TRIGGER WARNING FOR THIS CHAPTER: Self-injury - It is not what you might think, and has nothing to do with self-hate. It is part of a ritual and is very brief/not gory. I just wanted to warn you.
Author's Note: Translations for the Trigedasleng will be at the end of the chapter! Also, thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites! As a reward, this is the longest chapter yet.
WithinTheFandoms - Maybe you'll find out about Raven in chapter 15 ;)
"What the hell are they doing here?" Octavia asks angrily, still frozen in her position.
Clarke doesn't even speak. She is suddenly hit by a wave of emotions and wants to curl up into a ball and die, but she can't and she won't. She knows well enough that if the grounders are there, they are expecting to talk to a leader—not Abby or Kane. They want to see Clarke. The sky princess makes eye contact with Octavia then looks to her sword as a way of silently saying be ready for anything. When O nods in understanding, the girls force their legs to move quickly toward camp.
As they get close to the horses and warriors surrounding the gate of Camp Jaha, both girls are on high alert—they know that there are probably grounders hidden. They know that there were probably grounders following them in the woods. They aren't going to kill them right now, but one wrong move and the sky people will be finished.
"Gon we nau."
The grounders turn to see who dared demand them to leave. Octavia stands strong; ready to kill the person that crosses her.
One of the larger grounders steps forward and chuckles—he dwarfs Octavia. "Shof op, Okteivia kom Skaikru," he mocks and pushes her slightly.
The brunette barely falters, but she growls under her breath and begins to reach for her blade, but then a voice comes blasting through the crowd.
"Em pleni! Let them pass." The large man facing Octavia ducks his head and moves to the side. Following suit, the grounders part and form a pathway to the gate. Facing Octavia and Clarke on the opposite end of the path is none other than Commander Lexa, Indra at her side.
Without hesitation, both girls walk towards them. They see that Abigail, Kane and a few guards are directly on the other side of the gate, and many of the sky people are looking on from a distance. Once Clarke is face to face with the leader of the grounders, she begins to question why on Earth she isn't just running away. However worried she might be, Clarke opens her mouth to speak.
But Lexa interrupts. "We were awaiting your arrival before entering your camp, Clarke."
"What can I do for you, Commander?" Clarke is calm in her speech, but her eyes are filled with fury. She knows better than to speak this fury, for the grounders would certainly have her head. However, the anger in her eyes is not something that Lexa misses.
"I want to discuss the terms of our peace."
What peace? Clarke thinks to herself. Was it an act of peace when you abandoned us on Mount Weather? She does not say these things aloud, but it is clear that both Octavia and Lexa can hear them. Octavia is about to speak them, but Clarke puts her hand out to stop her.
"We can talk inside, but only you. Everybody else will remain outside of the gates."
Indra, who has been silent to this point, steps forward to spit venom at Clarke, but Lexa does not allow her to. Instead, the tattoo-faced woman mumbles something in Trigedasleng to her heda—almost certainly a request to kill the girls.
Noticing the hostility from Indra and many of the other grounders at her proposition, Clarke makes an amendment. "If it would make your people feel better, you can bring two warriors to stand guard outside of our meeting room."
Lexa looks to Indra and another of her warriors, one Clarke does not recognize, then looks to Clarke in agreement.
The sky princess turns to her people. "Open the gate." The guards do as told and the five of them enter Camp Jaha. Kane and Abigail walk by Clarke's side to the Ark a few feet in front of everybody else, so they can speak to the young woman.
"I think you're making a foolish decision to speak with her like this Clarke. At the Commander's word, everybody here is done for." The first words of council come from Marcus. Clarke pays no mind and continues walking.
"He's right, Clarke. If you won't listen to him then listen to me—this is not a good idea. These people will kill all of us before we can beg them not to. Even with our guns, we're vastly outnumbered."
Determined, Clarke keeps her eyes straight ahead when she responds. "I know the risks, thank you. If they're going to kill us, they will. It doesn't matter what happens when I speak to Lexa. I am the leader of our people, so this is the best chance we have."
"You are not the leader, Clarke! You are a child!" her mother scolds.
Clarke stops the former council members in their tracks, and those following them stop as well. Clarke speaks in a quiet, but fierce tone to both of them, placing extra focus on Abby. "This is not a conversation we are having now. Regardless of whether or not you recognize it, I am a leader. And right now, you need to listen to me and stay out here to protect us."
