Chapter 44-Their demands
One week before Jaha falls
Jaha's P.O.V
Jaha walked into the Commander center and looked at Charles. "One week until we fall," Jaha says. "One week, sir," Charles says as he turns to look at him. "Have you thought about who will lead in your absence?" "Diana Syndey will. We will be bringing a radio with us, we will talk with our people and after Jake and Kane have fallen, we will bring them to the ground and begin our new life on the ground, in one week we will make history Charles, I know it." "I believe we will as well sir," Charles says. "You should address the people soon, you have not talked to them since we released the teenagers." "How has that been going, any problems?" Jaha asks. "No, it seems like they are grateful for this second chance and so are their parents. The people of the Ark have never been more devoted to you."
"That is good to hear, we will need their support. How has the training of the prisoners been going; we need them and the guards. Jake and Kane know I will come for justice, they will be prepared for us." "The training has been going well," Charles says. "They will be prepared." "I will speak to them before we fall," Jaha says. "I have to talk with the new Commander of the guard, continue with the checks on the dropship."
Charles nods as Jaha leaves the room.
Jake's P.O.V
Jake sat on a rock watching the woods. "We have one-week until Jaha arrives," Indra says as she walks up behind him.
"I know," Jake says.
"How are you feeling, Jake?" Indra asks as she sits down beside him. "We have spend a lot of time out here, training, dealing with our demons." "I've enjoyed it," Jake says. "The peace, knowing that I didn't have to worry about a fight, I'm worried, Indra. I'm worried that our lives will be defined by wars. We'll never stop fighting, that my daughter won't know peace."
"I hope for peace as well, Jake," Indra says. "But peace does not come easily, it comes at a cost. We could lose the people we love, or lose ourselves."
"I don't know if I'll ever find peace, Indra. Not with what has happened, but I'll die happy if I know Clarke finds it, that she finds peace with Lexa." "Those two may be the only two people who can make real lasting peace, but we have a part to play in that. We will need to return soon."
"I know," Jake says. "I like to think I've gotten better control over my emotions, that Nia won't get to me, but I don't know Indra. I won't know until I face her again."
"Then let us face her, together," Indra says as she holds her hand out to Jake who takes us. "It is time for us to face our demons, Jake."
Clarke's P.O.V
Clarke sat in her and Lexa's room. She glanced at Lexa who was still sleeping before she looked back at reports that had come in from the clans. She sat there going through the reports for another hour before Lexa woke up. "Clarke, what are you doing?" Lexa asks as she pulls herself up.
"Going through reports," Clarke answers. "Reports, like clan reports?" Lexa asks as she stands up and Clarke nods. "That's my job." "I was letting you sleep in," Clarke says.
"You should sleep in," Lexa says as she lays her hand on Clarke's shoulder. Her shoulder had healed but there was a scar across it.
"I can barley sleep, the nightmares and my Dad being out there doesn't help." "We fight Jaha in one week, you need rest." "We need to make sure the clans are alright before we throw them into a fight with Skaikru and then a war with Mount Weather," Clarke responds. "Okay, thank you for helping. I've never had anybody help me with reports from clans." "I imagine the other commanders had their mates help them," Clarke says. "No, none of the other Commanders were in relationships," Lexa says as she sits down beside her. "I am the first, love is weakness was passed down from flamekeeper to flamekeeper. I guess I was never good at listening to advice." "No you aren't," Clarke says with a smirk when there was a knock on the door. "What?"
"Come on, love birds, we have a problem," Octavia says. "We'll be out in a minute Octavia," Clarke says as she stands up and they get ready.
Octavia's P.O.V
Octavia stood beside the door as it opened and Clarke and Lexa walked out. "What's going on." "The leader of the desert clan is here, it seems like the news of Nia being here is going around," Octavia tells Lexa who nods as she walks out of the house with the two women following her. She walks towards the Desert Clan leader. "William, it is good to see you," Lexa says. "Heda, it is true, is she here?" William asks. "It is," Lexa says. "Nia is here." "Why does she live, Heda? She has betrayed us time and time again, she needs to die." "We need her, for the war that is coming," Clarke says. "I am not speaking to you sky girl," William growls. "Clarke is my girlfriend and a respected warrior and leader, you will show her respect," Lexa tells him. "I understand your anger but you will not take it out on her or anybody here, do I make myself clear?" Lexa asks as she takes a step closer. "Yes, Heda," William says. "My son was the ambassador in Polis. He died when that missile hit, his wife and my grandchild died with him and I want blood. Blood must have blood, Heda and I want Nia," William says. "Clarke was not wrong, we need her. You know the war with the Mountain is coming, Nia has information on our enemy, I need her alive to win this war." "If you leave her alive, you will not have my clan when the time for war comes. We will not march with her," William says. "That would be treason," Lexa says calmly. "Leaving her alive is treason. Our people have honored blood must have blood since the days of the first Commander, Nia helped the Mountain kill hundreds with those missiles. Honor demands her head to roll," William says. "I assume you are alone in this," Lexa says. "I am not, Heda." Lexa says silent for a moment before she looks at Monty. "Sent a letter out to each clan leader, they are to ride here, be here by tomorrow, so that we may discuss this. Sent riders within the hour Monty," Lexa tells Monty who nods as he leaves.
