Bygones

~{Chapter 31}~

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"He said he can help us with the negotiation," I annoyingly said as I met up with the group.
"Anything about how he can help?" Clarke rose from where she was sitting.
"Not yet. I don't trust him."
"His entire army is outside unarmed..." Finn fiddled with a part of his sleeve, "They won't talk; not to us."
"So, his army is outside with no intention of hurting us and he claimed that he can help us. And if we do follow through with what he says, how do we know if he won't turn against us at the last minute?" I questioned.
"We have enough guns and people to wipe them out," Clarke stated.
"Good thought, but it's not going to be enough."
Knowing my father, he's a stubborn man. The others don't know that he's my father just yet and I'm planning on keeping it that way. He doesn't deserve the pity.
"We should call a meeting with everyone," Clarke suggested, "That way, we can all decide what's best for our people."
"After that, we make them think that we are welcoming them into our camp," I added, "The whole time we'll be monitoring them, making any note of suspicion."
Jaha interrupted, "How can you be certain that they will betray us? Maybe we should show some faith. That way, they will see our loyalty and possible change their minds."
"How can we show faith if we have a slight feeling of uncertainty?" I asked.
As Jaha started to explain, Monty walked in, "Uh, Leyla said she wants to talk to you."
I nodded and turned back to the group, "Continue to discuss. We need to find a way to retaliate against the Grounders, even if we need to trust these... people."
I walked out with Jasper and Bellamy followed.
"You should go back, Bel. They might need your opinion."
"Let me know if she's okay." He then leaned in, "Something hasn't been feeling right lately."
I put my hands around his neck, "Don't worry. I'll make sure she's fine."
He nodded and slightly smiled.

"I heard that you wanted to talk to me. What's going on?" I sat down next to Leyla in my tent.
"Why is there so much bad things happening? There's going to be war and everyone seems so sad... It makes me sad."
"Sweetheart, it's a tough time I know, but these people aren't sad. They're all busy figuring out things."
"Like fighting stuff?"
"Yes, fighting stuff and lots of other things that require a lot of energy. We're all tired, that's all."
"Okay..." She stilled seemed distressed.
"Look," I pulled her close, "Everything is going fine and we're making new plans. The war is still far ahead if us. Plus, we have more people to help us."
"Grandpa is going to help?"
I froze, not knowing how to react to the word "grandpa".
"Um- Yes, grandpa... will help."
She was more relieved, "Okay."
"What have you been doing all this time?" I asked, trying to get my mind off of the word.
"Jasper and Monty helped me with cutting wires and com... combutting?"
"Combustion, interesting. I didn't start learning about that until I was fourteen."
She started to play with my necklace, "Are we going to be home soon?"
Another question that I could not answer. I never new what home was and I was lied to about it. I wasn't going to make her learn the hard way like I did.
"We will be home, just not so soon. But we'll get there. I pr-"
I stopped myself from saying the two words that may haunt me for the rest if my life. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice.
"Where's daddy?", she said as she laid down next to me.
"He's busy right now. I have to go, sweetie, I have things to do," I said as I tucked her in.
I gave her a kiss on the forehead and started towards the MT again.
"Mommy?" She called out just before I put my foot through the entrance, "Can you sing the song again?"
I froze and looked back, "Of course."
The song was so old; something my mom sang to Daniel and I when we were in distress. I sat down at the edge of the bed.
"Where's daddy? Is he busy?" She asked as she got comfortable.
I smoothed down her hair and smiled, "He is, bur I'll tell him you called. He'll come by later."
She was fast asleep by the time I finally decided to go and then Bellamy came in.
"We need you in there," he sat down and looked at Leyla sleeping.
His expression softened and he seemed relieved.
I put a hand on his arm and squeezed it, "She alright. She's just tired and is almost done recovering from everything."
He nodded.
"We should go," I quietly got up and tucked the stood off to the side.
We entered the MT to people arguing over each other.
"It was a lot more civil when I left," Bellamy shouted to me over everyone.
"...We need to think about the people-!," Clarke stated.
"- enough fuel to rocket it and if we do..", Raven was talking to unimpressed Abby.
"STOP!" I yelled over everyone.
They all settled down and fixed themselves, "We are all in stress I understand, but the coldest part of winter is coming soon and we need a plan to stay warm as well. So what is the plan for the war so far.
"They," Raven glared at Clarke and Finn, "dodn't want to rocket fuel these damn Grounders when they get close enough."
"It's still too close to their villages. There are innocent people in there as well as kids," Clarke protested.
"Then we attract them to somewhere further!"
"What kind of rocket fuel, Raven?" I asked.
"Propellants."
"Hypergolic or nonhypergolic?"
"Hypergolic."
Clarke was concerned, "What does that mean?"
"It a fuel that won't ignite unless there is contact."
"Contact as in force?" Finn joined.
"Any small movement that changes the pressure around it will make it go boom," Raven explained.
"The winter weather isn't going to help," Clarke sighed.
"We don't have another choice, Clarke!"
"She's right, Clarke," Bellamy said, "Lincoln went to scout out their resources and they've got warriors. Lots of them. More than us even."
"Guns and handmade weapons aren't going to help us win the battle," Finn added on, finally agreeing with us.
"I said no," Clarke put down her hand on the table, "These people are just like us; they have families and lives."
"So what, are we just going to let them kill us? Like you said, Clarke, they're just like us. We have our own futures and lives to save as well," I said.
"Clarke," Abby put a hand on her shoulder, "This is war. You can't save everyone."
She turned to face Abby and said sternly, "I will find a way. I always do." She then turned to Raven, "I need another explosive that isn't too harmful. Can you do that?"
Raven crossed her arms, "No. It's either our way, which is the only way to save our asses, or your way, which is a dead end for all of us."
"Raven-"
"If you can't choose then find someone else to do my job because I'm out."
she the stormed out. Everyone then desperately looked at me.
"... I'll figure out a way."
We all scattered out of the tent, frustrated at another day of figuring out nothing.
I went back into my tent and checked up on Leyla. Sound asleep. Then I went into the work tent where Raven and I have been working. I sat down and mapped out all our resources even though Raven was right; there was no other way.

