the capital. The image you see is what happens to people like me. I see thing… Visions. They are never fully clear, and I do not always understand them. My role is to pass on these visions to the right people. Nothing more, nothing less. This prophecy was different".
Clarke raised her hand to Celia implying her to slow down for a minute. She took a sip of her drink and felt the eyes of her host gaze upon her. She finally collected her thoughts.
"So, let me get this straight, you are the reason for my messed-up dreams? You're the reason why I can't sleep at night? You haven't given me a message. All you have done is show me a tree on fire and the Commander dying."
Clarke could feel the anger build inside her. She didn't mean to raise her voice, but this was a lot to take in. Inhaling deeply, the girl tried to calm herself down before speaking again.
"What does it all mean? Celia, I don't understand? Am I supposed to save Lexa? Are you telling me she is going to die? Is she already dead!?" Her mind racing at thought.
Celia quickly knelt before Clarke and held her hands trying to help compose the girl's emotions. "I know this is confusing, it is hard for me to explain. All I can say is that each night, the dream will become more vivid. Listen to it. Look with watchful eyes. Don't fight it.
They held eye contact for a short moment as Clarke's breathing began to slow back to normal. She nodded at the grounder. "You will stay here tonight, Clarke of Skaikru, I insist".
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Dante welcomed Titus and his fellow warriors into the Tree-top Camp. He put his arm around his old friend and lead him up a ladder hidden in the trees, to a large room full of food. "It is good to see you Titus. Please, sit, eat. You and your friends are welcome for as long as you like". Dante ordered some of his own to set up rooms for their new guests.
Not many others were in the room, as it was quite late. Most of the clan would have gone back to their own rooms to join their families. The four guests and the Tree-top leader filled their plates with the food before them.
"What brings you here then Titus? Important business?" Dante asked as he chewed the meat with his mouth open. Surprised as he was at the visit, Dante was always happy to entertain. This especially applied to those from the Capitol, he was well known for his loyalty to the coalition and the Commander.
Titus swallowed the berries allowing him to speak. "Yes, much business. We are very grateful for your kind welcome." The other three warriors nodded in appreciation aimed at Dante. "We will be staying less than a week. If our mission is successful, we will return back to the capital."
Dante licks each finger, lets out a belch and took a gulp of mead from his cup. "So mysterious all the time Titus! Why not have some fun!? I know what will lighten the mood." He turned to the other guests "'ere listen, I've got some good stories about your adviser!"
Titus felt his body heat rise from frustration. This is no time to joke. I have to find Wanheda or I can never return to the capital and continue my duties to the coalition. Titus' thought process was quickly interrupted by Dante slapping him on the back laughing.
"Do you remember that Titus? Hahaha! Those were the days. I'm afraid your leader 'ere as gotten more serious over the years." Titus knew that his old friend hadn't done anything wrong. He pushed down his frustration and let out a fake, quiet laugh.
After many drinks (for everyone bar Titus) it was only their group in the room. Dante asked one of his people to show the accompanying warriors to their beds. Titus began to stand to excuse himself to bed also.
"Woah, old friend. We are not done 'ere! I want to hear all about this secret mission." Dante stared at Titus with the biggest grin possible on his face. He looked down at Dante still smiling "I'm afraid, the less you know the better, friend."
The adviser began to walk away when Dante suddenly grabbed his arm, causing him to turn back and face him. "Listen, we go back a long time. If I can help, I will, so let me." Titus held eye contact with the clan leader for a few seconds before sighing and finding himself back in his seat. Titus explained that the Commander has sent him to look for Wanheda.
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Lexa found herself standing in a familiar place. She looked up at the sky, hoping for a glimpse of what she felt to be a beautiful sight; the stars. There was no hope. The orange smoke engulfed the air, she could barely see her own hands before her. The Commander heard a scream nearby that instantly took her attention. She knew that voice, it was Clarke's.
The smoke before Lexa cleared ever so slightly, while two of her grounder subjects emerged holding an arm each like a prisoner. She was right, it was Clarke. Without a thought, Lexa sprinted towards the sky leader before realising she was stuck in place. She herself was also being held back by grounders. The sudden wave of panic ran through her veins.
"LET ME GO! I ORDER YOU TO RELEASE ME!" The Commander screamed at the people that should bow to her. Her eyes started to fill as she used all her might to try and run again. It was no use. The famous Heda dropped to her knees. She had been defeated.
