You and Me

Chapter 17

Clarke traveled with six Grounder warriors, her mother, Murphy, and Octavia back to Arkadia. She focused on galloping next to the Blake sister instead of thinking about the missing one. Her second had taken her new position in the 100 very seriously.

Octavia had refused to leave Clarke's side, arguing against returning to Arkadia with Kane and Indra. Murphy had joined in, and Clarke couldn't go up against them when they agreed on something. Lexa had invited Clarke to join her in a war meeting with the Grounder Ambassadors, something Octavia had also fought to be a part of. Lexa agreed but Murphy had remained outside the tent with the other guards.

Initially, Clarke had regretted having Seconds. Octavia argued with Grounders in meetings and Murphy cracked jokes while he was posted on guard, each rubbing their tentative allies the wrong way. Working with Bellamy was seamless, Seconds were not. It was taking a lot of adjustment.

It'd been a blessing when a Grounder Ambassador had hunted Clarke. And was even more so when the mutated gorilla, Pauna, had emerged to chase the three of them and Lexa through the woods. Clarke was lucky Octavia had been training with Lincoln, and that Murphy was oddly attached to his gun.

It hadn't been fun when Lexa said she wished the warrior leader of the Sky People was with them, instead of Clarke. With Bellamy gone, Clarke had to play the warrior leader too.

Again, Clarke breathed deeply to ease the pain. Octavia glanced over, but with the speed they were going, there was no chance to talk. Octavia hadn't been happy with Clarke for sending Bellamy to Mount Weather, Murphy had managed to shut her up about it, but Clarke didn't want to know how.

The slowing of the party offered a welcome distraction. Octavia and her exchanged looks. It was her mother, stopping to rest just outside of Arkadia's range.

"Mom, why are we stopping?" Clarke dismounted her horse, the Seconds following suit.

Abby was looking around at the Grounders atop their horses, sipping out of her container. "It isn't a bad thing to take a rest, Clarke."

"Good, I can't feel my ass," grumbled Murphy. He raised his gun above his head and groaned as his back popped. Octavia snickered, shoving him in the stomach before moving to follow the Grounders as they dismounted to secure the area.

"Our scouts patrol these woods," Clarke told her lead guard, Ryder. "Be careful where you shoot."

Murphy and Ryder stayed with Clarke, while the others dispersed. Abby commented, "The Grounders listen to you."

"Lexa told them to." Abby pursed her lips, Murphy shifted. Clarke ignored them both. Bellamy should be inside Mount Weather by now, but Clarke wouldn't know, wouldn't be calm, until Raven' radio confirmed it. "We shouldn't have stopped, mount up!"

"Clarke-"

"Mom, I need to be at camp and check in with Bellamy."

"Listen to me. I know you don't think you need my protection anymore, but you do. You have to trust that I know what's right for us." Clarke gave a nod to pacify her mom and the older woman smiled. "Good, let's go home." Turning from Clarke to face the mounted Grounder's, Abby called with her Chancellor voice, "Let's move out."

"Thought you just said that," muttered Murphy after Abby had walked away.

"Leave it, Murphy. Find Octavia and tell her were headed out."

Murphy smirked and bowed his head to her as he started off down the path. "Yes, your majesty." Clarke leaned to the side to smack him, freezing when a shot rang out.