hiraeth | c.g. |

xvii

"Enid, please—"

The young woman tightened the straps of her armor, looking at her boyfriend with frustration. "No, I'm not staying here, not while my sister is out there!" Enid shouted at Alden, the man not phased as he knew she was just worried for Clary. "Either grab your spear and come with us or get out of my way."

Alden didn't hesitate to grab his spear, holding it tightly in hand as he looked to Enid. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you look for your sister?" Enid let out a sharp laugh as she made her way to the group that had gathered.

Enid's eyes fell on Kelly as she approached the group, the young woman placing a hand on her shoulder. She knew just how Kelly felt, the both of them worried for their sisters. Enid's gaze then fell on Carol, who spoke with Leon and Ezekiel.

"Are we going or what?" Kelly questioned. "My sister's out there somewhere." A shout at the front gate forced them to turn as Magna smiled. "No, she's not."

Enid didn't hesitate to look over, the young woman actively looking for a singular person. It was as she saw a familiar face that she didn't hesitate to make her way to the gate, immediately going to Clary as she hopped out of the wagon only to attack her with a hug.

"Woah! Good to see you, too, E—" Enid pulled away before shaking her head. "You scared the shit out of me! Don't ever leave in the middle of the night again or I swear I'll kill you." Clary nodded softly, giving her another hug before allowing her to greet Carl.

"Commander, isn't this a lovely surprise."

Looking past Enid, Clary smiled as she saw Leon approaching, the man clasping her hand in greeting. "I was beginning to worry you wouldn't show," Leon spoke with a smile, the young woman only shrugging. "I told you I'd make it." Leon smiled. "That you did."

Looking over to where Carol and Henry hugged, Clary smiled softly as she saw the family joined together with the two joined by Ezekiel and Alec. The latter looked towards Clary, a small smile on his face as he mouthed a quick thank you, to which she nodded.

Clary couldn't help the warmth that flooded her body as she saw everyone greeting each other, her heart clenching as she knew it was a sight Jesus would have loved to see. However, the moment was cut short as Tara approached, her eyes falling on Lydia.

"The plan was to bring Henry," Tara sounded, the woman approaching slowly. "Just Henry." Her eyes were dark as she stared at Lydia, who Clary noticed moving from behind the wagon. "Gather up all the leaders," Michonne began. "We have a lot to talk about."

"I know I haven't always seen eye-to-eye with everyone in this room. But I never stopped caring about any of you."

Michonne's eyes fell upon the young Commander of Solaris, who nodded softly as she watched the woman. Clary stayed silent as she listened, the Commander standing with Carl to her left and Leon at her right hand.

"I was just trying to protect my family and do right by my people. Alexandria's future is here. Together, with you." Michonne's eyes fell upon the people surrounding her and nodded. "And we lost sight of that for a while. But... I'm here now. We're here now."

The leaders of the five communities straightened up as Carl took a step forward. "I've had Gabriel take an informal vote with the other council members at the fair, and we all agree. Alexandria is willing to grant asylum to Lydia." The young man looked at the leaders surrounding him. "She's one of us now. We hope the rest of you can join us in doing the same."

The leaders of the communities all looked towards Lydia, who nodded shyly as Henry grasped her hand. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'll do whatever I can to earn my keep and pay you back."