More grounders surrounded Lexa and Clarke, forming a circle around them. She counted 13. Titus suddenly appeared with a wood box in his hands. He bowed in front of his leader and started to chant what sounded like a prayer. The other grounders started to repeatedly chant the same phrase "Wamplei kom union."
As the commander fought back the tears in her eyes, her vision was slightly clearer. She noticed a marking on the seal of the wooden box. It was a burning tree in a circle. Her heart thumped louder than any war drum could. She knew that symbol.
Titus opened the box revealing a small vile of liquid. Lexa knew what was about to happen. She was about to watch the girl she cared for deeply, drink poison, and there was nothing she could do. "NO! TAKE ME INSTEAD!" The passionate sincerity left the leaders lips, but it was too late. Clarke was dead.
Like most mornings, Lexa sharply awoke in a puddle of her own sweat from the recurring nightmare. She gasped for breath and reached for the water beside her. That dream must have been the most vivid of them all to date. Every smell, every face, every detail was clearer than ever. She knew that symbol, but why is it relevant? Why would it be in her dreams.
The sun was halfway through its rising process, but she had always been an early bird. She happily removed herself from her bed – despite the fact that she was still exhausted – and walked to her wardrobe. Lexa decided that she wanted to wear lighter and more subtle clothes today. She hoped this way she wouldn't have to entertain many people. But how can you hide when you are the Heda?
She slipped out the back, thinking she wouldn't be noticed. Unfortunately for her, she was seen. The Commander took a horse and headed a little out of the city, she needed to get away, even just for an hour. Lexa dismounted her horse, stroked it's face before tying her stead to a post, preventing it from running off too far. She had arrived at her favourite place.
The Leader didn't go inside, she just sat on the wooden porch, crossed legged with her hands on her lap and eyes closed. She was becoming one with the world around her. Not hearing but listening to the nearby running water and the birds accidently snapping branches beneath them. She felt the ice in the wind grow colder as the seasons started to change. Meditation was her only true escape.
Light footsteps could be heard in the near distance. The Commander kept her eyes shut as they were familiar to her. "Indra, what news do you disturb me with?" Lexa asked with a slight sound of annoyance in her tone.
Indra moved a little closer before she spoke. "I apologise, Commander. There is no news, I just worry for you. I saw you leave and wanted to check on your safety as a loyal subject, and as a friend". Lexa knew that Indra did not reveal her emotions lightly.
The leader opened her eyes to face her friend. "Thank you, Indra, you are kind. What I am about to tell you, remains between us. Do you understand?" Indra nodded to her Commander and sat down opposite on the grass. Lexa explained the dreams, the emotions and the box with the symbol on it. As she described her dreams to her friend, she felt the wind being knocked out of her as she relived it again.
"You say you know of this box, Commander?" The warrior asked Lexa with an obvious confused expression plastered over her face. It was a lot to take in for Lexa herself, let alone explaining it to someone else. "Yes." The leader replied. "It was my mother's box."
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Clarke stared at the ceiling in Celia's spare bed and tried to process all of her thoughts. What does this all mean? The symbol must have something to do with Celia, it the same marking was on her box? What do I do? And what is this prophecy that involves Lexa?
The Skaikru leader, wasn't going to fall asleep any time soon. She didn't want to. Why would she want to watch Lexa die over and over again? Clarke clenched the sheets beneath her with both hands in a fist. She needed a distraction.
The blonde decided that the best thing to do was to remove herself from bed. Maybe I could take a closer look at that box? She thought. Clarke tip-toed down the stairs, walked into the main room on the first floor and suddenly jumped out of her skin. "Celia, you scared me. I'm sorry I couldn't sleep."
Celia turned to the girl in the doorway. "I am not surprised. You must have a lot on your mind. Please join me." She pointed to the seat next to her. Clarke sat down and stared at the beautiful painting on the wall. "Clarke, why were you alone in the woods?"
The Sky leader took her concentration away from the landscape and looked down to her hands in her lap. "It's a long story. I ran away." Celia had a puzzled look on her face. "Clarke, even the trees have ears. I know that the Heda betrayed you and your people, But what are you running from? Why didn't you go back home?"