Jake's P.O.V
2 days after he left
Jake and Indra rode their horses into the ruins of the Skaikru village. "We should not be here, Jake," Indra says. "The Mountain will not watch this place, they know we are gone, most of Trikru has left," Jake says as he climbs off his horse and looks around the village. "I need to be here right now, Indra."
Indra nods as she climbs off her horse and follows Jake as he walks towards the house Abby shared with Wick and Sinclair after they split up. "Can you wait out here?" Jake asks Indra who nods as he walks inside. Abby's house was one of the few houses not destroyed by the missile. Jake walked through the house into Abby's room and shut the door. He stared at Abby's stuff all over the room as he walked over to his bed and sat down. He looked at the stand by her bed and grabbed the picture off it. The picture was taken a year before they left the Ark and showed Abby, Jake, and Clarke together in Jake's workshop. "This, this is all I wanted Abby," Jake says. "For us to be happy like we were in this picture," Jake says softly. "When I first got down here, I thought about the future alot, what would we do when we met again and we figured it all out. I wanted to build a house in the woods with you, where Clarke would come and visit and her and Lexa would bring their family if they had one. Now I don't know what my future looks like without you, I don't...I don't know how to have one without you," Jake says.
Jake stares at the picture as a tear falls on it. "Now I've hurt our daughter, I hurt Clarke and I don't know what to do next, I wish you were here, Abby. Maybe you would," Jake says. "Jake!" Indra says from outside. Jake stands up and puts the picture in his pocket as he walks outside. He steps outside and sees 4 men standing in front of the house. "Clanless," Indra says as she pulls her sword out. "You guys don't have to do this, no one has to die today," Jake says. "Please, don't do this. Don't make me kill you."
The man in front laughs as he pulls his sword out. "Kill us, that is funny."
Nia's P.O.V
Nia looks at her door as it opens and Clarke and Lexa comes in. "What is it, today, you want to know how much they sleep?"
"No," Clarke says. "The leaders of the clans are demanding your head."
"I am surprised it took them this long to come," Nia says. "So what now, you break your deal, take my head." "No, we'll figure something out," Lexa says. "But they will wish to see you and if you wish to keep your head, I suggest that you keep quiet. I will not destroy my coalition to keep my deal with you." "I know," Nia says. "Don't worry, Commander. I will behave myself."
The two women stare at each other for a moment before Lexa walks out of the room. "Clarke," Nia says as Clarke goes to leave. "If it comes to my head being taken, you will take it, not her." "Why?" Clarke asks without turning around. "Blood must have blood, Clarke," Nia says. "Regardless of if you like to think about it, I did help kill your mother."
Clarke doesn't say anything as she walks out of the house.
Clarke's P.O.V
Clarke walked out of the house and sighs as she looks at Lexa. "Tomorrow is not going to be an easy day," Clarke says. "No it is not," Lexa says. "We will have our worked cut out of us, Clarke. It will take a long to convince the Clan leaders to spar Nia." "We still need her, Lexa." "I know my love," Lexa says. "We will try and save her, but I cannot say I would mind if she dies." "All in good time," Clarke says with a smirk as Octavia and Raven come up to them.
"He's back," Octavia tells Clarke who looks at her. "Where?" Clarke asks. "By your house," Octavia says before Clarke runs past the two women towards her house. She get's to her house and sees Jake standing in front of the door.
"Hi, Clarke," Jake says and Clarke runs over to her father and hugs him.
Thanks for reading, so Jake's journey with Indra will take place over the next couple of chapters in flashbacks as both Clarke and Lexa prepare for Jaha and Jake confronts Nia as Lexa and Clarke try and save the former Queen. As always suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.