Day One
Lexa felt her heart start to crack as she rode away from Arcadia with Trei, Britt, Briat, and Fox.
“Heda, do I still have to run to Tondc?” Britt asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“No. You will run when Clarke is with us.” Lexa shook her head and urged Socks into a hard run in the direction of Tondc.
Clarke whimpered softly as Lexa and the others disappeared into the trees, feeling her heart shatter. She stayed clinging hopelessly to the gate until people tried to get her to move. Abby tried first but cowered away at the words and hateful looks Clarke threw at her until she was gone. Jaha watched warily from a distance seeing Abby’s failure. Kane came to stand next to Clarke, putting a soft hand on her shoulder and murmuring an honest apology, which Clarke honored with a nod, before leaving her alone. Members of the guard were repelled easily by Octavia, Miller, Harper, Jynx, and Monroe who stood protectively around Clarke while Raven slowly managed to coax her away from the fence. They stayed in a loose but defensive circle as Raven slowly led Clarke to the Arc, keeping an arm around her friends shoulder to keep her grounded. Raven led them inside and into the mechanics bay where some of the others had relocated the tent Clarke had shared with Lexa near the corner.
“She’ll be back soon princess and we’ll be free of this hell hole.” Raven promised, letting Clarke disappear into the tent. Jynx followed, sitting just inside the flaps. She was relieved when Clarke curled up in the panther fur and fell asleep.
“Will she be ok?” Octavia asked Raven softly. Raven shrugged.
“Clarke’s strong. She has us, and her guard. The commander won’t leave her behind. Not after everything.” Raven replied. Three of the forty seven slipped out to meet Bellamy through Ravens gate by the time night had fallen on Arcadia. Monty, Octavia, and Raven woke Clarke up for the dinner they’d brought her and got her to eat some of it before letting her go back to sleep. Jynx nodded her thanks to the three as they left. She was pleased that Clarke had so many to help her heal. As the lights dimmed for night time, Raven and Octavia worked out a guard schedule for those who knew how to fight so that four groups of four were constantly rotating in a route around Raven’s gate and Clarke. Raven also figured out a schedule to allow people to slip out her gate during the night, they’d wait in the woods where Bellamy or one of the others would meet them around dawn and guide them to the drop ship.
Sometime after midnight, screams shook the Arc. Raven hurried to the tent where Jynx was holding and murmuring comforts in both trig and English to a squirming Clarke. Raven heard Octavia enter the bay and hurry to join them in the tent while all sixteen of their sentinels stood guard in a firm wall outside the bay. Jynx had managed to cause Clarke to quiet for the time being, but the still sleeping girl squirmed and whimpered in distress in her hold.
“Beja Skai prisa… Reshwe, all is well.” Rest in peace. Jynx promised, rocking them gently. She remembered how bad Lexa’s night terrors had become when Costia had been taken.
“You’re ok Clarke. You’re safe. We’re here.” Raven murmured, taking Clarke’s hands and holding them firmly.
“I thought she was getting better…” Octavia sighed, pulling the panther fur up around Clarke’s shoulders once she’d calmed.
“She was. She is. The commander was helping her heal.” Raven replied.
“I will remain here in case she starts again.” Jynx told them. Octavia and Raven nodded and returned to their beds after dealing with the sentinels. Nearly two hours later, screams echoed around the Arc again and Octavia and Raven hurried back to Clarke’s side to help Jynx calm the girl again. This time Clarke pulled away from them, eyes open but glassy as she scooted back against the wall her breathing coming out in uneven pants.
“Clarke… Easy…” Raven said slowly, raising her hands in a non threatening gesture.
“Oh shit…” Octavia cursed.
“What is it?” Jynx asked softly, not taking her eyes off Clarke.
“Abby’s outside and she wants in.” Octavia told them.
“Keep her away. Go out there and stall. Jynx and I will handle Clarke.” Raven ordered. Octavia nodded, grabbing her sword from where it sat by the door.
“Clarkey… Princess… I know you’re scared, but you’re safe… Come here.” Raven coaxed gently, slowly moving closer.
“Rae…” Clarke choked out, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.
“I’m right here. O is outside fending off your demon of a mother but she’d here for you too.” Raven smiled softly. Clarke made a noise that came out as a sob mixed with a laugh.
“Come here Clarke. It’s ok. You’re alright.” Raven soothed, moving closer still, holding out her arms to the blonde.
“I was in the dungeons again…” Clarke sobbed, moving over to Raven who wrapped her in a secure embrace.
“She’s dead Clarke. You’re in Arcadia. Which arguably is like a dungeon but they feed you better.” Raven joked gently, winning another half laugh half sob from Clarke.
“She’s so far away… The furs still smell like her…” Clarke whimpered as more tears escaped her. Jynx moved close enough to stroke her hair.
“Heda will return soon with forces from Tondc. Indra will come for Octavia too. In the meantime, you have people who love you here too. Let us help you.” Jynx reminded softly and Clarke nodded against Raven’s shoulder.
“I-I’m sorry… You’re supposed to be my guard… Not my baby sitter…” Clarke sniffled miserably. Jynx merely smiled at her.
“I didn’t understand at first, why Heda, why Lexa assigned me of all people as one of your guards. But I understand now Skai Prisa.” Jynx began slowly.
“Wh-why?” Clarke asked.
“I was there with Anya and Gustos when Costia was taken from Heda. I was one who helped her through her darkness… Her rage. Anya, Gustos, and I helped put Lexa back together… She isn’t the same as she was before, but she is closer to whole than not. You are very similar to how she was then, though more composed and unpredictable.” Jynx continued. Clarke listened intently to the woman speak.
