hiraeth | c.g. |

xv

Clary Rhee never thought that she would be able to see the tall walls of Alexandria before her ever again. The once clean metal was now dotted in rust, a testament to the time that had passed since the Commander had last happened upon the community.

It had never been Clary's choice to never step foot in the community, the decision made even before Michonne had made it: by Maggie. It had been when Alexandria had refused medical aid to Hilltop, leaving their allies alone in their time of need.

"If Alexandria ever needs assistance, we tell them what they told us. That they'll have to find a way to save their own."

Clary remembered standing besides her mother in the meeting. She had been there as both Commander and daughter, Maggie's office housing the two as they met along with Jesus, Enid, and Tara. She had never expected Maggie to sound so cold towards Michonne, but their world had changed.

Everything had changed.

The fallout between Hilltop and Alexandria had Solaris on thin ice with their own alliance with the latter community. It was Carl's loyalty to Solaris, even if he was no longer the Second Commander, or even with Clary, that kept them in good standing. But it was Clary's loyalty that shattered it.

And now, three years after Michonne had declared Clary was never welcomed back to Alexandria, she stood right where she had when she first happened upon the community. It had been so different then with Clary broken, bloody, and scarred, protected by Glenn Rhee and saved by the young man that, for some reason, still stood beside her.

"Laura, Aaron, open the gates!" Carl commanded, only to be met with hesitation and silence. Laura and Aaron exchanged quick words before the latter soon descended the tower, Laura looking back to the group.

"Laura—" the woman cut him off. "Michonne gave us orders," Laura began before her eyes shifted to Clary. "And you know the rules. The Commander is not to step foot—" Carl shook his head. "That rule is done."

It was moments such as those that Clary realized Carl truly was Rick Grimes' son. The stature of authority he held, the way he walked, the way he held his head up high, even the strength of his words— they were all attributes of a Grimes. However, that thought passed as Clary realized that the demands of Michonne were not just personal but a full ruling for the community.

At that realization, Clary gripped Carl's arm. "I'll go. Henry needs to get fixed up and if me being here stops that then—" Carl didn't hesitate to cut her off, his gaze meeting hers. "No. No, that isn't happening, not on my watch."

Before Clary could say anything else, steps against wood forced Clary and Carl to turn towards the top of the gates, seeing Michonne. The woman was silent as she gazed down at the group, immediately noticing both Lydia and Clary.

"Henry's hurt. You were the closest," Daryl began, looking up to Michonne as she continued to look down on the group with a clenched jaw. "I wouldn't have come. We had no other choice."

Michonne was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on Lydia. "What about her?" Michonne questioned, cocking her head towards Lydia. "She's with us," Henry responded immediately, holding Michonne's questioning stare.

It was silent as the group awaited Michonne's call, her eyes noticeably flicking to Clary. Immediately, Carl shifted forward, giving a nod to his adoptive mother. It was a small shift, but it was one that Clary noticed and one that she was grateful for.

Michonne turned back to Aaron and Laura, their voices hushed as they were too far to overhear. However, the contents of their conversation was revealed as Michonne turned back towards the group. It was silent for a moment before she looked down at whoever was at the gate.