I hadn't notice that I fell asleep when I felt a blanket around my shoulder. I lifted my head from resting on my forearms and took a minute to figure out where I was. Then I heard someone's boots squeak in the mud, coming in.
"Here," Bellamy gave me a steaming cup, "Lincoln's been giving everyone this. It's to help prepare for the battle."
"Herbs," I took a sip and wrapped my freezing hands around the cup, "Food rations are low, huh?"
He pulled a seat across from me and sat down, "Finn's group has been having a rough time finding animals. Octavia and Lincoln found roots, berries, and nuts, but not much."
I was getting concerned, "How are we going to survive the battle if we don't get demolished by hunger and coldness first?"
He didn't know either, but then his face lit up, "Your fath- The Daunters might be able to help. When our group split, my group went and scouted them out on the outer premises of their camp. I remember seeing them working and collecting food, then bringing them into a hut."
"It might be enough only for their people," I tried to not degrade his thought, "I should talk to him. See if he knows any other ways that we haven't thought of."
I put the cup down, took of the blanket, and we went to one of the capsules he was held in. Before entering, I saw his people sharing food, water, and laughs with our people.
"We have another problem and you might come in handy," I crossed my arms as I entered the room.
He stood up as if it were to let my guard down because of his politeness.
"Food rations are low and nuts and berries won't hold us for too long. Does your people have any food that we can possibly use for the war?" Bellamy asked.
"My people and I have been gathering... but I don't know if there is enough for your people as well," he said in a tone that was very familiar to me. A tone that he would use when he wanted something.
"What's the catch?" I raised one eyebrow, uninterested in what he was about to say.
He thought for awhile. "Here's this. I get granted to talk to you and see my granddaughter and in return I will share our rations with you."
I was irritated and I almost said no before I caught myself.
I thought to myself , "Now is not the time to be selfish, Sloan. The people need the food. He won't hurt her because you're going to be right there."
"Fine," I sighed reluctantly.
He seemed content and that made me even more furious.
"Take a few of my men with you and they can show you where the rations are."
We hurried outside and gathered people together.
Kane caught my arm as I walked by, "Where are these people going?"
"He said he has ration to share with us," I nodded my head towards the capsule, "He said to take a few of his men to show us."
"We should bring him too," he started for the capsule.
"Why? These people know the way back to their own home perfectly fine," I paced after him.
"We want these people to fully trust us and let them know we are on their side fully."
I stopped walking and let him go as people rushed by getting ready. I turned around and started walking back to my tent. I was very skeptical on the thought of him roaming around near Leyla.
"Where's daddy going?" she was already up.
"He's going to get some food for us," I smoothed her hair down and pecked her forehead.
"Are you going?"
"I'm staying here and continuing to work," I started preparing a backpack for Bellamy, "Let's go say bye to daddy, okay?"
She nodded as I zipped the backpack up.

"Here," I handed the backpack to Bellamy, "Ammunition, extra hand gun, water, and my ration I didn't eat last night."
"Thanks," he said and knelt down to Leyla, "I'll be back soon."
"Don't take too long," she hugged him tightly.
"I promise."
He stood up and caught my worried face and lifted my chin up, "I'll keep my eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything."
I smiled, "I know you will."
Raven joined us, "I found something that could potentially work."
"Go, I'll be back soon," Bellamy strapped on the backpack.
We watched as him, Finn, and a few of our guys follow the others, then Leyla and I followed Raven to the work tent.

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