Kane has come to believe that leaders prove themselves worthy, so he nods once to acknowledge Clarke's wishes and takes a step backward. Abigail, however, stays put.
"Leader or not, I am your mother and I will not be spoken to that way," Abby bites back.
Clarke looks around and spots Miller and his father among their people. She calls for them and they come to her side. "Make sure she stays out of the Ark." They nod in understanding and then Clarke turns back to Abby. "We will talk about this later." Her mother huffs and walks away, followed by her temporary keepers and Marcus.
Clarke walks more quickly now, and Octavia jogs up beside her.
"You alright?"
"Never better," the blonde says flatly.
When they reach the meeting room, Octavia moves to enter with Clarke, but she is stopped. "Are you sure you want to be in there alone?" she whispers to her girlfriend.
"I'll be ok. I love you." Clarke unexpectedly presses a light kiss to Octavia's lips. Indra laughs, but nobody acknowledges her.
"I love you too," Octavia whispers.
Clarke enters the room and Lexa follows. O takes guard position directly in front of the doorway with the grounder warriors on either side of her, all ready to rush in at a moment's notice.
When they are in the meeting space, Clarke throws her bag down in the corner and turns to face Lexa, who has propped herself against a wall.
"How are you, Clarke?"
"Let's skip the formalities, okay? Just tell me what you want, Lexa." Clarke's calm tone from earlier is gone now, for she does not fear Lexa alone.
"I want your people to be safe."
"Wow, that's funny, it didn't seem that way when you left us all to die at Mount Weather!"
"I did not think you would be stupid enough to enter the mountain alone!"
"Well, I did go into the mountain. And I killed everybody in there. Every innocent man, woman, and child in there is dead because you abandoned us at that mountain—because you abandoned me."
"There were no innocents in that mountain! They spent years killing my people and they had begun to kill yours! Can you not see that, Clarke? Jus drein jus daun."
"Plenty of the people in there refused to receive the treatments and the children had no clue what was even going on. You have no regard for the lives of others, Lexa! You choose to let everybody die!"
"As do you, Clarke. Those who die in my wake die for the greater good of my people. You killed the Mountain Men to protect yours." Lexa is now speaking calmly, but with deep meaning in her voice to match her words.
"Unlike you, I feel for the people that die. Lives should not be ours to take as we please."
"Nevertheless, we take them. We do what we have to in times of war. To care for the lives of those who stand in the way of your people is ignorant."
"So is it then ignorant for me to care for the lives of your people, Lexa?"
"Maybe it is. But as you know, I am here to discuss the fates of both of our people."
"You know as well as I do that you vastly outnumber us. There's no reason for you to ally with us."
"I disagree, your people have advanced healing rituals that could aid my people. You were able to bring back a reaper, and I have seen your injured heal. We need your medicines and you need our protection."
"The only things we need protection from are your clans, apparently," Clarke jeers.
"Don't be childish, Clarke. If you want the Skaikru to survive, which you certainly do, then you need to ally with the twelve clans."
"I'm pretty sure the twelve clans aren't so eager to ally with us."
"The leaders recognize your plan to save both of our people at the Mountain as a sign of peace. If you can agree to work with our healers, then you will be safe." Lexa moves close to Clarke, getting very much into her space. The sky princess, not losing eye contact with Lexa, takes a step back to realize that there is a wall directly behind her. The Commander continues, "I want you to be safe, Clarke." As the grounder leader moves in to kiss the blonde, Clarke ducks out of the way.
"Maybe you're not as perceptive as I thought, but I don't have feelings for you. Not anymore. And don't forget your motto…"
"Hodnes laik kwelnes," they say together.
Lexa backs away slightly. "Maybe I was wrong. You appear stronger with love, with Octavia."
"I am." Clarke's reply is honest, but does not show vulnerability.
"Good. You will need that strength should you refuse this alliance." Lexa is back to business in an instant.
"Just give me a second to think, Commander." Clarke sits herself in a chair on the side of the room. There are so many things to consider about Lexa's proposition. Clarke knows that the conditions need to be more clear-cut. She thinks for a few moments, and then rises.
