Chapter 47

Palla was about to head upstairs to her rooms when she saw Niylah and Clarke in their doorway across the hall. She'd worried about Niylah and her relationship with Clarke as soon as Clarke announced that she was moving out and across the breezeway. Octavia following just seemed like it was expected since Octavia was her guard. It was another reason that she didn't flinch when Madi took her own rooms, but Bellamy and Echo followed. Both of them were guards, but Echo was Madi's head guard, her Azripa. Echo's brother joining them seemed logical. He was a member of the Jusgona. She might not know what that meant yet, but she could guess. The top floor was full of high ranking warriors and guards. Clarke was taking no chances that they wouldn't be protected. Which is why Niylah was so out of place.

She stopped at the base of the stairs when she saw Clarke lean in and give her a kiss. She didn't miss the way that Niylah held onto her hand before Clarke finally pulled away and left. She moved as to not be seen. She was perplexed. Had she misread something? Did Clarke in fact have a lover? Because if she did, Palla would have to pull herself away emotionally and wait, she guessed.

From where she was standing, she saw Raven come out of the clinic and limp her way back to the engineering bay, as she called it, which doubled as her room. She stood there perplexed. It wasn't that late, but she noticed earlier that Octavia and Clarke hadn't made it down to the Pins for their early morning workout. She wasn't worried about it, because she knew that Clarke had a lot on her mind and Octavia was still working herself back to full strength. She saw Echo coming up the walk and moved out to head back upstairs. She wanted to change before she went for a ride later.

As she stepped out, she made the decision to stop Echo and talk with her. She wanted to know what the personal guard was up to lately and how she thought they were progressing with the Jusgona and the rest of the guard. She would seek out Indra and Bellamy to find out about the army.

"Echo?"

"Palla," she said giving her a salute.

"How is training going for the guard?" Palla asked her.

They were standing in middle of the breezeway. Echo gave her a quizzical look. This wasn't normal behavior for Palla. Something was wrong. Echo looked around, but she couldn't see any threat. Clarke was with Octavia, so she wasn't worried about Wanheda. She knew that Indra and Madi were inspecting the troops and picking officers to be promoted. Palla looked...well, paler than normal and she seemed off. She looked back at the clinic door.

"I need to check on Raven," Echo said as she moved to head into the clinic.

"But, the guard," Palla pressed.

"They are training well. They train with Indra mostly. She sends those that she thinks would be good for guard for us to evaluate. We will start the trials soon. Aeolus has taken a sekkon. I'm thinking that he'll be a good addition. Miller has already passed. Clarke made him Captain. He'll lead the main portion of Heda's Guard and he'll be Jusgona. It is really an honor for the Skaimon."

"What will happen with Bellamy?"

"Clarke has sent him to Indra. She's made him her sekkon. If he can survive Indra's teachings like his younger sister did, then he will have redeemed himself in her eyes and earned a position as a captain in the army. Honestly, it would be better for him. He is good at giving orders and leading me. He has a tendency to not use his head when he is on his own as a guard."

Palla nodded. Echo gave her a weak smile. Palla was about to dismiss her when they heard the door upstairs open. They both turned to look.

Octavia stepped out. She was dressed in her normal ribbed tank and a pair of tight black jeans. Her sword was buckled and at her waist. She looked better. She looked refreshed. Echo couldn't help but smile, because it looked like her sister Jusgona had finally gotten some quality sleep that wasn't plagued by nightmares. Her hair was even braided again. It wasn't that ornate, just three braids over each ear and fingered braid from the front to the back. It was loose in the back, but it was just enough to keep it out of her eyes. It was how Echo had first seen her and remembered her as young warrior.

What they were both not prepared for was Niylah following her out. She wasn't in tradition Grounder gear, but she wasn't wearing the darker colors and clothes that she had from the bunker. No, she was in her light colored, tanned skin, grounder pants and a light colored loose, thermal shirt. It was obvious that she was blending both cultures in her clothes, much like Octavia and Clarke did. The taller woman gave Octavia a large smile and Octavia returned her.

Echo cocked an eyebrow and thought to herself, Well this is definitely something new. Palla straightened up and took notice, too. They were both watching as Octavia leaned in and gave Niylah a kiss before taking the long coat from her. The smile that the two lovers shared made both Echo and Palla turn look at each other and then back up to them. Niylah held her hand as she pulled away, neither noticing the audience that they'd drawn. Octavia leaned back in and gave her another kiss. It was short and far more chaste than the first. They kept their hands together as long as they could as Octavia broke away and walked towards the stairs. Echo and Palla did their best to school their faces, but when they met Octavia's eyes, they realized they failed greatly.

"Morning," Octavia said to them with a crooked grin as she passed.

