Chapter 5

Abby Griffin returned to the tent two hours after Clarke's encounter with the guards.

When Clarke heard her mother enter, she got up from her position on the cot where she had been lying awake. As she stood, she reached for her jacket hung on the back of a chair and shrugged it on. "So, what now?" Clarke asked, struggling to hide a yawn. "Can I finally leave my prison?"

Her mother frowned. "Prison? Clarke, I'm just trying to protect you until we find out what to do with…" She hesitated.

"No, go ahead and say it," Clarke said, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Well, until we find out what do with you," Abby finished her sentence. "On the Ark when someone was killed, their murderer was floated."

"We are no longer on the Ark," Clarke reminded her mother. She was beginning to realize what was being left unsaid.

"Exactly. This is different and the Council is still discussing the best way to handle it," Abby explained. Upon seeing Clarke's startled expression she was quick to add, "Don't worry. They aren't suggesting that you are executed."

Clarke snorted, as if that statement was supposed to comfort her.

"As I said last night, we are just concerned about how our decision will be perceived. We need to be fair in our rulings. That is what our people need right now, not inconsistent leaders and chaos." Abby opened her mouth to say more when Marcus Kane came rushing in.

Abby looked at him questioningly and he made apologies for interrupting, "I'm sorry. Scouts have just announced that a Grounder party has been spotted approaching."

"Are they coming to confirm the truce?" Clarke asked, cutting in.

Her mother sent her a sharp look to stay silent as Kane answered Clarke's question, "That's what we're assuming, but we can't be certain." He turned to Abby," How would you like us to proceed?"

Clarke was about to cut in again, but Abby beat her to the punch. "Assemble a group to meet the Grounders. Ascertain their intentions and escort them here." Before Kane could ask another question, Abby affirmed, "Make sure they are properly armed."

Kane nodded and whisked out of the tent with barely a glance in Clarke's direction.

"As I was saying…" Abby continued, looking exhausted. Clarke noted the begotten appearance of her usually composed mother. The elder Griffin had dark circles under her eyes and was constantly rubbing them as if she had been getting about as much sleep as her daughter. "The Council is trying to tread lightly. Although your act is being perceived as noble by many, it was still done technically without permission."

Clarke almost wanted to laugh at how her mother was avoiding the words "kill" or "stab" in reference to what happened to Finn. Perhaps she should have been grateful that her mother was trying to protect her, but the act alone served as another reminder that even though a lot had changed since the 100 had been sent to Earth, a lot had also remained the same. The Council, especially her mother, still saw Clarke as a child. Never mind the fact that she had been one of the main leaders of the 100 since they landed. "But they would have tortured him if I hadn't done anything!" Clarke exclaimed, thinking of the process that Lincoln had explained to them in graphic detail.

"Yes," Abby acknowledged, "We are taking all factors into consideration, including the testimony of the Grounder."

"Lincoln," Clarke muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?" her mother asked, inclining her head towards Clarke.

"I said 'Lincoln.' His name is Lincoln, not Grounder," Clarke sneered. It annoyed her every time. Lincoln had saved their lives more than once, and the Ark members couldn't even do him the simple courtesy of calling him by name. Instead, they treated Lincoln as though he were beneath them. Almost like how the 100 had initially treated the man before they got to know him. Clarke's mind flashed back to when they had had Lincoln chained up and were torturing him to get out information. Clarke would forever regret how they had handled that situation.

Abby looked surprised at her daughter's outburst, but, then again, she hadn't been there when Lincoln had rescued Finn and Clarke. Abby hadn't seen him carry Octavia off to safety while the 100 were being attacked. "I didn't mean any offense," her mother said carefully, not wanting to elicit any more anger.

One of the guards outside poked his head in. "Chancellor, they've arrived."

"Stay here," Abby told her daughter sternly as she pointed to the room. "We'll continue this conversation later."

Clarke waited less than a second after her mother left the tent to follow. "I'm going to the meeting," she said, catching up and matching her mother's strides.

"Absolutely not!" Abby hissed as they approached a thickening crowd of people. Kane was barking out directions and when he saw Abby, he beckoned her over. "Go back to the tent Clarke," Abby said a final time before jogging over to Kane.

Instead, Clarke dove into the thick of people, looking for her friends.

Yesterday was my first full day back at home for Christmas break, so that was why you didn't see any update from me. It's my goal to update at least one short chapter daily, but that may not always happen.

Chapter 6 is already under way though and I think I'll be able to post it tonight!

We are getting closer and closer to the meeting with the Grounders from the trailer of episode 9... As I said previously, I'm going to try and incorporate what we can see in the trailer, but it may not be 100% accurate as this is going to deviate a lot from what happens in the 100 canon after 2x08.

As many of you noted in the comments, Abby is not very likeable right now. I feel that's pretty consistent with her portrayal on the show as she is consistently underestimating Clarke and the other 100, as well as not always making the greatest decisions. Deep down I think she is trying her best, but that doesn't mean Clarke won't be challenging her every step of the way.

Also, I'm glad you all like Wick too! I think he's great. And Bellamy... Oh, Bellamy. Again, like I said before, he's been busy up until this point, but as you could see in the episode 2x09 previews, he will be present with Clarke at the Grounder meeting.

Thanks to everyone for reading my story! I appreciate all of the reviews, favorites, and follows. Let me know what you think!