BROKEN BONES • THE 100 [3]

iii. VULNERABILITIES

THE DOORS to the throne room opened, guards leading the way for Erica and Clarke to enter.

Abby and Kane stood on the other side, their eyes full of hope. As they recognized the girls, they both smiled, a single teardrop rolling down Abby's cheek.

Clarke ran forward to her mother, hugging her tightly. Erica stood still in the doorway, searching for any expression of approval from Kane. Her heart was pounding. She wasn't the same girl she used to be, what if he was disappointed in her? What if he was angry?"

Kane pressed his lips together, his eyes welling up with tears. Taking a step forward, he opened his arms, and Erica slowly walked towards him.

She burst into tears almost immediately. He wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair softly.

She hadn't hugged anyone in three months. Kol wasn't very affectionate, and only now did Erica realize how starved she was of physical touch. A weight was lifted from her chest as Kane gave her a final squeeze, pulling away to look at her face.

"Don't cry. We're taking you home, you'll be safe with us." He wiped her tears gently.

Clarke and Erica made eye contact, and Clarke spoke up. "We have something to tell you, and we don't have much time."

"Wait, just let me look at you for a second," Abby placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder, reaching out the other to rest on Erica's arm affectionately.

She felt so at peace at this moment, despite the political turmoil that was surrounding her. She was with her people again- at least some of them.

"We'll have plenty of time to catch up when we get back home," Kane spoke, the voice of reason.

"The Commander's changing the terms of the summit," Clarke began.

"Is this because of Mount Weather?" Kane's brows furrowed, a look of concern waving across his features.

"No, it's because of Azgeda, the Ice Nation." Erica jumped in. "They want to take over the coalition, and they want Lexa dead."

"If Lexa falls, the coalition shatters," Kane was thinking out loud, allowing himself to understand the stakes. "There's no way we'd survive that. What are the new terms?"

"She wants us to become the thirteenth clan." Erica watched as Abby's face contorted, leaving an expression of disbelief.

"The thirteenth clan, what does that mean? That we follow Lexa?" She spoke, maintaining eye contact with her daughter.

"Yes," Clarke answered.

"We came here to negotiate a treaty." The Chancellor's voice was becoming irritated.

"This is our Unity Day, Mom. You can be the thirteenth station, or you can be the thirteenth clan."

Abby turned to Kane, looking for advice. "Marcus?"

Kane turned around. He had moved to the balcony, looking over the busy streets of the capital. "Clarke's right. I've seen the Ice Nation army, and we don't stand a chance against them. We need to do this."