hiraeth | c.g. |

viii

"So, how bad is it really?"

Clary looked up from her hand, which had been twirling her switchblade, to see Tara already looking at her. The young woman sighed, leaning back in the chair before shaking her head. "Bad enough that the Council is worried. We've had blemishes and weak spots on the walls, but not like this."
 
Tara pursed her lips in thought, worried for the young Commander. While she greatly respected her, a part of her would never be able to forget the girl she had talked to on their first run so many years ago. Sometimes, Tara thought, Clary looked like that girl again, with worry harsh on her brow.

"There's been a lot of walker activity, hopefully that's it. Passing herds or something like that." Clary nodded softly in agreement, hoping that Tara's words would ring true.

As she made her way back to the desk, Tara flipped through papers with Hilltop's information before landing on one. "We have most of the timber ready. Jesus wanted us gather a bit more so you have extra in case that final wall does get attacked too."

Clary nodded, standing to look over Tara's shoulder at the information. "Thank you, Tara." Clary said after a moment, the older woman placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Anything we can do to help, Badass."

As Clary smiled, she looked around the office, her eyes falling upon the images painted and framed behind her. Clary's smile faltered as she looked at her work, pieces requested by Maggie when she had lived in Hilltop years ago.

Clary didn't know most of the people she had painted, only names and what Maggie had described to her of their likeness. Her surrogate mother had told her stories of her late family; stories of her father's wisdom and her sister's kindness. However, the one in the middle was one she recognized immediately, not just because she had painted it but because of the kind gaze staring back at her being one she saw every time she closed her eyes.

"I miss him," Tara spoke softly, the watch in Clary's pocket weighing heavily as she nodded. "I do, too. Everyday." 

Tara placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder, Clary putting her own hand over it. "He'd be so proud of you," Tara began with a soft smile as Clary looked to her. "I mean, he was always proud of you back then, but now? Now, you'd just blow him away. Same with your mom."

Clary's gaze met Tara's with a grateful smile. However, it fell immediately when the two heard shouts carried through the open window of the office. "Riders! Riders are coming!"

Both Clary and Tara made their way to the window, looking out to see the people that had been outside of the gates rushing in, the gates closing immediately behind them. "You see anyone else on the roads?" Tara asked, looking at Clary who shook her head. "It was just us, our spotters didn't see anyone else." Tara nodded, the two immediately exiting the office to go through the large house.

They burst through the doors of the residence, running quickly down the porch steps with Bear following the two women. Both Tara and Clary ran towards the front gates, pulling out their weapons of choice. They were soon joined by Enid and Alden, Clary unable to greet the latter as the four of them stopped just at the gates to stare at Diane who was perched at the wall.

"How many?" Tara asked as they approached, Diane pausing for a moment before answering. "Six," was all she said before she let out a sharp breath. "No, wait..." Diane dropped the binoculars, turning back to Tara and Clary. "It's Michonne."

Both Clary and Tara turned confusedly to each other, the younger of the two letting out a surprised breath. "You expecting her?" Tara only shook her head. "I stopped expecting her a long time ago." Clary grew tense as she waited for the gates to open, the only comfort being her dog as he sat right by her, leaning his body against hers.