"When the Ark fell from the sky, it broke into pieces. We think there are more survivors on Earth, but we have yet to locate them. If we make peace, they need to be a part of it, regardless of whether or not any of our known leaders are with them." Lexa nods her head once in approval. Clarke proceeds, "And as much as my people and yours do not wish to be in Mount Weather, I think it should serve as a treatment center. When the Ark fell, we lost a lot of our supplies and technology, but the Mountain has what we lost. The doors to the outside of the mountain should be removed, because nobody will be locked in there again."
"I cannot guarantee that my people will agree to enter the Mountain, nor can some of the elderly endure the journey, so your healers must be willing to come to our villages and cities as well."
"I'll see to that. If they won't leave to treat your people, then I will." Clarke thinks for another moment. "If our doctors are going to work with your healers and aid your people, then we need you to provide education to us. We need your medicines just as much as you need ours. We need to know more about the nature of the ground."
"That is reasonable. Since he is already well-acquainted with your people, Lincoln can aid in their training."
"Lincoln? He's a traitor to you, and to us as well."
"He is not here at your camp?"
"No. And he will not come back."
"Then I shall assign others to train your people. I would like to make clear that, unless there is present danger, your people are not to use their guns around mine. If you can agree to that, then I believe that is all."
Pleased with the conditions, Clarke nods her head. The leaders decide to go outside and address their people separately and then seal the alliance in front of them all. Lexa explains the ritual of sealing an alliance so that Clarke is prepared. They exit the Ark and Clarke gathers her people within the gates, while Lexa exits to speak to hers.
With Octavia by her side, the sky princess explains the conditions. She notices the absence of Raven and Bellamy, but pushes it to the back of her mind for now. Having full trust in their leader, the sky people all speak words of agreement amongst themselves as the blonde fills them in. The only person to leave while Clarke is speaking is her mother. Hurt as she may be, Clarke doesn't think much of it.
After the Heda finishes addressing her people, the gate opens and Clarke meets Lexa at the threshold. The sky people and grounders gather closely around.
"Kom jus oso glong disha hukop raun." Lexa draws her knife and cuts open her right hand, then reaches for Clarke's. Before it is cut, Clarke echoes the Commander's words in English.
"With blood we join this alliance." The blonde does not flinch as her hand is cut open, but she does shudder internally when she must join hands with the commander. Who knows what illnesses she could contract? It doesn't matter to Clarke now, for at this point an alliance is the only crucial thing.
In true grounder fashion, shouts arise from the crowd as the women join hands. The sky people gasp initially, disgusted and slightly shocked, but then join in the shouting. The Skaikru and Trigedakru work together to prepare a celebratory feast.
For most of the party, Clarke donned a smile and participated, but soon enough she took Octavia's hand and pulled her into the Ark meeting room where she was with Lexa earlier.
When they get inside, O wraps her arms around her girlfriend and they stay in a silent embrace for a moment.
"O, did I do the right thing?"
The brunette rubs her thumb against Clarke's cheek. "You've been making decisions to protect us from day one, and something tells me this decision wasn't any different. So yeah, I think you made a good call. Do you trust her?"
"Not really," Clarke laughs a little, and Octavia brings her back into the hug.
"Then I guess we'll just have to keep an awfully close eye on them." She plants a kiss on Clarke's forehead and then backs out of the hold. "Speaking of keeping an eye on people, have you seen Raven and Bell?"
"No, actually. Earlier when I was addressing our people I noticed that they weren't there, but I pushed it back to focus on what I was saying. I'm so sorry O, I should've gone looking for them." Clarke feels a pang of guilt in her chest as she speaks.
"Babe, don't apologize. I'm sure they're fine. But just in case, do you have that radio from yesterday?"
The radio. Clarke knows she left it in her bag, but she can't remember where she put the bag. "Duh," the blonde exclaims as she smacks her forehead and walks over to the bag in the corner of the room. She shuffles through and finds the radio, which is still off. Clarke tosses it to Octavia, who flips the switch and calls into it.
"Bellamy? Raven? If you can hear me, please let me know."
"Octavia? Where the hell are you? Are you ok?" Bellamy's voice rings through and both O and Clarke exhale in relief.
This time Clarke speaks into the device. "We're back at Camp Jaha, we forgot to turn the radio back on after last night. Is Raven with you?"
"I'm here blondie, don't you worry." Another simultaneous sigh of relief from the girls.
"Where are you guys?" Octavia asks.
"Looking for you dumbasses, actually. Ow! Give it-" The girls can't help but laugh as they hear Raven and Bellamy fighting over control of the radio.
