Chapter 43-Jake's decision
Jake's P.O.V
Jake stops as he looks at his daughter who stood at the door. "Don't do it," Clarke says. "Why not? She's a monster, she had children fight a war for her, she helped Cage kill your mother, she deserves to die," Jake says. "You're right, she does," Clarke says as she takes a step towards her father. "But if you swing that sword, you'll be killing more than just her, we'll lose everything she knows about the Mountain. That information could be life or death for our people." "You have the damn map, Clarke," Jake says. "Step back," Jake says to his daughter. "Let him, Clarke," Nia says as she gets on her knees. "Let him take my head, it will give him no relief, it will not make him better, it will make it worse, the guilt will rise when people start to die, cause he will know that my information may have been able to save them."
"Shut the hell up," Clarke growls. "I'm trying to keep your head on your shoulders and you're going to get yourself killed. Dad, this isn't who you are, we made a deal with her, we have to honor it." "Why Clarke?!" Jake shouts at his daughter. "She has no honor, why should we?" "Because we have to be better," Clarke says softly. "We have to be better than she is. That's what Mom would want."
"The dead don't want anything, Clarke," Jake says as he raises his sword once again. Clarke pulls her sword out and blocks Jake's swing as he goes down. Jake growls as he brings his sword back up and swings it to the side towards Clarke. Clarke feels a sharp pain in her shoulder as Jake's sword cuts deep in her shoulder. Clarke's sword falls to the ground as she stumbles back and falls to her knees as Jake freezes. Jake stares at the blood on his sword and looks at his daughter's bloody shoulder. Jake's sword falls from his hand. "Clarke...I'm," Jake stops as he moves towards his daughter who moves back. Jake looks at her for a moment before he runs out of the house.
Clarke's P.O.V
Clarke held her shoulder as Nia grabbed Jake's sword off the ground. "I could kill you right now," Nia says as she stands. Clarke looks at the former Ice Queen as she held the sword. "It is a good think it is not your head I want Clarke," Nia says as she drops the sword. Clarke slowly pulls herself up and leaves the room shutting the door behind her. She stumbles as she walks towards the front door and opens it. She pulls the door open as her vision blurs. She steps outside. "Clarke," Octavia says as Clarke's world goes back.
Lexa's P.O.V
Lexa was talking with Anya when the door to Anya's house flew up. "Lexa," Octavia says making Lexa look at her. "What's wrong?" "It's Clarke, she's hurt, Lincoln told her to the healer's hut with Nyko."
"What happened?"
"I don't know," Octavia says. "Her shoulder was bleeding, it was deep. She was coming out of the house Nia is being kept in." "You two come with me," Lexa says as she walks out of the house followed by Octavia and Anya. They walk to the house and Lexa opens the door and goes into the room Nia was in. She grabs the former Ice Queen and slams her up against the wall. "What did you do?" Lexa growls. "I didn't do anything, Lexa. Jake did," Nia says. "What did Jake do?" Octavia asks. "He came her to kill me, Clarke tried to talk him down but he wouldn't listen to her and he swung at me, Clarke hit the sword away and he swung at her in a blind rage. He tried to move towards her and she stepped away and he ran out. I swear to you, that is the truth," Nia says. "I could have killed her, I didn't, why would I lie, you guys are my only chance of seeing Cage's head roll."
"Lexa," Anya says as she picks up Jake's sword. "This is Jake's." "Let's go," Lexa says as they leave the room leaving Nia alone. They walk outside and walk towards the medical hut where everybody was gathered.
"Did Nia do it?" Ontari asks. "No, Jake did. By accident, Jake ran, we need to find him," Lexa says. "Are you going to hurt him?" Raven asks. "Of course not," Lexa says. "But he needs to be here, so everybody besides, Nyko and Luna, find him. I will remain here with Clarke in case he returns."
They all nod as they go to leave.
Clarke's P.O.V
Clarke slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "Clarke," Lexa says softly as she takes her hand. "How are you feeling?" "It feels like my shoulder is on fire," Clarke says. "My Dad, Lexa-" "They are looking for him, don't worry, no one will hurt him."
"I've never seen that look in his eyes, there was so much hate, so much anger. He didn't look like my Dad and I moved away. I need to find him." "No, you don't," Lexa says. "Every person in this village is looking for Jake, you need rest." Clarke sighs but nods as she looks at her shoulder that was wrapped. "What did Nyko do?" "He cleaned and stitched it, he said that as he long as you rest, there shouldn't be any last damage, you will have a scar though."
"That's alright, you're a girl that likes scars." "You are not wrong," Lexa says. "What are we going to do about my, Dad?" Clarke asks softly. "I don't know," Lexa answers. "I do not want to lock him up, but we cannot risk this happening again."
"We'll take his weapons away," Clarke says after a moment. "We'll have Kane and Bellamy lead Skaikru and give him time to grieve my Mom and come to terms with what he has done." "Alright."
Costia's P.O.V
Costia rode through the woods with Jasper and Monty. She stops her horse when Harper rides in front of them. "You two beat it," Harper tells the two teens who nod as they leave. "You and me are going to have a talk." "Now is not the time," Costia says. "There are over a dozen people looking for Jake. Now is the time, get off the horse," Harper growls. Costia sighs as she climbs off the horse. Harper climbs off the horse. "Now I don't know how you were raised, but most people don't walk away from a girl after kissing her." "It was a mistake," Costia says.