“She must’ve been bad…” Clarke mumbled. Jynx smiled but nodded.
“We will all put you back together Clarke. You just have to want to heal. And you’ve come so far…” Raven added. Clarke nodded and pulled away from Raven. She tucked herself under the panther fur and sighed sadly.
“I’m ok now…” Clarke whispered.
“Ok. Jynx will be here and I won’t be far. I’ll go see if O got rid of your mom.” Raven patted her back gently before pushing to her feet and leaving the tent.
“Muchof…” Clarke murmured.
“Pro.” Jynx replied, sitting next to Clarke and running her hand up and down the girls back until she was asleep again. To everyone’s relief, Clarke slept through the rest of the night and into the morning without issue. Octavia woke Clarke up and with Jynx’s help, persuaded her to try and eat some of it and then get changed. Clarke grudgingly agreed and changer into new clothes before leaving the tent.
“Morning princess. Last night four more of our people got out successfully. If I’ve crunched the number right, minus our sixteen sentinels and you, O, and I, that leaves nineteen more we need to get out of here by the time the commander returns.” Raven reported thoughtfully. Clarke nodded.
“We need to have four leave before the sun sets and then three tonight.” Clarke ordered. Octavia nodded, throwing in a playful salute before leaving spreading the plan to the sentinels who would pass it on to everyone else.
“Are you alright, skai prisa?” Jynx asked, watching her closely.
“It’s Clarke, and no. But I have to be until I can return to the commander’s side.” Clarke shrugged. Jynx nodded, understanding the words.
“I will assist you in any way you need me to. After all, I am posing as one of your people.” Jynx grinned.
“Mochof.” Clarke gave her a grateful smile in return.
“Pro, Clarke.” Jynx bowed her head.
“I need you to stay here with Raven and plan our exit strategy. Today is day one. By day three, Lexa and her forces will be on their way here. You work with Raven to plan day four, when Lexa and Indra are outside the gates. Try to figure out what they may do so we can react appropriately. There will only be twenty of us including yourself inside this compound. Make that work.” Clarke decided. Raven nodded and Jynx paused.
“Is there a map or lay out of Arcadia we have access to? I will do better if I have a grasp of our terrane.” Jynx asked and Raven grinned.
“I like the way you think. Come on I’ll show you.” Raven nodded, leading her across the room. Clarke nodded to no one and exited the room, unsurprised to find Harper, Monroe, and Octavia falling in around her as her guards.
“Where to Clarke?” Monroe asked.
“The sparring ground. Let’s show them who they’re fucking with.” Clarke replied. She smirked as she heard the cracking of knuckles.
“Hell yeah! Let’s do this.” Octavia exclaimed enthusiastically. Harper chuckled from behind Clarke and they began to walk, Octavia keeping a firm grip on the hilt of her sword. They met members of the guard as they reached their destination, being halted by one such person.
“You can’t have that here. I’m afraid I need to confiscate it to be locked in the armory.” The man told Octavia, pointing to her sword. The young warrior growled.
“Try to take it and I can nearly guarantee you’ll find it lodged in your gut quite firmly. And if I direct her right, she’ll pull it out in a way that’ll make you bleed out quicker than you can call my mother.” Clarke warned calmly. She felt the corners of her mouth turn up in a smirk as the man’s face paled and he stepped aside.
“Silly guard.” Octavia laughed. When they secured the ring, Octavia handed her blade in its sheath off to Harper and pulled out two wooden training swords she’d gotten from Tondc.
“Let’s train Clarke.” Octavia told her, tossing the blonde one. Clarke was surprised how easily she caught it at the handle. She nodded the two took their stances, each sizing the other up before they struck. The wooden blades crashed against each other loudly as Clarke and Octavia sparred. Clarke slowly began to see holes in Octavia’s defense and exploited them, her attacks becoming a barrage of hacking motions that forced Octavia to block her head and step back as Clarke moved forward. She nearly missed when Clarke tried to sweep out her feet but barely deflected it, allowing Clarke to knock her training sword from her hand. Octavia held her hands up in surrender.
“Where did you learn to fight?” Octavia asked confused.
“When I was out in the woods, I ran into someone and they taught me to take care of myself. They were pretty angry most of the time and I couldn’t see their face or get a name but what they taught me kept me alive.” Clarke explained, bending over to catch her breath. They moved out of the way to allow Harper and Monroe to use the ring to train as well. Miller and Monty brought the four lunch, reporting that two had gotten out so far and the next two were ready for Raven’s signal. Clarke nodded and they went away to resume whatever they’d been doing before. The four stayed at the sparring ground until dinner, when Monroe and Harper peeled away, promising to bring food by the mechanic bay.
“Hey girls.” Raven greeted as the pair entered the room.
“Hey.” Octavia nodded. Clarke nodded in greeting too but walked past them to collapse on top of the pillows in the corner.
“Clarke?” Raven called after her.
“Mmm?” Clarke hummed back.
“You ok?” Raven continued.
“Tired.” Clarke huffed and the mechanic grinned.
“Me too.” Octavia sighed, flopping down next to Clarke. Clarke laughed as the warrior cuddled into her side with a content noise.
“O? Where’s Lincoln?” Clarke asked. She didn’t remember seeing the grounder man since she’d arrived.
“He got out with Bell yesterday.” Octavia told her.
“Guess we both have someone waiting for us.” Clarke sighed. She felt Octavia nod. Harper brought dinner by and the four ate their fill before Octavia and Clarke returned to their previous position on the pillows. When Raven and Jynx looked over next, the two warriors were comfortably asleep.
“Guess we should just leave them like that then.” Raven shrugged. Jynx nodded but went to retrieve the panther fur from the tent and draped it over the girls before getting comfortable herself.