Clarke let out a deep sigh and lent back on her chair. "Myself. That's what I'm running from. Not my people, not Lexa, but myself. I have done…" She wipes the tear from her cheek and took a deep breath. "I have done so many terrible things. So much blood is on my hands. The truth is I'm scared. I'm scared that this is who I am, a killer." She couldn't fight the tears any longer.
The grounder instantly stood, lifted Clarkes chin and looked her in the eyes. "We all have to do things to survive. You need to listen to what I'm about to say. You have saved more lives than you have taken. Grounders and Skaikru, many still breathe all because of you."
The girl found comfort in this thought. She manged to flash a weak smile at her new friend. "Thank you." She whispered. Celia walked over to her bookcase and picked something up. She handed Clarke a small notebook and a pencil. "Write down everything you can think of about the dreams. Like I said, I am just the messenger and you need to figure out what this message means."
Clarke nodded and wrote down every painful detail she could remember. The ways in which Lexa died each time, the symbol, the emotions felt, the words that were said, everything. She closed the book and placed it on the table. The woman rested her hand on Clarke's shoulder. "You have the message, I can now take the dreams away." With that note, she positioned herself in front of Clarke, held her head in both hands and muttered words under her breath.
"It is done" Celia said to her guest as she opened her eyes. "What are you going to do?".
Clarke thought for a while taking extra care in not forgetting anything. She sighed and turned to the woman. "I need to see Lexa". She knew that she wasn't ready, but she had to.
Celia nodded and agreed that it seemed to be the best idea. She gave Clarke a bag packed with food and water. "You will go to Tree-top clan. Ask for Dante, say that Celia sent you. It is only a few miles from here and you will be given a horse and a bed if you require. Leave soon, you should arrive at first light. And remember Clarke, look up, they live in the trees."
Clarke thanked Celia for helping her the way she had. She packed her new notebook and her weapons, looked back at her new friend and took her by the hand. "May we meet again, Celia."
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It was the start of a new day and for the first time in what seemed too long, Titus was enjoying the sounds of the birds tweeting and the leaves rustling. It took him a moment longer than usual to find the will power to get out of bed.
He felt his eyes slowly closing shut when he was suddenly startled by the banging vibrations beneath him. The adviser jumped up and looked down out of the window. It was Dante, bashing a hammer at the tree his room was on. Titus surprisingly felt relief to see his friend rather than anger.
"Titus my friend, you need to come down now!" Dante shouted up from the ground. "You are going to want to see this!". Titus got dressed as quick as he could and instantly forgot how relaxed he felt just second ago.
Once climbed down his ladder, he was greeted by everything he least expected.
"Clarke form Skaikru. What are you doing here?" The man stood in complete shock. He couldn't believe his luck.
"Do you always act so surprised when you greet people?" Clarke let out a small laugh to herself. "I need to see the Commander. I was told to come here first, for a horse from…a friend. That is when Dante told me Lexa has sent you to find me. Right, Perfect! Shall we leave now?" Clarke walked off without letting him respond. She couldn't help but have fun with the situation.
She walked over to Dante, they spoke briefly, and he gave her a horse as promised. She mounted her new mode of transport and waved back at Dante, thanking him again. She turned and looked back at Titus, still stood in shock. "Are you joining me, or shall I find my own way? As much as I would prefer that, I might get a little lost."
Titus simply nodded, gathered his men and horses, and rode towards the capital.
A few miles outside the capital, they came to a sign that demanded no weapons beyond this point. As they all removed their gear, Titus apologised to Clarke and quickly shoved a brown sack over her head. "I'm afraid you cannot know the route ahead from hear Wanheda."
The tallest of the adviser's warriors, threw Clarke over his shoulder and shoved her in front of him on his horse,
Thankfully for Clarke, it was only a few miles. She felt being taken off the horse and guided through a building and up what she assumed was some sort of a lift. The Sky leader tried to count her steps and the directions they took, but it proved too difficult. She chuckled to herself thinking that even Raven would struggle with that task.
A sudden halt happened and one of the warriors has shoved Clarke down, until she fell to her knees. Once knelt, the sack was removed from her head and it took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to the new-found light. The sun beamed from the window ahead around a figure stood above her. "Welcome, Clarke of Skaikru, it has been too long" a familiar voice spoke out loud. As the sky leader's vision became sharp again, she saw who was before her.
"Lexa…thank you for having me. We need to talk".