"So you're telling me you have no feelings for me?" Harper asks. "Uh, yeah," Costia says without looking at Harper's eyes. "Sure," Harper says. Harper sighs as she climbs back on her horse. "I know why you are scared to get into a relationship, so I won't force you, but the point of Lexa sparing you was so you could have a life," Harper says before she rides away from Costia who sighs as she climbs on her horse again.
Kane's P.O.V
Kane and Bellamy ride through the woods. "What do you think the Commander will do? I know it's Jake but he hurt Clarke. If I hurt Clarke, I would just accept my fate." "Clarke won't let Lexa hurt, Jake," Kane says. "We don't know what they've been through the last eleven months. It has more affect on Jake then we all thought," Kane tells Bellamy who nods. "Next month will not be easy for anybody, especially, Wells. We need to find Jake, then we need to prepare for Jaha," Kane says as Wells and Murphy ride towards them. "Anything?" Bellamy asks.
"No," Wells answers. "Where the hell could he be?" Murphy asks.
"He probably knows how to move around these woods better than the rest of us. We'll just have to keep looking," Kane says and they nod as they continue looking for Jake.
Jake's P.O.V
Jake stood on top of a waterfall watching the river. "You shouldn't go somewhere I showed you," Jake turns his head and looks at Raven as she moves towards him. "Do remember I broke my leg two months ago and it still kind of hurts to walk."
"Leave, Raven," Jake says. "I hurt my daughter, I cut her." "You didn't kill her. She'll be fine, Clarke is strong." "You didn't see her, Raven. I saw fear in her eyes, she was scared of me," Jake says as he turns to look at her. "I assume Luna is in the woods." "She is," Raven says. "I figured I'd have more luck by myself, I'm not so sure anymore," Raven says. "We need to go back, Jake." "I'm not going back, Raven," Jake says. "I'm not safe to be around. I'm not in my right mind when Nia is around," Jake says. "I'll be back when Jaha falls but this is the best for everybody."
"Jake..."
"Please, Raven, I hurt my daughter, if I had moved that sword a little further up, I would have cut into her neck, I would have killed her. All my life all I've wanted to do is protect, Clarke. This is how I protect her."
Raven doesn't say anything as she walks into the woods. She came back a couple of minutes later with her horse. "Here," Raven says as she holds the reins out to Jake who takes them. She then grabs Jake's sword off the horse. "I grabbed it from the room before we left, you'll need a way to protect yourself," Jake nods as he takes the sword and puts it in the sheath. Raven then hugs the man who hugs her back. "Just come back, I already lost one Dad. I don't want to lose another," Raven says softly. Jake nods as he let's her go and kisses her head. "I'll be back," Jake says. "Tell Clarke I'm sorry and I love her and I'll see her again and I'll be better, that this was my choice." Raven nods as she walks back towards the woods.
Clarke's P.O.V
Clarke looked at the door as it opened and Raven walked in. "Did you find him?" Clarke asks Raven who nods as she sits down beside Clarke. "Where is he?" Lexa asks as Indra walks into the hut. "He didn't come back," Raven says. "He didn't want to come back Clarke, he didn't want to put anybody else in danger, he said he'll be back before Jaha comes, but he can't be near Nia or this village, not in the state of mind he is right now." "You let him leave?" Clarke asks. "I respected his choice," Raven says softly. "Just as you should. Your Dad needs time, Clarke. Maybe it is best we give it to him. He'll be back. He told me to tell you that he's sorry and he's love you, that you'll see him again and he'll be better and I believed him," Raven says as she lays her hand on Clarke shoulder. "I didn't understand it, but as we rode back her, I did. He's doing this for all of us and himself and we need to let him," Raven says. "Raven where is he?" Clarke asks. "Please, tell me," Clarke says. "Please," She says as he voice breaks.
The bottom of the waterfall
The fire roared as Jake stared at it. He grabbed his sword as he heard two horses. He let's go it when he sees Clarke who climbs off her horse. "Clarke-" He stops when Clarke hugs him. After a moment she let's him go. "I'm not here to try and convince you to come back," Clarke says. "But you don't get to leave without me letting me say what I need too, do you understand?" Jake nods. "Thank you, for everything Dad, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, I would have never met Lexa or Octavia. I don't why you're doing this, but I'm going to respect it. So you go and you find whatever you need to find and I'll be waiting for you when you get back, and know that I could never hate you or be scared of you. You're my hero and I love you so much," Clarke says as tears start to go down her face. Jake wraps his arms around his daughter and holds her tightly. He pulls back and lays his hands on her shoulder. "You're the best thing I've ever done, Clarke. I love you more than anything alive and I am so proud you, and I am honored to be your father. I will see you soon, I promise," Jake says as he kisses her head. "You need to go." Clarke nods as she backs up and Indra walks up to them. "You're not leaving alone," Indra says. "Do not try and fight me on this Jake, we both have problems we need to deal with."
Jake looks at the warrior for a moment before nodding. "Take care of him," Clarke says to Indra who nods. "Take care of each other," She says. "I love you, Dad." "I love you too, sweetie," Jake says as Clarke goes to her horse and leaves.
Thanks for reading, this was a really amazing chapter and a really fun one to write that got me a little choked up, I loved this chapter and I can't wait for the next couple. Next chapter we go to one week before Jaha falls to the ground. As always suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.