Echo murmured something and Palla just nodded. As Octavia passed, Echo reached out and closed Palla's mouth. Octavia just giggled and headed for the Pins, ready to workout with Indra.

"Well..."

"Leave it alone, Palla. If she cares for Niylah, let her. She deserves some happiness in her life, now," Echo stated.

"But, what about Clarke?"

"What about her?"

"Isn't she with Niylah?" Palla asked, remembering what she'd seen earlier between them.

"Clarke cares for her, yes. But, they haven't been lovers since before Praimfaya. Now, I know why she chose Niylah to live with her though..." Echo mused.

"Which is?"

"She can talk to Niylah and she doesn't judge. It is a trait that most don't have. She lets Clarke break and be weak behind closed doors. She gives Clarke the forgiveness that she needs from us, Grounders, for what she's done and she reminds her that it was all for the good of her people. She reminds her of the things that she's survived and helped her fight her nightmares after Lexa died. If she could do that for the great Wanheda, imagine what she can do for Skairipa. I honestly don't know how Niylah has that big of a heart, but she does and thank the gods she does. She is the reason that we are all alive now. If she hadn't brought Clarke back from the brink so many times, most of which we don't know about because of Lexa's schooling, then we would have all fried in Praimfaya. So, just leave it alone. She's a special woman and she falls under the protection of Wanheda," Echo told her.

"I wasn't going to hurt her, Echo. I was just wondering what her relationship was with Clarke because I saw her kiss her earlier and now she's making out with Octavia. I just don't want either of them to get hurt. They need each other, too, Echo."

"I know that, which is why I know that Clarke won't let anything like that happen. Knowing Clarke, she is setting Octavia up to be with Niylah permanently," Echo stated and really looked at Palla. "Besides, if you want something with Clarke, you are going to have to do better than you have."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, you've given us a place to live. Lexa did that. You've essentially saved us. Lexa did that. You've proven that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for us. Lexa did that. You're helping us learn to live here. Lexa did that. If you want Clarke to see you, then you are going to have to do something to separate yourself from Lexa's legacy and make yourself be seen," Echo said.

"What if I can't?"

"Clarke is drawn to strong character. I know that you have that. Use it. Besides, it doesn't hurt to maintain part of Earth's customs," Echo explained.

"Part of Earth's customs?"

"Court her."

"What?"

"Woo her?" Echo replied, hoping that Palla would understand what she was saying.

"I don't understand what you are trying to tell me," Palla stated.

"Make her see that she could build a life with you. She isn't the same girl that wanted Lexa. She has a daughter now that she has to provide for, protect, and raise. Show her that you'll be there for that and you might have a chance. She isn't going to come to you willingly. She's loved a leader and got burned for it. You need to be able to make her understand that she is strong and she doesn't need you. She needs to want you. Make her want you, Palla and then you will win her heart. Until then, just let her be who she is. That is all you can do," Echo told her and entered the clinic to talk to Abby about Raven.

Palla stood there for a moment flabbergasted. Echo had practically told her to date Clarke and she'd even told her how. Did everyone see it but them? she idly wondered. The events of the day were passing strange and she didn't know what to do. She felt drawn to Clarke. She possibly even liked her more than she'd let on with Ferre and Hrathgar. Madi wasn't pushing her towards Clarke in a romantic manner, but she wanted Palla to be closer to her. She didn't know how to achieve that without blatantly making a move. She shook her head and turned to go talk to Raven. She wanted to see how the young engineer was doing with the plans for the irrigation systems for their farms and to see if she needed to bring Ferre back out to help her.

As she turned to go, Niylah came out of the rooms. She walked down the stairs and headed towards the mess. She gave Palla a large smile as she walked by. Stopping in front of the door, she turned around and looked Palla dead in her eyes.

"Any requests for dinner?" Niylah asked, completely unaware that she'd been seen both with Clarke and Octavia.

"Something light and easy to pack for a ride," Palla said without thinking.

"Going for a ride tonight, Palla?"

"I need to show Clarke some things and I am not sure that we'll be back in time to dine with everyone tonight. Do you think that you could make us something to take on the trail? Something that isn't the normal tack and fruit?" Palla questioned watching Niylah to see how she reacted.

"Sure, sounds good. I should have something suitable for you both in an hour. Will that be enough time for you?"

"Perfect, thank you," Palla said and walked off.

Her thoughts were all over the place. Niylah didn't seem at all upset that she was taking Clarke on a ride. But, she wondered if Niylah even thought that she had a chance with Clarke. Not that it mattered, Clarke had her own life. She didn't need her baggage. And, Palla was sure that there were many suitors among the survivors that would be seeking a chance with Clarke. She was amazing and beautiful. She commanded well and with passion. Palla would have had to been blind and dead not to see it. But, then again, the more time she spent with Clarke, the more she felt Lexa's soul bonding with hers again.