"When the grounders showed up, we thought you might be in trouble and snuck out of camp. Were they still there when you got back? You still haven't told me if you're ok."
"We're fine, Bell," Octavia says reassuringly. "Our Clarke is quite the leader." She smiles at her girlfriend, who blushes before taking the radio.
"Listen, it's dark now-"
"Thanks, we couldn't tell," Raven interrupts.
"Anyway, do you have an idea of where you are?"
"We're far enough out that we'll have to camp out here for the night and start back at daybreak." This time it's Bellamy talking. Octavia takes the radio from Clarke and decides to pull a Raven.
"I hope the sex is great and radio in when you're on your way back!"
"Don't even, Pocahontas. The first part definitely isn't happening so, unlike you, we won't be forgetting the second part."
Before there is radio silence, Clarke offers some parting words. "Get home safe, you two. If you come across grounders, there's an alliance in place now. That doesn't mean you should let your guard down, though."
"Got it. You go girl, making peace and all. See you tomorrow! Reyes, out."
"Blake out too!" Bellamy shouts in the background.
"Speaking of peace," Octavia turns her attention to Clarke's hand, "aren't you worried that your little blood-treaty caused you to contract some flesh-eating disease that'll melt your or-"
Clarke puts her finger up to Octavia's mouth. "I don't even want to think about it."
"Maybe you should take some time to consider the consequences of that blood swap."
Clarke and Octavia turn to see Dr. Griffin standing in the doorway.
"I'm surprised you even know about it considering that you ditched halfway through your daughter's speech." Octavia certainly barks as hard as her bite.
Not taking her eyes off of Clarke, Abigail responds with a pompous attitude. "Well Ms. Blake, thankfully Jackson filled me in. Regardless, I would like to run a test of your blood, Clarke."
"I'll pass." The blonde simply stares at her feet and takes Octavia's hand.
"Bear in mind that a contracted illness can be passed on to those you care about."
Clarke looks to Octavia, who shrugs. Silently saying, might as well. The blonde kisses Octavia on the cheek and walks over to Abby. "Let's make this quick."
After taking some blood samples, Abby is cleaning up and covering Clarke's wound. They haven't spoken a word this entire time.
"You're good to go. I should have your results within 24 hours."
The younger Griffin begins to walk out of the med bay, but is stopped by her mom speaking again. She doesn't turn around, but she listens intently.
"You know, Clarke, when you were little you were always leading. When you and your friends played make-believe, you would be the Chancellor. When your class went on a tour of the Ark, you were the line-leader. You always made sure everybody was all right and you never felt comfortable having more than others. You have always been so much like your father, and I hate myself every time I see you acting more like him; because you're right, it's my fault that he was floated. And I can never be sorry enough. You can rightfully hate me forever, but know that I love you very, very much. And I will try my best to respect your decisions as a leader."
With tears welling in her eyes, Clarke remembers seeing her mom strapped to the table in Mount Weather. That moment revealed how much Clarke really needed her. And when she initially returned to Camp Jaha with Octavia, her mom had made sure that Clarke's tent stayed in its place. Despite her shortcomings, her mother is truthful in what she now says. When Clarke exhales, the weight of some of her emotions escape with it, causing her to burst into tears. Abigail walks over and brings her daughter into a motherly embrace.
"I love you Clarke," she cries into the young woman's shoulder. "I love you."
A few moments later, both Griffins calm down and sit down next to each other on a table in the med bay.
"I have to ask; when did you and Octavia start dating? I never got a chance to give my 'mother's seal of approval' after all."
Clarke turns her head and begins to laugh, wiping the last of her tears from her now puffy eyes. Abby laughs too and wraps an arm around her daughter. The Griffins spend the next hours talking about Clarke's new girlfriend (actually, about the million reasons Clarke loves her new girlfriend). They only end their conversation and go off to bed when dawn breaks.
Gon we nau. – Leave now.
Shof op, Okteivia kom Skaikru. – Quiet, Octavia of the sky people.
Em pleni! – That's enough!
Jus drein jus daun. – Blood must have blood.
Hodnes laik kwelnes. – Love is weakness.
Kom jus oso glong disha hukop raun. - With blood we join this alliance.
As always, I appreciate the favorites, follows, and reviews! Feel free to leave criticisms! I'm always looking to improve :)